Counter service meals- Help!

[eblondie]

I've been reading that families are no longer able to sit down in counter service restaurants at tables whilst a member of their group goes to order the food. Are their allowances made for guests in wheelchairs or DAS card holders?

 

[Talking Hands]

I've been reading that families are no longer able to sit down in counter service restaurants at tables whilst a member of their group goes to order the food. Are their allowances made for guests in wheelchairs or DAS card holders?

Not that I have seen. It is really uncomfortable

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

I've been reading that families are no longer able to sit down in counter service restaurants at tables whilst a member of their group goes to order the food. Are their allowances made for guests in wheelchairs or DAS card holders?

Wow! This must be new. Some of these new "policies" are the pits. I would understand if a group is taking a table with no intention of eating, but otherwise...

 

[Mannickb]

We just arrived last night and we did keep a table while my husband was ordering and nobody asked us to leave. It was at casey's corner.

 

[FiggieFan]

No clue - I thought that only applied to Be Our Guest in which you can't even get to the tables until after you order.

 

[jo_de_vil]

If I remember right was this not something they tried last year at peak times to help with the crowds, I think a CM would escort you to a table once you had you food. I don't remember it stating that it would effect Wheel chairs and GAC. If I find it I will confirm the details.

 

[Meggysmum]

We were there two weeks ago and we ate at Cosmic Rays and Backlot Express and we son sat at a table whilst we ordered and no-one said anything.

 

[jo_de_vil]

I was sure it was the sentinel I could not find that one, but I did find it in the Examiner but like it said it was a test period.

 

[JillyBean1899]

I was sure it was the sentinel I could not find that one, but I did find it in the Examiner but like it said it was a test period.

That's a blocked link.

I haven't seen anything about not being able to go to a seat when someone in your party is ordering food. Where was this posted? I just can't imagine Disney will tell someone they have to herd their 3 children through the food ordering line instead of letting mom take them to the table and dad go through the line and bringing food to the table. Seems like a hassle and a half.

 

[aaarcher86]

It just depends how busy it is. They has this in effect at Cosmic Rays and Pinocchios while we were there in February.

 

[redrosesix]

That's a blocked link.

I haven't seen anything about not being able to go to a seat when someone in your party is ordering food. Where was this posted? I just can't imagine Disney will tell someone they have to herd their 3 children through the food ordering line instead of letting mom take them to the table and dad go through the line and bringing food to the table. Seems like a hassle and a half.

Yes, they were doing this during the last part of our trip -- all of the party has to stay together, get their food and then get a table.

The purpose of it is so that people who actually have food can actually find a table ie. they're not all being held by people who don't have food yet. But I can see how it could be a problem for anyone dealing with special needs. Even if they are just pushing a person in a wheelchair and have to figure out how to carry food too.

But it's new - so I think you'll have to ask the CMs at each CS place for some leniency. They may indeed have a way to deal with it that we just don't know about yet.

 

[mb187143]

Yes, they were doing this during the last part of our trip -- all of the party has to stay together, get their food and then get a table. The purpose of it is so that people who actually have food can actually find a table ie. they're not all being held by people who don't have food yet. But I can see how it could be a problem for anyone dealing with special needs. Even if they are just pushing a person in a wheelchair and have to figure out how to carry food too. But it's new - so I think you'll have to ask the CMs at each CS place for some leniency. They may indeed have a way to deal with it that we just don't know about yet.

It's not new, they were doing this all the way back in 2011 when we went during Christmas time.

They only do it when it's very crowded, we were there from Nov 30-December 7th this year. The only time they utilized this policy was on the 7th at the Magic kingdom. MK was very crowded and the parade taping was going on. We ate at Pecos Bill's and they were enforcing this policy. At the door to enter the dining room were several people in wheelchairs waiting and a couple moms with little ones who had someone in line ordering. One mom with a toddler was arguing with the CM to be let in and was getting nowhere with him. He felt terrible but said he couldn't do anything for her, he wasn't allowed to make exceptions.

I didn't notice anyone mention a DAS and the three folks in wheelchairs waiting were chatting with the members of their party who were with them very calmly, they didn't seem upset. But I did feel bad for the CM because he was getting a lot of heat, and he didn't have any latitude to make exceptions.

 

[Tink575]

It's not new, they were doing this all the way back in 2011 when we went during Christmas time.

They only do it when it's very crowded, we were there from Nov 30-December 7th this year. The only time they utilized this policy was on the 7th at the Magic kingdom. MK was very crowded and the parade taping was going on. We ate at Pecos Bill's and they were enforcing this policy. At the door to enter the dining room were several people in wheelchairs waiting and a couple moms with little ones who had someone in line ordering.

I have seen this quite a bit at busy times. I remember it a few years ago too. My dh can't guide me past the mayhem while holding a tray. If we see that we leave and go to plan B, I have snacks/glucose tabs and we head out and eat at home (3 miles away) or offsite. I can't do long park days anyway though.

 

[aaarcher86]

When they did it in February my mom just stayed off to the side with my kids. It was easier then going through the line.

 

[bookwormde]

"But I did feel bad for the CM because he was getting a lot of heat, and he didn't have any latitude to make exceptions."

CM's do have latitude and most who have been there for a while are reasonably well trained in the need to accommodate under ADA.

If you ask for a reasonable accommodation due to an ADA qualifying disability, then under the law they must supply it. Certainly if a person needs something like to be pre seated to be able to get "settled" before the meal then yes they should accommodate.

If the CM is unsure ask for a supervisor.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I've been reading that families are no longer able to sit down in counter service restaurants at tables whilst a member of their group goes to order the food. Are their allowances made for guests in wheelchairs or DAS card holders?

1) This is done during busy times (usually).
2) No special allowances for wheelchair/ECV folks.
3) After all, they already have a seat.
4) As for other DAS, usually not, as it is not fair to other diners.
5) DAS & ADA allows for ACCESS, not EXCESS. *

NOTE: This is why GAC was changed to DAS.

 

[aaarcher86]

"But I did feel bad for the CM because he was getting a lot of heat, and he didn't have any latitude to make exceptions." CM's do have latitude and most who have been there for a while are reasonably well trained in the need to accommodate under ADA. If you ask for a reasonable accommodation due to an ADA qualifying disability, then under the law they must supply it. Certainly if a person needs something like to be pre seated to be able to get "settled" before the meal then yes they should accommodate. If the CM is unsure ask for a supervisor.

That's not a requirement under ADA.

 

[lanejudy]

.... Are their allowances made for guests in wheelchairs or DAS card holders?

Just to clarify...the DAS has no bearing on this situation as it is only useful for attractions; the DAS is not intended to offer any accommodation for dining, transportation, etc.

Hopefully you aren't going during a terribly busy/crowded time of year and this will not be an issue for you. If it is in effect, try speaking with the CM, or as a PP suggested, just wait off to the side (rather than grabbing a table) until your party has your food.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Disneylvr]

OP, it looks like you will be in WDW around the time we will be!

On our last trip, Memorial Day week 2013, we encountered this situation just once and it was at the Columbia Harbor House in the Magic Kingdom. We kept our DD in her special needs stroller and DH waited in the back of the lobby with her while I stood in the line to order and get food. He chatted with a CM while waiting and once I got the food we were actually instructed to sit in an area reserved for guests with disabilities that was much quieter/private. I wonder if other CS restaurants have such an area. Regardless, we still couldn't sit there until our food was ordered and received. At all other counter service restaurants that week we were able to find seats before ordering and it was a very crowded week! We do try to eat at off peak times whenever possible. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[bookwormde]

That's not a requirement under ADA.

ADA does not specify specific accommodation, but yes that would be a reasonable accommodation which is want the law requires