Will ADR's be needed in October/November?

[Donald is #1]

Does anyone have an opinion if ADRs will be needed for a trip in the end of October or the beginning of November? I would like to be flexible so that I can eat when I am hungry instead of when I have an ADR. I won't have my mind set on any particular restaurant. But I would like to have a sit-down meal without waiting in a line for hours.

Thanks

 

[Wazzo]

I'm sure that if you are not picky you could get a table without an ADR. But, if you want to go to the more popular places, you may need an ADR. We're going the week after Labour Day, and I got ALL the times I wanted except for Le Cellier and Chef Mickey's. We still got them, but we didn't get to choose a time.

It may also depend on the exact time you're going. If you're there for MNSSHP it may be busy!!!

Good luck!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

If you really do not care what restaurant you dine at (even to the point of having to leave the park and go to a resort) to eat dinner, you will most likely get in somewhere. Many times Epcot TS and MK TS are completely gone, even by the time the park opens. When I got into MK on Dec 27, there was a sign stating that all TS restaurants for the day were full.

If you have an idea of places you'd like to go and just don't like the idea of being tied down, I would really try to make some ADRs, at least for park days or for places you'd like to try.

Or, if you want to wing it, you could wait until you get into the park that day and try to make a dinner ADR in the am. If they're completely full, which is entirely possible, then you know to plan to be in DTD or at a resort for dinner and you can try and make an ADR for that location instead.

If you really don't want to do ADR's at all, not even the day of, you should be prepared to wait for a table and possibly be closed out of the more popular places.

You said you're not sure when you'll be hungry. Why not make a dinner ADR around the time you normally eat dinner at home? If you're hungry earlier, you can always get a snack or show up a little early for the ADR.

 

[kda]

You can always make a few ADRs and cancel them if you're not in the mood for that. We do this all the time. Last year in early November, it was fairly easy to change times and make reservations a day ahead and sometimes on the same day, but we weren't trying for any character meals or the most popular restaurants (we did get into places we really like ........ Boma, Olivia's at OKW, Kona Cafe, Concourse Steak House).

I don't know that anyone knows how busy it will be and whether you can literally walk in or call a restaurant and get in within an hour ...... October has become a much busier month the past few years, and the dining plan has greatly increased the number of ADRs that people are making. It takes awhile to get to know which restaurants usually have more availability, but you can always call Disney Dining (Ext 55 on any Disney phone) or stop at the concierge desk at your hotel for assistance, and they can check for you.

If will also help if you're flexible about the time you eat. When it's busy, there are often openings at 9:30 PM, or plan to have a nice sit down lunch ~
2-4.

 

[jackmac]

I've been going mid October for the past few years and have not had any trouble getting day of ADR's. F&W is at Epcot and many people just eat their way around WS. One hint, ADR's are always seated first, just call 407 WDW-Dine before you go to a restaurant and make an ADR, even if it's only a few minutes ahead of time. This will put you ahead of other walk-ups. I learned this trick from a CM last year when I was checking into POR. It was 8 PM and we wanted dinner at Boatwrights for 8:30. There was a 45 min. wait for walk-ups but by making an ADR for 8:30 we got right in.

 

[indigoxtreme]

october may be a little bit busier this year with the new Year of Million Dreams starting then. Like others have said if there is somewhere special go ahead and make your ADR's or make all your ADR's and then on the day of if you change your mind make another one and cancel the one you had. At least this way you will be sure of having a time for TS meals.

 

[Donald is #1]

Excellent advice everyone! You have definitely alieviated my fears of having to plan my meals way in advance. Since I like multiple restaurants in each of the parks, I think that for the most part I will play it by ear. I particularly like the idea of calling wdw-dine on the day of. That way I can determine where & when I would like to eat partially through the day. I also think that I may eat some of my main meals at lunch. Thank you everyone!