We purchased the dining plan at Disney World and I know I have to make reservations for the table service meals but what about the counter service meals?
Also, I have the park hopper pass so I don't have to plan to spend the day at the park that I have dinner reservations at but is it a major hassle to get from one park to another? We don't want to have to plan every moment of our vacation.
2007-03-18 17:03:27 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
I think you really like the dining plan, it is a great deal. You are correct that you need to book table service meals. Try to do that as soon as you can, with the popularity of the dining plan, a lot of the better restaurants sell out really fast, such as Le Celliers. The closer you are to your actual booking date, the more likely you are to get the restaurants and times you want. As for counter service meals, you do not have to make a reservation for them, nor do they offer advanced reservations. Basically, the counter service meals are similar to McDonalds where you order your food and then wait for them to make it and call you. When you get there you just have to look around for a seat, most of the time something will be available, most people have one person order while the rest of the party finds a table and saves that while the food is being made.
In my experience, the counter service meals can get a little old since a lot of them are hamburger/fry type menus, eating at these type places can get a little old, especially if you are there for a while. There are a few really great counter service restaurants that offer a little variety over the others and the food is pretty good, considering it is counter service. Tusker House in Animal Kingdom offers some good options. Also Wolfgang Puck Express is a great option as is Earl of Sandwich, they are still counter service but offer a little nicer meal for that option.
Just be sure to ask a Castmember for more info on the plan when you are there. Always tell them at the table service you are on the dining plan, they will offer you a lot of information and let you know everything you can get. Also, it is good to ask about the snacks because there is quite a bit you can get with them and some places will offer you a better value over the other.
As far as going between parks, it can be done and it isn't a big hassle. However, it can be pretty time consuming. I'm not sure if you have been to Disney before, but if this is your first time, going between parks can use a lot of your time. 30 to 60 minutes is the amount of time Disney recommends to allow to get between parks, which can take a lot of time away from being in the parks. If you aren't too big on going on all the rides, it isn't the big of a deal, but to get on the most rides in the least amount of time, going between parks can take away from this time. I've been to Disney a lot now, so going between parks isn't a problem for me, but if this is your first visit, I don't always consider this to be the best option, but each persons plans are going to be different.
It's definitely not a hassle to go between parks. All you have to do is go to the buses,find the bus for your park and they will take you right to the gate of the next park. You will have to get to the front of the park to the buses and then get through security and everything at the next park. If you have your own car, it can take a little longer since you have to get to your car, park, etc. but, the buses can be a little slower as well since you may have a few stops in between.
Have a great time!
2007-03-19 04:39:36 · answer #1 · answered by tech_fanatic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No reservation is needed for quick service meals. As for where to make your reservations, I always recommend that you try to plan where you'll be each day. For example, lets say you plan to visit the Disney Studios and EPCOT in one day with your park hopper. Plan to have lunch at the studios somewhere and dinner at an EPCOT restaurant. This way, you're not planning your days minute by minute, but giving yourself a plan of attack so that you can enjoy your day, but still take advantage of your priority seating for meals.
Have a great vacation!
2007-03-19 08:14:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you do not, The counter service is like fast food, you make your order, they call your number you pick up your food and find a place to sit.
It is not a major hassle but do plan at least 30 minutes just in case the buses or monorails are busy. Also time to get though bag check, into the park and walk to your destination.
Here are a few of my favorite counter service places just in case you needed some ideas!
Cosmic rays at Magic Kingdom: they have burgers and salads and chicken and wraps and soup.
Harbor house at Magic Kingdom: they have fried fish, chicken fingers SUPER AWESOME clam chowder, and salads.
Mexico in EPCOT: they have a variety of things from tacos to nachos to burritos! super good and seating on the water
China in EPCOT: they have good Chinese food and its less costly then the sit down, and its basically the same food, just not as big as a variety.
UK in EPCOT: all I have to say for this is FISH AND CHIPS!
Tusker house at Animal Kingdom: great food, chicken, potatoes, , corn, carrot cake! YUMMY
Flame tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom: BBQ ribs and chicken and salads and great chocolate cake!
There are tons of places out there if you just look at www.disney.com this way you can kind of have a idea of where you would like to go!
Have fun
2007-03-18 17:23:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Counter Service doesn't offer advance reservations.
You should allow about an hour to get from one park to another if you are using disney transportation but it is not a hassle as long as you factor this in.
2007-03-19 01:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call 1-800- WDWDINE and they will tell you waht you need ressies for. It can be a hassle driving too much between parks. The place is so big it takes time getting in your car...driving to the next park...parking...getting through the gates again. Just leave pleanty of time to get to dinner ressies in time. Let me know where you want to eat at and I can give you m.h.o. if it's worth it or not. I understand not wanting to plan everything, but when it comes to WDW, you have to have at least a shell of a plan or you will get overwhelmed and might waste time on things that are not worth your time, and miss the good stuff.
2007-03-18 19:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by SwtPea01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋