Grace Period for Reservation

[PrincessWithABlaster]

So we have a 6:30 ADR for 50's Prime Time and I'm wondering if we can do the 6 pm Indy show. TP says it's a 30 minute show but it's right next door to 50's Prime Time. If we rush right over after the show ends, will that be an issue? I assume there is a bit of a grace period for ADRs. I don't normally cut reservations that closely, but we're having a hard time getting in all the things we'd like to do at DHS with my son's mid day nap.

 

[TeamSy]

You shouldn't have a problem. We are notorious for being late (embarrassingly so) and have never had any issues. The Indy show is fantastic and 50's prime time is a blast! Have fun

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

As the previous poster said, you should be fine. I think I read somewhere once that there is a 15 minute grace period. But I suppose that could vary from restaurant to restaurant.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

we're having a hard time getting in all the things we'd like to do at DHS with my son's mid day nap.

. . . then either skip the nap or change the FP

We are notorious for being late (embarrassingly so) and have never had any issues.

. . . not too sure this is something to openly brag about, or continue to do
. . . basically inconsiderate to the eatery and other patrons

**********************************************************************************************
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.
5) Under normal conditions, they usually allow up to a 15-minute lateness, but this is kindness, not a Grace Period.
6) If really busy, (eg, Free Dining, Holidays), there might be no Grace Period.
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 eastery 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 the eatery manager to decide if you get charged the $10/person no-show fee.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

I think so much depends on the person at the front. We once checked in at the Plaza 20 minutes prior to our ADR. The CM was not very nice and I got quite the talk that they could not accommodate us early and that we really should only check in 15 minutes prior to the adr not 20. So hubby and daughter went to a nearby restroom as it was going to be 20 minutes. About 10 seconds after they walked away she said our table was ready. Then she got upset our entire group was not there. Perhaps she was just having a bad night.

 

[Grumpy247365]

50s Prime Time Cafe usually runs late at the dinner hours. You should be good and might have to wait even longer once you check in. Have fun, it's a really cool place to eat.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thanks all. @TheRustyScupper, yes, I understand and it's why I normally make it a point of being on time to my appointments (of all varieties). We in fact missed PP entirely last trip because going to our FP would have made us at least 15 mins late to an ADR. But it's not an FP issue here, it's that it's either go to 6 pm Indy or don't see it at all this trip. For being 5 mins late (or hopefully less) I think it's worth it in this case, understanding that they would be within their right to turn me away. As to skipping the nap, I suspect the melt down that would ensue would prompt you to have to give me "Not over tiring your child and bringing them to a restaurant to ruin the experience of others" 411. But I will set up an alert to see if I can get a later ADR.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks all. @TheRustyScupper, yes, I understand and it's why I normally make it a point of being on time to my appointments (of all varieties). We in fact missed PP entirely last trip because going to our FP would have made us at least 15 mins late to an ADR. But it's not an FP issue here, it's that it's either go to 6 pm Indy or don't see it at all this trip. For being 5 mins late (or hopefully less) I think it's worth it in this case, understanding that they would be within their right to turn me away. As to skipping the nap, I suspect the melt down that would ensue would prompt you to have to give me "Not over tiring your child and bringing them to a restaurant to ruin the experience of others" 411. But I will set up an alert to see if I can get a later ADR.

The problem is that you have no idea if the restaurant is going to allow this. A lot depends on how busy they are, who is on the front. I don't like to chance having to pay a no show fee because I ran late.

As to that pesky nap..... The nap trumps and we don't make the ADR. I would opt for a CS meal to make sure the little one slept and al is well.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

you would be okay with the no show fee if they turn you away. plus plan on it taking a little time to get out of theater other people are also trying to leave and they are not going to step aside to let you past as you are late to dinner. think about all the ressies that people have before yours. say half of them are 10 minutes late how late do you think ressies would be by the time you get there. you say you have a young one that has to have his nap, you words. so he now has a 20minute wait to be seated for dinner is he going to have a meltdown because he hungry. they are not going to hold your table for you are going to be placed in line for a table when you get checked in and I bet others are going to be doing the same thing

 

[lpizzuro123]

The timing sounds tight but I would still try it. Try to sit in the back of the theater near the exit. This way you can get out of there as soon as the show is over. If you go down to the front by the stage you will have to wait for everyone else to leave the theater which could take at least 10 minutes if not longer.

 

[supersnoop]

50s Prime Time Cafe usually runs late at the dinner hours. You should be good and might have to wait even longer once you check in. Have fun, it's a really cool place to eat.

If they normally run late, wouldn't they be more inclined to cancel the reservation, rather than try to squeeze the party back into a later spot?

 

[GillianP1301]

I think that should be fine, we're talking about checking in within 5 minutes of your ADR. I am usually about 10 minutes early for mine, but have on the odd occasion checked in either right at the time or a few minutes late and never had a problem. If I knew it was going to be 10+ minutes, then I would change something. But 5 or less, I would leave it as is. You may want to consider sitting near the back of the show, that will make for a very quick exit and probably gain you a couple minutes.

 

[brockash]

I think so much depends on the person at the front. We once checked in at the Plaza 20 minutes prior to our ADR. The CM was not very nice and I got quite the talk that they could not accommodate us early and that we really should only check in 15 minutes prior to the adr not 20. So hubby and daughter went to a nearby restroom as it was going to be 20 minutes. About 10 seconds after they walked away she said our table was ready. Then she got upset our entire group was not there. Perhaps she was just having a bad night.

While we really like the Plaza, we've found that most of the hosts are pretty rude too. Having said that, OP I'm sure you'll be fine with your plan.

 

[PaintsWindColors]

Wow some people didn't take their happy pills before posting! OP, I think you'll be fine. Kudos for thinking of these issues ahead of time! I've never had any problems checking in 5 mins late for a reservation - sometimes the line up to the check-in desk takes 10 minutes alone!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I think it's cutting too tight. If you were only 5 minutes late that would probably be fine, but realistically I think you are looking at being about 20 minutes late, which I believe is excessive.
Yes they are close but you have to take into account exiting the theater and checking into the restaurant at peak dinnertime.
I suspect you could cut out of the show early, but if you haven't seen it before maybe you don't want to do that.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I would also sit in the back so you can be the first out, but I think you will be fine. If you are worried, maybe you could even slip out a few minutes early, assuming that's allowed.

I HATE being late, it's my biggest pet peeve, and DH will tell you that I drive everyone else crazy with my obsession to be early. But on multiple occasions, always when traveling with extended family (who obviously does not share my need to be 20 minutes early everywhere), we have been quite late. More than the unofficial 15 minute grace period. Despite my doomsday predictions all the way there, we've always been seated with no argument. So I would think a few minutes is not a big deal. I've stood in the check-in line at restaurants longer than that!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

In general. If you don't turn up and it's been more than 15 minutes past your ADR, you may not have to pay a no show fee because they have the option not to charge you, but as far as being seated you could be put back in the "standby" queue. If you're running more than about 10 minutes late, you probably need to send someone out of the show early. They won't seat you until you are all there, but they won't put you down as a no show either. And then the rest of the group could take their time getting out of the theater.

 

[Nancyg56]

If they normally run late, wouldn't they be more inclined to cancel the reservation, rather than try to squeeze the party back into a later spot?

Yes, they may add the OP to the list, or not, but they will most likely have a long wait.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow some people didn't take their happy pills before posting! OP, I think you'll be fine. Kudos for thinking of these issues ahead of time! I've never had any problems checking in 5 mins late for a reservation - sometimes the line up to the check-in desk takes 10 minutes alone!

I think that because you have been lucky...and you were lucky... you should not assume the OP will be as well. I have not been as lucky. We were not canceled, but we were not seated "ontime" either. And this was after much discussion between the hostess and someone else. The CM's do what they can to accommodate their guests, but it would not be doing the OP a service to tell her that she is 100% home free. She is not.

 

[LilyWDW]

Here is the thing. As soon as you are "late", aka even 1 minute, the restaurant reserves the right to charge you the no show fee and cancel your reservation. There is NO WAY anyone here can say what will happen at THAT restaurant on THAT day. So everyone who says "oh, you will be fine" really has no idea if you will actually be fine and, honestly, it does the OP no good to pretend as such. Better to plan for the worst then plan for the best, get turned away, and get charged the no show fee.