How many reservations??

[tjhart69]

My husband and I are making our first trip to WDW without the kids and our first trip without a dining plan. We are almost to our 180 day mark to make ADR and we are unsure of how many we should make. We currently have a list of about 5 table service reservations that are on our "must do" list and these will have ADR's set up. We will be at Disney for 12 nights/13 days and were considering trying to get into other restaurants as our mood suits us during the trip. Is this a really bad idea or will we have a chance to get some reservations while we are there? Part of our reason for not setting them up now is that:
1. we have not completely decided on a plan as to what activities we will do each day.
2. We want some flexibility to allow us to relax and not worry about being at a certain place at a certain time.
3. No dining plan means that we can try more of the counter service meals and lesser table service to save some $$.
4. It is our first trip to Wine and Dine and we want to wine and dine it up!
5. We want to visit some of the resort lounges too.

Our trip is October 29-November 10th and we have 10 day WPFAM tickets and we will be staying at AKL from points rented on this forum. We also have tickets to the Jingle Jungle 5k race and the half marathon/after party. We are also considering the MNSSHP or MVMCP on one night. There are so many things to do on this trip that we have not completely settled on a plan or a budget!

Questions:
1. Can we get reservations during our trip as our mood suits us?
2. Would it be better to make several reservations for the other days of our trip and cancel them if our plans or moods change?
3. Also, I am on the fence with the Be our Guest reservation. Will the environment be similar if I make a fast pass reservation for lunch vs. the ADR for dinner?

Thanks for any and all input!
Tabi

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

If there is anything you really think you'd like to try, book them at your 180 and cancel later if you change your mind. Otherwise, as long as you're flexible, and it sounds as if you are, you'll find plenty of places to eat without ADRs. Now BOG...others will tell you that lunch and dinner are similar, but I think dinner is awesome, different enough, and worth the hassle to get the reservation.

 

[tjhart69]

Thank you and yes our plan is to book our must do table service and to be flexible with the rest. I think I will be adding Be Our Guest to my list of reservations and if I can't get the resi then no big deal, we will try for lunch instead.
Our top picks for this trip:
1. Ohana (our favorite, especially if you can get a viewing of the fireworks at the MK)
2. Boma (dinner, we are staying at AKL and it just seems right to try this out!)
3. Boma (breakfast)
4. Chef Mickeys breakfast buffet (late morning on race day, because I will need to calories in order to run both races on the same day!)
5. Via Napoli (DH could eat pizza for every meal, so we had to have at least one nice pizza meal and the calamari, yummy!)

The rest will be quick service, lounges, walk up table service or wine and dine options! Don't forget Earl of Sandwich at DTD, DH other favorite Disney eat!
I can't wait for cream cheese pretzels and eating without regard to how many snacks, quick service or table service meals we have to eat. I can eat what I want when I want

 

[dpswift]

Insted of trying for a walk up make an ADR when you are ready. There are times you can get in with an ADR but not a walk up. At 6pm last year I made an ADR for my DD'sat 8pm. They got there early and Boma was very busy. I am not sure they would have taken them as a walk in. Try making an ADR for tonight you will be surpised at your options.

 

[tjhart69]

Insted of trying for a walk up make an ADR when you are ready. There are times you can get in with an ADR but not a walk up. At 6pm last year I made an ADR for my DD'sat 8pm. They got there early and Boma was very busy. I am not sure they would have taken them as a walk in. Try making an ADR for tonight you will be surpised at your options.

Thank you!
I will keep that in mind and try to get reservations during our trip if possible. I know that I have previously changed reservations during a trip and we were able to get the reservation we wanted as long as we were a little flexible with the time.

 

[TJA]

I'd go ahead and book all of your listed must-do's, and I'd go even one step further and book more ADR's just for the sake of having them -- you can change/cancel as your trip gets closer and you begin to get plans more finalized. I cancelled some of my ADR's the night before in our room if our plans were going to change for the next day, in fact. I believe you have up until midnight the night before your ADR. It sounds like you've done all of this many times before, so you're aware of your options, but we also tend to leave at least one day free of ADR's and then book an ADR right on that day, but we also realize we most likely won't get a really popular restaurant that way....

Just you and your DH -- you guys should go to California Grill! Have you done that before, and then watched Wishes from the observation deck? It's an amazing experience.

 

[tjhart69]

I was considering California Grill because it sounds like an amazing experience, but I am reluctant due to the cost. However, we could make it later in the evening and have a drink and appetizer and still see the fireworks over MK! I will likely make the California Grill reservation and decide later whether or not we want to do it. Thanks for all of the help guys!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The only TS I've seen people turned away at was San Angel. You may be able to get a walk up anywhere if the guest level is low during that time.