Holding Counter Service Tables

[archimedes76]

I while back on the podcast I remember the mention of Disney telling guests they would no longer be allowed to hold tables at counter service restaurants if they did not have food. I was glad to hear this but it appears that they were not doing this right after Thanksgiving. The friday after Thanksgiving my finance and myself went to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe because we were in a hurry but had a hard time finding a place to sit. We found many tables that only had one person holding it for the others in their party. When we finally did find a table it had no chairs. So I turned to a nearby table that had one gentleman there but five chairs. I politely asked him if we could use two chairs but he would not let us use any of them because he was holding them all. I had to search all over the restaurant just to find two chairs and then carry them up in the air above everyones head just so we could sit down and eat. By the time we had finished eating the gentleman at the nearby table with all of the extra chairs was still sitting there. I really hope Disney decides to begin to enforce the policy of no table holding so that people who actually have food can actually eat.

P.S. We went to the Harbour House based on the podcast review and thought it was the best counter service on property, thanks for the tip.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've moved this over to the Disney Restaurants board.

Thanks!

Knox

 

[TJ's Mom]

We had the same issue on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I can understand why people grab a table since they are so hard to find because everyone is holding one. If people would just sit there when they were eating, it would not be a problem. I ran into a girl and her friend holding two tables for her family. By the time we were finished they were still there waiting. So if your whole family was wearing green shirts on the Friday after Thanksgiving, you really annoyed me!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I am confuzzled.. I am in a wheelchair, so I don't stand in line while my spousal unit is waiting to order/get our meals. does this mean you don't appreciate me grabbing a spot and securing a place to eat?

What about that couple who spent half an hour at their table AFTER they finished eating, showing no signs whatsoever of leaving even though clearly there were numerous families needing to find a place to plop their hungry selves?

and for the record, as we are just two, we always offer to share a larger table if thats what we end up at. Larger families would , I assume, have a tougher time being able to sit together once all their food is ready, so I don't have issues with sending one person out into the dining area to secure enough slots. in fact, my husband helped a little old lady grandma who was tasked with finding eight spaces for her family,all of who were in line.

 

[chamonix]

It does seem to gum up the works when people hold tables, but I have often been standing there with a very heavy, full tray of hot (soon to be cold) food with nowhere to sit even with everyone eating not just saving. That's certainly no fun either.

There is no way to police this, unless they give out table numbers with your food or something (which wouldn't work either) so I think there is no easy answer. Just keep telling folks (here at least) that the system works better if folks don't hold a table for too long either before or after they eat. During busy times, the tables will be full, no matter whether folks are holding tables or not.

For us, we usually have one person scouting out a table while the other stands in line, but don't take it until we are close to getting our food. Scouting out means simply watching to see who may be leaving next.

edited to add, mrsjvb, you give excellent examples of when table saving is necessary. I mean, truly, it's not like there is room for entire families to wait in line and order food. It's best to send 1-2 folks up to order.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

This is a tough one. If no-one saved any tables then it wouldn't be an issue but the dilemma is people always do, large families, families with handicap members, families with toddlers (much better off NOT in line), so you must do as the Romans do. If you want a table, split your family up and save a table.

I often take my kids to the park by myself and find counter service a real hassle, that is why I do table service and rarely (AK is the exception) counter service.

 

[Telcogirl]

But if no one saved a table, then wouldn't everyone be in line jamming up that area?

 

[safetymom]

I think if your family is in line then it is ok to save a table. But if they are still roaming the park then it isn't ok.

But can you imagine if everyones entire party was waiting in the line. That would be terrible trying to get through the crowds.

 

[skywaywaver]

I too am a bit confused. So it's okay if another member of my party is in line ordering for me to go find a table with my DD? I see no need to be on line, as one person is enough to carry food, and this way I can get napkins and stuff and get us situated.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I too am a bit confused. So it's okay if another member of my party is in line ordering for me to go find a table with my DD? I see no need to be on line, as one person is enough to carry food, and this way I can get napkins and stuff and get us situated.

We do this too. We are a family of 5 so there is no need for all of us to be in line. I usually take the kids to the table and DH waits, and our oldest DS or our DD will help him get the food to the table once they see where we are sitting. Its just easier on everyone, and probably keeps my kids from getting on other people's nerves while standing in line...LOL

I do see the point in people being frustrated if there is one of two people holding tables for family/friends who aren't even in the restaurant (or won't be there for a longer period of time).

 

[Rylee]

There are 7 of us and usually more when we travel, as if I don't have enough kids, we always bring along a nephew or a friend or 2, just to insure more chaos, teeheehee, and trust me... we have to have a table when my 6 year old decides he needs to eat! In fact, the very minute he decides he's hungry, food better already be en route from his hand to his mouth.

Anyway, we always save a table, but we don't even enter the restaurant until we are all present, and we don't look for a table until one of us has taken every one's order and has gone to the counter service line.

I think it becomes a problem when people pick a restaurant as a meeting place, and the non-rider in the family goes in and gets a table to wait for the rest of the family to arrive. An, "I'll go find a table and you can meet me when you get off Splash Mountain," sort of thing.

 

[Gabkatt]

Sorry, ill say what everyone is beating around the bush about. We have 3 children and foster 3 more. 4 of the 6 are toddlers, we WILL be saving a table while the other is in line! You would be very upset if I took them all in the line with me and what am I going to do with my hands full of hot food looking for a table with all of the kids? We have been to counter service restaurants many times with people holding seats and nowhere to sit. Thats the way it goes, we dont get upset. Its the same argument with parades...should we not be aloud to hold a spot in advance of a parade? Maybe people should be aloud to just sqeeze their way in at the last second because they didn't get there earlier! With our large family we plan our meals just before and after the main meal times to avoid the heaviest crowds.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The only place my family and I save a table is at the Earl Of Sandwich because at times they can get busy, so my parents and I order and I sit at the table. So based on that we don't have problems with saving tables at counter service locations.

 

[Aristomommy]

During our trip 2 weeks ago, I would sit with our two kids while DH and my mom went to get the food. The lines are very narrow and difficult to navigate with a stroller. I wouldn't take any more space than needed, and the lines weren't all that bad. I gave the kids a coloring book to work on and they behaved much better than if they would be standing (or sitting) in line looking at people's butts for 10 minutes in a tight line. There was only one time people gave me dirty looks. At Flametree BBQ we got a great table location, but there were so many other places to sit at. People were not nice when this one are was all full. But the entire area has winding walkways and tons of other areas with tables (just not a view of Everest).

I would NOT take up a table to wait others to get in from attractions. We were all ready to eat and just brining food in. Sorry if this offended anyone, but it was a great help to us....

 

[WillCAD]

I usually travel solo, and as such I don't have anyone to hold a table for me - I get my food and take whatever table I can find afterward.

But I don't have a problem with Mom and Sis standing in line to get the food while Dad and Junior go sit at a table to wait. When I'm in line myself, I'd rather not have to deal with figety kids gumming up the works; the lines at CS places are way too tight, and there is not enough room for a whole family to stand around waiting for their order.

Maybe I'm weird, but when I walk into a CS place I actually LOOK at the dining area to see if there are tables available, and if it's full, I sometimes go somewhere else, sometimes take my chances, and sometimes take my order outside and find a bench or planter to sit on.

Camping out at a table in a busy CS place if you have no intention of buying a meal - I wouldn't do that and wouldn't care for others doing it, either.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Camping out at a table in a busy CS place if you have no intention of buying a meal - I wouldn't do that and wouldn't care for others doing it, either.

I agree 100%. That is the only situation where it would not be ok to save a table.

 

[WillCAD]

I agree 100%. That is the only situation where it would not be ok to save a table.

And I forgot to mention - I have no problem with people camping out at tables in NON-BUSY CS places, either. I have been known to sit down at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station, Flame Tree BBQ and Tusker House (when they're not busy), and once in a while at Electric Umbrella. If the place is empty and there are lots of tables, I see no reason why folks shouldn't be allowed to take a load off and relax in air conditioned comfort for a few minutes.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And I forgot to mention - I have no problem with people camping out at tables in NON-BUSY CS places, either. I have been known to sit down at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station, Flame Tree BBQ and Tusker House (when they're not busy), and once in a while at Electric Umbrella. If the place is empty and there are lots of tables, I see no reason why folks shouldn't be allowed to take a load off and relax in air conditioned comfort for a few minutes.

You're right again. As long as the counter service location is not busy, there is nothing wrong with guests relaxing there for a few minutes. Plus I am sure that happens everyday at each of the 4 parks.

 

[BlueChariot]

I don't know about this one. I can certainly understand some of your arguments. However, anyone who has waited in line at counter service knows that there are children wating in line with adults (including fidgity toddlers) whether that is your preference or not. Those of us who don't have children then have to deal BOTH with children "gumming" up the lines AND not being able to find a table.

I happen to be hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), so when I get hungry, I can't afford to wait for a clear table to eat. I believe the point of the original post was to note that they were finished eating before others with food even arrived at the "reserved" table. They could have eaten at the table, and so could many others, before the intended family sat down to actually eat. I think this is where the problem lays.

If you have a handicap, that's one thing...I think we can all agree that this is a circumstance that is uncontrollable and no one would suggest that an handicapped individual cannot sit a table while awaiting their food. However, I don't think I should be penalized because I do not have children to reserve a table for me. I have an illness that requires me to eat at certain times of the day, whether during lunch time, before lunch time, or after lunch time. I'm not saying I deserve special treatment, I'm just saying that if you do not have food in hand, you should not be reserving a table (whether with or without children). If you have children that do not wish to wait in line, they can just as easily sit outside on a bench or a planter with the other parent and do their coloring (as was suggested of someone actually with food who cannot find a table). Once you have food in hand, the entire family can then try to find a table, just as the rest of us.

 

[mom2my3kids]

My family of 5 have held tables while a adult went to he line and got food. We will continue to do this, there is no way I am going to have my whole family of 5 stand in line for food then go with trays of food trying to find a table. Now if someone who is not buying food or just resting wants to hold a table then I don't think they should. But if you are purchasing a product then I feel you can save a table for a short period of time.