CS Qs Re: Access to Dining Area

[LeeAnn]

Last year (May), when we went to a few CS @ MK, we were not allow to going into the Dining Area until we ordered/rec our food. This was not easy w/ 3 small children. We could not seat them w/ one parent wihile the other parent gets the food.

I believe it was Pinoccio Haus, Pecos Bill and can't remember.

Is this still into effect. If so, which places?
And is there certain hours this happens.
Is this during busy seasons? We go week of 8/21 (will it happen then).

If this is the case, we need to avoid these places. It's just too hard w/ kids. Please let me know which places this occurs.

Thank you.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's only in effect at certain CS during peak times (usually at MK but the large places at Epcot like Electric Umbrella might do it too) when they are very busy. Don't eat at peak times if you must be there during peak periods, if you really want to avoid this. Late August is generally not busy enough and the major free dining period won't start until the 28th.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It's only in effect at certain CS during peak times (usually at MK but the large places at Epcot like Electric Umbrella might do it too) when they are very busy. Don't eat at peak times if you must be there during peak periods, if you really want to avoid this. Late August is generally not busy enough and the major free dining period won't start until the 28th.

A couple of years ago I was in WDW when Free Dining had just started around late August and I remember there was a line right outside Electric Umbrella just after 11:00 AM.

 

[Jestocost]

I have been at peak times on multiple trips and never encountered this until this past spring break at Cosmic Rays. I would agree that it's likely to be in place only at the busiest CS restaurants on peak attendance days.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We encountered it at Cosmic Ray's and Pinocchio Haus at Christmas time. I agree that it was very difficult. We had 3 adults and two strollers, but 1 adult couldn't handle 5 meals, neither could 1 adult push two strollers. I'll admit to getting a little peeved while I was trying to balance a tray and push a stroller at the same time while trying to navigate the herd of people clogging the ordering area because they couldn't sit down either! While I'm hoping that we don't encounter this in September, we'll have 6 adults and two strollers and probably a wheechair for my grandpa but it's hopefully a little bit more doable than before.