Is it OK to show up early for a reservation?

[mickeyfanz]

If our kids end up tiring out earlier than we think, is it okay to try to check-in for an ADR early to see if they will seat you? I guess the worst they could say is NO. I made one reservation that I am concerned about being too late but now there is nothing earlier to switch it to. I figure there are probably plenty of people showing up too late for their reservation so maybe it would balance out if I showed up early???

What do you think?

 

[Kimberly815]

There were a couple of times on our honeymoon this past January, that we headed to our lunch reservation early. We checked in about a half an hour early most times (just cause we were tired/hungry/wanted to sit down), most of the time we were seated early, but a few times we had to wait until pretty much the allotted time.

I think it would just depend on how busy they were and such. . .and how early you were showing up. . . and could pretty much go either way!! I would definitely say it couldn't hurt to try. Worst case scenario, they say no!

 

[iluvdisney01]

Thinking of doing the same thing for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier on June 27. I got all the times I wanted except for this one and I've been trying to call everyday to see if they have an earlier time.

Our ADR is at 7:20 and that seems too late especially if we want to catch the 10:30 Fantasmic. Anyway, I guess the worst they can do is say no. Hopefully we'll get seated on time.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

If our kids end up tiring out earlier than we think, is it okay to try to check-in for an ADR early to see if they will seat you? I guess the worst they could say is NO. I made one reservation that I am concerned about being too late but now there is nothing earlier to switch it to. I figure there are probably plenty of people showing up too late for their reservation so maybe it would balance out if I showed up early???

What do you think?

Yep, we did it before. Sometimes you can be seated early, other times they may tell you to wait.

 

[Allison]

We got to our LeCellier ADR 20 minutes early and they told us to come back.

 

[tomerin]

we always go and check in early and have never yet had a problem. in fact i can remember a few times we were told that there is a chance we wont get seated early and may still have to wait until the allloted time. i always tell them that i understand and will just be patient and wait. usually almost get in at the exact time we reserved which i consider great.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Wow a 7:20 ADR and you are worried about getting to a 10:30 Illumintaions, does it really take that long? I was thinking 2 hours would be plenty to allow between a meal and a specific timed thing I wanted to go to. I may need to do some changing of my times.

 

[kidzmom3]

at Whispering Canyon, during April school vacation week last year, they said they would try, and we were seated about 15 minutes past our original ADR.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Wow a 7:20 ADR and you are worried about getting to a 10:30 Illumintaions, does it really take that long? I was thinking 2 hours would be plenty to allow between a meal and a specific timed thing I wanted to go to. I may need to do some changing of my times.

7:20 ADR at LeCellier sounds like a wonderful time for us - we are never able to get that time, and it is the time we prefer for our dinner ADRs. Maybe the OP just doesn't realize how wonderful this may work out for their family.

 

[MomofKatie]

We almost always check in up to 30 mins early for our ADRs (pathalogical "always early" syndrome on my and DH's part ) and have never had a problem being seated. Only once did we have to wait- at CP during Free Dining, and they were PACKED!!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We almost always check in up to 30 mins early for our ADRs (pathalogical "always early" syndrome on my and DH's part ) and have never had a problem being seated. Only once did we have to wait- at CP during Free Dining, and they were PACKED!!

CP is the one place we have never been seated early. We rarely ever get seated on time there-almost always have to wait. But, the wait is always worth it...

 

[mickeyfanz]

The ADR I am talking about is at Le Cellier and is at 8:50pm!!!

I'm not worried about seeing Illuminations as we will have already seen it by that point in our trip.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Thinking of doing the same thing for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier on June 27. I got all the times I wanted except for this one and I've been trying to call everyday to see if they have an earlier time.

Our ADR is at 7:20 and that seems too late especially if we want to catch the 10:30 Fantasmic. Anyway, I guess the worst they can do is say no. Hopefully we'll get seated on time.

Since LeCellier is in Epcot, and Fantasmic is at MGM, have you considered a restaurant at MGM instead before seeing Fantasmic? It will be very hard to do dinner at Epcot, then go all the way to MGM just for a show - the walking will kill you before you get to the amphitheater at MGM. I guess I can't imagine doing that. Just to walk to Canada from the Epcot entrance will make your feet and legs ache, then you have to go back out the same way, get on your chosen transportation, go to MGM, walk to the entrance of the Fantasmic show, then walk uphill to get into the amphitheater; I am wore out just thinking about it!! Have you ever done this at the end of the day before? I wish you the best. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[shondad]

Last year we arrived at Boma over an hour early for our dinner. We were told they would seat us as soon as they could, they took our names and gave us a pager. We were seated about 20mins later. Boy was I glad.

P.S.
This was during the free dining period.