Recommend Number of ADRs

[macbitt]

I'm planning a trip for two (GF and I, both in our 30s) to WDW in early Feburary. Right now it is a 7 day/6 night trip but it might expand. We are not doing any dining plans. We do have park hopper tickets. Neither of us have been since we were kids.

Right now I have 4 ADRs in mind (3 dinners, 1 lunch) and a 5th dinner idea away from Disney. This was done to give us some better than counter service food but to try and keep our food cost down given the average price of a sit down restaurant. However, reading through some Pre-Trip Plans I'm frequently seeing people list almost as many ADRs as days they will be at WDW.

Is there an average number of ADRs per day at WDW veteran visitors do? Is a higher count than mine due to wanting the higher quality food more verse counter service as frequently?

A budget increase if needed isn't a deal breaker, I just like being efficient (aka cheap) On thinking about it I have to admit non-Disney trips often involve a higher than normal eating out cost so this probably isn't any different except I'm seeing the cost during planning.

Breakfast I was looking at doing in the resort hotel with groceries most mornings, so this is mostly lunch and dinner. I do have snacks like ice cream and fruit included in my current budget.

Thanks.

 

[kari B.]

No... Some people DO have a budget and can't... Others don't like ADR's because they don't want to be tied down to be at a specific place or time... Some don't like ADR's because they say they take too long... And other's have ADR's booked for every meal of every day. Some live for the food at Disney and consider it an experience in itself. It's really just a matter of preference and budget Have fun!

 

[B-Ride]

For people who haven't been in awhile I like the sound of your plan. You don't want to tie yourself down with ADRs every night as you will probably want to spend more time touring the parks.