What are the best "off" times for ADRs?

[Mickey_Mom]

Thank you in advance to all that reply -- I have to make my ADRs soon for our August trip and I'd like to make the majority of my dinner reservations at "off" times.

Right now I'm leaning towards:
Cinderella's Royal Table (actually, this one would be breakfast)
Chef Mickey
Le Cellier
Artists Point
Chefs de France
Boma
Teppan Edo

Any suggestions on the best times to go?

 

[ambgoph]

I asked for all of my ADR times after 7pm for our June/July trip and got all within 20 minutes of that. This included Le Cellier.

 

[disneyag]

I don't believe there is an "off" time for Chef Mickey's or CRT. I think they are always booked completely from open to close. As for the others, I think if you choose times before 5pm and after 8pm for dinner, that might be more of an "off" time.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We always try to make ours as close to opening as possible, so we are in the first group of seatings.

As I said on another post though, we have never waited long before we were seated anywhere. We usually arrive about 20-30 minutes before our ADR time and are usually seated right away. the only time I remember waiting was at Chef Mickey's and it was only like 10 minutes past our ressie time, if that long.

Suzanne

 

[mommymeg]

I think as long as you have ADR's, no matter what time you go, most restaurants will seat you rather quickly...

If you prefer off times because you don't want a crowded restaurant, I'd say do a very early dinner...

This is our plan... we're early risers by nature, so any breakfast ADR's are for 8am... and dinner ressies are between 4 and 5... this beats the dinner rush, and if we happen to get hungry later in the evening, we have our snack credits to take care of us!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I'm looking for a combination of things I guess -- less crowds, longer time in the parks or ease of coming back to the parks. Don't want to miss fireworks anywhere but don't want to be running around either. Any magical ideas ?

How about the Fantasmic package? My daughter is special needs and we therefore sit in the disability section but from what I hear, getting the package doesn't guarantee you a seat? Suggestions anyone for which restaurant is the better choice and the best time?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[FireDancer]

I always look at the restaurant I want to eat and and select the latest lunch option available for dinner. Most places have cheaper choices at lunch and if you are paying oop you can save a lot by having you big meal as a late lunch and then grab CS or snacks later if you get hungry.

 

[dancin Disney style]

When we go for breakfast we will book a later ADR. Around 10:30am is generally a great time. It starts to get a little quieter and if you are character dining you get better interaction.

For dinner the early times are quiet as well. We have had, not by choice, 4:30's and 4:45's which turned out to be great. Also, the late times, after 8pm.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I always look at the restaurant I want to eat and and select the latest lunch option available for dinner. Most places have cheaper choices at lunch and if you are paying oop you can save a lot by having you big meal as a late lunch and then grab CS or snacks later if you get hungry.

This is exactly what we do. It saves money and it is usually easier to get a reservation and the restaurants are less crowded and are more quiet and relaxing and since this is a hot time in the parks it is nice to sit down in AC. Just be aware that this is also parade time, so if that is important to you, make sure you plan around that.