How much time does CS usually take?

[emilyclaire]

How long do your typical counter service lunches last? I know it will vary by restaurant/crowd levels, but how much time do you usually budget in your itineraries for CS?

We are going in October and are planning CS at Flame Tree, Sunshine Seasons, Cantina de San Angel, ABC Commissary, and Tusker House. Would like to know roughly how much these will cut into our touring plans.

 

[disnut8]

I'm not giving any times but hints.

Flame Tree - the seating area here is so nice, you might want to plan some extra time just to relax.

Sunshine Season - always crowded because of Soarin' right there. Very hectic and noisy seating area. You'll want to east very fast (if you can find a seat).

Mexico - always crowded. We actually saw it with less than three people in each line and just about fell over. It's nice to sit by World Showcase but it's difficult to get a seat.

ABC Commissary - never ate there but looks to be fairly quick and nothing special about it.

Tusker House - never actually ate the food but if the lines are extremely long, should take that much time as the seating area isn't that special either.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We don't schedule every minute into our plans. If we want to sit and relax at the CS meal for an hour, we do it. If we want to get our food to go and eat it while racing to the next ride, we do that. We go with what we feel like, how tired we are, etc.

It's going to depend completely on how long the lines are and if you can get a seat. And no one will be able to tell you what it will be like because it changes by the minute, it seems.

I will say that I disagree with the above poster on a few things - Tusker House was a very nice seating area with musicians entertaining us when we went. We were in no hurry to leave there (esp since the food was so good!) and the lines were short.

We also have never felt the need to hurry and eat at Sunshine Seasons, as we enjoy the atmosphere and people watching. It's an open area while lends itself to lots of free entertainment (aka - crazy tourists around you!).

My advice would be to go with the flow and don't try and schedule yourself to death. When you're hungry, eat. If you're tired, sit awhile and talk about the best rides you've been on so far. If you're in a hurry, grab a snack and keep going until you're in the mood to sit and eat a meal.

 

[goofy4tink]

All my meals are part of my itinerary! THere is much more to enjoying WDW than just doing rides and shows. So...even if you are just doing counter service, take time to smell the roses so to speak. I have had some terrific lunches, just sitting there, eating, watching the goings on around me, or the nearby scenary. At AK there is much to see when eating.
Counter service lunches give you time to sit, relax, and rest up a bit. If you rush through, in the interest of getting back to your touring, you won't get to build up much needed energy. Relax....this is vacation. Take that extra 30 minutes.