How late for an ADR before lose it?

[RJMC]

I have an ADR for a breakfast meal. Is there a buffer of time allowed before they basically say no way, or before it begins to impact on other guests reservations.

I have heard some people say that once you have a reservation, they will try to accommodate you if you are late, but you may have to hand around longer for another party who may be late for theirs.

Needs to stress that I don't expect to be late ... just asking , as I don't want to get caught in traffic, or at turnstiles, and then find out I lose my slot or worse get charged for being 15 mins late

Is there allowances?

 

[maxiesmom]

From my experiences they will hold a table for 30 minutes. We almost missed an ADR because the taxi we called didn't show up. When we arrived at the restaurant they told us they were just about to give out table away, but had held it as the monorail was having issues, so they knew they had guests running late. So they make allowances, but if you are too late they will give away your spot and treat you like a walk up.

Keep in mind too that Disney asks you to show up 15 minutes before your scheduled ADR time. If you plan on arriving at that time, it should just about cover any bumps in the road you might run into. Don't plan to show up right at your ADR time, that is asking for trouble!

 

[figment_jii]

The general rule of thumb seems to be about 10-15 minutes before you're considered a "no show". However, if a restaurant is really busy/full, they may treat you as a "no show" as soon as your ADR time is past. That is probably why they recommend folks check-in 15 minutes before their ADR time.

 

[RJMC]

The general rule of thumb seems to be about 10-15 minutes before you're considered a "no show". However, if a restaurant is really busy/full, they may treat you as a "no show" as soon as your ADR time is past. That is probably why they recommend folks check-in 15 minutes before their ADR time.

But my res is for a 8am breakfast, and didn't think the park would be open before 8am for a 15 minute buffer recommended?

 

[Bama_C]

Depending on the park, if you have your reservation number, there should be a line for those with early ressies to go in before rope drop. This is one of the neatest things because you get to see (take pictures, ogle, etc.) the empty park. It's kinda weird, too.

Always try to get to your dining ressie by 15-20 minutes early.

Have fun!!

 

[cigar95]

But my res is for a 8am breakfast, and didn't think the park would be open before 8am for a 15 minute buffer recommended?

Park opening is a bit different in terms of arrival times. Basically, if you're at MK, they will admit guests with reservations right around 0800. At that point, it really doesn't matter much if your reservation is at 0805, 0810, 0815, even as late as 0825. They just want to get tables filled and get the meal going.

So if you're waiting in line for an 0805 reservation and it's 0810 already, don't worry - you may be seated a little later than you had planned, but you won't lose your spot. (Conversely, if you wanted an 0805 and the earliest you could get was 0820, just show up as early as you can and you'll be seated as soon as you get checked in.)

I have not had an early breakfast in any of the other parks, so I can't say that it works the same way - but at both CRT and CP, this has been my experience.

 

[Cmundson]

Last year in August, at Chefs de France, I totally spaced out on the time of our ADR. I think we were like an hour and a half late. They still let us have our reservation! I was eternally grateful... Vive La France!!!

 

[gtpoohbear]

In March we had a dinner ADR at 1900 Park Fare that we were at least 20 minutes late for and were still seated almost immediately. (Disclaimer - it was totally NOT my fault that we were late, the rest of my party was being uncontrollably slow, lol! And I was a basketcase the whole way there thinking they were going to turn us away)

My IL's were once about 25 minutes late to an ADR at Sci-Fi (I wasn't with them). They were still seated, but after a long wait, and caused them to miss Fantasmic.

I think in general they will try to accommodate you if they can, even if you are very late, but I've always heard the official rule is 15 minutes. Anything beyond that is just dependent on the hostess's mood, and how busy they are.

 

[mzozzietj]

Park opening is a bit different in terms of arrival times. Basically, if you're at MK, they will admit guests with reservations right around 0800. At that point, it really doesn't matter much if your reservation is at 0805, 0810, 0815, even as late as 0825. They just want to get tables filled and get the meal going.

So if you're waiting in line for an 0805 reservation and it's 0810 already, don't worry - you may be seated a little later than you had planned, but you won't lose your spot. (Conversely, if you wanted an 0805 and the earliest you could get was 0820, just show up as early as you can and you'll be seated as soon as you get checked in.)

I have not had an early breakfast in any of the other parks, so I can't say that it works the same way - but at both CRT and CP, this has been my experience.

Ooo this is good to know, I was only able to get an 8:25 ADR for CP for our upcoming trip. I'll aim to get there close to 8 and worse case we can enjoy looking at the castle with no one else around while we wait

 

[Funfire240]

Ooo this is good to know, I was only able to get an 8:25 ADR for CP for our upcoming trip. I'll aim to get there close to 8 and worse case we can enjoy looking at the castle with no one else around while we wait

Last Sept. we had a BBB appointment for DD at 8:40 and got there super early and had no problems getting in the park (clock in our family photo says 7:55!). We actually got into her appt. 20 minutes early too. There are photopass photographers out at that time also on Main Street and in front of the castle.
I'm mentioning this both about getting into the park early and it leads to my paranoia because the day before the bus was late picking us up and we were 10 minutes late to our Tusker House ressie but had no problem (we were at the bus stop 45 minutes before the scheduled ressie but the bus took that a.m. to decide to be slow so the next a.m. we left super early to get to MK!

 

[mzozzietj]

Last Sept. we had a BBB appointment for DD at 8:40 and got there super early and had no problems getting in the park (clock in our family photo says 7:55!). We actually got into her appt. 20 minutes early too. There are photopass photographers out at that time also on Main Street and in front of the castle.
I'm mentioning this both about getting into the park early and it leads to my paranoia because the day before the bus was late picking us up and we were 10 minutes late to our Tusker House ressie but had no problem (we were at the bus stop 45 minutes before the scheduled ressie but the bus took that a.m. to decide to be slow so the next a.m. we left super early to get to MK!

We've pre-ordered the Photopass CD too so that'll be a great opportunity for family photos without the crowds. I can never remember if it's morning or afternoon that the photos look like I'm crying because the sun is in my eyes, LOL