Nervous about becoming ADR diners

[dimndgal1]

Previously, DH and I usually just wing it when we go to Disney -- we might book one high demand meal reservation (we've done CRT before, Garden Grill, San Angel Inn) but we usually prefer to let the flow of the day carry us somewhere around meal time.

When we were at WDW this past May, we ended up out of luck for the most part -- most of the reservations were gone for the day by noon and walk-ups were loooooong waits. I'm not sure if maybe this was during a FDP time period or not, but it has made me very antsy for our next trip.

Do same day reservations fill up quick now? Or is this usually only during the Free Dining Plan times? I'm not adverse to counter service meals, but I like being able to sit down occasionally... I just hate to give away the freedom of floating to a different park than planned.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We've headed to WDW each May since 2003 and can honestly say that we've noticed a steady increase in the crowd levels each trip. I agree that there was once a time when you could easily get a walk-up reservation, however, over the past few years I wouldn't chance trying to eat without ADRs.

B

 

[Hopefully]

We've been going each October for 8 years and each year is busier than the year before. It is not like Holiday periods, but it is no longer "quiet". Disney markets well to even out attendance. There really are no "slow" periods any more.
No restaurant holds tables for walk ups or same day reservations. All tables are available to book 180 days in advance. You may luck out at a restaurant that either has a no show or a last minute cancellation, you may not. If you have your heart set on a specific spot, make an ADR. Sorry.

 

[cbg1027]

With the exception of a handful of places, if you're set on eating there, you need an ADR.

Another tactic is to try at off peak times - go at 11/11:30 right when lunch services starts and around 4/4:30 when dinner service starts. That will increase your chances of getting a walk up.

Unfortunately, you have to make some choices.

Dine at times you don't like in restaurants you do like in order to do walk ups
or
Dine at places you don't care for at times you want with a walk up
or
Dine at places you do like at a specific day and time
or
Dine at a CS

 

[Disneymad]

Make adr's for the places you know you'd really like to eat with your best guess as to when - the beauty of the adr system is that if you then change your mind you don't have to use it but atleast you're covered if you do want it.

You should ofc cancel as soon as you realise this though so as to open it up for someone else to be able to use - this can be done very easily at any Guest Relations at the parks or resorts, or if you happen to be passing the restaurant itself you can just let the podium know.

Adr's are there to make life easier, definitely don't worry or get stressed about them!

 

[Cin]

I'm taking my first trip using the regular dining plan and so this time I had to schedule ADR's. Last time I used QSDP and only had 1 ADR so I know what you mean about the freedom and flexibility. What I discovered though when booking is that not every place I chose had an opening the day or time I wanted and this is at 5 months out. If 5 months ahead they don't have a seat, I certainly don't expect to find on the same day. I'm a little nervous about he ADR thing too as we are also used to the freedom of dining where you are when you want, but food is part of the whole Diseny experience and you should savor those dining moments like you do the park attractions and shows. It's all entertainment down to the detailing and the decor even.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Even though all tables are usually booked, quite a few people don't show up, especially first timers. I always make ADR's, but undoubtedly end up canceling a few and making a same day reservation or just walking up. I've never waited more than 15 minutes.

 

[jimim]

Man over the past few years it has got harder and harder when it comes to dinner especially. We never go without all our dinner ADR setup for the past 8-10 years now. We don't do anything about breakfast or lunches ever except if it's character but it deff has become harder. what stinks is that alot of time we get to the place and it's kinda empty but according to dinner res it was booked up. it's like people make reservations and just don't show which stinks if it's a place i wanted to get into and couldn't.

jim

 

[River Country]

I agree with all the PP's here. ADR's are nothing to stress over. Dont let them run the vacation. Make the ones that do not take walk ups if you wnat to go there i.e CRT, LeCellier.

If you want to wing the other ones wing them, but remember, ADR's are there to help the fluidity of your vacation IMHO. You dont want to be in the MK at 6PM and hungry looking for a place to eat. What i would do is if youa re making a full day at any park when you get there go to Guest Services and see what is available for that day they are very helpful i have done that many times.

Good Luck and enjoy

 

[nkereina]

If you are very flexible about the times and places you eat at, you can always find something somewhere. Even during FD. If there are any must-do's, you need to make ADRs.

 

[dimndgal1]

I'm glad I am not the only one who noticed the surge in packed tables -- great for Disney, not so much for groups like us who sort of 'go with the flow'. I think the part that worries me most is we're going in the summer (which I haven't done in YEARS) and I know it's a busier time. Since DH is military we can't finagle different dates (November is my fave time to go!) so I'm going to grin and bear it and just appreciate the extra long park hours as compensation for the craziness

I think we're going to do as suggested to reserve the few places we KNOW we want to go and you need ADRs for. Other than that, we'll just let our feet carry us that day and if there's a table, great... if not, we'll grab n go. In-laws are not foodies (Applebee's is one of their all-time fave places to eat) so I know they'd rather take the time riding/playing than eating anyway.

*sighs* I admit I'm a planner, but one of my fave Disney trips was spur of the moment to do the Everest sneak peek - we drove down around noon, rode EE five times, walked to EPCOT and ate at Marakesh, then drove home. I feel like those days are gone!

Thanks again!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I like to plan..DH doesnt care for it so this past May we (just 2 of us) did it his way, no reservations at all and we did walk ups to everything, Kona breakfast, Tony's in MK, Cali Grill etc and had no trouble at all....the one place we were shut out of was Teppan Edo but I was totally fine with that