Will free dining cause TS to be overcrowded at dinner?

[sneetch]

I noticed that with the free dining being offered, a lot of people are making ADR's for their TS credits. I have yet to make any ADR's. Wasn't really planning on it until I actually get to Disney. In the past I've made ADR's on the day I actually want to eat at a particular place, and never had a problem getting what I wanted. I'm just worried with so many people using the free dining, if there will be a problem with getting into a TS restraunt at dinner. Has anyone had an experience in the past with the free dining and TS restraunts being overcrowded at dinner?

 

[JoiseyMom]

I think that TS ADR's are hard to come by with the DDP even if it isn't free. If you are a party of 2, people have posted that have an easier time getting in last minute. If you want a popular restaurant, then you may have problems.

 

[MulanMom]

We used to be the same way (except for the most difficult ADRs, making some when we were actually at WDW). Our experience at MK in November on a weekend caused us to make more ADRs than usual for our upcoming trip. On our last trip, we called early in the day, deciding to eat at a resort restaurant. Nothing was available until after 9PM! This isn't just the TS places within the park, this was for all the MK area restaurants! We went to the podium at the Plaza restaurant and there was no walk in availability. We were lucky at Tony's, we approached the podium just before they opened for dinner and we were able to get in.

I know it's difficult to do when you are used to making dining arrangements spontaneously, but if you want to enjoy certain restaurants, you should probably make ADRs.

 

[nurseypoo5]

If your going for free dining, you may already find yourself in for some trouble. I wanted to change my adr's recently and couldnt get adr's for le cellier (none on any night), boma, kona and chef mickeys am breakfast. I could get an adr for lunch, but were not thrilled with lunch menus.

So even for lunch i want to say they were filling up for most of the prime times. I would make this your number 1 priority. It forces you to plan your trip more carefully and thoroughly, but its a necessary evil esp with free dining.

If your plans change, you can always use a TS at a CS meal in a pinch, or take what you can get as a walk up (you MIGHT get lucky)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Free dining has caused many more folks to eat at TS restaurants than normally would. No question about that.
That said--I just made ADR's for our trip in mid September (dinner at 7 different restaurants, including California Grill, Jiko) and had no problem getting any of the places or times we wanted.

 

[laurabelle]

I agree, it has been easier for me to book dinner times for Jiko and Flying Fish than Le Cellier. That's ok with me though as hubby wants all new restaurants this trip - sure blow the bank...it's FREE dining!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We're going during the "low" attendance season (November 25th-December 2nd) and I called to make all of our ADR's a couple of nights ago. Four or five of them we had to change to an hour before or after (from the time we wanted) to be able to eat there. And a couple of them are resort restaurants!

We used to make our ADR's day of, but it's almost impossible to now. I think free dining has made an impact because people that try out many TS places they normally wouldn't go, pay for the dining plan when they come back. And people who normally eat CS meals the dining plan is a great deal for them.

It's not as spontaneous as it used to be, but it doesn't bother me. I like knowing I have two nice meals to look forward to every day.

 

[bluejasmine]

Well in the past we have gotten in to several TS without ADR BUT with the new promotion I would highly suggest ADRs now it wouldnt hurt to try and change or make some when you get there but your taking a BIG chance of not getting in..

 

[lady_hlh]

When we were there last year during free dining and wanted to switch an ADR on the same day we couldn't get anything that we wanted. We are going again this year during freed dining and I no longer had my choice of times for one ADR that I didn't make until just recently. I would definitely make ADRs now so that you have something booked and then if you want you can try to change them when you are on your trip.

 

[exwdwcm]

i agree, make your ADRs early, change later if you need to.

our last trip, in early December, which isn't very crowded, we noticed every single TS meal we went to- there was a line of walk ups trying to get in. and everyone of them got turned away- saying they were fully booked with reservations- this happened at almost every meal we had- at 50s Prime Time, LTT, Crystal Palace......I was surprised everything was booked up during a slow time (and no free dining)......

 

[Ron from Michigan]

For our trips in Oct. & Dec. I have been able to get every ADR we wanted without any problems. They include California Grill, Jiko, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown Pub, O'hanas, Coral Reef etc.