So since we have never been there before I decided to watch some youtube videos. Looks like each car has three rows. We are a family of 4. Will we be seated in a car with another party of 2? I'm hoping my kids get the front row seat. Thanks!
Nope. they run late usually. If you want to spend the time waiting to get in by 5, get there by 4:30.ADR at 5:20. Trying to get it earlier at 5. Should we bother checking in early? Or do they run late?
Yep. Exactly. The thing with dining, as anyone knows, the best laid schedule can go to pot when 1 party decides to hang at the table and chat. I mean, sure the restaurant knows the avg time to get food and eat. But they don't kick folks out of their table so a few lingering parties and your entire schedule for the day is thrown off. At Disney this is compounded by many who want to linger to stay off their feet and/or in the air conditioning.You will likely receive varying opinions based on varying experiences.
In my opinion, Disney does not knowingly make people wait for tables at any restaurant....unless there is cocktail bar where you can spend money before dining.....
I am known for being 'notoriously early' for just about any appointment, and Disney ADR's are no exception.
More often than not, I check-in early (which typically means no more than 15-minutes early, as per Disney policy). Sometimes I get seated before my scheduled ADR; sometimes I wait.
In other words, I don't believe there is only one answer, just varying experiences.
But if you want advice about the virtue of an early check-in, I'm here to encourage that notion at Sci-Fi or anywhere else.