Automated food order takers

[mitros]

I understand that they are testing a new piece of equiptment at the Taste Pilots Grill at California Adventure. It apparentley takes your order automatically and you swipe your credit card to pay for, get a receipt, then pick up your order at the counter. That eliminates a CMs at the register. Another way to cut back on staff? One less CM to talk to? What's the story here? :confused:

[Rombus]

Sounds a ton like what they put in for one of our campuses fast food places. It seems like a great idea at first, but then you realize alot of people dont have any clue how they work. Ive sat in line behind such people for almost 20 min on day! Most annoying are the people who make an entire order, then delete it and start over.

I guess disney is investigating new tech, might be intresting in the more "High Tech" feeling areas like Innovations

[neosnightmare]

i think thats kinda cool. they should have staff on site for those who need it and use the automatic ones as an express lane. but yea, it does sound like it can be a staff cutting idea.

[Luv2Roam]

I have wondered for years why they did not do this at sit down restaurants.

[KNWVIKING]

When Wawa (a Pa,NJ,De version of 7-11) put in the touch screens for ordering deli sandwiches,soups and such I dreaded getting behind a blue hair because they were totally mystified by them. Now, they're pretty much second nature to operate by everyone. They save a lot of time.

We look to Disney to offer great service and in some respect take advantage of the latest & greatest technology. This accomplishes both. On the surface it may appear they are trying to reduce manpower cost but they can also simply reassign the displaced CM which in turn could mean better customer service somewhere else.

[Uncleromulus]

These machines are great--until they malfunction, or someone pushes the wrong button, etc.
They have a "check yourself out" lane at one of our local supermarkets. Only those with a few items ever use it. Invariably, when someone goes thru with a lot of food items, it fails to scan something or other and that beeper goes off. Then it's a wait while a "live" person has to be found to over and figure out what went wrong---
Technology is wonderful--when it works.

[OnWithTheShow]

They tested this at Pecos Bill Cafe at Magic Kingdom a couple of years ago.

[Chuck S]

I think it will be a neat concept for those that want to use it...I think they'll also need several manned order stations as well.

Another concept that would have been neat (as far as theming) would have been for Disney to have bought or duplicated the old "Automat" serving system when they closed in NYC and converted it to a type of express food service vender for on-site guests using room key charges. Insert key, open door, pick up entree, dessert, whatever.

[Daisymae26]

i think that that idea is really cool. automated machines that take your order. that would reduce the wrong orders and time when you go to a regular person. i'd like to see this.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I'd be disappointed if these were wide-spread.
2) I pay a lot to go to WDW.
3) I want real people to serve me.

[magicmouse2]

I would agree that it would be a good idea, but to also keep a few real people on to take orders too.
I love gadgets and technology and I think it would reduce wrong orders and change errors.
I think this would be a good idea for resort food halls. I hate waiting in line to pay while my hot breakfast goes cold.

[frozone]

As much as I love technology, there are certain things that are managed best and most efficiently with people, live and in the flesh. Especially when you are dealing with food and customer relations. I always get much more irritated with bad technology than I do with people who make mistakes.

[Hippychickali]

We have had automatic check-outs at our supermarkets for a few years now and they work very well. Of course, initially their are people who don't know what the heck they are doing. This doesn't really tie things up though because they have one person who oversees them all and will come over if their is a problem. I use them for all of my grocery orders small or large. I think this is a great idea as long as they have someone there to help.

Ali

[DancingBear]

Within the past month I have twice bypassed long box office lines at the movie theaters by using the credit-card operated ticket machines. I love 'em.