5 tips for making Quick-Service Dining in Walt Disney World EASY
On a recent trip to Walt Disney World I decided to carefully observe and note the quick-service dining experience in an effort to make helpful recommendations to my clients. In doing so, I was amazed by my findings; specifically, how making a few minor adjustments can save guests a lot of time and stress! Read below for my tips!
1. Utilize mobile ordering where available
Disney recently started mobile ordering that allows guests to go into their “My Disney Experience” app, select the quick-service restaurant where they are dining, pay and order ahead of time. They then take the order number on their phone to a designated counter within the restaurant to pick up their food. Guests would be amazed by how much time this can save them waiting in line to place their orders! It is important to note that mobile ordering is not available at all quick-service restaurants. For a list of locations that do accept mobile orders, click here. In addition, the mobile order service also accepts all three of Disney’s dining plans. Speaking of dining plans . . .
2. Pre-pay for your food with one of the three Disney Dining Plans
Each one of the dining plans offered by Disney includes quick-service credits. A quick-service credit entitles each guest to an entrée and a beverage (specialty beverages are included where available as well as alcoholic beverages for guests 21+). The sticker shock from the price tag of a quick service meal can be tough to take, so pre-paying for food ahead of time makes for a more enjoyable experience. Credits are easily redeemed . . . so easy, perhaps, that a person could equate it to magic!
3. Look at the menu before you enter the restaurant or queue
Disney understands lines and crowd control. As soon as you walk into the restaurant or dining location, likely a cast member will hand you a menu and you will be ushered into a line and asked for your order before you have had a chance to get past the first option! Hey, we cannot fault them for being efficient! However, guests can feel rushed or pressured. To alleviate this, I suggest to look at the menus and decide what you want to order ahead of time.
Most quick-service locations will have a menu posted outside of the restaurant or queue, and some are even posted online. Take advantage of looking at the menus ahead of time so you do not feel rushed when deciding what you want to eat. If there is a crowd surrounding the outdoor menu, ask for a menu inside, walk to a location where you are away from the masses and the queue, and take the time you want to make your meal decisions. Guests who have time to look at menus ahead of time will be aware of their options and will feel good about their decisions. Menus typically have healthy options available as well (you just have to know where to look)!
4. Divide and conquer
The food queue at quick-service dining locations can be tight. If you have a family of four or more all standing in line together, it can get crowded. Instead of everyone waiting together, guests can divide and conquer. Have one person stand with you to help carry food, and send the other off to find available seating. Typically, parties of 4 can easily sit together, and this can even be stretched to parties of 6. However, if guests are traveling with larger groups, it might be prudent to break off into smaller groups as it will be easier to find tables. The guests who find the tables can also grab napkins, silverware, straws, etc. for the table. This approach makes for a relaxing meal in a busy environment.
5. Eat during non-peak times
I was amazed at the difference in crowd levels for lunch at 12:00pm compared to 1:30pm. Those guests going to lunch at 1:30pm or later saw much lighter crowds. This makes the wait times for the queues manageable and gives way to more availability with seating. While most quick-service locations have ample seating, during busy times, it can seem like there are no available seats. Eating during non-peak hours changes the entire experience.
Waiting in long lines and walking miles and miles around theme parks can certainly spark an appetite. An enjoyable dining experience is well-deserved. Hopefully, these tricks will help make those experiences easy, comfortable, and stress-free; after all, it should be magical through and through!
Kim Hart is a Disney Travel Agent with MickeyTravels – an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. For help planning a magical vacation, contact Kim by email at khart@mickeytravels.com or by phone 410-529-1324. You can also follow her on Facebook by clicking here!