How Early to Show Up for Dining Reservations?

[HoneyBee1991]

In general, how early do you like to show up for reservations?

For one of our reservations, we would love to get in early if possible. It is a character dining location. How early can we show up?

 

[networkpro]

The standard response you'll get from Cast Members is 15 minutes.

 

[thomas998]

I would suggest you just arrive right on time, no early than that because in my experience we have never ever gotten in earlier than our reservation and for a good many of those times I listened to my wife who insisted that we always get where we are going early - all that did was have us waiting longer.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I would suggest you just arrive right on time, no early than that because in my experience we have never ever gotten in earlier than our reservation and for a good many of those times I listened to my wife who insisted that we always get where we are going early - all that did was have us waiting longer.

I’ve gotten in early before. It depends on the restaurant.

 

[crxbrett]

I’ve gotten in early before. It depends on the restaurant.

This. A few factors affect whether or not you can get in early - crowds, time of day and the restaurant location your reservations are at and how popular of a spot it is. I have showed up early quite a few times to some places and have been seated immediately and then some times have been early and still had to wait til after the reservation time had passed.

 

[erasure fan1]

I would suggest you just arrive right on time, no early than that because in my experience we have never ever gotten in earlier than our reservation and for a good many of those times I listened to my wife who insisted that we always get where we are going early - all that did was have us waiting longer.

I've found that showing up early can get you in early. But I will preface that with we almost never have ADRs for the normal times. We generally have first times for lunch and dinner. So showing up peak meal time might not work out so well.

 

[danyoung56]

I've had very good luck with showing up early. This works especially well at a restaurant that normally has pretty long waits, like 'Ohana or the Coral Reef. You're going to wait 20 to 30 minutes anyway - arriving early just starts the waiting period sooner.

 

[Nottamus]

Our first trip in 2014, we showed up at the exact time, every time. Still waited. And it felt like we spent more time wasted trying to get to a reservation on time...

now, we ballpark it. Sometimes we get there 30 minutes early and get right it. Sometimes its a wait. Like stated above, the waiting process just gets started earlier

 

[DisneyFreak]

I have found that if you show up early to a less popular restaurant you'll get seated early, a more popular restaurant you'll get seated on time or late.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

When we first started taking our kids (2010), our reservations said to show up at least 15 min early. After our last trip (Dec 2017), most of the CMs were saying 5 min early should be the standard. As for how long it takes to be seated, who knows. We've been seated early, late and on time...so it's just how efficiently things are running for them at that moment.

 

[Patcheslee]

Just a theory but it may also depend on how far into service you are booked. Earlier times for each service may mean less chance they have gotten behind.

 

[HoneyBee1991]

Thank you, everyone! I really appreciate the help

 

[Chernabog75]

Just got back 2 weeks ago. Typically checked in 15 minutes early. Was sat early multiple times including 1900, Ohana and Les Chef. Ohana was funny because I checked in almost a half hour early (too hot in the parks) and was told I might get in a little early. Pager went off before I had a chance to sit down

 

[Shouldigo12]

When I went in March I was told you can check in 15 minutes before youe reservation time and they won't seat you before that. Other people on here seem to have luck with arriving up to 30 minutes early, so it may depend on who's working that night.

 

[JIMINYCR]

You are told to check in 15 min before. But we have at times arrived earlier due to getting through the park faster than we had planned or just being stuck with not enough time to do another ride and being close to the dining place and reservation time. Checking in early you may be told to wait and you will be called, which means a longer wait or you could be seated earlier if youre lucky. We have been seated earlier than our scheduled time a few times. It depends on how fast the tables are turning over, and if you have a spot. Disney would rather seat you and serve you IF theres a table opened so they can get more diners in that night.