Getting in to Cove Bar

[sashasmommy]

I read that the line can be really long to get in to Cove Bar. We are going Sep 12-15, does anyone know what the lines are like during this time? I was wondering what they might be like if we eat at an off time, like 2pm, vs at lunch or dinner time. Also, if the line is long, can one person wait in line while the other person takes the kid to go do something else? The way I figure it is whether I'm one person or 3 people, I'm still getting one table, so it shouldn't matter?

 

[Niltiac]

When we went on a weekday in late September midafternoon, there was no wait for anyone willing to sit in the sun. The wait for shade was probably 20-30 minutes. For that amount of time, I'm not sure what you could take the kid to do, other than stretch legs and go to the bathroom. But theoretically if you have a long wait, I don't see why you couldn't split up like that. They might want the entire party there for seating, but you could watch the line ahead of you and call your family back when you're close. I didn't ask if they require the entire party to be present, I'm just making an assumption that this might be the rule, to keep people from holding tables for 30+ minutes while their group is in line for an attraction (I'm not saying you would do that, but I could see some people pushing it).

 

[whoever]

It only runs 30-45 min wait at most times. Just have someone get in line and let the others go do screamin once or twice.

 

[DisBabe94]

Even on a weekend, the most I've waited for a table for 2 is around 45 mins! The line may appear very long but they work hard to turn over tables quickly, so it goes fast. I think if one person wants to get in line and the other people go walk around or do whatever, then that would be totally fine. When you get in line, someone with a tablet will come ask how many in your party and give you a time estimate!

 

[figment_jii]

When I went last to the Cove Bar (March), the CM at the end of the line said that half of the party had to remain in the line and they would not seat anyone until the entire party was present. The wait estimate was 65 minutes and it took about an hour to be seated, so they were fairly accurate.

 

[SMD]

It's a bar, so people won't really restrict their drinking to meal times. The line tends to grow consistently and doesn't really spike.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I can't remember as we've only been once -- is there seating "belly up to the bar" or is it all tables? And if there is bar seating, do those tend to have a shorter wait? I'm guessing you wouldn't get the same view from the bar of the Screamin' launch that you do from the tables, is that correct?

 

[SMD]

I can't remember as we've only been once -- is there seating "belly up to the bar" or is it all tables? And if there is bar seating, do those tend to have a shorter wait? I'm guessing you wouldn't get the same view from the bar of the Screamin' launch that you do from the tables, is that correct?

There is bar seating, but you still have to wait in line.

 

[whoever]

There is bar seating, but you still have to wait in line.

Correct.. however it didn't used to be this way. Pre-expansion, you could just walk up and tell the hostess single party bar and they would seat you pretty much instantly.

 

[tzeitel]

We went earlier this month during the week. We got to CB around 15 minutes before they opened and there was a small line (6-7 parties). Host asked if we had any requests, I said by the water. We were a party of 5 and got a table by the water with no problem, we just waited the time it took for them to open the place up. The rest of the day I saw CB had a small line every time we went by it, maybe 4-5 parties.

 

[sashasmommy]

Hm, half of my party would be 1 1/2 people Hopefully they'll let me do 1/3.

When I went last to the Cove Bar (March), the CM at the end of the line said that half of the party had to remain in the line and they would not seat anyone until the entire party was present. The wait estimate was 65 minutes and it took about an hour to be seated, so they were fairly accurate.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm guessing you wouldn't get the same view from the bar of the Screamin' launch that you do from the tables, is that correct?

Not all of the tables have a view of the Screamin' launch area either.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Do the water view tables also have a view of the launch pad? And is there any view at all from the bar?

 

[ashley0139]

Do the water view tables also have a view of the launch pad? And is there any view at all from the bar?

The bar would not have any view (too far away and facing the wrong direction). Some of the waterside tables will have a view of the launch area, but the restaurant wraps around a bit so only the ones on the left (while looking at the entrance) will have a view of it.

 

[sweethannah]

Last trip (April/2016 ) we got in line about 15 minutes before opening. We requested a table by the water and were sitting with an excellent view of screaming. I was the only one who waited in line and was not told they would not sit us until all members of my party were present but naturally, ymmv. We even went back later in the day without too much of a wait in line, this time our table was a little round the side of the bar but still by the water.

Best of luck to you, the wait is worth it. Excellent cocktails and like most people do, I'd recommend the lobster nachos and imo the quesadilla rolls were good value for 11$

 

[SMD]

Like most things at Disney, they've had to add more rules and be strict about things. It doesn't make sense to seat parties that aren't complete when you have switchbacks full of people and want to get orders places and tables turned over as quickly as possible.

 

[Rabb it]

I read that the line can be really long to get in to Cove Bar. We are going Sep 12-15, does anyone know what the lines are like during this time? I was wondering what they might be like if we eat at an off time, like 2pm, vs at lunch or dinner time. Also, if the line is long, can one person wait in line while the other person takes the kid to go do something else? The way I figure it is whether I'm one person or 3 people, I'm still getting one table, so it shouldn't matter?

The wait time in the middle of that month should be typical, max it will be 30-45 minutes. Cove bar has a line of people waiting to eat there from the moment it opens at 11 until it closes, so 2pm versus an hour or two earlier wont be a big change I don't believe.

I see plenty of people waiting in line while other people do other things, they will want everyone to be there when you get to the front though, I doubt they will seat you if you are alone and asked for a table for 3.