How long does counter service take?

[MichiganDVC]

Apparently people enjoy their meals at different paces. Who knew?

Sorry, I was assuming the OP was asking the minimum amount of time it could take...not that individuals could take longer if they wanted to.

We places we have eaten the most at are: Columbia Harbor House (We have waited here the longest), Cosmic Rays, The places accross from Fantasmic and Starring Rolls Cafe at HS, England and Mexico in Epcot and Flame Tree in AK.

In July, I could get a CS meal from England, Mexico, Japan, France, and Germany in less than 5 minutes. At Flame Tree, it took FOREVER because the family in front of me in line:

A. Had no idea what they were getting by the time they got to the cashier. They said things like, "I'll have a drink" and "what do you have here to eat?" These are fun things to hear in Animal Kingdom in July at noon.

B. Was on the DDP. Of course, they had no clue that their entire party of 9 could not order together if they were trying to use 3 different family's dining credits! This, of course, was discovered AFTER they order and were rung up.

So I take back what I said about timing. If you are behind a family who can't figure out what they're ordering before they get to the cashier AND are using DDP credits without understanding how that works, it could take you an hour!

 

[Wood Nymph]

My mom and I are leaving next week for our first trip ever to DisneyWorld! I am finalizing my touring plans and I am wondering how long I should budget for counter service lunch and dinner. We are planning to eat at non-peak times - lunch around 2pm and dinner around 7pm. How long do counter service meals take you?

I think you will be surprised that 2 pm and 7 pm can still be peak times. Not only do some people tend to eat late, but you are dealing with travelers from around the world, and the west coast. That means that 2pm can feel like noon to them.

Give yourself no less than 1/2 hour to eat lunch.

 

[mesaboy2]

Sorry, I was assuming the OP was asking the minimum amount of time it could take...not that individuals could take longer if they wanted to.

It's all good bro.

Yeah, I could see speeding through some of the larger places in 20 minutes with some luck.

 

[staceycanada]

When we go (usually end of Sept.) we skip breakfast and do a brunch at 11am. Then we book dinner for 5-5:30. Believe it or not 7 can still be busy time as can 2pm. You will find earlier is better for less wait time. We usually had a little snack like a dole whip or Mickey bar at 8-9pm.

 

[buckeev]

..... how easy it is to find an empty table, ..............

This is one factor that gets frustrating! Walking around a jam-packed dining room, holding your full trays of hot-(for now)-food...

One tip...if you get a family member or two to secure your table while you stand in line, you can be a little ahead of the game there. Of course, they gotta know what they want you to order for them!


Time frames can be a huge range...time of year is a biggie factor.

 

[buckeev]

Apparently people enjoy their meals at different paces. Who knew?

MesaB is on that Northern Fla, coastal leisure, stop-and-smell-the-roses time pace!

 

[mesaboy2]

MesaB is on that Northern Fla, coastal leisure, stop-and-smell-the-roses time pace!

You called it.

 

[LucyBC80]

I say around 50 minutes but I'm a slow eater. I like to take my time and I chew slowly (weight watchers tip).

 

[kaceyo]

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. I only planned for 30 min in my personalized touring plans. Now I'll update them to 45 mins to give us more wiggle room.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Disney Restaurants forum.

 

[robinb]

This is one factor that gets frustrating! Walking around a jam-packed dining room, holding your full trays of hot-(for now)-food...

One tip...if you get a family member or two to secure your table while you stand in line, you can be a little ahead of the game there. Of course, they gotta know what they want you to order for them!


Time frames can be a huge range...time of year is a biggie factor.

Some CS restaurants have solved the problem of finding seats by only allowing people with food and who are ready to eat to be seated so your tip won't work all the time. The CM shows you the table based on your party size. This usually happens when it's busy and it's hard to find a table since a lot of people use your tip and save them in advance. I have seen it at Pecos Bills, Cosmic Rays, Pinocchio's Village Haus, Harbor House and partially at Flame Tree.

At Pinocchio's, Flame Free and Harbor House they also create a single feeder line to the cash registers to help move everyone through faster (like at TJ Maxx or Marshall's). The first person in line goes to the next open register (or short line). It really moves things along!

 

[Peachkins]

OP, glad to hear you're giving yourself a little more time. It really does depend on where, what time, and how quickly you eat. There are some places that are never that crowded, and others that are consistently packed. I know the last time we went to Columbia Harbour House, it look at least 20 minutes just to get our food let alone eat it. The place was mobbed. This was around 2 pm during the first week of December- not a very busy time at Disney.

By the way- if you go to CHH, look for seating upstairs. Every time we've done that, and no matter how crowded it is downstairs, it's been half-empty and there are restrooms and larger tables up there as well. For some reason a lot of people seem to overlook the second floor.

 

[North of Mouse]

My mom and I are leaving next week for our first trip ever to DisneyWorld! I am finalizing my touring plans and I am wondering how long I should budget for counter service lunch and dinner. We are planning to eat at non-peak times - lunch around 2pm and dinner around 7pm. How long do counter service meals take you?

For ordering/receiving your food at off peak times - 5-15min. then whatever length of time it takes you to eat - time allowed.

We use meal times as breaks, so always take it slow and relax over each meal - we never rush.

 

[darkwing818]

Off peak hours for DW & I; 30 minutes should do it.