Reservations for every meal?

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Do you have to book all meals in advance and how flexable can your plans be. Is it possible to eat dinner somewhere (sit and dine)and not to have reservations? How about breakfast?
Boy, this sounds so confusing and time consuming.
HHHEEEELLLLPPPPPPP!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

You only need to book sit down restaurants in advance. Counter service (burgers/salads/chicken finger type places) don't book in advance. Depending on the time of the year you are visiting, you would REALLY be wise to book your sit down restaurants ahead of time. I've seen plenty of people turned away because the restaurant of their choice is booked solid. Any meal that you want to book at a sit-down restaurant can be booked ahead of time.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

You only need to book sit down restaurants in advance. Counter service (burgers/salads/chicken finger type places) don't book in advance. Depending on the time of the year you are visiting, you would REALLY be wise to book your sit down restaurants ahead of time. I've seen plenty of people turned away because the restaurant of their choice is booked solid. Any meal that you want to book at a sit-down restaurant can be booked ahead of time.

 

[cougartrace]

I will admit that making dinner reservations months in advance and sticking to that schedule takes some fun out of a vacation

 

[Anthony1971]

I have been turned away only once as they were closing for lunch and offered a later reservation. Howevre I do not go peak season if this is the case you need ADR's I have gone during free dinning (not part of it as we own DVC) and still had no problems in fact for the places that we made ADR's the day before our wait was as long as the peopel who had them. BUT if you have your heart set on eating at a specific place then you should make ADR's. Without at some of the popluar places I have been seated within 15 minutes. Lastly this only works with smaller parties 4 or less as these tables open up the fastest.

 

[phyllis1966]

Yes, it's true that some of the spontaneity is lost, but at least you'll know for sure that you have a table somewhere. You could always change your mind when the day comes and easily cancel the ADR you already have. I've gone during off-peak and regular seasons and have seen patrons turned away at many of the more popular places, even during slow times. The popularity of the dining plan has encouraged more people to check out the table service eateries, making it harder to get a table at a moment's notice.

Check out www.allearsnet.com for all the menus and use that info. to help you decide...it's really not very confusing once you pick the types of places you think you'd prefer, then just fit them into your schedule. You'll be glad you did if there's a times when your kids (or you!) are tired and hungry and just want to sit down NOW.

 

[luv2plan]

I know it's a lot of planning to do, but I decide which parks I want to go to which days, then decide which meals at those parks I need an ADR for. And I also know when I will have time to go to any resort for a meal also.

I actually use an excel spreadsheet with the days across the top and the times, by the hour, down the left side. And I start filling it in! I put in what nights SpectroMagic is, which mornings have EMH at which parks, then I go from there.

So, for example, if there is SpectroMagic at 8pm at MK on thursday night, I would make ADR at Crystal Palace at 5:30pm, then after dinner one of us would put a blanket down and save our spot while the rest rode a couple of rides before the parade.

Anyway, that is how I do it. Happy planning!

 

[sotoalf]

If you're a first-time visitor (or even second or third), I don't see how you can visit WDW without extensive planning. It's not a place conducive to improvisation.

You haven't mentioned what time of year you're going.

 

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Sorry, I am going in the second week of September(9-16).
thanks

 

[kittythepoohbear]

Good news CAJUNBLAZE! I usually travel around the first couple of weeks of Sept. (will be there 9/6-9/12 this year) and from persoanl experience you can usually get by with making a few key advanced reservations and then, with some flexibility on your part, plan the rest of your TS meals during your trip.

Are there any restaurants you MUST do? If there are, book them now. You can always cancel or try for a different day when you are there. Also, by looking around the various Disney fan sites and message boards, you will start to learn which restaurants book quickly. Big ones are Le Cellier in Epcot and of course any meal in Cinderella's Castle. If you want to dine in one of the more popular restaurants, book that as well.

Once you have those biggies out of the way, you can relax a little bit. Free dining always causes a surge in rest. ressies but if you are flexible you can find some nice restaurants and times when you are there. One tip I have learned and is especially useful for the Epcot restaurants is to go to the restaurant you wish to dine in as soon as they open in the morning (usually around 11 am) and ask if they have anything available for your preferred time. I have done this at San Angel Inn three times without a problem. Marrakesh is also good for last minute ressies. Some of the smaller hotel restaurants can be an option too. Again, just be flexible with times and days once you are there.

Sorry for the rambling but I hope it helped! Have fun planning for your trip!