How long does it take to eat at Garden Grill?

[mandyb]

Can anyone tell me about how long it will take for a meal at Garden Grill in Epcot? I'm wondering of I have an 8:10 ADR if there is any chance we will still be able to make it to Illuminations at 9:00?

 

[Ariel on Land]

I think it's technically possible, but..... definitely would be a squeeze. I mean, you can tell your server you'd like things hurried along, though I think it's possible to miss out on a character that way too. Also, remember you may not be seated at 8:10 either.

 

[RMulieri]

Honestly, it would be rushed and cutting it close..You need to be seated ON TIME or early and would have to ask your server to move things along.The character interaction is great here, and the characters take their time.So you could have to skip characters to get out on time

 

[mandyb]

Thanks guys, that's what I was afraid of. We really want to eat here but I don't want to miss Illuminations since we missed it last year. I guess I will just keep my fingers crossed and hope an earlier time opens up.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lilmattie13]

You know you could always show up a little earlier and see if they could get you in. We did this one time for an ADR just because we got there early and they were able to seat us. So if it's not particularly busy and you can get there a little earlier try that.

 

[kevgraub]

I thnk there are few issues. One, our experience getting seated at Garden Grill was terrible, we probably waited close to 45 minutes after our ADR before we seated. With a late ADR like that, they will probably be backed up at least a little. Two, you are really going to have to rush through the meal to eat and rush out to see Illuminations. Three, at the earliest you are probably going to leave the restaurant at about 8:45-8:50, at which time you are going to have a very hard time seeing much of Illuminations anyway (except the fireworks that go up in the air) with all the other people lined up in front of you.

I would keep trying for a much earlier time or decide whether you would rather do Garden Grill (and take your time to enjoy it) or catch Illuminations. I think with the 8:10 reservation, you may end up rushing through the meal and not enjoying it - and then rushing out to Illuminations and not really enjoying it either since you don't have a good view.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I just booked us at GG for the 1st time for 4:40...is that a good time to have? I figured we'd just eat an early light lunch that day!

 

[USAswimmer626]

It's possible, assuming you were seated at precisely 8:10, ate extremely quickly, paid the check IMMEDIATELY following dinner, and sprinted from The Land to World Showcase Lagoon.

In my opinion, make the reservation for at least 7:30.

 

[jking6]

I was wondering the same thing since we have reservations there at 7:20 and Illuminations is at 9... Do you think we will be okay?

 

[mmtska]

The 720 ressie should be ok. Figure about an hour for the meal-that's how long it takes the restaurant to rotate, and we didn't linger and it 'lined up' perfectly. Then head over to WS. You might not get the PERFECT seat but we walked out from Akershus last year at 845 and had a good view.

The 810 ressie? Probably not happening.

 

[doggydoc]

I was wondering the same thing since we have reservations there at 7:20 and Illuminations is at 9... Do you think we will be okay?

I have a 7:15 wondering same thing as well.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

7 to 7:15 is doable. 8:10 IMO will make for a very rushed meal where the least little thing like waiting for the bill or a back up in the kitchen will sabotage your plan to be at Illumations by 9. Rushing usually makes for a not so enjoyable meal. Good Luck!

 

[aceys_h0ney]

We had a 7:20 reservation and did not make it out in time for Illuminations. We were seated a good 20-30 minutes after our reservation time and our server was slow. We did ask about making it in time for Illuminations and were told that he would try to move it along but that did not happen. We saw the characters multiple times so our issue was not waiting for them.

 

[USAswimmer626]

7 - 7:30 is most likely going to work, but there is always the scenario where the restaurant is running slowly or your server falls behind.

 

[pixarmom]

In our experience, Garden Grill has always been about an hour. But we spend time with the characters, so it takes our kids a little longer to eat. The food, however, has always come out very quickly!

I agree the best option is definitely looking for an earlier ADR! If that's not available, I think the previous poster's idea about showing up early for an ADR is a good one. We always try to arrive about 15 minutes before our ADR and have never had much of a wait at Garden Grill.

And when we have an ADR that is later than we would like, we have had very good luck showing up early and being seated pretty quickly.

 

[mandyb]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I kept checking every day and finally was able to get a 6:50 ressie so I think we will have plenty of time. Thanks!

 

[lilosurf11]

Our rule of thumb is thatwe have to be there for at least one rotation.