How Long at Shula's?

[kbmartin]

My DH and I have a reservation at Shula's, and I was wondering about how long the meal might take. We plan to go to HS afterward. If it matters, I snagged a 5:00 reservation (right when they open).

 

[ArmyVet80]

I have not been to the Shula's at WDW but I have been to the one in Indianapolis (where I live). It was about 1.5 hours total time there. We did 1 appetizer, 2 entree's and 1 dessert and a couple of after dinner/dessert drinks though. If you just plan on doing entree's then you could be in and out relatively quickly (30-45 minutes) with being there right when they open. It also depends on how you get your food cooked. We are medium-rare people. If you ask for a meal that is medium-well to well done then it will take a little bit longer time.

 

[Jedimike]

In my experience, it can go as fast or as slow as you want. I've been there once with a group where we were ordering drinks and socializing, and we were there for a couple hours. Another time, we ordered our food w/o drinks or apps and everything moved really fast. You can enjoy your meal and get out of there by 6 PM (safely) with a 5 PM reservation I bet. Even faster if you want to rush (but it is a nice restaurant, take your time and enjoy!)

 

[JimmyV]

A meal at Shula's does not take any more or less time than any other restaurant. Especially if you are seated at 5:00 and have no competition for the server's attention or grill space in the kitchen. You can definitely be out in an hour. Less if you only do two courses.

 

[85glht]

Been there a few times and what everyone has posted is spot on. Enjoy your dinner!

 

[L&Lfan]

Shula's is just a place where my boyfriend and I love to linger, but you can eat and be out in less than an hour if that's what you want.

 

[eastendlights]

I don't know, it takes me at least half an hour to eat enough of the insanely good bread they serve so I would factor that in.

 

[Uncleromulus]

To me Shula's isn't a place to wolf down your meal and run--but you can if you want to.

We ate there a few months ago--took around 2 hours. Of course we had drinks first, then Apps, then dinner, then dessert.

 

[eastendlights]

I agree with not eating and running here. We allow 2 hours also.

 

[Momof2Singers]

AGREE about the bread, don't order a potato, its huge and the bread will fill you. We learned our lesson, party of 4, two daughters with great appetites, yet could not come close to eating everything. We were there probably 90 minutes, but we wanted to enjoy it and the restaurant. We were there around 7pm and did not have to wait but maybe 5 minutes to be seated. We are going back in a month and plan to order only the green options (which feed 2 people) and really enjoy that wonderful bread. They do not seem to overbook. My DH's favorite place to eat.

 

[eastendlights]

One more thing...we prefer to end our night here and will go when DHS has an earlier close. We almost always stay at BC so we will skip breakfast and have lunch with the Fantasmic package at MM, see the show and then get to Shula's after park closing. Then we just walk to our resort. That way you can really enjoy your meal without worrying about being somewhere else after. We tend to do the same with any signature meals outside of the parks. We like to enjoy those fully rather than rush through.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

I love Shula's! I'd plan on an hour and a half or so. You can walk to HS or take a boat, walking is generally faster.

 

[Dean Marino]

Again, personal opinion....

GOOD FOR THE OP! You booked one of the BEST, if not THE best, restaurants at WDW . Now - that comment excludes V&A.... V&A is not a Restaurant - it's a life experience .

Shula's will do whatever you NEED to have done. It's very old school, and the staff is flat out stunning. The food is beyond perfect - but as others have warned: portions are sized for linebackers. Take advantage of Shula's VERY GOOD policy of allowing parties to split orders.... and listen to your waiter. He WILL NOT mislead you . His/Her advice will be SPOT on .

Again, personal opinion - we ADORE this fine dining establishment . Between 2-4 times per year, for us .

 

[jimim]

great place. take your time. enjoy! don't eat lunch that day. lol

oh and bring a flashlight! that place is dark in there! or ask a server to borrow theirs. lol

you will really enjoy it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I snagged a 5:00 reservation (right when they open).

1) We usually spend about 2-2½ hours.
2) But, you could always rush through in 1½-hrs, but would enjoy it as much.
3) And, yes, they do validate valet parking (when you check-in at the eatery podium)

 

[kbmartin]

Thank you all so much for the responses. I definitely don't want to rush it. We plan to go to HS in the morning and do pretty much all activities then. After dinner, the only priority is the Star Wars fireworks show. We pretty much plan to do maybe one or two rides and then "steak" out a spot for the fireworks (hardy har har) and get our favorite desserts - a carrot cake cookie and a Butterfinger cupcake. That is ... unless all of you think we MUST have dessert at Shula's (and speaking of ... it's my 30th birthday. Do they do anything?). But I have to say - the Butterfinger cupcake, to me, would be very hard to top.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

That is ... unless all of you think we MUST have dessert at Shula's (and speaking of ... it's my 30th birthday. Do they do anything?

1) Ask for "Perry" as your SERVER.
2) He is our favorite, and probably the best at Shula's.
. . . he is friendly
. . . he talks, but does not try to tell you his life-history
. . . he does let you enjoy the meal, and not interfere, except to ask if everything is going well
3) He could get you a dessert for your birthday, just wear you Birthday button and tell the podium person at check-in.

NOTE: If you want drinks before eating, go to the bar INSIDE Shula's
. . . the Lobby Bar is a Swan/Dolphin rented space, and the prices are 10-25% higher !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. . . yes, this was a surprise even to me
. . . example: Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch at Shula's ($12/shot), at Lobby Bar ($14/shot)

 

[Dean Marino]

1) Ask for "Perry" as your SERVER.
2) He is our favorite, and probably the best at Shula's.
. . . he is friendly
. . . he talks, but does not try to tell you his life-history
. . . he does let you enjoy the meal, and not interfere, except to ask if everything is going well
3) He could get you a dessert for your birthday, just wear you Birthday button and tell the podium person at check-in.

NOTE: If you want drinks before eating, go to the bar INSIDE Shula's
. . . the Lobby Bar is a Swan/Dolphin rented space, and the prices are 10-25% higher !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. . . yes, this was a surprise even to me
. . . example: Glenlivet Single Mat Scotch at Shula's ($12/shot), at Lobby Bar ($14/shot)

You have GOT to go for dessert!!!!!

OK- item? MOLTEN LAVA CHOCOLATE CAKE. ONE of these feeds TWO people. Adjust your order for your party size, then ORDER THIS, right at the get go. It takes time for Shula's to bake it.

Later? Please tell me if I was wrong, in some fashion .

 

[Uncleromulus]

1) Ask for "Perry" as your SERVER.
2) He is our favorite, and probably the best at Shula's.
. . . he is friendly
. . . he talks, but does not try to tell you his life-history
. . . he does let you enjoy the meal, and not interfere, except to ask if everything is going well
3) He could get you a dessert for your birthday, just wear you Birthday button and tell the podium person at check-in.

NOTE: If you want drinks before eating, go to the bar INSIDE Shula's
. . . the Lobby Bar is a Swan/Dolphin rented space, and the prices are 10-25% higher !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. . . yes, this was a surprise even to me
. . . example: Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch at Shula's ($12/shot), at Lobby Bar ($14/shot)

Good advice Scupper. Sadly for us this last trip the entire bar/lounge at Shulas was rented out for a private party.

Third time that has happened to us!!!