To reserve or not to reserve.....that is the question

[Mackey Mouse]

I have always been a person who does not do ADR's, but this last visit we ran into some issues trying to eat at some of our favorite restaurants even booking for the next day.

It was the Marathon weekend and I would say things were pretty tight. Even being flexible sometimes did not work.....So I might have to rethink my planning especially during times when WDW can be busy i.e. Marathon weekend. Just a little advice to those who like me feel as long as they are flexible they can eat where they want, it was not easy during this weekend.

 

[ugadog99]

Because I am a teacher, we have to visit in the more crowded times of the year. I would never consider going without some ADRs. I don't want to waste my time waiting to eat. Plus, I'm too rigid to be flexible in my plan too much. I like to know what I'm doing and when I'm doing it.

 

[lovethattink]

I am a local. I have never had to worry about ADR until recently. We wanted to celebrate DS birthday at Ohana's. It was early December. Each time we stopped by to see if we could, it was full. I ended up calling 6 different times, until a cancellation opened up a spot for us. The last time we were at the MK we noticed a sign as we passed by guest services. It said all table service was full and listed each of the counter service restaurants as alternatives.

 

[KAMommy]

Because our school system has odd breaks, we can usually go during slower times. During our last October visit, there were signs at the parks stating that all table service restaurants were full (I took a picture of the sign ). The parks weren't really full. We had no problems with rides or anything, but if we hadn't had our ADR's we would have been really disappointed. I would make the ADR's.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I have never had a problem before, maybe the days of being flexible, as I can be and can be when I go as well, are over. *sigh*

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I make the ADRs for the restaurants that we "have" to eat at. If we change our minds while we are there I just call and cancel and make new ones. But I don't go without a few ADRs.

 

[jarestel]

We usually make only a couple of ADRs in advance too. With the popularity of the dining plan, it is definitely becoming more difficult to secure seating at the more popular restaurants. We don't feel we have to eat on property though and since we always have a car, we're more than willing to patronize the ka-jillion or so off-site restaurants within a 10-15 minute drive radius when the Disney restaurants don't work out for us.

Even though we technically drive off property to eat, it's still quicker many times than taking Disney transportation to eat on site. Go figure.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I thought the OP was joking about the title!! To make ADR's for not!!?? Yes do......you can always cancel if you can't make it!! I'd avoid the dissapointment.....make those ADR's!

 

[Amyrlin]

I think since the intrduction of the dinning plan I think the resturants are much busier

 

[mjmcca]

I think since the intrduction of the dinning plan I think the resturants are much busier

I totally agree. You used to be able to get PS ( now AR) on short notice. No more.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think those of you who said since the dining plan was introduced there is now an issue of overcrowding for dining....I think that is the case, people who did not do sit down dinners are now doing them as they are on their plan. Makes sense......I have been coming to WDW for over 25 years and have never made a ressie before I arrived, ok, maybe hoop de doo or luau when the kids were little....I will now have to plan out where I am going to be on a certain days to go to my favorite restaurants. I know you planners out there love that -planning your days, but I have always liked to be spontaneous......Oh well, now I will have to plan with the rest of you...