Is dining rushed or relaxed?

[savafan]

In particular, table service restaurants where reservations are required or character dining experiences. My question is, do you have as much time as you need to relax and enjoy your food, or do they tend to try to rush you out to make sure they can fulfill as many reservations as possible?

I'm not saying I'd just sit at a buffet and eat all day, after all, I want to enjoy the parks, but I also don't want to feel like I have to eat as much as I can in 30 minutes or less and hurry on my way.

[g8rgirl29]

The only place I have ever felt rushed is at Cinderella's Royal Table. The character dining experience can get a little overwhelming if you are trying to get autographs and photo's, especially at buffet's. Only because you are trying to eat, get your food and do photo's & autographs.

[Tigerinvestigator]

We've never felt rushed at all. That's why we love table service, to take a break from the rush.

[buzznwoodysmom]

The only place I ever felt rushed were a few times at Ohanas. We eat there on every trip, and don't normally feel rushed so it seems as though those were isolated incidents. I did ask our servers (both times)if they could slow down, and made sure to let them know we were in no hurry and that seemed to help. Otherwise, we have had very relaxed TS meals.

[savafan]

Good to know!

[DizneyRox]

Actually they do tend to try to get people in and out fairly quick, as you mentioned, they do have ADRs to fulfill.

If you want to take your time, that's OK but there is a pace they do like to go by. This is evident at character meals especially. You can see the wave of tables being filled, served, created, etc.

Part of the reason they don't allow choices between apps and desserts on the dining plan is allowing that would extend the turn around times on table without generating more income (people tend to share apps and desserts).

When I'm rushed at a meal, it's reflected in the tip...

[Kairi_7378]

The only time I felt rushed was at the Grand Floridian Cafe, and I think I hit them on a very bad night, where they were a bit understaffed due to a wedding party. I have had servers at several ts restaurants tell me that we could stay all night if we cared to. While food is brought quickly I don't think it is done in a rushed manner.

[SBETigg]

I've never felt rushed at all, at any WDW restaurant that I can recall now. There are times when I've wished my servers were in more of a rush.

And if you are feeling rushed, and you don't want to be rushed, simply tell your server that you plan to take your time and they usually take the hint. You should set your own pace when you're on vacation, within reason.

[chrim]

To me, the times I most feel rush is if I order a starter and a main course. Usually, I am only part way through the starter when the main course arrives.

One possible solution to that is to order the starter and say you will order the main course later, when you are ready. I'd don't normally do that, but if you are afraid of being rushed, I would suggest doing that.

Of course, if you aren't ordering a starter, and only going for a main course with or without a dessert, then that isn't a concern.

[AgentC]

I've never felt rushed at a meal but character meals can feel.hectic since you are constantly preparing to meet characters while.you eat. Depending on the restauraunt the character experience can feel a bit rushed but I've never felt rushed on the meal itself.

[SurferStitch]

I've never felt rushed at a TS meal, whether in a park or at a resort, character meal or not.

I remember one meal at Cali Grill.... Our server was fantastic, and in NO hurry at all. It was our anniversary, and our meal lasted at least 3 hours! It was all because Ron (awesome server) wanted to make every moment special, and he sure did!!

[azcavalier]

Add one more to the list of never feeling rushed. In fact, there are times when we've wanted to get out of there sooner, and wish that the server would bring us our check sooner. We've gone to WDW about 14 times now I think, and we've done at least one TS a day for every trip. For us, the dining is a HUGE part of the WDW experience. I can't even imagine going on just doing CS restuarants the entire time (or always eating off property).

[Hammer]

I have had one recent experience at being rushed and it was dinner at Be Our Guest. Now my mother is a slow eater, but they were bringing out our dinner while both Mom and I were finishing our soup (my sister had just finished). We asked if the meals could be kept back in the kitchen keeping warm while we finished our soup. The server said "no" and put the meals on the table! I was beyond annoyed .

Have not had that experience at any other restaurant and we typically take 1.5-2 hours for dinner.

[VacationDisney]

We do a TS meal once a day while we are at WDW.

We have been to WDW 20+ times. We have NEVER felt rushed.

We totally look forward to dinner at the end of a very busy, fun filled day at the parks. It's something we look forward to as we sit back and go over all the fun things we did during the day

[DizneyRox]

I have had one recent experience at being rushed and it was dinner at Be Our Guest. Now my mother is a slow eater, but they were bringing out our dinner while both Mom and I were finishing our soup (my sister had just finished). We asked if the meals could be kept back in the kitchen keeping warm while we finished our soup. The server said "no" and put the meals on the table! I was beyond annoyed .

Have not had that experience at any other restaurant and we typically take 1.5-2 hours for dinner.

$ 0.0
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[whitney37354]

Never felt like we've been rushed by CMs at TS meals. I think on our first trip with all of the character meals that I was rushing to the buffet (if it was such type)to get food for DD & myself so that I wouldn't miss any interaction, but that was on me, not the service. There have been times that we wished the CM would bring the check sooner so we could get on with our park touring!

[etibbetts]

I've never felt rushed at any TS and we've done the Regular dining plan on our last four trips so we had a TS every day. I actually wish some of them had been a little more rushed.

[natedog24]

Add me as another one that has NEVER felt rushed. Like others, it is usually the opposite where I feel like table service takes too long! It's generally my nature to want to "Go, go, go!", but it is nice to sit and relax for a couple hours every night at dinner.

[CaptSmee]

They usually move at a brisk pace but we've never been rushed at Disney. If your like us take your time enjoy your meal as well as an air conditioned break

[MouseHouser]

I don't ever recall being rushed. It has always been my experience that Disney restaurants are well-run and the servers/cast members well-trained. It's a big part of what keeps us coming back.