Why Should You ALWAYS Make Dining Reservations

[Abharmagic]

But, one of the big problems I see now with the current system is that even with ADR's- you can still wait over 30 minutes to an hour to be sitted. I agree, they should just make the whole thing walk-ups.

This I agree wholeheartedly with. I realize the ADR is not a guaranteed time slot- BUT in October we waited for 30/40 mins to an hour past our ADR time on several occasions. It has made us gear our next trip away from TS (only doing 3 this next trip) and to more CS restaurants as we didn't see the food as being good enough to justify the wait time- even with an ADR.

 

[CoolDisneyKitten]

I hate to hear about people getting so angry at Disney, especially when it upsets their kids so much.

We're the type of people who plan our trips fairly loosely. We do make ADRs, but we only make them about a month in advance. We've been known (on more than one occasion) to change them during our trip. And we never get to the park at rope drop!!

The main problem with not making ADRs during a crowded time is that you can end up going from restaurant to restaurant being constantly turned away, or being told you have an hour+ wait. No one wants to do that when you could be riding Splash Mountain or Test Track. I find it better to go ahead and make an ADR, so at least you *know* you have a place to eat that night, and then if you don't want to use it - cancel it.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I got in trouble with this topic once.

Having come from New York, I don't whine about making ADR's. People who live in large urban areas understand this better than people from less populous areas.

At one point, the broadway musical "The Producers" was sold out more than two years. New Yorkers still purchased tickets knowing that two years would pass soon enough. You have to plan ahead if you want to see the best shows on broadway.

And a restaurant is deemed "hot" in New York if it is booked out months in advance. You don't complain---you call in your reservation and wait your turn. If you insist on Saturday night, well, you'll wait longer.

But in many parts of the country, people don't have to make a reservation. They pick out a restaurant and show up.

At WDW, I just make my reservations 5 or 6 months ahead. It's fine with me.

Exactly. Jersey Boys too. One place that comes to mind...Carmine's. I called 5 months in advance and they had one slot open. Phew. But still, now we book almost a year in advance, especially around Christmas Time.

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

This I agree wholeheartedly with. I realize the ADR is not a guaranteed time slot- BUT in October we waited for 30/40 mins to an hour past our ADR time on several occasions. It has made us gear our next trip away from TS (only doing 3 this next trip) and to more CS restaurants as we didn't see the food as being good enough to justify the wait time- even with an ADR.

Can I ask where you were eating?

I was there in October of 2006 and January of 2007 (being my two most recent trips) and the only restaurant I could not get into was le Cellier, the only one I made ADR for was Prime Time and that was also the longest wait to be seated and the worst meal I had.

My Sept. trip, I am making ADR for Jiko, Marrakesh and maybe one other if there is something BF really wants to check out.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I disagree. I've never booked more than a few days in advance and aside from the ridiculously popular places like Le Cellier & Victoria and Alberts have never had a problem making same days or walking in and waiting.

Let me know how those 23 ADRs you've made work out the rest of the week in September. I predict you'll eat cs a lot. I've been the last w Septembers and MK had a sign in front of City Hall proclaiming no available tables anywhere in MK or any of the MK resorts. At Epcot only Biergarten was accepting walkups and they were waiting 2 hours. And at PTC we had an ADR and waited well over an hour for our table, or the time it takes to enjoy 3 Yuenglings in the bar.

I get mad at Disney for overselling the dining plan. They should sell out the dining plan - you never hear of that happening. It is not possible for everyone staying in a Disney hotel or DVC room to eat a table service meal every day - there are not that many tables.

So sell the dining plan for each period so that 50% of the tables are taken by the dining plan, and continue doing what they are doing - tell people when they purchase the plan that ADRs are a practical necessity for using the dining plan, unless they want to take on the risk that they will not be able to get a table (this is in the small print on the DDP brochure, but few read the small print).

Disney wants to fill every table and have found selling DDP to be the way to do it. Why should they want to undersell it? I'm going nuts that I can't make PS's for DL until the 60 day mark.
We had a coach that hated the 3 point shot the year it was introduced. We(WKU) got to the championship game of the preseason NIT and had a 20 point lead on UNLV. Tark had his boys start jacking them up and we refused open 3's. We got beat, and our idiot coach spent the post game whining about the new rule. Point is you know the rules, play by them and use them to your advantage. And don't whine.

 

[DizzDoll]

I have friends who went to Disney last year after we did, so it must have been in the September/October zone. They stayed off-site at a condo close by and drove over. They made absolutely no ADRs - which is fine in itself - but when they went to the Plaza for dinner they were told that the restaurant was booked solid. They then tried LTT - same result. Tony's - same result. They ended up at Caseys and they fumed at ME - as if I had anything to do with it - that they had to eat at CASEY's because they couldn't get in the "good" restaurants. So yeah, if you want to eat at table service restaurants, by all means make your ADRs otherwise don't be surprised if you're turned down.

 

[mefordis]

I have a mental rolodex of restaurants that are NEVER full. If I need to make an adr last minute, I call one of them.

 

[eliza61]

I
I understand that some people don't like to plan things like meals down to the minute since this is a vacation, but this isn't like any other vacation. This is Disney. I wouldn't go to a foreign country without doing my homework on food, customs, etc., so why would I go to Disney without doing the same? It's poor planning, IMO if you complain about the situation, but you didn't even attempt to research it in the first place. I really feel bad for the kids in this situation, though.

But every one is different. I'm a business traveler, every day of my life I've got to meet a departure time or a meeting so having to plan where the heck I want to eat 6 months out is akin to having brain surgery without the drugs. When I go to Europe, yeah I read a guide book but I never, ever plan out what freakin restuarants I'm eating at and I absolutely hate going to the "touristy hot spots". I like finding the hole in the wall authentic cuisine because if I wanted typical tourist fare, I would stay home.

I will say that I don't do walk ups, I simply call the morning of and never ever had a hard time getting a TS meal. I will make a disclaimer:: I've never gone during free dining or Christmas.

Disclaimer number 2: I've never had a burning need to do certain restuarants, if Le Celliar is booked, Yachtsman steakhouse or Shulas steakhouse is just a good if not better.

 

[crisi]

Disney wants to fill every table and have found selling DDP to be the way to do it. Why should they want to undersell it? I'm going nuts that I can't make PS's for DL until the 60 day mark.

Because they'd still fill every table if they sold half the number of dining plans. Plus they'd fill half the seats with cash guests who have higher margins. AND they wouldn't have as many angry DDPers who didn't make ADRs and now are unable to get what they paid for (that they are not entitled to because they didn't read the fine print - but in customer satisfaction, saying "read the fine print" does not make for happy customers).

Pre dining plan we STILL had issues walking in. It was easier, but it wasn't like the restaurants were sitting around half full.

And it was the same list of restaurants - want to eat, try Marrakesh, chances are pretty good. Early seating at signature spots......etc.

 

[mefordis]

We could start a list of easy to walk up/ last minute adr restaurants:

GF Cafe
Marrakesh

Anyone want to add?

 

[aripantaloon]

We could start a list of easy to walk up/ last minute adr restaurants:

GF Cafe
Marrakesh

Anyone want to add?

I don't have any to add since I don't have much experience with the restaurants, but wanted to ask if there was something wrong with Marrakesh to make it easy to walk up and eat? We have an ADR there and now I'm . I will say that we do like this kind of cuisine, so the *type* of food doesn't scare us, but if it's just generally bad food, then we're in trouble.

 

[mom2alix]

I don't have any to add since I don't have much experience with the restaurants, but wanted to ask if there was something wrong with Marrakesh to make it easy to walk up and eat? We have an ADR there and now I'm . I will say that we do like this kind of cuisine, so the *type* of food doesn't scare us, but if it's just generally bad food, then we're in trouble.

I haven't eaten there for years, but it was good when we went there. I like that type of food like you, so I would love to go back, but picky DH won't do it! I think it's easy to get in because of picky DH's!!!!

 

[rebe1968]

DH and I really feel bad for people that are turned away and did not realize how long in advance some people have planned their trip. Alot of first time WDW travellers are unaware of the ADR necessity!

We were at the Poly going to dinner at Ohana last month, there was this couple and their kids that had just arrived and they saw the pic of Ohana in the elevator...they said lets go their tonight. We followed them to Ohana and listened as they were turned away for the entire week, all sold out. They were po'ed to say the least.

I guess I can understand because in other vacations (not WDW) we have seen restaurant signs in elevators and they looks so good we just go and eat, no problems getting in...that is not the way WDW is anymore.

In this day and age of the internet where we dont make a move without searching online you would think people would figure it out.

I have to agree I had NO clue that ADR had to be made I stumbled on this site by accident thats where I learned about ADR..My T/A told me nothing about at..I would of been one of thoes people begging to be let in as well..

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I am going ALL the way back to the OP's post about "the steakhouse..." I do not have the 2008 edition of Birmbaums Official Guide to WDW, but in 2007 they were listing Le Cellier as one of the easiest place to be seated without a ressie

I am self-proiclaimed Disneyaholic and we have been making ADR's (or PS's or whatever Disney wants to call them) dating back to the 90's... I don't see what the big deal is? Here at home if I want to go out for a good meal to celebrate something with my family, I make a reservation... why should WDW be any different

 

[rebe1968]

in the real world there arent many restaurants where people have to book months in advance for reservations!

not everyone does extensive research and planning before they go on holiday... I know when we first went to florida on holiday we didnt, although that was probably before the internet was as huge as it is now. But still, once you have your flights and hotel booked, you would think its just a matter of buying your park tickets and ur all set, maybe doing a bit of research into the attractions, best places to shop, things like that.

Non planning people would be in shock to find out that some people plan what they will do each and every day of their holiday, let alone decide that far in advance where they want to eat each day. I know i was surprised when i first came across any forums like this!

I certainly wouldnt find any entertainment value in people being turned away from dinner, and possibly flying off the handle...just because they werent aware of the whole ADR system

again well said..If I did not accidently run accross these boards I would been SOL

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I feel bad for people who don't get into restaurants when they walk up. I think most people just make their hotel reservations/buy their package and don't really think about the food until they get there and it's time to eat.

I think people on these boards are a bit more preoccupied with food than the average person is (myself included - I admit it).

I am in the process of making our ADR. As a matter of fact I thought I was done until I changed something last night and the very kind CM pointed out I only had 7 ADR and I was going to be there for 8 nights. I made up a list of additional choices, listing pros and cons of each option and showed it to my family. My husband's response was "Is this whole vacation about the food? If so we can eat anywhere." He said that he didn't care what where we ate. I spent most of my free time today working on this list. I must say that I am a little obsessed with the food porn on this board.

 

[septbaby]

This our first on property stay and I would have no idea about ADRs if I hadn't come to the boards. We are doing DDP as well. I know my DH is not going to very pleased when he sees the "schedule" I'm building but I think he will appreciate having some where to eat a sit down meal.

DDP=ADR to me. Now if weren't doing DDP we'd eat CS or go offsite.

Actually, if you booked through Disney you should get plenty of info on booking ADRs. If you booked through a travel agent or online service like Expedia I can see where that info could get lost and never actually reach the traveler. However, Disney brings it up in many of the communications you'd have with them.

So many people in our society today simply don't think the rules are there for them. They end up trying to use influence rather than the system to get what they need. Just like PP's friends who couldn't get into any TS places during their recent off site trip. They were told how to play the game, but chose not to play by those rules and they blame the friend, not themselves? If I go on here I'll need a soapbox.

Bottome line we can all simply spread the word to family, friends and colleagues. What they do with the info is up to them.

 

[tcuplvr]

I have not been to WDW in 10 years. When a family member invited me to go this October I was ecstatic. At the time the trip was 7 months away. I went on-line and thankfully found these boards, MFL Travel, TGM etc. Had I not done some research we would have been in BIG trouble. However, that being said, the entire ADR process has taken so much enjoyment out of planning this trip - it is sucking the life out of me. For us, day 180 is Monday. I already know that I won't get all my first choices as I have already inquired about some times and places and they are not available. Additionally, some CM misunderstood the 180 + 10 concept so some are making reservations at the 190 day mark. FYI if you were able to do this I would check my reservations. I was told that Disney does spot check the ressies and if they were made before 180 days they will be cancelled. At any rate, there were some guests who were able to make ADRs at the 190 day mark and therefore got a 10 day head start on me and my family.

 

[aripantaloon]

I have not been to WDW in 10 years. When a family member invited me to go this October I was ecstatic. At the time the trip was 7 months away. I went on-line and thankfully found these boards, MFL Travel, TGM etc. Had I not done some research we would have been in BIG trouble. However, that being said, the entire ADR process has taken so much enjoyment out of planning this trip - it is sucking the life out of me. For us, day 180 is Monday. I already know that I won't get all my first choices as I have already inquired about some times and places and they are not available. Additionally, some CM misunderstood the 180 + 10 concept so some are making reservations at the 190 day mark. FYI if you were able to do this I would check my reservations. I was told that Disney does spot check the ressies and if they were made before 180 days they will be cancelled. At any rate, there were some guests who were able to make ADRs at the 190 day mark and therefore got a 10 day head start on me and my family.

I just wanted to comment on the 2 bolded portions. I think I read somewhere on here that not all of the available tables/times/ADR slots (whatever your want to call them) are "released" until it's actually 180 days from that day. So, if you can't get something for the 3rd day of your trip, try calling back in 3 days (180 days out from THAT day) and you might have better luck.

Second, unless the 190 days you are referring means 190 days+10 then some people actually ARE making ADRs 190 days out - those staying 10 days on property and calling at the 180 day mark from their first day there. That seems like a lot of work for Disney to see an ADR that's 190 days out and then have to go back to that person's travel plans to see if they simply made it under the 180+10 rule or if it was incorrectly made. They probably have better things to do with their time, I would think. The ADR's for the last day of my trip were made 187 days out, for example. Nothing "illegal" there.

 

[Katiebell]

Wow. I am really glad I haven't seen angry guests arguing with CM's. That would kinda take the fun out of the evening for me. I'd especially feel sad for disappointed kids. I just can't take joy in someone else's misery or misfortune... The Germans have a term for that -- Schadenfreude

I plan because I like to plan trips. As soon as I can retire from my current job, I'd like to be a travel agent (specializing in Disney, of course!) Not everyone likes to plan, and they might rather be spontaneous, but then they should expect the popular restaurants to be busy/full. But they could always call guest services and ask, "OK, what IS available for dinner tonight?" And they should be prepared to be flexible on their dinner time, or be willing to have their main meal at lunch time. They might discover some hidden gem -- but even if they don't, they won't go to bed hungry

OTOH...without sites like this, I don't think the general public would understand that they need to think about reservations 6 months in advance, especially for the most popular restaurants. Maybe 30 or 60 days, but 180 is a bit extreme. At DL for President's Day week, I made ADR's -- but only about 30 days in advance. But that's they way it is at WDW, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em...

I called for ADR's at about 175 days, and got everything I wanted. Not the EXACT times I wanted, but not bad -- had to take lunch at TH and LC, but we're ok with that, and we'll just do CS for dinner those nights...no biggie...