No ADR's at all?! T-r-o-u-b-l-e?

[Tracy00]

Ok, so we just got back this Monday. We were at the Poly for 10 days starting May 6-15. We had one ADR made. It was for Chef Mickey's for my daughters 6th birthday dinner the night of the 10th. I made that ADR about 10 days in advance and got in at 8:20 - we were seated almost immediately after our picutre was taken.

I understand that it might be very different when the free dining upgrade is in effect. However, I am so glad that I did not buy into the hysteria I was feeling prior to leaving by worring about and/or making a a bunch of ADRs!

We travelled as either a party of 5 or 8 depending on who was with us and we ate at every single table service restaurant we walked in to - without ever waiting more than 5 minutes. We ate at Canada, Hollywood Brown Derby, Mexico, Fultons, Liberty Tree Tavern, Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, Coral Reef, Morocco - just off the top of my head and did NOT have ANY ADRS. We were walk ups every single time and they seated us almost immediately each time. And we were not eating at off times. Prime lunch and dinner times with no problems. Of course, this could have just been dumb luck, but I was seriously worried because of all the talk going on on this board about how you MUST have an ADR or you won't be eating at a TS restaurant. I just wasn't true for us.

I for one will continue to take a chance on future trips. I just don't like to be tied down to a certain location at an exact time - with 3 kids it's just too much trouble. But if you don't mind that, then by all means you should make the ADRs to avoid any potential problems.

Good luck!
Tracy

 

[Christine]

Ok, so we just got back this Monday. We were at the Poly for 10 days starting May 6-15. We had one ADR made. It was for Chef Mickey's for my daughters 6th birthday dinner the night of the 10th. I made that ADR about 10 days in advance and got in at 8:20 - we were seated almost immediately after our picutre was taken.

I understand that it might be very different when the free dining upgrade is in effect. However, I am so glad that I did not buy into the hysteria I was feeling prior to leaving by worring about and/or making a a bunch of ADRs!

We travelled as either a party of 5 or 8 depending on who was with us and we ate at every single table service restaurant we walked in to - without ever waiting more than 5 minutes. We ate at Canada, Hollywood Brown Derby, Mexico, Fultons, Liberty Tree Tavern, Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, Coral Reef, Morocco - just off the top of my head and did NOT have ANY ADRS. We were walk ups every single time and they seated us almost immediately each time. And we were not eating at off times. Prime lunch and dinner times with no problems. Of course, this could have just been dumb luck, but I was seriously worried because of all the talk going on on this board about how you MUST have an ADR or you won't be eating at a TS restaurant. I just wasn't true for us.

I for one will continue to take a chance on future trips. I just don't like to be tied down to a certain location at an exact time - with 3 kids it's just too much trouble. But if you don't mind that, then by all means you should make the ADRs to avoid any potential problems.

Good luck!
Tracy

I think you were *very* lucky. I went last June. The dining plan was going on but the "fervor" and popularity of it was not there as it is this year. I made ADRs for every night but one. I was glad I did because people were being turned away and ALL of the 1 TS credit meals (you could still walk in to "signature" dining). The one night that I had no ADR, I called all around trying to get into Boma, Biergarten and some other places. No deal. Finally we got into Marrakesh. They were also taking walk-ins--hardly anyone in the place.

I will say that May is my favorite time to go and I've done 2-3 May trips and always found the crowds very manageable. But the difference between May crowds and June crowds is almost scary. I just wouldn't chance it. Especially when it costs nothing to make an ADR.