Late dinner TS - share your experiences

[PoohNFriends]

Hi Everyone!

I was reading some dining TR's and they were making me hungry for 'Ohana (and of course I'll be just as hungry for it in 148 days, or so, right? ) Long story short, I picked up a 9:15p 'Ohana and moved our Rose & Crown to an 8:50p a different night. We are late eaters at home so that part is not a problem, but I'm a bit worried about food quality, especially 'Ohana, that time of the night.
Anyone have good or bad experiences they can share? I know any night and time can be hit or miss with food and/or service, but hoping a few come along to help reassure me that we won't get all of the burnt leftover meat skewers .

 

[minnie mum]

We almost always choose a later ADR and have never had a problem with overcooked/dried out/sat under the heating lamp too long food.

Considering the throngs of people going thru these places every day, I doubt anything sits around for long before its served. OK I'm talking a la carte here. Have no idea about the buffets, but my guess is they're topped up pretty regularly, too. At least I've never encountered a lot of empty platters.

I think you'll be fine. And as a bonus, the restuarants ought to be a lot quieter, too, that late in the evening.

 

[emmamc252]

we are late eaters at home too, although I think most people over here eat a lot later than seems customary in America.
We booked mainly around 8;50 our first year, to be honest we didn't realise this is the LAST reservation time at a lot of placees Overall we had good experiences, A lot of places were still quite full, le cellier I remember definately was but by about half 9 a lot were half empty and we did think you lost some of the "atmosphere." I think it depends what you want, for an adults only meal it might not matter that its quieter but I think if you are taking kids then trying to go a bit earlier is worth it. Never any problems with food but just lacks something at the end of the night, like everyone is tired and "done for the day" before you have started your meal.
It also makes seeing fireworks and parades VERY difficult! and people seem to book at places like cali grill and tony's at like 7pm and somehow make their 1 course dinner last 2 hours! We had a nightmare at tony's!!!
Anyway, we tend to make our reservations for about 7;30 now, the first sitting is already over since dinner starts at 4;30 and means you kind of hit the mid point. Can mean a bit of a longer wait when you check in but its a happy compromise for us.

 

[crazytoshop]

Our best meal ever at Disney was a 9:30 ADR at 'Ohana! We were seated quickly and had great service!

 

[PoohNFriends]

Thanks everyone for reassuring me! We don't have kids (besides our innerselves) so that's also not a concern. Just wish I wasn't getting hungry everytime I think about dining reservations!

 

[Mousemom]

Last year we deicded to do most of our ADR's late. It worked well for us and the food quality was no different that early ADR's. Planning the same for this year.

 

[mommycrawford]

I would only worry if it would be a character meal, as the cast members get tired, and seem rushed near the end of their shifts.

 

[lacy1101]

Our best meal ever at Disney was a 9:30 ADR at 'Ohana! We were seated quickly and had great service!

Ditto!

 

[saintstickets]

When DW and I go to WDW by ourselves, we almost always have ADR's after 8:00. Our most recent trip (TR link below) had two of our most memorable dining experiences with both reservations at 8:30. The first & best was at V&A. What else can be said about this place that hasn't already been said? One of only 42 AAA 5 diamond restaurants in the entire U.S. and well deserved of this rating. Class, elegance, superior service and food that would satisfy any taste buds. Another restaurant that doesn't get much publicity is Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion at EPCOT. It is upstairs over Chefs de France. Since it was just the two of us, we were seated by a window with a view of the WS lagoon. Because of the later ADR, we were able to watch the fireworks show while we dined. (TIP - order the flambeed crepes for dessert and get another show at your table!) In both cases, there was no problem with the food or the service with later ADR's. Usually the restaurants are less crowded at that time as well. Both of these restaurants are not on the DDP but both do take TIW.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Awesome, thanks to everyone else who has also chimed in with good experiences!