BOG: How Long is dining?

[Mambo Junkie]

We managed to get 7:40 reservations but don't want to miss the fireworks but don't want to rush either. Is it doable? Thanks

 

[Sweettears]

I would say not much chance. You would need to work your way around the castle with many of the paths restricted.

You might be able to watch from the backside

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I would say not much chance. You would need to work your way around the castle with many of the paths restricted.

You might be able to watch from the backside

We did that last time. Definitely a different spin on the show. Thank you!

 

[Sweettears]

If you circle back towards the castle from Liberty Square you can see some of the projections on the castle. Limited but it adds something

 

[Pumbaa_]

Tell your server what you want! If you want a leisurely dinner great! If you want to catch a show/ride/fireworks ok, tell your server!

Tell them you want to be out in an hour and you are fine if the courses overlap. Be ready to order as soon as your server arrives, but don’t be rude. A simple we want to be done in time for the fireworks. Can we be done in an hour? Be ready to pay when dessert comes and tell your server! They are the key to getting you out when you want. If you bring cash for the bill and tip it can save you significant time too.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Tell your server what you want! If you want a leisurely dinner great! If you want to catch a show/ride/fireworks ok, tell your server!

Tell them you want to be out in an hour and you are fine if the courses overlap. Be ready to order as soon as your server arrives, but don’t be rude. A simple we want to be done in time for the fireworks. Can we be done in an hour? Be ready to pay when dessert comes and tell your server! They are the key to getting you out when you want. If you bring cash for the bill and tip it can save you significant time too.

Thank you! It has taken me quite a long time to get reservations for this. I've had 8:30, 4:30 and finally got (2) reservations (group of 2 and 4) at 7:40, which is ideal for us, but not for the fireworks. Since Tuesday is a "sold out" MK day and EEMH, we were hoping to take a mid day break, so didn't want too early. DDIL decided a couple of weeks after the 6 am reservation dust had settled that she wanted to eat at BOG, lol.

 

[Disturbia]

Thank you! It has taken me quite a long time to get reservations for this. I've had 8:30, 4:30 and finally got (2) reservations (group of 2 and 4) at 7:40, which is ideal for us, but not for the fireworks. Since Tuesday is a "sold out" MK day and EEMH, we were hoping to take a mid day break, so didn't want too early. DDIL decided a couple of weeks after the 6 am reservation dust had settled that she wanted to eat at BOG, lol.

In Nov, it took BOG 40 mins just to seat us and we checked in early (20 mins). During peak dining time (before fireworks) they are backed up. We had a 6:15 reservation for 8 pm fireworks. We rushed through the entire dinner (service was super slow/inattentive; no small plates for the bread so we just dug in). Our entrees took another 20 mins despite us telling our waiter we needed to rush. We were offered a 10% discount. We quickly finished our dinner and had our server pack one dessert (vegan - for allergies; rest skipped dessert). I stayed behind to pay and get the dessert (took a long time again) while the kids settled into the stroller. We sprinted through Tomorrowland to checkin to the dessert party around 7:40. It was so crowded. There was no way you can enter the hub area (no open space) with a stroller at that time. We were led by a CM to the reserved party area and we did have a great view.

We have done slow dinners at BOG post fireworks and they were well paced and you could soak in the atmosphere. I would try to change the reservation to either after fireworks or 2.5 hours before so you have time to line up for fireworks. Disney has been adding hours and dining approx 2 weeks prior to trips, so you can try grabbing them then. For the week of March 27, extra hours 9-11 pm have been added but additional MK dining ADRs will open sometime this week. The app shows extended hours for each restaurant.

Mouse dining and touring plans are great reservation finders, but haven’t come through for me post pandemic. They will alert you when the ADRs drop.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

In Nov, it took BOG 40 mins just to seat us and we checked in early (20 mins). During peak dining time (before fireworks) they are backed up. We had a 6:15 reservation for 8 pm fireworks. We rushed through the entire dinner (service was super slow/inattentive; no small plates for the bread so we just dug in). Our entrees took another 20 mins despite us telling our waiter we needed to rush. We were offered a 10% discount. We quickly finished our dinner and had our server pack one dessert (vegan - for allergies; rest skipped dessert). I stayed behind to pay and get the dessert (took a long time again) while the kids settled into the stroller. We sprinted through Tomorrowland to checkin to the dessert party around 7:40. It was so crowded. There was no way you can enter the hub area (no open space) with a stroller at that time. We were led by a CM to the reserved party area and we did have a great view.

We have done slow dinners at BOG post fireworks and they were well paced and you could soak in the atmosphere. I would try to change the reservation to either after fireworks or 2.5 hours before so you have time to line up for fireworks. Disney has been adding hours and dining approx 2 weeks prior to trips, so you can try grabbing them then. For the week of March 27, extra hours 9-11 pm have been added but additional MK dining ADRs will open sometime this week. The app shows extended hours for each restaurant.

Mouse dining and touring plans are great reservation finders, but haven’t come through for me post pandemic. They will alert you when the ADRs drop.

Thanks for this; we had a discussion last night and decided to cancel, that watching the fireworks was more important to us. It's been 4 years since the grandkids went to Disney (canceled 2020 trip) and who knows what's in store? DH and I are both retired now so the ever increasing cost of Disney is definitely not in the budget. This marks my 50 year anniversary of going to Disney so this is a landmark visit for me as well.
ETA: We had a 6:45 Plaza reservation as a backup, so we are doing that instead.

 

[Disturbia]

Thanks for this; we had a discussion last night and decided to cancel, that watching the fireworks was more important to us. It's been 4 years since the grandkids went to Disney (canceled 2020 trip) and who knows what's in store? DH and I are both retired now so the ever increasing cost of Disney is definitely not in the budget. This marks my 50 year anniversary of going to Disney so this is a landmark visit for me as well.
ETA: We had a 6:45 Plaza reservation as a backup, so we are doing that instead.

If budget is an issue, I would highly recommend Steakhouse 71. The price was very reasonable. Try looking 2 days before your trip when people cancel to avoid the fee.