Leaving park to eat...good idea or no?

[NOLA_Tink]

Thanks all, made a few other changes and will not be going to Disney Springs in the middle of Epcot. So much planning my head is spinning

Try not to feel too overwhelmed! Once you're in Walt Disney World, you'll feel like things come together and it will all make sense! Best wishes for a great trip!

 

[lovethesun12]

While I love Sanaa, there is no way I'd leave a park or go out of my way to go there. If I was staying at AKL I'd totally book a few meals there. But if I wasn't I'd just try the food at the resorts/parks I was already visiting. I've yet to find a place at WDW I would go out of my way for (Disclaimer: haven't tried V&A).

 

[Gandalf_Greyhame]

I think others have offered some good opinions on your actual plans. I just wanted to add that it is hard to understand just how big WDW is until you are there. Most people underestimate the time needed to travel around.

 

[DisneyKoyote]

I think others have offered some good opinions on your actual plans. I just wanted to add that it is hard to understand just how big WDW is until you are there. Most people underestimate the time needed to travel around.

Yea I originally was just thinking "oh 10 minute uber ride, nbd". Now seeing people point out that I have to walk to the front gate, wait for uber etc...really need to put aside more time for things that I thought would be quick. But @NOLA_Tink is correct, I need to just relax and enjoy it. Can't plan everything to perfection!

 

[Micca]

I love the concept of leaving the park for a meal. But you really need to enjoy going through security

 

[tguz]

I agree with an earlier post that a first timer may want to stay within the park to maximize time. We take an afternoon break and head back to our resort to relax and swim. So our break would be the same as you leaving the park for lunch. If you choose to leave maybe try to pick a restaurant near your park.

 

[gharter]

Since it is your first trip, I would maximize your park time.
As much as I enjoy Jiko, I would not spend the time to go from EPCOT to AKL and back. That will take many hours.
EPCOT has many wonderful restaurants to pick from.
Going from AK to Sanaa, is not a bad trip and won't take that much time. However, you can also get very good food at Tiffins or Yak and Yeti, both at AK, and avoid the time it takes to leave the park, bus back and fort, , through security and the gate.

 

[Beer Me]

Agree here with most of the responses. Don’t go too far out of the way.
As for a meal at AKL on your AK day, although it’s not necessary to leave AK for good food, I think it would make a nice break and the AKL lobby and animal viewing areas are well worth a visit.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would only consider leaving the parks on a first visit, if you have more than one day planned in that park.

Some people underestimate how long it can take to get to AKL from AK. It's a big park than can take significant time just to get to the exit much less getting to AKL from there. DH & I once left the Lion King show with 1 hr. & 20 mins. to get to Jiko. By the time we walked to the bus, waited for it, then rode there, DH had to run ahead of me to make it to the restaurant in time to check in. (You can make it faster, but it's not like leaving Epcot or MK to go to a nearby resort.) There's no way I'd leave AK to eat at Sanaa, if I was planning to return to the park, especially since you'll only have one day there. IMO, none of Disney's restaurants are worth losing that much park time on a first visit. If I were you, I'd consider Tiffins or Yak & Yeti instead.

You've already chosen not to go to Disney Springs, but I think that was your only viable idea. Although Epcot is my favorite park, most people don't need a full 2 days there. If you still want to see DS, I'd consider going for dinner on the evening that Epcot has the earlier closing time.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I don’t think any of the restaurants at Disney are worth the hassle of leaving, traveling and returning. We don’t bother with Disney Springs, either.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with PPs WDW is really big - as big as Manhattan. Nothing is as simple as a 10 minute Uber ride. On a first trip I would NOT leave for any of your suggestions.

 

[Calee]

I think the walk from the main part of AK to the front and then to the transportation area is brutal. I wouldn't leave. There are so many good food options in AK imo that I would try one of those over leaving the park. I like several QS and TS there.

 

[PetePanMan]

Staying in park from opening to close is a long day. If you prefer restaurants like Sanaa (highly recommended) or ones in DS (many great options) I suggest you go for it. You still have lots of park time.

 

[Disneypro1]

We never leave the parks until fireworks. We get there at about 1000 and leave whenever the fireworks are. Too much fun to leave to eat...when there is plenty to choose from in that given park. IMHO, wastes time. I mean from opening till say 10 pm...its perfect..Too much to do to leave. We always have 1 day to explore Disney springs or a Deluxe resort. But would never leave a park to eat or nap. Or whatever.
Note: If we went several times a year or something like that...then that's different. But most folks go maybe once every couple years or even less. So, parks is the reason to go...

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Every time you leave a park and come back you are losing 1-2 hours of park time just for transportation and security. That’s 1-4 shows or attractions you can’t do. If you REALLY want to try a restaurant it may be worth it to you. But you have to have a reasonable expectation of what leaving the park will cost in opportunity costs.

 

[nycdisneygal]

We often do it as it is a nice way to experience something else.
Would do your #1...It will be nice for you to experience AKL as well!

We like to leave MK for lunch /dinner usually... But EPCOT as pp have said has the best options so stay there!

Have a great first trip!

 

[paisleys]

We do this often! The Wave is a very nice break from a long day at Magic Kingdom. The walk to and from is also a quiet respite from chaos.

 

[Hi Pluto]

Sanaa would work, but check to make sure there isn't a restaurant inside the park that you'd like just as much.

DHS, I would either stay in the park, or head over to the boardwalk resort area (you can walk there or take the boat). There are a few more choices there.

Disney Springs is open pretty late, I think midnight. So since you said you are night owls you could always head over there after fire works. It's quite fun at night walking around, getting a couple drinks. Raglan Road has an outside dining area with a band that's really great.

 

[mckennarose]

As you can see, there are varied opinions on this. Some people wouldn't leave a park for an ADR, but some would as their afternoon break. I highly recommend an afternoon break and we always take one...HOWEVER, we visit WDW frequently and it wouldn't be an issue for us to leave for a few hours. For us, an afternoon break means relaxing at our resort, swimming, maybe a nap and shower and then go back to the parks. Rushing to and from an ADR during a park day isn't much of a break for us.

For your first visit, I feel that leaving a park for an ADR would wind up being frustrating for you and would take way more time out of your designated park day than you might anticipate. I'm all for afternoon breaks and visiting other resorts for dining, but we don't do it on a park day.

You won't be lacking in good food options on your AK and Epcot days I would definitely look into places in those parks. MK and DHS are meh for food.... so I could understand leaving those, but again, for your first visit it might be more of a hassle than you would like.

 

[Mich123]

I think it's great that you're planning ahead, it's part of the fun! I agree that your Sanaa plan is doable. AKL also has solid choices in the park, Tiffins, Nomad Lounge, Tusker House and Yak n Yeti, if you should change your mind. You could also make the reservations and, so long as you cancel within the prescribed time frame or modify, you can make changes once you discover your park style. Sometimes it's nice to have a lunch break after power touring at WDW.

We rarely go to Disney Springs. I never seem to have time for it, unless I'm staying at a nearby resort. POR and POFQ or Saratoga Springs work well with that, because you can take the boat directly there. The food I have had at DS is definitely worth the trip--i.e. Morimoto and Frontera Grill.

Hope you have an awesome first trip!