How Strict Are Dining Reservation Times?

[JessiMommy]

My scenario... During my trip in January I have a reservation at Via Napoli one evening for 5:10. I wanted it a bit later but nothing was available. I will continue searching but if nothing works out and I show up ten minutes late for my reservation will I still be seated? I've never been late to a reservation before so unsure how it would be handled.

 

[Dug720]

It depends.

Sometimes they are strict and if you are not there they cancel it. Other times or places they are lenient.

I would plan on finding a different time or being there on time just to be safe.

 

[starousse]

Ten minutes later is not a big deal. If anything you may have to wait a little longer.

 

[TiffanyA]

I wouldn't plan to be late - why not try the Touring Plans reservation finder?

 

[BriLovesDisney]

You're supposed to arrive 15 minutes early. 15 minutes is the max you can be late without being charged.

Keep looking, something will pop up!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Not sure how 10 minutes makes a difference?

 

[buzznina]

I can only tell you of our experience and I can say we have been later then 10 minutes a few times (especially when our DDs were smaller) and have never been turned away or had any hassles.

 

[nkereina]

I'd take the chance. You'd more than likely be fine. I imagine it happens daily between bus delays, lines at bag check, etc. And the fact that many people visiting have no idea where restaurants are located within the park, how long it takes to get from point A to point B, etc.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

So you want to purposefully show up 10 minutes late because you wanted a 5:20pm ADR vs a 5:10pm ADR?
10 minutes is not going to make that much of a difference in you being more "ready for dinner".
I would not risk being late because you could very well find yourself with a $10 per person no show fee depending on how the CM's are feeling that day.
Try to get a later time.
If you can't then get there on time or just don't bother going and cancel by the night before.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I would not plan to be late for the ADR. Would you really be only 10 minutes late or is there a chance you could be even later than that?

I wouldn’t risk it, personally. Even though I haven’t heard of anyone losing their ADR for being 10 minutes late it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And if there’s a chance you could be later I wouldn’t take the chance.

Use the TP reservations finder! That thing is a miracle worker.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Is there a reason you'll be 10 minutes late, or do you just think 5:10 is too early and the extra 10 minutes will make a big difference?

I guess I'm just not understanding why you're planning to be late...is there a fp+ or something scheduled right before your ADR time?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Fifteen minutes is probably the max you can go without risking the no-show fee.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We couldn't get to Cinderella's Table because we got caught on the wrong side of the parade route. The cast members around us assured us we had a fifteen minute grace period.

 

[TiffanyA]

I also think OP will be fine, but I think they also really want a later ADR - probably by more then 10 minutes, ideally. In that case, I'd try the Touring Plans reservation finder. There's not really anything to lose.

OP, if worse comes to worst, you can be 10 minutes late and probably all will be fine, but there's a good chance you'll be able to move your reservation later if you start a search.

 

[Mazz519]

You pretty much have 15 mins to play with.....we were once stuck on Tower of terror and it made us 30 minutes late for our 50s Prime time reservation.... when we got there they were like no problem

 

[bunkerchump]

We've never had a problem and although we try to be on time, sometimes unforeseen things happen. Max late was about 30 min and we were never turned away or got charged. I'm sure technically they could, but I've not seen it.

 

[rg35]

I would never intentionally be late to a reservation simply because it seems inconsiderate to other diners or people trying to made reservations, especially if it's a large party.

If you don't want to dine at 5:10, cancel and make a reservation somewhere else for a more suitable time. Whether or not there will be a penalty for showing up late shouldn't be the most immediate consideration.

 

[bunkerchump]

I would never intentionally be late to a reservation simply because it seems inconsiderate to other diners or people trying to made reservations, especially if it's a large party.

If you don't want to dine at 5:10, cancel and make a reservation somewhere else for a more suitable time. Whether or not there will be a penalty for showing up late shouldn't be the most immediate consideration.

I hear ya and agree in general. But at WDW when you show up "on time" you sometimes have to wait 20 or 30 (or maybe more) minutes with a reservation. In the real world your table is likely really reserved. Disney intentionally builds buffers and instead of your table being reserved, your space in line is reserved. People show up early/late and for the most part it works out. Unless the OP can move out the res, personally, I'd keep it if they really want to go there. But if they can move it out by checking back to see if another time opens, I'd try to do that.

John

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The last time I had a dining reservation at Disney there was a family there whining like 2 year olds......

They apparently had been about half an hour late and the very nice hostess told them that while they wouldn't be charged they would have to be "worked in"

So everytime someone got seated before them they whined some more. But the people seated before them showed up on time! I shouldn't have to wait longer because you planned poorly LOL! I finally saw them being seated about half an hour after me so I know they waited close to an hour (I waited 20 minutes)

 

[Dakota731]

NOt sure ten minutes would make you that much hungrier??