Advanced Dining Reservation ~ Necessary?

[Penelope]

Hello,

I have not been to WDW since 2007. When I was there in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, we were able to arrive at WDW and make our dining reservations without any problems either same day or a few days in advance. I (not so fondly) remember the days back in the late 1980s and 1990s though where at Epcot you would literally be running to a kiosk to book by the ball (anyone remember that?) and everything was in high demand. I enjoyed not having this problem during our most recent visits.

Now I am concerned as I am seeing a lot of people talking in the forum about ADR. Has something changed and more advanced reservations (pre-arrival) are now necessary? We usually eat in Epcot - ex: walk up to Les Chefs or making the dinner reservation while walking by the restaurant early in the day.

Thanks for any advice more recent travelers to WDW! :animwink: We will be in Disney this fall.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Yes, if its a table service you want to make a reservation to guarantee you get in. You could definitely take the chance of walking up, but most likely you will not find anything available. Of course, it also depends on the popularity of the restaurant. The ideal time is 180 days before your trip to make the ADR'S. :wave:

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes. If you want to eat table service ADR's are necessary. The dining plan and Disney's use of it as a promotion tool (ie free dining) have nearly all of the table service restaurants on property at near maximum capacity. Epcot is one of the few places that you might find day of ADR's still available but your choices will be very limited. (ie Morocco, Nine Dragons)

 

[mickeysshoes]

Yes I would suggest that you make as many ADR's as you can. There will be a few places you will be able to walk and get in but nothing that is popular. The other option you have would be and place that has a bar...you should be able to eat at the bar..IE..Flying Fish, Raglan Road, Captian Jacks.

 

[Penelope]

Thank you all very much! At least there is plenty of time to plan this out!

 

[ThinkTink721]

Yes!...You can make your ADRs 180 days in advance! :wave:

 

[wm49rs]

The time you're looking to visit can really dictate what reservations you're able to make as well. We booked a spur of the moment trip a week ago Friday and I immediately looked at what was available for the holiday weekend. MK was booked everywhere (we ate at Columbia House), but I got us dinner reservations at 50's PT one night, and Chefs de France another. Rose and Crown was available for lunch (although I ended up canceling that one) as was Hollywood and Vine (even though it was Star Wars Weekend).

 

[wm49rs]

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[CAPTAIN HOOK]

at Epcot you would literally be running to a kiosk to book by the ball

I take it you're referring to Spaceship Earth

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Hello,

I have not been to WDW since 2007. When I was there in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, we were able to arrive at WDW and make our dining reservations without any problems either same day or a few days in advance. I (not so fondly) remember the days back in the late 1980s and 1990s though where at Epcot you would literally be running to a kiosk to book by the ball (anyone remember that?) and everything was in high demand. I enjoyed not having this problem during our most recent visits.

Now I am concerned as I am seeing a lot of people talking in the forum about ADR. Has something changed and more advanced reservations (pre-arrival) are now necessary? We usually eat in Epcot - ex: walk up to Les Chefs or making the dinner reservation while walking by the restaurant early in the day.

Thanks for any advice more recent travelers to WDW! :animwink: We will be in Disney this fall.

Totally remember running to the video booking over near Spaceship Earth - and seeing my dad get upset when things we wanted weren't available. Still then- you'd get something at some time. Now you're really taking your chances if you want a TS meal and go in there w/no ADRs. Popularity also plays a role- i.e. you might get a walk up if the restaurant is less popular. But yea- when in doubt book 180 days out.

 

[ArtieJim]

It's always better to be safe than sorry, so it doesn't hurt to have an ADR.

 

[disneygirl76]

Hello,

I have not been to WDW since 2007. When I was there in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, we were able to arrive at WDW and make our dining reservations without any problems either same day or a few days in advance. I (not so fondly) remember the days back in the late 1980s and 1990s though where at Epcot you would literally be running to a kiosk to book by the ball (anyone remember that?) and everything was in high demand. I enjoyed not having this problem during our most recent visits.

Now I am concerned as I am seeing a lot of people talking in the forum about ADR. Has something changed and more advanced reservations (pre-arrival) are now necessary? We usually eat in Epcot - ex: walk up to Les Chefs or making the dinner reservation while walking by the restaurant early in the day.

Thanks for any advice more recent travelers to WDW! :animwink: We will be in Disney this fall.

Please take the recommendation and make them if you really want to eat at a particular place. They book up SO fast! When my DH and I went for our honeymoon in 2005, we didn't make any. We got lucky a couple of times - but for the most part, we didn't get in where we wanted. I didn't realize we had to make them. That was the first time I had been since I traveled there with my parents and we just ate where ever they took us. Since then, we have booked all of our ADR's ahead of time. And I make them exactly 180 days ahead of time. Now this trip in September that is up coming - I booked it after the 180 day window. And I got most of them. I was hoping for a Le Cellier lunch but didn't get it. I hope this helps! :wave:

 

[coltow]

Please - GET those ADRs. I can't tell you how many times we've been in a Restaurant and seen Family's with crying HUNGRY children turned away because the place was booked solid. They are always amazed, and I suspect they get hotdogs or room service.

I was shocked on my last trip to see people being turned away for lunch at Sci Fi. The CM was telling guests that they were booked full for the entire day.

 

[Penelope]

I was shocked on my last trip to see people being turned away for lunch at Sci Fi. The CM was telling guests that they were booked full for the entire day.

If this is not proof that dining has changed since my last visit, then nothing is!

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Totally remember running to the video booking over near Spaceship Earth - and seeing my dad get upset when things we wanted weren't available. Still then- you'd get something at some time. Now you're really taking your chances if you want a TS meal and go in there w/no ADRs. Popularity also plays a role- i.e. you might get a walk up if the restaurant is less popular. But yea- when in doubt book 180 days out.

I would use ADRs for the popular places such as Le Cellier (might be too late already for this fall). Unless your party will be in the park during Thanksgiving, you should not have many problems elsewhere in Epcot.

 

[Penelope]

I would use ADRs for the popular places such as Le Cellier (might be too late already for this fall). Unless your party will be in the park during Thanksgiving, you should not have many problems elsewhere in Epcot.

You are right!!! Sadly. Oh well. Next time. As of today a tip for those who were behind like me on the ADR - Le Cellier appears to have very limited seating available for fall, unless you are a small party (1 or 2). We were unable to book there.