Table Service vs Quick Service Dining at the Parks

First of all, can we please take a moment of silence to honor Carrie Fisher, the woman who so beautifully portrayed the legendary Princess Leia?

(Photo from People.com- R.I.P. Ms. Fisher)

Ok thanks. I have decided that for my Princess Half Marathon Run in February (I am only running the 5k due to a VERY limited amount of time in Orlando) that I will be wearing a Star Wars-related ensemble, though I have yet to finalize my costume. I have a feeling that many others will be doing the same and honoring a legend. Rest In Peace, Ms. Fisher.

(Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2017 will take place February 23-26 and will include the 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Kid's Races)

You may notice that I did not post a December entry. I took the month off to enjoy friends, family, and food. I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday season as much as I did!

(My son and nephew on Christmas Eve 2016 wearing their matching Mickey Mouse PJ's)

And speaking of food- if you have visited this blog before, you know that I can’t go too long without writing a food post. This month, I would like to give my thoughts regarding table service meals versus quick service meals while at the parks.

(The entertainment at one of my favorite Epcot table service restaurants, Biergarten in Germany)

Personally, I believe that a healthy mix of quick service AND table service restaurants is key to a great trip, but your beliefs may vary. While table service locations take a significant amount of time, they provide a great break from the craziness of the theme parks to relax with your family and get away from the elements, whether that be the heat, rain, etc. Quick service locations require at least one member of your party to wait in line, typically for at least ten minutes (or longer), and then walking around looking for an open table, which can take some time as well.

(Enjoying dessert at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, a quick service spot located at the Magic Kingdom)

Personally, I think quick-service locations are appropriate if you are spending the day at a park with shorter hours, park-hopping, or planning to go back to your resort at some point for a nap or swim. These days at the parks are already shortened, and taking a couple of hours for a sit-down meal may make you feel rushed and stressed to get everything you planned into your day, which kind of ruins the experience, in my opinion. If you are looking for a more ‘special’ quick-service meal, try Be Our Guest for breakfast or lunch at the Magic Kingdom, La Cantina de San Angel at Epcot, or Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom.

(Enjoying a snack with friends waterside at La Cantina de San Angel, a quick service spot located in Mexico at Epcot)

Be Our Guest is unique in that it offers advanced reservations for quick-service dining (breakfast and lunch only are quick service [dinner is table service] and reservations are available 180 days in advance), and the ability to pre-order your meal before you even arrive at WDW. There are three heavily-themed rooms in this restaurant, including the beautiful ballroom and the West Wing from Beauty and the Beast. La Cantina de San Angel and Flame Tree BBQ offer GORGEOUS water views overlooking their respective theme park, and the food that each of these locations offer is some of the best quick service food in the theme parks (but I love Mexican food and BBQ- again, your opinion may vary!).

(My son enjoying his meal in the ballroom at Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom)

If you are researching table service restaurants, and you find one that you think your family will love, then by all means, book it and give it a try! In particular, I find that a visit to Epcot’s World Showcase is just not complete without trying one of the superb table service restaurants. Trying the local cuisine of the country you are visiting, plus meeting some of the locals of that country who have come to Walt Disney World to work, have been highlights of our trip in the past! In my previous Epcot post located here, I highlight a few of my family’s favorite table service locations!

(One of my family's favorite Epcot table service restaurants, Teppan Edo, located in Japan at Epcot)

I also want to point out that if you’ve got characters that your family can’t miss meeting, then a character meal with these characters may be a lot of fun, in addition to actually saving your family time! At times, the lines to meet characters at the parks are slow and long, and so getting to meet these characters at a meal ends up being a great decision! You can find my list of characters at each meal here.

(Character dining just 5 minutes from the Magic Kingdom at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort)

I also think that for larger families traveling together, table service meals provide better ‘quality time’ together. I often find that at quick service spots, not everyone’s food comes out together. Then, everyone is getting up and down for drink refills (where available), visits to the condiments bar, etc. The only exception to this would be a buffet, where you would still have the issue of everyone getting up for food at different times. However, at table service restaurants such as Chefs de France at Epcot, a traditional table-service meal provides ample family time to visit with one another.

(Enjoying quality time with my husband on our last trip before our son was born in 2013 at Chefs de France in France at Epcot)

Of course, there is the factor of price to consider. Quick service meals are obviously going to cost significantly less than table service meals. If you are not a big eater, and choose to drink simply a cup of ice water, then a quick service meal can cost less than $10. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a table-service buffet can cost upwards of $50 with tax and tip, with a Signature Dining location costing more. If you are traveling on a budget, then quick service dining may be a better fit for your family.

(A decently-priced breakfast sandwich at Epcot at Sunshine Seasons located in The Land at Epcot)

One last thing that I would like to point out is not to overlook the option of an early-morning table-service meal before the park opens, or a late-evening dinner after the parks close. These options allow you to spend precious park time IN THE PARK, while still having time to enjoy a leisurely table-service meal. There are many resorts which provide easy access to the nearest park (think Magic Kingdom resorts on the monorail loop or Epcot resorts by boat). A 7:00 or 7:30 breakfast before a 9:00am park opening, or an 8:00 dinner after a 7:30pm park closing may be ideal for your family. There also are typically reservations at the restaurants in the parks during the aforementioned hours, but be aware, they are difficult to score! In 2015, my family enjoyed an 8:40pm reservation at an Epcot restaurant, which fell just 20 minutes before park closing. When we strolled out around 10:45pm, we enjoyed seeing an empty Epcot park, which of course, is rare! This reservation was difficult to obtain, and more difficult due to the fact that I needed a reservation for a party of 9, but it was possible!

(A nearly-empty Le Cellier, a table service restaurant located in Canada at Epcot, after park closing in 2015)

As always, if you have any Disney or travel-related questions, feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com. Happy Travels, and stay warm out there!