Holding CS Tables prior to Illuminations-Yay or Nay?

[poohbear227]

Just wondering how people feel about guests who will sit at an outdoor table meant for eating (like the tables by the CS restaurant in Epcot/Mexico) 45 minutes or so prior to Illuminations without eating anything?

Do you think that's a fair thing to do? Or do you think it's considered rude because it's taking away a table from a person who actually ordered food there and is looking for a place to sit and eat the food they paid for?

We saw alot of people doing this during our last trip. We didn't really care because it's just the two of us, so we found a stoop to sit on and eat, but I wondered if others get annoyed by it. The people sitting at those tables were not eating. Just sitting with their cameras out 45 minutes before the fireworks, talking about the great view they snagged.

Just wondered what other people thought about this!

 

[tina.tina]

We went to La Cantina and had a hard time finding a table. I didn't really notice people sitting around not eating but I heard people say they intended to stay until Illuminations and it was about 8pm. Everyone was hovering like vultures looking for a table. We ate and headed out. I tried to get the attention of a large party who waited a long time looking for a table. So long that we actually finished eating while they were waiting. They had really little kids and had to leave to find a place to sit. I figured at least part of them could sit at our table when we left.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think Disney should have some sort of policy on this. Maybe not allowing people to sit at those tables, without food of some sort, an hour or so before the fireworks start. And I mean more than 1 coke for a family of 4. It is a bit ridiculous for people to camp out at those tables, with the restaurants still open, and people needing places to sit in order to eat.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

Policy or not, people will still do it. At that point, I would say to people who are annoyed by the lack of seating to choose another CS.

 

[poohbear227]

Policy or not, people will still do it. At that point, I would say to people who are annoyed by the lack of seating to choose another CS.

Just doesn't seem right that the customer should have to choose another CS because people who are not even paying customers of the CS are hoarding the table.

 

[Golf4food]

We ate at the Cantina de San Angel around 7 pm back in May. There was a couple at a table, camped out, no food, paperback books in hand, backbacks on the tables, waiting for the 9 pm Illuminations.

I don't mind if you time your meal and stay a little after to watch the show. But camping out two hours early? Clearly rude to me.

 

[nytimez]

I don't get the idea of camping out like that to see Illuminations anyway. There are so many places to see it. I've never put any time or effort into seeing Illuminations, but I've never missed it or had a bad view when I've wanted to see it.

 

[TisBit]

I voted other...mainly because while yes it is rude...it is not anymore rude than someone just sitting for 30 minutes after their meal to enjoy the air conditioning, to talk or to have a "home base" for the kids to come back to after a ride.

While I find it extremely annoying, I also get the idea that if you bought food, ate your food, you don't have to immediately vacate the table and can remain seated if you choose. There is not time limit set up....just because you didn't see them with food, doesn't mean they didn't have it earlier.

 

[keypooh90]

I've never had a problem with it at all. We used to do it quite a bit.

 

[humboldthny]

I'm a little surprised they allow it - I know we've seen CMs at MK not allowing tables to be taken unless you had a tray with food at places like Cosmic Rays and the Noodle Station area.....

 

[2Tiggies]

We went to La Cantina and had a hard time finding a table. I didn't really notice people sitting around not eating but I heard people say they intended to stay until Illuminations and it was about 8pm. Everyone was hovering like vultures looking for a table. We ate and headed out. I tried to get the attention of a large party who waited a long time looking for a table. So long that we actually finished eating while they were waiting. They had really little kids and had to leave to find a place to sit. I figured at least part of them could sit at our table when we left.

We had the same problem trying to find a table there on two occasions last year. But everone at the tables appeared to be eating so I can't say that anyone was intending to stay although I figured some of them would. It doesn't bother me as much that people want to sit and wait for the fireworks as it annoyed me to be walking around with a tray of food getting cold and unable to finda table to eat at.

I agree with the poster who feels there should be some sort of policy. But how do they enforce that? I don't see an issue with people who are finished their meal at 8.45 pm staying to watch. I just want somewhere to eat my meal so I can carry on touring the park or head off to stake out a decent spot if I am watching Illuminations that night.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am not sure if any of the Quick Service locations in Epcot do this, but at the Quick Service locations in the Magic Kingdom during the busier times of the year they don't let anyone save tables before ordering and a Cast Member will walk you over to a table after you ordered your food.

As for the OP's questions I would say it's rude because it's one thing to save a table while someone else in your party goes to order food. However to save a table for that long without ordering anything should not be allowed.

 

[YodaGirl]

I am not sure if any of the Quick Service locations in Epcot do this, but at the Quick Service locations in the Magic Kingdom during the busier times of the year they don't let anyone save tables before ordering and a Cast Member will walk you over to a table after you ordered your food.

As for the OP's questions I would say it's rude because it's one thing to save a table while someone else in your party goes to order food. However to save a table for that long without ordering anything should not be allowed.

 

[The_Alice]

If the restaurant is still open and serving food, then yes that is rude. If it's closed, nope no problem with it.

I am in the camp though that finds it kind of hard to come down on anyone at WDW for anything, so I wouldn't let it bother me. But there are others more vocal than me and I wouldn't want to see a night ruined b/c someone did need those seats to eat and someone else was holding them for fireworks viewing.

Aside from tree block-"age" is there really a "bad view" around the Lagoon? I've seen Illuminations a ton of times from all over the WS and never have I said, Man I can't see!

 

[walkdmc]

I think as long as you are eating, you're welcome to sit at a table. I don't really care where you got your food. However, at 9pm, there might not be a lot of people eating (but we are talking Disney so anything goes). If most tables look to be occupied by folks just sitting, then I think it's okay to sit w/o food.

 

[Wadecool]

I don't get the idea of camping out like that to see Illuminations anyway. There are so many places to see it. I've never put any time or effort into seeing Illuminations, but I've never missed it or had a bad view when I've wanted to see it.

Same here, I don't get all the posturing and maneuvering. I'm 6'7" and I just put DD on my shoulders right before Illuminations started and we had no trouble getting a good view of the show. Now I did hear a few grumblings directly behind me, but I have no idea what those people's problem was

 

[squirrel]

Well I think it's rude.

I don't eat there but I have had similar experiences at MK and DHS.

At MK I had a tray of food and was walking over towards the only empty table and some other family without any food ran to it. My niece and I wandered all over the restaurant trying to find a table. Finally found one-it was huge for two people. I'm sure the other family was squished at that other table.

 

[C U AT DISNEY]

I selected other just because if I'm walking by and I need to take a 10 minute break from walking I should be able to. I'm not saying it's ok to sit there so long that you can see illuminations, but long enough to sit to rest for 5-10 mins and then be on your way.. If i was sitting and not eating and saw that someone needed a table I would gladly get up so they could have the table..


I have seen people do this and I do think it's rude... But for only a 5 min break, I don't see an issue...


James

 

[livinlife25]

I would say there is a time limit. You can't sit down at 7 and expect to stay till 9

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I had this problem last trip at MK when I ate at Casey's. I think Disney should rope off the seating areas and only allow people with food to enter, both before showtimes and at busy meal times. It was annoying trying to eat standing up because people who weren't eating were hogging all the tables.