Arriving early for ADR ... would we be seated earlier?

[KimFIGFern]

I booked an ADR for Flying Fish at 7:00. I would like to purchase tickets to see La Nouba on the same day at the 9:00 showing. Do you think I could show up at 6:30 and be seated? I think the 7:00 ADR is cutting it close.

 

[disnut8]

You may or may not. It depends on how busy the restaurant is and how many people are waiting ahead of you. Remember, the "reservation" is only really an advance seating. You will be seated at the next available table for a party of your size.

If you get there at 6:30 and there are three parties of the same size with 6:30 seatings, they will be seated first. If there are no more tables of that size available, you will have to wait. However, if there is a table of that size available, you might be seated. You just never know.

Have you tried to officially change your seating time? Then you wouldn't have to worry about it at all.

 

[2manypets]

6:30 ressie may also be cutting it close. It takes roughly two hours for a signature dinner and at Le Nouba they ask that you show up a half hour early to be sitted and the pre show. You also will have to take into account the travel time between the boardwalk and dtd.

But on your original question, it's iffy. If the restaurant is fully booked you may go past your original booking time. Personally, I'd try to get a new ressie for around 5:30pm

 

[crisi]

6:30 ressie may also be cutting it close. It takes roughly two hours for a signature dinner and at Le Nouba they ask that you show up a half hour early to be sitted and the pre show. You also will have to take into account the travel time between the boardwalk and dtd.

But on your original question, it's iffy. If the restaurant is fully booked you may go past your original booking time. Personally, I'd try to get a new ressie for around 5:30pm

Agree. Plan on two hours for dinner, fifteen minutes for travel if you take a cab, and getting to La Nouba 1/2 an hour before show time.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's going to depend on what time a table opens up that will fit your party. Same as it would if you arrived at 7. I don't think you have time to get to La Nouba even if you go at 6:30.

 

[Pakey]

We have never had luck getting seated early at any of the signature restaurants, even when the restaurants are half empty. The only one I remember allowing us to do was Yachtsman Steakhouse. Everytime we have eaten at Flying Fish, it's been pretty full.

 

[LaniesMom]

We arrived early for every ADR we had this past week and were not seated until our ADR time or after. We had a party of 6, so maybe that is why, but I wouldn't count on it. And, most restaurants had empty tables when we were seated, too.

 

[pianoronni37]

Personally, I would never show up early for an ADR again. We did that a few times last trip and each time we were seated 15-30 minutes later than our ADR time. It just wasted more time sitting there, than if we had shown up on time and waited that extra 15-30 minutes.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Don't do it. You may not get seated early and you will rush and be too stressed. How about eating at DTD so you will be closer to the show.

 

[Mickey_Man]

I have to agree with those saying that the 7PM ADR would be cutting it close. One thing that you can do (that Kevin has always described on the podcast and I am a believer in) is tell your server what experience you are looking for. If you stick with this ADR and you do get seated early or on time, be sure to let your server know that you are hoping to be done by 8PM, 8:15 at the latest. This will help them to guide your experience. Also, if you are skipping the drinks, apps, and desserts and just looking for a dinner, you might be fine with the timing. Personally, I think I'd avoid that stress and either try to move to something earlier, or take a ressie for 6:30-7:00 at DTD. Good luck!