Should I make more ADRs?

[katiesmom2]

We are going to DW from March 3-11. I made ADRs for the meals we really wanted - a dinner at Whispering Canyon and a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys. We have planned out our week as to which days we'll go to which parks - 2 days at EPCOT, 1 day at MK, 1 day at AK. We know we'd like to eat at the Mexican pavillion at EPCOT and at Rainforest Cafe at AK, but if we don't get to do that, we won't be heartbroken.

I don't want to overplan and was wondering if I don't make ADRs for our park days, will be end up waiting hours for a table? We have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old, so long waits aren't good.

Should I go ahead and just book us up like crazy?

Thanks in advance

 

[jwfla422]

Keep in mind that will probably be a busy time. I always make as many ADR's as I can to fill our schedule, if we decide not to keep them then I cancel (you can just dial *88 at the pay phones in the parks to get Dis Dining). But, at least we have them so we don't end up...like you said waiting for hours. They're always good to fall back on.

I actually made this mistake back in December. I didn't make an ADR at MGM because I figured we'd eat counter service...well...I will always have a sit down restaurant ADR from now on just in case because the counter service places were PACKED!! They all had every line opened and they were 20 plus people deep and we didn't move in 10 minutes. I finally gave up and found a place to buy a pretzel!! That was our lunch. You don't want to be stuck in that situation with a hungry 3 yr old AND 1 yr old...(or 7 yr old in my case!!) if you can help it.

There have also been many occasions where we decided we wanted to eat at a different restaurant than what I had booked for dinner only to find that there was no availability (and these were resort restaurants). These times were not PEAK season either. Better to be prepared. If you know what parks you'll be at pick a place and make an ADR.

 

[katiesmom2]

Thanks so much! I am a big planner and my first instinct is to book us up completely. My husband's best friend is meeting us at DW and he is the reason why I don't want to have too many ADRs - but then again, he will thank me if we run into the problem you did with counter service!

I think I'll go ahead and fill up all of our meals, if there are ADRs available at this late date.

I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!

 

[twoprincesses]

Have you eaten inside the Mexico Pavilion before? Well, last Nov. we did and though the atmosphere was authentic the food was not! Maybe it's because I'm from TX, where good Mexican food can be found at every corner, but that food is the most disgusting mexican food I have ever tried. We did not have ADRs for this and waited 2 hrs for this disappointment. If you really have your heart set on eating here, then yes, I think you should make ADRs... As for Rainforest Cafe, again, food is not fantastic but is way better than the Mexico Pavilion. Atmosphere is great too. Make ADRs for that as well. I would go to Rainforest again, but not Mexico Pavilion. Might I add that this is only my opinion, I'm sure there are many out there who love the Mexico Pavilion, I for one do not (and I'm 1/2 Mexican!).

 

[katiesmom2]

Yes, we ate at Mexico on our honeymoon 5 years ago. My husband is a Mexican food freak and he liked it. I don't care for it and ordered quesadillas or something I think. DH can't stop talking about going back, so back we go! I could definitely do without.

We've been to many Rainforest Cafes. Is this one particularly bad? We've always liked their food.

Their aren't a whole lot of dining choices at AK, so that is why I thought we'd go with RC.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a different restaurant at AK? Can I book an ADR for park closing - do the restaurants stay open after?