Long wait even with ADR?

[LilyWDW]

I think the longest I have waited has been about 20 minutes at 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, Le Cellier, and Hollywood Brown Derby. Otherwise it's been as soon as I check in or within 10 minutes. That includes other visits to Crystal Palace and Hollywood Brown Derby.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are not reservations in a traditional sense. An ADR (which I admit is a confusing name if you are not in the know) is simply them putting you in line for the next table for your party size. The restaurant is not going to force people out and, if you happen to be unlucky, that could mean a unexpected longer wait for your table. You also have to remember that you are placed in line behind those with ADRs before you so you are not automatically NEXT in line either.

As for empty tables and yet still a wait to be seated, there could be many variables at play there. Most often it is due to absences either in the kitchen or among the wait staff. They won't seat more then the current kitchen or wait staff can handle. Would you rather wait a bit longer in the lobby, or be seated and have sub par service and food because they overwhelmed the CMs? Sometimes people call in last minute and you simply can't find a replacement. It happens. Anyone who has managed any sort of business knows that.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We never had to wait more than 10 minutes for an ADR (from actual reservation time), except at Kona for a dinner reservation. When it started to approach about a 30 min wait, I complained to the manager and we were seated shortly thereafter. I think it's beyond ridiculous to have to wait somewhere more than 10 or 15 with a reservation, regardless if I'm at Disney or at home.

Exactly

 

[maxiesmom]

We never had to wait more than 10 minutes for an ADR (from actual reservation time), except at Kona for a dinner reservation. When it started to approach about a 30 min wait, I complained to the manager and we were seated shortly thereafter. I think it's beyond ridiculous to have to wait somewhere more than 10 or 15 with a reservation, regardless if I'm at Disney or at home.

So what can you do? Not making ADRs is one choice. You can also schedule right at restaurant open to limit wait time. Or complain and see how that helps. I prefer to relax and enjoy myself even if I am waiting. Restaurants everywhere run behind. No use getting too upset about it.

 

[samsteele]

Maxiesmom's above advice is very good. I would also add that when traveling with a young child you consider an early dinner ADR eg at restaurant opening or slightly after so that the place hasn't had time to fall behind seating.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

O'hana is always about 15-30 mins after check in. I was quite surprise with the wait at H&V lunch. It was a long wait to the check in counter then about 45 mins wait outside under the hot sun. CM told me that guests stayed in the restaurant much longer when the weather is hot outside and therefore the delay.

 

[supersnoop]

I've waited 55 minutes at Biergarten with 9 people.

 

[jrmasm]

So what can you do? Not making ADRs is one choice. You can also schedule right at restaurant open to limit wait time. Or complain and see how that helps. I prefer to relax and enjoy myself even if I am waiting. Restaurants everywhere run behind. No use getting too upset about it.

Not go back.

 

[HopperFan]

For most I would say it has been reasonable, maybe the most 15 most after check in. Many have been before or right on ADR time. There are some restaurants that consistently have very long waits and we always have to buffer in that time to our plans or skip those restaurants.

Some that have on occasion but not every time have waits 20-30 past ADR = Rose & Crown, CRT and Garden Grill.

Some with unacceptable waits (40-75 minutes) that we have had to wait every single time = Ohana, Coral Reef, Tony's and Le Cellier. We have only booked first seating at Chef Mickey and that was due to others complaints but that is no longer on our eat list. At Ohana we have actually had close to a 20 minute wait just to check in then add on the wait to be seated time. We have more or less stopped going to these restaurants since the food didn't justify the wait. Too many other options with good eats.

 

[DisBuckMan]

As others have said, Ohana is always way behind, as well as Whispering Canyon.

2 years ago, we waited for about an hour at Le Cellier one night. I don't think it was as much the service was behind, as it was the fact that it was absolutely flooding outside, and people didn't want to get up from their table to walk outside in a downpour. Rude in a way, but what are you going to do? Which reminds me...LC should probably think about putting in more covered waiting area outside.

 

[GillianP1301]

In my experience the average wait is 5 - 10 minutes. There are some instances where it's immediate (<5) and the odd time where it's been longer (>15). The very longest was 30 minutes.

A lot of this also depends on the time of year you're travelling and how busy the restaurants are at the time. Our trips are always the week before Labour Day, so not that busy in the parks but always during free dining, as a reference point.

 

[gtpoohbear]

There are a few restaurants that we have permanently crossed off our list because of consistently long wait times. Sure, any restaurant can have something unexpected happen to cause delays, but when the wait time (past ADR) is over 30 minutes every single time, it is a clear sign that they are overbooking. And if they are that busy, then they don't need our business anyway .

Our no-go list now includes CRT, Ohana, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, and Tusker House. If I didn't love Boma so much it might be there too (for dinner anyway, breakfast has never been a problem.)

I feel like in general the wait times have gotten longer over the years. On our first trip (2008) we only waited more than 10 minutes a couple of times - CRT and GG, no surprise. But now 15 minutes is the minimum, and we feel lucky if that's all it is.

It doesn't seem right that they make you guarantee your ADR in advance with a CC, and charge you if you can't make it, but yet they are under no obligation to uphold their end of the agreement in a reasonable time frame. If they can't seat you within 30 minutes, you should automatically be released from the no-show fee. But, as long as they are keeping their restaurants full as is, they are unlikely to change anything in our favor.

 

[owynn]

My worst wait for a table with an ADR was Tony's. My wife and I waited 45 minutes for a table for two during our honeymoon. It was the first night of MVMCP in 2013. The other place we had to wait at which seemed to take forever was Akershus. I think that was about 30 minutes for a breakfast.

 

[midnightlouise]

We waited over 45 minutes for Coral Reef once, and that was too long. (And it's not like it's that easy to just cancel and go somewhere else, because you're liable to be charged for cancelling, plus every other TS is likely to be full up as well!) 20-30 minutes I can live with, and that was about average for our last trip during free dining.

 

[maxiesmom]

Not go back.

That is always an option too.

 

[Dean Marino]

I always plan on waiting 30 minutes.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! I think you get good restaurants . YES - reservations are pretty much a "time window" for the staff to work you into the flow of a restaurant. And the better the restaurant, the more you MAY need to wait. Sandwich? Yup - takes about 5 minutes. SERIOUS dinner? Well, a bit longer .

Background - my Father was a maître d' in San Francisco for MANY years. Generally, a really GOOD restaurant is not run like a car wash... . One's wait is engineered to make your dining PERFECT.

I'm with you. I always check in at least 15 minutes EARLY, and expect to be seated a good 20 minutes LATE. These are not Burger Barns.... they are serious RESTARANTS .

 

[Kkb0517]

I think the longest I have waited has been about 20 minutes at 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, Le Cellier, and Hollywood Brown Derby. Otherwise it's been as soon as I check in or within 10 minutes. That includes other visits to Crystal Palace and Hollywood Brown Derby.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are not reservations in a traditional sense. An ADR (which I admit is a confusing name if you are not in the know) is simply them putting you in line for the next table for your party size. The restaurant is not going to force people out and, if you happen to be unlucky, that could mean a unexpected longer wait for your table. You also have to remember that you are placed in line behind those with ADRs before you so you are not automatically NEXT in line either.

As for empty tables and yet still a wait to be seated, there could be many variables at play there. Most often it is due to absences either in the kitchen or among the wait staff. They won't seat more then the current kitchen or wait staff can handle. Would you rather wait a bit longer in the lobby, or be seated and have sub par service and food because they overwhelmed the CMs? Sometimes people call in last minute and you simply can't find a replacement. It happens. Anyone who has managed any sort of business knows that.

I understand that this is standard practice (to not seat people if there isn't enough staff) but I personally would much rather sit at a table with slower serve than stand in a crowded lobby.

 

[jrmasm]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! I think you get good restaurants . YES - reservations are pretty much a "time window" for the staff to work you into the flow of a restaurant. And the better the restaurant, the more you MAY need to wait. Sandwich? Yup - takes about 5 minutes. SERIOUS dinner? Well, a bit longer .

Background - my Father was a maître d' in San Francisco for MANY years. Generally, a really GOOD restaurant is not run like a car wash... . One's wait is engineered to make your dining PERFECT.

I'm with you. I always check in at least 15 minutes EARLY, and expect to be seated a good 20 minutes LATE. These are not Burger Barns.... they are serious RESTARANTS .

Maybe if the wait leads to an outstanding experience but mediocre, nope, not going back.

 

[sleepymouse]

Just curious if the long Ohana wait is for dinner only or just as long for breakfast?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Just curious if the long Ohana wait is for dinner only or just as long for breakfast?

It's breakfast, too. Our last two times for breakfast have been 30 & 45 minute waits with ADR's.

 

[Hoopfamily]

Historically we expect a wait between 15 to 30 minutes. Sometimes we get seated almost immediately. Last September however we waited 1 hour 30 minutes at 50's prime time.