[ajriek]

We leave in about 16 days and have not made one ADR for any of our DDP sit down meal places. Should we just wing it or if we find a place, made the reservation through the front desk the day of or just walk there and make them on the spot??

[mickey]

Absolutely, make them now. Last week, we were in Epcot, and every single sit down place was full, not accepting walk ups. The day we were in MGM, they only had lunch options available, at most restaurants only had openings for 2. And that was in September. Make them now, and change them when you are there if necessary. It is always nice to know you have something planned.

[Dana]

I agree with mickey 100%. You don't have to make one for every single day, but make them for the places that you really want to eat at.

[ajriek]

The last time we went we winged it and spent our cash on counter service meals. This time we have the DMP and have the whole world to choose from. From what I read there are so many great places to eat, it is hard for me to say we are eating here or there at a certain time. I guess this comes from not being at WDW more and each time just eating cheap.

[Turnwrench]

Make the reservations!

The problem is that things have changed to make reservations more important than they ever used to be. The Disney Dining Plan has been very successful, and as a result lots more people are eating at the table-service restaurants than ever before. Many, many people who couldn't afford or didn't want to pay for a table service restaurant every day are now doing so because the Dining Plan makes it so easy and accessible.

As a result, you can't simply walk up to most table service eateries anymore like you used to - most places are booked solid and won't accept walk-ups. ADRs are no longer optional - they're a must!

[Dana]

Originally Posted by ajriek

The last time we went we winged it and spent our cash on counter service meals. This time we have the DMP and have the whole world to choose from. From what I read there are so many great places to eat, it is hard for me to say we are eating here or there at a certain time. I guess this comes from not being at WDW more and each time just eating cheap.

That's why I said to only pick a few to make that you really want to try. You can try making the others when you are down there. At least you will be guaranteed the ones you want to do the most. If you can't get the other ones, than you can make sure you make an ADR for them next trip. Go to allears.net and check out some menus to see what appeals to you most if you aren't sure which ones you want to try. A few of my favorites are:

character meals
Chef mickey's at the contemporary resort for breakfast or dinner
crystal palace at the magic kingdom for any meal
breakfastsaurus at the Animal kingdom for breakfast

noncharacter meals
Whispering canyon at the wilderness lodge
o'hanna at the polynesian
momma melrose at MGM
LeCellier in Epcot's canada

These are just a few that I have enjoyed over the years. You should really take a peek at the menu and decide what you and your family would like. Just make a few and leave the rest open for choices later.

[ajriek]

Thanks Gang

I will be printing menus from home tonight (At work right now) and checking with the family on where they would like to dine at?? I booked through AAA travel do I need to go back there to do the ADR or is there a 1800 number to call and do these??

Once place I do want to eat at is the Coral Reef. Last time we skipped it due to it's HUGE price (I am used to a 6.00 bowl of Asian soup in Milwaukee).

[Dana]

Originally Posted by ajriek

Thanks Gang

I will be printing menus from home tonight (At work right now) and checking with the family on where they would like to dine at?? I booked through AAA travel do I need to go back there to do the ADR or is there a 1800 number to call and do these??

Once place I do want to eat at is the Coral Reef. Last time we skipped it due to it's HUGE price (I am used to a 6.00 bowl of Asian soup in Milwaukee).

You can do the ADRs yourself by calling 407-WDW-DINE. I dont' know if triple A does it or not. Definately print the menus and let everyone pick one....it makes everyone involved with the planning and gets everyone excited. Ask any questions you have about potential restaurants. At least one person on here has probally tried any one of the ones you decide on. Happy planning.....it's my favorite part of the pretrip.

[iluvwdw]

Definitely make a few ADRs now!!! I am going next Sunday and I am going with my mom and step-father who are NOT planners! It was like pulling teeth to discuss restaurants for our vacation! They cannot believe that you have to make reservations THAT far in advance! Well, I made some, but WAIT until we go there and we will have to eat off site because we can't get into a meal!

Anyway, I saw on another Disney site that someone was trying to make ADRs for their trip in October and they couldn't get ANYTHING that they wanted!

MAKE SOME NOW! You'll be glad you did.

[mickey]

Coral Reef was closed last week when we were there. It may be back open now. Remember that is is a signature restaurant, so the cost will be double (2 sit down meals per person rather than 1). It is constantly panned for poor foor and poor service. The view is fantastic, the food is sup-par. If you want fish, and a nice restaurant, try Flying Fish on the boardwalk, the food is fantastic!

[Cinderellafifi]

I agree - make them now! I was "smart" enough to make my Thanksgiving Day dinner plans in September, but totally forgot about an ADR for this upcoming trip in October - a very merry 6th birthday for DD! No character meals are available AT ALL. You don't want to end up like me feeling you are a bad parent, now do you? LOL

That said, I was lucky enough once to call from my Disney Hotel room and get Cindy's breakfast the very next day! Plus, some others have posted that they have (called and/or gone to the podiums) from the Parks and have gotten the restaurant they wanted by saying something like, "It's our last day tomorrow and we would really like to eat at..." I DO NOT recommend this tactic without FIRST having another ADR as a back up.

Good luck and happy eating!

[mickaholic4077]

Originally Posted by ajriek

Thanks Gang

I will be printing menus from home tonight (At work right now) and checking with the family on where they would like to dine at?? I booked through AAA travel do I need to go back there to do the ADR or is there a 1800 number to call and do these??

Once place I do want to eat at is the Coral Reef. Last time we skipped it due to it's HUGE price (I am used to a 6.00 bowl of Asian soup in Milwaukee).

At the top of this forum is a sticky for 2 WDW toll-free numbers. Use them so you won't incur charges on your phone number.

[mickaholic4077]

Oops! It's not this forum.The toll-free numbers are 877-939-3732 and 800-828-0228.

[jo-jo]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

Definitely make a few ADRs now!!! I am going next Sunday and I am going with my mom and step-father who are NOT planners! It was like pulling teeth to discuss restaurants for our vacation! They cannot believe that you have to make reservations THAT far in advance! Well, I made some, but WAIT until we go there and we will have to eat off site because we can't get into a meal!

Anyway, I saw on another Disney site that someone was trying to make ADRs for their trip in October and they couldn't get ANYTHING that they wanted!

MAKE SOME NOW! You'll be glad you did.

My son and brother are there now. I was able to move a couple of meals around the day of but it was cancelilng le cellier and going to ESPN club, cancelled liberty tree and going to germany.......so in my opinion they took a step down. But my brother hates the dining plan He likes to eat when and where he feels like it. I've tried to tell him, it's not like the old days when you could almost walk in to any place.

[MissDisney]

Do Not "Wing It" with PS (ADRs) -- make a lot of them and cancel the ones you don't need. It makes things easier for you, and for the CMs at the restaurants, as well!