What's all the fuss?

[LisaTC]

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.

I found that after I made my 180 ADR's that I could easily change and change again without too much problem, even 2 months later. I thought that curious...We are very flexible on vacation. We have 1 ADR that I must do and it is for DD7...Akershus. Other than that, I'm open. I had 'Ohana twice and cancelled it because I think, for me, the choices have too much sugar and the reviews lately seem 'eh? I am more attracted menu wise to many of the signatures for some reason...

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....

Good to know...Been to Chicago like 20 times and it's my favorite city to eat in!

 

[eliza61]

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.

I think the problem and why op probably used the word "fuss" is that like so many other tips, we on these boards tend to "overblow" them.

I know as a newbie, the advice here was darn near presented like it was on the scale of WWIII.

How many times will people write?

If you don't make your adrs you will have nothing to eat but burgers for your entire trip?
If you don't get to the parks 30 mins prior to opening you will not get anything done? or you won't get "every thing" done? (which is virtually impossible).

I've seen threads that said if you don't get adr's you won't eat any ts at all.

Now if your new to this game by the time you've read these "warnings" over and over again, you're probably hitting the panic mode.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I think the problem and why op probably used the word "fuss" is that like so many other tips, we on these boards tend to "overblow" them.

I know as a newbie, the advice here was darn near presented like it was on the scale of WWIII.

How many times will people write?

If you don't make your adrs you will have nothing to eat but burgers for your entire trip?
If you don't get to the parks 30 mins prior to opening you will not get anything done? or you won't get "every thing" done? (which is virtually impossible).

I've seen threads that said if you don't get adr's you won't eat any ts at all.

Now if your new to this game by the time you've read these "warnings" over and over again, you're probably hitting the panic mode.

I couldn't have said that any better myself.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

It sounds as if many of the people who don't do ADRs visit WDW often or at least have been there done that. For us, this will be only the 4th time we've stayed at WDW. The first two times I was still in high school, so only our second time with our kids. There are many, many TS restaurants that I've not tried yet. So for me, making our ADRs at the 180 mean we get to try out Ohana, LeCellier, Crystal Palace, Boma, and Cape May for the first time, and we get to go back to two of our favorites, Chef Mickey's and WCC.

We also have young children so we like to have our ADRs as close to 5 PM as possible to avoid longer waits and because the kids are hungry and don't want to eat dinner at 7 PM. We are also traveling with a party of 6 or 8.

I'm definately a planner. I like to know where we are going and when. I feel like a plan reduces wasted time due to indecision. And by a plan I mean, which park on most days, where to eat 1 TS per day, and for our 4 planned theme park days a general idea of what to see and where to start. For me half of the fun of eating is the anticipation! I look over the menus over and over and can't wait to try it out!

 

[kelldawn]

For us we had res at Boma in 2009 on our last night we decided to give it a 3rd try Then while at HS we decided we just hated that place and no more, no more trys. Nasty food to us. So I tried to get into Mamas, Derby Hollywood 50's etc and nothing was available at all that night in any of them. Went to Bomas and had a horrible waitress we and 3 other families in the far left had corner and she never came back. Food was bad as usual and most was not replenished and it was only 7pm. So from now on I do not go without ressies especially in Dec first part of it is becoming just like a holiday and lines are long and food is scarce for sit downs