While summer is in full swing here in the US, if you will be visiting Disney World over the Christmas holidays, I have an important question for you? What are your dining plans? Have you made those Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) yet?
When making your dining plans….and yes, you should make dining plans….you need to realize that, if you are visiting during the week between Christmas and New Years, you will be at Walt Disney World during the busiest time of the year. There will be more people than you have probably ever seen.
Now if your plans to visit Disney are to go before Dec. 24, there will be less people. In fact, historically from the week after Thanksgiving until the week or so before Christmas, crowds are usually lighter, and so it can be a delightful way to experience all that the holidays have to offer at Disney World. But at the same time, many Disney veterans travel during these weeks, and these folks typically have made dining plans far in advance of their trip.
So either way, make your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) before you get to Disney World. And if you are going during Christmas week….Make. Them. Now.
I can’t stress this enough. The 180-190 day window to book ADRs opened for Christmas week a couple of weeks ago. The popular times and restaurants fill quickly, especially on the big days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. We have visited during this week several times, and it always makes me sad to see the many folks who are turned away from restaurants because they did not make plans in advance. Understandably, they are frustrated and unhappy about it. So if table service is something you want to do, don’t delay on this.
If for whatever reason, you can’t get ADRs for any of the restaurants you want, don’t worry though, as there are still some good options. Consider some of the lovely and lesser-known restaurants at the hotels: many are wonderful, and it is a great way to see some of the fantastic Holiday decorations at the resorts. They are a little off-the-beaten path, but it can be nice sometimes, during all the hustle and bustle, to have a little peace and quiet.
Also consider eating meals at “off” times. Try having your main, table service meal for lunch instead of dinner. Or eat early…lunch at 11, dinner at 4…or late…lunch at 2, dinner at 8. You may find crowds to be a little lighter during these times.
Taking the time now to plan your dining at Disney World for your December vacation will insure that you eat where and when you want and minimize the frustration in the process.
Nancy, her husband and college-age daughter live in the Baltimore MD area, but consider Walt Disney World their second “home”. She started her site, The Affordable Mouse, as a way to share ideas about how to plan affordable Disney vacations.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
