Do I really need ADR's?
 

Trip is Jan31-Feb7, so as I understand not a terribly busy time at WDW, do i really need to make alot of ADR's? We aren't planning on any character meals or anything of that sort. I'm just wondering if I need them in order to get into the TS places on the Dining plan?

Been to WDW plenty of times, but this is all kinda new to me, this planing of where to eat. I'm not even sure I would be able to get many ADR's this late in the game, and I also don't have a real game plan yet of which parks I'm visiting on which days.

If there are any places you have your heart set on I would at least make reservations for those. I have really never had good luck just walking up and checking on a table, but then again I usually go in a more crowded season.

Well if you are on the dining plan and want to eat a table service once a day, then yes I would. It seems to me that if you are on the plan and went without any reservations and then was not able to get into any table service restaurant, you would be wasting a heck of a lot of money.

I would make them.

Well I think if you don't care where you eat then you shouldn't have a problem. The more popular restaurants will be booked though. Good Luck!

Should I make them at places that aren't "technically" on the plan as of yet? There are places that are on it for 2012, but not for 2013, because as I understand it, they may not have renewed contracts yet. Should I assume they will?

We have been going early to mid February, before the Presidents Day rush. I would make ADR's. Some places are already pretty booked up - 'Ohana, 1900 Park Faire, Crystal Palace, etc. I believe the later you want to eat dinner, the more times are booked so you may have better luck eating an earlier dinner if you want to walk up to some place. You will be fine walking up to some places early, but I would rather be safe than sorry. We usually eat an early dinner by 4:30 or 5pm and some places were pretty empty last year, but some were pretty packed. I also made my ressies for places not yet on the list that I know I want to eat at, such as Raglan Road in DD.

I'm not sure what to do. I have to pay for my entire trip by Dec 17th, but if half these rest. aren't going to be on the dining plan, and I make ressies, then I'm stuck with a dining plan with crap restaurants and ressies at places not on the plan!

It's fairly safe to assume that the restaurants that are on the DDP this year will also be on the DDP next year. The situation with the non-Disney owned restaurants signing their contracts later is one that occurs every year. I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe that any are leaving WDW in the near future.

As for the need for ADRs during a low crowd period- yes they are still necessary because this is precisely the time periods when they have free dining. So LOTS of folks with TS credits to use up = heavy booking for most of the restaurants.

I would make the reservations. We were once in the situation where we were at Epcot, and there were no table service reservations anywhere that day,from about 2 pm (when we checked) until closing. This was during the week after Memorial Day (not on Memorial Day). I also had the unusual experience this past summer (in July) when for some reason, they were needing to close Liberty Tree Tavern early (don't remember why), and we had the last reservation of the evening. Unfortunately, we were all at the park, and they left a message on my phone. Fortunately, we were at Magic Kingdom that day, and was able to walk up, and get seated immediately.

If you don't mind eating early and possibly waiting about 20 to 30 minutes, you'll be fine.. I wouldn't worry about it..

Part also depends on your group size. DH and I have a getaway planned for just us. We made a ressie for one meal we wanted in a particular place at a specific time. We are otherwise going to wing it, with some flexibility we will be fine.

You can find places to eat... but it might not be when you want, where you want, or without a wait. So you have to decide what is more important to you.

I guess it depends on how many people in your party and if there are any must do places on your list.

My DH isnt a fan of being tied down to ADRs, we did a full week in WDW in May without one reservation and we were able to walk up to anyplace we wanted (except Teppan Edo) and that includes Cali Grill!

Last month he scored us a walk up for dinner at Le Cellier...after that luck I promised him no more reservations lol

Most restaurants will probably carry over. How many are in your party? If it is the two of you and you like to eat around 5:00 PM, then shouldn't be much problem. You could always ask at the concierge desk each day what restaurant was available and just take what you can get. It may be dining at resorts and a lot of transportation time.

I made an ADR for Plaza on February 2nd (Saturday understandably) for Lunch today and my TA got me an 11:20 AM for a solo. That was all that was available for Lunch. If it's a busy time, popular time (you must eat at 6 PM) or just a smaller TS (like Plaza), I would get a reservation.