Early for ADR

[tmarquez]

Just wondering what happens if we are early for our ADR...is there a chance we could be seated before our actual time...or should we find something else to do to occupy ourselves? Thank you!

 

[jgreen]

I think there may be too many variables to give any type of accurate answer here. My own experience last year didn't turn out too well.

We arrived approximately forty-five minutes early for our ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe, and I inquired at the hostess stand if it would be possible to get seated earlier than our ADR time. I was told "no problem", it would be maybe fifteen minutes. Well, long story short, we weren't seated until twenty minutes AFTER our ADR time.

 

[debbiepump]

Was at Alfredo's once and saw someone who figured they had the 'right' (not saying that's your thinking) to be seated cuz they showed up early. Here are all these folks patiently waiting for their tables at their appointed ADR times and here's this family acting like jerks over the issue they can't be seated before anyone else cuz they decided they wanted to come early.
..........always wondered if they realized what a$$'s they made of themselves. I'd think if it's not busy you'd be fine, my attitude is.....it never hurts to ask, all you can be told is no, but be sure to do it with kindness, gets you alot further.

 

[LisaS]

On our last trip, DH and I were at least 30-40 minutes early for two of our ADRs. In both cases, they checked us in, gave us a beeper and told us they would see what they could do, but couldn't promise to seat us early. In both cases, the beeper went off within 5 minutes! So I think it just depends: how busy the restaurant is at the time you arrive, how many people who have ADRs at that time but are running late or are "no shows", etc. So, it doesn't hurt to ask. But, be prepared to wait a long time if the restaurant is fully booked and everybody with an ADR prior to your time slot turns up on time.

 

[kidzmom3]

we arrived at 8:20 for 8:50 reservations at Whispering Canyon, sat at 9:15pm.

arrived at Alfredos 45 minutes early for lunch, was given a table immediately
adr was 1:30 we arrived at 1245.

just about the proper time for Sci Fi.

We were at the first seating for Chef Mickey so they sat us about 10 minutes early. The resteruant wasn't even open yet.

Arrived on time for Marrakesh and had to wait about 10-15 minutes. Also, this is a resteraunt that they say you can walk up to even on the busiest day. that was not the case on Thursday the 13th april. they were telling every walk up that they were completely booked solid.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Sometimes we were seated almost immediately, sometimes we waited until our ADR time, and one time we waited 30 minutes after our ADR time. Just depends on the restaurant.

It never hurts to check in, though.

 

[kcashner]

I'll echo the above...it depends. They do make an effort to seat you early, and usually can do it. Many times we have been seated early. We were 35 minutes early at LTT and waited till 30 minutes after our ADR.

The restaurants tend to be busier with the dining plan and especially when there is free dining. They really do their best to keep everyone happy!

Do remember that they ask you to show up 15 minutes early.

 

[tmarquez]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

We are going to Chef Mickeys, how far can we wander with the beeper thing they give you?

I guess there's no way of knowing when you will be seated, but I'm with a 3 year old that won't be overly thrilled with sitting still and waiting in one spot for a great length of time!

 

[kcashner]

Actually, Chef Mickey's is one of the better places for waiting. THere is a seating area for waiting and a character (usually Donald of Goofy) is out there posing for pictures, signing autographs, etc. If you show up 10-15 minutes before your ADR, you usually don't have a long wait. They will also offer you a family picture taken in front of their backdrop thing--you can purchase the package or not. You can bypass the photo if you wish.

 

[hunter.deal]

Actually, Chef Mickey's is one of the better places for waiting. THere is a seating area for waiting and a character (usually Donald of Goofy) is out there posing for pictures, signing autographs, etc. If you show up 10-15 minutes before your ADR, you usually don't have a long wait. They will also offer you a family picture taken in front of their backdrop thing--you can purchase the package or not. You can bypass the photo if you wish.

I had not seen that information before, that is great news. I'm wondering if the backdrop photo can be taken with my camera by me or CM? Or is it the pay only type thing?

As a general question, can I take pictures or ask the CM's to take pictures at any time? Or do they have to offer? (OK wording there is not succinct but do you get what I mean?)

As a side note I also read somewhere in these many many pages on Dis that kids were watching cartoons in the Chef Mickey waiting area, is there a TV or TV's? We will be doing Chef Mickey's this coming Wednesday night (a 5:10 or 5:40 ADR) so the planner in me is voracious for information, even about the smallest things.