Dining reservation "window"

[Pbeh]

For a dining reservation, what is usually the "window" of time for claiming your reservation without losing it?

For example, If I have an 8:40am reservation at BOG, how late can I show up to claim it before they say sorry, the time has passed? and the other way around, at what time could I show up before 8:40am and they would say come on in, close enough?

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

There is no set grace period for being late. If you're late, they'll try to squeeze you in when and if they can, but you may lose your spot entirely and end up paying the no-show fee.

Disney recommends checking in 10 to 15 minutes before your ADR.

 

[OhThePain]

Disney recommends that you show up at least 15 minutes before a reservation. Technically speaking, showing up any time after your ADR, even if it is 1 minute, they could consider you a no-show. It is best to just make it a point to try and show up 15 minutes prior to your ADR time. Also, keep in mind that just because you check in earlier, it does not mean you will necessarily be seated any earlier. There have been times when we have checked in 15-20 minutes early and waited almost 30 minutes after our ADR time. There has also been a time or 2 when we happened to be passing the restaurant earlier and were able to check-in and be seated almost 2 hours prior to our ADR time.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, there is no set grace period for dining ADRs. If you are late to an ADR, they may still honor your ADR, they may treat you as a walk-up (but not charge the no show fee), or they may have to turn you away (and charge the no show fee). There is really no way to know in advance which of these will happen because it depends on the restaurant's policies, how busy/behind schedule they are, etc. I've been at a Disney restaurant when they turned a party away because they were 15 minutes past their ADR time (the restaurant was already running behind schedule on seatings). So I would make every effort to be on time for your ADR. If you know there is a chance you'll be late, I would either find a different ADR time or change your plans before your ADR so you won't run the risk of being late.

In terms of early arrivals, that also depends on how busy the restaurant is, what the policies are, etc. They'll almost always allow you to check in about 15 minutes before hand, but beyond that it's kind of a mixed bag. I've been able to check in early, but I've also been told to come back about 15 minutes before my ADR time. So again, there is no way to know in advance what will happen.

 

[cleopenn]

We just returned from a 5 night trip. We had ADRs for all 5 lunches and diners (fine dining). Due to a Disney transportation issue, we were late for 1 meal (1st night) and I asked the front desk to call ahead to Jiko. She told me our reservation would be cancelled if we arrived more than 15 minutes late, no exceptions. I don't know how late we were but the hostess didn't mention our tardiness to us. The restaurant was packed with people waiting in the hallway so I felt very lucky to be seated at all.

Disney recommends that you show up at least 15 minutes before a reservation. Technically speaking, showing up any time after your ADR, even if it is 1 minute, they could consider you a no-show. It is best to just make it a point to try and show up 15 minutes prior to your ADR time. Also, keep in mind that just because you check in earlier, it does not mean you will necessarily be seated any earlier. There have been times when we have checked in 15-20 minutes early and waited almost 30 minutes after our ADR time. There has also been a time or 2 when we happened to be passing the restaurant earlier and were able to check-in and be seated almost 2 hours prior to our ADR time.

This was something that perplexed me. We were seated at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes past our ADR time each night and with the exception of the night mentioned above, the restaurants were half (if not more) empty.

 

[alopez926]

The other half of our traveling party was 25 min. late for our BOG breakfast (we had separate ADRs at the same time). I was really tense and upset because I was sure they would not be let in, but lo and behold, it was not that crowded inside the castle by the time they arrived and they were allowed in. They were 15 minutes late for our Mama Melrose Fantasmic lunch (we only had 1 reservation for all of us) and we were almost turned away. It was so packed that day.
They accommodated us, but we had to wait 40 minutes past our ADR time to get a table. For CRT, we arrived on time, but had to wait 40 minutes for our table. It's all a crapshoot. We got lucky, in general, but I wouldn't chance being late for an ADR that really is important to you.

 

[Allison]

We just returned from a 5 night trip. We had ADRs for all 5 lunches and diners (fine dining). Due to a Disney transportation issue, we were late for 1 meal (1st night) and I asked the front desk to call ahead to Jiko. She told me our reservation would be cancelled if we arrived more than 15 minutes late, no exceptions. I don't know how late we were but the hostess didn't mention our tardiness to us. The restaurant was packed with people waiting in the hallway so I felt very lucky to be seated at all.



This was something that perplexed me. We were seated at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes past our ADR time each night and with the exception of the night mentioned above, the restaurants were half (if not more) empty.

They might have had seating capacity but not server capacity (not enough servers to staff all available tables.)

 

[Pbeh]

Here's the reason I'm wondering. We have a party of 7, and I was able to get a 9:15 ADR for BOG for breakfast one day, but there was nothing for 7, or for any other number. I did see that you could get reservations for 1 at several times close to 9:15. I had to call, but I was able to book three single reservations for 8:40, 8:55, and 9:10. Since it is seat yourself at a table for breakfast, I figured once we were all inside we could either sit together, or as 4 and 3, or even 2 2 and 3. But instead of sending someone in early, I would try to wait until closer to the other times to claim the reservation. But I don't want to wait to long and then one person can't get in.

 

[Baklava]

Here's the reason I'm wondering. We have a party of 7, and I was able to get a 9:15 ADR for BOG for breakfast one day, but there was nothing for 7, or for any other number. I did see that you could get reservations for 1 at several times close to 9:15. I had to call, but I was able to book three single reservations for 8:40, 8:55, and 9:10. Since it is seat yourself at a table for breakfast, I figured once we were all inside we could either sit together, or as 4 and 3, or even 2 2 and 3. But instead of sending someone in early, I would try to wait until closer to the other times to claim the reservation. But I don't want to wait to long and then one person can't get in.

I know people suggest booking multiple small reservations for the same time window but your first and last ADRs are thirty-five minutes apart. That's really not reasonably close. There's a point at which you're screwing up the turnover rate and other guests' ability to get in for their ADR in a timely manner. I don't think this is a good plan.

 

[maxiesmom]

Here's the reason I'm wondering. We have a party of 7, and I was able to get a 9:15 ADR for BOG for breakfast one day, but there was nothing for 7, or for any other number. I did see that you could get reservations for 1 at several times close to 9:15. I had to call, but I was able to book three single reservations for 8:40, 8:55, and 9:10. Since it is seat yourself at a table for breakfast, I figured once we were all inside we could either sit together, or as 4 and 3, or even 2 2 and 3. But instead of sending someone in early, I would try to wait until closer to the other times to claim the reservation. But I don't want to wait to long and then one person can't get in.

Honestly, there is no way to know ahead of time. You could be fine, or you could end up with people not being able to make that meal. Are you really ready to risk it? Having people not only miss out, but be stuck paying the no show fee?

 

[smiths02]

At BOG lunch, we were turned away when we tried to check in 20 minutes early. They would not even check us in.

 

[tobikaye]

Does the park open at 9 am or 8 am that day? If the park opens at 9 am, then the reservations for 8:40 and 8:55 would need to go in before the park opened and check in so that they are not listed as no shows. Then the ones with the 9:10 and 9:15 would not be let in until after the park opened. I just wanted to make sure you had this portion covered if you had not thought of it.

 

[Pbeh]

Does the park open at 9 am or 8 am that day? If the park opens at 9 am, then the reservations for 8:40 and 8:55 would need to go in before the park opened and check in so that they are not listed as no shows. Then the ones with the 9:10 and 9:15 would not be let in until after the park opened. I just wanted to make sure you had this portion covered if you had not thought of it.

It opens at 8

 

[Pbeh]

When you check in for reservations at BOG, don't they just put you into a line to order? If I had to I could probably wait until at least another person was let in, let people skip me. Otherwise just order and hang out till they arrived.

 

[HopperFan]

When you check in for reservations at BOG, don't they just put you into a line to order? If I had to I could probably wait until at least another person was let in, let people skip me. Otherwise just order and hang out till they arrived.

Eaten there many times for breakfast or lunch, and our experience is that they do put you in the line on the bridge once "they let you check in." But we have never been allowed to check in any earlier than 5 minutes out. So your latest guests very possibly will not be allowed to check in early. Your gap in time is wide so I would keep trying to get more optimal times.

Note: If you stop moving in the restaurant the rose/magicband will send a message to the kitchen you are seated and begin the delivery of your food. You don't want it to arrive if you don't have a table so best not to stand still waiting.