Solo Dining - Do I need to make an ADR?

[Disney PrincessII]

I am headed down for my first solo trip, staying onsite and have already made a few ADRs that I really wanted. But my question is do I really have to have an ADR to find a place to eat if I am dining solo?

I am not interested in eating at a Lounge as I have a dining plan, so any advice would be welcome.

 

[NJDiva]

it's a good practice to get into, especially some of the more popular places. are there places you can walk up to and get a table, sure, but I would rather KNOW I have a reservation at the place I truly want versus chancing it and missing out. and I totally undrerstand about not doing the lounge thing, you should be able to get a table/booth without issue. you can get good food anywhere on property, I haven't had too many bad meals there, it also depends on the time of year you're going. when there is lower attendance at the parks, I'm sure it's easier to get a table...
good luck and enjoy going solo! it's my favorite thing to do....

 

[richmo]

It's going to be pretty busy when you're there, so I would. Remember, you're still taking up a table, so from an ADR point of view, you're basically the same as a party of 2. Just remember that you are tying the reservation to a credit card now, so if you're not going to keep it, make sure you cancel it (I forget if its just the day before or a stricter 24 hours before)

 

[Chuckers]

If there is some place you really want to eat, there are 1000 other people who want to eat there, too. Always make ADRs. I've gone in May during slow times and I don't think I've ever seen a TS place that didn't have a long wait.

 

[bryanb]

The ADR system seems a little strange sometimes for solo reservations. I remember looking up tables for 1 and found that a restaurant was fully booked, but when I tried for 2 several possible reservations appeared.

Not sure if this is a glitch in the system, as I'd imagine that solo diners wouldn't be denied a table designed for two.

Is it just me or has anyone else encountered this?

 

[dawnhaze]

The ADR system seems a little strange sometimes for solo reservations. I remember looking up tables for 1 and found that a restaurant was fully booked, but when I tried for 2 several possible reservations appeared.

Not sure if this is a glitch in the system, as I'd imagine that solo diners wouldn't be denied a table designed for two.

Is it just me or has anyone else encountered this?

It's rare to be able to get a reservation for 1 because of the way the computer system works. I've heard it sometimes does the same thing for odd-numbered parties too - 3 or 5 people can often do better with ADRs by rounding up to 4 or 6 people, etc. They don't turn you away or charge a fee for fewer people.

It's been an issue since at least 2012 (and probably way before then, that's just when I first booked ADRs, lol). I book all my ADRs for 2 except for prepaid ones. Sometimes I have to book those for 2 and then call and cancel one person.

EDIT: And to answer the OP's question - I'd make enough ADRs to use your TS dining credits unless you know you'll be happy using them on whatever happens to be available.

 

[daae3]

I made this mistake my first solo trip. I went first week in December-what should have been the slow season. It was not slow. I did not make any ADR thinking I would be able to walk up and get in somewhere. I also had the dining plan...could not even walk up and get on a wait list-every restaurant was booked for my first two days. I made reservations for the remainder of the week while I was at my hotel...

 

[ludari]

If you are able to stay on schedule I would say it would not hurt to make reservations at your favorite restaurants. However, having done so many solo trips I am just running from one park to another or just lounging by the pool. When I am ready to eat I just walk up to my favorite restaurants and just get on the list. The longest I have waited was maybe 20-minutes.

 

[Disney PrincessII]

Thanks for all the advice, I took it and so far am enjoying my first night and first ADR!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes you must cancel 24 hrs in advance.

 

[JNPants]

Hope you, the OP, are having a wonderful solo trip. I went solo once myself and found dining difficult as I had no ADRs. The bars at Citricos and Narcoossee's are a good choice if you can't get in for a table anywhere. I know you said no lounges, but these are places you could use your meal plan. Disney needs more bar seating for the solo traveler!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The ADR system seems a little strange sometimes for solo reservations. I remember looking up tables for 1 and found that a restaurant was fully booked, but when I tried for 2 several possible reservations appeared.

Not sure if this is a glitch in the system, as I'd imagine that solo diners wouldn't be denied a table designed for two.

Is it just me or has anyone else encountered this?

Oh, yes-this used to happen to me all the time. So now I always make my ADRs for two. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet my new BFF just beforehand and will want to share a meal together. However, that hasn't happened yet, so I find myself always saying "No, my husband had to work."
For the OP, if you're not too fussy about where you eat, as long as you've made ADRs for what you really want, my experience says you'll probably be OK. I've gotten into Rose and Crown, Prime Time Cafe, le Chefs De France, and a few others without reservations. However, I tend to eat early, so that may make a difference.