Thoughts on Party Night Dining?

[MomOTwins]

When/where do folks like to eat on a party night? I am really torn because we like to relax with a table service meal, but if we eat before the party in the 4-7pm window we are missing out on fastpasses and early meet and greets, and if we eat during the party we are missing out on the entertainment. I've never done quick service for dinner on a party night, but I hear that the quick service in MK can get pretty packed with long waits, and we are going on the first Christmas party of the year so I am expecting crowds galore. The last option is to eat SUPER early at our resort quick service (i.e., 3pm) before making our way to the party at 4pm (we are at the Poly, so travel time is not too bad), and then grazing on the free Christmas mickey pretzels and cookies that are handed out at the party if we get hungry again later. WWYD?

 

[Disneylover99]

We usually make quick service eating a priority as soon as we enter at 4pm before it gets crowded. Then we can relax a bit and make plans.

 

[Christine]

When/where do folks like to eat on a party night? I am really torn because we like to relax with a table service meal, but if we eat before the party in the 4-7pm window we are missing out on fastpasses and early meet and greets, and if we eat during the party we are missing out on the entertainment. I've never done quick service for dinner on a party night, but I hear that the quick service in MK can get pretty packed with long waits, and we are going on the first Christmas party of the year so I am expecting crowds galore. The last option is to eat SUPER early at our resort quick service (i.e., 3pm) before making our way to the party at 4pm (we are at the Poly, so travel time is not too bad), and then grazing on the free Christmas mickey pretzels and cookies that are handed out at the party if we get hungry again later. WWYD?

We are also going to the first party and have never done a party before.

I'm thinking we are going to eat QS at our hotel and then make our way over. I guess I'll spend the rest of the evening just snacking.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We get there at 4, and start our fps at 3:20-4:20. Our dining reservation is at 6:10, so we eat while they're clearing the park, then party time!
The party before last we had fps for Space, then SDMT then BTMRR or Splash. Squeezed in Pirates then ate a nice relaxing meal at Skippers. Done around 7:10. Last time because we had kids, we met Moana, did Pirates, then met Jack Sparrow, ate at Columbia Harbor House, and started our party.

 

[Rich M]

We our going to attend the party on Dec 10th and we have planned right now to eat at the Wave at 5 PM and then will walk over for the party. Going to follow along to see what others are suggesting. We did attend a Halloween Party last October and we ate at Liberty Tree prior to the party starting. It worked out well but there wasn't snacks besides candy. The Christmas party has a lot more offerings so I don't want to be super full.

 

[poppinsmomof2]

When/where do folks like to eat on a party night? I am really torn because we like to relax with a table service meal, but if we eat before the party in the 4-7pm window we are missing out on fastpasses and early meet and greets, and if we eat during the party we are missing out on the entertainment. I've never done quick service for dinner on a party night, but I hear that the quick service in MK can get pretty packed with long waits, and we are going on the first Christmas party of the year so I am expecting crowds galore. The last option is to eat SUPER early at our resort quick service (i.e., 3pm) before making our way to the party at 4pm (we are at the Poly, so travel time is not too bad), and then grazing on the free Christmas mickey pretzels and cookies that are handed out at the party if we get hungry again later. WWYD?

We are doing the halloween party, but plan to eat a table service meal around 2 pm, then later in the night either do quick service or just snack around. That way we get a good meal in, but don't waste too much time eating during party hours.

 

[garris3404]

We've done both. Once, we ate at CP around 4:00. It wasted valuable pre-party FP time. Now we eat a late lunch either at a resort or Disney Springs.

 

[Bjkandma]

We prefer to eat at our resort prior to arriving. Towards the end of the party if we are hungry, we will grab something at a quick service and share.

 

[alex9179]

I'd pick eating a late lunch and snacking in the park.

 

[OhThePain]

We spend the day at MK when we do parties to take advantage of the shorter lines during the day. We have done late lunch at BOG (around 2:30 or so, check in after) and early dinner at The Plaza (around 4:15, check in before). In both instances we were able to get on line for our must see character meet for that party where we were able to sit and relax for a bit before the party started. For our upcoming MNSSHP night we have a 3:00 ADR for Skipper, then we will check in and get on line for our must do. We don't mind the early dinners because it's a party so a little extra snacking through the night is forgivable. While a lot of party people tend to avoid the park during the day so they can rest, we like to take advantage of the lower crowd. Between the meal and the resting while waiting on that first line, it gives us a couple of hours to recharge before the party.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Party tickets are so expensive, you don't want to waste party time eating at a TS. I would either do a late lunch at your resort or a resort near MK, then arrive to the party by 4pm. Then during the party just have snacks/cookies or QS if you do want a full meal.

 

[Donaldswife]

You could use mobile ordering for a QS in MK that way you won't have to wait in a long line. That is what I would do so I can be in the park at 4pm, and just take a break for QS around 5:30 after my first 2 fastpasses but before I lined up for my first meet n greet or activity for during the party.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

we are staying at the contemporary, i think we are going to hop on monorail at 3 and eat at capt cooks at poly and hopefully be in park around 430. then snack throughout the night. maybe split a qs meal if we get hungry.

 

[GenGen22]

Last year we had the same decision to make and ended up eating QS at Pecos Bill. It didn't take too much time out of the party. Just plan it so, you dont miss the parade or fireworks and make the meet & greets a priority as the lines get long. Best of luck with your planning!

 

[verleniahall]

We either eat a quick service at the resort before we go an then snack when we are in the park OR we will get in line for one of the MUST DO Characters (like 7 Dwarves) and I will stay in line and DH wil run and grab something for us to eat while we are waiting

 

[GenGen22]

We will get in line for one of the MUST DO Characters (like 7 Dwarves) and I will stay in line and DH wil run and grab something for us to eat while we are waiting

This is actually a great idea!! We waited for the 7 Dwarfs for an hour and a half last year and this would be an absolute time saver!!

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

On our last trip we decided to have Christmas dinner before the Christmas party so we booked Liberty Tree for 415. We were out of the restaurant by around 530.

We have decided that this will be our new MVMCP night tradition.

That being said, pre-party FPs were not a priority for us as our trip was 12 days in length.

 

[chinarider]

We are going on a Sunday and having brunch at Homecomins at 1045- then we are going back to the hotel to rest... we can grab a bite before we head out or probably plan on quick service at park - we are also doing the Cruella event which starts at 9::30 and includes a little bit of food. Do we know for sure that mobile ordering is available during the party hours? That would be extremely convenient if it is.

 

[cluvsdisney]

We tend to have a later TS lunch before hitting the park and then maybe a snack later in the night.

 

[Micharlotte]

We did a late brunch at chef mickeys and were so full we didn’t eat again. It was for a Halloween party and in September so the heat zaps our appetites. This worked well, we were in for the pre party by 4 and didn’t stop until 12:30 when we got on the bus!