Grace period for late arrival for an ADR?

[HydroGuy]

Last I visited I think the grace period was 20 minutes. With the new $10 per person penalty for missing an ADR, do they still use 20 minutes?

 

[Jfsag123]

I don't know if there's an official policy, but we showed up more than 20 minutes late (more like 30-40) to an ADR at 1900 Park Fare and it was fine. This was in March. We had been stuck on the monorail trying to get there. I tried explaining what had happened, but the CMs didn't even ask for an explanation. They just welcomed us and had us seated within a few minutes. I would guess this might be one of those things that depends on what kind of CM you get.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I think it's at the discretion of the CMs. We've been 25-30 minutes late a couple of times without problem. I'm more the type to think we're late if we're not 15 minutes early, but let's just say that my extended family is NOT the same, lol. Trying to wrangle them out the door to an ADR is worse than hearing cats. But I've never heard first-hand of someone being turned away for being late, though I'm sure it happens.

 

[disnut8]

I think the issue would be WHY you were late for the ADR, Transportation issues like the monorail being stuck? Understandable. But having to get your family out the door to a reservation you've had for a while? Not that understandable.

 

[Missyrose]

I think the issue would be WHY you were late for the ADR, Transportation issues like the monorail being stuck? Understandable. But having to get your family out the door to a reservation you've had for a while? Not that understandable.

But I've never had a CM demand to know why I was late. Maybe it's because I've always been pretty apologetic when late for an ADR, but I've never been hassled.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

This happened to me yesterday at BoG..running late, called Disney dining and was told 20 minutes Grace period and if more than that, official line is first availability.

 

[HydroGuy]

This happened to me yesterday at BoG..running late, called Disney dining and was told 20 minutes Grace period and if more than that, official line is first availability.

Thanks! And to everyone else!

 

[mommyrosa2]

FWIW...we were 15 minutes late getting to our Via Napoli reservation back in late January and while they never asked why and we were seated, our party did get charged the $10/pp no show fee. I happened to go online the next day to view my cc statement and that's when I noticed the charge. I walked over to the front desk at CSR, where we were staying, and they were able to get the charges reversed.

 

[River Country]

interesting topic here....I was 20 minutes late to LTT and I was told that they would have to put me in with the rest of the walk ups and they weren't taking walk ups so in other words I was screwed. So does it depend on the restaurant? i.e the popularity?

 

[Nancyg56]

It depends on whatever the restaurant is experiencing at the time. There is no official grace period, so if you run late you may be considered a no show, and charged the fee. and not allowed to enter. Or life is good and you are seated. I do not like to chance it.

 

[crys.mae]

Our party of four arrived about 25 minutes after our reservation at Crystal Palace. We were extremely apologetic and vocalized our willingness to wait. The staff didn't bat an eye, nor did we feel like an inconvenience - we were seated within minutes. Ahh, Disney magic!

 

[BobaScott]

I wonder how they handle it at the Royal Table?

I was only able to secure it for the night we arrive. We have a 2 hour window to get to the park but I'm always thinking worst case scenario. It will be on a Halloween Party Night too so maybe that factors in.

 

[Nancyg56]

I wonder how they handle it at the Royal Table?

I was only able to secure it for the night we arrive. We have a 2 hour window to get to the park but I'm always thinking worst case scenario. It will be on a Halloween Party Night too so maybe that factors in.

This is not one I would monkey around with. If they cannot seat you because you were late, you will be charged full fee if you are not on the dining plan.

If you are late and do not have a party ticket, and if your arrival us past that time allowed for non party guests, you will not be allowed in snd you will be charged.


The issue with arriving late on a party night is that checking in will not give you grace. Your given up your spot so you may be placed at the end of the line and if that puts you past the last allowed ADR, you lose. This is an expensive one to gamble on.

 

[purple figment]

I wonder how they handle it at the Royal Table?

There is no official grace period policy so it is up to each restaurant to decide how they will handle late arrivals. If they don't seat you at CRT because you are late you will be charged the entire amount of the meal for each person on your reservation. Either you already paid in full when you made the reservation or the credit card number you gave will be charged if you booked using a dining plan.

I was only able to secure it for the night we arrive. We have a 2 hour window to get to the park but I'm always thinking worst case scenario. It will be on a Halloween Party Night too so maybe that factors in.

I would really reconsider this reservation. Worst case scenario: flight delays are not unusual so if you only have 2 hours from the time your plane touches down to your dining reservation time, you could easily miss the reservation. You need to allow time to deplane, get your luggage, travel time to DW, check in at your resort/drop off luggage, travel to the MK, get through security and the turnstiles. Even if your flight lands on time all this will take the 2 hours, possibly more so you really don't have any margin for delay.

As far as scheduling dinner on a party night - what time is the reservation? Without party tickets the last dining reservation at CRT is at 5:55 so if you arrive after that you might not be seated. If the reservation is during the party you must have party tickets to enter/stay in the park, but most would say that having a table service dinner during the party is a waste of valuable party time because there are so many party exclusive events to enjoy.

 

[BobaScott]

This is one of those reservations my family is counting on and can't bring myself to cancel. On top of that my wife already purchased party tickets for that night so we are stuck with those regardless.

My initial plan was to tag our luggage for ME, but end up taking a cab straight to the Magic Kingdom to avoid all the other delays, and worry about check in later that evening once we're back.

Now I'm at the point where I'm just trying to work out something with the inbound flight situation... It might be doable but I'm getting too nervous about cutting it that close.

 

[maxiesmom]

interesting topic here....I was 20 minutes late to LTT and I was told that they would have to put me in with the rest of the walk ups and they weren't taking walk ups so in other words I was screwed. So does it depend on the restaurant? i.e the popularity?

Yes. There is simply no way to know ahead of time if you will be seated late or not. I can tell you that one time at the Kona Cafe for breakfast (not really a hot spot for most) I listened as the CM explained to the group ahead of me that they were very lucky they could be accommodated so late. And the only reason they were allowing it is because the monorail had been down, so they were seating people as they showed, no matter how late. If the monorail hadn't had issues they would have been turned away.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is one of those reservations my family is counting on and can't bring myself to cancel. On top of that my wife already purchased party tickets for that night so we are stuck with those regardless.

My initial plan was to tag our luggage for ME, but end up taking a cab straight to the Magic Kingdom to avoid all the other delays, and worry about check in later that evening once we're back.

Now I'm at the point where I'm just trying to work out something with the inbound flight situation... It might be doable but I'm getting too nervous about cutting it that close.

I just saw and replied to you on your other post. But I had another idea--sign up on touring plans . com for their ADR finder. You put in the date and time you want a certain ADR and they will notify you if a slot opens up. You then make the ADR via a link. I just scored a pre park opening for Akershus that way. It works great!

 

[Nancyg56]

This is one of those reservations my family is counting on and can't bring myself to cancel. On top of that my wife already purchased party tickets for that night so we are stuck with those regardless.

My initial plan was to tag our luggage for ME, but end up taking a cab straight to the Magic Kingdom to avoid all the other delays, and worry about check in later that evening once we're back.

Now I'm at the point where I'm just trying to work out something with the inbound flight situation... It might be doable but I'm getting too nervous about cutting it that close.

Can you get an earlier flight in? You already have a very expensive night between party tix and a meal during that party that comes at a premium. If not, I would try to schedule CRT on a different day. I think this plan you have eill be stressful at best. I saw your other thread and less worried about your timing.

 

[BobaScott]

Lots of good information between a few different threads! I now realize how crazy I was trying to pull that off... Lots of stuff I hadn't considered.

The bad news is that, that is the earliest flight out... of my airport, I thankfully was able to find a flight out of another airport that I was able to switch too. Now I will have 9 hours between landing and dinner.

A bit more out of the way than anticipated... but I don't feel like my brain is melting with worry anymore.

FYI I had called Disney earlier, and for CRT they did say 10min late would be ok, but obviously couldn't guarantee anything beyond that.

 

[Floridaglen]

I thought that if you had an ADR and as long as you turned up you wouldn't be charged the $10 penalty fee regardless if you were late and couldn't be accommodated.

"Though Disney does not charge a “Late Fee” if you are running behind, they do charge a “No Show Fee” of $10 for every person in your party if you fail to turn up at all and if you fail to cancel. Arriving late means that you may still be able to enjoy your meal or at least avoid the extra fees."