Beach Blanket Buffet or Topsiders?

[HoosierFrog]

For all you dissers out there or anyone who just wants to throw in there two cents. When first boarding, which do you prefer and why? Is the only difference the crowd, or is the view and food selection part of your choice?

TIA,

Tim

 

[skylynx]

You won't have to agonize over this choice...one's on Wonder and the other is on Magic.

 

[HoosierFrog]

If I would have only read more closely, my apologies. Here I thought I had actually learned the ship, lol. Are there usually two places to eat when boarding the Wonder? I've heard of people beng directed to one location but requesting to go to another, but so far it's been vague to me.

If anyone wants to post about the Magic Topsiders vs the Wonder's BBB, they are more than welcome since I did initially label the thread that way. Of course, I may still have that backwards. Well, I'm still up for a chuckle on that part.

 

[BelleEm2]

Topsiders and Beach Blanket Buffet are essentially the same restaurant. Topsiders is on The Magic and BBB is on The Wonder, so you would not have to decide between the two.

If you meant to ask about Parrot Cay as compared to Topsiders/BBB on embarkation day, I'll answer that with my opinion. We prefer Parrot Cay after boarding initially. It's MUCH less crowded (so moving around with carryon bags is usually less of a hassle), and I like the feel of the calmer atmosphere when I'm tired from traveling. We eat breakfast and sometimes lunch at Topsiders/BBB nearly every day of the cruise, and do so, normally, for the view of the water and the ports. PC isn't an overly attractive port at all, so I would have no reason to sit out on deck for the view.

 

[HoosierFrog]

Topsiders and Beach Blanket Buffet are essentially the same restaurant. Topsiders is on The Magic and BBB is on The Wonder, so you would not have to decide between the two.

If you meant to ask about Parrot Cay as compared to Topsiders/BBB on embarkation day, I'll answer that with my opinion. We prefer Parrot Cay after boarding initially. It's MUCH less crowded (so moving around with carryon bags is usually less of a hassle), and I like the feel of the calmer atmosphere when I'm tired from traveling. We eat breakfast and sometimes lunch at Topsiders/BBB nearly every day of the cruise, and do so, normally, for the view of the water and the ports. PC isn't an overly attractive port at all, so I would have no reason to sit out on deck for the view.

Yes, I knew I meant something to this effect, thanks so much...in my excitement of going on a cruise, my mind began mixing restaraunt names...maybe by cruise time I'll have it all down

 

[VacationKicks]

We went up to Topsiders when we boarded. We were number 4 boarding and we were about the first people at the buffet. We wanted to eat here so the kids could go swimming asap, which they did. They were the first ones in the Mickey Pool, when that got crowded they moved on and were the first in the Goofy Pool. We liked that we could bring our food outside and watch the kids swim.

 

[mmouse37]

Another vote for Parrot Cay....much calmer experience. They let you leave your carryons at the entrance to the restaurant so you are not tripping over them at your feet. Plus the servers bring you your beverages, you don't have to get up to get them. It is nice and cool with the A/C.

It is totally a personal preference. In cooler months I may consider eating outside at Topsiders that first lunch but I hate dealing with humidity, wind, bugs and birds (which at times you can experience up at Topsiders while in port)....but I also have to add that during the week I LOVE to eat my breakfast outside at Topsiders (cool ocean breezes, no bugs, nary a bird). It is just that first day that I like to eat embarkation lunch at Parrot Cay.

 

[cruisinmama06]

OK so Parrot Cay will be open on Wonder along with BBB when we first board?

Thanks! That's good to know.

 

[mmouse37]

OK so Parrot Cay will be open on Wonder along with BBB when we first board?

Thanks! That's good to know.

And FYI....the staff may try to steer you upstairs when you first board but you can politely decline and say you wish to dine in Parrot Cay.

 

[cruisinmama06]

And FYI....the staff may try to steer you upstairs when you first board but you can politely decline and say you wish to dine in Parrot Cay.

Perfect thanks!

 

[BelleEm2]

The only time when I've ever had a problem with entering Parrot Cay at embarkation was in the Med. We boarded on deck one, as opposed to deck three at PC, and we were taken in express elevators to deck nine, where a CM would announce your family name and steer you in the direction of Topsiders. We knew the CM announcing our name in that instance and asked him why we couldn't go down to Parrot Cay, and he said that the lower decks weren't available for guests yet (we were some of the first onboard). What he meant was that they weren't cleaned to immaculate perfection. So we were forced to eat at Topsiders. Of course, it wasn't bad... crowded, but I certainly liked the port in Barcelona better than PC.

 

[CyKosis]

So when you board the ship, is Parrot Cay a buffet as well? I know BBB is, but Ive never been on a Disney cruise before either.

 

[mmouse37]

So when you board the ship, is Parrot Cay a buffet as well? I know BBB is, but Ive never been on a Disney cruise before either.

Yes, basically the same food and buffet line as upstairs but your beverages are served to you.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Neither?

If we do either, we are definitely going to do Parrot Cay.

We are definitely buffet people, but I know the "not to be missed items" are the shrimp and cold soups, and we are fans of neither.

We plan (knock on wood) to be in the first few groups onboard. If we opt for PC over BBB, would we miss out on premium pool seats to those that choose BBB?

If we head straight to the pool, grab some snacks, then decide to do PC around 1:30, when the pool gets crowded, would that be a better option?

Should we scratch the whole buffet thing, and just go straight to the pool?

 

[3princessMommy]

We ran into a problem when we boarded about 1:30pm. We wanted to go to Parrot Cay, but it was FULL . So we had to go upstairs. This wasn't the best with four kids under 5 - although we were lucky enough to get a table. I guess we were one of the first families turned away from Parrot Cay, but by the time we got our food and sat down there was a HUGE line outside the buffet and no vacant tables anywhere.

 

[owensamo]

If we head straight to the pool, grab some snacks, then decide to do PC around 1:30, when the pool gets crowded, would that be a better option?

Should we scratch the whole buffet thing, and just go straight to the pool?

How about both? Go to the buffet, then exit outside and turn left. Follow the port side of the ship, and there's a little hallway that leads around to the Mickey Pool area. Grab a table by the pool, and enjoy your buffet meal and the pool at the same time.

You could even get the kids set up with an adult at the pool, then send another adult (or adult and child combo) to the buffet to get the food. I've done this with breakfast to bring it down to the room, or a lunch tray to eat with people who want Pizza on deck. It works great - but it takes some practice to get meals for 3 on one tray!

Amanda

 

[kmaclou]

My family looks forward to sitting outside on the deck watching everyone come towards the ship while sitting down for lunch at Topsiders. Just sitting there basking in the sunshine.

 

[Dee72]

We went to Beach Blanket for our first lunch, and it was bad. It also seemed very dirty because it was so crowded the servers could not clean the tables fast enough. You literally had to grab a dirty one the minute someone stood up to leave.

I don't know if all of that is usually the case, but we ate there for the embarkation luncheon and avoided it after that.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So, if I may clarify, when I initally board the Wonder for my 3 nite cruise, I can elect to eat in Parrot Cay restaraunt instead of the buffet on deck 9 for lunch before disembarkation(leaving Port Canaveral)?

 

[BelleEm2]

So, if I may clarify, when I initally board the Wonder for my 3 nite cruise, I can elect to eat in Parrot Cay restaraunt instead of the buffet on deck 9 for lunch before disembarkation(leaving Port Canaveral)?

Yup, exactly. Although, Parrot Cay will also be buffet-style, not a sit-down lunch. There will be nowhere to have a sit down meal for embarkation lunch. But Parrot Cay is a much calmer atmosphere and drinks are brought to you by wait staff.