Mixed group dinner on a party night?

[Wildcard]

We will be visiting Disneyland on a Halloween party night (10/17). Our group would like to eat at Plaza Inn for dinner prior to the party. The catch is that part of our group will be attending the Halloween party, and part will not. I believe the party officially starts at 6pm, so do we just need to have ordered our food by 6, or do we need to be finished up by 6 (i.e. do they sweep the restaurant checking wristbands)? We don't typically eat dinner too early, so we're looking to eat as an entire group as late as the rules allow.

 

[figment_jii]

They won't kick anyone out of the seating area right at 6:00 pm, but if you're not there by then, your friends without the wristbands won't be let in to the restaurant. So you need to plan on being inside the restaurant (and by this, I would mean inside the entrance) before 6:00 pm. When you're done eating, your friends will need to head to the park exit. Just remember, that if you're going to wait to eat until 6:00 pm (the start of the party), then you'll be giving up a portion of your party time to dine. The party is only 5 hours long, so even if it only takes about 45 minutes, that's still 15% of the party time.

 

[Wildcard]

Thanks! And point taken. I'm actually hoping to eat a little earlier, but I wanted to make sure they weren't going to get their plates taken away at 6. That should also allow them to linger a littler longer, should they choose to do so, while the rest of us head off to the party.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I would check with Disney about this. Not sure if I'm remembering correctly, but I thought I had seen CMs standing outside CS places before the party start time, 6pm or 7pm, telling guests that they could not enter because they wouldn't be finished before regular park closing. So I would definitely aim to be at Plaza Inn as early as you all can be there. Not to mention, who wants to rush through a fried chicken dinner? The more time you have to enjoy, the better!