Where to eat our packed lunch?

mshanson3121 · Mar 3, 2015

Where are the best places to sit down and eat the lunch that we plan on packing? Preferably air conditioned/sheltered areas (we'll be going in June). Is there anything near Main Street, where the Move it, Shake it dance party is?

cgattis · Mar 3, 2015

Not air conditioned, but the tables outside Casey's have umbrellas. Not sure if the ones outside the Plaza are still there or not. Both are on the parade route, although from the table, you'd only see the tops of floats. You'd have to walk a few steps to the curb to see it up front. I think there are fans under the porch at Tortuga Tavern (across from Pirates) but not on the parade route.

Robo · Mar 3, 2015

cgattis said:
Not air conditioned, but the tables outside Casey's have umbrellas. Not sure if the ones outside the Plaza are still there or not. Both are on the parade route, although from the table, you'd only see the tops of floats. You'd have to walk a few steps to the curb to see it up front. I think there are fans under the porch at Tortuga Tavern (across from Pirates) but not on the parade route.

"Move It, Shake It." is not really a parade, anyway. (It's a "street party.")
It moves down Main Street, but PARKS in the Hub to actually perform the show.

It can be seen (give or take) from the umbrella tables outside Casey's or the Plaza.
And, it can be HEARD for about 16 miles away!
(I'm kidding about the distance, but "Move It, Shake It." is one L O U D event!!)

AllieBoo · Mar 3, 2015

Tom Sawyer island is a great place to enjoy a packed lunch - no air conditioning, but there is a covered gazebo with picnic tables that overlooks the water. We always bring lunch in, and it is one of our favorite spots to eat in the Mk.

cheryl.UK · Mar 4, 2015

As it's rarely open, I'd try the tables outside Pecos Bills's near POTC. It's a shady area and quiet

tink9702 · Mar 4, 2015

There are also some umbrella tables between Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain area that are out of the way and pretty quiet.

tobikaye · Mar 4, 2015

cheryl.UK said:
As it's rarely open, I'd try the tables outside Pecos Bills's near POTC. It's a shady area and quiet

Do you mean that Pecos Bill's is rarely open or the outside tables? I know I have been at all times of year to MK and Pecos Bill's has always been open. Do you mean Tortuga Tavern? I know it is a hit and miss on being open when I have been to WDW.

JennaDeeDooDah · Mar 4, 2015

What about a table in the area near Tomorrowland Terrace? With the restaurant rarely open, you wouldn't be taking a table away from one of those diners and the seating area is covered (thought not air conditioned). Also, I think you can see Move It Shake It from there.

*pixie*dust* · Mar 4, 2015

You won't find an air conditioned picnic spot at MK, but there are a number of places where you could find a table, and some of them would be shaded.

staceyeileen · Mar 4, 2015

I think the new plaza gardens look like a great place for a picnic although not very shaded. We like the tables near aloha isle.

minniemous · Mar 4, 2015

tobikaye said:
Do you mean that Pecos Bill's is rarely open or the outside tables? I know I have been at all times of year to MK and Pecos Bill's has always been open. Do you mean Tortuga Tavern? I know it is a hit and miss on being open when I have been to WDW.

We go to Disney in October and November and Tortuga tavern is usually closed in the afternoon. It is completely empty and you can sit at the tables and it is a very relaxing place to be. I think they are open for lunch but then it just closes. I think it is the only restaurant that does close in the afternoon when we are there.

JanaDee · Mar 4, 2015

cheryl.UK said:
As it's rarely open, I'd try the tables outside Pecos Bills's near POTC. It's a shady area and quiet

Pecos Bill's is always open. You mean Tortuga Tavern.

HopperFan · Mar 4, 2015

- Tomorrowland Terrace is usually closed and there are lots of tables there, several have plugs for charging nearby, often A/C is running, there are bathrooms and if you sit by the rails you can see the Move It Shake It Parade Party
- You can now sit on the turf in the Hub gardens and be right there by the Parade
- Tables across from Pirates is Tortuga Tavern, there is also an indoor room where there is bathrooms
- Lots of tables & "umbrellas" outside the Big Top by by Dumbo, next to bathrooms and covered seating next to it.

Tomorrowland views before HUB complete -

JanaDee · Mar 4, 2015

HopperFan said:
- Tomorrowland Terrace is usually closed and there are lots of tables there, several have plugs for charging nearby, often A/C is running, there are bathrooms and if you sit by the rails you can see the Move It Shake It Parade Party
- You can now sit on the turf in the Hub gardens and be right there by the Parade
- Tables across from Pirates is Tortuga Tavern, there is also an indoor room where there is bathrooms
- Lots of tables/umbrellas outside the Big Top by by Dumbo, next to bathrooms and covered seating next to it

I thought they removed the umbrellas from the tables by the Big Top?

Mikie · Mar 4, 2015

Very informative thread!! I don't pack in our lunch, so maybe that's why, but I've never particularly noticed ANY of these spots! (What have I been looking at?) many lament the lack of benches around, and maybe these aren't the best for people-watching, but they all sound like a great place to take a load off for a few minutes. :thumbsup2

HopperFan · Mar 4, 2015

JanaDee said:
I thought they removed the umbrellas from the tables by the Big Top?

Could have. They were there in the fall when we sat there and it was hot. Could it be they are seasonal?

HopperFan · Mar 4, 2015

Mikie said:
Very informative thread!! I don't pack in our lunch, so maybe that's why, but I've never particularly noticed ANY of these spots! (What have I been looking at?) many lament the lack of benches around, and maybe these aren't the best for people-watching, but they all sound like a great place to take a load off for a few minutes.

We have gotten where we like to pack a nice lunch, sit and relax and people watch or go over our plans for rest of day. Lots of great places in all the parks, some with good views. Then we spend our money on a table service for dinner. Once we were on the QSDP for 12 days - but day 5 all I wanted was my awesome sandwich and the peace of not dealing with a counter service eatery.

kaetra · Mar 4, 2015

There is a lovely little spot just off Main Street that has a few tables and it seems like no one ever goes there...

sharadoc · Mar 4, 2015

Sleepy Hollow, next to the castle, has a lot of nice tables and unless there's a parade or fireworks going on, it's usually pretty empty. Some of them are under a pavilion cover.

radev104 · Mar 4, 2015

We always took lunches with us (might be trying the QSDP this year) but usually it was sandwiches and we would go to one of the QS places to get fries or salads and drinks so we could eat our sandwiches in air conditioning and at a table.

Where to eat our packed lunch?

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