Hey Beth!
While Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) are not required to dine at the restaurants at Walt Disney World, they are definitely recommended.
Moms Panelist Juliette never makes ADRs and 'wings it' her whole vacation. She claims this is a very relaxing way to spend your Disney vacation.
I, on the other hand, am kind of an obsessive planner. Imagine my dismay when on my own vacation to Walt Disney World this November, I was up bright and early on 180th day and was only able to get one ADR! One! However, over the last few months of continually checking the dining locations I wanted I have been able to get nearly every ADR I wanted. So my advice to you is 'Just Keep Swimming'... I mean, Checking. You never know when someone is going to change their plans or Disney could even open up some reservations.
I also received some great advice from another Moms Panelist who said I should think out of the box and try some restaurants I wouldn't normally experience. Take at look at the
Make Reservations page. At the top you can select a date, time and number of people in your party then click 'Find a Table'. The restaurants with openings will be listed first. Check these out as you never know what might strike your fancy.
Good luck with the rest of your planning. Make sure to
stop back by the Disney Parks Moms Panel is you have any other questions about your trip.
Wishing you a
*MAGICAL* vacation and a pixie-dusted day!
Sue N., IN