Is it worth the savings to eat lunch instead of dinner at a Table Service Restaurant?

[cgcruz]

We would definately like to eat at a couple of Table Service restaurants next time we head back to the World. We've always gone to Table Service restaurants at Dinner time. Are the prices significantly cheaper at Lunch? Do you get significantly smaller portions. Last time we were at WDW, we had the free dining plan, so it didnt matter to us. This next time we go we just want to pay everything Out of Pocket. Its just so stressful to HAVE to go to your ADR everyday! If its Out of Pocket, we can just do whatever we want. If you don't, you feel you are losing the value of the DDP.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well, we love going to the buffets at lunch prices, and we get the latest time possible for lunch (3 pm, I believe) and then we take our time and they bring out dinner items while we are there. We did this at CP recently...by the time we checked in, were seated, washed our hands etc it was 3:30ish. Dinner items were being brought out, but we paid lunch prices.

I don't usually eat dinner quite that early, but when we are at WDW or eating schedule is very different. After an early dinner like that, I am pretty much done for the night, and DH will get a snack later.

 

[milmore104]

I'd say some of the buffets would be a good choice for lunch. Same food at a cheaper price. Also check out the menus on here. They list the differnce between lunch meno and dinner menu including the price. So if there is a certain rest. you want to go to check it out and see if it would be better for lunch.

 

[garris3404]

Eating at lunch will definiitely save you some money. Lot's of times we eat a big breakfast and the eat again around 2-3 for a late lunch. We would only need a small snack (dessert) later occasionally. It's also a great way to take a break in the heat of the day.

 

[dameodie]

We're paying OOP and everything except the ADR I have before the Pirate and Princess party is for lunch, and one character breakfast. Now, granted, we may not USE all of these ADRs*, but for us lunch just makes more sense. We can also snack in the evening when/if/where we want to, because we filled up at lunch Plus we're planning on afternoon breaks, so that gives us time to digest as well as more prime park time in the evenings.

The flip side of that was I had a lunch ADR for Le Cellier, and I decided to cancel it because if we were going to do that I wanted to do dinner. Dinner just wasn't in the budget.

*Yes, yes, if we're not going to use them, we'll cancel them ahead of time. I set them up to give us options so we're not SOL when we get down there.

 

[Valeep]

There are many restaurants that have a different lunch menu than the dinner menu. I tend to find the prices a bit cheaper but the portions are smaller and the menu can sometimes be limited. One restaurant that I have in mind is Le Cellier. The lunch menu was fairly different than the one for dinner and didn't have the items that I ususally enjoy for dinner. So I caution you to check the menus on allearsnet.com so that you have an idea what you are getting into for lunch. I would say that the buffets are your best bet.

 

[Bev J]

We enjoy a ts lunch. We are not much for breakfast and would rather be at the park than eating first thing in the AM. We have a snack and a TS lunch around noon-1. It's nice to not have to deal with the long lines at CS, we get out of the heat and crowds. By the time we are done with lunch we are ready to tackle the rest of our afternoon or we head back to our resort for a break. Yes lunch at TS us generally cheaper- check out the menus for the resturants your interested in and compare.
We like a lite dinner early evening, much easiser to sleep on...

Bev

 

[fla4fun]

Another advantage to eating lunch at TS is that most people on the DDP will either use their TS for breakfast or dinner, and will do CS at lunch. I do any TS at lunch, and I usually have a lot of luck with last minute ADR's or walk ins.

Although it does save some money, not all restaurants have the same menus at lunch, so if there's something you really want to eat, look over the menus first so you aren't disapointed.

 

[MickeyNicki]

The only TS that we had lunch at is Le Cellier and I thought the portions were a nice lunch size...not to big but not to small and the food was awesome.