Skipped ADR's

[kimmac1]

Leaving in June for our first trip to WDW. I am starting to panic about the meals. We only have two ADR's--one for Chef Mickey's and the other for FDP at H&V.
We don't want to be too overly planned (even though my DH thinks that I am already doing that!). SO, what I was wondering was if I go ahead and make some other ADR's what happens if we don't make it to the restaurant? I know they don't have our card number, but does that totally mess with other people? I would hate to do that.

 

[Brit17]

I'm not sure what the crowd levels are in June, however, on one hand, I think making ADRs is very wise ... when we were there in Dec. (the 2nd week, which was somewhat slow), I can't begin to tell you how many people we saw turned away from the table service restaurants because they were not accepting any "walk ins" ... this was for lunch and/or dinner ... on the other hand, I don't want to sound mean, but if you really don't think you are going to use your ADR's, I wouldn't tie up the booking from someone else who really wants it, unless you can cancel it in advance so someone else grab it ... but in the long run, I think you will be very happy if you make your ADR's now and keep them for later ...

 

[MicheinMA]

I think June is a moderately busy time so you probably wnt to make ADR's. We were there from April 15-22 (we made ADR's before going down) and every place we went to was turning people away as booked solid. That said while down there we did decide to change some of our plans but we in turn called the reservation phone number and cancelled so someone else could have it.

 

[misslissa]

I went on one trip where I made tons of ADRs. We actually didn't go to two of them... one was because we had "eaten all around the world" at Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Another because we were too tired!

What I did, was for one, stop into MK Town Hall and had them cancel one for me... about midday. I figured if I wasn't going to go... I'm sure they'd get a walkin who would be happy about it! And, for the second one, I called from my room around 3 pm for a 6 pm and they were happy about that too.

I figure we might as well be considerate and make someone else's day!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The first part of June is moderately busy. Starting around the middle of June the size of the crowds get really large at all the parks.

I suggest you do make ADR's to make sure you have someplace to eat, especially for dinners. On our last June trip we saw many people turned away from restaurants without reservations.

If you know for sure you will not make some of the meals it's easy to cancel the ADR's from your resort or various locations throughout WDW.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We always go the first two weeks of June and I can tell you, for a fact, that we saw oodles of people getting turned away because they had no ADRs.

For years, we went to WDW (without the dining plan) and booked only two or three table service meals per 10 day stay. Let me tell you....you'll soon tire of eating counter service food. It's really relaxing to have a nice sit down meal every evening.

If you know what theme parks you will be going to and on what day, I would think about making a late dinner ADR for the theme park of the day.

We usually eat a light breakfast in our room, stop for a counter service meal at lunch, purchase a snack mid-day and make our dinner ADRs for 7:45 or 8:00 p.m. This will allow you to tour the park efficiently throughout the day and still have time for the night time entertainment.

I see that this is your first trip to WDW. Congrats! I have a guidebook that I've put together for friends and family. Have shared it with lots of other Disboard members too. If you or anyone else wants a copy, just private message me and I'll send an e-mail copy to you.

Hope this helps, Lisa

 

[Lynne M]

SO, what I was wondering was if I go ahead and make some other ADR's what happens if we don't make it to the restaurant? I know they don't have our card number, but does that totally mess with other people? I would hate to do that.

Thanks for thinking of your fellow guests - we appreciate it!

I'm afraid it would mess with other guests if you don't plan to keep your ADR, and don't cancel it. You may be preventing another guest from getting into that restaurant for that meal - many places no longer take walk ups, and if you don't show up, your table will sit empty.

It's very easy to cancel; you can call dining from your resort room or your cell phone, or visit guest services at a theme park. I think you can even cancel an ADR from a different restaurant.

 

[kimmac1]

Thanks for the posts. I have called and made a few additional ADR's. I might add a couple more--just to be safe. I guess it's mostly the dinner thing like
wdwgoofeeee had mentioned. You can only eat so many french fries! I just didn't want to be so overbooked that I felt we were rushing to get places. But after reading some of these threads, I started worrying we wouldn't have anywhere to eat dinner!
Anyway, I think all is well. We will survive on whatever food you can scavenge. I'm sure we will NOT lose any weight on the trip. Heaven forbid!