Topsiders

[kajohn]

This is our first Disney cruise. We will be on the Magic eastern February 8th.

We have been on two Royal Carribean cruises, most recently an Alaskan cruise on the Radiance of the Seas this past July. It was great except for the buffet for lunch and breakfast. There was not enough seating, so people were constantly walking around waiting for a table.

Thus my question. I have a family of 5, with kids that will be 9, 7 and 5. I hope that I do not run into that again, it was one thing to be looking for a table to seat two, but I couldn't imagine if I had to do it for 5 people.

So, could past cruisers please let me know if seating is a problem at Topsiders for breakfast and lunch, especially during busy times. Also, will they let you take food out of the buffet to your room?

Thanks for the help. I have been lurking since we booked last February, but now that we are getting closer, my excitement is building!

 

[mcnuss]

I cannot speak from experience yet (less than 1 week to go) but do remember that Topsiders is not your only breakfast venue.

You have room service, you'll also have Lumieres and I think Parrot Cay (definitely on the day of your Character Breakfast). Given all the options, I think you'll be ok.

 

[floridaminnie]

There always seemed to be enough seats whenever we went to the buffet and other places for lunch. (We were also a party of 5 ) If one place is busy there are several other options.

 

[mmouse37]

Another party of five here....we have taken 6 DCL cruises and have never found seating to be a problem. We ususally eat around 8:00 am. I think it tends to get a bit more crowded later, like 9 ish... we recently travelled with a group of 14 and we were even able to get seats next to each other, though not at the same table. There is indoor seating and outdoor seating. And yes, you can take the trays back to your stateroom with no problem.

MJ

 

[tstobb]

We are also 5 & never had a problem getting a table at Topsiders & we didn't ever eat at the same time. It was quite windy outside so we always sat inside & there was only 1 morning that we didn't get a table next to a window.

 

[slindamood]

We ate at Topsiders almost every day for breakfast last December and never had a problem getting a table for our group of 3 to 5. We always ate outside at a table next to the rail. There was seldom even a line for food - we ate before 8 AM.

The ship was full, and Topsiders did not seem crowded the once or twice we ate lunch there. There are so many places to eat that no one place is at capacity.

Very pleasant experience.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

We ate at Topsiders frequently and never had a problem finding a seat. Sometimes we ate inside and other times we ate outside and everytime we found a place to sit. We did both the breakfast buffet and lunch buffet and and never had a problem. I don't know about taking it to your room because we never did that and I don't recall seeing anyone carrying food to their cabins but I suppose it could be done. And, like it was mentioned earlier, there's always room service .

 

[kajohn]

Thanks everyone for the info. My husband hates crowds, so he didn't deal with lack of seating well. I think the problem with Alaska was it was too cold and windy to eat outside, so only half of the seating was available. Glad to hear that shouldn't be a problem this time.