First time at Disney and not using ADR’s

[sicknote]

We are spending 2 weeks in a Disney Hotel on DDP during May.

We are not great planners and as it is our first time we have no idea what parks we will be going to each day.

As it stands we haven’t booked any restaurants and are wondering if we are not fussy at where we eat, will we be able to get table service meals each day without pre booking?

[cartoonp]

Originally Posted by sicknote

We are spending 2 weeks in a Disney Hotel on DDP during May.

We are not great planners and as it is our first time we have no idea what parks we will be going to each day.

As it stands we haven’t booked any restaurants and are wondering if we are not fussy at where we eat, will we be able to get sit down meals each day without pre booking?

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Table severs it world be very unlikely but counter severe yes . What not use the app you can book some on there if you got no idea of what hey like have a look at some food reviews on here. Just a idea

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by sicknote

We are spending 2 weeks in a Disney Hotel on DDP during May.

We are not great planners and as it is our first time we have no idea what parks we will be going to each day.

As it stands we haven’t booked any restaurants and are wondering if we are not fussy at where we eat, will we be able to get table service meals each day without pre booking?

See more...

Table service restaurants can get really busy, especially if you want character dining and the really popular restaurants.

I would still book some, if you don't fancy it on the day you can cancel it without charge (make sure you cancel it though or you will be charged) at least that way you have the options. If you don't know what parks on what day then fast passes will be hard to get too!

[dippiedawnie]

As soon as you decide where you are going the next day start looking for ADRs on the app. People can cancel without penalty up to 24hrs before the reservation so you can pick up bookings the day before but you may struggle for some of the very popular restaurants like Be our Guest and the character meals. We book ADRs but inevitable plans change do we cancel and re book while there. If you just want to try a selection and don't have your heart set on certain ones you should be fine.

[mandco]

What dates in may?
qs is never a problem unless you want BOG which you do usually need to prebook

However while you may be able to find table service meals you would need to be flexible with times/places and very unlikely to get any of the popular ones and even then you may still need to check via the app earlier in the day as it can be really hard to get walk ups.

If you want character meals or any of the popular restauransts then you nearly always need to book them in advance

if your not sure what your plans are you could always book a couple for breakfast that way the rest of the day is free.
Most adrs are free to book - you pay on the day and you can cancel the day before for no charge if you change your mind on any you have booked.

Also booking fastpasses for rides is highly recommended so I would really considering maybe roughly planning a few days at least - just pick a day and a park then book a meal & fastpasses for that park

[sha9]

If you genuinely don’t care where you eat and are prepared to trek about then you don’t need to make ADRs. What I would advise though is checking the app/website on the day and seeing what’s available. The first time we did DDP we didn’t know much about ADRs and didn’t make many. We ended up eating at Planet Hollywood all the time because we were able to get a walk up. We also wasted TS credits on QS meals. Of course that was before MDE.
I would also do some research before you go so you know what’s out there. At least that way if you see a slot at a restaurant that suits you’ll know what it is and if you fancy it.

[nquart]

We saw people waiting for 2/3 hours for tables at Crystal Palace in May 2 years ago because they didn't have a reservation.

I would definitely have even a rough plan (using the Busy Day Guide) and book some otherwise it would definitely feel like a waste of DDP if you only end up eating at the "less good" restaurants that have tables free.

[sicknote]

Thanks for the feedback.

We will be in Disney from the 14th to the 28th May.

We are 2 adults, 4 year old and a 3 year old and the plan is to stay in the Disney bubble for the 14 days. I know it’s hard to give an answer but how many days would you recommend we spend in each park?

This is where we are struggling with the ADR’s as we have no idea how much time we will be allocating to each park. We are so used to just taking each day as it comes on holiday that the idea of planning everything is scaring us and perhaps taking the shine of the holiday a bit before we even get there.

[a11mark]

I'd suggest Wolfgang puck in disney springs, you can use QSDP, has lots of varity. order at the counter find a table, place your number on the table and theyll bring it out when its ready (closest to table service youll find). really nice food, you have to time it right though, the most we have waited for it is around 20 minutes.

[MissFortune]

Originally Posted by sha9

If you genuinely don’t care where you eat and are prepared to trek about then you don’t need to make ADRs. What I would advise though is checking the app/website on the day and seeing what’s available. The first time we did DDP we didn’t know much about ADRs and didn’t make many. We ended up eating at Planet Hollywood all the time because we were able to get a walk up. We also wasted TS credits on QS meals. Of course that was before MDE.
I would also do some research before you go so you know what’s out there. At least that way if you see a slot at a restaurant that suits you’ll know what it is and if you fancy it.

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I agree with Sha.

There will be Table Service restaurants to eat at without a booking.

Mostly they will be the least popular places, in resorts and not at prime time (early or late).

This is at the very least, you might get lucky with a 7pm dinner reservation at a character restaurant (for example) if somebody cancels within the new 24hr window.

Have a look on the Disney site for what is available for today/tomorrow, it will give you a rough idea.

So - try to be flexible on location/time and you should be OK. If you can try to book the day before or on the morning of, rather than an hour before that would be better.