Reservations .. everyday ?!

[mbbak2914]

Hey.
My vacation starts from July 4 - July 14.
I want to have dinner or breakfast or whichever at least once as a Character Dining.
When I called in to make a reservation, I found out that if I ever want to go out to eat somewhere - I have to make a reservation everytime I got out to eat somewhere - for each day that I'm staying for my vacation.
Can someone help me with this - or has anyone has any other problem of some sort- and how did you get through it?
Please reply soon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Lady de Winter]

You will need a reservation for the sit down, table service restaurants. Not for the fast food, counter service type restaurants. Since your trip isn't until July, you should be able to get some ADR's made. (Advance Dining Reservation)

 

[cdntourguide]

There is no rule that says that you must have a reservation. However, as a lot of people are on the dining plan, it is possible that you might not be to eat at a restaurant that you prefer if you do not have a reservation.
IMO it is better to make the reservation and change it later, thus ensuring that you get to eat at a TS restaurant.
HOpe everything works out for you.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would recommend having at least one table service reservation per day if esp if you want character dining. Disney calls them Advance Dining Reservations or ADR's. With more and more guests taking advantage of the dining programs and wanting better meals there is little availability for walk up service esp at the more popular restaurants.

I would figure out what parks you will likely be at which day and then at least plan your character meals. Call Disney Dining and make those adrs as July 4th week is very busy and your choices may already be limited.

Our family likes to do our table service meals as late breakfast or late lunch and at off times so that helps break up the day, saves $ and we have a better chance of the dining we want.

If you want more info on the restaurants, character meals and even the menus check out www.allearsnet.com.

Get on it now if you want character dining and good luck.

TJ

 

[ScottNBecky]

Yes you dont have to make reservations for table service places at the parks.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes you dont have to make reservations for table service places at the parks.

Unfortunately you are not correct scottnbecky. You do have to make reservations for the table service restaruants, inside the parks and at the resorts. If you want a if you want a popular restaurant or a character meal especially July 4th week you will need an ADR.

You may be lucky with off peak seating the day before but not likely the day of and probably not at all for a character meal. If you want/need a break from the parks and a nice meal why not take a minute and make a few ADRs?

Otherwise its couter service, some great choices now but not what I would want for each meal every day.

HTH
TJ

 

[kcashner]

Technically you don't HAVE TO make reservations. However, it is totally possible that a restaurant will be booked full and not able to take any walk-ups. Thus, if you want to be guaranteed a place at a sit-down restaurant, you will want to make ADR (advance dining reservations).

Don't panic for a July trip. I recently added ADRs a week before our trip (teenaged DD changed her mind....) Just call as soon as you can--better choices of times that way.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Unfortunately you are not correct scottnbecky. You do have to make reservations for the table service restaruants, inside the parks and at the resorts. If you want a if you want a popular restaurant or a character meal especially July 4th week you will need an ADR.

You may be lucky with off peak seating the day before but not likely the day of and probably not at all for a character meal. If you want/need a break from the parks and a nice meal why not take a minute and make a few ADRs?

Otherwise its couter service, some great choices now but not what I would want for each meal every day.

HTH
TJ

She is correct. You do not HAVE to have an ADR. Sure, some spots may be booked but others will not be. I traveled in July a few years ago and had no problems getting into several places (Marrakesh, for one) as a walk-up. We were able to find seating at other places by stopping at the restaurant earlier in the day to ask about availability.

To say that you HAVE TO have a reservation is incorrect information. To encourage someone to make reservations during peak time at any places they want to dine at is correct information.

There is no Disney rule that says all diners have to make reservations in advance, sorry.

 

[tjmw2727]

She is correct. You do not HAVE to have an ADR. Sure, some spots may be booked but others will not be. I traveled in July a few years ago and had no problems getting into several places (Marrakesh, for one) as a walk-up. We were able to find seating at other places by stopping at the restaurant earlier in the day to ask about availability.

To say that you HAVE TO have a reservation is incorrect information. To encourage someone to make reservations during peak time at any places they want to dine at is correct information.

There is no Disney rule that says all diners have to make reservations in advance, sorry.

OK, I apologize but I stand by my entire post although the beginning of one sentance was misleading. Honestly if you read my entire post you should get the point. My post does say you have to make ADR's if you want character meals and or popular restaurants. The OP was interested in character meals and if you think your going to get one without an ADR on July 4th week your going to have to be very lucky, IMHO. This is my opinion based on MY EXPERIENCE in December 05, February 06 and the first week of April.

On Saturday, April 8th, 2006 the sign ouside of Guest Relations at Epcot said that there were no reservations for table service restaurants available that day. This was also the case during the week before Christmas in December 05. Honestly I don't think you can compare the situation a few years ago with the way the dining program works now.

I feel that to tell people its going to be fine without ADR's, based on my own personal recent trips is incorrect information.

It seems the more you try and be helpful these days the more greif it gets you.


Is that clear enough?

TJ

 

[mbbak2914]

Hey again everyone.
Thanks so much.
And my mistake - we're going July 7 - July 14.
July 4 was our original choice.
But I will have a look-see about everything. Thank you again so very much!

 

[Kanga1]

I'd go ahead and make ressies...just to be on the safe side. But that's the obsessive planner in me.

BTW...how in the WORLD did you get a tag with just 2 posts?!? Congrats!!