ADRs rule the world?

[smw]

Seems like everyone's always going on about making ADRs waaaay in advance. I'm assuming gone are the days of walking into some restaurants and getting a table or reservation the day of, but is this the case with all restaurants? Staying at ssr next month, fam group of 10. We have an ADR each day for the group, but if we split up are we screwed? Seems like way too much over-planning to me. Pretty obnoxious. Can my parents get a table at the ssr restaurant or my girl and I at the Mex place in epcot spur of the moment anymore?

 

[Jimmy Thick]

The restaurant at SSR, the San Angel Inn and Marrakesh are pretty much safe when it comes to not needing ADR's, even in busy times.

Remember though, there is a reason for that...



Jimmy Thick-Mr. Yuck...Mr. Yuck...

 

[bmarkelon]

If those are the restaurants that you want to walk into with no reservations you definitely could get lucky. With Disney's Dining Plan ADRs have definitely become the growing trend. Everyone wants to be sure they get their money's worth. I never go anymore without having our breakfasts and dinners booked. It's a definite reassurance to not worry about scrambling to find somewhere with availability.

 

[smw]

Oh, those aren't "musts" for us, just an example. I don't think ADRs were around on our last trip a few years ago, so I don't know how bad it is now.

 

[bmarkelon]

The thing you could probably do is just do a little research on what your "musts" are try to get ADRs for these. Then while you are down there on your trip just call Disney Dining each day to fill in the needed meals. They will go through and tell you exactly where you could get in. But there is also always the chance that you could get lucky too.

 

[R W B]

On my trip in '06 my bro and his wife planned all of our ADRs about 3 months out. My last trip, I didn't do a dining plan but I know we were able to walk in a few places and just have a normal 15-20 minutes just like most restaurants here at home. The only one I can remember in Rain forest Café in AK. We made a reservation that afternoon, we wanted PM, they gave us 7:15. No problems.

 

[lilclerk]

You can definitely get reservations day of, you just have to be flexible. If anyone in your party has a smartphone, you can use the dining website to check for availability while you're there too.

 

[gardenia]

Seems like everyone's always going on about making ADRs waaaay in advance. I'm assuming gone are the days of walking into some restaurants and getting a table or reservation the day of, but is this the case with all restaurants? Staying at ssr next month, fam group of 10. We have an ADR each day for the group, but if we split up are we screwed? Seems like way too much over-planning to me. Pretty obnoxious. Can my parents get a table at the ssr restaurant or my girl and I at the Mex place in epcot spur of the moment anymore?

Not obnoxious, just a fact of life. Some places you can walk up, some you can not. The Mexican restaurants (San Angel and La Hacienda) at Epcot don't usually take walk-ups. I've seen plenty of folks turned away. Just be prepared for a little disappointment if you decide to wing it. The resort restaurants are usually easier to get into than park restaurants, but no guarantees.

 

[stratman50th]

I think in general you're original statement is correct. You might get lucky with a walkup, but don't be surprised if you can't get in, or its a multi-hour wait. I just wrote this out in another thread, but this is our first trip with an ADR for every evening. I'm still not on a dining plan, just don't want counter service meals for dinner. Depending on how much it infringes on hour play time-ing, this may be the last time for more than just one or two ADR'S.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Fail to plan, Plan to fail.

And last time I checked, Disney doesn't hunt down your first born if you dont turn up. Though in one or two cases this would gave been a good option

 

[smw]

Fail to plan, Plan to fail.

And last time I checked, Disney doesn't hunt down your first born if you dont turn up. Though in one or two cases this would gave been a good option

We have one for each day, it's just that with 10 of us I know we'll split up or half will want something else. I don't know what I want tomorrow night, let alone 6 months from now. We're not the commando types. Not knocking those people, we're just not them.

And there may not be a penalty for not showing up, but it's still poor form. It prevents someone else from getting the reservation and is inconsiderate in general, IMO.

 

[H20Babie]

I think, too, and no one has mentioned it yet, it will also depend on the time of year you go and the time of day. Fall and January through spring break, odds are better of snagging a table with no reservations, unless you happen to go during "free dining" which I believe was extended through the fall. But the closer to any holidays or peak seasons, the more the restaurants will be full and walk-ins will be turned away. If you walk-in before or after the lunch hour rush and/or dinner rush, you also may have more of chance.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Then you just make do with what you can get .

However you could always tell them your not turning up if your conscience requires,but you cant give up what you dont have.

 

[DawnCt]

We just got back from WDW yesterday. School vacation for a few states. We saw lots of people from Michigan and Wisconsin. That said, we decided we wanted to go to the Kona Cafe for breakfast one morning. We arrived at 9 am and had no problem being seated within five minutes. Lots of available seats, and breakfast doesn't take that long....except apparently with our server. Incredibly slow service. We waited for her to take our order, we waited for the coffee, the food, the check, etc. Some ADRs we had and we changed. We decided to go to Chef's de France for dinner on the same day. We were able to get a 7:40 seating. There were more time slots available closer to 5 pm but we didn't want that. The same was true for Cape May and Blue Zoo. In fact, WDW reservations was showing no availability at Blue Zoo so I called them directly. We were able to get the time we wanted. Jikos we booked ahead, but there were walk up diners also being seated.

 

[Clever Name]

It’s been my experience that ADR’s are not needed. WDW and many fan sites tend to perpetuate the myth that resort and restaurant bookings need to be made several months in advance. Such long term advance bookings are very beneficial to WDW because they like to handle everything through their CRO. However, the CRO does not control all resort and dining reservations. I often hear people complain that “WDW is booked solid” when in reality plenty of resorts and dining reservations are still available. It just has to do with the way WDW does advance bookings for rooms and restaurants. They use a time stamp date block system on resort rooms and restaurant bookings. Several of the large travel agencies have blocks of rooms and restaurant reservations blocked out for their exclusive control during certain time periods. Of course, they pay a fee for that service.

For guests that make a long trip to WDW, ADR's may indeed be very important for their peace of mind. For more frequent visitors, ADR's are not a big priority. I prefer to walk up and take what is available. I've never had a problem getting into any WDW eatery. :wave:

 

[dreamfinder]

Something that most people have overlooked is that the OP said a party of 10. That may be a hard sell without an ADR. Not impossible, but hard. You may have better luck if your group splits up into smaller parties and goes their own ways.

Now of course as some PP's mentioned, you may still be able to get walkups. Marrakesh for instance, usually has a hostess out in the Morocco walkway trying to get people to come in for meals. And some of the lesser known/less popular resort dining places shouldn't be a problem. OKW, SSR, anything pretty much not easily accessible from a park. Put the dining number in your cell phone, and if you have a smart phone, bookmark the dining site. Check periodically and you may luck out.

 

[bmarkelon]

Something that most people have overlooked is that the OP said a party of 10. That may be a hard sell without an ADR. Not impossible, but hard. You may have better luck if your group splits up into smaller parties and goes their own ways.

Now of course as some PP's mentioned, you may still be able to get walkups. Marrakesh for instance, usually has a hostess out in the Morocco walkway trying to get people to come in for meals. And some of the lesser known/less popular resort dining places shouldn't be a problem. OKW, SSR, anything pretty much not easily accessible from a park. Put the dining number in your cell phone, and if you have a smart phone, bookmark the dining site. Check periodically and you may luck out.

I almost addressed the party size as well but the OP also said that they do have ADRs for the big party and was wondering if they did choose to split up could they get in without ADRs in smaller groups. Forget about a walk in for party of 10, not a chance!

 

[mickeysshoes]

For parties of 2 you will have luck walking in to the following place...my expericne ONLY...Raglan Road, Captain Jacks, Flying Fish (at the bar) or any bar that you can order dinner and eat at the bar...if you are ok with this. We love doing this...but i know some dont care for it!!

 

[smw]

Good deal. Thanks everyone. Nice to know there's some flexibility.

 

[draybook]

We usually go during September so we could probably get away without making reservations but we do like leaving things to chance.