This is getting ridiculous ... pick your lunch meal in ADVANCE!!

[chocovrdmicears]

For goodness sake - they are offering it as an *option* to reduce wait times. Sheesh! It's not like you will get shut out of a meal if you don't participate. I don't see this as anything but a win-win:
If you plan ahead and know what you want - shorter wait time.
If you want to decide when you get there - shorter wait time for you because the above people are out moving through faster.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'd use this, I already know what i want for lunch for my march trip.

I'm with you - we've known what we want to eat since the menu came out - going down in January and READY to order!

 

[BillyBuckner]

I personally wouldn't do this. Plus the article said that the lunch line starts at PARK OPENING?????????? Who would stand in line for 2-3 hours to eat at ANY CS? Crazy- first we have to reserve our TS 180 days in advance, soon have to have our ride times picked before we get there, and now when and what we will eat for CS? Whats next? Restroom reservations?

Do you think the Restroom system will be disconnected from the ride Fastpass or will we have to choose one or the other?

 

[aubriee]

From the article...


So this is being tested as a sort of FastPass for your CS meal? Obviously, the testing phase will have very limited impact on those actually waiting in the "standby" line to order. But what will happen if this rolls out in full production? I guess if they keep it to limited availablility and just a day in advance, this won't be such a big deal to those who like their spontenaity - but then it may be of very limited use to those who like to plan (or very useful to a very limited few).

Depending on how far in advance you can "choose an arrival time" or how many tables will be tied up by these arrangements, maybe it's more like and ADR than a FastPass. Will they book a large portion of the restuarant days (or weeks or months) in advance? Then the wait for a walk-up will be crazy.

Bottom line for me: just too much unknown about this to get excited or upset.

For the most part, I like the idea. As an AP holder, I go to WDW several times a year and usually know what I'm going to order before I even enter the restaurant. The only thing that concerns me, is they said it would be offered at check in, so it sounds like it will only be offered for onsite guests. For my upcoming May trip, I'm staying at Bonnet Creek, so would not be eligible for it. With the great rate I found booking through a third party ($89.50/night for a one bedroom condo), it looks like I may now be staying at Bonnet Creek for most of my trips. I'd hate to think that I may have to wait in line longer, just because I wasn't staying in a Disney owned resort. If it was just during the testing phase, it wouldn't be a big deal, but they need to find a way that allows offsite guests to utilize it too. Onsite guests get the 180+10 advantage for ADRs, which is fine, but at CS restaurants if this new system causes walkups to have to wait longer, then it needs to be equal for offsite guests too.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

DH
- Onion soup
- Croque Monsieur
- Triple chocolate cupcake

ME
- Onion Soup
- Braised Pork
- Lemon Meringue Cupcake

DD
- Mickey Meatloaf

I'm ready to order right now!

Seriously, I would love to get picked for this trial. Where do I sign up? lol

 

[Pixiedust34]

For the most part, I like the idea. As an AP holder, I go to WDW several times a year and usually know what I'm going to order before I even enter the restaurant. The only thing that concerns me, is they said it would be offered at check in, so it sounds like it will only be offered for onsite guests. For my upcoming May trip, I'm staying at Bonnet Creek, so would not be eligible for it. With the great rate I found booking through a third party ($89.50/night for a one bedroom condo), it looks like I may now be staying at Bonnet Creek for most of my trips. I'd hate to think that I may have to wait in line longer, just because I wasn't staying in a Disney owned resort. If it was just during the testing phase, it wouldn't be a big deal, but they need to find a way that allows offsite guests to utilize it too. Onsite guests get the 180+10 advantage for ADRs, which is fine, but at CS restaurants if this new system causes walkups to have to wait longer, then it needs to be equal for offsite guests too.

Kind of OT, but somewhat related.....I wonder if FP+ for attractions will be limited to onsite guests as a perk for staying onsite, like EMH? I'm sure regular FPs will be available for all. If this is the case, maybe for counter service locations (if this goes beyond the testing stage) maybe onsite guests can register in advance and others can log in the day of service?? Time will tell what the changes will be.

 

[johde]

For goodness sake - they are offering it as an *option* to reduce wait times. Sheesh! It's not like you will get shut out of a meal if you don't participate. I don't see this as anything but a win-win:
If you plan ahead and know what you want - shorter wait time.
If you want to decide when you get there - shorter wait time for you because the above people are out moving through faster.

I agree this could be a win-win for everone. By all accounts, the current choke point at the restaurant is ordering. Tables are currently plentiful, food is being deliver quickly. The wait is coming from getting to a register or Kiosk. If a group of people can bypass the Kiosk walk in and pay, that should speed things up for everyone.

If I was planning out the testing phase, I would probably start with people on the Dining plan, exclusively using credits. That way the person walks up, hands them their room key their order is entered the credits are deducted and they can find a table. All the while there is a shorter line waiting for the kiosks and registers.

 

[tracey1302]

I think this is a really good idea. From what I gather, Be Our Guest is ridiculously busy at lunch time. It's a counter service restaurant with a difference, in amazing surroundings. If there's anything Disney can do to cut down the wait times for their guests and run an efficient service, I don't see a problem with it. As others have said, you don't have to use it. And if anyone is as crazy as we are with our ADRs and so on, we study the menus at length before we even book our reservations, so we know we're picking the right restaurants, so to pick food in advance isn't exactly a massive leap.

 

[fla4fun]

Personally, I would not use this. I eat CS most of the time at WDW, and I dine when I get hungry. Sometimes I may have an early lunch and then dinner - sometimes a late lunch and no dinner. I have no way of knowing today when I will be hungry tomorrow. That is one reason I seldom book ADR's - I don't want to be tied to a schedule on my vacation. I get enough of that in the real world.

However, with all the enthusiasm for the restaurant, and the busy holiday season literally on our doorstep, I can see why they would like to test this, and for busy seasons, I hope it works well for them. I can imagine on a capacity closure level 4 day, the wait for the restaurant could be horrific .

My biggest questions would be - what happens if there is a menu change and the item you ordered is no longer available? Do they pick out an alternative for you, call you to have you change your order in advance, or do they tell you that you now have to wait in the "stand by" line and re-order everything? Also, considering how many people change their minds over their resort choices, what happens if someone insists that they no longer want the steak sandwich because they have now gone vegetarian and want the vegetarian option instead? Or young Johnny thought he wanted one thing and now wants something else and if he doesn't get what he wants, he'll throw a tantrum? Are making exceptions to the rule going to make the system pointless? I can hear it now . . ."We preordered, but now Jane wants to change her appetizer, and Billy doesn't want dessert, and we need an extra sandwich because Susie met up with her cousin Judy who decided to come along for lunch so now there are five of us . . . ."

As with anything new, we have to wait until it starts to see what type of real world issues there will be.

 

[eliza61]

I am stifling a philosophical rant about this and the Fastpass+ system....about how hyperscheduled our lives are and how kids can't cope with unforeseen glitches or unstructured time, as a result. In my line of work I see it every day, unfortunately.

OK......tongue bleeding......

I am so with you on this. I'm starting to think that Americans are completely unable to have an enjoyable vacation unless they are pre scheduled for some thing.

Yes be our guest is popular but you know what, I just looked at the menu (for lunch). steak sandwiches, turkey sandwiches and salads. for this I need to make a decision 48 hours in advance.

I'm with you, with having to have my kids at some event at a certain time and 8 months out of the year having to follow a schedule, I guard my unscripted time ferociously.

As with many things I worry about the Slippery slope. already folks stress about the 180 day adr because god forbid you don't have all your adr ducks lined up in a row, I can't image the self induced comas people will go into if they now find out they have to plan their meals down to the drink order days in advance.

 

[eliza61]

I think this is a really good idea. From what I gather, Be Our Guest is ridiculously busy at lunch time. It's a counter service restaurant with a difference, in amazing surroundings. If there's anything Disney can do to cut down the wait times for their guests and run an efficient service, I don't see a problem with it. As others have said, you don't have to use it. And if anyone is as crazy as we are with our ADRs and so on, we study the menus at length before we even book our reservations, so we know we're picking the right restaurants, so to pick food in advance isn't exactly a massive leap.

so what happens if you get to a restaurant and you've changed your mind? We check the menus (it would be a serious stretch to call it studying) before hand also but basically it's just to make sure there is some thing everyone could live with and with cs it's usually not that hard as a burger is a burger is a burger.

but what happens if you get to BOG and have preordered the salad nicoise and realise you could really go for the steak sandwich?

 

[MrRomance]

Am I the only one who doesn't really get the point of this??

How is this going to "speed things up?". Let's say, it isn't absolutely ridiculous to expect someone to know when they will want lunch and what they want to eat before they get to the park, and say that I wake up and say I want xyz for lunch at Be Our Guest at midday and book it.

What are they going to do cook it in advance? What if I get held up because I need the bathroom or stuck on a ride? The only thing they can do is prepare it when I check in which isn't going to be that much quicker, is it? Be Our Guest is an automated ordering system anyway, so where is the time saved? In pushing a few buttons on the ordering screen?

I guess you could say you "skip the line" to place your order, but how long are the lines anyway? Am I going to be in line to order for half an hour? I don't know I haven't been to WDW since it opened but I just can't see that it will save much time or be much practical use for the guests. Am I missing something?

 

[wdwloverz]

Thanks for the info, I LOVE this idea!!
I hope it is offered to us at check in, we already know the things we would like to try so it would just be a matter of picking a time. Sounds like it could be a good time save for those who want to use it!!

 

[minnie mum]

They're discussing the new FP+ policies in depth over on the Theme Parks board. One little tidbit that I noticed was that using this option for BOG would count as one of your FP+ entitlements for that day. So one less attraction you could get a FP+ for that day. For me, this puts a whole different complexion on things. I would much rather have a fastpass for Splash Mountain than lunch. But that's just me.

 

[PinkEars]

DH
- Onion soup
- Croque Monsieur
- Triple chocolate cupcake

ME
- Onion Soup
- Braised Pork
- Lemon Meringue Cupcake

DD
- Mickey Meatloaf

I'm ready to order right now!


Seriously, I would love to get picked for this trial. Where do I sign up? lol

Haha love it!

 

[amykay9377]

Am I the only one who doesn't really get the point of this??

How is this going to "speed things up?". Let's say, it isn't absolutely ridiculous to expect someone to know when they will want lunch and what they want to eat before they get to the park, and say that I wake up and say I want xyz for lunch at Be Our Guest at midday and book it.

What are they going to do cook it in advance? What if I get held up because I need the bathroom or stuck on a ride? The only thing they can do is prepare it when I check in which isn't going to be that much quicker, is it? Be Our Guest is an automated ordering system anyway, so where is the time saved? In pushing a few buttons on the ordering screen?

I guess you could say you "skip the line" to place your order, but how long are the lines anyway? Am I going to be in line to order for half an hour? I don't know I haven't been to WDW since it opened but I just can't see that it will save much time or be much practical use for the guests. Am I missing something?

Yes, basically you are skipping the line.

As it stands, there are people waiting in a line outside of BOG to be let inside to order. Let's call them Group A. I've heard that that line is about a half-hour long.

Group B, good DISers that they are, already know what they want to eat and that they want to hit lunch around 1on Friday. They do this Advanced Ordering thing when they check in to their hotel. Here's what happens:

Group A - I'm hungry, let's go to BOG.
1:00 - 1:30 - Standing in line for 1/2 hour to be let INTO the restaurant.
1:30 - 1:45 - 15 Minutes standing in line in the Menu Hallway, deciding on food / waiting for their turn at a register
2:00 - 2:15 - 15 Minutes ordering their food (assuming 4 people in the group at a Self-Serve kiosk) and paying
2:15 - 2:25 - 10 minutes from time they paid to time their order came out

Group B - Hey, it's time for lunch at BOG
1:00 - Check in at location at BOG and be sent to a register or special location
1:10 - let's say that it takes 10 minutes to get to the register, confirm order and pay
1:20 - 10 Minutes from the time they paid to time their order came out

Group B is eating an HOUR before Group A.

If you are planners, I see this as a huge win. If you are the kind of "on the fly" person, no this will not work for you. You are also probably not the kind of people who do "In the Future Ordering" from pizza places (which I LOVE!), or call-ahead orders at Zaxby's or wherever. And that's fine. But for me, I *know* I want a turkey sammich at BOG and I know that I normally like to eat lunch at 1, so it's a no brainer for me...

 

[Belle5]

I hope they ask me to do it at check-in!

 

[HM]

This would work for us on our Jan trip. We know which day we want to be there and kind of what time, and I could make a decision about what to eat beforehand.

Still, it's a strange idea. And it's really too bad that the restaurant is being viewed as both an attraction and eatery by the masses....so that Disney seems to feel they need to find a way to cut down on the lines.

 

[minnie mum]

This would work for us on our Jan trip. We know which day we want to be there and kind of what time, and I could make a decision about what to eat beforehand.

Still, it's a strange idea. And it's really too bad that the restaurant is being viewed as both an attraction and eatery by the masses....so that Disney seems to feel they need to find a way to cut down on the lines.

It is certainly a new concept (essentially making a CS ADR), but I don't think it's a particularly strange idea. Especially if you view this move in context with the rollout of the new FastPass Plus system in the coming months.

BOG is brand new and much advertised, so of course the lines will be long. And with the initial reports of the food being quite good even more people will want to try it. So this is a logical place to try this new system.

I think a couple of things will eventually result: 1. After the initial curiosity is satisfied (in a year or so) the lines will decrease at BOG 2. If this new express ordering system works as they hope it will, they will offer it at a lot more of the larger CS restaurants in all of the parks.

And if this new plan does result in shorter lines during the heaviest demand times, isn't that a good thing?

 

[cseca]

Am I the only one who doesn't really get the point of this??

How is this going to "speed things up?". Let's say, it isn't absolutely ridiculous to expect someone to know when they will want lunch and what they want to eat before they get to the park, and say that I wake up and say I want xyz for lunch at Be Our Guest at midday and book it.

...

You would once you get there.
As another PP said, the bottleneck is the ordering kiosk. Not the table space, not kitchen.
This system should help alleviate the huge line of people deciding what to eat and hemming and hawing over the kiosk.

Yes, basically you are skipping the line.

As it stands, there are people waiting in a line outside of BOG to be let inside to order. Let's call them Group A. I've heard that that line is about a half-hour long.

Group B, good DISers that they are, already know what they want to eat and that they want to hit lunch around 1on Friday. They do this Advanced Ordering thing when they check in to their hotel. Here's what happens:

Group A - I'm hungry, let's go to BOG.
1:00 - 1:30 - Standing in line for 1/2 hour to be let INTO the restaurant.
1:30 - 1:45 - 15 Minutes standing in line in the Menu Hallway, deciding on food / waiting for their turn at a register
2:00 - 2:15 - 15 Minutes ordering their food (assuming 4 people in the group at a Self-Serve kiosk) and paying
2:15 - 2:25 - 10 minutes from time they paid to time their order came out

Group B - Hey, it's time for lunch at BOG
1:00 - Check in at location at BOG and be sent to a register or special location
1:10 - let's say that it takes 10 minutes to get to the register, confirm order and pay
1:20 - 10 Minutes from the time they paid to time their order came out

Group B is eating an HOUR before Group A.

If you are planners, I see this as a huge win. If you are the kind of "on the fly" person, no this will not work for you. You are also probably not the kind of people who do "In the Future Ordering" from pizza places (which I LOVE!), or call-ahead orders at Zaxby's or wherever. And that's fine. But for me, I *know* I want a turkey sammich at BOG and I know that I normally like to eat lunch at 1, so it's a no brainer for me...

If this is how it works I can see it as a win win for everybody as well.
As I said, we were there last week. Stood in line for 30-40min, ordering took about 5mins because we're trying to figure out how the payment swipe card works (CMs were there to help with this feature as well).
Picking a table took about 5min.
Within another 5 min the food came.
It was amazingly quick.

If the 30-40min were reduced down to 10-15 that would be amazing.
I would be all over this option like white on rice.