Table service or quick service in Epcot?

[pirategal]

Hello all! My family's trip is a long way off ('bout 180 days ), and I'm looking for some dining advice. Our party will consist of my parents (senior-ish folks), my husband and me, and our two daughters (6 and 3rd birthday then).We will have a single day in Epcot, with an afternoon nap break.

I plan to do quick service (probably Sunshine Seasons or another future world locale) for lunch but am undecided about dinner. With only one day there, do we grab quick service and see as much of World Showcase as we can in the evening? Or would enjoying a slower dinner in one of the well-themed restaurants be better? When older DD was 3, we took her to Biergarten and she loved it. I'm just wondering if they'd enjoy strolling the countries and seeing the street performers just as well? And with a cheaper dinner bill?

Sorry for the ridiculously long post....so, QS or TS? And location suggested would be great

 

[pirategal]

With only one day in EPCOT I'd have lunch in SS and dinner at Tangerine Café and goodies at Les Hailles and maybe another snack or 2 while strolling WS. Seeing EPCOT is a park that takes 2 days to see taking time for a TS meal wouldn't make sense to be, not to mention saving money.

This sounds great! My girls love hummus and veggies, and I remember enjoying Tangerine cafe several years ago. Yes, only having one day there this time is really why I'm leaning towards quick service. I might feel more compelled to "pick up the pace" for the rest of the night if we sit down to a TS.

Kids do not need constant stimulating entertainment, just the opposite. Epcot has always been my kids' favorite because they can slow down and enjoy the little things. Especially at the age your children are, world showcase is a great place for them to stop and enjoy the little things like the train in Germany, banging on the drums at the African outpost, watching the ducks, etc. The street performers are great, my favorites are the mime in Italy, and the acrobat "server" in France. For some reason(which I have never figured out) some people say to skip Epcot with little kids. I say the opposite. Epcot is one of the best parks for them.

I agree about the slower pace for the kids. Another reason I'm leaning towards 'going with the flow' of the afternoon and evening, and not adding a TS meal. The reason we only have one day in Epcot this time around is because we're making this a shorter trip (and incorporating two non-park days). I am hopeful that this slower pace (for us) will make for a better trip for everyone.

 

[ekutchey]

There is so much to eat, see and enjoy at Epcot!! I would definitely suggest a TS to enjoy. Our personal favorite is Via Napoli in Italy or Bindergarten in Germany. You can't go wrong with either of these but if your looking for entertainment while you eat then I would head to Germany for sure! However for a QS instead of Sunshine may I suggest heading out the back of Epcot via the International Gateway between France and Great Britian head over to BC and enjoy a QS meal at Beaches and Cream. BC is within walking distance of this entrance to Epcot or their is a boat service as well.

 

[pirategal]

I just talked with my mom and she kindly reminded me that sometimes QS can be stressful in finding seating for everyone....it shouldn't be too busy when we're there, but I guess that's relative! I'm back to 'book now while there is availability and stew on it'! Via Napoli looks good and none of us have been, so perhaps we'll give that a try. Might be fun for the girls to speak a native Italian too.

 

[pirategal]

Ok, now that I've chosen Via Napoli, it's booked! Didn't realize it was such a hot ticket! Just sharing my sadness. 180 days out (March 3) and no availability. Guess I can keep checking in, I just thought that kind of craziness was reserved for Be Our Guest and CRT. Sigh.

 

[KikoKea]

If TS is less stressful on your parents, go with that. By early evening, they might need to sit down and relax. The Biergarten is fun, although we think the food is not very good and DH refuses to go there. San Angel is nice and seems quieter than other restaurants- plus the setting is lovely. For QS, we really like Sunshine Seasons, and we always try to eat at non-peak times.

 

[catmom46]

Ok, now that I've chosen Via Napoli, it's booked! Didn't realize it was such a hot ticket! Just sharing my sadness. 180 days out (March 3) and no availability. Guess I can keep checking in, I just thought that kind of craziness was reserved for Be Our Guest and CRT. Sigh.

Definitely just keep checking - something will open up eventually. There have been many posts from people not being able to get ADRs for the less "popular" restaurants at 180 days, but do get one down the line. Patience!

 

[slappy magoo]

Off-topic but I dearly miss spending more than a half-day in Epcot. Since we've had kids we've spent less time there, though I'm hoping that'll change our next trip when our kids will be 5 and 8 with a little more stamina. But because at least one kid needs a nap by the time World Showcase opens, we've had to settle for a breakfast in Akershus and some time in Living Seas and The Land. I'd love at least one full day to take the kids around World Showcase and smell the flowers (metaphorically and literally).

But yeah, book a TS. I popped the question at Rose and Crown so I'm biased. Get a later reservation, you might get lucky and get patio seating that you can keep while the evening fireworks display commences. If you eat there earlier OR get indoor seating, you still get to use the patio for the closing ceremony.

 

[catmom46]

Off-topic but I dearly miss spending more than a half-day in Epcot. Since we've had kids we've spent less time there, though I'm hoping that'll change our next trip when our kids will be 5 and 8 with a little more stamina. But because at least one kid needs a nap by the time World Showcase opens, we've had to settle for a breakfast in Akershus and some time in Living Seas and The Land. I'd love at least one full day to take the kids around World Showcase and smell the flowers (metaphorically and literally).

But yeah, book a TS. I popped the question at Rose and Crown so I'm biased. Get a later reservation, you might get lucky and get patio seating that you can keep while the evening fireworks display commences. If you eat there earlier OR get indoor seating, you still get to use the patio for the closing ceremony.

I'll continue the off-topic by agreeing with you on missing whole days at Epcot! Although when we first took our daughter there she was about 3 and still in the stroller, which made it much easier to go through World Showcase at a leisurely pace. Last trip she was 7 and we barely spent any time there because it was too hot for her. I think the furthest in we got was Norway and France from either side.

 

[ekutchey]

Ok, now that I've chosen Via Napoli, it's booked! Didn't realize it was such a hot ticket! Just sharing my sadness. 180 days out (March 3) and no availability. Guess I can keep checking in, I just thought that kind of craziness was reserved for Be Our Guest and CRT. Sigh.

I would not stress yet! This is quite a hot ticket because it is so good!! I would keep checking. I must ask did you try an odd time? I have found trying for say off normal eating times to be helpful. Also I have seen additional reservations pop up for this restaurant and others many times.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'll continue the off-topic by agreeing with you on missing whole days at Epcot! Although when we first took our daughter there she was about 3 and still in the stroller, which made it much easier to go through World Showcase at a leisurely pace. Last trip she was 7 and we barely spent any time there because it was too hot for her. I think the furthest in we got was Norway and France from either side.

Last trip, it was literally just breakfast, the Seas, Soarin'...and then my wife took our youngest back to BLT in the car. My oldest and I rode Maelstrom (I told her it was going to turn into a Frozen ride so it was now or never), and then we snuck a snack and went back via monorail, all in upper-90s-low-100s temps.

 

[pirategal]

Off-topic but I dearly miss spending more than a half-day in Epcot. Since we've had kids we've spent less time there, though I'm hoping that'll change our next trip when our kids will be 5 and 8 with a little more stamina. But because at least one kid needs a nap by the time World Showcase opens, we've had to settle for a breakfast in Akershus and some time in Living Seas and The Land. I'd love at least one full day to take the kids around World Showcase and smell the flowers (metaphorically and literally).

But yeah, book a TS. I popped the question at Rose and Crown so I'm biased. Get a later reservation, you might get lucky and get patio seating that you can keep while the evening fireworks display commences. If you eat there earlier OR get indoor seating, you still get to use the patio for the closing ceremony.

I agree World Showcase can be a tough walk for little ones! Last time we were there, our littlest was in all stroller/carrier mode, so that actually helped. I've heard good things about Rose and Crown, though I doubt we'll stick around for Illuminations this time around. I *adore* having little children, but man they can cramp your Disney style

I would not stress yet! This is quite a hot ticket because it is so good!! I would keep checking. I must ask did you try an odd time? I have found trying for say off normal eating times to be helpful. Also I have seen additional reservations pop up for this restaurant and others many times.

Not an odd time....they actually don't have ANY availability that day. I called the dining number just to make sure the computer system wasn't being wonky...the CM saw no availability as well. Then today I checked for March 4 and no luck again! I'm hopeful this is because they simply haven't opened all the tables up for ADRs....
I know there's lots of good food to be had in WS. We should have a great time either way.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

I would definitely go with a TS, because there are so many great options in Epcot! We went to Tutto Italia and Coral Reef with my son last year (he was 2 1/2) and we had a great time. This year (in 2 days, I can't wait!), since we had to get park hopper with the free dining plan, we decided to spend 3 evenings in Epcot instead of a full day: part of WS and dinner at Via Napoli, more of WS and dinner at Biergarten, and some of FW with dinner at Coral Reef. Good luck with Via Napoli, I'm sure you'll find an available spot if you keep looking!

 

[pirategal]

Have a wonderful vacation @sophie_the_pooh ! Sounds like some great plans. I think you'll really enjoy the atmosphere at Biergarten with your little guy.