Yes ADR's ARE necessary!

[LuluLovesDisney]

This sign was at city hall in the MK at 8am during this past holiday season.

 

[Stitch1404]

WOW! Glad I like to plan ahead!

 

[Eeyore2003]

We were there the week-end that was the last week-end of the Food and Wine Festival, the Masters of the Arts Festival, and Soap Week-end, AND it was also the last week-end of Jersey week.

It was Saturday and I was planning on eating at the Food and Wine Festival so I made no reservations for that night. Well, we got over to Epcot and it was a ZOO, we went back to the Beach Club and I called Disney dining and they were COMPLETELY FILLED for EVERY restuarant ON DISNEY PROPERTY for the ENTIRE night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went down to the concierge and luckily they were able to get me in at Cape May Cafe, but they only had one time available!!!

 

[Cinders Mum]

this was the same in Sept/October, due to the free dining offer and Food & Wine festival ...... definately doing more ADR's this year just in case

Val
xx

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have noticed this too and are a little frustrated with it. There are times when we can't plan ahead and like to just show up when a restaurant opens to see if we can get a seat. We have seen several unhappy people being turned away and have to think that there are even more complaints that customer relations is having to deal with.

 

[MICKEEP]

We have noticed this too and are a little frustrated with it. There are times when we can't plan ahead and like to just show up when a restaurant opens to see if we can get a seat.

Though the Dining plan is a heck of a bargain...I look forward to the day when it ends. We always liked to wait and see what was available and plan our day around that. This planning so far in advance really diminishes our WDW experience.

 

[eliza61]

While I agree that planning all your meals ahead of time can take some of the joy out of a trip, I think not being able to get a sit down dinner would be worse. My family and I visit during late August (we have school age kids)and usually just winging it for dinner doesn't work especially in the MK. What we do is both. I make ADR's and if the mood strikes us to try some place else, we do. If we can get a table out of the blue hooray. (I make it a point to tell the greeter to cancel my original ADR) if we can't get a table because every thing is book we still have our ADR and we're not as frustrated.
Unfortunately with so many people and so few full service restaurants I think ADR's are a necessary evil.

8/2006 Wilderness lodge Villas
8/2004 Old key west
8/2003 Beach club villas
8/2001 Ft Wilderness cabins
8/1999 Ft Wilderness cabins

 

[WDWCM]

The Dining Plan is not going to go away anytime soon. It is obviously very popular with most guests and it seems that the majority are ok with having to do that much advanced planning.

 

[lillygator]

I am going to print that out for DH....then maybe he'll realize my planning is necessary!

 

[Olaf]

I agree, the Dining Plan isn't going anywhere. Disney is making loads of money on this. I predict that we'll be hearing about new restaurants in the future. I'm in the process of making ressies for my upcoming May trip, and I've been amazed that I've had to move my times around to get in at my favorite restaurants.

 

[Caren]

This is a serious pain in the neck for visitors, so why aren't they hurrying to open new restaurants? It's not like the space isn't available--Odyssey, Tangaroa Terrace, Ariel's...

 

[mking624]

I guess my DH & I have always been one of those people who don't mind not getting into a full service restaurant. We're content doing quick service. Yeah I wouldn't mind a full service, but we're ok if places are full. But that's just how we are...I know for others, it's very important to plan ahead and signs like these show the importance to them.

 

[bizeemom4]

I tried to get same day dinner reservations one night during our two week Thanksgiving trip last year. Every restaurant on property was booked until after 8pm. I had ADRs for every other day but not for this night. We ended up just doing food court at the hotel.