How firm are reservation times?

[abctriplets]

We've got a 2:20 CRT reservation at the magic kingdom. How firm is that time? Might we get in at 2pm?

 

[dmetcalfrn]

When we where there a few weeks ago we were not allowed to check in until our exact ADR time.

 

[Mikie]

Anybody know if that is specific to CRT or most/all table service? I think I usually see posters recommend arriving at restaurants at least 15 min early, but not sure why. Also, are they strict about turning you away if you are a couple minute late?

 

[lizard1]

We were only permitted to check in 15 minutes prior to our reservation at all but 2 or 3 of our reservations over our last 2 trips. Chances of being seated early are probably slim at CRT. While you may be able to check in, when you are allowed to enter the castle there is then a line you get in to meet Cindy. After that, you wait inside for them to call your name in order to go up to the dining room. You may have a chance of being seated early, but arriving early is no guarantee- I have checked in 15 minutes early at a restaurant only to be seated 30-40 minutes after my reservation time. I think it depends on how busy the restaurant is (CRT is always full) and how big your party size is (a party of 4 would probably have a better chance of being seated early than a party of 8).

As for being turned away for being late, I think it depends on the restaurant, how busy they are, and how late you are. I think they will try to accommodate if possible, but I have also heard reports of people being turned away for being a couple of minutes late because the restaurant was booked and behind.

 

[quakechicago]

Depends. We walked faster than we estimated and showed up at most of our ADRs early. Akershus was the only exception where we couldn't get in early so I'm betting CRT will probably be the same.

 

[Figment Mom]

Completely depends on how full they are (so you probably won't get seated too early at crt).

We were seated more than an hour early at Liberty Tree Tavern. Plaza seated us 30minutes early (but turned us away sooner than that). At Beaches and Cream we were told 30 minutes early that we'd have to wait but were able to sit at the counter right away.

At our pre-park-opening character breakfasts (8:10 and 8:25) we were admitted to the park before 8 and seated relatively quickly.

I even had good luck with a walk-up at sci-fi. We showed up at 12:36 to inquire about availability and were told they were booked all day. Said we could possibly get seated in 30 minutes if we checked in and at 12:41 our buzzer went off.

So, in my experience, it never hurts to try. They will accommodate if they can

 

[Rileyroo26]

They will hold your reservation for about 10 minutes after your reservation time. After that time they don't have to seat you. So don't be late. It's not worth it.

 

[figment_jii]

As the PPs indicated, there is no hard-and-fast rule about whether you can show up early for a reservation or not. Most of the restaurants will try to accommodate you if they can, but if they are already full or running behind schedule, they may not allow you to check in early. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to your ADR and that's when you should be able to check in (no matter what). I have been there when venues (e.g., Sci Fi, Le Cellier, BoG, CRT, 'Ohana, etc.) were telling folks to come back 15 minutes before their ADR time even if the 15 minute mark was only a few minutes away.

 

[maxiesmom]

It never hurts to ask, but make sure you ask very nicely. One trip it seemed we were always early for our ADRs, and we were never told to come back later. But I made sure to tell the CM I knew we were really early, and thought we would check, but would come back later if it was at all a problem.