No ADR's for entire trip

[shortcake_smurf]

Hi - My husband talked me into not making any ADRs for our trip next week. He didn't want to be scheduled, he just wants to go where we want to go (first trip without kids, daughters are going to be there but one is with her HS marching band and another is with her boyfriend). Now I'm starting to panic and feel like we're just going to be eating counter food all week. Has anyone else ever gone without making any ADRs?

 

[ILVPoppins]

We went last Thanksgiving for a week and only had ADR's for 3 nights. Big mistake. It was counter service twice a day. For our trip this Thanksgiving I will have ADR's for everyday.

 

[baby<3]

The last time I was in Disney (May 2005) we had absolutely NO ADRs. We got in everywhere we wanted. However, we went for dinner either really early or really late.

 

[ptrbryant]

I think things have changed the past 2 years and, if you don't want counter-service-only meals, you really need ADRs whether you're on the DP or not. I've read several posts about people being turned away from the better TS restaurants because there weren't any openings that night. Someone said that at Mama Melrose's, a woman began swearing because they'd been turned away from every other restaurant already and were determined to get a seat inside a TS restaurant---couldn't do it. A recent WDW podcast was called The End of Spontaneous Dining because, basically, that's how it is now.

Last year, it wasn't quite as bad, but when we were waiting for a table at LeCellier, I saw for myself 2-3 parties come in and ask if there were any openings for lunch or dinner the the upcoming week and were told no.

I'm not someone who normally likes to be tied down, either, but ADRs are just a necessary reality now.

Karla B.

 

[java]

Call now! Try to get in someplace that you really want to eat at and see how it looks. We are going down next week- spring break week Easter ect... It is going to be packed. We have seen many people walk into the not popular places though and have some luck. Try hotel restaurants. We have noticed with the DDP now the restaurants get packed. I am relieved that I have my adr's in place- if you don't make it to one you just call and cancel. Not tied to a reservation- just relieved to have one when we are starving.

 

[MickeyNicki]

If I were you I would get on the phone and see what is out there. I would not be too worried about CS at EPCOT because there are many great places there. MGM and MK worry me though.....

 

[CTDisneyFan]

We only have 1 ADR for a Character Breakfast. We also have a Car and plan on eating off-site or winging it with an early or later dinner.

 

[The Sweetness]

I would say don't panic, as long as you are flexible, and not on this trip **for** the dining

*1* You can walk up to a restaurant in whatever park you are in, and see if they have any openings that day. W/O kiddos, you have the flexibility to eat late, if thats when you get in.

*2* counter service food is no death sentance by any means. There is a fair amount of variety in the MK and a bit in MGM, with Epcot and AK being the most varried. Lets not forget~ the huge array of irresistable snacks (and no kids to set an example of propper diet for ((Mickey won't care if you eat a pastry for breakfast with a hot dog and a milkshake for lunch, followed by a candy or popcorn snack, and roasted chicken (or a burger, or pizza) for dinner

Have a great time, and just keep your mind open to all of your options (like the monorail resorts for dining options)

 

[Christine]

Are you saying that you will be down there the week of Easter and following and you don't have an ADR? I hope you are going the NEXT week.

Normally, I would say that you will probably be fine without an ADR, but if you are going the week that Easter falls on (aka, Spring Break), I think you might be in a little trouble.

 

[n2mm]

Post back when you return and let us know how you did. (I personally would never go to WDW without ADRs, because the dining at the nice places without a wait or wondering if I can get in, is high on our priority list). Good Luck. (I did see on my newsletter yesterday that MK was closed on 4/3 because it reached capacity--hold on to your hat because it's going to be a bumpy ride!!)

 

[pezpam]

We'll be there next week, too. We decided to do mainly CS this trip, but I did make a couple of ADRs. I definitely had to settle for what times were left and have not been able to change them yet. Hopefully you're not on the DDP and at least won't lose that money. There is variety in CS meals if you look for it, so don't completely panic, but yeah, things are packed next week.......

 

[jakenjess]

That's the big question, are you on the dining plan? If you are, I'd call now and see what you can get. Easter week is one of the busiest of the year, so you may be hard pressed to use those TS credits without ADRs. Good luck!

 

[Katiebell]

I'd call Disney Dining right now, and say, "OK...on (this date), what do you have?" You could try requesting a particular park or resort based on where you might be for EMH, but don't count on it. Then at least you will have some ADR's to fall back on, even if they aren't your first choices. Your first choices may be totally booked and closed to walk-ups anyway. If you manage to luck out and get in somewhere else closer to where you happen to be, then just call and cancel your ADR for that day.

 

[pumba]

Last May we were there for eleven days and didnt do ressies........we only got into Biergarten and that was it......BUT.....we got some good CS meals at different resorts. Even Movies had a good dinner on their menus........they had steak and two sides ......it was delicious.....not high class but still very good...At AK they have some good choices too. Hope you are able to relax and have a good time....
Maybe you should call and ask if they have any openings on the days you want.....never can tell what can happen

 

[Luv4Disney]

It's best to make them and have to cancel rather than not have them. We always go in May and there were many TS that turned walk-ins away saying no way no how. Not quite like that though

 

[tbrenk]

Post back when you return and let us know how you did. (I personally would never go to WDW without ADRs, because the dining at the nice places without a wait or wondering if I can get in, is high on our priority list). Good Luck. (I did see on my newsletter yesterday that MK was closed on 4/3 because it reached capacity--hold on to your hat because it's going to be a bumpy ride!!)

What newsletter was it in? DO you know what time they closed the MK?

 

[shortcake_smurf]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll let you know how we make out when we get back. Maybe it'll only be me coming back as I will be killing my husband.

 

[LisaS]

My DH is in Orlando this week for a conference at a hotel near DTD. Monday morning he emailed me to see if I could get an ADR somewhere for a group of 7. I called WDW dining and there was nothing available until after 9pm. It is harder to find last-minute availability for a larger group so as a party of 2 you might find something but it does sound like WDW is packed this week at least. DH said people at the conference were complaining about not being able to find places to have dinner, even outside of WDW.

I would get on the phone now and make a few ADRs so that you get a TS meal at least one or two nights during your trip, unless you don't mind eating dinner at 9:40pm!

 

[Katiebell]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll let you know how we make out when we get back. Maybe it'll only be me coming back as I will be killing my husband.

Naw...just get him really drunk, dress him up as a pirate, and lock him in the jail in the POTC. When he sobers up and hollers to be let out, everyone will think he is just part of the ride refurb. And the penalties will be less severe if you get caught.

 

[n2mm]

What newsletter was it in? DO you know what time they closed the MK?

It was in the allears one I got yesterday. It just said that MK reached capacity for several hours and reopened after lunch time. I thought, wow, we haven't even gotten to Easter weekend yet.