How bad will it be for me w/o 180d ADRs?

Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
So I still have no idea when exactly we might go. Even assuming my dad will be in good enough health (I am less sure now, but trying to be positive), trying to get my husband and my parents to decide on dates is like herding cats. I am pretty sure there is no way that I will have dates at the 180 day point for anytime in the fall.

Will we not be able to eat anywhere good? For example, will BoG be impossible?

It has been over 10 years since I have been to WDW, so I don't recall any of this that last time. We sort of just decided where to eat and went up the place at that time - or earlier that day - to get in.

So how bad will it be? And any tips, especially for once you are in the park?

Thanks!
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Most if not all of the popular places will be impossible to get into. BoG, Ohana, Chef Mickey, etc are pretty much out of the question. If you are traveling during a busy time of year or during free dining many of the less than popular places will be booked as well.

Here is what you can do. First and foremost, if you have no ADRs do not get the dining plan unless it is free. Chances are you will just have credits left over which will negate any savings. Second, bookmark the Disney dining page on your phone. You will be able to easily search and reserve any available restaurants on the morning of, night before, etc. If nothing comes up that you like, have a quick service back up.
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
There are plenty of good restaurants that will still have availability. However, it may not be at the times, or the places you want. For instance, often the resort restaurants will have seating, even day of. But all the big name locations that people often talk about, those will be much harder to come by. Not impossible, just harder. As soon as you book your trip, book ADRs. The same phone call even. Just because you don't know the dates you will be traveling doesn't mean you can't plan the places you want to eat. And keep trying. People do cancel, so you may get lucky.
 
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foreverbelle

foreverbelle

Well-Known Member
I agree you are going to have a harder time trying to find anything, but this does not mean nothing is available. I think your best bet besides booking as soon as possible and making ADRs at the moment would be to be flexible. Hit up the dinning website as @Master Yoda had suggested and see what is still available. If you are willing to be a little creative and have some patience then you may be able to work things out. For instance, we had to make a couple of changes and were able to get what we wanted by eating a little later/earlier...and continue to check, people cancel and make changes.
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I am definitely willing to consider lunch for places. Are early dinners easier to get? If we are going to have our son with us, early eating is better. I would like to maybe do a dinner or two with my parents and/or husband, and that could be late, but I don't know. I am basically in limbo right now.
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Hot Lava said:
I am definitely willing to consider lunch for places. Are early dinners easier to get? If we are going to have our son with us, early eating is better. I would like to maybe do a dinner or two with my parents and/or husband, and that could be late, but I don't know. I am basically in limbo right now.
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They are easier than prime time, but when it comes to the popular places is is kind of like having to shoot quarter vs a dime at 100 paces. The quarter will be easier, but still pretty hard.
 
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O

OrderMuppet

Member
If you're flexible regarding dining times and don't have your heart set on some of the most popular places (also, assuming you're not going on Christmas, New Years, 4th of July, or other holidays), you will definitely get something. I would suggest using this time to estimate how many sit-down meals you will want and then narrowing your restaurant list down to 3-4x that number so you're ready to book at the drop of a hat. Then all you can do is wait, as frustrating as that may be.

Best of luck to you and your dad. :-\
 
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DisneyDelirious

DisneyDelirious

Super structures are my specialty!
Premium Member
I agree with all of the above. Watch the dining site or call the reservation line frequently. Around the 45 day mark, people have to cancel their reservations for various reasons. If they cancel their trip for some reason or will open up a spot. Be persistent and flexible. We do a TS each day but My trip would still be a load of fun (and cheaper) if all we did wa QS. Having to eat Casey Dogs and cinnamon rolls isn't exactly torture ;)
 
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bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
I would go ahead and book them and pick a date that is a "possible" time you'd be going. You can always change them if you aren't able to go, or need to go at another date. I heard on another forum that BOG is booked through October already!:eek:
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
With the exception of the castle and maybe BOG, you don't need to call 180 days out. :) But the closer you get to your travel dates, the more likely it is that you'll miss out on Chef Mickey's, the Garden Grill and other popular places.

With the exception of very busy times and free dining, you can almost always find a restaurant to eat in.

Worst case, you leave Disney to eat or eat fast food. :)

It'll be fine. :)
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I would go ahead and book them and pick a date that is a "possible" time you'd be going. You can always change them if you aren't able to go, or need to go at another date. I heard on another forum that BOG is booked through October already!:eek:
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Holy moly!

We probably will not be leaving Disney property at all, and I would prefer to not eat fast food the whole time. I would like to eat at BoG, but I guess I will just have to see what happens. :(
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Hot Lava said:
Holy moly!

We probably will not be leaving Disney property at all, and I would prefer to not eat fast food the whole time. I would like to eat at BoG, but I guess I will just have to see what happens. :(
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Then go ahead and reserve in for about mid way through your trip. Just keep track of it so you can cancel if you need to as it requires a CC guarantee.
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Then go ahead and reserve in for about mid way through your trip. Just keep track of it so you can cancel if you need to as it requires a CC guarantee.
Click to expand...

The problem is, I don't really have any idea of when we will go. I have an idea in my head, but that may change completely when I finally get my husband and parents to decide.
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Can you not make reservations for lunch for BoG? I was taking a quick look at the online reservation function, but I don't see a way to make reservations for lunch.
 
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