Citricos timing

[thorphin]

I really try to avoid very specific type of planning questions because I know how hard it is to tell someone what will be best for their family... but I'm really flummoxed on this one, and I need help!

This (9 day) September trip is going to be just my wife and I, for our 10th anniversary. I'd like to plan a nice sit down meal for adults and am considering Citricos. We'll be staying at Poly.

My main question is: Would it be stupid to book the earliest dinner time (5:30) on a night we plan to go to MNSSHP? This would be our second MNSSHP of the trip.

I read somewhere that Citricos takes 2-3 hours, which seems like it would make it a bad plan, since we'd miss some of our party time (especially since we'd have to go back to Poly to change from nicer clothes to cosutmes). I'm having the hardest time fitting this meal in somewhere else though.

I also would really like to get to Be Our Guest (either for lunch or for dinner). BOG's a bit easier to fit in since it's an option for lunch... but I probably shouldn't be trying to substitute one for the other since the experience will be so much different.

The best option is obviously to do both restaurants but we don't particularly have enough time to spend that many evenings near the MK if we don't dine for dinner on a party night. What I'm really hoping for, I guess, is for someone to say that Citricos will only take an hour!

Anyway, sorry this is so specific. But I'm looking for any and all advice/comments here! I'm all ears!

Thanks.

 

[figment_jii]

My main question is: Would it be stupid to book the earliest dinner time (5:30) on a night we plan to go to MNSSHP? This would be our second MNSSHP of the trip.

I would not plan on a sit down Signature meal for a MNSSHP night. The average Signature meal takes about 90 minutes (one or two courses), but can be closer to 2-2.5 hours if you have to wait to be seated, order more courses, etc. I've only been to Citricos once and it was a night when things were put of Sync. Dinner took over three hours because seating was late (45 minutes after ADR time) and then long waits between courses. I think the only way you could do a one hour Signature is to order only one course, ask for the bill at the time your order, and then eat as fast as you can once the food arrives. It won't be a very enjoyable meal. If you do go to Citricos and don't rush the meal, my guess is that you won't get to MK until 8:00-8:30 pm at the earliest. I would not give up that much of the party time for dinner at Citricos.

Do you have to go back to the Poly to change or could you take the costumes with you and change in a bathroom? That might save you some time...otherwise you have to factor in some time to get back to the Poly, change, and then get back into the park.

 

[Three cats]

We went to Citricos twice on our last trip. We were in and out in just over an hour. This was appetizer, entree, and dessert. 2 adults, no kids. Im sure if you let your server know that you were attending the party he could pace your meal accordingly. Have you been to Citricos yet? We went for the 1st time on our last trip and it was so good we ended up going back a second time that week!

 

[thorphin]

Such different experiences!

I don't want us to be rushed, so I guess I better get back to the drawing board (again)! Only 8 days until ADR day!

 

[parkhopping]

Did you know your party ticket will get you in at 4 pm? By making a 5:30 ADR, you're already losing an hour and a half - not to mention the time it takes to eat, then change. To me, that just feels like a waste of money. If I were you, and couldn't fit Citricos in on another night, I would just save it for another trip.

 

[thorphin]

Did you know your party ticket will get you in at 4 pm? By making a 5:30 ADR, you're already losing an hour and a half - not to mention the time it takes to eat, then change. To me, that just feels like a waste of money. If I were you, and couldn't fit Citricos in on another night, I would just save it for another trip.

We will have park hoppers and will likely be in MK in the morning anyway, so the 4pm entry is pretty meaningless for us -- especially since the party-related things don't start until 7 anyway. That said, your point is important for other readers to consider!

It's also important to remember, as you suggest, that if we can't fit something in, we can do it next time. While planning, I tend to find myself planning as if WDW will disappear they day after we leave... but, magically, it doesn't! And even more magically, we eventually make it back!