Skipping ADR's

[nicolispicoli]

I'm planning my first trip to WDW for February 2018, but for a rather large group (11 people- 6 adults, 5 kids 10 and under), all whom have never been to WDW, only DL.

We only have 3 park days, 2 at MK and 1 at AK. I've been researching all the food options in both parks as we approach our date to book ADRs. I'm wondering if with our limited time frame if we should just skip any table service meals and stick with quick service. Our dates are 2/20-2/22, so I know it will likely be busy, but not so hot. We don't plan on leaving mid-day, just pushing through until the kids no longer want to go along.

I was wondering what others would do in my situation. I'm perfectly happy to do quick service, but will I have trouble finding seating for 11 no matter where I look. Is it a mistake to skip booking table service? What say you all? Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

We typically only have a table service meal every 3 days. There are a lot of really terrific counter service options and we feel that table service meals eat up a lot of time that we would rather spend in the park.

 

[BrianL]

I would not try to get everyone at the same table service restaurant during park time. That's going to be quite difficult with a large number of people. Maybe you could go to a resort for a table service dinner on your arrival night or maybe somewhere at Disney Springs (assuming you are not going to a park that day). If you do go for a TS meal, maybe consider a buffet as that simplifies the ordering process. Biergarten is a good one that usually has plenty of room, though you may be seated at two tables. I wouldn't schedule a lot of table service meals, but maybe just one that you really want to do.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You won't have a problem finding seating for 11 in most places so long as you look 180 days out. This is assuming your entire party can agree on where to eat, and when. But it isn't a bad plan at all to just go with counter service.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd book maybe one or two ADR's now at 180 days out. You can always cancel them later.

 

[Bullseye]

The AK day you might want to consider the Satu'li Canteen in Pandora area. It's slightly pricier than regular QS, but the entrees are unique. It almost feels like you're eating TS. Agree with other posters that you might want to try a resort and buffet. Boma, Cape May, or O'hana are all great dinner buffets which you should have no problem getting seating for 11 at 180 days out.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Disney is set up for family groups like yours, so they expect parties of 11 at almost every restaurant on property. If you dine at 1900 Park Fare, you'll see quite a few tables for parties of 11-12. Almost the only place that would be tough is the ice cream shop at the BC.

In most QS, if you eat at peak times, then finding ONE table for 11 people probably won't happen, but finding two/three tables near each other will generally be pretty straight forward. If you eat at 11:30 or after 1:30pm, you'll have an even easier time find two tables together. Two tables of six, plus touring all day together is really plenty of together time. If you like, you an even kind of set up one table for the adults and the other for the kids, and I think you'll be even happier.

You also don't say where you are staying, but one of your easy options is an ADR at one of the hotels. If you are onsite, eating at your home resort is a no-brainer easy option with a party of your size. Almost all the resort TS would be fine.

Oh, I should mention Teppan Edo is a hibachi-style Japanese place in Epcot. If you've ever done hibachi: they cook your food in front of you, in an entertaining way on a grill that is in the middle of a large table, and I think those tables seat 12 people. So your party would get a table for your group and have it to yourselves. The food is very good, and not overly exotic. You get rice, grilled veggies, grilled meat/seafood of your choice, and even soup. Sushi if you wish. Teppan Edo would be super!

 

[robl45]

Ugh, Teppan Edo is terrible. My kids won't eat there because the kids steak is so bad and they love hibachi. After 3 plus torturous times, never again. Anyway to the OP, if you are in MK, table service at the Be our guest restaurant is reasonably convenient and is nice to get a break from walking around all day. Unless I went for a quick day or 2 so the kids could ride some rides, I wouldn't wan to do quick service the whole time.

AK you could do rainforest cafe right there and that should entertain the kids. Maybe tusker house but I don't think they have characters at night.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

I'd book maybe one or two ADR's now at 180 days out. You can always cancel them later.

That. Especially for a party of eleven.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I forgot to mention, the BIG downside of big ADR's is that all ADR's are now subject to the no-show fee. You can cancel up until the day before your ADR, but if you don't cancel, and don't show up, you will get charged $10 per person. I'm told that as long as MOST of your group shows up, then you are fine, but I've never tested that. I've done many big group visits to WDW, but none since they added this fee.

Another factor with a big group is that you can't force everyone to be on the same page. Some will want to be up early (to beat the crowds), while others probably think they are going to sleep late. Overlapping FP can help, but otherwise it is best if you don't expect everyone to be together all the time. Smile if it happens, but don't make anyone be the group dictator.

To book ADR's, everyone has to agree on a mealtime AND they have to agree to spend the $. TS meals at WDW are expensive, and a $45 buffet might not appeal to some. Generally the Dining plan is no money saver, but with a big group, it might make your life easier, as long as you don't have to explain how it works over and over again.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Honestly, depending on the lines, QS can sometimes take just as long as TS. If you decide to do QS, I would suggest going at off hours (before or after the 12-1 pm lunch rush) and consider using the new pre-order function on the MDE phone app. When my DS was really young, we used to eat QS as soon as the restaurants opened and they would be practically empty making ordering, collecting our condiments and utensils and finding seats relatively easy. During peak seasons though, lines are long and tables are hard to come by. In MK, I would consider trying to find seating in the upstairs area of CHH. You may have to split your party up, but hopefully you'll find seating close together. I must say, though, especially when traveling with young children, going to TS is really a breath of fresh air. To be able to sit and order and have everything brought to you makes for a great park break!

Perhaps consider this - make ADR's for your second and third park days and try QS on your first park day. If QS works out well, you can then cancel the 2nd and 3rd day ADR's you've made. If QS is too stressful, you have ADR's! If you were a party of 2 or even 4, I would say wing it, but it's going to be hard to wing ADR's with 11 people.

If you go this route, I would avoid character meals - they do take a long time. In MK, I would consider making a reservation at the Plaza (they only take reservations between 11 am - noon). The service is relatively fast, the food is good and the restaurant is centrally located. If you can't get an ADR there, I would consider LTT or Skippers Canteen (both also fairly centrally located). I would avoid Tony's. The food isn't great and it's at the MK entrance making walking back and forth from attractions fairly cumbersome.

For AK, I would go to Yak & Yeti if you want to consider an ADR. Food is good and, again, it's fairly centrally located. If you decide to make a reservation, call the restaurant directly as they have more availability than the WDW will show. OR, get a Landry's Select Card. It's $25, but that goes toward your bill. You also get a $25 birthday bonus (Feb. can be your birthday!). With the card, you simply show up, show the host/hostess your card, and you get priority seating. With a party of 11, however, I would probably still want a reservation as, even with priority seating, showing up with 11 on a moments notice might make for a longer wait time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I forgot to mention, the BIG downside of big ADR's is that all ADR's are now subject to the no-show fee. You can cancel up until the day before your ADR, but if you don't cancel, and don't show up, you will get charged $10 per person. I'm told that as long as MOST of your group shows up, then you are fine, but I've never tested that. I've done many big group visits to WDW, but none since they added this fee.

Another factor with a big group is that you can't force everyone to be on the same page. Some will want to be up early (to beat the crowds), while others probably think they are going to sleep late. Overlapping FP can help, but otherwise it is best if you don't expect everyone to be together all the time. Smile if it happens, but don't make anyone be the group dictator.

To book ADR's, everyone has to agree on a mealtime AND they have to agree to spend the $. TS meals at WDW are expensive, and a $45 buffet might not appeal to some. Generally the Dining plan is no money saver, but with a big group, it might make your life easier, as long as you don't have to explain how it works over and over again.

You are correct. If you show up with less people than are on the ADR you are NOT charged the no-show fee. As long as someone shows up, you are fine.

This is why I suggested making "just-in-case" ADR's for your 2nd and 3rd park days. If QS goes well on day 1 and you don't feel the need for the ADR's, you can simply cancel them (at least a day ahead of time) and there is no penalty.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I think I might make a couple and cancel them later if need be. Going over menus with everyone and deciding on one place seems like such a task, especially because we'd need to do it soon.

At least with quick service, we can separate and come back together which is usually how we roll at DL.

 

[FSU Girl]

Oh, I should mention Teppan Edo is a hibachi-style Japanese place in Epcot. If you've ever done hibachi: they cook your food in front of you, in an entertaining way on a grill that is in the middle of a large table, and I think those tables seat 12 people.

Those tables seat 8, maybe 9 if you squeeze in a tiny child.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Ugh, Teppan Edo is terrible.
AK you could do rainforest cafe right there and that should entertain the kids. Maybe tusker house but I don't think they have characters at night.

That's funny, because we'd pick Teppan Edo over Rainforest or Tusker House any day!

Though if they aren't going to Epcot, no Teppan Edo.

Eh, for us, there are no TS in AK that we really like. From AK, we go to Boma at AKL for dinner, and they're a good place for bigger groups. (short bus ride away) It is a buffet with a fairly wide variety of options.

We like BOG okay for lunch, but not dinner. That is also one of the few places - oddly enough- that has trouble seating larger groups. Crystal Palace is good for groups. Also: 'Ohana at the Polynesian, everything at the Grand Floridian is great for bigger groups. We don't love Chef Mickey's, but they are good for groups. Whispering Canyon Café at WL (short boat from MK) would also be fun/good for a big group. I've never tried it, but I think the buffet at Fort wilderness would also work well for a big group, as Ft W has lots of bigger groups.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Disney is set up for family groups like yours, so they expect parties of 11 at almost every restaurant on property. If you dine at 1900 Park Fare, you'll see quite a few tables for parties of 11-12. Almost the only place that would be tough is the ice cream shop at the BC.

In most QS, if you eat at peak times, then finding ONE table for 11 people probably won't happen, but finding two/three tables near each other will generally be pretty straight forward. If you eat at 11:30 or after 1:30pm, you'll have an even easier time find two tables together. Two tables of six, plus touring all day together is really plenty of together time. If you like, you an even kind of set up one table for the adults and the other for the kids, and I think you'll be even happier.

You also don't say where you are staying, but one of your easy options is an ADR at one of the hotels. If you are onsite, eating at your home resort is a no-brainer easy option with a party of your size. Almost all the resort TS would be fine.

Oh, I should mention Teppan Edo is a hibachi-style Japanese place in Epcot. If you've ever done hibachi: they cook your food in front of you, in an entertaining way on a grill that is in the middle of a large table, and I think those tables seat 12 people. So your party would get a table for your group and have it to yourselves. The food is very good, and not overly exotic. You get rice, grilled veggies, grilled meat/seafood of your choice, and even soup. Sushi if you wish. Teppan Edo would be super!

That's funny, because we'd pick Teppan Edo over Rainforest or Tusker House any day!

Though if they aren't going to Epcot, no Teppan Edo.

Eh, for us, there are no TS in AK that we really like. From AK, we go to Boma at AKL for dinner, and they're a good place for bigger groups. (short bus ride away) It is a buffet with a fairly wide variety of options.

We like BOG okay for lunch, but not dinner. That is also one of the few places - oddly enough- that has trouble seating larger groups. Crystal Palace is good for groups. Also: 'Ohana at the Polynesian, everything at the Grand Floridian is great for bigger groups. We don't love Chef Mickey's, but they are good for groups. Whispering Canyon Café at WL (short boat from MK) would also be fun/good for a big group. I've never tried it, but I think the buffet at Fort wilderness would also work well for a big group, as Ft W has lots of bigger groups.

We're staying off site, rented a house for all of us close by so we'll likely be doing breakfast out the door to try to get to the park as early as possible.

If it were just me and my family, we'd be hitting CRT if we could get a table and BOG, mainly for the experience. We could probably hit the latter, but the first is an expensive commitment when not all are interested.

Unfortunately, we won't be visiting Epcot or DHS. The menfolk in our group refuse to do any more than 3 days (I know, who did we marry?! ) and I thought 2 at MK and 1 at AK for first timers was probably our best bet. Of those, I am most bummed about missing Tower of Terror as it was my favorite DCA ride

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I think I might make a couple and cancel them later if need be. Going over menus with everyone and deciding on one place seems like such a task, especially because we'd need to do it soon.

At least with quick service, we can separate and come back together which is usually how we roll at DL.

Most of the TS restaurants at WDW are mostly aimed at the average American palette including kids. There's always an assortment of kid meals, almost always a steak for the steak/potato eater, always a vegetarian option (usually more than one), etc.

The buffets all have a section that is kid-friendly, usually a carved meat station, salads area, soups, veggies, breads, assorted desserts, etc.

Also, if anyone has a food allergy/special needs, they note it on your ADR. Most places now have pre-printed allergy menus, but usually at TS, a chef comes directly to your table to make sure your needs are met. Disney is pretty careful.

 

[samara]

It's true that character dining can take longer, but if the kids in your group want to see characters, combining that with a meal can be more time-effective than waiting in lines. When my kids were young, we had to do Chef Mickeys and 1900 Park Faire to keep them out of the character lines! Tusker House in AK also does a character meal, and the food on the buffet is slightly more unique than other buffets in the World.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If it were just me and my family, we'd be hitting CRT if we could get a table and BOG, mainly for the experience. We could probably hit the latter, but the first is an expensive commitment when not all are interested.

BOG for lunch is a good choice- it isn't too expensive, you should be able to sit together, and it is pretty inside. I like the tuna nicoise salad- they use real tuna, not the canned kind. The desserts are also fun. It costs little more than some other QS, but worth it.

Mostly with our big group, we eat at whichever QS is closest when we got hungry, but Cosmic Ray's has the highest throughput of any WDW dining. I wouldn't say it is stellar food, but it is absolutely classic WDW MK! They have lots of tables.

If you want something kind of like CRT, then eating at the Grand Floridian has a semi-similar vibe. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is similar to the castle about $45adutls/27kids, but has the best characters of all - Cindy and her step sisters! Breakfast characters are an odd mix, but the atmosphere is a bit like the castle, it costs a lot less, and a very late breakfast ADR = breakfast+lunch, because you won't need to eat again until dinner. (lunch buffets also can =2meals)

There's also the GF Café: no characters, American menu, but very pretty, reasonable for lunch. Easy place to get an ADR - esp if you are trying to get one last minute. I recall tables for 8, not sure about 12.

The QS at GF is Gasparilla Grille. We stopped by last spring, and the menu didn't look nearly as good as in the past, BUT, if the day is nice, you can eat on the patio with a wonderful view of the castle. At night, you can see the MK fireworks. The indoor tables can be busy, but the patio is nice.

You mention going until the kids get tired...a nice thing about both GF and AKL is that both lobbies offer lots of comfy seating. Both are good for a fun respite. GF feels upscale, AKL is more brown and exotic. There's also gift shops and arcades at each. Oh, and cartoons and pressed penny machines for the kids. Part of the group can chill, and part of the group can explore. At AKL, they offer you night vision goggles at night to see the animals, and there is a fire pit. The men in your group might just be surprised at all WDW has to offer!

 

[robl45]

CRT we won't go back to. If you like the food then it could be good, but when they don't serve french fries for the price they charge, I'll skip it. It was a hundred times better before they added the princesses and the ridiculous prices. At any rate you don't really want to leave the park if you are there for a short period of time. Even getting to Chef Mickeys takes a fair amount of time and I wouldn't go there for the food. Worse food in all of Disney, we only eat there because my son like to see mickey in the chef's hat. Be our guest is probably the best of Disney food that isn't stupidly priced. if you can get a reservation.