ADR waiting time

[sewingmolly]

I realize that ADRs aren't the same as reservations, but I guess I was thinking that we would be seated soon after we arrived. After reading everyone's comments, I come to realized that maybe I should have made earlier ADRs.

Just how long is a typical wait to be seated? Are some restaurants notorious for running late? How early should we arrive for our ADRs? I've tried to time my California Grill ADR with Wishes and the Biergarten with the entertainment. Now I'm wondering if they're too late. I have 7:30 at both places. Thanks for any l info and advice.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have found that arriving early for reservations doesn't ever get me to my table early, though I still aim to be there 5-10 min prior in case they are backed up at the hostess stand.

I recall having significant waits at Coral Reef, LeCellier, Akershus for breakfast, and 'Ohana in past trips. I've waited 15 minutes or less for most other places, and a handful we walked in (Kona late breakfast).

 

[nhl66pens]

I have had different experiences at different restaurants and even different experiences at the same restaurant. We usually arrive early for ADR's. We got to Teppan Edo early (about 20 minutes) and they probably made us wait about 15-20 minutes so I would consider that fairly prompt. We arrived at Le Cellier around 4:15 for a 4:35 ressie and had to wait probably about 10 - 15 minutes. Both times we went to Les Chefs we arrived about 15 minutes early and had to wait probably 20 minutes the first night and 30 - 45 minutes the second night. Coral Reef was easily a 45 - 60 minute wait. This was probably the worst but it was packed.

 

[vicki_c]

I think the later your ADR time is towards "regular" dining hours, the longer you will wait.

We usually make dinner reservations between 5 and 6 PM, and I cannot remember waiting longer than 15 minutes anywhere ever, including Ohana, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree -- all the popular places! I think once you get past 6 PM, the waits for the tables just get longer and longer.

 

[Pakey]

CG is usually behind, last time we waited 50 min past our ADR time. The closer to fireworks, the further behind they get as people do not give up their seats, esp any of the window tables. Our last time at Le Cellier we were seated on time (early dinner) but the time before (late dinner), we waited close to an hour. Coral Reef is ALWAYS behind. Sci Fi is another one where we have waited most times past our ADR. Bistro de Paris has been very long waits the last 2 times there.

Other than these, we have not experienced delays of more than 10 minutes. And that's with dozens of trips in the past decade. We have never been seated more than a few minutes early no matter how early we get there.

 

[vicki_c]

Oh yeah, I forgot we did wait long for Sci Fi last year. But our reservation was at 12:20 -- what I consider a "bad" lunch time. And we waited about 30 minutes.

 

[RMulieri]

The longest I ever waited past adr time was 50 mins at LTT, and 25 mins past adr time at Le Cellier.Most times in 21 trips I am either on time or shortly after.

 

[ShannonMB]

I realize that ADRs aren't the same as reservations

ADR stands for Advance Dining Reservation, so it is the same thing as a reservation. You're supposed to get seated at your reservation time, but of course things get a little backed up at times. Just try to be on time, and hopefully you won't have too many waits.

 

[RMulieri]

ADR stands for Advance Dining Reservation, so it is the same thing as a reservation. You're supposed to get seated at your reservation time, but of course things get a little backed up at times. Just try to be on time, and hopefully you won't have too many waits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not exactly like a reservation...from allears.net
What is an Advance Reservation (formerly Priority Seating)?
Advance Reservations is a system Walt Disney World uses to manage their restaurant seating flow. In essence, unlike a true reservation where a table is saved for your party at a particular time, the advance reservation guarantees your party the next available table. It's recommended that you check in about 15 minutes before your time. Wait times vary depending on the time of day and restaurant but usually averages between 15 and 30 minutes.

Some reservations require a credit card deposit or full payment in advance. They are discussed further down this FAQ.

Who can make Advance Reservations?