Dining reservations - how early or late can you show up

[jb82]

I've had a few reservations in the past that I've arrived on time for and still had to wait 30 minutes. I think I'll try showing up a little early this time but how early?
Is there a policy that is followed about how long before a reservation they can let you in or does it just depend on how busy the particular restaurant is?

How late can you show up without getting a cancellation fee? Not that I plan to do so just for information in case we run late one day.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Ive shown up as much as 30 mins early in order to get seated early so we could go do other things. We had to wait about 10 mins once and about 15 minutes another time. As for coming late, Im not sure of the rule, but past 15 - 20 mins, I would think they might cancel you - But that is just a guess

 

[maxiesmom]

Showing up very early is tricky--if the restaurant is busy they will tell you to come back when you are supposed to, 15 minutes prior to your ADR time. If they have room they will seat you. But you have know way of knowing if they will or not until you ask.

Showing up late is not a good idea. They may seat you right away. They may treat you as a walk up and make you wait. They may not seat you at all if the restaurant is busy. It is totally up to whoever is running the restaurant at that time. Though conventional wisdom on the Dis seems to be they usually allow you to be 15-20 minutes late before refusing to seat you.