Planning a solo trip - which rest are ADR's absolutely necessary for?

[nolajax]

The third week of October I'll be taking a 12 day/11 night solo trip focusing on food and photography. I've scheduled out my choices for meals on the DxDP. Are all of these choices things I should make ADR's for @ the 180 day mark? Or are some of them likely to be less of an issue for a walk up party of 1?


Tony’s Town Square (L)
1900 Park Fare - Supercalifragilistic Breakfast
Kona (D)
Kona (B)
Yak and Yeti (L)
Rainforest Cafe @AK (D)
50’s Prime Time (L)
Sci-Fi Dine In (D)
Mama Melrose (FDP)
Teppan Edo (L)
Kona (D)
Be Our Guest (D)
Tokyo Dining (L)
Kona (B)
Kona (B)
Boma (B)
Spirit of Aloha (S)
Tusker House (B)
Yak and Yeti (L)
Hoop De Doo or Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (S)
Narcoossee's (D)
Kona (B)
Hollywood and Vine (Char B)
Whispering canyon cafe (B)
Jiko (D)
Le Cellier (D)
Yachtsman Steakhouse (D)
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian

 

[MADnNOLA]

I would make the ADRs.

I have a 10 day solo trip coming up next month and made all my ADRs as soon as I could. This way I know I will be able to eat at all the places I wanted.

I have also been able to make some adjustments for better times - The trick there is to check for times for a party of 2, not 1.

Like you, this is a relaxing, food indulging trip! I have places that I wanted to try, and some favorites that I want to return. Making the ADRs assured me I had them in my plan. I never wanted to take the chance of walking up and having to wait an hour or more, or to be turned away.

 

[Lemonademouth]

The third week of October I'll be taking a 12 day/11 night solo trip focusing on food and photography. I've scheduled out my choices for meals on the DxDP. Are all of these choices things I should make ADR's for @ the 180 day mark? Or are some of them likely to be less of an issue for a walk up party of 1?

Tony’s Town Square (L)
1900 Park Fare - Supercalifragilistic Breakfast
Kona (D)
Kona (B)
Yak and Yeti (L)
Rainforest Cafe @AK (D)
50’s Prime Time (L)
Sci-Fi Dine In (D)
Mama Melrose (FDP)
Teppan Edo (L)
Kona (D)
Be Our Guest (D)
Tokyo Dining (L)
Kona (B)
Kona (B)
Boma (B)
Spirit of Aloha (S)
Tusker House (B)
Yak and Yeti (L)
Hoop De Doo or Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (S)
Narcoossee's (D)
Kona (B)
Hollywood and Vine (Char B)
Whispering canyon cafe (B)
Jiko (D)
Le Cellier (D)
Yachtsman Steakhouse (D)
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian

Be Our Guest 100% make a reservation. That's the only one on your list I'm absolutely sure about. I have made reservations for 50's Prime Time and Yak and Yeti when arriving at the park in the morning, but the same can be done through your hotels concierge. That is not a guarantee you will get a reservation if you wait. I would make reservations for anything you absolutely do not want to miss.

 

[nolajax]

I would make the ADRs.

I have a 10 day solo trip coming up next month and made all my ADRs as soon as I could. This way I know I will be able to eat at all the places I wanted.

I have also been able to make some adjustments for better times - The trick there is to check for times for a party of 2, not 1.

Like you, this is a relaxing, food indulging trip! I have places that I wanted to try, and some favorites that I want to return. Making the ADRs assured me I had them in my plan. I never wanted to take the chance of walking up and having to wait an hour or more, or to be turned away.

THANKS!! This makes me feel better about my OCD'ness. With a group I wouldn't ever make that many reservations. Mainly because everyone gripes when I overplan. But I'd hate to fell like I missed something just because I didn't plan it out ahead of time. This is definitely about trying the new and enjoying the old (thus how many times Kona's on that list lol)

Be Our Guest 100% make a reservation. That's the only one on your list I'm absolutely sure about. I have made reservations for 50's Prime Time and Yak and Yeti when arriving at the park in the morning, but the same can be done through your hotels concierge. That is not a guarantee you will get a reservation if you wait. I would make reservations for anything you absolutely do not want to miss.

Good to know. There are a couple on there that were choices of convenience to the park or location of the day which are not necessarily "must do's" so I may leave those off and see what happens day of. But the majority of that list is an absolute must so I guess I'll be making ADR's! Thanks.

 

[MADnNOLA]

THANKS!! This makes me feel better about my OCD'ness. With a group I wouldn't ever make that many reservations. Mainly because everyone gripes when I overplan. But I'd hate to fell like I missed something just because I didn't plan it out ahead of time. This is definitely about trying the new and enjoying the old (thus how many times Kona's on that list lol)

My OCD kicks in when I start looking at what I want to do at Disney!

I have some things planned like a couple of tours and my ADRs but I do roll with the punches. I know with the ADRs I am set to go, and if something should come up or happen, I can cancel (it's not happened so far).

Here is what I have for my 10 days!

Kona Cafe (Dinner)
Nine Dragons Restaurant (Lunch)
Flying Fish Cafe (Dinner)
Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant (Lunch)
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant Dessert Party
The Hollywood Brown Derby (Dinner)
Planet Hollywood (Dinner - using my $15 credit!)
Grand Floridian Cafe (Breakfast)
Be Our Guest Restaurant (Dinner)
Cítricos (Dinner)
The Hollywood Brown Derby (Lunch Dine with Imagineer)
Boma (Breakfast)
Cape May Cafe (Dinner)
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Lunch)

I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

 

[purple figment]

Does the third week of October include Columbus Day? If it does I would make some reservations since it is busier, especially during the week end.

I would make reservations for:
-Be Our Guest - make the res as soon as your 180 day rolls around
-any restaurants you absolutely must eat at
-character meals such as 1900 Park Fare since they are very popular
-Hoop, luau, Mickey's Barbecue - for the first 2 your table location is determined by how early you make your reservation
-Sci Fi: walk ups are often seated at the picnic tables so if you want a car make a reservation

If you don't mind eating at off hours you'll have a better chance walking up. Many places will seat walk ups when they first open or near the end of the meal time.

We found many reservations online one or two days in advance so if you know what park you'll be at you can check then. Also, you can stop at Guest Relations when you arrive at a park and see what is available.

Since you have the DxDDP you'll want to use as many credits as you can so be flexible.

Oh, also, you didn't mention it, but you'll be there during Food & Wine. Historically we've been able to use our snack credits at the kiosks for all non-alcoholic food and beverages so more food & drink options to consider.