Dinner Reservations for Spring Break Week

[LisaDee]

We are excitedly anticipating our trip to Universal and the Hard Rock Hotel the week before Easter (Apr 2 to 7th). Given it's such a busy time of year, would you recommend I make dinner reservations before arriving? We aren't renting a car so going offsite isn't an option. We are not interested in the character meals, but would like to have dinner at The Palm, The Kitchen, Margaritaville and Bob Marley. When on vacation I like to be less structured so I'd rather not have to make reservations far in advance but I don't want to miss trying all the great onsite restaurants.

What do you think?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Margaritaville typically doesn't take reservations during spring break week. If you really want to eat dinner there, either go early or during an off-peak time or expect a long wait. It is not uncommon for Margaritaville to have 2/2.5 hour waits during busy times of the year if you try to eat during normal dinner hours. Since it is such a busy time of year, I would make reservations at The Kitchen and The Palm if you really, really want to eat there so you won't be disappointed. They don't tend to be as busy as the City Walk restaurants, but if it were me, I'd cover myself, and then cancel if you change your mind. Sorry I can't help with Bob Marley's, but I don't think that place is usually too crowded. I can't imagine having a 2-hour wait there.

P.S. I would ask for other's opinions on The Palm at HRH in Orlando, and see what they say. I personally have never been there, but we have met 2 separate couples on 2 separate occasions while we were having cocktails in the RPR Club lounge who really did not speak highly of it, and they both said they had been to better Palms.

 

[macraven]

at the palms, many of the locals dress up for the occassion that dine there in the evening.

part of the resturant will have the more causally dressed tourists there.
the staff does not make you feel out of place no matter how you are dressed.

it is a very nice resturant. if the food was not up to par for the couples you talked to, then the waiter should have been informed. it would have been corrected immediately.

if it was the ambiance of not having diners dressed up as some patrons do, they usually are seated away from them.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Well, both couples we talked to sent at least one of their dinners back (one couple sent both back) and said they wouldn't go back there. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but like I said, it was 2 separate couples on 2 different occasions. Perhaps both couples were just fussy? That's why I suggested getting some other opinions. Who am I to talk? I haven't been there; I just know we were talked out of it twice after casually mentioning we'd like to go there!

 

[macraven]

i believe you on what you said. i guess that can happen anywhere not having the quality of food you expect. usually at that place you are not charged for your dinner when you send it back and it is replaced.
they pride themselves on qualtiy and customer satisfaction.
if you stay at hrh, you can get a priority seating at the palms.

i thought it was terrific and i dressed dummy down there and didn' t feel too out of place.
it is more on the high priced side.

curious to hear others opinions on the palms now.