Grace period for ADRs

[Liz Z]

Hi

I have a FP for FEA from 7 to 8pm NYE in Epcot. My concern is that we might be a little late for our 9 Dragons reservation for 7:15PM. If we are a few minutes late will they send us away?

We have to hoof it over from the Yacht Club to get on Frozen. How long would the wait on the FP+ line take with all the crowds

Liz

 

[Disneylover99]

I think you might be okay. Scan your fp at 6:55pm. There might be a bit of a wait but the ride is short and you're right next door.

 

[Jennasis]

You could get on line fpr FEA 5 minutes early...but it is wholly unlikely you will be at 9 Dragons by 7:15 even so. I'd try to move the reservation to 7:30 or later in case the ride has a break down or a long line. Our FP took about 20 minutes to board (the first time the ride broe down and we never got on after waiting 30 minutes).

 

[Liz Z]

Thanks everyone for your reply's. I do keep stalking the adrs fora later time at 9 Dragons. Every restaurant looks locked in.
But you never know~~ because i just got a later FP for Frozen just a bit ago. So there's always hope.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Generally, I'd say "Nine Dragons is one of the places least likely to care." But on NYE... might be a different story.

 

[happymommy]

Even with a FP, we probably waited at least 15-20 minutes, plus then you've got the (short) ride. New Years Eve at Epcot is crazy busy.

I would probably forgo the FP, but I found the new FEA ride not that interesting!

 

[LilyWDW]

There is no real "official" grace for ADRs. They restaurant holds the right to decide one way or another and there is no way to know what they will do on any specific day.

NYE though? Heck no would I be willing to risk it. It is going to be slammed.

 

[GillianP1301]

If it were any other night but NYE, I'd say you'd have no issue and not to worry, but that night every restaurant is going to be overbooked as it is, so I can't see them giving much grace time before cancelling you as a no show. All things running perfectly and a FP check in at exactly 6:55 and you technically should have enough time, but I would not risk it on NYE. Hopefully you can snag a slightly later ADR.

 

[Hopefully]

I AGREE. I wouldn't chance it on NYE

 

[Jennasis]

Holy Moses I missed the part that said this was a NYE ressie! I amend my earlier post to say NO WAY you'll make it. Move that reservation if you can. Just fighting the crowds on the short walk alone could be a time killer.

 

[soniam]

You could try going over to the restaurant early and explain the situation. I have heard of restaurants cutting people some slack. I have only heard of this a couple of times though. Plus, NYE You may be out of luck then.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think you may need to choose. Even with a FP, FEA will have a line on NYE, plan on it. We waited upwards of 30 minutes yesterday, although we were told it had been down a while, so that contributed to the wait. NYE, it will be just the sheer number of people that add time to everything.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

ADR Times and Tardiness "411":
1) WDW advises you to be at the ADR 15-minutes early.
2) You are expected to meet your ADR time, just like any other appt.
3) Being on-time is your responsibility, not that of WDW.
4) If late, they *can* cancel the ADR, and charge the $10-per-person no-show fee.
5) Under normal conditions,
. . . eateries usually allow up to a 15-minute lateness,
. . . but this is only kindness,
. . . as there is no true Grace Period.
6) If really busy, (eg, Free Dining, Holidays), there might be no tardiness allowance.
7) If you miss the ADR, you *might* have the ability to wait for a table.
8) For waiting times, there is no estimate, waits of 1-1½ hrs are common.
. . . if the eatery is not too busy, wait times could be minimal
. . . just depends upon the individual day-time-etc
9) They also have the option of canceling and just sending you away.
10) These options are at the discretion of the SEATER on duty at the podium.
11) Plus, it is up the eatery manager to decide if you get charged the $10/person no-show fee.

NOTE: In your instance, I would plan upon the Frozen FP to be 15-20 minutes late, if not longer. Not only do they frequently run late, but on a holiday, everything seems to slow down, and this does not account for the frequent minor ride breakdowns.

 

[maxiesmom]

No way would I risk it on NYE. Heck, it may take you 20 minutes to make it from Norway to China with the crowds.