Pre-planning debate help needed

[Minnesota]

Hi all,

After several trips to WDW I know the necessity of PS arrangements ( I guess they aren't called that anymore) anyways instead of my usual travel party, I am going with my parents who are the "Lets see where we are when it's time to eat" type people. How late can we make PS arrangements for things like Fantasmic and Illuminations? Is it possible when we are in the parks? We have the dining package so does that change anything? I'm looking for any information that will either A: convince them to come to my side of the pre-planning fence or B: put me a bit more at ease knowing we can actually do it their way. I've never done it that way but I am open to change.
Thanks,
Minnesota

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot depends on when you are going and where you want to eat.

I would suggest to them the days for each park and then make reservations that you want. When they see that they can't get into anything without at least an hour wait then you can say "I told you so" or words to that effectt and then mention that you just happen to have made a reservation for that evening so you know you can get in.

 

[jann1033]

maybe show them some menus and see what they think sounds good then if you know where you are going to be make an adr for that day. if yu are going off season and
free dining is over you might be ok with walking up at least to some places

 

[henrylovespooh]

If you are going at a peak time, you can try to explain to your parents that WDW is a busy place and it's not very easy to just walk up and get a seat at many popular restaurants anymore. Perhaps you can show them some menus and if they show interest in some, offer to call and see if there is availability, and tell them the CM suggested you make a reservation to guarantee seating.

As another plan, I do agree with the poster who suggested mapping out which days you will be in what parks and try to make ADRs for dinner in that park or in a resort nearby. You don't have to your parents you have made them - and then you can just steer your party that way when you get there. If they want to try something else, you can see if you can get in.

For Fantasmic, I would tell them that you really do have to have and ADR before you go to be sure you will get a seat. If you explain that it's a theatre where you will have to wait in line for at least an hour to get in, I think you could talk them into that.

 

[crisi]

I think the dining package changes a lot. Because without the dining package if you are in MGM and go to all the sit down restaurants are are told "sorry no walkups - booked solid tonight" (which has been happening) you can eat a burger at the backlot and not feel like you've thrown money away.

What your parents may find is that the popular restaurants are booked and "what do you feel like" turns into "well, I suppose we can eat at the Morrocan place again."

I'd make your ressies, 90 days out, based on what parks you think you'll be in which days and what food your parents might like. Make them a little later from when you'll normally eat. Then you can call and switch or stroll around and see where you can get in - and if the answer is nowhere, you have a fall back option.

 

[zookeeper]

maybe show them some menus and see what they think sounds good then if you know where you are going to be make an adr for that day. if yu are going off season and
free dining is over you might be ok with walking up at least to some places

I was going to suggest the same thing. We also went with my parents who do not believe in planning while on vacation, but they'd also never done Disney. Once I knew we needed ADR's I sat with my mom and we looked over menus together on the allearsnet website. Afterwards, my mom must have thanked me a hundred times for planning out our TS meals. It also helped us organize our week since we didn't get hopper passes. Everything worked out great.