I Actually Can’t Believe People Still Do This at Disney World Restaurants

I’ve been dining at Walt Disney World restaurants for 30+ years, and over those decades, a lot has changed. However, these inexplicable guest behaviors STILL happen!

Whether it’s getting into a restaurant in the first place, what to order, or behaving in a way that can ruin the experience for servers and other guests, I can’t help but shake my head every time I see a guest doing one of these things.

Not Making ADRs

While this hasn’t always been the case, it’s a fact of life in modern Disney World that an Advance Dining Reservation is pretty much a requirement to dine in your dream table service restaurant.

Is it annoying to have to plan out meals 60 days in advance and then make reservations as quickly as possible at 7:00 AM? At times, yes. But it’s also going to be worth it since you’ll be able to have the meal you want in the environment you want.

Now, if you’re unable to snag your ideal ADR, you can keep checking the Disney World app in the lead-up to your trip, and if that fails, you can try walking up, but neither of those methods is any kind of guarantee.

Ordering Entrees EVERY Meal

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of table service entrees that we love at Walt Disney World…

(Sorry, I drifted off for a second, daydreaming about a Filet Mignon from Le Cellier.)

Anyway, there are plenty of delicious entrees; however, there are also a lot of appetizer options we love. Plus, sometimes — especially in the Orlando heat — it can be a bit much to eat a full meal in the middle of a theme park day. Instead, how about splitting 3-4 appetizers for the table?

Not Keeping Kids Occupied

There are a couple of issues with Walt Disney World dining that could lead to even the most normally well-behaved child to act out. For starters, a day in Disney World park can be very overstimulating, so it can be hard to get a kid to calm down when entering a restaurant. Plus, even once you’re seated, it can take a long time for your meal to come, which means asking an overstimulated, cranky, and likely tired child to suddenly sit still.

What’s there for a parent to do? How about an activity book, or a small toy, even an iPad or smartphone game. Perhaps play some trivia. Just anything to get them occupied. But please don’t let them run around the restaurant unsupervised. That’s a detriment to everyone.

Being Rude to Servers

This one should be obvious, yet we still see it often. Your server didn’t set the prices, nor did they set the menu, so it’s not their fault how much you’re paying or that the menu doesn’t have the exact specific meal you want. They still deserve to be treated with respect.

Interrupting Other Guests’ Character Meals

Speaking of rudeness, if you’re eating at a character meal, we can assure you the characters will make their way to you. Please don’t interrupt another table’s character time or jump into their photos to get the character’s attention.

If you have an issue or feel like a character accidentally missed your table, subtly approach a character attendant and address it with them.

Next time you’re dining at a Disney World restaurant, keep in mind what NOT to do. Stay tuned to AllEars for further Disney dining tips.

I Can’t Be the Only Disney Adult Who Thinks About This Abandoned Restaurant in the Middle of the Night

What are your Disney dining pet peeves? Let us know in the comments below.

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