priority seating a good thing?

[2minny]

I have never made priority seating reservations at the parks. Do you suggest this? We are planning on one character breakfast at Epcot. I never looked into priority seating because I don't want to mess up my day with another "place to be at a certain time". We usually do the counter service. Those that use ps, will you explain why I might enjoy this and how to do it?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Do it. Otherwise, you will have long waits, esp. for character meals...and even during the NON busy season, you may find yourself turned away because they don't have enough staff on.

You can always cancel if your plans change.

The only bad part is you may feel like you don't want a certain meal on a day when you planned it. But you can cancel it. It's just that getting in somewhere else where you don't have a PS may be hard...but not always. We had no PS for Le Cellier last week and got right in. But I think that is the exception, not the rule.

Have fun!

 

[2minny]

thanks esmeralda, we do have reservations for the character breakfast, just haven't made other ps's for our trip. Do I make this before we arrive?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think they are important if you really want to eat a particular place, or are trying to time things well. You know? Like, if you want to make the nightly show which is at a certain time, and know the restaurants will be crowded, its good to have a PS so you can get fed and out in time.

we usually plan our days pretty detailed... so we don't miss things like parades and shows and eat at the places we want to eat at. So it isnt hard for us to figure out where we'll be at a certain time and what places we've always wanted to eat at there.

You can always cancel them without penalty, so I think its worth it. You can do all this ahead of time before you go.

THis time, we only made PS for the princess breakfast (obviously), Coral Reef, and Ohanas. We will just punt on other things, and probably eat cheap. But for nice meals,I hate waiting forever. =)

Good luck!

 

[snoopy5386]

as far as another "place to be at a certain time". is concerned this is not really a problem. unless your ps's are for cinderella's royal table breakfast or on a holiday xmas, new years, etc. you are under no obligation (monetary or otherwise) to keep the ps. just don't show up if you don't want to. you can even have multiple ps's for the same time in different places. if you feel bad just not showing up use the courtesy phones in the parks to call and cancel. instead of thinking of them as another "place to be at a certain time". think of them as a back plan for eating

 

[2minny]

Thanks guys!! This has been so helpful! NOW, how do I make priority seating reservations?

 

[DisneyDude10171]

1-407-WDW-DINE

A friendly host(ess) will help you from there.

FYI: If you are from outside the Orlando, FL area this call will likely be long-distance

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by 2minny
thanks esmeralda, we do have reservations for the character breakfast, just haven't made other ps's for our trip. Do I make this before we arrive?

It's up to you. I made mine as early as possible to make sure I got the times I had my heart set on. But I also made a PS for Marrakesh the morning I got to Epcot and got the latest seating (which I requested) no problem.

I also walked into Le Cellier and had hardly any wait (but this was a weekday and it was raining).

I think if you really have your heart set on a specific time (like to make sure you are done in time for a parade or show ) the sooner the better; otherwise you can wait till you get there.

Have fun!

 

[XStAnt]

If you are just doing counter service then, obviously, you do not need PS. But Disney has so many great restaurants that are worth trying. As far as another "place to be at a certain time" we usually make Ps for a park we are in that day or at a resort for a time after the park closes. For example, on a day we go to Epcot we always make a PS for an Epcot restaurant (there are so many good ones). On a day we go to AK we might make a PS at a resort restaurant for around 6:30 since AK usually closes at 5:00 pm.

At busy times you need PS or you can wait hours for a sit down meal. Who wants to waste the time waiting in another line when you don't have to.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

how does making a PS work if you call in that morning? I was hoping to do this. We make pS for our one character breakfast but other meals we are not sure of yet. I was going to see about calling in the morning of the days we plan our visit. We really have no certain day we want to go where yet.

 

[XStAnt]

Sarahsmom,

You can call for a PS that morning. But it is just like making a reservation at a restaurant. If they are booked then you won't get a PS. Depending on when you go or what restaurant you want to eat at it may be difficult to get a PS for any realistic dinner time (9:30 pm dinner anyone ).

I'd also suggest making a brief itinerary of which park to go to on a particular day before you get there. Not only does it help with PS but with many other things. For example, Spectro, the night time parade at MK doesn't show every night. If you want to see it you should plan to go to MK on a day it is showing. EMH can/should affect which park you go to. If you want to take advantage of EMH you need to know which park is open that day. If you don't you should avoid that park. Just planning which park ahead of time can help tremendously.