Newbie question re dining

[Arrowsm]

Haven't been to Disney world in years. There will be 7 of us including 3 small grandchildren (3, 5 & 7). We will be making 3 dining reservations (chef Mickeys, Cinderella's and Hollywood and Vine). Otherwise we don't want to be restricted to a particular dining schedule (ie - reservations) for lunch or dinner. Are we making a mistake thinking that we can "wing it" or should we make a reservation for each night and put up with the restrictions that come with a set schedule.

 

[sharonabe]

Haven't been to Disney world in years. There will be 7 of us including 3 small grandchildren (3, 5 & 7). We will be making 3 dining reservations (chef Mickeys, Cinderella's and Hollywood and Vine). Otherwise we don't want to be restricted to a particular dining schedule (ie - reservations) for lunch or dinner. Are we making a mistake thinking that we can "wing it" or should we make a reservation for each night and put up with the restrictions that come with a set schedule.

If you're okay with taking whatever is available when you're ready to eat, then you can probably wing it. You may have to go to resorts or Disney Springs to find a place that can accommodate all of you. EP World Showcase would also have more availability than other parks as well. Be ready to just do QS too in case there's nothing convenient at the time you check.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you aren't able to be seated for any other table service dining, would that be a problem? Could you make your meal at a counter service dining facility instead? If you need to have a table service dining experience for the other nights, you really want to make an ADR for those nights as well.

 

[GPC0321]

There are tons of good quick service options down there for lunch/dinner. And depending on when you're going, if you decide at the last minute you'd like to have a nice table service dinner or something, hop on the app on your phone, look to see what's available, and if you see something that sounds appealing and convenient, book it that way. You won't be able to walk up to most places and get a table, especially the more popular ones. A lot depends on when you're going and what the crowd levels will be like too. You should be fine. I love Disney quick service, and it's definitely nice to just eat when you're hungry and when it fits into the rest of your day.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Im a planner at home and on vacation. I couldnt wing it with 3 kids, but if YOU can handle that, then go for it. I agree it becomes bothersome knowing we should not be on one side of the park, or get in line for a ride because we have a reservation coming up. Worst is when we have seen all we wanted to see, but have to hang around for an hour because of a reservation. I wish I could go with the flow, but I also need time off of my feet, in AC, while at Disney and I prefer table service dining. As previous poster stated, there are plenty of great quick service restaurant to go to when you want. Also check the Disney app for available TS restaurants when youre in the park. Though the most popular will most likely be fully booked, there is always something somewhere.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Arrowsm]

Thanks for the fast replies. I think that I may need to re-think some of my plans. Maybe a bit of structure would be helpful to organize 7 people

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

It’s totally doable to not have ADRs. I only have 3 for my 7 days in the park. But if your plan is table service restaurants I wouldn’t wing that. Plenty of QS places to eat in most of the parks. Hollywood studios doesn’t have much though. I started looking for a Sci Fi ADR when I decided I didn’t like my options at QS there 3 weeks out and it’s been hard to get one even using TPs reservation finder.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are we making a mistake thinking that we can "wing it"

For 7 people? Yes IMO it’s a mistake.

With 3 young kids? Also yes.

I’d do table service as my lunch type of meal, then counter service in the evening. Gives you a nice break.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

If you want a TS meal each night, I suggest reserving it, especially with a party of 7. If you’re happy to have counter service for those meals then you’re fine to “wing it.” I wouldn’t say “pre-plan or starve,” but it may be “pre-plan or have counter service,” and if you’re comfortable with the counter service options that’s completely fine. We usually only have 1-3 TS meals during a week long visit.

You can always check what’s available when you’re ready to eat but it may not be what you want or at a time that works.

Last August we considered going to Biergarten (good, but not a headliner you have to book 180 days out) for dinner at the last minute. The only opening for 7 was around 8 PM which is too late for at least 2/3 of my kids (11, 14, 2) and would have meant rushing or not being done in time to “claim” our spot for Illuminations. When we checked, at 5 PM, there was limited availability anywhere we would have wanted to go.

 

[3gr8boys]

It is important to me to have a TS meal everyday. Whether it's a late breakfast, lunch, or dinner....I like the ability to sit and take a deep breath (and I am a huge fan of AC). We often split up (kids with different goals) and a TS lunch can be a time to cap off a morning together and discuss what everyone wants to do next. It certainly isn't the best approach for everyone, but an ADR everyday feels like a necessity for me. You may have luck getting ADRs the day or two before, instead of planning way ahead, as people drop ''em.....but my personality dictates that I don't take chances

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Because of the size of your group and the ages of the kids, I would plan ahead if you want a TS each day. Will you be taking afternoon breaks for naps and/or the pool? Will you have your own car? Are you staying onsite, and are you open to going offsite to a local or chain restaurant? It's not easy to get from one resort to another using Disney transportation, so where you will be just before meal times and what your transportation options are would factor in my decision of how flexible or planned to be. If you plan to spend all day in the parks with possible stroller naps, I would definitely plan a TS for lunch or dinner each day just to have some down time.

 

[KenHutch]

With 3 younger kids who will want food I would make ADR's ahead of time you can always cancel them the day before. I have read that many people cannot decide where they want to eat 180 days out. Well our 6th trip isn't until 2021 and I am already marking down some definite choices for certain days.

 

[danikoski]

We are a group of 7 going in June, and we have at least one ADR each day. Now am I going to keep them all? Not sure. But I have them. Easier to get them now and modify or cancel then not be able to get them for my whole group later. And as a previous poster mentioned, if you want to do TS at DHS with your whole group, it could be difficult. I had to use Touring Plans reservation finder to get an ADR for our group at SciFi, and it took longer than expected. It was easier for me to snag a PrePark Open Be Our Guest breakfast then the SciFi ADR.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

IMHO, it depends on what time of year you are going. If it's a holiday (or the weeks surrounding one), I would make at least 1 ADR every day. With younger children, I would make it a lunch ADR - I found my DS's schedule was completely thrown out of whack at WDW when he was little and he would fall asleep for hours in his stroller. We could typically keep a schedule from about rope drop to a little after lunch time and then it was anybody's guess what he would be up for. We found it was best to wing afternoons/evenings in case he just needed some rest. There is food everywhere at WDW. If you want to "wing it" a little bit, make mobile ordering on the MDE app your friend or check the app for TS times day-of or the night before once you have a better sense of where you will be and what you will want to do. We are going in 5 days and I have one ADR. The rest of the time we will wing it - go to restaurants that are easier to get into or are available on opentable or simply go to QS.

 

[kiford]

Thanks for the fast replies. I think that I may need to re-think some of my plans. Maybe a bit of structure would be helpful to organize 7 people

And to avoid the endless rotating "I don't know, what do you want to do" especially with 7 people. When it's just DH and I, we could just wing it for meals (we don't, we book ADRs - but we could if we wanted to) but when we're with our friends, that's rapidly what it turns into. Much easier to book ADRs and then make a decision the day prior if you decide collectively you want to cancel it and book somewhere else or just wing it. At least you have something in hand.