Food!

[ibouncetoo]

Am I insane for not making a dining reservation for my one day in DL park?

I'll be there for my birthday (Sat 11/7) with 4-6 friends and wanted to allow as much flexability as possible for doing attractions. But I certainly don't want six hungry people trying to do a mid-day meal and wanting to sit down and be served together.

When I was just looking at the dining options here on the DIS, it says Plaza Inn is a full service restaurant. I thought it was a buffeteria and you could just walk in. Is this no longer true? I'm thinking I'll be wanting some fried chciken on my birthday, so do I need/can I make a lunch or dinner dining reservation here?

My other option is Cafe Orleans, and I know they take reservations and I do love their Monte Cristo.

So now I think I should make a mid-day/early afternoon reservation for us all to eat together and then just let everyone wing it for the rest of the day and night.

Need suggestions from the pro's.

.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Plaza Inn is a counter service restaurant. Whoever said it was a sit-down is crazy. Eating here would be good if you're running around all over the place & loose track of time since you can just walk in & get your food (after waiting in line of couse ).

If you want to eat at Cafe Orleans, then making a PS would be smart. Making it when they first open is my suggestion bc it's early in the afternoon & you won't be checking your watch every hour to see if it's time to eat. It also gives you the rest of the time to have fun!

 

[Flitterific]

Plaza Inn is definitely not a full-service restaurant. The Minnie & Friends breakfast is buffeteria style. Lunch onward is counter service and you can definitely get their fried chicken then.

I highly recommend making the reservation for you and your party in advance if you are even entertaining the idea of eating at Cafe Orleans. I have found Disney Dining to be pretty accommodating and have had no problems pushing back reservations. If you guys just aren't up for it that day, just call them and cancel. However, it is your birthday and if you want a Monte Cristo, I think you should get one

 

[bumbershoot]

Definitely not full service. The dis descriptions and menus...leave something to be desired, sadly.

Honestly I've had really iffy service at Cafe Orleans each time I've eaten there...

 

[LavenderPeach]

Last year we went to CO for my birthday (also in November) and we didn't make reservations. We went right at 11am and there were only a few other families there at the same time as us. I can't remember what day of the week it was though. I'm thinking it probably wasn't a saturday. And there were only 3 of us so that's easier to seat than a larger group. So I would say it's possible to get in without a reservation but your best bet would be to go at 11am. I think if I were you I would go ahead and make PS though and like PP said, you can always cancel if you need to.