Bad Etiquette to save a CS table??

[LoraJ]

I remember a big debate about this the last time I was planning a trip. I also remember them testing out a new system preventing people from saving tables during busy times at some of the popular places. Whatever happened to this?

Being a family of two where both of us need to carry stuff, it is very frustrating carrying around trays not being able to find a table because of all the saving going on.

If you're saving a table and your party is at the back of the line and you see people carrying trays, why not offer your table since you have plenty of time to find another?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't consider it saving a table.
If you are a customer of a location, no matter where it is, then you should be able to utilize the tables. If you are in line then you are a customer

Nope. If you are in line, then you are in line. You are not a customer until you at least start the ordering process. THIS, then, is a reasonable point for the balance of the party to start seeking a table.

If you go to a TS restaurant you are offered a table while you read the menu, decide what to order and wait for your meal. You´re holding up seats the whole time you do this, but it still considered o.k.

Because that is the design and intent of a table service restaurant. Again, diners who wish to be seated before their food is even ordered, are best served (no pun intended) by dining at a venue where that is the standard procedure.

While you make some valid points it's not like those families are sitting there and not eating anything the whole time,

But they are not eating while the family in DLBDS's example are trying to find a table at which to eat the food they already have.

Well, calling them stupid may be a bit harsh, but possibly lacking common sense. Common sense would tell them 4 people are not needed to stand in a 20 min line, just makes the line longer.

Physically longer, maybe, but not appreciably in actual wait time (and yes, I know ALL about the "changing their minds six times in fourteen seconds" customers that do add to the time). So how is reasonable, sensible, polite, or considerate, to hold a table for those twenty minutes - preventing the customers who received their food in that same twenty minutes from finding a table at which to eat that food?

 

[emmabemmainc]

Ok, so if someone had more than one small child, or an older person in their party, these people should be made to stand in line with the person paying? That just seems ridiculous to me! Or, if there were 5 or more people in the party, they should ALL be in line? Come on now.

While, I don't agree with just some random person coming in and using a table without EVER planning to eat there, I just don't see the big deal if someone is holding a table for 10-20 minutes. Again, some people feel the need to complain about everything and anything. There are many more important things going on in this world to get upset about, IMO.

 

[IHEARTNY]

We tend to do that also, and we also go during very busy times- not planned, it just happens.

But many times I catch myself playfully punching my DH because let a family sit down at the table he had been saving. He's a gentleman though and I'd rather have a gentleman than someone who wouldn't get up because well, they had food and we didn't yet. So I shrug it off. A lot of times though, many tables are for 4 and not 2, as I mostly dine with just my hubby and if there's another pair looking for a spot, we share a table. No sense in being jerks right? Plus, last year at the Electric Umbrella we ended up meeting a really cool couple on their 1st wedding anniversary, we found out they were staying at Poly just 4 doors down from us, they were actually even from our part of the country! We plan on meeting up with them again for a California Grill / Wishes party for 6 dinner when we go in Sept!!!

 

[TiggerDad3]

I was just reading that people think it's in poor taste to save a CS table while others are in line waiting for the food-is this really true?

I thought this was just common sense and we do it all the time outside of WDW. Never had anyone complain to us for doing it. Are the "etiquette rules" different with this at WDW???

Well... Plain and Simple, common sense gets my vote!
Unless Disney makes a policy to prevent it, then this will always be the way we handle it.

 

[aldango]

Nope. If you are in line, then you are in line. You are not a customer until you at least start the ordering process. THIS, then, is a reasonable point for the balance of the party to start seeking a table.

Because that is the design and intent of a table service restaurant. Again, diners who wish to be seated before their food is even ordered, are best served (no pun intended) by dining at a venue where that is the standard procedure.

But they are not eating while the family in DLBDS's example are trying to find a table at which to eat the food they already have.

Physically longer, maybe, but not appreciably in actual wait time (and yes, I know ALL about the "changing their minds six times in fourteen seconds" customers that do add to the time). So how is reasonable, sensible, polite, or considerate, to hold a table for those twenty minutes - preventing the customers who received their food in that same twenty minutes from finding a table at which to eat that food?

Wouldn't this problem be solved if every party saved a table for themselves? There would just be a lead-in time. It would be essentially the same outcome as if nobody saved a table. All or none, if you know what I mean.

The outcome is that since one person saved a table, it's beneficial for you try and save a table, too. (I <3 Game Theory!)

I'm very much not trying to provoke anyone here, by the way - I just like to think about things from a game theory standpoint!

 

[GrumpyPajamas]

When we were at Ohana there was a big wait so we wanted to sit on the chairs or sofas in the waiting area. We go to sit down in 2 empty chairs and this woman came up and screamed at us THOSE ARE FOR MY FAMILY, MOVE.

Just politely tell her to go away, and let her know the conversation has ended. Sometimes in this situation, I would take a dollar out of my wallet and say "Look, here's a dollar, just take this and stop talking, would you?"

 

[LoraJ]

Wouldn't this problem be solved if every party saved a table for themselves? There would just be a lead-in time. It would be essentially the same outcome as if nobody saved a table. All or none, if you know what I mean.

The outcome is that since one person saved a table, it's beneficial for you try and save a table, too. (I <3 Game Theory!)

I'm very much not trying to provoke anyone here, by the way - I just like to think about things from a game theory standpoint!

Not always possible, some people eat solo. How are they supposed to save a table?

 

[Cass]

Just imagine yourself sitting at a table while an average family of two adults and two kids walk around and around, trays in hand looking for a place to eat

They should have split up and saved a table, that's the smart thing to do.

 

[ninety-seven]

This is one of those things where it would be twice as rude to say something to someone who was doing it.

Seriously, if you're a happy couple or even there alone and you get irritated by a family squatting at a table while someone else is getting them food...think about how irritated you'd be if all of those yard-apes were hanging around you while you were standing in line for food. We're doing the haters a favor by keeping the kids busy and out of their hair, right?

97

 

[KelleyD]

I find this conversation very interesting...it seems like Common Sense and everyone else does it makes it right or ok.

Question: If there are a line of cars entering a parking lot that is one way only, would it be ok if I hopped out of my car (passenger of course) - if I was the last car in line, ran over to the only open parking spot, stood in it to prevent others from parking there until our car arrived?

I really cant see that scenario being that different from the table situation. Most will say that is wrong - its different, but in theory it is not. I skipped the line, while my husband waited in it, stood in an empty parking spot, prevented those who were next in line - ready to park - from parking and then took the spot ourselves when we finally made it through...

Essentially the same. My husband waits in line, I grab the only table left, others who waited in line and now have food have to pass my empty table by because they didn't do what I did...

Just curious.

 

[Muhlenberg]

OK...there's really 3 choices...

1) EVERYONE in your party stands in line to get food - This makes the line longer and everyone needs to tolerate young children, babies, and is just not practical. Elderly/mobility impaired would have to wait there too. The lines would be out the door and down the block.

2) ONE PERSON stands in line for food and the rest go get a table - This has been discussed to the hilt. The possibility exists that if indeed someone is wandering around with no where to sit, that a kind soul will offer them a seat.

3) ONE PERSON stands in line for food and the rest stand in the aisles so that they're not taking a table from those about to sit - Clearly a fire hazard, and probably not permitted by the restaurant. It would also be difficult for the "wandering food carriers" to get through the aisles to a table.

Logically speaking, it looks like #2 is the best of the available options. (Are there more options? Maybe...eat outside, don't eat, whatever.) Under the circumstances, one could only hope that the "wandering food carriers" would be offered a seat. The cause of the problem? Many people vacationing at the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH and not enough seating in the restaurant during crowded times.

 

[Katiebell]

It seems like if you come in to a really crowded CS restaurant and there is a long line, it's not polite to go from the very end of the long line to take up a table when you may not be eating at all for 15-20 minutes (I liked the parking lot analogy -- that was good). However, if you wait a little bit, and then see that the member of your party who is giving your order is very near the front of the line, then it wouldn't be bad at that point to grab utensils and condiments and find a table -- by the time you do, then your food should be just about ready.

And I would personally make an exception for families that have an elderly or impaired person with them, or pregnant ladies, or families with tiny babies, or toddlers that are on the verge of a melt down. Would rather see them at a table right now, than seeing them try to struggle through a long line -- and swooning or melting down in front of me! And yep, I know at WDW there are a lot of families that fit those criteria

And if you are dining alone at WDW, you are more than welcome to share our table. Heck, if there is room at our table, your whole family is welcome to sit there, as long as your kids don't spill my drink

disclaimer: JMHO, YMMV

 

[mom2togirls]

I remember a big debate about this the last time I was planning a trip. I also remember them testing out a new system preventing people from saving tables during busy times at some of the popular places. Whatever happened to this?

Being a family of two where both of us need to carry stuff, it is very frustrating carrying around trays not being able to find a table because of all the saving going on.

If you're saving a table and your party is at the back of the line and you see people carrying trays, why not offer your table since you have plenty of time to find another?

Never even thought about this being an issue. We always save tables and will continue to do so. What about the other side of things. For those of you are are bothered by saving tables how about the peoople that are still seated in a table after they are done eating, or are seated at a table while a child naps in a stroller, or are seated at a table to talk on the phone or just seated to rest. I think the issue is that they need more tables.....

As for the car analogy I have actually seen that done. Maybe im just more passive that others on these things but it really didnt bother me. My thought was that person is really smart and is going to get a good parking spot or that person is really dumb and is going to get ran over by a car LOL

 

[dvcdisney]

honestly if we want to talk about rudeness at CS...how about people who leave their trays of food on the tables or who have spills etc and do not even try to clean it up as a courtesy to the next people.

I definitely AGREE!

 

[ninety-seven]

The car analogy is not the same thing, sorry. It sounds similar, but you have completely different things at work there:

1) Your car is a single entity, not a group. You have a group of people in there, but with it being contained, you have complete control over those inside.

2) You can't share a parking spot and you don't usually have bikes parking in bus spots (like you have solo diners and couples eating at 8-top tables.)

3) Smaller groups have other options than sitting at a table. You don't have other options with your car. I've never seen anyone getting towed when they ate on a bench.

If it makes you feel better, we usually have to stand in line twice, since we have so much to carry. Not two people at once, but one person getting in line twice. First for the kids, then for me. I usually inhale my food or eat as we start walking again.

 

[melomouse]

This issue has always bothered me. In reading thru this thread, I see that opinions are, as usual, passionately divided for both sides!

Some of you I would love to share a CS table with sometime!

I hear lots of "Do you want me to stand in line w/ 3 toddlers, DH, DW, DMIL, etc.?" No, not really, but maybe the rest of your party could wander about scoping out soon to be vacated tables. What I hate is when I get off the food line with DD and DS and so many non-eating guests are taking up huge tables filled with sippies, toys, animal crackers, swords. princess wands, etc. - and the food getter in that party was BEHIND me on the food line.

This is one of those cases where I do send DS and DD to secure a table when I am close to ordering the CS food. DS is great at introducing himself and talking to new friends and we've shared lots of space with some terrific parkgoers. That said - I always wonder if I am being rude.I hate to come out with a tray of food and find many seat holders and fewer diners.

DD and DS have been going to WDW with me since 2001 at ages 5 and 9. DH unfortunately passed during that trip and you'd better believe in the few days he spent in the parks with a ECV and myriad health issues that I wanted CS tables saved. NOPE! They would wait til Mom was almost picking up the food order to sit down at a vacant table.

Some of this 20 minute saving is just another incidence of "convenience" and rationalization among guests. Because it's "easier" doesn't mean it's right.

Are these the same people who go berserk if someone leaves a ride line to take the kid to potty and tries to re-enter?? Or if my 2 y/o has to wait, so does yours??

Off soapbox. Get the extinguishers.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We were in Epcot, Morocco last week at the Tangeriene Cafe, the only table left was a long booth one by the entrance. There was 6 teens at the opposite one finishing their meals. They were about to leave and a woman with 2 kids were going to sit down UNTIL this one one just about bulldozed her over for the table. I felt so bad for her and the kids so I told her to sit with us, we were just about done anyways. She didnt even give us a thanks or a smile, nothing! Oh well, some people are just that way I guess.

When we were at Ohana there was a big wait so we wanted to sit on the chairs or sofas in the waiting area. We go to sit down in 2 empty chairs and this woman came up and screamed at us THOSE ARE FOR MY FAMILY, MOVE. So we sat on the sofa, she said that was being used too. Well excuse me you freak but there isnt anyone currently occupying the seats and you cannot hold them all for crying out loud! I made a comment to her and she just snorted. There was no one around her for a while, I watched...her family was too busy throwing pennies into the waterfall. So we found a bench, I watched her shoo away many people that wanted to sit. The kicker is her family never came back to sit down, their pager went off and away they went.

We sat for a long time, I went up to go the bathroom and when I came back this woman was demanding that my DH move to the end of the bench so her family can sit...now mind you we are occupying the last 2 spots on the bench, it wasnt like we are spread out or anything. He told her I was coming right back but she wasnt having it, UNTIL I SHOWED UP. Then she backed the heck off.

The woman at Tangerine should of thanked you, and the lady at Ohana was just rude.

Wouldn't this problem be solved if every party saved a table for themselves? There would just be a lead-in time. It would be essentially the same outcome as if nobody saved a table. All or none, if you know what I mean.

The outcome is that since one person saved a table, it's beneficial for you try and save a table, too. (I <3 Game Theory!)

I'm very much not trying to provoke anyone here, by the way - I just like to think about things from a game theory standpoint!

Not always possible, some people eat solo. How are they supposed to save a table?

I agree, I go solo all the time, and one of the hardest things to do sometimes is to find a table, unless I eat at off hours. Maybe that's one of the reasons I book so many TS meals for.

 

[dvcdisney]

Before my husband and I had children, we always went through the line together and went to find the table together. We ALWAYS see families saving tables and it was never an issue. We didn't get upset because they were not eating. We weren't selfish. We understood. We realized that it is far better for EVERYONE that one or two people go to the line while the rest sit down. It is far worse for them to stand around and create even a larger barrier for those trying to get around to find tables. We knew these families were most likely tired as we all were and would prefer to have their children sit and relax. I think that is considerate to everyone. We didn't get upset because we couldn't have their table. We just went to find one that was available.

I think people do start to get upset because they have dragged their whole family around looking for a table and everyone is tired. In my opinion, they wouldn't be so upset if they did the same. Because honestly, if they did have someone go and find a seat for them, they wouldn't be wandering around with their children crying or whining. They would be sitting eating their food not getting upset that they had so much difficulty getting a table. They would eat and then leave, giving another family a chance to sit there.

Now that we are a family of four with two young children, I NEVER think twice about sending my husband to get the food while I sit with my children at the table. They are not running around, crying, whining or tired in line, they are sitting with me relaxing waiting for the food. So when anyone comes out from the line, they don't trip over my children. I strongly believe that the lines are a mess because of those who decide they need to bring everyone in line with them. Take a few minutes to give your family member your order and go and find a table with the rest of your family.

Now if we find that we don't see any tables, we just don't order. We don't have a meltdown there, we just wait for another time or go to another restaurant. We don't take our frustrations out on others. We don't get upset because they got there first.

So I am just wondering if everyone who think it's rude would rather stand behind that family of 10 who decides to stand there all together, yelling at their tired children to stay still. I for one would rather they be somewhere else. And I would surely not want to see these people wandering around, splitting into two groups yelling across the crowd like they were the only ones there !(maybe I have other complaints, but that's another issue) If they had send their family to sit at a table, they would go there directly and not run over others trying to get to their table.

Again, I don't believe it rude. It's common sense.

 

[Quiksilvr]

My family does the "save a table" thing and will continue to do so. I don't really care whether anyone thinks it's rude or not; I generally don't think it's rude I think it's good planning. Obviously there are situations in which claiming a table could be construed as rude (e.g., if I'm in a party of two and I sit down at a table large enough for six and refuse to move) but in general I don't think it's a big deal.

And re the lady who yelled at the DISer for sitting in "her family's" chairs at Ohana... that made me LOL. Who does that? Nobody owns the chairs at the resorts and if their butt isn't in the seat then it's open season. Just refuse to move. What is she going to do? Go complain to someone? I'd love to see the CM try to handle that, because I certainly wouldn't be moving even if the CM asked me to. It would be fun just to watch the lady burst a blood vessel over it.

In the interest of full disclosure, however, I should say that I usually enjoy frustrating people who freak out on me over something minor and that they don't really have a right to freak out over, anyway.