Late for ADR

[jemtx]

What’s the leeway for running late for an ADR before they charge you as a no-show?
Thanks.

 

[sponica]

It's the manager's discretion (I believe). Unofficially 10 minutes, officially 0 minutes.

 

[jemtx]

Thanks.

 

[shocker]

I've done it too many times to count, never been charged, never turned away, usually they want to take my meal $$, not get $10. One time I was so late they could no longer see the ressie & had to dig it out of the archives...I still ate. I do not fear being late. This is just what has happened to me, YMMV.

Happy Planning.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

There is no official grace period but generally you're safe within 15 minutes.
But really you should be planning to arrive a few minutes EARLY so then if you're running a few minutes behind then you'd be showing up right on time.

 

[jemtx]

I've done it too many times to count, never been charged, never turned away, usually they want to take my meal $$, not get $10. One time I was so late they could no longer see the ressie & had to dig it out of the archives...I still ate. I do not fear being late. This is just what has happened to me, YMMV.

Happy Planning.

Thanks.

 

[gharter]

Officially, they want you checking a few minutes early.
The few times we have been late for an ADR, we have not had an issue.
However, it seems like it up to the managers preference.

 

[jemtx]

Officially, they want you checking a few minutes early.
The few times we have been late for an ADR, we have not had an issue.
However, it seems like it up to the managers preference.

Thanks.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have seen people turned away from being late. Including someone who checked in for their reservation within the so called official 15 minute lee way. There is no guaranteed amount of time you can be late. It is up to the restaurant and their current needs/status.

Plan on being 15 minutes early.

 

[Redhead5]

One time, I changed the reservation time and forgot. We showed up at 7 PM and were two hours late. It was totally my fault. We had to wait around 15 minutes and they took us to a table anyway. I wasn't charged the fee (but was very embarrassed.)

 

[jemtx]

I have seen people turned away from being late. Including someone who checked in for their reservation within the so called official 15 minute lee way. There is no guaranteed amount of time you can be late. It is up to the restaurant and their current needs/status.

Plan on being 15 minutes early.

Thanks. I think I might switch to the later ADR time—just in case. I have 6 pm, but I think I’ll move to 6:30 and just shoot for being there in the middle of the two.

 

[sullyfam]

No official grace period that I know of but I’ve heard within 15 minutes of ADR which sounds reasonable. A lot of things can happen beyond your control when you are in the parks (ride malfunctions/transportation issues) and it sort of “is what it is.” Now, I wouldn’t show up 30-45 minutes late or make a habit of being late.

But, it’s not as if the ADR means a table is sitting there unoccupied until you get there. The restaurants take as many reservations as they can at any given time given their capacity. And then the restaurant traffic ebbs and flows throughout the day. Even if you come in a bit past your ADR, they just put you in the queue. Now if they are very busy and you show up 30 minutes late and everyone that has that reservation time showed up early or on time and more people like you also came late, they may not be able to accommodate you because they are at max capacity. They will probably tell you they can put you on the general wait list if that’s the case.

If I know we’re up against transport or other issues before the trip or even 24 hours in advance, I just try and change the ADR ahead of time to avoid the stress. Hope this helps.

 

[jemtx]

No official grace period that I know of but I’ve heard within 15 minutes of ADR which sounds reasonable. A lot of things can happen beyond your control when you are in the parks (ride malfunctions/transportation issues) and it sort of “is what it is.” Now, I wouldn’t show up 30-45 minutes late or make a habit of being late.

But, it’s not as if the ADR means a table is sitting there unoccupied until you get there. The restaurants take as many reservations as they can at any given time given their capacity. And then the restaurant traffic ebbs and flows throughout the day. Even if you come in a bit past your ADR, they just put you in the queue. Now if they are very busy and you show up 30 minutes late and everyone that has that reservation time showed up early or on time and more people like you also came late, they may not be able to accommodate you because they are at max capacity. They will probably tell you they can put you on the general wait list if that’s the case.

If I know we’re up against transport or other issues before the trip or even 24 hours in advance, I just try and change the ADR ahead of time to avoid the stress. Hope this helps.

Thank you.

 

[Hopefully]

With an ADR you are expected to check in a few minutes before and that is your responsibility. Transportation times, FP+ windows etc need to be planned for. On the other hand I have been reading Trip Advisor Restaurant reviews. Across the board the negative reviews flow around delayed seating with a “reservation “.
Disney DOES NOT take traditional reservations. An ADR for 7 does NOT hold a table for you at 7. It puts you in for the next available size table for your party. When you are seated will vary.
Disney does a very poor job of communicating this practice.

 

[Candris79]

I was an hour late and the sat us no problem, at Ohana I believe.

 

[pixiedustedme]

What’s the leeway for running late for an ADR before they charge you as a no-show?
Thanks.

I called Disney Dining to ask this a few years ago, and they said ressies would be held for 20 minutes. We've been that late before multiple times with no problems at any restaurant.

 

[jemtx]

I called Disney Dining to ask this a few years ago, and they said ressies would be held for 20 minutes. We've been that late before multiple times with no problems at any restaurant.

Thanks

 

[piccolopat]

I agree with other PP that if you are only a few minutes late, most restaurants will still seat you. I think switching your ADR to a slightly later time is the right decision. I really dislike it when people think they can ignore their time and show up whenever they want. They are denying others the ADR time slot that they had no intention of being on time for. Sooner or later they will be turned away and incur the no show fee. I'm glad you aren't one of them.

 

[cmwade77]

Generally speaking it isn't an issue, a good option if you are indeed running late is stop by any other TS and have them phone over to the location and let them know. You can also modify the reservation time from the MDE app to avoid the no show fee.

Ideally we would all show up on time, but sometimes things happen that are out of our control, such as a ride break down, someone gets sick (contact the restaurant if this happens, they would rather waive the fee than have someone who is sick eating there), etc.

 

[jemtx]

I agree with other PP that if you are only a few minutes late, most restaurants will still seat you. I think switching your ADR to a slightly later time is the right decision. I really dislike it when people think they can ignore their time and show up whenever they want. They are denying others the ADR time slot that they had no intention of being on time for. Sooner or later they will be turned away and incur the no show fee. I'm glad you aren't one of them.

Thank you!