Ques. about eating late at restaurants

[uhdwsso]

Hi all. For our upcoming August trip, our ADR's are late as I think we'll be arriving late to the parks. We are 2 families with 6 kids ranging from ages 5 through 10. We have 2 character meals lined up and the rest are regular restaurants. Our ADRs are later ranging from 7:45to 8:45. Our hubbies are preferring to sit down to a relaxing meal at the end of the day rather than to start the day with a sit down.

Especially for the character meals, are the characters tired at this point? Is the food less fresh at the buffets? After having served many people prior to our meal, just wondering if the wait staff is done for the night. Should we go for early evening meals and then return to the parks? Btw, our ADR's are Whispering Canyon, O'Hana, Chef Mickey, 1900 PF, Teppan Edo and Mama Melrose (only one that's early due to pkg.)

Thanks!

 

[nkereina]

I asked a similar question like this once. I was advised that due to travel time and length of a TS meal, I would be losing precious time. 4 of your 6 ADRs are at resorts, which may take up some good time in travel/waiting time. For that reason, I'd go with the later ADRs to end your day and so you don't have to rush to get back to the parks.

 

[addiln]

the characters get changed out on a regular basis so they do not get tired out and they stop at all the tables there. we had a late res at cp and the food there was fresh. they seemed to be changing out the food and adding fresh new items the entire time we were there. we were on of the last tables there and all the characters stopped by for photos and seemed just as into their job as everyone else. the waitstaff always seemed friendly as well. we tend to eat later as well and never had a bad time at any restaurant. our res. at teppen edo was like at 8:15 and we had a great time with the chef and the other group that sat at the grill we were at.

 

[Nadjalu]

As said, the CMs doing the characters are changed frequently as that job is hot and tiring. So that isn't an issue.

Buffets are always taken care of, at least this is our experience. Haven't had an issue with a late adr and no food or old/stale food.

And even though eating late gives you more time in the park, often it isn't a benefit. I have found that we need that "sit down, relaxing, cooling off" time around 5-6pm. Then we head back to the parks until they close.
Otherwise there can be meltdowns and uphappy "people"....lol If we wait to long to eat or get to tired.

So depending on your normal schedule at home (meal times, bedtimes) and how late the parks are open, if you have hoppers. I would recommend eating a bit earlier.

But it really depends on your family and what they need.

I wouldn't worry about losing to much park time. If you have planned to be eating close to the park you came from or are going to, eating early doesn't take that much time away.

Good luck and have a great time!!