Counter service lines on busy days?

[scoker]

I've never been to DLR on a really busy day. We will be in the parks February 7th-10th. I expect the week day crowds will be about what we are used to but it sounds like the weekend will be much more crowded than we are used too. How are the lines for counter service food on really busy days? I'm wondering if making a few ADR for sit down might be better than standing on long lines.

 

[ten6mom]

I have waited 45 minute in line at taste pilots in DCA before. That was two Octobers ago on a Saturday. Torture!

 

[belle'ssister]

We were there in August and had not more than a 10 minute wait anywhere. It was a lot quicker than I expected.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

One October Friday night (our 1st trip with my dh and dd, see my siggy) it was an hour just to order at hungry bear. I never go without dinner ressies now. That was plain torture for a mediocre burger!

 

[PHXscuba]

We went one time on a busy Friday in July. With smart planning and Fastpass we rarely waited more than about 20 minutes for rides. The longest lines we stood in all day were for lunch at the Golden Horseshoe (more than 25 minutes) and the train in NOS (DH insisted we try it during the parade )

Moral of the story -- eat at off times. Honestly an ADR could be almost as quick as long as you were seated quickly.

PHXscuba

 

[Congo Queen]

We went one time on a busy Friday in July. With smart planning and Fastpass we rarely waited more than about 20 minutes for rides. The longest lines we stood in all day were for lunch at the Golden Horseshoe (more than 25 minutes) and the train in NOS (DH insisted we try it during the parade )

Moral of the story -- eat at off times. Honestly an ADR could be almost as quick as long as you were seated quickly.

PHXscuba

Yes this is key. Eat at off-peak hours. That means lunch at 11:30am or 3pm. Dinner at 5pm or 8pm. That said there are counter service restaurants that are much busier than others. Summer before last I spent 25 minutes waiting for a v mediocre burger at Tomorrowland Terrace and swore never again. Whereas even close to peak dining time I have never encountered more than a 5 minute wait at Paradise Garden Grill/Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Yes this is key. Eat at off-peak hours. That means lunch at 11:30am or 3pm. Dinner at 5pm or 8pm. That said there are counter service restaurants that are much busier than others. Summer before last I spent 25 minutes waiting for a v mediocre burger at Tomorrowland Terrace and swore never again. Whereas even close to peak dining time I have never encountered more than a 5 minute wait at Paradise Garden Grill/Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.

I agree with this comment. The Paradise Garden Grill is my favorite counter service, and Boardwalk Pizza is my husband and son's favorite eatery. We have never encountered lines at either location and eat there frequently. We always go early or late, so that may have helped.