How to NOT be rushed through your meals?

[btk2333]

We are going Easter Weekend. We would like to use our ressies as a way to relax and escape the crowds. I've been reading about how rushed everyone feels during meals. Any thoughts?

We've never felt rushed at WDW- except when we're in a hurry to get somewhere lol

I recommend signature dining and ordering as you go (apps first, then entrees, then think about dessert, then order dessert). If you are at Tony's, then you will probably feel rushed. Resort dining is also at a much slower pace and most of the best restaurants are at WDW resorts anyway!

 

[msmama]

I don't feel rushed at buffets because I feel like everyone knows that I'm not leaving until I've seen all the characters. It really doesn't have anything to do with the amount of food I've eaten.

As for other table services, it's my son who rushes us more than anything, lol.

I think leisurely meals are one thing, but, if you're sitting there chatting for a long time, no longer eating, just hanging out, maybe you could find a better place,especially if it's a busy time at ether restaurant. And, make sure to tip well because you are taking time from the server where they would make more money.

I met a friend for lunch yesterday (not at disney) and we sat and chatted for 2 hours but we made sure the tip reflected the fact that we kept our server from getting another table. And it wasn't packed and there were plenty of other tables around.

 

[mickeynut1]

We do at least 8-10 TS meals a trip and we also have never felt rushed. We have had great dining experiences over the years and have never felt like we were being pushed to leave.

 

[geenerbell]

Thanks for the replies and comments. You're right in saying we can take our time even if the server is trying to rush us. There've been a few meals in the past that felt very rushed. I've timed our reservations so we can relax without feeling we have to get to the next FP+ appointment. We will be dining at CP for breakfast, BOG for dinner, Via Napoli for dinner and Prime Time for lunch. This will be our first time at Via and BOG. So excited!!

 

[SouthJersey]

We are going Easter Weekend. We would like to use our ressies as a way to relax and escape the crowds. I've been reading about how rushed everyone feels during meals. Any thoughts?

We've never felt that way at any of the signatures.
If we feel we're being rushed by the servers, we'll space things out ourselves. We'll order the appetizers and tell them we're unsure or waiting to decide on entrees, or if we want to relax we'll order apps and then order entrees when apps are delivered.

 

[Dis703]

I can't recall ever feeling rushed through my meal at Disney. However, I do try to be conscious of the fact that others are usually waiting for tables and not linger overly long. But with our kids meals always needing special allergy prep it often takes a little longer to get through a meal for us.

 

[mare1203]

I've actually had the problem of trying to slow down the meal and then never seeing the waiter again! There have been times when we've said, we are still looking at the menu and then fifteen minutes later, haven't seen a sign of the waiter. It doesn't happen that often, but every once and a while. Also, I should say it's not exclusively a Disney problem; I find this all over. I haven't figured out a happy medium. Usually I find the signatures are paced pretty well, even if you order apps and entrees at once.

 

[SouthJersey]

I've actually had the problem of trying to slow down the meal and then never seeing the waiter again! There have been times when we've said, we are still looking at the menu and then fifteen minutes later, haven't seen a sign of the waiter. It doesn't happen that often, but every once and a while. Also, I should say it's not exclusively a Disney problem; I find this all over. I haven't figured out a happy medium. Usually I find the signatures are paced pretty well, even if you order apps and entrees at once.

When I used to serve, if the table wasn't ready in two check backs, I focused on other tables until I saw their menu's closed.

 

[IndianaRRT]

We also have never felt rushed at a TS meal, but we do try to be mindful of how long we've been there. For instance, if the reservations are in increments (20 min, 30 min, etc.), then we assume that's the targeted table turnover time at that establishment (not just at Disney, but anywhere). If we plan on taking longer than that, we inform the wait staff, and we will raise our tip accordingly if we've "taken up" another slot.

That being said, we've enjoyed several fun and yummy meals with terrific waiters/waitresses. And we're optimistic that will be the case next week

 

[Disneytam]

Wow I'm reading some of these reply's on being rushed at the table being the dinners fault and just shaking my head. In years past I can't remember being rushed but the past two visits (both at quiet times) it often felt like "here's your hat don't let the door hit you in the behind". Some examples, three adults dining at Rose and Crown, entrees came out less than a minute after apps. When I said to the runner dropping off the entrees that we hadn't even started our apps. she just said make room and dumped the plates on the table. A minute or two later when our server walked by her only commit was "oh they came out nice and quick" as she ran by our table and was not seen again until she dropped off our check before even asking if we wanted dessert.

The same trip at Liberty tree Tavern for lunch our meals arrived way before we were done eating our soup. Again the plates were just put on the table and when I spoke up I received a frozen smile and the commit "It's just salads" and he was gone.

Same trip Tony's for dinner, they were so overbooked and we had at least a half hour wait after our ADR to be seated. Two members of the party ordered salads as entrees and within a minute or two of them arriving our bill was dropped at the table, no question of any dessert!

The worst was at The Flying Fish. To be fair this trip we were on the deluxe dining plan and we had made a late ADR at about 9:30. The place was almost empty when we arrived and the whole attitude of our server was they wanted us gone as quickly as possible. From the time we sat at the table to the time we were back in our room was less than an hour (we were staying at the BWI). This was with a three course meal! While eating me app. I sat down my fork with my app. a little more than half done and the waiter was at my side whisking the plate away and sitting my red snapper entrée in front of me. When I startled and said I wasn't done yet he placed my app. to the side of the table and walked away leaving the entrée, which had obviously been sitting under a heating lamp because the sauce had a thick film over it. While we were still eating he placed the dessert menus down beside us and stood waiting for us to order, it was very awkward to say the least. We were never offered any drink refills and it was just so uncomfortable that we were happy to leave. After reading this I know I should have at the least stood my ground and sent the entrees back but both my husband and I don't like to be confrontational. I do like the idea of just ordering one thing at a time as long as that doesn't upset the server and you never see them again! Will have to try that next trip.

 

[LuvGoofy6]

I actually don't mind if they bring the bill right away at a buffet. I still feel in control of the pacing of my meal at a buffet.

We feel the same way. It's interesting to read the differences here. We've had times where we feel like we are waiting for the waiter/waitress to bring us our bill (Liberty Tree, 'Ohana) so we can leave.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Ordering one thing at a time is how we ALWAYS dine at WDW. Drinks first, then apps, then the entree then dessert.

Most servers actually like that as it gives them time to deal with diners who are in a hurry to gobble down the meal and rush back out to a show or Theme Park.

 

[jo-jo]

I've actually had the problem of trying to slow down the meal and then never seeing the waiter again!

Once at Ohana while we (family of 9) still had full plates of food, server came by and said "ready for dessert". Umm no. We went on with eating and no one came back for a long time. We finally had to ask someone to get the dessert.

Some yrs ago, we were eating at Boma for breakfast. After we sat down with our FIRST plate, the server came by and stood the bill fold between my DH and I like a center piece. We moved it away and asked a manager about it. She said sometimes that done because people eat and then walk out without paying. Sooooo being rude and pushy is gonna make want to pay faster if we were planning on skipping out??????

 

[Disneylover99]

I've eaten at TS restaurants when I've been both on and off the dining plan. One thing I've noticed a few times when being on the dining plan, they ask for your entree and dessert at the same time. That would certainly contribute to feeling rushed.

 

[kiford]

I've never felt rushed at WDW TS dining for dinner, lunch or breakfast. I've also never been asked to order dessert at the beginning. I order appetizer and entree at the same time but never dessert. I often don't eat dessert and just order coffee and sometimes a liqueur. I've no idea if I would have room for dessert until after I've seen the size of the appetizer and main. We frequently order wine or a pre-dinner drink so maybe they're hoping we'll order more drinks (which we might do sometimes) and those usually have higher margin than food so they're happy for us to stay or maybe it's just the time of year we're there when it's not as busy.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I think servers cant win for losing, you bring the bill early they get mad you wait and they have to wait a couple minutes for the bill they get mad..People eat as slow as you like take your time..Campers are people who are done eating, don't want any refills but will sit at your table for 2-5 hours just talking..Servers make money on how they turn their tables.....if you are eating they wont have a problem at all, its the campers that they have a problem with..

 

[mom2my3kids]

Feeling rushed by servers is completely different then allowing yourself to be rushed by servers. While I may feel rushed, I don't actually allow servers to rush me.

Exactly...

 

[Tara922c]

I would just tell your server that you are in no rush. Just order as you go in order to pace the timing of your food. I know Disney cleans and seats new tables way faster than anything I have ever seen at home, so sometimes it is possible to feel rushed without actually being rushed.

 

[smcabee]

The only place Ive ever felt Rushed was at Ohana. Thought I was in a Nascar race pit stop there. That said, Communicate with your server, tell them to slow it down, order one course at a time.

 

[disnut8]

Some yrs ago, we were eating at Boma for breakfast. After we sat down with our FIRST plate, the server came by and stood the bill fold between my DH and I like a center piece. We moved it away and asked a manager about it. She said sometimes that done because people eat and then walk out without paying. Sooooo being rude and pushy is gonna make want to pay faster if we were planning on skipping out??????

I don't think that was the case. The server placed the bill on your table so the server gave you the bill. If ANY party - not just yours but ANY party had walked out without paying the server had given the bill to the party.

So go to the end of the shift and the server hadn't given that bill to ANY party. And no receipt was listed for that bill. Who would pay? The server. Not that ANY party who had left.

The server had to protect his/her butt because of not so nice people. Of ANY party. Not just yours.