What happens if youre late?

[minnie29uk]

Hi All,
Ive booked two character meals for 6 PM - leaving AK at 5 to get there by WDW buses.
What happens if youre late for your booking?

Thanks,
Lynn

 

[bicker]

From what I've heard, they'll hold your reservation for 20 minutes.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

It shouldn't be a problem but you may have to wait a little longer. We have seen people over an hour late still get in. There are enough people that show up early that they can generally shift things around.

 

[bicker]

Actually, the CMs I asked about it indicate that, for dinner, at least, folks generally arrive late rather than early. (I'm one of those weird people who tend to arrive early.) By the same token, many restaurant can often accommodate walk-ups, so I'd assume they'll be able to accommodate a late reservation as well they accommodate a walk-up. Just don't try this at restaurants for which it is difficult to get a late reservation to start with.

 

[tinkamom]

We were late for many ADRs and had no problem at all being seated!

 

[Bronte]

If we plan to do the Hoop-Dee Doo at 5:00 and will be arriving from the A.K. do you think we have enough time still to see the Parade or should we really do the 7:15 show?
Thanks,
Bronte

 

[minnie29uk]

We were late for many ADRs and had no problem at all being seated!

Thanks,I should be on time.But it saves worrying too much about it,

Lynn

 

[indigoxtreme]

If we plan to do the Hoop-Dee Doo at 5:00 and will be arriving from the A.K. do you think we have enough time still to see the Parade or should we really do the 7:15 show?
Thanks,
Bronte

You really cannot be late for Hoop as it is a show and everything is served on a schedule witht he show. If you think you will be late switch to a later time and allow yourself pleanty of time to get there.

 

[shellybaxter]

If we plan to do the Hoop-Dee Doo at 5:00 and will be arriving from the A.K. do you think we have enough time still to see the Parade or should we really do the 7:15 show?
Thanks,
Bronte

The hoop dee doo is a little harder to get to and takes a bit more time. Even if you take the Fort Wilderness Bus I believe you have to switch to an internal bus to get to the hall for the show. If you take the MK bus you will have to switch to the boat that goes to FW. I would say go with the 7:15 show. If you want the 5:00 show I wouldn't leave AK any later than 3:30

 

[crisi]

I saw a family turned away from the princess breakfast at Epcot for being late. The woman kept saying "but we were only eight minutes" and the hostess kept saying "I'm sorry, this is a very popular meal, when you weren't here on time we gave your table away, there isn't anything I can do."

So I'm going against the grain - be on time for a character meal reservation for dinner. It probably isn't a huge deal at Marrakesh, but it could be a big deal at Akershus.

 

[webray]

I wouldn't count on them holding your ressie, it probably depends on the host/hostess at whatever restaurant.

We learned the hard way what happens if you are late this past saturday night. Had a 6:45pm reservation at Raglan Road, party of 7. All were there but two, I told the 5 to check in at 6:35 and ask to be seated, we were pulling up and parking. The hostess would not seat them, we arrived, 6:45 on the button, checked in again, with the other 5 who were there already and on time. They didn't even have us on the list..now keep in mind we were on time, not even late..ugh. Anyway, the hostess and crossed our name off the reservation list when the first party tried to check in, so we had to wait for a table and with a party of 7 it isn't quite as easy as a party of 2 or 4.

She said well mam it is only a priority seating, I said I know all about priority seating, but you gave our table away and we aren't even late, right..she said yes mam.

We got seated about 20 minutes later. The food was good, service was good, but the hostess on duty saturday night..chubby girl with black hair..not impressive at all and needs to be fired.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

We somehow made it on time with our adr's but not sure how. Trying to catch buses from the resorts 1st thing can be a fun thing to do, make sure to allow enough transportation time and walking time to get to where you are going.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I had a 5:50 pm reservation for California Grill, which I somehow turned into a 6:50 reservation. We were headed to the monorail at 6 pm to go to the Contemporary when my husband mentioned that he thought the reservation was for an earlier time.

Needless to say I panicked! Especially because of the $20 per person charge if you don't show for a reservation. I called the California Grill and let them know we were going to be late and they said no problem. We did not arrive until 6:40 and they seated us right away. I felt very lucky.

This was in January; don't know if they would have been as accomodating at a busy time of the year.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We were late once for the CRT princess breakfast and I had to beg to be let in. Wasn't pleasant. I'm never late for an ADR and we wouldn't have been this time if we hadn't been stuck on a ride somewhere.

It isn't worth the worry, so give yourself extra time.

 

[shellybaxter]

We were late once for the CRT princess breakfast and I had to beg to be let in. Wasn't pleasant. I'm never late for an ADR and we wouldn't have been this time if we hadn't been stuck on a ride somewhere.

It isn't worth the worry, so give yourself extra time.

It seems Disney is as inconsistant with this as with most things. On the flip side of Marykatesmom's expirience my manicurist went to Disney in July. She stayed offsite with family for a few days. They had ressies for lunch at CRT for five people. Their family decided they wanted to go with them to CRT. They were slow getting ready and traffic was heavier than they expected. The group of eight showed up for an ADR made for 5 people - 25 mins late - and they were seated within 20 mins with no questions asked. It appears like a lot of things, its really up to the cast member.

 

[cjsmith]

I think it all depends on how crowded the restaurant is and how many ADR's they have. Not every place has room for walk ups and I've been at restaurant plenty of times when people are turned away during busy times of the year. I've been told more than once they about 15 minutes is the time they allow you to be late and after that it's at their discretion how whether or not to let you and it all depends on occupany and ADR counts.