Gripe - Food in the Parks

[C.Ann]

I'm sorry you felt so uncomfortable!

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Thanks.. There's nothing worse than eating alone.. I don't know - it just seems "wrong" - LOL..

 

[starwatcher]

wasn't there picnic tables at the TTC so people could eat what they brought from home there??? most guidebooks say enjoy a picnic lunch there or did they get rid of the tables lately????

 

[skent10]

Was I wrong to take up a "whole table" because I happened to be on the first part of my trip alone? Should I have stood up to eat instead? I have to tell you - I felt very uncomfortable because it was so crowded and if anyone had asked if they could join me, I gladly would have said yes.. (Well - unless the person looked dangerous or something - LOL) But no one asked and instead I goobled my food and drink down as fast as I possibly could.. Not great for the digestive system and certainly not a pleasant meal experience, but until Disney addresses the issue of inadequate seating, what are people to do?

I have a large family and do get annoyed with people who take up a table larger than their party--WHEN there are other smaller tables available. So in this instance, I don't think you were wrong, since you didn't have a choice in the table size available.

You said you don't mind sharing your table when asked, but have you ever offered? I don't mind sharing tables either, but I would be hesitant to ask somebody already at the table. If they smiled and offered, I'd be thrilled to sit with them. I feel (rightly or worngly) that the ball is in their court regarding table sharing and they should make the offer. I don't hesitate to ask about extra chairs if the table I'm already at needs another seat for our party, but I'm too shy to ask about sitting down with a stranger.

 

[C.Ann]

but I'm too shy to ask about sitting down with a stranger.

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And I'm too shy to offer .. Guess I'll have to work on that or get used to eating alone.. LOL

 

[skent10]

Places to sit that are in publicly accessible areas (so, counter service places, but not CRT for example) should be available to everyone who paid admission to the park. If there are not enough places to sit, blame disney, dont blame the people who need or want to sit down (for whatever reason.)

Do you assume that your need for a table is greater than someone elses?

Even when you see that someone is eating there (even if its their own food they brought in) you still assume that your need for the seating space is more important than theirs?

Just my 2 cents.

Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree. I consider CS restaurants in Disney just like any other CS restaurant (e.g. McDonald's, Burger King) and you wouldn't be allowed to bring outside food into those restuarants!

I don't think paid admission to Disney automatically entitles you to use of the tables. Paying for food at that CS does . It doesn't have anything to do with who needs the table more, but who has a greater right to the use of the restaurant's ammenities--a paying customer or someone who just walked in off the street with a brown bag.

 

[skent10]

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And I'm too shy to offer .. Guess I'll have to work on that or get used to eating alone.. LOL

I guess we're destined to never share a table then! (Unless I get to it first--then I'll be brave enough to offer a seat to you!)

 

[Whosemom]

Are there any Europeans reading? I think I've read that the issue of one person at a table for 6, and no one knowing how to ask or offer, isn't an issue there. Culturally speaking, they's just sit and get on with their meal - is there anyone to confirm that observation? Certainly sensible.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Wow, this is some thread!

I have to say that I am going to be the one person on here who says...... if you are going to bring in your own food then you should find a bench outside of a CS or restaurtant and eat there. Everyone pays to get into The World, BUT a restaurant is a restaurant and you have to PAY to eat there.

I also don't feel they should have picnic areas in the Theme Parks either that would cheapen the Theme Park. Then people would complain that there are flies and seagulls or birds bothering them!

I did read in my Birnbaum's Official Guide 2006 on page 26 "Money Saving Tips"

"Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome inside Disney theme parks)."

Now it does not say it is forbidden but it is not welcome. However Disney is not going to turn people away with their big coolers and such because Disney cares about the $$$

I do understand that Disney is expensive and not many families can afford to go but if I paid for my meal at this restaurant why should I have to stand and eat my meal while you sit and enjoy a sandwhich? That isn't very fair now is it?!

I also agree with Starwatcher that over by the TTC there used to be Picnic tables and I do beleive there still is. That is where you should go should you bring in food for your family.

 

[mainewmn]

I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable I’m forced to dine alone quite often while traveling for business and always try to bring either work with me or a book/magazine to read, but I could imagine it may be uncomfortable to others. To answer you question if the family comes in and orders drinks and takes a seat at that restaurant I think they have every right in the seating they took.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Busch Gardens has a very nice water park here, Adventure Island. they have an open policy about coolers and have a nice picnic area. by the end of the day it's nothing but litter, no matter how the TM's keep up on it. people are just disrespectful anymore. so why would a company pay it's employees to clean up a mess left by people intent on not buying the food and beverages they provide? because people just expect other people to clean up their mess. that's what they 'pay for'. it's just wrong.

 

[Wendy31]

In my mind, purchasing a ticket to WDW does not mean you should have the same equal access to the tables at counter service tables as someone who has purchased food or drink items from that counter service. Park tickets don't include restaurant service. You have to pay additionally to eat at the restaurants meaning people who buy tickets to the park but choose not to purchase food/drinks from the restaurants do not have the same equal access to the tables at the restaurants as those who do.

If someone brings in his/her lunch, that's fine - but that someone should not get to sit at a table in a counter service restaurant in place of a paying customer at that restaurant.

W/ that said, last year one of the restaurants we ate at was Flame Tree in the AK, and there were many open tables available while we were there. So, I don't think I would have cared if there had been someone there eating food he/she had brought w/ them to the park. However, had it been a busier time, and we had not been able to locate a table, I would have been upset if the reason we weren't able to locate a table was because people were there just "hanging out" or eating their picnic lunches they'd brought w/ them.

Quite simply, the tables are there for the paying customers first. And people who bring their picnic lunches w/ them can choose to use the tables anyway & have a "I don't care if I'm taking the table away from someone who paid to eat here" attitude, but that doesn't make it right.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I always thought that outside food was allowed. This is from wdwinfo. Not Official wdw website, but close enough.

About seating, I personally wouldn't bring a cooler into a CS restaurant. Especially since they are so crowded with people who purchased food. I hate eating at those places even when I buy the food there. And there are places outside to sit and eat. Aren't there tables outside of the Plaza Restaurant? Or outside of Space Mountain? I'm pretty sure there are places, even though they aren't air conditioned.

 

[lillygator]

I emailed WDW and am waiting on a response (since I emailed from work it will at least be tomorrow)...McBean....that is my point about Wet N Wild/Adventure Island, etc....I truly hope they don't bring in picnic areas inside the theme parks....

 

[lillygator]

and the WDWINFO site posted says small enough to fit in lockers...ok people, wouldn't that be a tiny lunch cooler? The coolers I have been seeing are LARGE, put a couple 12 packs in size....one family rented a stroller to lug it around.

 

[DMRick]

It appears that it is OK, they do allow you to bring in your own food. Everyone with "stuff" goes through security, not just coolers. Just takes the security officer longer to go through it. He's prob looking for glass bottles. I've been behind a stroller filled with coats, coolers (I assumed formula, snacks for kids, etc) and diaper bags. So
I'm just glad I don't have to cart a cooler all over. I thought someone said on another thread, you had to put those in a locker...but it might have been Universal. Some things take a lot more time to go through than others. I do my part, I usually just have a fanny pack.

I also think that either they should allow people to bring their own lunch(coolers) or stop them at security. We were going through security one time and the people a table over had a HUGE cooler that the security officer was pulling things out of to check it... Why don't they stop them, or make it "okay". QUOTE]

 

[robinb]

I go to WDW at very busy times (Summer and Christmas/NYE) and it doesn't bother me that others pack in a lunch and eat it at a table. Sure, I've had to "vulch" for a table once or twice, but it's not a big deal (for me). It really doesn't effect my vacation and as long as others don't drag along a cooler with wheels, I'm OK with it.

 

[DMRick]

Since they took it out of the brochures, I guess they need to include that book in with the video they send people hoping to come, or perhaps with their luggage tags LOL!

I'd be interested in what was written to Guest Services also, when the response is printed. I'm pretty sure if you asked if they could bring a portable grill, a pop up picnic table and a cooler on wheels the answer would be no. (just trying to inject some humor). Two of us wrote very different letters another time and got very different answers on another question some had on the Disboard.

I did read in my Birnbaum's Official Guide 2006 on page 26 "Money Saving Tips"

"Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome inside Disney theme parks).".

 

[C.Ann]

Busch Gardens has a very nice water park here, Adventure Island. they have an open policy about coolers and have a nice picnic area. by the end of the day it's nothing but litter, no matter how the TM's keep up on it. people are just disrespectful anymore. so why would a company pay it's employees to clean up a mess left by people intent on not buying the food and beverages they provide? because people just expect other people to clean up their mess. that's what they 'pay for'. it's just wrong.

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I agree - people can be total slobs at times - and I find it particularly offensive in the rest rooms in Disney World.. Also, on my last 2 trips, I have been totally disheartened by Disney's inability to keep the trash cans from overflowing throughout the parks and particularly near the CS restaurants.. We were trying to have an ice cream cone on Main Street and so many flies were attracted to the overflowing garbage cans we couldn't even enjoy it..

People are going to be slobs - with picnic areas or without.. The cleanliness at the parks has consistently gone downhill - and a picnic area "could" conceivably make that worse.. The best solution is to provide more seating in general and return to their former superior level of cleanliness.. (Also wouldn't hurt to post a few more of those "feel good" reminders around..)

Everyone should pick up after themselves - whether it's people that bring food into the parks or the people who purchase it there - but the sad reality is that they don't.. Long gone are the days when you would be walking down Main Street and the crumb from the piece of cookie you were eating that missed your mouth would be swept up before it even hit the ground.. That's one of the "magical" things I miss the most.. I once thought of Disney World as the cleanest place in the world (and bragged about it consistently to family and friends), but I can't do that anymore or I would be lying..

When it comes to the cleanliness of the parks, there's plenty of room for accountability all the way around..

 

[AmyBWV99]

It seems that the center of the issue is whether or not paying for entrance into the parks constitutes the use of restaurant space to eat food brought into the parks. I don't think it does. Just because you pay to use some of the park's services; rides, shows, etc; doesn't mean you can use ALL of the parks services; free food, free drinks, Illuminations cruises, etc. By paying for a meal, I believe that you have 'purchased' additional services in the park; food, drinks, seats in a restaurant. Further, when entering a restaurant, even counter service, you have entered a different place within the park. By saying that you have the 'right' to a table just because you're in the park is akin to saying that you have the right to use all of the condiments Disney provides just because they are in the restaurant. The condiments are there for those purchasing food at the restaurant, just like the tables are.

I'm not saying it ruins our vacation when someone takes a table away from us, I just feel that people paying for food should be allowed/have priority over those that are not in the restaurant in which the food was purchased.

 

[Karnak]

I have a similar complaint. When we go to DW we rent a stroller for my daughter. Quite often when we get to a popular ride all the stroller parking is taken-up by people that have brought there own stroller in the park to save some money. I feel that since I rented my stroller from Disney I should not have to park farther away or wait for these CHEAP people to finish the ride and move their stroller. Stroller parking near the entrance and exit of the rides should be only for Disney Strollers.

I'm not sure that I agree with rsacket on the stroller complaint. It seems to me that many of the people are not being "cheap" at all, but have purchased nice strollers that are easier to use than the ones rented at the parks. And there may be other advantages to bringing your own stroller, such as more room, package storage, and being able to spot your particular stroller in a sea of strollers.

Enjoy.

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PEOPLE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYBODY
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1994 Sept. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
1996 Nov. - Disney Institute
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1998 Dec. - Boardwalk
1999 Nov. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
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2003 May - Animal Kingdom
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