Disney dining - does it really take an hour to get to the restaurants?

[Infamousmare]

Disney always wants you early, but I must say you are quite daring to get the deluxe plan. There is no way my DDs would have sat in restaruants for 1 1/2 - 2 plus hours a day for meals at those ages, let alone twice a day.

Denise in MI

Honestly? I had NO idea what I was doing!
I wish I'd read the dining reviews here first.

I'm in charge of planning my family's reunion/dad's birthday at Disney (because the entire family, I'm sure, would like to blame me when things aren't so magical *LOL*) and my mother was just convinced that we should do the DDP. You can imagine her excitement when FREE dining became available - I had to upgrade to DxDDP right away. *weary laugh*

I didn't realize until reading most of the posts here in-depth (didn't have time during the planning stage, when I spent hours online/on the phone making ADRs, debating the merits of treehouses vs. villas vs. deluxe rooms, then trying to get adjoining rooms for forty-eleven people, and now going back and forth with Brian-the-android-pastry-chef to get a cake for dad...) that the process of sitting down at a WDW TS restaurant is such an arduous task. The WDW rep assured me that TS would be better for kids than CS because we wouldn't have to wait. *can you hear me laughing? I swear I'm laughing!*

Um, any pointers on keeping two little ones (youngest with ASD, oldest with a feeding tube) happy at the TS meals? Can we skip apps/dessert?

When I come back to post reviews after this trip, I'm going to have a Valium popsicle in my hand.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

All that.... and they don't serve alcohol at the MK. Good times!!

Can't tell you how often I think of you when I'm sitting, and sitting, and sitting, on a bus, trying to get somewhere. My hero (heroine!!).

In any case...here's a horror story from last week. Not normal but shows it can happen. We were staying at BWV. We were at Epcot for dinner in the WS. We decided to take the monorail over to MK for the night..it was EMHs. Okay....shouldn't be an issue, right? Wrong. We left Teppan Edo, walked to the monorail platform. Well, the monorail wasn't running!! Seriously?? We were told to head to the bus area. Well.....way at the end were buses to take us to TTC. AGain....seriously?? There had to be more than 500 people waiting for that bus. We headed to the bus to DHS, and hopped on the bus to TTC (stupid me...should have taken the CR bus, but didn't). We got to the TTC and there had to be, again, over 500 people waiting for that ferry. We walked over to the Polynesian to take their boat to MK...about 60 ahead of us. Long story short...took 2 hrs. 30 mins to get from WS to MK. Yes, I should have just taken the bus to the CR but for some reason didn't..idiot. I should have known better.

This isn't a normal occurance, but it can happen. Last night, my dd and I arrived at the boat dock at WL, at about 7:15...we had a 7:50 ADR at Chef Mickeys. As luck would have it, we missed the boat by about 20 secs. We finally arrived at the CR at about 7:45. And of course, sat and cooled our heels for about 30 mins for a bad meal.

It can take longer than you might think...even when you know what you're doing. So, plan on it taking longer than you might expect..and be happy when it takes less time.

 

[Infamousmare]

*blood drains from face*

What? There's no alcohol in the MK? At all?

I would not have agreed to spend 7 days straight with my mother (God bless her, she's just a grumpy old lady) if I knew I couldn't medicate myself.

 

[seashoreCM]

I almost had time and cause to rewrite "Charlie on the MTA" . .

I ride that MTA (the Boston MBTA) a lot and will usually hold doors for people trying to exit. Lately I seem to see fewer instances of slamming doors in exiting people's faces, alas, I conjecture, because drivers may have gotten roughed up for doing that or trying to collect another fare from someone trying to get back to his stop.

[flame suit on] If very unusual Disney Transport snafus get you to your ADR late, you should expect a seating as if you were on time or a refund, upon quiet request. [flame suit off]

 

[goofy4tink]

All that.... and they don't serve alcohol at the MK. Good times!!

Tell me about it!!!

*blood drains from face*

What? There's no alcohol in the MK? At all?

I would not have agreed to spend 7 days straight with my mother (God bless her, she's just a grumpy old lady) if I knew I couldn't medicate myself.

No worries. You can always head over to one of the monorail resorts for some 'meds'!!! That's what I do!!! Only the MK itself is 'dry'.

I ride that MTA (the Boston MBTA) a lot and will usually hold doors for people trying to exit. Lately I seem to see fewer instances of slamming doors in exiting people's faces, alas, I conjecture, because drivers may have gotten roughed up for doing that or trying to collect another fare from someone trying to get back to his stop.

[flame suit on] If very unusual Disney Transport snafus get you to your ADR late, you should expect a seating as if you were on time, or a refund upon quiet request. [flame suit off]

I would imagine that the restaurant CMs would realize when there was an extrodinary snafu..and be prepared to deal with it. But...I can imagine many people arriving late for their ADRs, saying that the bus took too long, or the boat didn't get there in time...whatever...when it was really their fault for not leaving enough time. IF I'm paying for the Luau or HDDR, you had better believe I'm going to leave plenty of time to get there early!!!

 

[clkelley]

Sometimes it "can" take almost an hour inside a park to get to a restaurant.

We had a 9:50pm reservation at CRT on Saturday night.

We arrived at the MK gates at 8:30pm. I stopped at the DSA next to the Chapeau and DH wandered around the candy shop for about 15 minutes. We then proceeded towards the castle.

Mind you the 9pm MSEP was about to start so we navigated through the shops on the Tomorrowland side of the park, then made it across the street near the castle. When the parade finally passed, they then blocked off areas around the castle because the fireworks involve the castle. We fought crowds and asked four different cast members until we finally found the correct entrance to be let past the ropes to the castle. This was at 9:30pm. Another family was also trying to get past the ropes but they didn't have a reservation at the castle. We had to wait until the poor CM finally convinced this family that they were not going to get through before she was able to speak with us, look at our confirmation and let us into the castle. We got to the castle at 9:45pm!!!!!

 

[dzorn]

Honestly? I had NO idea what I was doing!
I wish I'd read the dining reviews here first.

I'm in charge of planning my family's reunion/dad's birthday at Disney (because the entire family, I'm sure, would like to blame me when things aren't so magical *LOL*) and my mother was just convinced that we should do the DDP. You can imagine her excitement when FREE dining became available - I had to upgrade to DxDDP right away. *weary laugh*

I didn't realize until reading most of the posts here in-depth (didn't have time during the planning stage, when I spent hours online/on the phone making ADRs, debating the merits of treehouses vs. villas vs. deluxe rooms, then trying to get adjoining rooms for forty-eleven people, and now going back and forth with Brian-the-android-pastry-chef to get a cake for dad...) that the process of sitting down at a WDW TS restaurant is such an arduous task. The WDW rep assured me that TS would be better for kids than CS because we wouldn't have to wait. *can you hear me laughing? I swear I'm laughing!*

Um, any pointers on keeping two little ones (youngest with ASD, oldest with a feeding tube) happy at the TS meals? Can we skip apps/dessert?

When I come back to post reviews after this trip, I'm going to have a Valium popsicle in my hand.

My oldest has autism also. When doing TS we tended to do buffets so we could eat as soon a seated. It also made it easier to see the characters she wanted to see but could not handle the lines for.

If you are going with a large group don't think twice about splitting up and meeting up later.

Denise in MI

 

[Infamousmare]

My oldest has autism also. When doing TS we tended to do buffets so we could eat as soon a seated. It also made it easier to see the characters she wanted to see but could not handle the lines for.

If you are going with a large group don't think twice about splitting up and meeting up later.

We are doing several buffets. Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Supercalafragilistic (I *think* that's a buffet!)... I thought it would be easier than waiting on service. Thank goodness I was right about something!

Sometimes it "can" take almost an hour inside a park to get to a restaurant.

We had a 9:50pm reservation at CRT on Saturday night.

We arrived at the MK gates at 8:30pm. I stopped at the DSA next to the Chapeau and DH wandered around the candy shop for about 15 minutes. We then proceeded towards the castle.

Mind you the 9pm MSEP was about to start so we navigated through the shops on the Tomorrowland side of the park, then made it across the street near the castle. When the parade finally passed, they then blocked off areas around the castle because the fireworks involve the castle. We fought crowds and asked four different cast members until we finally found the correct entrance to be let past the ropes to the castle. This was at 9:30pm. Another family was also trying to get past the ropes but they didn't have a reservation at the castle. We had to wait until the poor CM finally convinced this family that they were not going to get through before she was able to speak with us, look at our confirmation and let us into the castle. We got to the castle at 9:45pm!!!!!

My dh and I are VERY punctual/meticulous/anal/fastidious/geeky and make it a habit to leave early for events. However, we're traveling with others who are polar opposites (read: stepping into the shower 10 minutes before they have to be somewhere). Do the restaurants require the entire party to be present in order to be seated?

 

[zumbergc]

Do the restaurants require the entire party to be present in order to be seated?

Yes, they do require the whole party to be present before seating you.

I don't know about doing the delux dining plan with 2 little kids. What about down grading to the regular dining plan. Do counter service for lunch, (which is faster... breaskfast in the room or with the snack credits, table service for dinner.

This is just my opinion, I can't imagine them wanting to spend 2 meals waiting to eat every day. You also have to factor in the point that if you have a 6pm ADR, that isn't a reservation for 6pm. That means the first available seating at 6pm, so if the place is backed up, your going to wait. The later the reservation into the evening, i've found the longer your wait. Places with buffets + characters still have waits too. Plus, you have to factor in your children's nap schedules.
Plus, with free dining the restraunts are fuller... thats why they offer it for free.

 

[Infamousmare]

OOOOOHHHHH, I feel like such an idiot.

I honestly thought our ADR guaranteed us a seat at that time (you know, like a reservation!). This would be why the resies are offered in 5-minute increments. *where's the emoticon of a person smacking his head?*

Does this also mean that if we arrive early, we might also be seated early?

There is so much I don't know.

 

[Infamousmare]

OOOOOHHHHH, I feel like such an idiot.

I honestly thought our ADR guaranteed us a seat at that time (you know, like a reservation!). This would be why the resies are offered in 5-minute increments. *where's the emoticon of a person smacking his head?*

Does this also mean that if we arrive early, we might also be seated early?

There is so much I don't know.

 

[Tara]

OOOOOHHHHH, I feel like such an idiot.

I honestly thought our ADR guaranteed us a seat at that time (you know, like a reservation!). This would be why the resies are offered in 5-minute increments. *where's the emoticon of a person smacking his head?*

Does this also mean that if we arrive early, we might also be seated early?

There is so much I don't know.

If they aren't busy and have space, then yes, you could be seated early.

As for doing TS meals with kids...you'll get a lot of different opinions on the boards about that. I always found it worked fine for us because DS was used to eating in restaurants and it gave us a nice chance to sit, relax and recharge. It's especially nice when it's hot outside - nice chance to cool off. I just did DxDP with my son (8) in June - we did a buffet each morning and a 2TS restaurant each evening - worked perfectly.

 

[Infamousmare]

Tara - that sounds much like what we're doing. Breakfast and dinner each day, with lunch open for CS meals or just snacks. I did choose lots of buffets and we have one character meal each day. He LOVES the characters.
Also, I scheduled our meals so that both are in the same park each day - I was afraid that park-hopping would get tedious. (So Sunday we're at AK, Monday we're at MK, Tuesday Epcot, Wednesday MK...and so on)

As part of his OT/ABA therapy, we do eat out in restaurants and go to public places (the zoo, museums, etc.) fairly often to help teach him what to do when he's overwhelmed (covering his ears when it's loud, closing his eyes when there's too much visual stimuli, etc. instead of just melting down into a tantrum). I *think* that doing TS will be okay. When I first signed up for the DxDDP (we upgraded when free dining was offered!), I was thinking that a break to go in and sit down in the A/C would be a nice thing. I didn't think about being "tied down" to reservations or know that our ADRs aren't real "reservations", per se, and that we might have to wait up to 20 minutes to be seated.

I'll just stay positive. If nothing else, we'll chalk all of this up to experience and we'll know exactly what we want to do on our NEXT trip to WDW!

 

[Tara]

Tara - that sounds much like what we're doing. Breakfast and dinner each day, with lunch open for CS meals or just snacks. I did choose lots of buffets and we have one character meal each day. He LOVES the characters.
Also, I scheduled our meals so that both are in the same park each day - I was afraid that park-hopping would get tedious. (So Sunday we're at AK, Monday we're at MK, Tuesday Epcot, Wednesday MK...and so on)

As part of his OT/ABA therapy, we do eat out in restaurants and go to public places (the zoo, museums, etc.) fairly often to help teach him what to do when he's overwhelmed (covering his ears when it's loud, closing his eyes when there's too much visual stimuli, etc. instead of just melting down into a tantrum). I *think* that doing TS will be okay. When I first signed up for the DxDDP (we upgraded when free dining was offered!), I was thinking that a break to go in and sit down in the A/C would be a nice thing. I didn't think about being "tied down" to reservations or know that our ADRs aren't real "reservations", per se, and that we might have to wait up to 20 minutes to be seated.

I'll just stay positive. If nothing else, we'll chalk all of this up to experience and we'll know exactly what we want to do on our NEXT trip to WDW!

Is your son autistic or on the spectrum? Mine has Asperger Syndrome - pretty mild, but I totally understand what you are talking about re: stimulation, and I really think it works well. That's been my experience, anyway - every kid is different.

Good luck - I hope it works out well for you!

 

[Infamousmare]

He started out fully autistic (no language, flapping/toe walking/rocking, didn't respond to his name/didn't recognize us, constant screaming, only ate crackers and cheerios....the whole nine yards). He was diagnosed 1.5 years ago (he's now 3.5) and we packed up and moved to Texas on 3 days' notice to put him in an intensive ABA therapy program when a spot opened. After a year and a half, he's now talking way above age level and looks pretty "normal" (except for all the sensory stuff). His therapists have talked with us at length recently about him likely no longer testing as fully "autistic" but have warned us that he will very likely carry an Asperger's dx (based on a lot of stuff they see now).

They were worried we'd be upset that he's starting to look like an Asperger's kiddo; however, we'll take Asperger's over what we had a year-and-a-half ago! *weary laugh*

We had initially planned this trip for last year; however, he was in NO shape to be at the MK. However now, I do think he'll be MUCH better. We just have to make some minor adjustments for him and I *think* he'll be fine. *fingers crossed!*

Gosh, that was a novel. Sorry!