If you are visiting any Disney theme park in the future, chances are you will be eating at a quick service restaurant, especially with the Free Dining promotion just around the corner. For many this can be a frustrating ordeal so in this article I will be sharing my advice based on things I’ve learned as both a guest and a cast member working in quick service.
1) Get an idea of what is available in the parks you are visiting before you go. This will make it much easier to find a QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) when your growling belly reminds you that it doesn’t run on magic. While you are still planning your trip take a look at the menus found here on wdwinfo.com.
2) If you can, eating before 12pm or after 3pm will give you a better dining experience based on crowd levels. You have a much higher chance of being able to find a table as well as having a much less stressful meal.
3) Once you have stepped into the QSR at which you have chosen to eat, look at the menu and decide what you want to eat before getting in line for a register.
Things to remember when ordering:
Kid’s meals come with two sides by default so most cashiers will put in fries and grapes. This isn’t necessarily all that is available. Common side options for kid’s meals are fries, yogurt, apples, carrots, grapes, cookies, and applesauce. Soft drinks and cookies, even though they are options, are not often listed on the menu.
Alternative sides may be available for full size entrees; for example, some locations allow you to have a fresh veggie or fruit rather than fries.
If you are on the Disney Dining Plan:
Adults: one entrée, one non-alcoholic beverage (you can order a large soft drink) and a dessert (can often be substituted for a fruit or yogurt)
Kids: One kids meal with a drink and two sides. Kids can also order an adult size meal, just let your cashier know.
You can also use one meal credit for three snacks as long as all three snacks are ordered together.
If you have a food allergy, let your cashier know and they will be able to start the process of ordering an allergy meal. Allergy meals do take longer than non-allergy meals due to being made separately.
When picking a register, look and see what the line is like on each open register. Keep in mind both sides are open on each register so if one side has no one waiting, GO FOR IT! You aren’t skipping, it’s just how things are set up.
4) After you order, keep your receipt out and move straight to the counter directly behind your register.
Each open register will have a “filler” who will deliver your food to you. If you move to an area that is not behind your register it may take longer to get your food.
Keep in mind that just because you ordered before another guest doesn’t mean your food will come out first. For example if you have chicken nuggets and a burger in your order and a guest after you orders just a burger, the chicken nuggets could be coming fresh out of the kitchen and burgers are ready to go.
If a problem occurs with your order, calmly let your filler know so they can correct the issue.
5) Finding a table can be the most daunting task and some locations have things in place to help.
Pecos Bill’s only allows guest with food into the dining room. Cosmic Ray’s has “Door Control,” where one dining room is blocked off for only guests who have food in their hands. You queue up and are seated by a cast member. This is almost always faster than finding a table on your own.
If you find yourself in a QSR without seating assistance in place, I recommend looking for a table where other guests seem to be done eating and working on leaving and nicely asking if you can take the table.
Other Advice:
Want a toppings bar? Peco’s Bills and Cosmic Ray’s both have topping bars!
Want a drink refill? Most locations do not refill beverages. However Electric Umbrella at Epcot located in Future World and Backlot Express near Star Tours at Hollywood Studios both have drink stations in the dining room for refills.
Don’t like your food? Let a cast member know. As long as you haven’t eaten much they may be able to replace it.
Spill a drink or dropped a meal? Let a cast member know so they can clean it up and give you a replacement.
Have an allergy? You can eat at Disney! Make sure you let your cashier know. Disney is amazing with allergies and will make sure you can eat something! Kitchens even have a separate area for preparing allergy meals.
Have a religious diet such as Kosher or pork free? Kosher meals are available at some QSR locations, just make sure to check before your trip or ask at a guest relations location. Table service meals can also be served Kosher with at least 48 hours advance notice. For example, if you cannot eat pork or any meat and are concerned about your food being near those items you can also ask your cashier that it be prepared like an allergy.
