Why do CP ADRs have to be so early?

[ptrbryant]

When I'd called to inquire about CP packages, it seemed like you couldn't have an ADR for less than like 3 hours before the show. If it takes 1 - 1/2 hours to eat, and you're guaranteed a seat, why do you then have to wait another 1 1/2 to 2 hours? The advice here has been that if you DON'T have a CP package, you should get in line an hour ahead of time. So, it seems like the package is less time efficient?

Karla B.

 

[tlens]

Because you wait forever to get a table.

We had a CP package at Bistro de Paris. It was for after the CP. We waited over 1 1/2 hours for our table. It was insane.

 

[disnut8]

I'm not sure "guaranteed a seat" is the best wording. There's no assigned seating so it is first come first served but in the front section.

Three hours seems reasonable. I'm sure there is a wait time for getting seated factored in there (although 1-1/2 hours is way unreasonable). Then a nice unrushed meal. Payment of the bill, a bathroom stop, and walking to the theatre. So 30 minutes to wait for a table (that's a conservative estimate, I am not saying it's going to take you that long to get seated), 1-1/2 hours for dinner, another 30 minutes to get to the theatre. That's two hours.

I'm sure Disney don't want to have someone sit down for their meal two hours before the show, have to feel like they need to hurry through dinner, run to the theatre and then find a seat at the last minute.

Yes, the times are padded but it's better to be cautious when you are paying that kind of money, than to have upset people.

 

[princesswendy720]

Just because you finish eating before the show starts doesn't mean you have to go straight to the theater and wait in line. The benefit of having the CP package is that you get a special line and seated before the GA line and you are guaranteed a seat. So you could show up 20 minutes before the show when they start seating people and not have to wait in a line at all because it is already moving in the theater.

I think people who have a CP package and get in line early want to be in the front of the CPP seating area.

I don't plan on finishing dinner and heading straight to stand in line. Maybe we'll grab a drink or check out the countries some more in the interim. It is Disney after all there is plenty to do.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

From now on, we'll be giving ourselves more than 30 minutes to wait in line. The last time we went to the CP we were directed to sit on the concrete wall lining the walkway. This was with a CP package. My DH told them that due to my back problems that wasn't possible. We were then relocated to a bench, behind a tree, blocking much of our view. They had started seating the standby line before all on the package were seated. This caused them to run out of room for some of us. We're going again this year, & will be getting in line about an hour ahead of time.

Because you wait forever to get a table.

We had a CP package at Bistro de Paris. It was for after the CP. We waited over 1 1/2 hours for our table. It was insane.

I didn't realize Bistro offered the CP package. Who do you call to book it? We'd love that! TIA

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Let's see:
. . . 15-40 minutes ADR wait time to be seated
. . . 60-90 minutes to eat
. . . 15-20 minute walk time to theater
. . . 15-20 minute restroom break
. . . 30-40 minute seating time *

. . . 2¼-3½ hours total


NOTE: At approx the 15-30 minute mark before the performance, the non-reserved seating people are admitted and the seats are all gone.