Do people make so many ADRs when there ISN'T free dining?

jkl2000

jkl2000

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We're going to WDW in October. Since so far there's no free dining for October, I've made very few ADRs. Even if we get free dining, I probably won't add many ADRs. I just don't think we're going to want to sit down at a table service restaurant every day, especially not at a pre-designated time and if it's not free. I think counter service will fit in a lot more easily and be more flexible. Also, we're really not that interested in character interaction, which I know is a big draw for some.

I'm just wondering, if it weren't for all the free dining people are getting right now, would people (in general) be making so many ADRs? It seems odd to me, with all the strategies and tactics for how to "accomplish" as much as possible each day, that so many people are willing to spend so much time sitting in restaurants. So I'm thinking it's the fact that people have these free dining plans that's making people book so many ADRs. Also, I guess a lot of people purchase dining plans, but for the reasons I gave above, I know a dining plan wouldn't be worth it for us. If we DO get free dining, I'll probably end up using a lot of table service points for counter service meals, which is actually fine by me (assuming that's allowed) as it will still be a big savings.

I guess (since I haven't been there since 2000) I'm still getting my mind around the fact that WDW has gone from "the worst thing there is the food" to "be sure to make your ADRs 180 days out." From my two previous visits to WDW I don't remember eating a single thing aside from terrible hamburgers. I remember at least one terrible vegi-burger too. I don't think they even had all the "snack" places, ice cream, Dole Whip, etc. back then. Meals were something you had to do occasionally so you didn't starve. I'm feeling a little guilty about having made so few ADRs, but ultimately think when we're there things will be too "fluid" to make it to restaurants at specific times very often.

I'm not at all putting down the Disney dining experience as it is now. Also, if we get more "experienced" like so many of you are, then we'll probably be able to relax and focus on sitting down and enjoying a meal more than dealing with all the newness (to us) of FastPasses, Child Swap, etc. which right now seems like it will be time-consuming enough.
 
Sparkle81

Sparkle81

Well-Known Member
Honestly, it's very unlikely I would have made so many ADRs if it weren't for our free DDP. We've made 10, including 4 character dining meals and based on cost alone, I wouldn't have booked that many otherwise!
It does give us the chance to try things we might not have gone for before though. If we don't enjoy a meal or restaurant as much as we expected, it will only have cost us the gratuity amount- no biggie, compared to if we were paying OOP.
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We are AP holders, so we don't need to get the free dining (we use TIW card). That said, we make ADRs almost every day of our trip. Some days we make two. WDW vacations are long days. With two kids, we look forward to those sit downs to relax. I've seen too many people take on Disney like its the Amazing Race. They run from attraction to attraction and collect FPs like its a challenge to beat the other guests. We have learned to slow it down, use the resorts, and take time to have a sit down (or two) each day!!! I know its not for everyone, but for us it works!
 
Shere_Khan

Shere_Khan

Well-Known Member
I think there is a huge difference between 2000 and now in the food. The dining at Disney is just as much of an experience as the parks are. I tend to book more ADRS when we have the free dining plan. If we didn't have the plan I would probably only go to one or two just because of the cost. However, the sit down meals are one of my favorite parts about going to WDW. I think it's true that people want to get as much done as possible when they go to WDW. But if you become a frequent visitor, it begins to be less about the rides, rushing around to accomplish everything, and more about the relaxation and trying new experiences.

I totally understand where you are coming from though being that you haven't been in quite a while so you would rather spend your time seeing everything then sitting down to eat. I just think if you do decide to go more and more that you will feel differently.

I do think you are correct though that the free dining makes people choose more ADRS.
 
The Incredible Schmulk

The Incredible Schmulk

Well-Known Member
We have never done free dining, or the dining plan in any form that being said, nor have we ever done a character meal. This hasn't stopped us from booking at least one sit-down meal a day on our upcoming two week trip. Were we not going during the Food & Wine Festival, I suspect that we would have booked a significant amount more reservations, but those booths take up a lot of free time and stomach space during the midday hours.

So, yeah, we definitely still reserve a lot of spots in restaurants. I like good food, and for the most part, that can't be found in counter service locations, plus, a nice break from the parks during the dinner hours is always appreciated. I've never been much of a touring superstar, though, so I just can't deal with staying in one place for such a long period of time. Those hops between parks and opportunities to sit down and enjoy a meal away from the din help keep the crazy at bay.
 
docdebbi

docdebbi

Well-Known Member
i think the majority of people still would book the ADRs. Dining is part of the experience for us, so it is not like we are missing something in WDW when we sit down to a meal, but are expanding our experiences. we try lots of different restaurants and they in themselves are part of the trip.
i agree with coach that it also breaks up the day and makes it more pleasurable. after a little rest, I am ready to take on the world again.
and many reservations actually don't cost you any time at all. things like Rose and Crown at 8 PM, means instead of standing around the lagoon for an hour saving your place for Illuminations, you are enjoying a great meal and still get a good view of the show. just time better spent. same with Tony at Electric Light Parade time....
 
stevehousse

stevehousse

Well-Known Member
We have free dining pin for November we are using and we have 7 ADRs booked. We did one sit down meal a day which I think is pretty nice. I agree that I would rather do park stuff than eat, so that's why we chose one a day.

When we don't have free dining we usually do maybe 3 at the most.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I don't think it matters until the very end. The reality...I think the majority of people book ADRs for their whole trip at the 180 mark even if free dining isn't announced. The difference...you'll see more dropped ADRs around the 45 day mark to just before travel time from the people thinning their ADRs who were hoping for free dining.
 
DJMoore2011

DJMoore2011

Well-Known Member
When we went in Nov 2011 we did not go in with ANY ADRs. We were going during one of the slowest weeks and thought it would be no biggie to get a seat. The first night we waited 2 hours for a table and finally gave up and did a quick service meal so my daughter could get her meds in her. When we got back to the hotel Dear Hubby logged in and we made our ADRS for the rest of our stay. Our dining plan was only 1 table service, one quick service and 1 snack per day per person so it wasn't like we were making each meal table service. We either did the morning or the evening. For my Special Needs Daughter she needs 1 sit down meal a day. Plus we need to know when we are eating so we can make sure she get's her meds on time. With or without free dining plan we will now make the ADR's. Maybe if Dear Hubby and I ever go on our own we might wing it, but as long as my Daughter goes with us we need to know when what time we are eating.
 
sxeensweet

sxeensweet

Love a little Disney every day!! ;)
No matter when you go or If free dinning is offered always try to make reservations 180 days out. Also always make ressies period unless you want to take your chances which will be difficult and might cause very long waits at alot of restaurants if they even let you wait at all due to being full with ressies. We always go in slower crowd times and still would NEVER not make reservations. Even when we have ressies we usually have to wait sometimes 30 min at popular places. We have been during free dining and also when there was no free dining and still the same each times. :)
 

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