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Disney in a Minute: What is an ADR?

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We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

What is an ADR?

ADR is an abbreviation for “Advance Dining Reservation.” For many years, Disney called restaurant reservations “Advance Dining Reservations.” After more than a decade of using this term, someone at Disney finally realized that it was redundant and confusing. Of course you make a reservation in advance, that’s what a reservation is!

While you won’t find Disney itself talking about ADRs much these days (now they mostly call a reservation a reservation), you will still see “ADR” used on fan sites and in Disney-related chat forums.

For more information on Walt Disney World dining and dining reservations, take a look at our Disney World Restaurants page. If you want to eat at any sit-down, table service restaurant at Walt Disney World, it’s best practice to make an ADR – I mean, a reservation.

Let us know what Disney topics you think need just a bit more explanation.

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Erin Foster

Erin Foster is an original member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now PlanDisney), a regular contributor to TouringPlans.com, and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. She's been to WDW, DL, DL Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, DVC Vero Beach, and DVC Hilton Head. She's a Platinum DCL cruiser and veteran of 10 Adventures by Disney trips. Erin lives near New York City, where she can often be found indulging in her other obsession - Broadway theater.

One thought on “Disney in a Minute: What is an ADR?

  • Erin, Thank you so much for explaining the backstory to the ADR name! About 3 years ago, I approached the check-in area for Be Our Guest and said to the Cast Member, “I have an ADR for 11am.” The Cast Member gave me a confused look and asked, “What is an ADR.” I looked bewildered back at her and I responded, “An Advance Dinning Reservation: ADR.” I couldn’t understand why a Disney Cast Member would not know ADR since it was my understanding that it was Disney’s term for all dinning reservations. Until I read this blog post, I didn’t know they stopped using it! This explains EVERYTHING!

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