Totally Disappointed

[nana2tots]

Why do they offer the Dining plan, when you cannot get into any of the sit down restaurants unless you have reserversations, we had it last year, we did not get to eat at any sit downs, only counter service, we have always used the dining, in 06, we ate at every sit down there was, no resservations at all. Just not Happy with all the changes Disney makes, i understand you have to change, but the Dining ? No wonder they offer Free Dining at certain months, it will be counter service only, unless you get Lucky !!

 

[TDC Nala]

They offer the dining plan. Fortunately they don't require it. One can have a perfectly good trip without using the dining plan.

If you prefer not to make TS reservations, a dining plan with TS may not be for you. (Of course if you want certain TS restaurants you will still have to make a reservation, but if you can't get into a restaurant on short notice you don't have to worry about wasting TS credits.) There is now a CS-only dining plan for those who want a dining plan but prefer not having to worry about reservations.

 

[Coach81]

ADRs?

 

[Allison]

It's not counter service only unless you get lucky. Make ADR's and you will be fine.

Disney's pretty clear about the fact that you should make ADR's.

 

[fey_spirit]

The way I look at it getting in would be a bear either way.
This is simply a more organized level of chaos then what would occur if it was a free for all... after all, the number of people wanting to dine there wouldn't change (Actually maybe it would - you might have tons more people in one place. Under the current system if you don't get an ADR you make another one somewhere else. Without it, you would have who knows how many more people show up vying for that one restaurant?)

Why do they offer the Dining plan, when you cannot get into any of the sit down restaurants unless you have reserversations, we had it last year, we did not get to eat at any sit downs, only counter service, we have always used the dining, in 06, we ate at every sit down there was, no resservations at all. Just not Happy with all the changes Disney makes, i understand you have to change, but the Dining ? No wonder they offer Free Dining at certain months, it will be counter service only, unless you get Lucky !!

 

[ReneeA]

We've always had luck using all of our TS credits - however, I make ADR's before our trip.

Most times of the year, you can find availablility at TS restaurants. They may not be at the ones you want, nor the most ideal dining times, and you may have to travel outside of the parks for them, but you can get seated. Make the call to Disney Dining while you're there and see what they can do for you. We've had some really good meals doing it that way.

 

[Melanie B]

It does state on the Disney website that ADR's are strongly recommended.

We booked ADR's in May for our trip later this month and no problem getting all the places we wanted including Le Cellier and Ohana.

 

[MIGrandma]

DH and I are considering another trip to Disney, but won't be doing the dining plan or making advance reservations. We like to "fly by the seat of our pants" and who knows what restaurant we'd want to eat at on any given day so we pretty much stick to counter service and the resort food court. The dining isn't what draws us to Disney, so we're fine with quick easy meals. Table service restaurants are nice, but we feel they take too much time (time we'd rather spend walking around the parks, riding, the attractions, etc.). One trip we did have a 3:00 late lunch at Akershush, this was on a January trip and back when they had the buffet. And we had one meal that same trip at the 50's prime time cafe. Not saying we won't do that again this time if the opportunity is present, but I honestly can't imagine planning out our daily restaurant stops already, or making advance reservations for each day. Just not our cup of tea.

 

[summerlady]

With the DDP and free dining, it's imperative to make ADRs in order to get into the more sought after restaurants. I know it's a pain, but that's the way it is anymore. I made our ADRs at exactly 180 days and got every restaurant that I wanted. And yeah, that's a pain too...having to decide 6 months ahead of time where you want to eat. But I also thought it was kind of fun.

 

[2Tiggies]

With the DDP and free dining, it's imperative to make ADRs in order to get into the more sought after restaurants. I know it's a pain, but that's the way it is anymore. I made our ADRs at exactly 180 days and got every restaurant that I wanted. And yeah, that's a pain too...having to decide 6 months ahead of time where you want to eat. But I also thought it was kind of fun.

It is kind of fun. I am doing QSDP and paying OOP for our TS. Made my ADRs at 180 days +10 and got everything I wanted including the dates and times I requested. A day or two later I was playing around on the site and none of the sought after restaurants had any availability left. However the ones not on the DDP ..... well let's just say that I had all the options of times and days I could dream of just a few days ago and I am now only 6 weeks out.

So another option is to pay OOP and make your TS reservations at places that do not participate in the Dining Plan. I would imagine this to be especially true during free dining.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't make reservations all that much anymore - whenever I go somewhere that doesn't take the dining plan, I've never needed one.

 

[2Tiggies]

whenever I go somewhere that doesn't take the dining plan, I've never needed one.

That was my point exactly.

 

[CathieArms]

Why do they offer the Dining plan, when you cannot get into any of the sit down restaurants unless you have reserversations, we had it last year, we did not get to eat at any sit downs, only counter service, we have always used the dining, in 06, we ate at every sit down there was, no resservations at all. Just not Happy with all the changes Disney makes, i understand you have to change, but the Dining ? No wonder they offer Free Dining at certain months, it will be counter service only, unless you get Lucky !!

Did you even TRY to make reservations at the Table Service restaurants? There are almost ALWAYS openings at a variety of places, if you just try to make reservations. Perhaps not at some of the more popular places, but certainly at more than a few places which give you plenty of choices.

Of course, it does take some level of planning. You need to decide earlier in the day where you'd prefer to eat, so you can't just pop in at a table service restaurant and expect to be seated...there are a lot of people who've planned ahead, and it would be completely unfair of you to be able to take their places because you failed to plan.

I think you should give this program a try. It's actually quite swift. You go to the restaurant at your appointed reservation time and are usually seated within about 10-15 minutes. I'd say that's pretty awesome.

 

[CathieArms]

With the DDP and free dining, it's imperative to make ADRs in order to get into the more sought after restaurants. I know it's a pain, but that's the way it is anymore. I made our ADRs at exactly 180 days and got every restaurant that I wanted. And yeah, that's a pain too...having to decide 6 months ahead of time where you want to eat. But I also thought it was kind of fun.

It's definitely *a lot* of fun! We don't go until June of 2011, but I've been working on figuring out our ADRs for at least a couple of months. I can't wait until our 180 day window opens up...and then I might tweak it a half dozen times or more AFTER we get our ADRs figured out...we might even tweak them once we get there. FUN!

 

[LilyWDW]

It's definitely *a lot* of fun! We don't go until June of 2011, but I've been working on figuring out our ADRs for at least a couple of months. I can't wait until our 180 day window opens up...and then I might tweak it a half dozen times or more AFTER we get our ADRs figured out...we might even tweak them once we get there. FUN!

Heck... I have known where I wanted to go for my next trip for a few YEARS now lol. We were supposed to go this year so I had it all picked out in 2008 where we would go!

 

[nana2tots]

CathyArms, what are your date for June, ours is June 25-July2, Fort Wilderness for 1st time, where you staying ?

 

[jillyb]

ADRs?

Advance Dining Reservations. For table service meals it's highly recommended to have an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) for the table service restaurants. It's a crap shoot on whether you'd be able to have a nice sit down meal by just walking up. You can make ADRs at 180 days from your arrival date.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Alot of people actualy change their plans at the last minute. We have had some of our best meals by calling at the last minute and just taking what was available. You need to be somewhat adventerous and I wouldn't do this with young kids but it is fun.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Made my ADRs at 180 days +10 and got everything I wanted including the dates and times I requested. A day or two later I was playing around on the site and none of the sought after restaurants had any availability left. However the ones not on the DDP ..... well let's just say that I had all the options of times and days I could dream of just a few days ago and I am now only 6 weeks out.

Actually, that experience doesn't have to say all. Have you kept an eye on things?


I've noticed that at 180+10, not all slots are opened. I've ran into things not available at 180+10, but a sea of availability at 180 days out. This is for september, during free dining.

For MK restaurants, I've found the dinner spots were difficult to get at certain times. Lo and behold, the MNSSHP dates were announcened and those times opened wide open -assuming it's not a partynight-.

I'm one of those folks that keeps changing and fine tuning. So I've been playing with the system for about 5 months now. I know, nutcase. During those months, I've seen things chance over and over again. Not talking about one slot opening up -high chance of a cancellation- but multiple for a same day at the same restaurant.

Heck, it only took me 6 days of searching to get a CRT dinner ADR about 2 weeks ago for september. Got options on almost all of the days I checked, but times offered didn't interest me. Was looking for 5-7 pm and sure enough; got what I wanted. Was a bit surprised, but it was very easy.

 

[2Tiggies]

I've noticed that at 180+10, not all slots are opened. I've ran into things not available at 180+10, but a sea of availability at 180 days out. This is for september, during free dining.

I'm one of those folks that keeps changing and fine tuning. So I've been playing with the system for about 5 months now. I know, nutcase. During those months, I've seen things chance over and over again. Not talking about one slot opening up -high chance of a cancellation- but multiple for a same day at the same restaurant.

Heck, it only took me 6 days of searching to get a CRT dinner ADR about 2 weeks ago for september. Got options on almost all of the days I checked, but times offered didn't interest me. Was looking for 5-7 pm and sure enough; got what I wanted. Was a bit surprised, but it was very easy.

Oh I absolutely agree, you do have to monitor it from day to day. I haven't played with my ADRs since I made them. There is just one I am unsure of keeping, and I added another which I knew I was going to do, but yes, people do cancel.

BTW, where have you been on the UK boards tonight? People are in dire need of your advice and support with flight problems. (Read: Missing you )