Ressies recommended for DDP?

[goofy4dvc]

DH and I, along with my brother & SIL, are going to WDW (staying at BCV) in October. We sorta figured we'd break even with DDP versus eating a few meals out and a few meals in the room (sandwiches). But we thought we'd try it because we'd get better meals, plus appetizer and dessert. Anyway, my question is: At the sit-down meal restaurants, do you need to make ressies? If so, how far in advance? We have always made ressies when we arrived before and never had any problem, but that's usually once or twice during the week. I'm concerned that it may be difficult to get to the restaurant in time if you're stuck in line on an attraction/ride. What has been your experience? Thanks.

 

[JimMIA]

Anyway, my question is: At the sit-down meal restaurants, do you need to make ressies?

Oh YEAH! Especially during F&W.

If so, how far in advance?

You can make ADRs 180 days + 10 - which means 180 days from your arrival date, and for the next 10 days after arrival.

What has been your experience? Thanks.

During busy times, we have found the Epcot restaurants, especially Le Cellier, EXTREMELY difficult to get. I'd be making ADRs right away, and don't be surprised if you can't get everything you want, because you are well inside 180 days.

 

[Figment2]

I agree with Jim. We usually fly by the seat of our pants for dinner reservations but after this past May trip, we'll be making more advance decisions. Since MK was having EMH we decided to have dinner there. When we called (around 11:00am), nothing was available anywhere in or around the MK area (even the Concourse Steakhouse) unless we wanted to eat after 8:00pm. We ended up at Columbia House which was okay but we like TS restaurants. Monday morning we tried to change our reservation at Brown Derby from 5 to 7 and couldn't. Yet there were a lot of empty tables around us (including one that could have seated 7 of us).

Bottom line - make some reservations as soon as you can.

Cyn

 

[castleri]

DH and I, along with my brother & SIL, are going to WDW (staying at BCV) in October. We sorta figured we'd break even with DDP versus eating a few meals out and a few meals in the room (sandwiches). But we thought we'd try it because we'd get better meals, plus appetizer and dessert. Anyway, my question is: At the sit-down meal restaurants, do you need to make ressies? If so, how far in advance? We have always made ressies when we arrived before and never had any problem, but that's usually once or twice during the week. I'm concerned that it may be difficult to get to the restaurant in time if you're stuck in line on an attraction/ride. What has been your experience? Thanks.

I hate, hate, hate making ADRs prefer to just wing it. But after being there the first week in April and watching people being turned away from Mama Melroses with the comment we have no seatings available I have all meals in place for September. At least that way if we decide we want to try to get something different while we are there we have the back-up if we can't get it. We needed 5-6 PM reservations because of medical reasons so that may have added to our difficulty in getting exactly what we wanted for certain days. Make those reservations for the ones you absolutely want to do or you may be out of luck especially since that is F & W time at EPCOT.
Last year in Sept and Oct I was able to get reservations the same day I wanted them by calling early in the AM but wouldn't count on it this year after what others have reported and what we saw happening in April. We will just plan to be near the designated restaurant and try to plan activities that will not make us late. That is what I hate about doing this. When I get up I may not feel like doing EPCOT that day but will have to plan to be there if that is where we are dining. On the bright side I will be at WDW enjoying family time and meals we wouldn't normally order. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[ceejay13]

We just returned from a 6 night stay and both days at the MK had a sign outside City Hall that said all table service restaurants were booked. I said to my DH I would be upset if I had come and not made ADRs. I agree that it sometimes becomes too regimented to have to have ADRs but if you really want to guarantee a table service meal I would recommend it.

 

[rocketriter]

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said: "'Tis better to arrive late for an ADR and have to wait a few minutes than to arrive on-time with no ADR and be turned away."