BOG Lunch vs. Dinner?

[hemmie]

I have a BOG dinner ADR for the Sunday of Memorial Weekend, predicted crowd level 9 out of 10 (!). Based on this ADR, I have my family going to MK one full day the week before and coming back to MK this day - our last day of our trip - for the afternoon and the BOG dinner. I've made FP+ plans for MK (rather than at our morning park of AK) based on this.

Just now I made a lunch FP at BOG for the earlier-in-the-week day.

Question: is it worth braving the Mem Wknd crowds and taking the possibly-hour-long bus ride from AK to MK just because we have the BOG dinner reservation? MK would be a fun way to finish out the week, but it also may add stress....

Should I cancel lunch or dinner? Is the meal itself reason to decide one way or another?

(ps. we are not doing the dining plan, so we are paying out of pocket for these meals).

 

[purple figment]

We've done both lunch and dinner. I think it really depends on whether the differences between lunch and dinner are important enough for you to keep the dinner res. It sounds like you're concerned about the crowds on the Sunday of your dinner reservation. Here's my take on the differences between lunch and dinner.

There are differences between the two meals. The entrees are different, but the soups are the same (there are some additional appetizers at dinner) and the desserts are pretty much identical. At lunch the carts that are used to bring your food to the table are the same ones that are used at dinner for the dessert presentation so you'll get to see the carts. Also, unlike most CS, at BOG even at lunch your food will be served on china and you'll have regular stainless flatware (no paper plates or plastic utensils). Beverages, however, are in self-serve paper cups.

The other major differences are at dinner you have a photo op with the Beast after you finish dining and at dinner you can order beer or wine.

If you're more interested in seeing the interior, you can walk through all the rooms at both meals. One advantage at lunch is you can usually choose your own table and room.

We liked lunch better. It was a more relaxing meal because we could eat at our own pace while at dinner it was so busy our server rushed us through the meal. Although the ballroom is beautifully designed and decorated, its sheer size made it feel more appropriate to a CS venue which it is at lunchtime.

If seeing the Beast or ordering alcohol is important than go for dinner. If you're mainly curious about the interior of the restaurant and the lunch menu appeals, then have lunch.

 

[BekkaBoo57]

If you're more interested in seeing the interior, you can walk through all the rooms at both meals. One advantage at lunch is you can usually choose your own table and room.

My thoughts exactly! I like being able to choose what room to dine in and, although the lunch foods seem a little less "fancy", the quality to me between lunch and dinner was identical. I didn't feel like I was missing out on much, except that you won't see Beast walking through the dining room every now and then.

 

[hemmie]

My thoughts exactly! I like being able to choose what room to dine in and, although the lunch foods seem a little less "fancy", the quality to me between lunch and dinner was identical. I didn't feel like I was missing out on much, except that you won't see Beast walking through the dining room every now and then.

Thank you... now I'm inclined to just do the lunch, but that removes the whole impetus for returning to MK for a 2nd day (our last day of our trip, but also a predicted crowd level of 9!). So now don't know whether to just do AK that day, do AK in the morning and hit a water park that afternoon or still plan to trek up to MK from AKL after a morning at AK.