Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Seating?

[jenhelgren]

Is all the seating for Big Thunder BBQ outside in the sun? Of course-the day we have an ADR for the BBQ it is supposed to be 90+ and I read in another trip report that their butter was literally melted because the table was so hot in the sun. We usually use lunch as a cool off/break time on hot days so I am wondering if we should try to rethink our plans a little!

 

[NiceOneSimba]

The tables are outside, but they have a cover over the top. It's not really an umbrella, but the cover does go over the benches on the picnic tables. I think it would depend on the angle of the sun during your reservation.

 

[mgd]

There may be some parts of the bench that are not fully shaded by the table canopy, but it is generally shaded. Just check out the table as they seat you and request one with more shade if there is an issue. Another tip, one of the cleanest and low traffic bathrooms in the park is farther down past the bbq at the end of the walk towards the petting zoo.

 

[Avery's mom]

That was our experience last week! I thought since the tables are covered that we'd be ok. We were definitely not ok. We did witness a couple of parties who refused tables that were not all shaded, and they had to wait for tables that were all shaded. The problem was that as the sun moved, so did the patrons as they (we) tried to stay as shaded as possible. So even while people waited for a better table, it eventually became as sunny as others.

The food is good and it is a fun atmosphere, but unless you are a very heat-tolerant person, I'd say move it to dinner, if possible. We were ok eating outside at dinner because it was after our mid-day break and we were refreshed. IMHO, lunch should be a chance to cool off and rest, not hurry through it because your skin is sliding off your bones.

 

[jenhelgren]

The only time I can get that will work with our other plans is 3:50 which is still considered lunch to Disney but I thought I read sunset was at 6-so is a 4pm ADR better than noon-1 or will we still be roasting?!?

 

[Avery's mom]

The only time I can get that will work with our other plans is 3:50 which is still considered lunch to Disney but I thought I read sunset was at 6-so is a 4pm ADR better than noon-1 or will we still be roasting?!?

We were always in the pool at 4pm, so I am not completely sure how miserable the heat was at that point. But the sun should be a lot lower in the sky by that time, which is the real reason why it was so awful to eat there (overly sunny tables). If that's the only time that works with your other plans, then it will probably be a better option, but I know I couldn't last until then without a snack or very late breakfast.

 

[figment_jii]

I think you're more likely to be roasting around 4:00 pm than earlier in the day. The hottest part of the day tends to be in the afternoon (between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, depending on a variety of factors). Frankly, if you could get an earlier ADR (e.g., 11:30 am or noon) and make that work with your plans, I would do that. I just had lunch there at noon (on Monday) and it was warm outside, but we had a table that remained shady for the whole meal, so it was okay. As others have said, I would ask about a shady table when checking in.