Timing so you do not miss reservation b/c of rides?

[mom2munchkin]

Very excited to go to WDW for the first time coming in Oct. We didn't plan early enough and so I am catching up trying to figure things out. Question about how to time things to make it to reservations on time. If reservations are in the park, how do you keep from being caught in a line or on a ride when your reservation time is?

Also, if you have a reservation for a character meal and the characters end at say 10:30 and your reservation is at 10:15, will you only see the characters for 15 minutes? Will they stay until you leave b/c you got in before 10:30? Or do you need to make sure your reservation is an hr before they leave?

 

[Hootch]

often has expected wait times that you can use to determine whether you have sufficient time to ride and get to your meal. Disney usually recommends arriving 10-15 minutes before your ADR time.

You will be given the opportunity to meet all of the characters no matter when your ADR is. We've had an ADR five minutes before the scheduled closing of breakfast for Chef Mickey's. It took us about an hour to eat and there will still characters out and about. A couple had left the restaurant after ensuring that everyone had had the opportunity for a visit.

 

[addiln]

most rides have a wait time listed somewhere near the line so you should have an idea of how long it will take. i would recommond not getting in line when you are about 30 mins before your reservation. this way you can take your time to get there and not have to rush. if you are early they may seat you earlier as well

 

[OhThePain]

As the others have said there are signs at the beginning of most, if not all, rides. Just don't get on a line if it will cut it close. Sometimes taking your time to walk over to your ADR is a great way to settle down from the days activities. Leave yourself a solid 30-40 mins before your ADR to head over to the restuarant. Just incase it comes up I usually like to begin to leave a park an hour before an ADR at another park or at a resort and I usually leave about an hour and a half if traveling from one resort to another (for the most part).

You will see all the characters no matter when your ADR is. My girlfriend and I actually prefer the last breakfast ADR at restaurants. It ends up being more of a brunch then breakfast, we are never rushed to get out and sometimes you get a little extra character time since they have to be there anyway.

 

[mjp12831]

Characters rotate from table to table - they will hit your table no matter when your adr time is - you do not need to worry about timing.

Managing park time with dining reservations can be difficult - especially if you are on the Deluxe dining plan and making multiple adr's per day. One reason we did not do Deluxe the second year is that a mid day reservation can really hamstring you. When lunch is a counter service, you dont need to worry about timing.

Not sure what dining plan you're on (if any), but thought I'd mention this "challenge".