Has anyone ever been seated early?

[GrumpyFannyPack]

Just wondering....has anyone ever been seated before their actual ADR time? And I mean like a significant amount of time before, not just a minute or two. We have 8:55 pm reservations at O'hana and would like to make it back to MK for EMH that end at 11:00. We are trying to change times, but more than likely won't be able to.

 

[happymom52003]

It is possible, but I think it depends on the restaurant, how busy they are, and who you happen to ask.

We've been seated early (like more than an hour early) a couple of times at The Garden Grill and once at 1900 Park Fare, but were told no at Sci Fi Dine in when we tried.

We also were told no one time at 50's Prime Time....we were about 45 minutes early, and were dead tired so decided to ask if they would seat us early. They said we could go ahead and check in, but we would not be called until our adr time. We decided to wait, and about 10 minutes later they sat us.

It is worth trying, knowing that there is a good chance they will say no. But you could always check in early and then just enjoy the atmosphere of the Polynesian lobby, and hope they end up sitting you early. I could sit in that lobby all day and be happy!

 

[GrumpyFannyPack]

Thanks for the info. I imagine we'll just have to try our luck. It'll be our first time at O'hana. What should we figure for total meal time....little over an hour or so?

 

[mouselvrmom]

We got seated early at Marrakesh last time. It had just poured and we were caught in it, so I'm sure we looked so bedraggled and tired (it was our first night so we had travelled) that they took mercy on us! :lol:

 

[zurgandfriend]

Seated early at the following:

Chefs de France - dinner

Tutto Italia - Lunch

Walked right in no wait every time we dined at Biergarten lunch/dinner

Walked right into Akerhaus for dinner

Walked right into Kona Cafe Breakfast several time

 

[mousebymarriage]

On our last trip this past Feb(6th-13th) we were able to get in early both times we tried.

-the first ressie was at H&V for dinner and we got there about 45 minutes before our ressie and they sat us immediately. We had done everything we wanted to do at DHS and figured it was worth a shot. The restaurant must have just "opened" for dinner and there were only about a half dozen or so tables in use when we got there.

-The second ressie was at LTT for dinner and we got there over an hour before our ressie and they sat us immediately. However, it was freezing cold that day and absolutely pouring rain(I mean buckets) all day. The park was virtually empty by early afternoon and LTT was pretty much a ghost town at 5pm.

 

[bluejasmine]

Depends during FD in a popular restaurant slim to none.. We've tried.. heck getting seated AT your ADR time during FD is hard enough..lol

 

[sbkline]

I'm the type that likes to get to places early alot of the time. For example, I like to get to work half hour or 45 minutes early so I can sit in the breakroom and have my coffee and visit a little. So alot of times, we'll get to the restaraunt early, either for that reason, or because we've pretty much done everything we want to do in the parks, or everything we have time to do without encroaching upon our ADR time by standing in line plus the amount of time to do the attraction. A good portion of the time when we get there early and let them know we're there, we end up getting seated early...as in 10, 20, 30 minutes early.

We had an ADR for 50s Prime Time back in April. I can't remember exactly what time it was for, but we got there a half our or 45 minutes early (I can't remember exactly how early), and they came and got us in about 10 minutes. We don't usually ask to be seated early. I just say, "ya we have an (insert time here) ADR, and I know we're a little early but we thought we'd just check in and let you know we're here".

 

[durangojim]

We were seated about an hour early at Boma one evening. I had asked if we could be because our kids were getting very tired, and wouldn't make it to our ADR time. The CM was very accomodating and also told me that 99% of the time a party would be seated up to an hour and a half early as long as they would be willing to wait for 10-15 minutes. Apparently there are usually enough people who don't show even at very popular restaurants where accomodations can be made to seat guests (even if you're an hour late). If you don't have an ADR you're out of luck though as people will be turned away like at Le Cellier.

 

[blackthidot]

Yes...The earlier you arrive the better chance you have. It has happened almost everywhere we ate.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

the only times we've been seated early is when it's a venue where we're the first or one of the first reservation times. for example we had a 5-ish adr at narcoossee's and were seated earlier than our adr time. it's never happened for us inside the park tho.

 

[muteki]

If you are early to a certain point you are probably just treated as a walk in with no reservation. That being said the actual wait time might be longer but you will still start eating sooner than your scheduled reservation.

 

[Erin_Akey]

Last night had a 9:20 adr at Sci-Fi. Got there at 8:40 and were seated by nine. Today had breakfast adr at Kona Cafe for 10:45. Got there at 10:00 a.d seated at 10:10.

I think it just depends on time of year. At Christmas we have never been seated early.

 

[WVParkfan]

Yes...The earlier you arrive the better chance you have. It has happened almost everywhere we ate.

Ditto. We usually arrive 1 hour early for ADR's. However, we only usually do 1 or 2 per trip (Character Meal, etc.) and the rest are CS. We've been seated early at CRT, Akershus, Chef Mickey's, and Boma. The only time we were not seated early was at O'Hana.

If we were doing ADR's for every meal, then I don't know if we'd show up so early. But it's not hard if you only do 1 or 2 per trip.

 

[Stevek]

Quick question...are there typcially walk up tables available for people without ADR's? We currently have reservations for Chef Mickey's at 6:35 (only time available) but were hoping we could get in closer to 5 as we're going to the Christmas Party that same night.

Or would be be better off showing up around 5:30 and just asking if they can seat us earlier?

Any advice is greatly appreciated as we're trying to eat a little earlier so we can fully enjoy the Christmas Party.

 

[whitney37354]

We left 1 hour before ADR's every time and were seated early everywhere except 1900 PF at GF & Tony's. We were given a pager and waited in the lobby at those two and DD took a nap both times while we waited. I truly was surprised that we got in so early at some places, but I took it! Other places we waited a few minutes but were still seated before our ADR time. Sometimes we just walked right in (CM, Cindy's Castle, GG).