PLEASE tell me I dont need to make ADR's!

[MinnieGi]

Another vote for making those ADR's!!!! If you really want to show your friend these two restaurants then make the ADR's. And if these are the only two table service places you really want to take her too then you don't want to disappoint yourself or her by not being able to get in.

As others have said you can always cancel if the timing is not working out. We have done that before and did it just two weeks ago. We also had a change of plans and needed to add a table service restaurant (dining plan). DH and I made a list of six table service restaurants in Epcot and the Boardwalk area in order of our preference and then I called dining services. All were filled except for our last choice!!!!! I think the dining plan is filling up more of the table service restaurants!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i would make adrs if you dont you might not get any good sit down places

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

You need to make ADR's at Sci-Fi, no question about it. Even on slow days it's terribly busy.

However, if you want to do the stop in for a drink route, you CAN do that at 50's Prime Time Cafe. I've ordered apps and drinks at the bar there, which you can usually get a spot at.

But if you want Sci-Fi, unless you want to be disapointed, one ADR won't kill you. It's not like you're planning every second of the day - just one little ressie could save you a ton of disapointment.

NED

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

I was not going to make an ADR for one of our restaurants (the night we are flying in I didn't want to just in case flight delays, etc) but after prodding from the people on this board, I decided to do it. I made it 6 days in advance (it was in Italy, don't know if that is popular, but we LOVE IT) and they said they had a scattering through the whole night. We are only 2 people though!

Like everyone else said, make them...it is just 2 restaurants you really want to go to

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Make the reservations and if you change your mind, you can cancel. Being at WDW hot, tired, and hungry and having to wait for hours is no fun.

BTW, I've been reading your posts here on the Dis and think it's cool that you are getting into your trip so much.

Thanks! Its not really about me so much as it is about making sure my friend has a good time. She wants to see what it is that makes this place so special to me, so Im trying to show her.

And thanks everyone, I guess Im going to make the two ADR's. Does anyone have the number handy that I need to call about these? And Im also gonna add it to my cellphone so I can cancel them if need be.

 

[mking624]

It's 407-WDW-DINE.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

Last time we went, we called the dining number the morning of the day we wanted a reservation and were seated at Prime Time with not no problem. It was better to have called early in the day as oppossed to walking up to the restaurant. Of course, this was in early Nov.

 

[nigel-bigel]

Since you are only interested in two places, you may want to make more than one ADR for each, either at different times of the day or even on different days. For instance, make ADRs at Prime Time for both lunch and dinner. Then, when at lunch time you decide you don't feel like getting out of line at Rockin' Rollercoaster, just cancel that ADR and show up for dinner.

Of course, since both of your restaurant choices are at the same park, this plan assumes that you will spend more than one day at MGM or park hop.

I have found that while I love to plan plan plan, it does stress me out once I'm at WDW to follow my carefully planned itinerary. Once I finally gave myself permission to consider those plans just back-up plans that I didn't have to follow, then things became much more relaxed. And even though I now consider ADRs back-up plans, I've never cancelled one once. I don't feel the stress, but everything falls into place anyway.

I will add that the one night I decided to "wing it" (without ADRs) the only place available to eat in Epcot was that horrible place in Morocco (whose name has been banished from my memory), an experience I never wish to repeat again - blech!

Nicole

 

[JRawkSteady]

Yes you need ADR's!! If you don't have them you will be eating at counter service locations. I don't know why anyone would have a problem making their ADR either. Just set aside some time to eat. Why is this a huge deal? Maybe it's just me, but if I knew I had to be at a restaurant at 5:30PM, I would be there by 5:15 without any question.

Also, Sci-Fi's food is disgusting. It probably has the worst food out of any table service in the park. I would recommend 50s Prime Time Cafe over Sci-Fi ANY day.

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

I would say you definitely need ADR's. We went when it WASN'T free dining, and we still couldn't do a walk-up anywhere. We didn't even get to eat at our favorite place...Sci-Fi. I would say you need those ressies if you want to eat anywhere other than CS.

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

Also, Sci-Fi's food is disgusting. It probably has the worst food out of any table service in the park. I would recommend 50s Prime Time Cafe over Sci-Fi ANY day.

That is an extreme statement. I don't think you could find a restaurant at WDW where the food is actually DISGUSTING. I would classify disgusting as something that comes out of a dumpster. The atmosphere at Sci Fi, while maybe not for everybody, is fun for most. If you're disgusted by it, you must only dine at Citricos and Narcoossee's or something. I think most enjoy their experience and their food at Sci Fi.

 

[Kick Save]

The Dining Plan has made ADRs almost a must, especially at the more popular resturants. When I was down for a conference in May, we called the night before from the room and got an ADR at the San Angel Inn in Epcot (not LeCellier, though ) for around 7PM, so some things will be available. But the nice thing about having an ADR, is that it can be cancelled if you don't want to use it. I'd make it so you have it, then if you don't use it, so be it.

 

[mking624]

Also, Sci-Fi's food is disgusting. It probably has the worst food out of any table service in the park. I would recommend 50s Prime Time Cafe over Sci-Fi ANY day.

I didn't think it was GREAT, but neither did I think it was so bad that I had to call it disgusting. Actually I was more impressed with Sci-Fi's food than I was with California Grill...and I generally enjoy the type of food that is served at CG. That said, it's better to let one decide their own taste buds without scaring them off.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

You don't need to make ADR's, but if you know you want to eat at a particular restaurant, you should, unless you are comfortable taking the chance that your desired restaurants might be all booked up.

I made my ADR's 180 days out, but my SIL didn't plan well (despite my urging) and just called last night to see if we can "meet for dinner at the MK somewhere" I already had an ADR for 2 at CRT, but CRT was full, and odd times were left at the other places. I did get a 2:30 at Crystal Palace so we'll have a late lunch/early dinner with them before our own 7:30 dinner in the Castle.

If you want a meal in the parks, I think ADR's are even more necessary.

I tried adding them onto our Rose and Crown ADR for 7:50 but the only time I could add them was 3:30. So, I'm keeping mine and they'll figure something else out.

Anyway, the point is that restaurants are filling up. If I were you, I'd call and make an ADR.

In addition, Sci Fi is awesome. DBF and I love it! The atmosphere and theming are fabulous and the shakes, fries, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, etc. were all delicious. It's not gourmet dining, but certainly better than fast food. I don't know how anyone could call it "disgusting".

 

[JRawkSteady]

That is an extreme statement. I don't think you could find a restaurant at WDW where the food is actually DISGUSTING. I would classify disgusting as something that comes out of a dumpster. The atmosphere at Sci Fi, while maybe not for everybody, is fun for most. If you're disgusted by it, you must only dine at Citricos and Narcoossee's or something. I think most enjoy their experience and their food at Sci Fi.

I've eaten there a couple of times and will not go back. When I say "disgusting," I mean for the money you're paying you're getting something that is a little less quality than counter service food. the atmosphere is just great, but I wouldn't want to eat there ever again. Even in the guide books, they rate this restaurant very low for food quality.

 

[dalt01]

you need em!!!!! be careful about taking advise to the contrary. most people who walk right in, get in the same day they call, etc. are there during slow times, early november, mid january, or not there during special events, ie; free dining plan, which will impact you, or they are just darn lucky. i would not trust this to luck!!

 

[penguin087]

Last May during Star Wars weekend I went to the Sci-Fi at about 11AM and was able to get a seating at 1PM for 5 people. I'm not promising that will happen but it does happen.
I'm with you on that flexable vacation thing. My next trip I am going to make 2-3 ADRs and other than that if I have to eat counter service so be it!

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

I just want to say that everytime I have gone to Disney I make sure to eat at Sci-fi. We really enjoy it. The food is burgers, it isn't like dog food. The atmosphere is just so much fun and I like burgers and they are good burgers! Hubby and I went on our honeymoon and it is the first place we picked for our free dinning this time because we enjoyed it so much!

 

[DisneyDotty]

We just returned from WDW--and everyone is right--ADRs are necessary for restaurants in the parks. At Sci Fi especially--if you want a table in a car, make an ADR. I heard a hostess say the cars were reserved for people with ADRs.
You could wing it at the resort restaurants--many were fairly empty during non-peak meal hours.
We had several ADRs that we didn't use due to change in plans--and when I called to cancel, the CM always seemed sad. It was kinda funny.
Good luck and have a great time!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

We just returned from WDW--and everyone is right--ADRs are necessary for restaurants in the parks. At Sci Fi especially--if you want a table in a car, make an ADR. I heard a hostess say the cars were reserved for people with ADRs.
You could wing it at the resort restaurants--many were fairly empty during non-peak meal hours.
We had several ADRs that we didn't use due to change in plans--and when I called to cancel, the CM always seemed sad. It was kinda funny.
Good luck and have a great time!

This sounds like something Johnnie Cochran would have said!