ADRs closed? and before park opening ADR

[sunnydays28]

Is there a certain date by which you can not make an ADR online? For example, it is Sat evening and we are going to be there Monday, so even if there are spots available right now for Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's or Dessert Party, they are no longer taking them but would be available if you walked up? Any better luck with calling than looking online? I am especially wondering about the Dessert Party, since they ask for cancellations at 48 hours, it doesn't make sense to me that they would still be taking them at less than 48 hours.

Next question, if we have an 820 AM CP ADR could we get there at 755ish with the hope that they would take us earlier or will the CM only let us in at 815 for an 820 ADR?

 

[ktlm]

As far as the restaurants, I've made an ADR online on my Iphone for the next night while we were at WDW. I had been trying to get that one for over a month before our trip, and I just thought I would check and it popped up as available. You can also call the day of and get an ADR. I've done that when our plans have changed.

According to WDW, you are technically supposed to get to the restaurant approximately 15-20 minutes before your ADR time. We have gotten seated before our ADR many times when we have shown up early, there are also times that even though we showed up early we did not get seated until after our ADR. It is just a matter of luck.

 

[Agri]

I made same-day reservations on my phone several times during our last vacation, so I hope my information helps.

As long as there is an opening for a party your size, you will be able to get reservations for most restaurants up to two hours before the time you are requesting. I scheduled the dessert party for the same night mid-afternoon of the same day.

V&A's and a handful of other restaurants do not allow online booking the same day of the reservation.

You can arrive early and hope to get in early, just know that it might not happen. Its much more likely to happen at restaurants that are in less demand and during a slower tourist season.

 

[Redwitch]

Good question ~ so I tried.
Today at 9:52 AM EST I am able to make reservations on line for today 11:00 AM EST.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

On Friday 9/24 I checked online and was able to make an ADR for Monday 9/27 and had my choice of several restaurants for a party of 7. For 4 months I'd been talking about a family dinner that night and Sis never responded, then the night before leaving, says could we get something? We ate at GFC and was the best meal I've ever had at WDW. Last minute works just fine.