ADR at Sci Fi - ordering just milkshakes

[elainesj]

I'm trying to figure out how we can manage to eat at Sci Fi as my kids are entranced by the cool cars.

All our credits are used up elsewhere (particularly a 2 TS F! pkg at Brown Derby).

would it be weird if we go for our ADR there and just order milkshakes?

The other scenario is if I pay OOP for the kids Brown Derby dinner and we will have 4 kids TS left over. I could use one set of kids TS for Sci Fi (just for their meals - DH and I will eat a CS meal or whatever). They can get milkshakes for drinks right? (the kids love milkshakes)

and then we do the same thing somewhere else if there is somewhere we'd like to check out for a quick meal just for the kids. (or else exchange for CS credits)

Is this too weird?

 

[SharonZ]

I don't think I would go to any TS restaurant and just order a milkshake.

 

[ElizabethB]

We've done this at Sci-Fi. It used to not be an issue at all. We have found since the DDP, though, that waiters expect us to order a full meal or not be there -- even if we aren't on DDP.

To make up for this, we leave a generous tip (equivalent to our having had a full meal there). (Hope this isn't deleted due to the tip reference.)

We won't be doing this anymore, however, because they recently changed the shakes. They are no longer hand-dipped. They are made from some kind of soft ice milk stuff (like Dairy Queen only not nearly as tasty). It's a shame, really, but when did anyone ever report on these boards that food had improved, as opposed to declined? Certainly not since the advent of DDP.

So, if you're doing it for the atmosphere, sure, why not? Just tip well. If you're doing it for the shakes, skip it as the shakes are much, much better at Ghiradelli's at DTD.

 

[KarBear]

Personally, I would not go to a restaurant and sit at a table and just order drinks, that is what a bar is for (and SCI FI doesn't have a bar). I would suck it up and pay OOP and get the least expensive meal I could. And maybe order an adult meal for my kids and let them split it (bc it may be cheaper).
I know a lot of people will disagree but that is my opinion, unless you were going when they usually have no businees anyway on a slow time of year when they are about to close and still I would order apps.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm sorry but in the State's taking up a table for just a drink is not doing justice to the wait staff.

You need to compensate the staff as if a full meal was ordered.

 

[Beehn]

We did it in June. Just warned the waitress before hand. Funny thing, I asked the same question on these boards back then and as I remember most people said they did the same thing.

 

[eva]

I am sure you are going to hear differing opinions on this. But I would feel very strange taking up a table at a WDW restuarant just for drinks. We've eaten at Sci Fi a number of times. I would feel weird ordering just drinks.

 

[wcpamotm]

Would you feel differently about going to a TS and ordering only dessert? (sincere not sarcastic question) There are those who order a shake as a dessert.

 

[txtara]

I am going to Coral Reef in March and ordering just desserts. Obviously a little more expensive than just shakes but as a consumer spending money at Disney World I feel I have the right. I am not on any DDP and am paying for all of my meals OOP not that that matters. No where does it say what you have to order and how much you have to spend when making an ADR. I asked this question about dessert in March and after thinking about it (and others posts) I don't see any problem with me doing this.

 

[eva]

Would you feel differently about going to a TS and ordering only dessert? (sincere not sarcastic question) There are those who order a shake as a dessert.

Sure would, unless there was absolutely no one waiting for a table and it was a very off time.

 

[Nadjalu]

A WDW restaurant is like any other in the USA, if you want to go in for just a drink, dessert, appy or a full meal it is ok to do so.

It is up to you whether or not it is for you.

I have went to Brown Derby for just dessert. It was fine, the waiter didn't treat us any different than a patron ordering a 4 course meal.

You will hear both sides of this. And as far as the servers go, they would rather have someone in their table than not and it helps turn over quicker therefore they get more in tips.

So OP, if you want to do this go right ahead and don't worry. And if you feel you need to order something else (maybe an appy to split) then that is ok too.

 

[eva]

So no one has a problem if I take up an ADR at Le Cellier to just have the cheese soup and sip a drink for an extended period of time during prime time for dinner?

 

[txtara]

Nope.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

There's absolutely no need to feel uncomfortable. You are a paying customer. We've gone to Sci Fi for just desert. There are no rules about having to eat a meal when you go to a restaurant. Servers are not guaranteed a minimum order. What's the difference if you order 4 milkshakes or if your a solo diner and you order a hamburger and a glass of water. It's ridiculous to say it's not fair to the server. You're on vacation, linger over your milkshakes, soak up the atmosphere and have fun!

 

[CapnZach]

I've done this many times at Sci Fi, never had a problem. If it is peak dinner time, and you are going to sit for a while, tip appropriately for the time you're at the table. Severs only get so many opportunities on each shift to make some money, if the bill is low but the amount of effort expended and time sat is similar to what you would pay if eating a full meal, it is common courtesy to tip in kind.

 

[kirbsam]

I'm trying to figure out how we can manage to eat at Sci Fi as my kids are entranced by the cool cars.

All our credits are used up elsewhere (particularly a 2 TS F! pkg at Brown Derby).

would it be weird if we go for our ADR there and just order milkshakes?

The other scenario is if I pay OOP for the kids Brown Derby dinner and we will have 4 kids TS left over. I could use one set of kids TS for Sci Fi (just for their meals - DH and I will eat a CS meal or whatever). They can get milkshakes for drinks right? (the kids love milkshakes)

and then we do the same thing somewhere else if there is somewhere we'd like to check out for a quick meal just for the kids. (or else exchange for CS credits)

Is this too weird?

you can eat at sci fi by just paying for your meal. hope this helps. you dont have to be on dining plan. hope this helps.

 

[eva]

Well, everyone here has open my eyes. I am not going to feel so guilty about camping out at a table anymore! We have felt like we needed to keep ordering drinks and/or food at Rose and Crown while waiting for Illuminations. Not only that, but we made ADR's at La Hacienda for May to see Illuminations. But I felt that 8:00 was bit late for dinner. So now I think we will eat dinner elsewhere and just eat dessert and have drinks at La Hacienda while waiting for Illuminations. This makes things so much easier for us. Of course we will tip like we ate a full dinner there.

 

[drew64]

Would you feel differently about going to a TS and ordering only dessert? (sincere not sarcastic question) There are those who order a shake as a dessert.

I would not do that either. Quite honestly, the time to make the adr, get there, wait, sit, etc to have a mik shake is not worth it to us.

If I wer eOP and wanted to eat there, I would just pay OOP. Just becuase one is on the DDP does not mean you can't still pay for a meal if you are out of credits.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

Well, everyone here has open my eyes. I am not going to feel so guilty about camping out at a table anymore! We have felt like we needed to keep ordering drinks and/or food at Rose and Crown while waiting for Illuminations. Not only that, but we made ADR's at La Hacienda for May to see Illuminations. But I felt that 8:00 was bit late for dinner. So now I think we will eat dinner elsewhere and just eat dessert and have drinks at La Hacienda while waiting for Illuminations. This makes things so much easier for us. Of course we will tip like we ate a full dinner there.

If that's what fits your schedule, and is better suited for your family then that's what you should do.

 

[eva]

If that's what fits your schedule, and is better suited for your family then that's what you should do.

Since it is just DH and me, it fits for us perfect. Thanks to everyone for all the opinions. I am making ADR's at another restaurant for the same night for earlier that night at 6:00. Then we can head over to La Hacienda at 8:00 for dessert and a margarita. Sounds lovely! Thanks again!