Dinner 4pm or 6:40pm?

[ktmo]

I have been searching for a dinner slot to open up at Garden Grill for our upcoming trip. I finally was able to snag a 4pm. Then late last night a 6:40pm popped up. We normally eat between 5 and 6pm. We have two DDs 4yo and 6yo. We are staying at BCV. The plan for the day is - morning at MK and then pool in the afternoon and then dinner. Which time should I keep? I am leaning toward getting rid of the 4pm.


Help me quickly decide before the guilt of having two reservations gets to me. Flame away, if you think I am a horrible person for keeping them both while I decide.

 

[mom2ee]

I would probably keep the 640 as well. considering that you may get back to hotel and get a nap along with your pool time.

what time zone are you coming from?

 

[ktmo]

I would probably keep the 640 as well. considering that you may get back to hotel and get a nap along with your pool time.

what time zone are you coming from?

We are in MD so same time zone. I was thinking about napping too. We might try to stay up late to see Illuminations. So, I am thinking the 6:40 would be better for that.

 

[Tammil]

Personally, I'd go with the 6:40. Right now I have a 4:20 res. for Garden Grill and am actually trying to get something closer to 6:30. Good luck with your trip planning.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm in the other camp. At WDW we try to keep our dining as close as possible to our regular at home eating times. I've seen GG get backed up so I would figure with a 6:40 ADR you'd be eating no earlier than 7:00 if you're lucky. If your kids are used to eating between 5:00 and 6:00 at home then by 7:00 you're going to have some really hungry and cranky kids. Even if you've fed them a snack, will they be getting tired because of having been up in time for RD at MK? I'd take the 4:00. The only downside to the 4:00 is that you'll only have time for either naps or swimming after MK, not both. It does cut down on the amount of time you have for a break. On the other hand, you'll be out of dinner early enough that you could go for an evening swim and then showers and straight to bed.

 

[LaurenT]

I'd go with the 6:40...but keep in mind that the later into the evening it gets, the further behind Garden Grill gets with their ressies. It backs up as people stay longer than expected..especially if it starts raining outside! So, keep the 6:40, but show up at 6:10. That way you can check in and get a buzzer and be seated ahead of anyone else near that time slot that shows up later.

 

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

I would suggest the 6:40 if you make sure to plan time for a nap/rest. I remember a trip when my DD was 4 and we had a 6:45 adr at 1900 Park Fare. We had to wait for our table (it was really busy that night) and by the time we got in and got our food, DD had fallen asleep right in her plate. You know the image of someone falling asleep in their mashed potatoes. It actually happened to her. She missed the missed the step sisters and prince charming dancing with her sister!

The moral of the story is...plan ahead!

 

[ktmo]

Thanks. I ended up keeping the 6:40pm. I'll a mid-afternoon snack. I think it'll give us a little more wiggle room.