Still wait time with ADR?

[klam_chowder]

Generally speaking, what's the wait time if one has dinner ADRs? Are patrons seated pretty close to their ADR time or is there usually a wait?

Also, what's the acceptable "window" to arrive for an ADR? Obviously we will try to be on-time, but if we are held up due to Disney transportation, etc. and are late do they cancel the ADR? If so, after 5 min late? 15? 30 min? When are patrons deemed a "no show"?

I'm just curious as we will be there from Dec 24 to Jan 1, with ADRs between 6:10 and 7:50 pm, and was wondering what to expect. Thx for any insights.

cheers,

 

[MicheinMA]

We were there for April school vacation with ADR's in the time frame you are speaking of. We only had 2 experiences where we had to wait past our ADR time-I should say more than 5 minutes. We arrived either early or right on time for all of them and with the exception of Le Cellier-over 30 minutes past our ADR and Coral Reef-about 20 minutes past-we were seated within a few minutes of checking in.

Not sure about when they cancel or deem you a no show. Have fun!

 

[disnut8]

Disney suggests you arrive at least 5 minutes before your stated reservation time. It never hurts to get there earlier. After 15 minutes late, you will be considered a no show. However, if you are held up due to circumstances beyond your control (ride breakdown while you were on it, bus not showing up on time, but not because you just had to see the next show of The Voyage of the Little Mermaid), get to the restaurant as soon as possible and explain what happened. They will do everything they can to get you in as soon as possible.

The longest we've ever had to wait with a reservation was 15 minutes for a party of tweleve for dinner at LeCellier. The longest we've ever had to wait when we had a reservation but showed up an hour early, was about 45 minutes (we were done with the park but still wanted lunch at that restaurant). I've never done a walk up.

 

[bdcp]

We waited at Le Cellier at least 20 minutes past our ADR time and at Ohana at least 15. We also tend to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before our ADR times so our wait can be long. I have never been seated at my ADR time.

 

[SnowWtch]

We've actually gotten to some of our ADR's as much as an hour early and been seated in 5 minutes. The longest we waited was OHana's one night but we were seated at our exact ADR time even though we got there early. Of course, it's just DH and me so that might be why our wait time is usually short.

 

[Hopefully]

We waited 30 minutes past our ADR time at 'OHana and for 45 minutes, after checking in early at Jiko. Most times we were seated within 15 minutes of our ADR times.

 

[klam_chowder]

Thx a mint all for sharing your experiences! It certainly gives me a better idea of what to expect.

cheers,

 

[cremebrulee]

We usually show up about 20-30 minutes before our ADR time and end up waiting about 10 minutes.

 

[LilGMom]

We usually show up at least 10-15 minutes prior to our ADR and have been seated within 5-10 minutes of our ADR time. The only exception to that was at Boatwright's at POR.

We showed up to Boatwrights 20 minutes early and were told that as soon as our ADR time came up that we were first on the list. Well, our ADR time came and went and we didn't get seated. We were standing near the check-in desk and heard no fewer than three guests show up anywhere between 30-60 minutes late for the ADRs. We kept getting bumped down on the list and after 45 minutes with no chance of being seated we left. Not the best experience when it is going on 7:45 and you have two small children that are hungry.

I would try as hard as possible to be early and on time for ADRs because when you are late you than push other peoples' ADR times back and could cause someone else to be late for something or cause others to not get a table in a timely manner.

I always thought that after 20-30 minutes that all restaurants would consider a person a no-show but I guess that is up to the individual restaurant.

 

[tar heel]

We were seated early at Whispering Canyon and 50s Prime Time Dec. 22 and 23, respectively. We were seated within 5 minutes of our ADR time at Tusker House on Dec. 24.

On Christmas Day, we had a 5:15 at Raglan Road and were seated at 7:20. This is NOT a typo. It appeared that they were taking anyone who walked up. You had to wait in line to check in, which took almost 30 minutes. I guess it's possible that the 20-30 people ahead of us in line all had ADRs, but somehow I doubt it. Definitely not a good experience.