Hi
Queannah,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! It sounds like you have another Walt Disney World Resort vacation planned. I hope it will be filled with pixie-dusted moments!
I always try to have a few
Advanced Dining Reservations planned so I know we'll actually stop to enjoy a meal. However, we frequently get off schedule. A few times I have checked in as early as 30 minutes before a dining reservation at Walt Disney World Resort. Sometimes checking in early means being seated at a table early and sometimes it means waiting 30 minutes for a table to be available. They do recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your reservation time.
I have also checked in about 15 late for a reservation. The results have been mixed with that, as well. I have been seated quickly and I have had to wait for a bit. I spoke with a Cast Member but there is no set time where they will cancel your reservation. What to do with latecomers is left up to the management at the restaurant. If you are exceptionally late it may take quite some time for you to be seated and in rare cases, they may not be able to seat you. I promise I have arrived on time for some of my reservations! I always strive to be on time for my reservation because I do believe the Cast Members do their best to seat parties as close to their reservation times as possible.
Queannah, thank you for visiting us again! I hope you'll let us know if we can help you with any other planning questions.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy H.