Table Service during MNSSHP?

[Mamagoat1014]

Good or bad idea to attempt dinner reservations at BOG the night we attend the MNSSHP? We won't be entering MK until 4pm. I'm afraid doing dinner will put us behind getting in line for the popular characters.

 

[HopperFan]

If you pick up a dinner at 4-5 pm then I would do it. I would not book if it took up any party time.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It would definitely put you behind with the popular characters like the Seven Dwarves or Jack and Sally.

But if you just want one of them - and you get a 4pm or 4:15 dinner reservations, you should be ok.

 

[Mamagoat1014]

What time do Jack & Sally start signing? I know I saw a post stating the 7 dwarves start around 5:00 usually?

 

[melana]

Get it beforehand. We did BOG at 7pm during our party in '15. Luckily I was able to get through the Jack and Sally line(about 50th in line) and my niece and sister were able to get through 7 Dwarfs line in plenty of time. I think the Dwarfs come out a little later than Jack and Sally..but don't quote me on that. My niece and sister were 2nd or 3rd in line for the Dwarfs. They took so long because everyone in the group ahead of them (5 people) wanted individual pictures...

But do your dinner beforehand...I will never book a TS during a party again.

 

[ajh88]

I will echo others - if you want Jack and Sally, I wouldn't do a sit down meal. Go straight to their line at 4 and last year they came out around 5. We did a Liberty Tree dinner at 3 pm on a party day and by the time we finished and got our wristbands, their line was crazy long. If you want only Dwarves, you could probably swing dinner. They do come out later than J&S but can't remember what time. If you don't care about either of those characters, then I would try for BOG at 4:15'ish but not much later.

ETA: or if you just want J&S, you could try an ADR about 5:30. I personally wouldn't do that but it's an option if you don't want Dwarves. We did a 2nd party and got to J&S line about 4:10. We were 3rd in line and were done meeting just a few minutes after 5.

 

[Disneylover99]

Even though the party doesn't officially start til 7pm, it really starts as soon as they start letting people in at 4pm. Lines form early. We got some magic shots when we entered at 4pm and bought some party exclusive merchandise just after 5pm. I'd skip any TS restaurant if you want to maximize the party.

 

[IrishNYC]

I would not waste any time on a party night doing table service. I'd use the 4-7 time to get FPs done, and grab CS when convenient.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

I have to agree. You are paying for hard ticket item. Don't waste time eating.
If you want popular characters you need to get wristbands and get in line. Jack and sally started at 5pm last year and i think the dwarfs came out at 530.
Time flies so quickly. We usually grab something at our resort before heading to MK and then eat again while we are waiting for the parade. Then the time waiting for the parade is wasted either

 

[CAS239]

You'll want to eat beforehand and then get to MK to get in at 4pm and start lining up for characters or riding rides

 

[Accident]

I like doing a 4 or 5pm dinner somewhere nearby MK (sometimes inside mk). I personally attend the party for the party and I don't look for or need the first 3 hours that is just a very crowded park with many of the people in costume waiting for the party to start. Also it tends to still be sunny hot and annoying, I like arriving as it starts, and get right into the festivities.

note: I'm also a local so not being in MK the extra 3 hours isn't missing out on anything during a limited trip, you trip that may not work.. It did work well for my daughter when I was a traveler to do something else the rest of the day, get a good nap/rest/meal and then come into the party all dressed and start trick or treating with no wait..

 

[angierae]

We ate at 2:30 at Kona, so we could be at the gates at 4. We had FP+ for 4, 5 and 6, and around 6:30 we got in line for the Princesses (We were dressed as Rapunzel and Snow White, and they were meeting together with the Princes at that time (2013).

We ended up getting something quick from Casey's later in the party almost at the end, I think. But we definitely waited until we were pretty satisfied with having done everything we wanted to do before we stopped for food.