Quick service strategy?

[Dreamin of Dole Whip]

Greetings friends! Planning a last minute trip for Sept and am thinking about doing all QSR dining. For those who've been in the parks recently, what is QSR like these days? When I visited last December, it was really frustrating. You had to plan hours in advance for more popular locations or you wouldn't get a window of time to eat. Is that still the case, or can you walk up to locations now and order in person? Additionally, how is the quality of food? Again, in December, I thought it was really struggling in some places and didn't enjoy all my meals. Are there spots that you would just avoid?

 

[xipotec]

We had 15 minutes or less waiting at JH.

Same with the other QS. But we mainly did ADRs.

I can tell you the times backed up to 45 minutes later during the parades and fireworks for real food….snacks were always 15 minutes….

 

[xipotec]

Our ADRs were the real waits, most took 15-20 minutes past the time to be seated, so check in on the app early.

LLL was almost 45 min past actual ADR time, and we had to ask about it.

 

[purple figment]

We had lunch at Docking Bay yesterday. The first available pick up time was 30 minutes out. We got there a few minutes early, but the "I'm here" response said we had to wait until the exact pick up time, but at that time the food was immediately ready for pick up.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

We visited in Aug and Oct of 2021 and had the same quick service experience as you. Last week, we ordered mainly quick service via mobile, worked very well 90% of the time. Window was within 15 min of our order max. Got the food very quickly after hitting I'm here button. The one bad experience was Red Rose Tavern right at opening. They were slammed for breakfast. 30 min wait after hitting I'm here, had to ask multiple people for order status, Finally someone found our food and it was cold.

 

[tink89]

we went about two weeks ago and placed orders for food (Rancho del Zocalo, Red Rose Tavern, Jolly Cafe, Cocina Cucamonga, stage door, and a few others, and almost all had a window for pick up now or within 30 minutes. When we went back in Feb it was a bit slower and I would say we were there for pick up as we were walking and it would be ready by the time we arrived, but this time almost as soon as i hit I was there the order was ready.

 

[Dreamin of Dole Whip]

Thanks everyone, appreciate hearing your experiences. It sounds like everyone is using mobile order, but that you are able to have your first choice of dining at quick service, and there are not restaurants that the window gets blocked out. When I was there last December, if you didn't set up mobile order way in advance you might have to wait or not be able to get it at all. For example, Jolly Holiday, it was impossible to get in there for dinner on night because all the mobile order time slots were taken. Is that no longer the case? Additionally, I really want to know, have they not gone back to ordering from a human in a separate line? Is everything mobile order?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks everyone, appreciate hearing your experiences. It sounds like everyone is using mobile order, but that you are able to have your first choice of dining at quick service, and there are not restaurants that the window gets blocked out. When I was there last December, if you didn't set up mobile order way in advance you might have to wait or not be able to get it at all. For example, Jolly Holiday, it was impossible to get in there for dinner on night because all the mobile order time slots were taken. Is that no longer the case? Additionally, I really want to know, have they not gone back to ordering from a human in a separate line? Is everything mobile order?

Most places have both mobile order and a regular lines. There are a few exceptions like Dole Whip from the Tiki Juice Bar is mobile ordering only and Tropical Hideaway is regular line only.

Best quick service in the parks is in Galaxy’s Edge (in my opinion!) at Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7.

 

[Pluto468]

We went in June. We did mostly mobile order, but I also ordered from a human a few times. At Pym's for breakfast there was no line at all so I just walked up and talked to a person. I walked up to order at Ronto Roasters, too. If I was trying to get food without planning ahead I would go somewhere and look at the line, then decide what to do. One morning at Jolly Holiday I was in line but it was going really slowly so I mobile ordered and sat at a table to wait instead. I did the same thing at Red Rose Tavern. There was an option for ordering from someone but the line was long so I mobile ordered instead and found a table while I waited for the food.



Mobile ordering worked our really well most of the time, though. I usually order ahead of time and click "I'm here" as I'm walking over. The food has always been ready within 5 minutes of my arrival.