Restaurant Hopping?

[Cin]

Is is possible to visit a restaurant and not dine there? Say, we go to the Sci-Fi Drive In and all I want is a drink with a glow cube and DH will get his own and not order food? I really just want to get a chance to experience the atmosphere too but we are on the free quick dining plan and not needing a table service meal. Will they let you just order a cocktail and sip it there? Or is there a minimum dollar amount you have to purchase? Any ideas?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They do not have a bar. You will need to make a reservation and be seated at a table or car. Then you can order what you want; there is no dollar minimum.

 

[GeorgeG]

Why would you take up a table that someone who is hungry might be waiting for? For a glow tube?

 

[Cin]

So I can check out the restaurant and the atmosphere and theming, but being on the QSDP it is not on the plan and I can budget for something like a beverage or inexpensive snack. I am not able to budget for a meal though.

 

[jdisnut]

Why would you take up a table that someone who is hungry might be waiting for? For a glow tube?

Because all paying customers deserve an opportunity to enjoy a restaurant's amenities. Disney consciously maintains a policy that allows guests to dine with no dollar minimum. The original poster plans to spend money at Sci-Fi and therefore inherits the same rights as any party ordering a three-course dinner.

Some groups visit the signature places just for dessert. This situation seems no different.

Anyway, by just ordering drinks, the original poster's group will turn the table over quickly, potentially allowing for shorter waits for others with reservation. It even could open a spot for a walk-in party that the host otherwise would turn away.

 

[jojomoore]

HI,
In november, we have an ADR for La Hacienda de San Angel for 4 people hopefully at a good time to view illuminations. My daughter told me that she prefers not to eat mexican food away from home because it upsets her stomach. So my plan is for just me and DH to order an entree(maybe the one for two people) and allow my DD and DN to order a counter service meal a little earlier in the evening. They are both eleven so i think it will still be a nice evening. We are not on dining plan. The atmosphere of the resturant is just as important to me as the food itself. In my opinion, as long as you have an ADR you should be able to go to SCI-Fi order a drink and soak up atmoshere.

 

[GeorgeG]

I was just curious. Still doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but I guess it does to some.

 

[tinkerpea]

I totally agree that anybody who takes the time to make the adr should have the same rights to just have a drink and enjoy the place! may not make sense to some but does to me
I have 3 boys and although we will be on the DDP I will be enjoying time out from my boys at a restaurent just to have a desert and drink and nothing else as its rare we get a drink and desert in piece....by the time dinner comes my boys have usually had enough.