What's all the fuss?

[Angryhenfan95]

I think reservations are good for the higher end restaurants. And just to ensure that you have a place if it gets crowded.

 

[Agri]

My upcoming trip is just with my sister and parents. Both of my parents have diabetes. My mom will use a wheelchair, which either my sister or myself will be pushing most of the time. By having those ADR's we have quaranteed ourselves no worries.

This. So much this. My mom is in a wheelchair when we're at WDW and a TS meal is a break for both of us. It allows her a chance to get out of the chair and me a chance to sit and stop pushing it along.

The whole point of ADRs is so if you know where you want to eat and when, then you'll be able to accomplish that. I don't even plan out our trip that much. I usually have 2-3 ADRs everyday, allowing for some flexibility in our plans. I have a Smartphone, so I can cancel the ADRs I don't need online as soon as I know exactly what we're doing. For example, we might be trying to decide between DHS and Epcot one day - early breakfast at Cape May is doable for both, but I might pick sci-fi for a late lunch and have a 7:00p.m. reservation for Coral Reef, too. If we leave DHS early, I'll cancel lunch and we'll head to Epcot and check in early for dinner. Having ADRs doesn't mean you have to plan out every moment of your trip. (Also, I use crowd predictor sites like touringplans.com to plan out my vacation. My extent of planning is pretty much "we're not going to the MK on Monday" and I plan reservations around that. I don't mind a bit of planning if it means lines are shorter.)

The only time I've felt that I really scheduled something in during vacation is when we've done things like Dine with An Imagineer or the tours. For us, the ADRs act as sort of a safety net. We're also really into certain aspects of the Disney experience and we really like good food, so we try to make sure we get reservations at certain places - like Garden Grill, Boma for breakfast, etc. (And we are two adults, you don't have to have kids to do a character meal - and enjoy it.)

There is nothing wrong with NOT getting ADRs and there is nothing wrong with people who DO want them, either. Personally, I think they are just different types of touring plans and to each their own.

I will admit to being somewhat frustrated when people go "I went to all these places and got in without a problem, so what's the big deal? Btw, I don't think the food was that great there, either." Well, DUH. Even outside of Disney it pretty much works the same way. There's a reason WHY you are able to walk in - you aren't eating at the best restaurants Disney has to offer.

 

[Steph01002]

With a larger group, including young children and not the most adventurous eaters... ADR's seem to be the way to go. We even had to wait almost an hour for CP with ADR's during July 2009!

I made ADR's for just the four of us this year since we are going during free dining and there are a few places that we wanted to go to. If we end up in another park or at the resort, I can always change plans if we come up to a restaurant with openings or we can make a phone call to change things in the morning.
It is difficult thinking of what you want to eat that far out, but I would rather have ADR's and make changes on the fly if we need too.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Unless you are going during a very busy time like Christmas or free dining I think the furor over ADRs is over blown. I often make no more than 1 and have yet to starve to death at Disney. Sometime I have to eat at a non-standard time or go with a second or third choice but I am not going to micro-manage my trip to death and trying to figure out when I'll be hungry or where I will be when I get hungry 90 or 180 days out is pretty much my definition of micro-managing.

I agree with you that because on some threads people would read them and they will make it sound like the end of the world if you don't make any ADR's when you are 180days away from arriving to WDW. Now I do realize during specifc times of the year like major holiday's it's best to have ADR's in advance if you want to eat at a table service restaurant. Now I said this before and I will say it again, since my family and I aren't the type that likes to make ADR's 180 days away the Dining Plan is not for us and we don't worry about making any ADR's. Part of the reason is we stay Club Level and there is always food in the lounge. The other part is we always have our own car while at WDW, so we can drive to various restaurants that are located offsite and where reservations are not needed. Plus we can also drive to Downtown Disney when going to Earl of Sandwich or the resorts to eat at their Quick Service locations.

 

[Agri]

I agree with you that because on some threads people would read them and they will make it sound like the end of the world if you don't make any ADR's when you are 180days away from arriving to WDW. Now I do realize during specifc times of the year like major holiday's it's best to have ADR's in advance if you want to eat at a table service restaurant. Now I said this before and I will say it again, since my family and I aren't the type that likes to make ADR's 180 days away the Dining Plan is not for us and we don't worry about making any ADR's. Part of the reason is we stay Club Level and there is always food in the lounge. The other part is we always have our own car while at WDW, so we can drive to various restaurants that are located offsite and where reservations are not needed. Plus we can also drive to Downtown Disney when going to Earl of Sandwich or the resorts to eat at their Quick Service locations.

I think this is also due to the fact that to some people, eating is a HUGE part of their vacation. They want to get that coveted character meal ADR and they want to get into Le Cellier, etc. If they don't, they feel their vacation is severely impacted, even ruined.

For others, its not a big deal if they don't get into Chef Mickey's because they probably don't want to eat there anyway.

TBH, lots of people get bent out of shape over different aspects of their WDW vacation, and I think the whole to ADR/to not ADR thing is just another example of that.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Character Meals, Epcot Dining w/ a view of Illumiations, large groups, people w/ special dietsor accomodations, these all require ADR's. Sure if you'll settle for just about anything you won't go hungry at Disney. The worst time I've had ever getting a meal is late in the day at DHS. During moderately busy times at DHS you aren't going to get a meal without an ADR. ABC Commissary, I shutter just at the thought of it, is all that you're going to get and then I'd rather actually starve then have to ever eat there again, Yuck!

I've never needed reservations for Shulas, Todd English Blue Zoo, Boma, The Yachtsmen, Kouzzina! You can always get in at the Big River Grill, ESPN!

 

[Simba22]

You're really lucky! I think it depends a lot on the time of year you go, too.... Although I've noticed that Disney has not offered Free Dining this year (at least not that I've noticed) and Park attendance is down....a friend of mine was able to book CRT for an August date just this week so things are not full this year like they have been recently.

I can't tell you how many people we saw getting turned away from TS places when we were there in 2009 and 2010.

 

[7165red]

We go during xmas week and ADR are a must. I would love to play it by ear but it's impossible. That is the only thing I dislike about Disney.

 

[RMulieri]

You're really lucky! I think it depends a lot on the time of year you go, too.... Although I've noticed that Disney has not offered Free Dining this year (at least not that I've noticed) and Park attendance is down....a friend of mine was able to book CRT for an August date just this week so things are not full this year like they have been recently.

I can't tell you how many people we saw getting turned away from TS places when we were there in 2009 and 2010.

They did offer it.They offered for dates into this year and it had to be booked by Dec 20,2010.Then they offered it again, but this time it is tiered..Values/Moderate resorts get the QSDP and Deluxe and above get the regular DP

 

[TDC Nala]

There is a current Free Dining offer for check-ins August 28 to September 24. Quick service dining free at moderates, regular dining at moderates and deluxes. A new twist to this offer - you must buy as part of your package a Photopass photobook (costs about $90) to qualify for the free dining.

 

[yenlee]

There is a "fuss" because ADRs are actually very important for people who (a) really want to eat at a particular popular restaurant without having to wait much, (b) are going to Disney during free dining, (c) are going to Disney during a busy holiday, or (d) are dining in large groups. (There are probably other situations.)

As many others pointed out, none of these applied to OP.

In fact, (a) is sort of the most obvious. Of course one *can* have a nice dinner out in New York City (or any city) without a reservation and without having to wait, but it will certainly restrict your choice of restaurant!

But I think that OP makes a good point that, contrary to conventional wisdom, ADRs are not always necessary. They are only necessary if you want to experience Disney in a certain way. But conventional wisdom is mostly intended for newbies, who are least likely to know about the nuances.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've long thought that it probably isn't necessary to make all your ADRs as soon as your window opens up at 180 days - just the ultrapopular restaurants and "experiences," or if you are going at an extremely crowded time like Christmas - but a lot of guests like to do this. They consider it peace of mind to have all their meals planned out, especially if they are prepaying for the meals. Even with the not so ultrapopular restaurants, once you know you want to go there, having an ADR adds more certainty that you'll get in at a time you want and may cut down on wait times.

 

[yenlee]

Actually, the 180 day window is really annoying. Isn't 90 plenty? I typically don't even book my vacations more than 180 days out. But now I have to figure out where I'm eating and on which day.

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

I'm not sure where you people are eating at Disney that you feel rushed through your meal, but I've had some lovely three hour dinners at Jiko and two and a half hour lunches at Kona and never felt rushed at all. In fact, it takes me longer to eat when I'm on vacation than it does at any of my neighborhood restaurants. I've never felt like any of Disney's TS restaurants have rushed me in any way and, like another poster mentioned, I don't eat at places at Disney which are similar to those I could eat at when I'm home. I also find the quality of Disney's food to be quite good for the most part, but I'm also pickier about where I eat. That's where making those ADRs comes in handy.

Also, I don't do the 180 day thing, or even the 90 day thing. I do book my ADRs a couple months in advance when we've figured out a rough itinerary and which parks we'll be in which days, however. It doesn't bother me to have reservations made any more than it bothers me to know the park will be closing at a certain time that day, or that Wishes or Fantasmic starts at a certain time that night.

 

[amg35]

It was 7 nights. No character meals as there are no small children. We ate at Kouzzina(2x), yachtsman, Shulas, the better of the places in Italy not the pizza/pasta one, citricos, the place in Morocco. I only ate a disney burger once all week, for lunch found the Fountain to be a notch above Disney food. Also thought the BBQ place in Animal Kingdom to be good. As for the restaurants in Epcot and other parks, they're just OK, I would much rather pay those prices for a REAL elegant dinner,not a rushed Disney(get you in and out dinner). Try a Ruths Chris, Capital Grille or Mortons if you're willing to spend that kind of money.

Agree with the not making too many ADR's, but living in Chicago, been to Ruths Chris, Mortons, Gene and Georgetti and just a few of the great restaurants here... and I will say California Grill was one of the best dinners I have ever had. Blew the rest out of the water. I will always make ADR's at California Grill! And we were there for 2 hours, not exactly rushed!

Am drooling for the veal right now....

 

[amg35]

I'm not sure where you people are eating at Disney that you feel rushed through your meal, but I've had some lovely three hour dinners at Jiko and two and a half hour lunches at Kona and never felt rushed at all. In fact, it takes me longer to eat when I'm on vacation than it does at any of my neighborhood restaurants. I've never felt like any of Disney's TS restaurants have rushed me in any way and, like another poster mentioned, I don't eat at places at Disney which are similar to those I could eat at when I'm home. I also find the quality of Disney's food to be quite good for the most part, but I'm also pickier about where I eat. That's where making those ADRs comes in handy.

Also, I don't do the 180 day thing, or even the 90 day thing. I do book my ADRs a couple months in advance when we've figured out a rough itinerary and which parks we'll be in which days, however. It doesn't bother me to have reservations made any more than it bothers me to know the park will be closing at a certain time that day, or that Wishes or Fantasmic starts at a certain time that night.

Exactly!! We were never rushed! And believe me, my dad would complain if we were! And the food quality was great, we were never disappointed, and some people are pretty darn picky in my family. Granted, we did the "better" restaurants, but they were great!!


wow, just re-read, I use a lot of exclamation points, sorry! ))

 

[amg35]

K^2
__________________
Not to be mean also,but we are talking "Disney dining",none of it would be my idea of a good meal. Lets face it its Disney, overpriced, over-rated and most of it is just plain OK at best.(There idea of dining is "get'em in get'em out, next") For the prices they charge I would expect Five star dining, but what you get is Disney dining.
If you consider Shulas not one of the best places in Disney then what is?, I'm talking Quality in food,service and atmoshere, not "I can see the castle from here". Anywhere in Epcot is just food, nothing special, I had no reason to care where to eat, if I was in Park A, I wasn't going to rush out to Park B just for a meal. Why micro-manage its supposed to be a vacation, remember "Relaxing". Way to many "stressed" people at Disney, just sit back and enjoy, life is to short.

Sorry, I'm typing before I'm reading everything.

Okay:

Via Napoli - fantastic pizza. Had the margherita with proscuitto.

California Grill - described above!

La Hacienda - Shrimp tacos for me, delicious. Everyone else also loved it.

Tutto Italia - the best Italian? No, but really good? Yes!

And I'm talking quality, not just view.

Believe me, my whole family went there with low expectations - happy to have just Chili's quality food.
We were so surprised at how much we liked the food! I really don't understand people saying the food isn't good quality.

Not to mention the counter service in EPCOT, Morocco?? Amazing!! Fish and chips?? Great!

oh well, I liked it!

Okay re-reading again. I realize I sound ridiculously passionate about Disney dining in my posts! I'm sorry. I just don't want people to be afraid they will get bad food when they are spending all this money.

 

[maxiesmom]

Actually, the 180 day window is really annoying. Isn't 90 plenty? I typically don't even book my vacations more than 180 days out. But now I have to figure out where I'm eating and on which day.

Not that long ago they tried having a 90 day window. But they went back to the 180 day one instead. I never heard if they said a reason why.

It is kind of a pain, but then any ADRs that are that important to me I would want to book right away anyway, just so I would know I had them. I've already made all of mine for October, but that doesn't mean that I won't tweak things between now and then.

 

[Hoopfamily]

It was 7 nights. No character meals as there are no small children. We ate at Kouzzina(2x), yachtsman, Shulas, the better of the places in Italy not the pizza/pasta one, citricos, the place in Morocco. I only ate a disney burger once all week, for lunch found the Fountain to be a notch above Disney food. Also thought the BBQ place in Animal Kingdom to be good. As for the restaurants in Epcot and other parks, they're just OK, I would much rather pay those prices for a REAL elegant dinner,not a rushed Disney(get you in and out dinner). Try a Ruths Chris, Capital Grille or Mortons if you're willing to spend that kind of money.

-You do not need small children to do a character meal.
-How can you know if the restaurants in Epcot and other parks is just OK?
-I find the prices to be slightly higher than an average restaurant.
-Never felt as though we were rushed, but I think that's more about the waitstaff and your perception of what they are doing and saying, some people mistake attentiveness for being rushed.
-What does or does not constitute an elegant meal is individual taste, not price. For some Applebees is the height of elegance for others it might be Victoria & Alberts.
To find out if you really need to do ADRs, I suggest you run a test where you go to every sit down in Epcot at 1pm and try to get seated immediately.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just a comment about "rushing" meals. There are a # of people who dine at WDW who ARE in a big hurry to eat and get out--back to the parks, to see a show, a parade, etc.

I think some of the rushed feeling is probably due to the servers sensing that possibility.

I can recall one dinner at the Brown Derby when the people at the table next to us were in such a rush to see Fantasmic that they demanded their check BEFORE the dinner even arrived.