Select Page

By British Diva

The question I’m most often asked by the uninitiated Disney holiday maker (vacationer) is;

‘What’s an ‘Advanced Dining Reservation?’

 – or as they’re more informally known; an ADR

……which is closely followed by; ‘How do I make an ADR?

An Advanced Dining Reservation is just that; a pre-booked dining slot at the restaurant of your choice.
ADRs can & should be made 180 days (6 months) in advance of your trip. 
 
For example –
If the first night of your stay is 1st May 2014 – you can book ADRs on 2nd November 2013
 
ADRs can be made for for any Walt Disney World restaurant, character meal or dinner show; not to mention an afternoon tea or a swashbuckling pirate’s cruise!

Extra Magic for Guests Staying on WDW Property……

Lodging in a Disney owned and run resort means that you not only have the advantage of arranging your ADRs up to 180 days  prior to your holiday (vacation)…..
PLUS –
 
the major magical perk of making further ADRs for a further 10 consecutive days into your trip!
This works especially well for British travelers because it’s the norm for us to stay for prolonged periods.
ADRs can be made by anyone visiting WDW; even if they’re only a guest for the day.

How to book Advanced Dining Reservations

It couldn’t be simpler…..
Firstly, organise yourself with your holiday (vacation) booking or confirmation number, your credit card plus a notepad and pen.
Speak to the Dining Reservations team direct by calling 001 (407) 939 3463
Ask a trusted Travel Agent!
The huge success of the very affordable Disney Dining Plan (DDP) has meant that eating at the World has become wildly popular; especially during the free dining promotional periods.

British Diva’s Top 5 Must Have Advanced Dining Reservations –

Be Our Guest Restaurant – Magic Kingdom
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Magic Kingdom
Victoria & Albert’s – The Grand Floridan Resort
The Hoop Dee Doo Revue – Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Le Cellier – World Showcase (Canada) @ EPCOT

note: a credit card is required to secure the most popular dining locations – even if you’re using the Disney Dining Plan! 

British Diva’s Top Tip: 

Before you leave home compile a list detailing all your ADR confirmation numbers alongside their corresponding restaurant names and times.
This will be invaluable if you’ve made several reservations, or heaven forbid; there’s a hiccup at the check-in podium!

You can also request an ADR print out from your resort’s front desk. 

Please remember, don’t forget…..

Aim to arrive at least 20 minutes earlier than your reservation; allowing plenty of time to check-in at the restaurant podium.
Show some consideration to other guests by cancelling any unwanted reservations in good time.

Of course you can just play the whole thing by Ear……

by just walking up to a restaurant and hoping to get a table; however you should be prepared to have either a long wait, or worse still; to be turned away hungry.
‘I’m so rumbly in my tummy’ – Winnie the Pooh
Don’t despair if you’ve been a silly old bear and missed the 180 day deadline – my advice would be to never give up & keep on trying to make those reservations – you may just get lucky & snag a cancellation!

‘When having a smackerel of something with a friend, don’t eat so much that you get stuck in the doorway trying to get out’ – Winnie the Pooh