Chances of getting in early?

FairyGodmotherJen

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
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We have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the last day of our vacation. When I was originally making it, I thought we'd like to sleep in a little, so I made it for 9:25. Then, when making our touring plans out, I realized that such a late time will kill the entire morning! There's nothing available at all that morning (free dining) to change to. DH thinks that we can just show up early and they'll let us in early. How likely is that? Anyone ever tried it?
 
You could always arrive early at CM and they will get you in when they can. Unfortunately, if they are busy you may not get in until your ADR time (or even later :scared: ) but if you show up early you at least have a chance of being seated earlier.
 
We have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the last day of our vacation. When I was originally making it, I thought we'd like to sleep in a little, so I made it for 9:25. Then, when making our touring plans out, I realized that such a late time will kill the entire morning! There's nothing available at all that morning (free dining) to change to. DH thinks that we can just show up early and they'll let us in early. How likely is that? Anyone ever tried it?

just came back on 8/28.Our arrival date was 8/20 and had ADR at chef mickey for 7:50 for dinner. We flewfrom nj, took magical express, and were settled in our resort,in record time.by 4:30 our party of 6 were unanimously starving. I simply called to see if anyone cancelled,using room phone. We were eating by 5:50. they accomidated us completely. as a matter of fact, we rearranged several reservations,by calling same day-including going to the hoop dee doo at the 7:15 show,on a saturday night. people change thier minds, and reservations,alot.good luck.
 
We have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the last day of our vacation. When I was originally making it, I thought we'd like to sleep in a little, so I made it for 9:25. Then, when making our touring plans out, I realized that such a late time will kill the entire morning! There's nothing available at all that morning (free dining) to change to. DH thinks that we can just show up early and they'll let us in early. How likely is that? Anyone ever tried it?

breakfast is very popular. Depending on the size of your party, I would get there as early as possible.
 

The only thing is, if you show up early and they can't seat you, you will have wasted more touring time (since that is a concern of yours). Of course you can try, but are your chances realistic enough to try it??

I would never assume that I could show up early and get in any restaurant at Disney early. I'm happy when they are running on time!

The fact that it is free dining and you are talking about one of the most popular restaurants on property.....Anything is possible, but my initial reaction to "how likely is that" would be not very likely.

The PP that had luck at CM's before free dining started, actually called that same day. So maybe rather than just show up and risk losing park time, you could keep calling while you are there (since your ressie is on your last day). If that doesn't work out you can then make the decision whether you want to try to go early.

Hope it all works out for you!:goodvibes
 
1) You could try, but you would probably spend you time waiting.
2) Chef Mickey's is just too popular, even during slower times.
3) But, go ahead.
4) The worst thing is that you wait for 1½ hours for your ADR.
 
We just got back from a trip 8-15 thru 8-27 and often were early for our adrs. we were always seated very quickly. We had a 8:30 am at CRT and were at mk by 7:30 am (wasn't sure about bus service) waited longer to get into the park than to be seated and were ready to hit Fantasyland a few minutes before 9am. Likewise we arrived early to CM's for dinner and were seated within 10-15 minutes. Hope that helps.
 
add to that we waited 15 min for our adr time at LeCellier, and a really grumpy family with screaming kids had been waiting for over an hour - they got there early for their adr and were angry they werent seated before all these other people - the manager was trying to explain that people were being seated for their adr times, and no one had cancelled...

so it just depends... At Crystal Palace they were taking walk ups during free dining last year, that surprised me!
 
It will just depend on how busy they are. We went there for dinner on our last trip. We showed up 45 minutes prior to our ADR (not intentional, just mis-judged travel time), but were not seated until around 20 minutes after our ADR time....so we waited over an hour there. It was extremely busy, and that was in February (not President's week)

Good luck!
 
GatorLady,

Where did you get the picture taken with Belle? That is adorable! Belle is one of my daughters favorites and she would love that...particularly with Belle in the ball gown (since she only wears her casual dress at CRT - or at least that is all we have seen).
 
GatorLady,

Where did you get the picture taken with Belle? That is adorable! Belle is one of my daughters favorites and she would love that...particularly with Belle in the ball gown (since she only wears her casual dress at CRT - or at least that is all we have seen).

Thanks for the compliment.:) That picture was part of the free photo package you get with your meal at Princess Storybook Dining in Norway. I just embellished in it my photo pass account. We ate dinner there in June, it was wonderful, and DD6 had the best time!

There is no guarantee which princesses will be there, they have five total. One princess that just does the photo package pictures and four others that work the room. When we were there, in addition to Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora and Jasmine were also there.

I can't imagine a little girl not loving it!:thumbsup2
 
Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. It sure wouldn't hurt to try it. Every little minute earlier would help.
 












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