ADR'S....Lets Wing It!

danpam1024

Well-Known Member
We only had ONE ADR last time (Le Cellier- wasn't impressed) and were fine. Got into 50's PTC, Kouzzina, FF. Actually preferred it, no dropping what we were doing to make it to the restaurant in time. And we ate when we were hungry! It actually worked out better for us and we had a more relaxing time and spent less money. BUT our DS is older and not really interested in character dining anymore.
 

Jessica Meier

Well-Known Member
Hello my gastronomic gourmet friends. Having just read that our Mr Ferret is soon off to WDW for 14 nights,but has not booked one,that's correct,one ADR. ( I'am sure he's on the QS free DDP tho ) Have any of you decided to go down that option? Now I understand if your only going for say 5 or 7 days,then this might be a huge gamble.But if you had a 14 night vacation and were on the QS plan but wanted to do maybe 3 or 4 TS meals. Therefore you've got this 14 day window to try and get something booked when you get to your resort.Is this achievable,even in the busy months,like July.? Just curious if any of yourself's have tried this option.?
When my entire family went in 2007 (gosh 6 years ago!), there were 7 of us. Our 2nd day, my husband and I hopped the bus for the MK from Pop in order to get their for EMH while the rest of our family slept in. They had all been before. It was my first trip. We decided to try to get dinner reservations at CRT first thing. Walked up, and at first the CM laughed a little. But she said she would double check. Sure enough, they didn't have any dinner reservations, BUT they just so happened to have a spot for two open up for breakfast. We snatched it up! As we were waiting to go in, we asked the CM to check if any other restaurant in the park had a dinner reservation for 7 available that evening. We lucked out! They just so happened to have one at Liberty Tree Tavern.
My husband and I had one of the most romantic and fun breakfasts ever in CRT. They seated us at a window table overlooking the carousel. I will remember that breakfast forever. That evening my entire family enjoyed the most fantastic meals any of us has ever had at WDW. The family style Thanksgiving dinner was better than any I have ever tasted.

Both of these occured on December 26th, 2007. During a VERY busy time at the world. It just goes to prove, preplanning isn't always necessary. Planning ahead is fun and I do it. But always try to leave one or two sit down meals to chance. You never know what kind of pixie dust is gonna be floating about. :)
 

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
Hello my gastronomic gourmet friends. Having just read that our Mr Ferret is soon off to WDW for 14 nights,but has not booked one,that's correct,one ADR. ( I'am sure he's on the QS free DDP tho ) Have any of you decided to go down that option? Now I understand if your only going for say 5 or 7 days,then this might be a huge gamble.But if you had a 14 night vacation and were on the QS plan but wanted to do maybe 3 or 4 TS meals. Therefore you've got this 14 day window to try and get something booked when you get to your resort.Is this achievable,even in the busy months,like July.? Just curious if any of yourself's have tried this option.?
Nope, never in all honesty. I plan my family's ADR like a Captain plans his sea route to port LOL. There are several reasons I take this approach, but mainly for nostalgia and just to say "yes, we tried that". The only plans we make for our vacation, is ADRs, and pretty much plan our days and nights around that. Have we cancelled ADRs while on vacation and opted for a CS? You betcha. There are too many restaurants that mean alot to my family and our past Disney trips, Ohana, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Kona Cafe, Raglan Road.... I'd hate to disappoint them by taking a chance. (does that make sense??)
 

real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nope, never in all honesty. I plan my family's ADR like a Captain plans his sea route to port LOL. There are several reasons I take this approach, but mainly for nostalgia and just to say "yes, we tried that". The only plans we make for our vacation, is ADRs, and pretty much plan our days and nights around that. Have we cancelled ADRs while on vacation and opted for a CS? You betcha. There are too many restaurants that mean alot to my family and our past Disney trips, Ohana, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Kona Cafe, Raglan Road.... I'd hate to disappoint them by taking a chance. (does that make sense??)
Makes perfect sense..I have a few restaurants in Glasgow that when we stay overnight,we always book,even tho new ones interest me,I'am scarced it's gonna be a disaster if I try another knowing my favourite would be sitting waiting for me..:(
 

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
Makes perfect sense..I have a few restaurants in Glasgow that when we stay overnight,we always book,even tho new ones interest me,I'am scarced it's gonna be a disaster if I try another knowing my favourite would be sitting waiting for me..:(
We have several new restaurants this year on our ADR list (tomorrow is our ADR day!!) I just get so nervous trying new restaurants. One is La Hacienda. We love La Cantina but disliked San Angel Inn, so this will be a toss up
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
I do remember one trip with no ADRs I dined solo or with one other person at meals that trip. Never waited for a table everything was a walk up. September 1983:) Those were the days:)
 

englanddg

One Little Spark...
In 2010 I went with very few ADRs, and in 2011, I also did...but I found in 2011 we had trouble getting into restaurants (party of 2) that in 2010 they just gave us a wait for.

In 2011 they just flat out said no.

So, for 2012, I booked ADRs through the nose. And I hated it. We were so driven by our ADRs that we couldn't enjoy the parks.

This year will be the last year, I suspect, that I pay the premium for the deluxe dining plan, because while I don't mind waiting, I don't want to plan out our dining months in advance.
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
We NEVER wing it when it comes to Disney meals. We enjoy the planning phase of our trip and we make sure we get what we want. Before we go all the ADR's are made to convenience our plans for day, time, place, park we will be in. We check out the menu choices and usually stick with what we saw and reviewed but have made menu changes at times because of a CM recommendation. We've seen to many walk up hopeful diners turned away because they hadnt made ADR's that we wont chance it.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom