Not making ADRs before trip?

[Clare Voince]

I'm so over trying to decide where I want to eat 6 months ahead of time that for my next trip I'm considering going without any ADRs, and just making them each day while I'm there. I know the selection would be limited, but I'm not very picky about where I eat. Has anyone done this, and what was your experience?

 

[Lisa F]

it works fine if you're not very picky about place or time. Certain restaurants seem to always have availability, especially the less popular ones at the resorts. You're sure to get something at Epcot because there are SO many TS. at HS the Brown Derby and 50's primetime both have lounges with TS type selections. At AK there is also the Nomad lounge, which is great for the last minute. At the MK there is always the plaza as a walk up and it seems like Skipper Canteen usually has something at some point and Tony's often does too.

If you are willing to venture out of the parks to resorts or just do QS if you can't find a TS it's fine. This is assuming you are traveling alone or with another adult. With kids I would absolutely not do this unless you (they) are fine with just hitting up QS. But adults and couples have had quite good trips playing TS roulette when they get there! I've seen some fun reports in the past with scores of some very hard to get ADRs day of. Flexibility is the key.

 

[TiffanyA]

I have heard of many people doing this and in fact, though I do make ADRs, things change and I've had to book while there as well. If you're cool with going with the flow, you'll always find something good! This is even during busy times - I've done this during our xmas trips. We got last minute BOG, Trattoria al Forno and Teppan Edo last trip. At the Swan and Dolphin, I always found availability as well.

 

[Clare Voince]

This is assuming you are traveling alone or with another adult. With kids I would absolutely not do this unless you (they) are fine with just hitting up QS. But adults and couples have had quite good trips playing TS roulette when they get there! I've seen some fun reports in the past with scores of some very hard to get ADRs day of. Flexibility is the key.

I guess I should have mentioned, I am a solo traveler, so I don't have to worry about pleasing anyone else.

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

I often travel solo too, and as long as you aren't set on be our guest or CRT or some of the big demand ones I don't think you need an ADR - especially if you are willing to go to Disney springs. Last trip I got tons of spots the day of and I also ate at the lounges a lot which works out really well. And maybe it's just been my luck but I never have an issue grabbing dinner in Disney springs without an ADR

This time I've booked about one ADR a day to make sure I do my highlight restaurants and then I plan to wing it on the rest

 

[lovethesun12]

I guess I should have mentioned, I am a solo traveler, so I don't have to worry about pleasing anyone else.

As a solo traveler you won't have any issues, especially if you aren't picky. We got some of the hardest to get restaurants on our last trip the night before (CRT and BOG).

 

[TeresaWen]

12 days. No ADRs. I was amazed at how much was available while we were there. Booked breakfast at boma the night before. Artist point two days prior. Sanna at two hours out, California Grill day before (cancelled a hour later) and twice BOG day before. Both cancelled a few hours later too.

We booked Citricos for desert while standing in the lobby. The lounge & bar was full and they were not taking walk-ins. it was 8:50. There was a 9:05 showing in MDE.

Booked trattoria al Forno from the international gateway waiting for the boat over

We were walking past la hacienda and checked MDE. It was 6:00 there was a 6:45. We decided not to book - ha ha - did not feel like waiting.

Best trip ever. Loved not being on a schedule.

You will not go hungry. There is always somewhere to eat.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm so over trying to decide where I want to eat 6 months ahead of time that for my next trip I'm considering going without any ADRs, and just making them each day while I'm there. I know the selection would be limited, but I'm not very picky about where I eat. Has anyone done this, and what was your experience?

I guess I should have mentioned, I am a solo traveler, so I don't have to worry about pleasing anyone else.

Yes, we do it all the time as a family of 3 and sometimes 2 (when I travel alone with DS10). If you aren't picky, you'll be fine. We've never gone hungry! And it makes touring SO much nicer. We don't feel rushed and can really go with the flow. QS is always an option as are the bars/lounges at the resorts and parks (we love Nomad Lounge in AK). You would also be surprised what you can get last minute or as a walk-up, especially as a solo traveler or small group. (obviously, not guaranteed, but some pixie dust sprinkling when you get it!)

 

[DisBuckMan]

We went last May without making any ADR's ahead of time. Never made one while there more than one day in advance. Party of four, and we ate at Sanaa, BoG, Via Napoli, 50's PT, and Sci-Fi at prime times, and could have had an 8am 'Ohana if we had wanted it. Lots of availability inside of 24 hours and day of.

We will NEVER tie ourselves down to ADR's made months, weeks, or even days in advance again. Just not going to do it for what is becoming more and more mediocre food.

 

[TeresaWen]

We went last May without making any ADR's ahead of time. Never made one while there more than one day in advance. Party of four, and we ate at Sanaa, BoG, Via Napoli, 50's PT, and Sci-Fi at prime times, and could have had an 8am 'Ohana if we had wanted it. Lots of availability inside of 24 hours and day of.

We will NEVER tie ourselves down to ADR's made months, weeks, or even days in advance again. Just not going to do it for what is becoming more and more mediocre food.

Agree! The one ADR I will make is at CG for dinner at a perfect fireworks time. I had one this trip but cancelled. It was such good weather we were spending more time in Epcot snacking. Then I regretted it and managed to get another. Then canceled that too a few hours after booking.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm so over trying to decide where I want to eat 6 months ahead of time that for my next trip I'm considering going without any ADRs, and just making them each day while I'm there. I know the selection would be limited, but I'm not very picky about where I eat. Has anyone done this, and what was your experience?

This is the only way we vacation to Disney. The selection isn't limited at all

 

[Harambe]

Totally doable! With so many great CS places, you may find you won't even do as many TS places. And you will feel so free to just kick back and do what you want. Have fun!

 

[Dakota731]

You won’t have any trouble. I think it’s eadier than booking ahead! Friends got all the big names the day before Easter week!

 

[Colleen27]

I never make ADRs when I'm traveling solo. It is so nice not being tied to anything! Even if you can't get into certain popular restaurants, there are plenty of places that will be available, and tons of lounges that serve really good food (some of it from those popular restaurants, like the Ohana bread pudding at Tambu or the Artist Point soup and cobbler at Territory Lounge).

 

[McNs]

I found on our recent first visit that TS meals took up far too much time. Biggest issue was that almost without fail we would wait 30 minutes before being seated, then the meal itself would take a while. And we had locked ourselves in through booking months in advance.

If we go again I will just stick with CS or see what is available when we are ready to eat if we want a longer meal.

 

[rpb718]

Most of the ADRs I make for trips to WDW are for breakfasts because, well, breakfast is just breakfast. I probably have 6 different places lined up for the next trip. Sure we have Kona Cafe, a buffet or 2 and at least one character breakfast thrown in. There's a couple days where we can do quick service at either France in EPCOT or the Boardwalk bakery or someplace else.

Outside of breakfasts, I may make one or 2 late lunches somewhere and also try to reserve a couple of dessert parties, but so far that's all the ADRs I can commit to. Since DW is not an adventurous diner, we avoid many places that I'd personally love to go to but just cannot. I'm toying with the idea of hitting a good steakhouse one night - either Shulas, Yachtsman or Le Celier.

 

[loves to dive]

The only ADR I ever make in advance is tea at the GF, otherwise we usually make them day of while walking around. I never have a problem finding somewhere to eat and with the exception of BOG and possibly Le Cellier (neither of which I would ever eat at again anyway) I've always been able to get the must do places. We don't do character meals and I refuse to eat at buffets but otherwise, I've been able to get Jikos, Flying Fish, Sanaa and Tiffins day of.

 

[Clare Voince]

Thanks for all the responses! I feel much better about going without ADRs now.

 

[Barbanellie]

One thing I've learned on these boards is that WDW vacations are definitely not one-size-fits-all. The "necessity" to make ADRs depends on so many things (how many in your party, what time of year you're going, etc.). Personally, I don't make many ADRs at all. In 2014, we were a party of 6 adults and only made an ADR for CRT, because we really wanted to experience that, and you can't without an ADR. In 2016, it was just DH and I, and I only booked a PPO at CP, and BOG dinner. Again, because those are things that are nearly impossible to get without an ADR. We've never not had a meal somewhere we wanted. Mostly because we're flexible with when we eat (nothing wrong with an 8PM dinner), and because we have very few things that we "absolutely MUST do". We just book those couple more special or more difficult things, and that's that. For our next trip in 2018, my booking window opens next weekend and I plan on only booking PPO at Garden Grill and BOG lunch. Going with the flow is part of the vacation for me, and if we ended up eating only CS, I don't even think we'd mind all that much

 

[KenHutch]

Being by yourself if you willing to go with the flow on whats available you should be fine. That being said you are far far braver than me. I have to plan with a party of 8 every trip and with 2 girls in particular. I sometimes fear for my life planning 180 days out if I miss something they want.