Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. What are your questions? Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the August 27, 2007 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. We are heading to Disney World mid-September. We were lucky enough to grab the Free Dining offer earlier this year, and we are excited to try Disney World's restaurants. We have called already and made reservations for a few meals. My husband does not want to have every meal planned out ahead of time, but I'm worried that we'll need a reservation in order to get into a restaurant without a long wait. What do you think? (Submitted by Monica B.)

A. Monica, unfortunately I would say you are right to worry. In fact, you might not only have a long wait. You may end up without any option for a table service meal if you don't have an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR).

Currently, the Disney Dining Plan is very popular, and it's made ADRs almost imperative for those who want to eat at specific restaurants, or during popular dining hours (such as 8-10 a.m. for breakfast, noon to 1:30 p.m. for lunch, or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for dinner). During "Free Dining," since so many people are taking advantage of the offer and eating at the table service venues, table service demand is extremely high. It is not uncommon for all Magic Kingdom restaurants to have no walk-up availability. The same will be true at certain times, for certain restaurants, at Epcot and the Studios.

We highly recommend making at least one ADR for each day of your visit. Then, when you are there, you can certainly try for a more spontaneous approach, but one with a fall-back option. It's a bit late in the game for September ADRs, but definitely call 1-407-WDW-DINE and see what your (hopefully helpful) Dining cast member can find for your trip.

It will be interesting to see how the changes to the DDP for 2008 alter whether ADRs are as necessary. For 2008, the DDP still includes a counter service meal, a table service meal and a snack for each night on the plan. However, the table service meal no longer includes an appetizer- it's just an entrée, dessert, and a non-alcoholic drink. Also, gratuity is not included for the table service meal (with limited exceptions). Despite the $1 decrease in price per night for the DDP in 2008, many Disney fans are reporting they do not think the cost savings are there, and that they are going to think twice, maybe three times before signing up for the DDP once 2007 ends. (In an aside on this aside, there's an analysis of 2008 DDP cost savings on TheMouseForLess.) If less people want the plan, ADRs might be more readily available. And maybe it will even be possible to walk up to a table service restaurant without an ADR and get seated within a decent time period. It is, after all, the Year of a Million Dreams.

Q. Do you offer any type of group photo or form of identification for large groups as they enter the theme parks? I understand that there would be a fee involved and we would be willing to absorb that. There will be 15 of us, 7 of which will be children and I just wanted to know if we have to provide our own form of group identification. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. (Submitted by Connie)

A. Hi, Connie. Unfortunately there is nothing offered in ways of unifying your group, that's strictly up to you. What many families and groups choose to do is simply dress the same to help identify each other, either by creating their own personalized shirts or simply purchasing the same shirt for everyone. For personalized clothing, you can make it as simple as visiting http://www.zazzle.com/disney and selecting a few options or as complex as creating your own personal design and either using a manufacturer like http://www.cafepress.com or making tees yourself using iron-on transfer paper you can purchase for home use. Many Disney enthusiast websites have forums dedicated to the purpose of aiding you in creating your own designs. Hope that helps!