ADRs, DDP.. is it going to be that bad?

[MrBrady]

As we're going in August, I've decided that we need a plan of action regarding eating at Disney. We're not doing DDP but reading up around the web it seems a lot of people are, and as a result lots of restaurants are going to be booked up.

Is this what you guys think too?

We're going to be onsite for six days, and I have put together an itinerary already and made three ADRs - one in MK (Plaza - lunch), one in Epcot (San Angel Inn - dinner) and one in the Studios (50s Prime Time Cafe - lunch). My other half is puzzles as to why we need to book so far in advance but I'm starting to think it's very wise. However I don't think I'm going to make any more ADRs as I still want some flexibility, but is this going to be difficult do you think? Sometimes you just don't know when/where you want to eat on holiday until you're there!

[thebuckys]

We are one of those people who are booked well in advance. We are going in mid August (on DDP) and made all our reservations the full 180 days in advance. We have planned these according to where we are going to be those days and hope not to deviate from this. However you have nothing to lose by making reservations. They can all be cancelled it you decide not to go. Some carry a cancellation fee but only if you leave it close to the date (eg. California Grill has a $20 per person fee if you cancel less than 48 hours before reservation time).

[BevS97]

Are you going to want to eat a sit down every day, or will you be ok with offsite or counter service for other meals? If you will want to eat at Disney sitdowns then I would ADR them, you can always cancel if you change your mind (for most meals you can cancel on the day, only a few special meals take a deposit and they will tell you when you book)

[MrBrady]

To be honest I think we've booked the ones that we definitely want to do, so for anything else I think it will just be a casual choice. I could live on Dole Whip and beignets for the entire trip and my other half isn't that picky so I think we'll be ok actually. It's just I've never been in peak season before so I'm not used to the concept that everything is going to be booked up!

[BevS97]

I think you will be able to get in somewhere, but if you had your heart set on a place then it would be a good idea to book.

Something we often do is go to Guest Services earlier in the day and make an ADR for dinner - they can check where has availability and you don't have to make your dinner choices 6 months in advance - obviously you might not get a choice of everywhere, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't eat anywhere