Counter service in busy season?

[hsmamato2]

Ok I am thinking we will just do mostly cs eating while visiting, it's just too much to think about fighting crowds to get somewhere on time for food,in addition to thinking about rides,etc. I like the flexibility of just eating when/where we decide to,without too much worry.(esp.with a larger group of people) isnce we're doing Dec 15-17, I know it'll be busy,and we're still considering the DP for WOC, but otherwise no planned food. I'm reading the many blogs, and it seems that DL/DCA have so many great cs choices, we should be fine,right? Just need reassurance it's all gonna be ok....

 

[cruisehopeful]

I like the counter service places more than the sit down restaurants. You can get a really good salad or sandwich at Jolly Holiday. The skewers are Bengal Barbeque are very good. Garden Grille is very good in DCA. The mexican restaurant in DL has really good chicken tacos. There's lots of choices in DCA that I haven't tried yet, but look really good. You'll be fine.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

You'll be fine, but be prepared that when it's busy there can be loooooong lines, and sometimes seating is tough to find (especially if you're a large group). This is much more of an issue at DL than DCA, in our experience.

We had nine total people one day last December, and we ended up at the Jolly Holiday with a 30-minute wait to order, and then it took ages to actually get the food from the counter. I remember it because it just felt congested and stressful. Definitely look for places with lots of seating and just be prepared to wait. If possible, maybe send a couple people to order and grab tables while the others do an attraction? And try to eat at off-peak times, of course.

There are plenty of places to eat, though, so with patience, you'll be fine!

 

[DL_Forever]

The kids love the Pizza Port in Tomorrow Land. I love the salads and there is always plenty of seating.

 

[hsmamato2]

thanks.... I will hopefully be able to eat at 'off' times to help the lines

 

[figment_jii]

I agree that there are lots of great CS options at DLR/DCA (I really like French Market and Plaza Inn in DL). Just note, that the lines can be really long and it can be tough to fine seating, even during "off-times" if the parks are busy enough. If you're a really large group, be prepared to have to split up in the seating area (I went with a group of ten once and we had to split up a few times because we couldn't find two tables together at the CS locations).

 

[Aimeedyan]

Don't underestimate how long it will take to grab CS - perhaps longer than a table service spot. Matter of fact, our counter service meals last week (ie - not a high crowd level) almost all took longer than our table service meals and we tried to eat during off hours. Which is why I opted to just make reservations by day 3

But the food was all good! I especially enjoyed Garden Grill at DCA (our one exception to long lines) and Plaza Inn.

 

[SMD]

With a large group I think it is worth making a TS reservation. Instead of fighting to get there, plan to do attractions closest to the reservation and check in early if getting in line for a ride will make you cut it close. With reduced seating capacity at Hungry Bear and part of the Stage Door and River Belle seating now TS it's getting harder to find CS seats. If it's raining or really cold, it gets even harder. Twice I've had issues getting a table while I was holding my tray because people were picnic-ing with zero items purchased in the park, and Disney doesn't police that or assist with seating. And neither day was as crowded as it will be the week before Christmas. If you have more than 5 people you'll be lucky to get a table, much less 2 with enough chairs, and they likely won't be together. That may be ok sometimes, but you'll want to do a mix of CS and TS when it gets old.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow..... thanks for the insights!

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I would encourage you to eat at DCA. The Boardwalk Pasta/Pizza place and the Paradise Garden a Grill are perfect fo a large group. I have never had a problem finding seating there, even during very high crowds. The "food court" is also a great place with different options if people don't all feel like eating the same thing. This area definitely gets more crowded though so go BEFORE you are starving and cranky.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Honestly I think you are going to have a problem in DL. I'd make a reservation for those days for one meal. If you aren't going to make ts reservations at least pack plenty of snacks. Even on moderately busy days we have trouble at dl with 4 people. Its better to know you are getting at least one meal a day at a specific time. We usually do late lunch.

 

[travelgirl06]

Another option is to go to DTD to eat. We do this sometimes as a break and because the lines seem more manageable at times - granted, if you are trying to do as much as you can in 3 days it may not be the most efficient use of your time.

There are only 4 of us, and we sometimes find ourselves putting off a meal or (more frequently) going somewhere that is less desirable (to us) to avoid long CS lines or extremely limited seating. Bengal BBQ for example, we've heard great things, but with only a small number of tables (that we've seen), we frequently go somewhere else due to the line or lack of tables.

 

[SMD]

Another option is to go to DTD to eat. We do this sometimes as a break and because the lines seem more manageable at times - granted, if you are trying to do as much as you can in 3 days it may not be the most efficient use of your time.

There are only 4 of us, and we sometimes find ourselves putting off a meal or (more frequently) going somewhere that is less desirable (to us) to avoid long CS lines or extremely limited seating. Bengal BBQ for example, we've heard great things, but with only a small number of tables (that we've seen), we frequently go somewhere else due to the line or lack of tables.

When it's open, you can take Bengal BBQ to Aladdin's Oasis. I'd secure a table, then send someone to order.

I skip that one a lot because of the lack of seating too. Eating their veggie skewer or sharing is miserable at the standing table. If I even feel like standing after several hours in the park.

 

[SplashMo]

I would say the following:

1) Eat breakfast before rope dropping... (We do this anyways)
2) Have a reservation for lunch each day.

Do not go to white water snacks during a crowded day. I would suggest reservations for DTD. plan.

 

[choirboy501]

I would encourage you to eat at DCA. The Boardwalk Pasta/Pizza place and the Paradise Garden a Grill are perfect fo a large group. I have never had a problem finding seating there, even during very high crowds. The "food court" is also a great place with different options if people don't all feel like eating the same thing. This area definitely gets more crowded though so go BEFORE you are starving and cranky.

I'm with this. There is plenty of seating, most of it shaded, and there is often live entertainment at the Paradise Garden Bandstand - times are listed in the DL app.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Bring plenty of protein snacks with you to help if you get stuck in a long food line or if you can't decide on a place. Protein bars help tide you over and prevent the hangries.

 

[hsmamato2]

Ok .... sounds like a good plan is necessary! I appreciate all the advice..... as a WDW vet, I'm very familiar with all the places to find a good meal even in busy times without too much hassle- I think our party might enjoy a sit down in the middle of the day so maybe I'll try to plan that