How to NOT be rushed through your meals?

[geenerbell]

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?

 

[kastoney]

Presuming you are doing table service, just order as you go. Order an appetizer and don't even put your entree order in until you are done with it. You could also just linger over appetizers and order one or two at a time until you are done

 

[aaarcher86]

I've never felt rushed. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[lizard1]

I've never felt rushed either, and we have spent up to 2 or so hours at the restaurants.

 

[LuvGoofy6]

We've never felt rushed either. Sometimes when the waiters/waitresses are busy and rushing around it may seem to some patrons that they are also being rushed. Enjoy and don't worry about hurrying.

 

[Disneylover99]

I almost always feel rushed by our server at DW. The only place I've not felt rushed by our server is San Angel. That's why I love buffets. We can take our time and go up for food as fast or slow as we like.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I agree with Kari. I've definitely been rushed thru quite a few meals at WDW - especially buffets; but I've had wait-staff try to clear dishes from the table before I've finished with them at some TS as well (Sci-Fi, MM, RFC, 50's PT, & LTT come to mind.)

Don't know what restaurants you're planning to dine in, but if they're buffets such as CM, CRT, TH, CP, etc - be prepared to feel rushed, especially at such a busy time.

If you're dining at a Signature such as CG, AP, Yachtsman's, Narcoosee's, FFC, or Jiko, you'll be fine if you do as Kari suggested and order each course as you progress through your meal. You'll be asked to inform your server of your choice of app, entrée, & usually dessert upon being seated & briefly looking over the menu; but you can politely let him or her know that you'll be ordering as you go along. Kevin had a Podcast segment regarding this very subject & how he dealt with it at one of the restaurants he reviewed, but I don't remember which one. Will see if I can find it.

If you're eating at LC, CR, or TTS be prepared for the Bum's Rush! Just remember that you're paying a pretty penny for your meal and feel free to eat at your own pace. You're not obligated to rush because your server wants to turn the table over (& maximize tips), nor are you to blame for the restaurant's policy of overbooking "reservations". I realize that just saying that doesn't make it any easier to relax in a hurried atmosphere tho...

Even tho I agree it's difficult to relax when there's a line at the check-in podium, please try to blissfully ignore it - especially considering the price you're paying.

I've found that some resort venues generally offer a much more leisurely pace - GFC, Sanaa, Turf Club Bar, & Captains Grille were especially relaxing. They are however, off the beaten path, and might be busier than usual at Easter time. And I have to say that the Cape May Café Buffet Breakfast was & is one of our favorites - both for the food & lack of chaos/cacophony.

YMMV, but HTH.

Bon Appetite!

 

[minnie mum]

Just don't allow anyone to rush you. We've only encountered it a few of times. A server who wanted to take our order before we were ready. Or a couple of times when our entrees arrived before we had even finished our appetizers. On those occasions we just politely told them that we were not ready yet, and to please come back later. We've found that the servers paced the meal much better after that.

 

[rlovew]

We have never found ourselves rushed through a meal, however I don't know how party size might make a difference as we are normally only a 2 of us except for occassionally meeting with friends and a trip last fall with my niece along. When we want a really slow meal we order 1 course at a time and I have told the server that we plan to linger at times and have found it is not an issue. Now as 2 adults we are normally not that hard on a server and we usually use a TIW card so the server is guaranteed a tip. The main times I have seen servers rushing people is when they have a family with lots of little ones that are not behaving, those families I have seen rushed by both servers and managers, probably because other patrons are complaining about them and they too want to be rid of children either being way too loud or running around inappropriately, but I rarely see a family rushed without children, we do not however eat at buffets.

 

[CarrieR]

Maybe it's because we're allergy diners, but my meals at Disney are some of the longest I've had... ever. We go into meals with a relaxed attitude and don't feel rushed. The only thing I can think is that we let our servers know we're in no hurry... often they are apologizing for long waits for chefs etc and we just let them know we're chill. Perhaps they're expecting that families want to get through their meals and back out into the parks?

 

[goofy4prez]

I almost always feel rushed by our server at DW. The only place I've not felt rushed by our server is San Angel. That's why I love buffets. We can take our time and go up for food as fast or slow as we like.

I'm just the opposite from your experience. I almost never feel rushed when I am at a sit down restaurant. However I am almost always rushed at a buffet restaurant. So often the check is brought out to our our table while we are still eating with the words, "No rush, take your time" (usually means hurry up). Yet after that it is rather difficult to get our server to stop and refill our drinks more than once. It seems more like to me, eat your food, here's a refill, pay the bill, don't bother me for another refill, pick up our check and work that smile (sometimes the only smile) for a 18% tip at a buffet, and then move along so I can fill this table and repeat the same all over again. The exceptions are Cape May (breakfast) and Boma (dinner), and where I had miserable service and where felt rushed was Chef Mickey (breakfast) and Ohana (breakfast & dinner).

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm just the opposite from your experience. I almost never feel rushed when I am at a sit down restaurant. However I am almost always rushed at a buffet restaurant. So often the check is brought out to our our table while we are still eating with the words, "No rush, take your time" (usually means hurry up). Yet after that it is rather difficult to get our server to stop and refill our drinks more than once. It seems more like to me, eat your food, here's a refill, pay the bill, don't bother me for another refill, pick up our check and work that smile (sometimes the only smile) for a 18% tip at a buffet, and then move along so I can fill this table and repeat the same all over again. The exceptions are Cape May (breakfast) and Boma (dinner), and where I had miserable service and where felt rushed was Chef Mickey (breakfast) and Ohana (breakfast & dinner).

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.

What I do notice at TS meals is that the servers seem to speak so fast. Sometimes they are rhyming off specials of the day before we've even sat down. The fast talkers drive me crazy and make me feel rushed. Maybe that's another reason I like buffets. Other then ordering drinks, I really don't have to deal with the servers.

 

[goofy4prez]

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.

What I do notice at TS meals is that the servers seem to speak so fast. Sometimes they are rhyming off specials of the day before we've even sat down. The fast talkers drive me crazy and make me feel rushed. Maybe that's another reason I like buffets. Other then ordering drinks, I really don't have to deal with the servers.

I guess I probably wouldn't mind it either, but it seems that once that bill is on your table it is next to impossible to get a refill on your beverage. Perhaps I'm a little harsh with buffets because overall I don't think the food is as good or fresh as a prepared meal. But with that said, there are some exceptions such as Boma.

 

[Disneylover99]

I guess I probably wouldn't mind it either, but it seems that once that bill is on your table it is next to impossible to get a refill on your beverage. Perhaps I'm a little harsh with buffets because overall I don't think the food is as good or fresh as a prepared meal. But with that said, there are some exceptions such as Boma.

We always ask for four large waters, plus our drinks - so I don't think we've ever needed refills. As for buffet freshness, we tend to book our meals at the earliest lunch or dinner times when everything is still hot, fresh and plentiful and there are very few lines.

We also love Boma. We had an early dinner there last summer. It was soooo relaxing. There was hardly anyone there the first hour and it was just starting to get busy as we left.

 

[Meriweather]

Very rarely do I feel rushed.
And we eat TS service once a day for our 3-4 2 week trips a year.

 

[GillianP1301]

I don't ever recall feeling rushed through our meals. I'm usually not looking for a relaxed pace though at WDW, so maybe that's why. I do think the vast majority of diners want to be in and out efficiently, to maximize park time, so I think the faster pace is intentional. However, the diner can set the pace. Politely let them know you arenen't ready to order the first time they ask, order one course at a time, things like that will slow them down. A good server will pick up on the cues of their diners and adjust their speed.

 

[North of Mouse]

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?

In all our years eating at Disney, we have 'never' felt rushed. You can only be rushed if that is what you allow! I read about a lot of people feeling that way - if so, that's their problem because they are allowing it!

We almost always sit down with a smile, pass a few pleasantries with our waiter/waitress, and have never had a rude wait person or bad service. We have been seated by some families that everyone would be glad to 'rush' them out the door - them, or their children being rude, loud and obnoxious. Consideration goes both ways.

 

[bucky1023]

Agree with other posters... I've never felt rushed while at WDW. (have gone at just a party of 2 as well as in bigger groups). I know that I have read on these boards quite a few times of people trying to get in and out of a TS as fast as possible so they can make it to a FP+ or show, but I take my sit down meals as a time to relax, cool down and enjoy a nice meal.

 

[rajak73]

Put us in the camp of never felt rushed at meal. I just take my time, if the server don't like it....to bad.

 

[Disneylover99]

In all our years eating at Disney, we have 'never' felt rushed. You can only be rushed if that is what you allow! I read about a lot of people feeling that way - if so, that's their problem because they are allowing it!

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.