Picking ADR times

[CheriePenguin]

Are ADR times in 5 - 10 - or 15 minute intervals, or does it vary by restaurant? I've seen a variety of ADR times people have posted. Most people probably request an :00, :15, :30, or :45 time. I thought I read somewhere that the CMs won't necessarily suggest a time to you, but only check the times you ask about.

Is there a benefit to picking a time just before an hour/half hour (like 6:55)?

I'm assuming if you have the very first time slot a restaurant is open, you're pretty certain on getting in on time (if you arrive on time). And I'm assuming they assign the times kind of in waves - i.e. not every table in the place for 8am, since then no one would be out yet at 8:15.

Which plays more into how soon you get your table - your ADR time or the time you check in? (For example, if two people arrive at 9:00 and one had an ADR time of 9:20 and one had a time of 9:30, would the 9:20 one get taken first?)

Thanks for any info/advice - my 180 day window opens tomorrow!

 

[skw444]

I don't know the answer for sure, but I would guess they are in 5 or 10 minute increments. The reason I say this is that I have a 5:30 (Le Cellier), 5:40 (Coral Ree), a 6:10 (Crystal Palace) and an 8:55 (Boatwrights) reservation for my trip in September.

 

[goofygal531]

I have found that the time you check in matters more.

Just having a ADR holds a lot of weight!

Many many times we've wanted to dine earlier than our ADR and we went to the podium and as long as we DID have an ADR, they would fit us in earlier. Earlier, like an hour earlier, if they could.

I have seen them turn people away without ADRs.

The only advantage I've found is 11:30 lunch. Not alot of people know they start that early. I found some restaurants even start lunch at 11am. This works for us when we get do EMH. We eat a lite breakfast at 7am, head to the park, then by 11am we're starving and ready for lunch. The restaurants are often empty, food is fresh and wait staff very attentive.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Thanks for the notes so far -
any other input? Tomorrow's my ADR call day!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I've never had a problem with getting a CM to suggest other openings. I usually say 'Kona Cafe for around 530' and they tell me what is available, if 530 isn't.

I'm just prepared with the restaurant name and approx time I'd like to eat and go from there. At 180 days out, I can't imagine you'll have issue getting the exact slot you want. I've never done it that far out and have never had an issue getting what I wanted within 5-10 minutes timeframe.