Dining Prior to Merriest Nites?

[CharleneTheDM]

Hi all!

I've been reading about some feedback about Merriest Nites, where some people recommend not going hungry, and trying and have dinner before going to DL.

My original plan was to head to the parks for 5pm entry and eat something in DTD beforehand. (I don't have DCA or DL tickets for the day).

If the reservations for the restaurants I want in Downtown Disney are gone for the timeslots I was aiming for (for example, Catal, UVA, Black Tap, Ballast Point etc), how likely am I able to secure walk-in dining at around 3pm?

Thanks!

(Also, has anyone attended the Merriest Nites event on the 16th? How was it??)

 

[pharmama]

Black Tap is only walk up/modified counter service- you order at the counter and get a number then they bring your food to your table. I think you'll probably be fine going there around 3pm. Not sure on the others, sorry!

 

[CharleneTheDM]

Black Tap is only walk up/modified counter service- you order at the counter and get a number then they bring your food to your table. I think you'll probably be fine going there around 3pm. Not sure on the others, sorry!

Thank you! I think worst case, I'll go walk up and ask them all if they're taking walk-in and if not, I've always wanted to try Earl of Sandwich!

 

[Lillebelle]

We just did the Merriest Nites on the 16th. It's worth pointing out that none of the event-specific stuff starts until 8pm, so between 5pm and 7pm especially (when the start kicking everyone else out) it's just regular park time. We just did a regular dinner at French Market (mobile ordered) because we didn't feel like we needed to maximize that time in any way. I don't know how frequently you go to the parks so maybe you're looking to make the most of every hour there doing rides or whatever, but you won't see shorter lines/lower crowds until later. Just pointing that out in case you have somewhere in the park you'd rather eat at than DTD.

DTD has that quick service taqueria attached to Tortilla Jo's if none of the sit-down places you want are available. I also love the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand so that could be another option.

Have so much fun at the event!

 

[CharleneTheDM]

We just did the Merriest Nites on the 16th. It's worth pointing out that none of the event-specific stuff starts until 8pm, so between 5pm and 7pm especially (when the start kicking everyone else out) it's just regular park time. We just did a regular dinner at French Market (mobile ordered) because we didn't feel like we needed to maximize that time in any way. I don't know how frequently you go to the parks so maybe you're looking to make the most of every hour there doing rides or whatever, but you won't see shorter lines/lower crowds until later. Just pointing that out in case you have somewhere in the park you'd rather eat at than DTD.

DTD has that quick service taqueria attached to Tortilla Jo's if none of the sit-down places you want are available. I also love the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand so that could be another option.

Have so much fun at the event!

Thank you so much!
This is making me feel a bit more optimistic.
I was like, oh gosh we have to have dinner at DTD at 3pm and enter the park around 5pm but what if we get hungry by 8 and all the mobile order items are hours out.

I didn't even think about going in before the party starts and just having a regular meal! I might finally have to give the fried chicken at the Plaza Inn a try!