Average time spent in restaurants.

[bee86]

Hi all,

I know this is a very case by case thing, but on average how long do you spend at a table service dinner?

I'm just in the middle of planning our itinerary and as I've only ever eaten at the plaza and wolfgang pucks dining room I have no idea how long to set aside for dinner. For instance a 6.45pm reservation for yak and yeti and I'm hoping to be finished by 8pm......is that too tight time wise?

 

[disney_princess_85]

Am I correct in saying that you'll be a party of two adults? If so, I don't think that's too tight at all. DBF and I take about an hour (on average) to have a table service meal. It's a little longer for signature restaurants but certainly no longer than two hours, in my experience.

 

[bee86]

Am I correct in saying that you'll be a party of two adults? If so, I don't think that's too tight at all. DBF and I take about an hour (on average) to have a table service meal. It's a little longer for signature restaurants but certainly no longer than two hours, in my experience.

Yes you are correct sorry I should have said that!! Party of two just me and mum. Was thinking about an hour, but like I said I have no real experience so just to be on the safe side This planning business is hard work

Thanks so much for the quick reply

 

[2Tiggies]

A lot of the time, how long you take in a restaurant has less to do with how long it takes to be served and to eat (they generally try get the tables turned as quickly as possible) but depends largely on how long you wait to be seated. As someone who has dined as a party of two at Disney restaurants many times over the last 5 years, I can confirm that smaller parties seem to have fewer issues with delays, so that stands in your favour. I would certainly say that on average, you should be done within an hour and if you are seated more or less at the correct time, even sooner, depending where you are eating

 

[bee86]

A lot of the time, how long you take in a restaurant has less to do with how long it takes to be served and to eat (they generally try get the tables turned as quickly as possible) but depends largely on how long you wait to be seated. As someone who has dined as a party of two at Disney restaurants many times over the last 5 years, I can confirm that smaller parties seem to have fewer issues with delays, so that stands in your favour. I would certainly say that on average, you should be done within an hour and if you are seated more or less at the correct time, even sooner, depending where you are eating

Really putting my mind at ease now as I'm trying to work dinner adrs around fireworks on some evenings so this great info and so good to know that as a smaller party with will more than likely have less delays I was thinking the opposite based on the idea that larger parties would mean a bigger tip
Thank you so so much!!

 

[married2mm]

the actual eating part can be the shortest amount of time you spend in a restaurant.
there is:
1.waiting to be seated
2.someone taking you to your seat
3.a server coming to take your order
4.your drinks
5.your food
6.your bill.

 

[chmurf]

It really depends on the time you're going

Because it's not because you have an ADR that you'll be seated at that time sharp.
peak periods will see longer delays. Some guests have been kept waiting for 20 or even more minutes past their ADR time.
Then there is the service. It may be slow.
It also depends on the type of restaurant. If you go to a buffet, it mostly depends on how fast and how much you can eat. 3 courses meals will likely take longer.

1 hour seems a good estimate. But I would not schedule any activity less than 90 minutes after an ADR time. Just to be on the safe side.

If you allow yourself a cushion of time it will allow you to better enjoy your meal.
Can you imagine something worse than anxiously waiting for dessert, eyes glued to the watch, and telling yourself that "I'm gonna be late for the fireworks, I'm gonna be late for the fireworks ..."

If you allow yourself some extra time, you'll feel more relaxed and you'll enjoy your meal.

even though 1h seems a good bet, allow yourself 90minutes, or even 2 hours before the next activity, then you're sure everything will turn out fine (and it will give you time to calmly and slowly go to the location of your next activity.

 

[bee86]

(and it will give you time to calmly and slowly go to the location of your next activity.

OMG you have no idea how much this sentence made me laugh!!! As without reminders such as this to be calm relax and enjoy the trip I would almost forget and give in to military style planning which is not a good idea, down time is needed! I will admit freely to being a headless chicken at times with calm not being in my vocabulary so thank you

Also married2mm those 6 steps really make sense its all those little things that you dont take into account that add up time wise!