Gripe - Food in the Parks

[AmyBWV99]

This has been an ongoing gripe with me and my family almost every time we go to WDW. We tend to go during busy seasons and it never fails that sometime on every trip we'll go to a busy counter service resturant (the resturant by Star Tours at MGM is the best example) and find little or no seating but see a family who has brought their own food eating at one of the tables. We don't personally bring any food into the parks, and don't have a gripe with those who do, but do feel that if you are paying for food in a resturant that you should have preference over those that are not.

I'm not soliciting flames, but wanted to see if we're crazy or if others agree.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

actually, i agree. you wouldn't walk into Denny's and sit down with your PB and J sandwich from home. I like to find a quiet area to sit down. I personaly don't feel right bringing food into an establishment eating area if i did't buy food there. but thats just my opinion!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I totally agree. We try to eat where there is plenty of seating, or we'll try to sit "off the beaten path," like upstairs at Columbia Harbour House. There's nothing like getting a counter meal and then walking around trying to find a seat while your food is getting cold.

 

[maxiesmom]

In reading other posts it sounds like Disney is letting people bring outside food in to the parks. So if they know people are bringing food in, why is there no place to eat it? I agree it is rude to eat your own food at the counter service tables, but what does Disney think people do? Eat on the run? Why is there not a place provided? This would make life easier for everyone.

 

[Kimberly815]

In reading other posts it sounds like Disney is letting people bring outside food in to the parks. So if they know people are bringing food in, why is there no place to eat it? I agree it is rude to eat your own food at the counter service tables, but what does Disney think people do? Eat on the run? Why is there not a place provided? This would make life easier for everyone.

Good question. I agree. If they are going to allow people to bring food into the park (and I think they should, it makes it more affordable for some families), why don't they have a few general picnic areas or something? More room for everyone.

 

[mainewmn]

We tend to go during the slow time but so we never encounter the lack of seating at CS but if faced with that situation I would say I agree 100%

 

[rie'smom]

Everytime I think that I've heard it all! I can't believe people bring their own food into a restaurant. That's appalling.They could sit on a bench somewhere.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Yes, I agree with the general picnic area. There really is absolutely no place to eat if you bring food into the park except on the benches. We don't usually go through all that bother, but for those that do, it would be much nicer for them and the restaurant patrons.

 

[fanofdisney]

They just need more tables period. Even if everyone is eating the restaurant's food, sometimes there still is nowhere to sit.

 

[Simba0319]

On occasion we bring lunches into the parks. ( There is only so much I can take of the fast food ). We do sit in the counter service tables, but we buy fries and drinks. Where does that classify us? Anyway, more tables are definitely needed.

 

[Tegra89]

I agree with you. I would feel funny doing that. If I brought food with me I would find a bench or some place where we could eat, but not in an establishment where they sale food. I would be afraid they'd ask me to leave.

 

[lillygator]

In reading other posts it sounds like Disney is letting people bring outside food in to the parks. So if they know people are bringing food in, why is there no place to eat it? I agree it is rude to eat your own food at the counter service tables, but what does Disney think people do? Eat on the run? Why is there not a place provided? This would make life easier for everyone.

According to the WDW site, you aren't supposed to bring in food...but security is overlooking it as long as there are no glass bottles involved.

In January, at AK we saw a whole family take up tables at Tusker House with a large cooler, loaf of bread, lunch meat, individual snacks for the kids....etc...I was kind of taken aback that they would dine at a restaurant!

Also, that same trip, people at POR food court with half gallon of milk and bread and meat...


this trip was the first trip my DH commented on this! We saw quite a bit of it going on.

 

[harmonium]

We normally bring snacks with us into the parks, but from what I remember we usually eat the food out doors unless it is raining. Also, we go during a slow period so we do not encounter jam packed dining halls. I agree though that if I were buying food at one of the quick serve locales and there was no place to sit because chairs were taken by people who brought in food from outside I would get upset.

 

[88Keys]

I would never do it, but I don't think the "Denny's" analogy works ---- in that case, you are not a customer of Denny's whereas you are a customer of Disney's in the park. I am sorry, but for $60-$70 admittance, I think folks can sit wherever they can in the park.

 

[lillygator]

I would never do it, but I don't think the "Denny's" analogy works ---- in that case, you are not a customer of Denny's whereas you are a customer of Disney's in the park. I am sorry, but for $60-$70 admittance, I think folks can sit wherever they can in the park.

I don't think so....the restaurants aren't free...you can't just pay your admittance and then go eat at say CRT or CP.....counter service makes that no different in my book.

 

[88Keys]

I think there is a big difference between CRT and Pinnochio's Village Haus -- if food is allowed, then counter service areas should be available. I would MUCH rather folks camp out at tables then on benches in the park.

 

[Caylin]

A kind of random situation, but it has to do with overcrowded cs at AK. My friends and I were standing up to eat, 'cause there was no more room. My two friends managed to snag a table. As I went to join them, a woman with her family of seven in tow sat down in the last seat! We were clearly there first! They took over the whole table, edged my friends out. . . it was horrible! Not to mention totally rude. Some other people were leaving about then and saw what happened. They came over and offered us their table and directed some rude comments towards the family. I was actually pretty upset by the whole thing.
Has anyone else experienced this? I suppose it would have been worse had the family not bought their food in the park. . .

 

[Sylvester McBean]

last year in september we were at the MK for turned out to be a very hot day. we went to Pecos Bills and it was absolutely packed. everyone wanted a piece of the A/C to cool down. including a group of people that had 3 tables pulled together with their coolers and and picnic lunches.

no way, these people should sit on the ground and eat before taking space away from families that buy their meals. that's unacceptable.

 

[C.Ann]

I agree that if you bring your own food into the parks (and I for one don't have an issue with people doing so) you should not take up the tables at the counter service food areas unless you are buying something more than a beverage to go with the food you brought in..

Having said that, there are an insufficient number of tables available even when not in use by people who bring food in and it would be nice if Disney addressed that problem.. Last April my sister and I purchased food in Epcot (in the Great Britain area) and ended up on a park bench all the way down near the boat ferry - in a designated smoking area.. There just wasn't anywhere else to sit! Lovely meal............

 

[kpm76]

A kind of random situation, but it has to do with overcrowded cs at AK. My friends and I were standing up to eat, 'cause there was no more room. My two friends managed to snag a table. As I went to join them, a woman with her family of seven in tow sat down in the last seat! We were clearly there first! They took over the whole table, edged my friends out. . . it was horrible! Not to mention totally rude. Some other people were leaving about then and saw what happened. They came over and offered us their table and directed some rude comments towards the family. I was actually pretty upset by the whole thing.
Has anyone else experienced this? I suppose it would have been worse had the family not bought their food in the park. . .

Wow, just wow....some people have more nerve than burglers.....I would have been furious if I were sitting there first.....it's easier said than done, but if someone has enough nerve to do something like that and be rude, I try to have enough nerve to tell them how I feel.....