Do you save tables at Counter service?

[DMRick]

I've noticed that it's really hard sometimes to get a table at counter service places. Often they are filled with people waiting for someone in lines to get the meals. We could have eaten and been gone by the time they get their meals. I've eaten my fair share of meals while standing next to a ledge somewhere in the counter places. Do you save a table for your crew? We never have, but I think we are going to start.

 

[blanq]

I have to admit that my family does save a table if the place we choose is really busy. We are just a family of three, so generally one stays at the table, and the other two take care of ordering and bringing the food back to the table. I hadn't really thought of the fact that others could have eaten at my table and gone by the time my family got their food. You raise a good point, and now I am feeling inconsiderate. I think I will have to rethink this for the future.

 

[KilleriMac17]

Its not incosiderate, I wait for a table and will always do so if there is one available.

 

[cavepig]

We always have people sit and wait at a table, but not just to save it but to keep those people out of the line. We have a party of 7 and having all of us stand in the line gets too hectic, so it's easier if most of them sit at a table.
I don't see anything wrong with it since we are going to be eating there too and it helps keep the lines less congested.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's one of those dilemmas. If the majority of people save tables, then if you want to sit down, you probably should too. If no one saved tables and the rest of the party just stood aside, there would probably be tables for everyone when they needed to sit down and eat.

 

[Storminator]

One of us gets in line to order, one gets the napkins and condiments, and one grabs a table. Quite efficient!

That said, if the whole crew is on a ride I don't think it's right that someone goes into a restaurant and sits for an hour to make sure they have a table. I've never noticed anything like that happening, though.

 

[JeanJoe]

Feeling a little guilty here, but we're table savers too. We didn't used to, but now with the 10 month old and the 2.5 year old, it's much less stress-inducing to have one parent with the little beasts at a table, while the other one orders.

(To make myself feel better, we don't save chairs poolside though!)

 

[goofy4wdw2]

we save a table...i think most people do. it's only for 10 minutes to ensure you have a table once the food is ready. i don't think it's inconsiderate at all.

 

[Storminator]

The more I think about this, the more I scratch my head. If the entire party got in line, the lines would be unbearable and people would complain about that. If people sit at a table for 10 minutes waiting for their food, people complain about that. You can't win.

What's next...going to a full service restaurant, ordering in the lobby, and not being seated until the food is ready? After all, that would ensure that more people get served on any given day...

 

[lillygator]

last month we were in Cosmic Rays - it was packed...my sister, dd 2 months, dd 2 1/2 and I sat at a table waiting for DH and my mom..so I guess that was saving a table...we only used one table but added a chair....I don't think it was inconsiderate at all...now the guy next to us was saving three round tables and wouldn't let anyone sit there....as we ate he had him and his wife at one....one kid at each of the other two....now that was RUDE...now that I think about it I should have just sat at one of those tables.......(devilish grin)

edited to add....it was crowded....the only empty tables were his...people were standing to eat.....

 

[lclark0621]

Yep we do it. DH usually orders while I sit & wait.

Now that we have a 21 month old DS, not table saving is not an option. I will not wait online, order, carry food & control DS all at once, unless I have no chioce.

 

[treesinger]

Table saver here. DW sits with DS's 4, 2.5 and 1. They're difficult to manage under the best circumstances. DW 4 will get in line with me if she isn't too cranky. But the other two...
well, exactly what is my wife to do with a double stroller and 2 toddlers, balance a tray on her head?

There's only 3 possibilities. Either every table saver gets out of the way and gets a table, or they get in line (though with a double stroller it is impossible) and create a major jam, or they stand aside in the ordering area further congesting an already burgeoning order area. Maybe DW and kids can float up to the ceiling until the food is ready!

 

[treesinger]

Of course, and this advice is good for everyone, bringing sandwiches or not eating during peak hours generally eliminates the table saving irritation. I'd say we do either of the 2 80% of the time. And think about it, if you are on rides during peak lunch times, there are less people in ride lines. And when they are done and clogging ride lines again, you will be eating in relative peace with open tables.

 

[marcyinPA]

Yup, add us to the saver list too. It is way easier for one adult to do the ordering while the other one sits with the kids. Besides, if we didn't find a table first, and the kids had to STAND to eat....UGH, what a pain in the butt that would be!

 

[dcgrumpy]

I sure do, getting in line with an infant, toddler, preschooler and 2 strollers would be silly.

 

[daisy112878]

We usually don't save a table unless my sister and her kids are with us. Then it's better to have a table and get them out of the way then standing around.

The thing that got me last time we went was a lady taking up a large table at comic ray's. The whole time we were there which was probably an hour or more. (it takes my niece forver to eat) No one ever came to sit with her and she had no food or anything. The place was packed with no tables. She actually got up and left at the same time we did. I thought that was very rude esp for the families with kids.

 

[DMRick]

we save a table...i think most people do. it's only for 10 minutes to ensure you have a table once the food is ready.

I've been in line for at least 20 minutes many times, so I assume the tables during the busier times are being held for the same. You are right..most people do, which is why we seldom get to sit down. We will start saving a table this next trip, since it will be hot, and I don't want to eat standing up.

Just adding, that with kids I understand what a lot of you are saying. However, I see a lot of grown-up couples/teens saving tables. While we are standing there eating our food, I see one adult who is at the table to save it, and often one will come back with the food. Or they will be saving several tables and the whole crowd is up ordering their food. I would have been done just as they came back. Of course that will be us from now on...since in the last 5 trips, we haven't been able to sit, and some of those times are really dead times. We don't even eat at noon time.

 

[Chicago526]

I save too! But if it's busy and I see someone walking around with their food who can't seem to find a table, and I know my DF won't be back with our food for at least a few minutes, I'll give up my table and grab the next open one I see.

This might change once we have kids, but while we are kid free, I think this works out for everyone!

 

[abk96]

yes we save tables too. We have 3 kids under 8 and it's hard to have everyone wait in line. If we don't see any tables available we'll move on to another counter service restaurant or come back later.

Just can't see how it would work if 2 of my 3 kids had to stand and eat. It would be a messy situation.

 

[Sherrilatte]

What's the problem with sitting at a table with your party, while a designated person gets the order? Age of the people or whether they have kids should not matter. I don't get it.