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ADR's Your Tuppence please

Baron Von Capybara

Baron Von Capybara

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
Original Poster
As has been said in a previous thread Myself and DW don't do ADR's (our choice entirely).However it does seem a little unfair and strange in my eyes to book a meal three months out.
What would seem fairer to me would be to have a book on the day policy.so you have to be @the park and book then.
Maybe WDW Resort guests could be allowed to book the night before (on-site privelages going away as they seem to be).
I know many of you will think this unfair or unworkable but i would love to get hear peoples opinions (there is no right or wrong).

:)
 
Pooh Lover

Pooh Lover

Well-Known Member
You know, I've booked my ADRs 6 months out for so many years, I'm used to it and it works for me. We have our favorites so its just a matter of knowing the park hours and putting the restaurants to a specific day and time. We normally eat late, so we use EMHs and MNSSHP evenings as a way to know how we'll get back to our resort afterward.
 
Baron Von Capybara

Baron Von Capybara

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
Original Poster
disneysince71 said:
I almost always book day of. Yes @figmentfan423 thinks I am nuts...but it is possible... Now keep in mind Mr. Ferret that often we are eating at 9:00 or later. But it works....
Last trip we booked Ohana last day... Via Napoli, and a couple others day of or day before. It is definitely doable... But don't take advice from me.. I forgot my suitcase !!! :)
Click to expand...

Who forgot your suitcase ???? o_O
 
Bethypoo

Bethypoo

Well-Known Member
This is the first trip I've made ADRs. I really wanted to go to the dessert party, so I made sure to make a reservation for that. I have left a couple of days open since I've never had a problem finding food at WDW!:D I like some spontaneity and agree that it would be nice to be able to reserve a table when you get to your WDW resort.
 
dave&di

dave&di

Well-Known Member
Last year was our 3rd trip and our first time with ADR's, we only made 5:
Le Cellier
Sci-Fi Dine In
Chef Mickeys
H & V (Fantasmic Dinner Package)
Teppan Edo

We both felt we had 'commitments' which isn't the aim when on holiday, the Fantasmic Dinner Package we had done before but this was just to get seats not to enjoy a dining experience. Chef Mickeys was a one off just to met characters and the remaining 3 were just for the dining experience, we actually didn't bother with our Teppan Edo ADR in the end as we just didn't fancy it. This is the problem with booking meals 6 months in advance, there is a chance you actually won't feel like it in the end but you feel you have to go through with your booking.

We won't book ADR's again, we didnt like feeling tied down, we have 1 at Sci-Fi because we really enjoyed it. Luckily Sept isn't too busy and walk ups are normally easily assessible.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
I wish we didn't have to book 180 days plus out! That is so difficult, especially if it's an "impromptu" trip!:eek: We booked in Feb. and I was right on it, but BOG was impossible to get and still is!:( I always book ADRs. it's fun and exciting. I check out menus and all!:) I guess if i didn't book ADRs, I'd feel "naked" LOL.:D:eek:
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I don't like the idea of having to do it in-park. Everyone will rush the counter in the morning, leading to choosing between restaurant and rides...plus lots of line cutting, like we have with FP "runners."

I do like the idea of opening up reservations at 5:00 a.m. For same-day reservations...and taking walk-ups.

This whole dining thing has become a little crazy, IMO. It's just too much.
 
OswaldTheRabbit

OswaldTheRabbit

Well-Known Member
What I don't like about the 180 day res date is sometimes the hours and events aren't even up yet so you have to guess/assume. This trip we are going in November and planning on doing the Halloween and Christmas party and is our e lights so I have to assume our itinerary because they won't even be announced!

Also here I am making 10 says of reservations and the discounts aren't out yet. If free dining isn't done this fall I will cancel 90% and we will eat at quick services!

What a waste of time! Maybe 90 days is a more appropriate time! I think it would save everyone a lot of hassles and reworking plans!
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I personally don't mind ADRs. I book dining reservations in advance for other vacay desitinations as well as special meals at home- always have- grew up that way...so why not WDW too? One person's idea of being tied down is another person's idea of having solid plans. I personally don't want to eat at off hours, have lengthy waits or have to resort to plan Z because everything of interest is booked up. Even back in the 80s when same day booking was very common, I remember being shut out of popular dining because it was all booked up- even when trying to book dining right at park opening...so I much prefer going into my trip w/ADRs.
 
Pooh Lover

Pooh Lover

Well-Known Member
HouCuseChickie said:
I personally don't mind ADRs. I book dining reservations for other vacay desitinations as well as special meals at home- always have- grew up that way...so why not WDW too? One person's idea of being tied down is another person's idea of having solid plans. I personally don't want to eat at off hours, having lengthy waits or have to resort to plan Z because of everything of interest is booked up. Even back in the 80s when same day booking was very common, I remember being shut out of popular dining because it was all booked up- even when trying to book dining right at park opening...so I much prefer going into my trip w/ADRs.
Click to expand...
I agree. I don't want any surprises (especially bad ones) and I like knowing everything is set, planned and I can just sit back and look forward to the trip instead of worrying about being shut out of my favorites. I too remember the days of searching for places while at WDW and being disappointed.
 
ShookieJones

ShookieJones

We need time for things to happen.
As others have stated - I know the places I want to eat - We have our favorites and our TS meals are a very big part of our vacation, so planning them ahead of time is a lot of fun for me.

Now I remember the days when you could go to the kiosks in Epcot the day of and book a dinner, that was a lot of fun too.

I don't think you're nuts for not making ADRs and I think if you're going in the 'off season' and youre willing to take a later or earlier than normal dinner time slot,
that you can probably get in to just about anywhere.

So in closing:

I like making ADRs.
You don't like making ADRs.

Making ADRs works for me
Not making ADRs works for you.

All is well in the World! :)
 
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
ShookieJones said:
As others have stated - I know the places I want to eat - We have our favorites and our TS meals are a very big part of our vacation, so planning them ahead of time is a lot of fun for me.

Now I remember the days when you could go to the kiosks in Epcot the day of and book a dinner, that was a lot of fun too.

I don't think you're nuts for not making ADRs and I think if you're going in the 'off season' and youre willing to take a later or earlier than normal dinner time slot,
that you can probably get in to just about anywhere.

So in closing:

I like making ADRs.
You don't like making ADRs.

Making ADRs works for me
Not making ADRs works for you.

All is well in the World! :)
Click to expand...
^^^^^^^ This I don't think you're nuts just different!:)
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
Pooh Lover said:
You know, I've booked my ADRs 6 months out for so many years, I'm used to it and it works for me. We have our favorites so its just a matter of knowing the park hours and putting the restaurants to a specific day and time. We normally eat late, so we use EMHs and MNSSHP evenings as a way to know how we'll get back to our resort afterward.
Click to expand...
Yes, this ^^^. I know the dining plan doesn't get alot of love, and making ADRs 6 months in advance may sound silly, but it works for my family in so many ways. We are assured of eating at restaurants that are traditional for us, meals are all paid for prior to arrival, allowing us to load up an Epcot gift card and keep track of everything we spend, we actually plan our *what park do we visit today* based on our ADRs. If we book a breakfast, and its hot, hot, hot outside, we hit one of the water parks, then do a CS in one of the parks that evening. I guess it's just what works for each individual, but I'd actually be lost without ADRs, I've done it so many times. (and only have done the dining plan 3 times in over 20 visits)
 

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