Newbie Question

[B52]

Well,not really a newbie...just been 10 years....

My wife and I will be staying at the Poly for 7 days in August, club level....no kids...they're grown on on their own....

Anyway the strategy question....I have noticed everyone booking ADR's....are people doing this in order pre plan where they will eat everyday???
If so, then you also have to plan where you will be everyday?

Last time we were there, we went on the fly...just made oñe or two reservations for the high end resturants....but it seems people are planning everyday?

What do people actually do? We would like to have at least one nice table service meal a day...not be turned away and be limited to only fast food....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the dis, B52.

For your higher end restaurants, a DR is recommended. With the advent of the dining plan and 'free' dining at times during the year, the availability of restaurants has diminished, along with the general variety and quality of the food. Keep in mind that some restaurants, a good example being Le Cellier, develop a unwarranted cult following at times. A restaurant becomes a bit popular, people start to see it being harder to get a DR, and it starts to become a feeding frenzy trying to get a DR, even though the food is no better than it was, often worse. It is a result and perception of the implied super meal. And it starts to feed on itself.

Enjoy.

 

[amg35]

Hi!

We are going this October just the two of us (no kids). We actually have the quick service dining plan because that just works for us. But regarding table service:

We plan to make an ADR for restaurants we definitely don't want to miss. Our can't miss include Via Napoli and La Hacienda ...., and maybe another.

If we want to do any more table service, we are willing to eat at later times and try new places that have room for us!

We are also willing to sit at the bar in restaurants that serve food at the bar. We are fine with splitting appetizers and drinks in that case.

Also Spice Road (I think that's the name) opened in Morocco, no reservations taken. It's a tapas place with wine/cocktails, we are looking forward to that.

And if you are worried about counter service, I find that there are many great places that you don't just have to get chicken nuggets and burgers!

Have a great trip!

 

[minnie mum]

Well,not really a newbie...just been 10 years....

My wife and I will be staying at the Poly for 7 days in August, club level....no kids...they're grown on on their own....

Anyway the strategy question....I have noticed everyone booking ADR's....are people doing this in order pre plan where they will eat everyday???
If so, then you also have to plan where you will be everyday?

Last time we were there, we went on the fly...just made oñe or two reservations for the high end resturants....but it seems people are planning everyday?

What do people actually do? We would like to have at least one nice table service meal a day...not be turned away and be limited to only fast food....

Nowadays it seems like most folks make ADRs. Part of the reason is the DDP. If you have paid good money for it, you don't want to risk not getting into your restaurant of choice. And because DDP users are taking up a fair numbers of tables daily, those paying OOP feel compelled to make ADRs as well, under the "better safe than sorry" theory. And then there are those restaurants that are just plain popular, for whatever reason. So my advice is if you want to eat at a particular restaurant, make an ADR.

Does this mean that you have to plan which park for each day? Yes and no. If you only want to dine at resort TS restaurants, then it doesn't matter what park you are in that day (although it may be convenient to eat near that park). If you have a PH ticket, then you don't necessarily have to plan your parks in advance, although planning may help reduce time wasted in moving from park to park.

But if you are going during a crowded time and/or you don't have PHs, and/or you want to eat at a restaurant inside a park, planning which park you will go to each day makes sense. I use easywdw.com to do my park planning.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

If there is somewhere you just HAVE to dine, make an ADR. However, with it being just the two of you, you will probably be ok to just go on the fly. That being said, you may have to eat a little earlier or later than "normal" meal times.

Basically, approach it like you would at home: Pick a place, check the wait time, if it's acceptable to you -- wait. If not, try somewhere else. There is no shortage of dining options and as a PP said, even the quick service can be pretty good (not just burgers and nuggets).

Either way... Enjoy!

 

[bababear_50]

Oh you are going to have such a great time at the Poly!

Is there a service available to those staying Club Level to assist with a few special ADRs?
(Pre-arrival Walt Disney World Resort itinerary planning.)

here is a link to Allears info
http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=35

Another link to info
http://magicmemoriesmayhem.com/club-level-at-walt-disney-world/
http://magicmemoriesmayhem.com/disneys-polynesian-resort/


I think with the higher end TS restaurants you would be wise to book in advance.
Have a great Holiday
Hugs Mel

 

[Jennasis]

It's just DH and I and we definitely make ADR's. We tend to plan our trips around food, but we're weird that way. So right at our 180 day mark we book our ADR's for the restaurants we want to eat at.

 

[ca1987]