Tell me of your experiences when you don't have an ADR

[lizanne]

We're the type of people who would rather decide where to eat when we are in WDW rather than 6 months in advance. This has never been a problem in the past but it sounds like it may be this time.

Our last trip (Dec'05) we couldn't get into LeCellier, so we did make ressies there for our next trip (Oct'28 thru Nov'07) - but no other ADR's. That was the only place we had a problem last year.

We have the DDE card and will be using that, not the DDP.

Could you please let me know of any experiences you have on getting same day ressies or walk-ups. We are 2 adults.

Thanks.

 

[nickelsfamily]

When we have tried to get into places without an adr, we made sure that we went at off time. We have never had a problem. Some of the places we have gotten into without ressies are: Chef Mickeys!! (this was a surprise)
Sci-Fi, Boatwrights and Crystal Palace. You could also try making ressies the morning of or night before-if you are in the mood for something! And be flexible with your times.
Good Luck.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

We went twice last year. First time was first weekend in Dec. Last minute trip for my sister's wedding (had to move from the Keys at last minute due to hurricane damage). We had no time to make ressies. First day we arrived around 3pm and I immediately started calling around (never mind that my ENTIRE family thought I was nuts for planning "ahead"). Nothing until 9:45pm and that was Shutters at CBR, which I would never eat at again. Alarmed, I started making adrs for the rest of the trip. We had to eat at unusual times (for us), many times not until 9 or later, which was very difficult with a flower girl and two ring bearers in our family. Some restaurants just flat out told us they were sold out for the night and not to even bother showing up to be put on a list. Breakfast we ate at Cornado Springs counter service restaurant just fine. Never tried anything for lunch.

Learned my lesson and made adrs for January trip. Was hearing other people say that they couldn't get a table at all, anywhere they tried. Not sure exactly how hard they were trying, but after our Dec experience, was very glad we weren't in that boat.

I was very surprised, since the first weekend in Dec used to be slower. Nothing else seemed overly busy, we just couldn't eat anywhere! I used to love to be able to decide in the morning, or the night before, what we felt like doing the next day and just go with it. No more, I guess.

 

[Enna]

We were there last Veteran's Day (during Jersey Week), and couldn't get a table anywhere. I've seen that little "no tables available" placard in person.

 

[MomofKatie]

We went last fall (1st week of October) and saw many, many angry people turned away because the restaurants were completely booked. Now, this was during the Free Dining promotion, but parks weren't all that crowded. We saw placards at every park we visited stating that there was NO available TS dining that day.

Make ADRs for places you don't want to miss, and be VERY flexible about the rest. Good luck!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Recently we haven't been able to get into TS places without an ADR. Before we would arrive when the restaurant opened and wouldn't have a problem. For the last year or so though, we have to make sure we have an ADR.

 

[Lynne M]

In the past (pre-dining plan), WDW restaurants would let you wait for a table if you didn't have a PS/ADR. You might wait for a long time, but that would be your choice.

Recently, though, a lot of the TS places won't take walkups. If they're full, they just turn you away. That's what you're risking by not having ADRs; when my Mom and I went in Apr 2005 (not a particularly busy time), we couldn't get into any TS places without an ADR. Ate a lot of CS food and room service.

As long as they offer the dining plan, I'd never go without making ADRs. Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear....

 

[n2mm]

No luck getting into WCC late January this year (table for 2). We were willing to accept any time available since we were staying at the WL. We watched in early May as folks were turned away from 50s Prime Time on several occassions and no walkups were being taken. While visiting early May this year, no walkups were being taken at LeCell (as expected) and by noon most places had a sign out saying there were no seatings available at the following places, and listed CS as alternatives. This was especially true for MK. Keep in mind that early May is a moderate time to go and there were no free dining packages going on. We were on the DDP so had all of our ADRs and were happy we did. The big kids kept saying "thanks mom" everytime we went to eat and they saw folks being turned away.

 

[Manda]

We went last December. The only reservation I made ahead of time was a character breakfast at Crystal Palace. And I only made that a few weeks out. On our first day, we were at MGM and tried to walk in to Mama Melrose's and couldn't. We were able to eat at Hollywood and Vine after only a 5 minute wait though.

From that point on, I would make a dinner reservation in the morning or early afternoon for dinner that now. We're not picky, so I would just call and ask what was available in whichever park we were going to be at. I also made a reservation right as I walked into MK and they've got that sign there that tells you which restaurants have reservations remaining for the day.

We're not picky, so we were happy to take whatever. I'm pretty sure we walked in and were seated within about 20 minutes at San Angel Inn without a ressie. We ate at Nine Dragons and Tony's with reservations I made same day.

My in-laws were there the week prior to Easter and a week in June and made all their dining reservations after they arrived at WDW. They didn't have any problems finding places to eat. If you're flexible, it's not a problem. If you have specific places you must eat and specific times you prefer to dine, it will be more problematic.

 

[Grumpy92]

You should be ok if you following the ADR Rule of the Thumb:

You dont need ADRs unless You fall into the following:

* You are visiting during a school holiday, Jersey Week or F&W Festival.
* You want to dine in one of the popular restaurants (Le Cellier, Sci Fi, WC, Cal Grill, Concourse St, Ohana)
* You want to dine at a character meal.
* You like dining at popular times, Dinner between 6pm-8pm.

Have to say the Disney dining package and the free dining have increased the numbers at all the restaurants.

Definitely let us know how it went.