How long to you plan for meals?

[JessGWI]

I'm sure this question has been asked/answered a million times, but how long do you plan for your meals?

My husband and I (both 26) were planning on going in May of this year, and are trying out Ridemax. We have only been to Disneyland before. We were thinking about planning for 30 minutes for Counter service meals, about 1 oclock in the afternoon as we are from the Midwest and it will be about noon our time, and about an hour for a Table Service Dinner around 7PM each day. For those of you that have conquered Disney Dining, do you think this will be enough time to enjoy a nice meal without feeling rushed, while not taking too much time away from adventuring?

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

I'm sure this question has been asked/answered a million times, but how long do you plan for your meals?

My husband and I (both 26) were planning on going in May of this year, and are trying out Ridemax. We have only been to Disneyland before. We were thinking about planning for 30 minutes for Counter service meals, about 1 oclock in the afternoon as we are from the Midwest and it will be about noon our time, and about an hour for a Table Service Dinner around 7PM each day. For those of you that have conquered Disney Dining, do you think this will be enough time to enjoy a nice meal without feeling rushed, while not taking too much time away from adventuring?

We usually plan for around an hour and a half for table service meals. Especially if you plan to do an appetizer or dessert. Some of the signature restaurants could take even two hours. Also, with ressies for 7pm, you have to factor in that you may have to wait 15-30 or more before you are actually seated. I think 30 minutes is probably fine for counter service.

 

[ancestry]

There have been occasions during the peak dining times where we have had to wait in line for nearly 30 minutes just to order and get out food but that was Disneyworld not Disneyland.

 

[Micca]

Average would be an hour & 15 minutes. Most of the TS places really try to turn the tables.

 

[lauralong81]

We were there last year about that time, and it's relatively slow. Like other posters said, I'd give yourself 1.5-2 hours for TS, 1/2 hour seems good for counter service. It's not a big busy time of year (as long as you're going towards the beginning of May, not towards the end & Memorial Day)... so you should not have to wait long for food.

 

[cbg1027]

How long I budget for each meal depends on the restaurant. If it's a CS place, then I take 45 mins MAX.

For an in-park TS meal, I would allow an hour. Maybe a little longer depending on your wait.

For a Signature TS meal, I allow 2 hours, and again, can vary with the wait time.

For an outside the theme parks non-signature TS meal, I allow about an hour and 15 minutes.

But fyi, I like to eat slow and sit around a bit before jumping up and heading off.

 

[tiggspring]

Last year we were at WDW May 8-16. With our three kids 4-7-10 we averaged 35-45min CS and 65-80min TS we had several character meals wich increased our time. We tried to avoid 11-1 5-6:30. To keep crowds a bit more managable.