Running late

[Dug720]

‍ I’ve totally been asked if my whole party was there! We were way passed our reservation time but they did seat us once they got out of the Kilimanjaro safaris. I didn’t realize how long that ride would take!

Safaris are totally dependent on the animals. In February, we sat for 20 minutes because one of the Ankole Cattle decided it would be fun to just stand in the middle of the "drive". Finally one of the keepers who was baiting trees for the giraffes headed over there and got him to move just enough that the vehicles could move again. I swear he stuck his tongue out at every vehicle that passed - I know he did mine (my darn camera was too slow to get it - but he looked quite pleased with himself).

 

[Hopefully]

That’s not true at wdw. They don’t ask that.

YES. They do. Your experience is not the absolute

 

[DisneyFive]

I would highly recommend moving your fp time. Then... no worries

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Thanks everyone...I think I'll look into changing times for the frozen show

 

[merdie]

That’s not true at wdw. They don’t ask that.

I was asked at Tusker House yesterday and at BOG dinner the night before. Twice already in one week, so yes they do.

 

[MomOTwins]

One morning we had a bus break down from our resort and were late for our PPO breakfast BOG. I sprinted through MK at got there 20 minutes late while hubby did the bag check and followed with the kids. One arrival (1) they told me they could not check me in until my entire party was there, and (2) transportation delays are pretty much something they generally try to accommodate, since that happens all the time and they understand that is not our fault. They did accommodate us and sat us, but I did not get the impression that is guaranteed, and I think we were a bit lucky. For me, the takeaways are they may require your whole party, and if you are going to be late it's better if the excuse is something entirely out of your control. I think OP is making the right call by moving the reservation.

 

[Duck143]

I have always been asked if our entire party is there. They won't seat us until the whole party is present, but they didn't penalize us for half our party being late.
During our trip, we had a ton of rain and pop up torrential downpours, which made us run for cover and we ended up being late to some of ADR's. We were always sat when a table was ready. I am not condoning showing up late, just saying that no one reprimanded us for being late due to the weather.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Disney is consistently inconsistent, though inside the parks, they do err on the side of being "magical."

Our anecdotal experience: we were late leaving our hotel (Yacht) for a late morning ADR for Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. Barely missed the bus, so hailed a Minnie van, got in it, strapped the kid in, made it to AK, made it through security, had issues with my magic band, dealt with guest services trying to fix that, and ended up 15 minutes late. We were seated almost immediately and enjoyed our meal. So in our case, it did work out.

 

[cleopenn]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Disney is consistently inconsistent, though inside the parks, they do err on the side of being "magical."

Our anecdotal experience: we were late leaving our hotel (Yacht) for a late morning ADR for Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. Barely missed the bus, so hailed a Minnie van, got in it, strapped the kid in, made it to AK, made it through security, had issues with my magic band, dealt with guest services trying to fix that, and ended up 15 minutes late. We were seated almost immediately and enjoyed our meal. So in our case, it did work out.

Good advice.

For our Jinko reservation, we waited and waited for the buses and finally gave up and got an Uber. I asked the front desk to call over to Jinko to explain we might be late and was told not to bother going, that they will automatically cancel our reservation (nice, not!). We went anyway and the hostess was very nice about it.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've almost missed one ADR due to an accident on the road. We were told at check in the only reason they would seat us late is because the monorail was down too, so as Disney had a problem they were seating late guests.

 

[sullyfam]

If it's an unplanned "late" then that's one thing and they are usually fine about this as long as you're arriving within a reasonable amount of time of your ADR time. It could be longer than 15-20 minutes and be fine depending on the circumstance too. For example, we were stuck on the People Mover once because it broke down and we ended up around 30 minutes late to our ADR. The restaurant sat us anyways. If you stroll in unreasonably late without good reason, I'm sure they probably tell you you missed your chance.

If it's a planned "late" and you already know ahead of time because of something else you have scheduled, I would either try to move the ADR or move whatever else you have scheduled. Less stress on you and better all around if doable. There's nothing worse than running around like a maniac and being stressed on vacation so I would take the extra time now and try to change it.

As for sitting without your whole party, they won't do this. We ran into this issue multiple times on our trip with extended family. Our extended family was always late and they would never seat us without everyone being there (multiple restaurants, multiple parks, resorts, it was always the same). They would give us a "grace" period to wait for extended family and if they weren't there by that time, we could either be sat without them or forfeit our ADR and join the list of walk ins and wait for a table.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

As others have said, I wouldn't risk being late for your ADR. Especially for a Frozen FP, which you don't even need. Change the FP to something else and enjoy your reservation at H&V.

 

[rg35]

That’s not true at wdw. They don’t ask that.

We've been asked this at pretty much every ADR at WDW when the whole party isn't right in front of the check in podium.

 

[4Hawks]

We were 45 min late for a PPO ADR at H&V thanks to the AKV bus being 1hr+ late. They still gave us a table. They even waited for us to sign up for Jedi training.

 

[gharter]

I would either go to a different time for the Frozen show or try and change your ADR. Been to the Frozen show twice and neither was full.

 

[Nancyg56]

That’s not true at wdw. They don’t ask that.

They absolutely do ask this. I have been asked at just about every meal I have had in over 13 years.

Not sure what you mean by official. They will not ever turn you away within 15 minutes of your res time at any wdw restaurant ever.

They can and they do, so it is best not to provide this kind of information unless you are absolutely positive you are absolutely right. And you are not.

 

[freshmanjs]

They absolutely do ask this. I have been asked at just about every meal I have had in over 13 years.



They can and they do, so it is best not to provide this kind of information unless you are absolutely positive you are absolutely right. And you are not.

I'm still waiting for the example of the person who was 1 minute late and was told to leave the restaurant. Doesn't exist...

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm still waiting for the example of the person who was 1 minute late and was told to leave the restaurant. Doesn't exist...

I do not recall anyone suggesting that there was a one minute late penalty. I do know that the individual estaurants reserve the right to cancel if a party is late.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

We were seated more than a few times with no reservations. More than I can remember, we decided we wanted a TS instead of QS and I can tell you we never were turned away. One exampe last year at Epcot we were inside the mexican pavilion and I cannot remember the name of the restaurant on the water by the boat ride but after the ride I walked to the hostess and asked if any tables were available and she said no. I asked if I could hang around for 10-15 minutes to see if someone missed their ADR and she said sure. I let the girls go to the coloring station and sure enough 10 minutes later I was told there was a no show so she sat us. I'm not sure if the person(s) showed up but that place was packed so I doubt they got seated.

 

[freshmanjs]

I do not recall anyone suggesting that there was a one minute late penalty. I do know that the individual estaurants reserve the right to cancel if a party is late.

Within 15 min, they will not turn you away. They have the *right* to turn away anyone for any reason other than protected classes. They don't do it.