NO adr's at all for our trip!

[stky6]

(eggs, potatoes, breads, bacon, coffee, juice and ickey waffles when we went 2005)

Guess I'm stayin' away from the waffles

 

[ROEDISNEY]

This is our 5th trip to WDW and this trip we have no planned or booked adr's at all for our whole stay, now is that crazy or what haha! I'm usually booking and planning months and months out, this time it's going to be a fly by night eat in villa counterservice kind of trip. Never gone in the beginning of August and don't know what to expect more then that the heat is the same as here at home No clue about how crowds are or anything and we decided to just go day by day and really, take it easy and not do the run around craze we have always done before on our previous trips. The only one meal I'd like to book really, is a breakfast but can't decide on Poly or Boma (never been to either), now I'm wondering if it is possible to relax and not get into the "get up at dawn" thing hahaha, this is a true test to see if it will really work. Sleep in as long as we want, hang by the pool and maybe only do parks early morning some days and late nights other days..oh well time will tell!

I am having a panic attack just reading this .lol
Good luck and have a great tirp!

 

[Laura]

I made only one ADR prior to leaving for our last trip. We had 7 TS meals total, some were walk-ups and some we made ADRs a few hours, minutes or days beforehand when we knew where we wanted to eat. Worked very well for us. This was in late April/early May time of the year, not summer.

 

[engle]

We cancelled an ADR for one of the nights of our trip....we are freaking out that we have no meal plans for ONE DAY!!! Although, I must admit, it sounds kinda fun!! You never know what hidden goodies you may run into!!

 

[loveDmouse]

Good luck. I am afraid you may need it.

When we go in December during the "slower" times I watched people being turned away. I can't even imagine what the summertime is like down there. YIKES!
We always make some ADRs. We stay in our motorhome at Fort Wilderness so we cook some.

I would suggest you call and try to get some ADRs. JMHO

I think it would be nice to be free and just be able to walk up to a TS and get a table but it just doesn't seem to happen often.

 

[DizzDoll]

We're going to be in the World for 10 nights and 11 days and I only made 4 ADRs - the rest we're winging. This could prove to be quite interesting. Personally, I could live on nothing but salad. My son actually DOES live on pizza. My daughter, however, does the whole "waiter putting the napkin on my lap" thing. Whoo-hoo this should be fun!!!

 

[jessily]

You'll have so much fun! I have been on about 8 trips to WDW and worked there for 4 months. The free dining trip I am going on in September will be my first ADRs made before a trip! When I worked there I simply didn't have the money to eat at TS restaurants (although now I wish I had made the effort while I had a discount). On past trips I have had a basic schedule for each day, but just wandered around and eat when we get hungry. It's great! On our last trip we ended up back at Epcot every night for food in World Showcase. Enjoy!

 

[MaleficentFan]

When DH and I went on our honeymoon to WDW we made only 1 ADR before we left... I HAD to eat with Cinderella on my honeymoon so that ADR was a must. Everything else we set after we got there. We'd get up in the morning, figure out where we wanted to go that day and then decide where we wanted to eat dinner. So our ressies were made no more than 12 hours before we wanted to eat! I think it's great that you're willing to go off the grid! And if you're flexible with what and where you are willing to eat you should be fine! We take the same laid back attitude with our park plan for our trips. I have never set up any advanced schedule for what park we want to hit and when. It's always a "we'll see what we feel like when we get there" kind of thing. That may have to change as DD gets older though!

 

[WDisnut]

remember the few counter service location with AC... eating food in 100 degree weather not so good ...

 

[KPLC]

I think that if you have children then the ADR'S for the character meals area must. I would not want to have my children all excited for a meal with one of the characters and then we are turned away at the door. I would rather make the ADR'S and then cancel them while I was there if we decided we did not want them and then allow the walk ups to get the table.

 

[jessyj1977]

One day I hope to have the guts enough not to make any ADR's but until then I am going to live vicariously through you!!! Can't wait to see your updates!!

 

[Princess Tink]

This is our 5th trip to WDW and this trip we have no planned or booked adr's at all for our whole stay, now is that crazy or what haha! I'm usually booking and planning months and months out, this time it's going to be a fly by night eat in villa counterservice kind of trip. Never gone in the beginning of August and don't know what to expect more then that the heat is the same as here at home No clue about how crowds are or anything and we decided to just go day by day and really, take it easy and not do the run around craze we have always done before on our previous trips. The only one meal I'd like to book really, is a breakfast but can't decide on Poly or Boma (never been to either), now I'm wondering if it is possible to relax and not get into the "get up at dawn" thing hahaha, this is a true test to see if it will really work. Sleep in as long as we want, hang by the pool and maybe only do parks early morning some days and late nights other days..oh well time will tell!

We too will be among the crazy's from the midwest going to WDW in August (10-15) w/o ADR's this year. We've been to WDW many-many times over the past few years, always with meals planned out (except for that very first trip in 2000), and we're excited. The odd part is I can be slightly OCD, so initially the thought of it feaked me out....but, it was a last minute (for us) trip. Called a couple wks ago and booked whatever was available with DVC (without needing to move mid trip), and made flight arrangements. It's just gonna be DS10 and I (cuz DH can't get the time off this summer)......a first for us in WDW. And we're going in Aug....also a first. We typically go in July, so figured it can't be a whole lot different...still hot and humid, but I'm a little weird cuz I love it!!! DS and I are just gonna go with the flow so to speak....eat in the villa and at CS locations, drink lots of WATER, and just hang out. We'll probaly wake up early and hit the parks at open, cuz that's what we do......but other than that, we have no plans.

 

[Karlzmom]

This is our 5th trip to WDW and this trip we have no planned or booked adr's at all for our whole stay, now is that crazy or what haha! I'm usually booking and planning months and months out, this time it's going to be a fly by night eat in villa counterservice kind of trip. Never gone in the beginning of August and don't know what to expect more then that the heat is the same as here at home No clue about how crowds are or anything and we decided to just go day by day and really, take it easy and not do the run around craze we have always done before on our previous trips. The only one meal I'd like to book really, is a breakfast but can't decide on Poly or Boma (never been to either), now I'm wondering if it is possible to relax and not get into the "get up at dawn" thing hahaha, this is a true test to see if it will really work. Sleep in as long as we want, hang by the pool and maybe only do parks early morning some days and late nights other days..oh well time will tell!

I don't think you're nuts at all! Imagine, a vacation that just unfolds, rather than being programmed to minute I kinda feel like a lemming following the herd to have my ADRs set, because what if I can't find anyplace to eat, or at least not anywhere I want to eat & then my trip will be ruined!
Seriously, where else can you travel that you have to know you are going to want italian/seafood/buffet-fodder at 1100 on Tuesday, 6-months in advance?

....but better safe than sorry [I was never a rebel, just a dreamer of the possibilities] I'll be waiting for your trip report.

 

[Connears]

Guess I'm stayin' away from the waffles

Ooops...MICKEY WAFFLES! does that sound better?

Connears

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I think you will be fine...as long as everyone else in the parks do the same thing while you are there...

I could never imagine leaving all meals to chance, especially during a very busy and VERY hot time of year. Our kids are 5 & 6 and a scheduled sit down meal in air conditioning is a much need break for them (and us!).
I admire your courage! Leaving every meal to chance I would imagine could be fun, under the right circumstances. But I can see myself with two hot, hungry kids trying to find a cool place for a meal. I won't risk my sanity like that! As long as you are prepared to be possibly turned away from places, eating meals very early or very late, and truly indifferent about where and what you eat, then it will be all good.
Good luck and I really am looking forward to seeing your trip report!

 

[madzach]

This is our first trip in a few years and also the first time making adr's. I'm finding as it gets closer I want to make some switchs but not having much luck.

 

[cnids00]

Thanks for all your replies, I had actually forgotten to check if I had any Yeah it's too hot and humid here

Ok, it's me, DH and DD 13, we ordered our groceries for delivery from Gardengrocer (this is our third time ordering from them, love it!) so we'll be eating in, got that covered I do know there is no CS at BWV's, I was more thinking about meals in the parks as CS, loved Cosmic Rays in MK and Flametree BBQ in AK for example. Last year we went and had meals booked and when we got to the airport leaving my DH said: Next time I want to be able to relax on our vacation Never been on the dining plan and the main reason I didn't book anything is because of us trying to stay away from parks midday and only do either DTD or hang around the pool. I work the O/N shift and boy would it be nice to have some kind of tan before summer is over! I sleep during the day exept for my two days off.

Yep, we're going all out there and doing it, I'm not scared We've eaten at a lot of good places before and we'll be alright as long as I don't fall asleep by the pool and get burnt to a crisp! Though breaking the tradition of Chef Mickey's is going to be really weird

Trip report it is

 

[Stella3]

I got Le Cellier on a walk-up last trip. Took me right in at 7:30 pm. I also did Biergarten, Nine Dragons, Turf Club, Crystal Palace, California Grill and Jiko....all walk-ups. This was in May of this year.

 

[perla75]

We are only planning on 2 ADR's for our next trip (CP breakfast w/Pooh & Boma dinner) but this is because the theme of our next trip will be "El Cheapo WDW!" Staying at a value & sticking to mostly CS meals. We are convinced that we will be able to find good and fun CS options for all meals!

 

[Bob NC]

Most folks on here are planners. Many plan stuff just for the sake of planning. "Planners", think that's the only way to do it and will call you loony if you don't.

I've been a couple times to WDW while "free" dining was in effect. We ate *almost* anywhere we wanted, anytime we wanted.

One evening I called to get an ADR for Narcoossees that night. They told me nothing was available the whole night. We went over there anyway at about 6:30 and were seated immediately. There were plenty of open tables. I think for the most part, they keep far more tables open for walk-ups than we think.

But really, someone who is on this board all day, posting 12 times a day, spending months planning every detail.....Including making plans for what they want to eat for dinner 26 weeks from now, just can't say out loud that's it's totally possible to go to WDW without ADR's and not starve.