New Seating Arrangements at Counter Service

[Renysmom]

An article in today's Orlando Sentinel addresses the changes to how you are now seated at a counter service and the new stool seats

I personally don't like to be forced into a line and I feel sorry for the parents who have several small children as they are now forced to take them to the counter service line instead of to a table and get them settled while someone orders the meals

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney-restaurants-seating-100609,0,1099425.story

 

[FireDancer]

There are some threads on the restaurant board that get very heated over whether or not you should be able to save a table while someone else orders. Some think until you have food no one should be able to grab a table and other feel that if you have a large party than one person can hold a table while the rest order.

I really don't care either way. If they want to implement the line rule that is fine with me. If they don't I am equally fine with that. I see the argument on both sides. On one side someone standing there with their tray of food should have the first shot at a table. On the other side having some people at the table means less people up by the counter.

I guess along with being chair back agnostic I am line rule agnostic. I don't feels strongly enough either way to make it an issue.

 

[GAN]

An article in today's Orlando Sentinel addresses the changes to how you are now seated at a counter service and the new stool seats

I personally don't like to be forced into a line and I feel sorry for the parents who have several small children as they are now forced to take them to the counter service line instead of to a table and get them settled while someone orders the meals

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney-restaurants-seating-100609,0,1099425.story

Very interesting. I too can hear exhausted children screaming because they don't want to stand in line -parents looking for that more "relaxing" lunch experience. I think this is a good concept, but I can see this being fine-tuned somewhat -for everyone's enjoyment.

 

[LeahZ]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_tries_to_streamline_lunch_process.htm

I understand what they're trying to do, but I will say that this is going to be a pain when you're traveling with kids. I always take the kids to sit down while my husband orders. It's not always a matter of "saving" the table, but I can get bibs and sippy cups out so they're ready to eat when the food gets there. Also with babies and little kids, they might not be eating the restaurant food. You might want to start feeding a bottle or baby food, so that's done when your own food gets to the table. I don't remember the last time I got to eat hot food!

 

[rotlex]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_tries_to_streamline_lunch_process.htm

I understand what they're trying to do, but I will say that this is going to be a pain when you're traveling with kids. I always take the kids to sit down while my husband orders. It's not always a matter of "saving" the table, but I can get bibs and sippy cups out so they're ready to eat when the food gets there. Also with babies and little kids, they might not be eating the restaurant food. You might want to start feeding a bottle or baby food, so that's done when your own food gets to the table. I don't remember the last time I got to eat hot food!

This is very well said, and expresses the same concerns that my wife and I, as parents of a 7 year old, as well as a 1 year old have. I generally do the ordering, while my wife sits down, get the kids ready, and starts feeding the baby.

With that said, I can truly understand why they would do this, and in some ways, agree with it. However, I don't see it sticking around for long, as frankly, there are far too many people, IMO only, that would only give them a hard time about. Quite possibly, myself included, if I have two very tired children in tow.


Heck, on our last visit in August, I actually saw a couple, with two kids, come into Cape May Cafe, a sit down restaurant, and seat themselves. No, there were no tables available\reservation only, etc. When the waitress approached the people, she was rather sternly told by the couple that they were paying a lot of money to stay at this hotel, and this is where they are going to eat. As bad as it sound, they let them stay. I honestly can't see anyone telling anyone in a Disney park they can't sit down, if someone forces the issue, which I'm sure a lot of people would.

 

[LilGMom]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_tries_to_streamline_lunch_process.htm

I understand what they're trying to do, but I will say that this is going to be a pain when you're traveling with kids. I always take the kids to sit down while my husband orders. It's not always a matter of "saving" the table, but I can get bibs and sippy cups out so they're ready to eat when the food gets there. Also with babies and little kids, they might not be eating the restaurant food. You might want to start feeding a bottle or baby food, so that's done when your own food gets to the table. I don't remember the last time I got to eat hot food!

It will definately be an adjustment for those with little kids and I'm glad that my children are past that baby food stage. I'll admit that we'd send DH to the line with our order, I'd take our two children to get the flatware, napkins and any condiments then we'd go find a spot. We usually had enough time to find a table, get it cleaned off and our extras set out by the time DH was bringing the food to the table. When our kids were still eating baby food I'd start feeding the baby as soon as we'd sit, DH would grab the condiments on his way to the table and I'd be able to eat while my meal was still relatively warm by doing it that way. It'll be interesting to see how congested the ordering lines are with entire families standing together.

I can accept this change a lot easier than I can Mr. Morrow leaving the TTA route.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I would go to the parks with just my DD's and myself when they were quite young. I almost always went with table service for this reason. Circling the restaraunt carring a tray with two little ones in tow was just about impossible.

If you are solo with small kid's getting a table during a busy time can be stressful. Flame tree usually had more than enough seats but MK is a chore.

I doubt this will last.

 

[exwdwcm]

While we usually don't sit to save a table (only in rare instances) we do split up to get the kids seated and 'out of the way' while one person orders. I mean, having three toddlers and a baby in line with you just doesn't seem anymore efficient to me. Seems like it will cause more congestion having more people in line all waiting together?

I somewhat understand the idea behind it, but I just don't know if it is going to work.

also- they are using these CMs to guide people to the line and to tables? that seems like a waste when they are trying to cut back CMs? Isn't there a better use of the CMs time to improve efficiency and cut costs instead of guiding folks to a table? just seems silly to me.

 

[spaddy]

I have to say I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. I went to WDW with my in laws that are both over 70. Is there a reason for 5 people, 2 over 70 and 1 under 3 to all stand in line together instead of finding a table? But as FireDancer said, it matters to me very little because I don't eat at the places that will most likely be effected by this new rule. IF they can make it work then it will be great.

 

[Gantu]

Talk about Bad Idea Jeans.........


We travel as a party of 11, at Cosmic Rays ~ We all go separate ways, so how would we all get to the same table? Seems like way more labor then Disney needs!

Also, there's a reason only one person use to stand in line at the Magical Express. Keep the line moving~ Plus is helpful to be able to ditch the bags off at a table.......

 

[FireDancer]

This is how the argument usually goes:

Side 1: I don't want to have to stand in line with all of my kids when my husband/wife/parents can take them to the table. It keeps the line less crowded and I don't have to deal with my cranky kids/old parents/large group.

Side 2: I was here first, got in line, waited for my food, and got my food. I don't want to walk around and see a bunch of tables full of people who got here after me with no food holding tables for people in line.

I think both sides have merit so no matter what Disney does half of the people will not like it. I am almost always solo so would slide into side 2 easier. At the same time though I am not afraid to stand and eat (if it is a sandwich), walk to an attraction and eat on the way, or just walk up to a table with another solo person and ask if I can share the table. That's why I say either way I can live with it. It's one of those things that just aren't a big enough deal for me to worry about.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

This is how the argument usually goes:

Side 1: I don't want to have to stand in line with all of my kids when my husband/wife/parents can take them to the table. It keeps the line less crowded and I don't have to deal with my cranky kids/old parents/large group.

Side 2: I was here first, got in line, waited for my food, and got my food. I don't want to walk around and see a bunch of tables full of people who got here after me with no food holding tables for people in line.

I think both sides have merit so no matter what Disney does half of the people will not like it. I am almost always solo so would slide into side 2 easier. At the same time though I am not afraid to stand and eat (if it is a sandwich), walk to an attraction and eat on the way, or just walk up to a table with another solo person and ask if I can share the table. That's why I say either way I can live with it. It's one of those things that just aren't a big enough deal for me to worry about.

I am presently in the same situation that Frank is, and would find Side 2 more convenient. But, I was for many years firmly on Side 1, and I think it will be a difficult protocol to follow, with lots of stress put on both parents and CMs.

Best way to solve this? More seating. With or without chair backs.

 

[LeahZ]

Best way to solve this? More seating. With or without chair backs.

The original article said that Pecos Bill's and Cosmic Ray's have 1,000 seats- doesn't that seem crazy?!

We're going next week(!) so we'll have to test this out and see how it works. It did say this is still just in test mode, so you never know how the final program will end up.

 

[Cyrano]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_tries_to_streamline_lunch_process.htm

I understand what they're trying to do, but I will say that this is going to be a pain when you're traveling with kids. I always take the kids to sit down while my husband orders. It's not always a matter of "saving" the table, but I can get bibs and sippy cups out so they're ready to eat when the food gets there. Also with babies and little kids, they might not be eating the restaurant food. You might want to start feeding a bottle or baby food, so that's done when your own food gets to the table. I don't remember the last time I got to eat hot food!

Good point Leah

 

[catycatcat4]

I think thats stupid you don't see Mcdonolds or burger king saying you cant sit until you get your food.

MY siblings in a line for food = Disaster we usaly order and then the people necessary to carry the food stay and the little kids go

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Personally, I think that this is a fantastic idea. I love the idea that I do not have the added stress of finding a table and then getting DBF to find me there. I never thought that it was fair for people to sit at empty tables while there are others who are struggling with trays of food. In fact, there have been times when I have witnessed guests having to eat on top of garbage cans because all of the tables were filled with people eating and those merely saving them. Kudos to Disney for looking into this problem!

The backs on the chairs though...well, just don't get me started...

 

[aspen37]

This is how the argument usually goes:

Side 1: I don't want to have to stand in line with all of my kids when my husband/wife/parents can take them to the table. It keeps the line less crowded and I don't have to deal with my cranky kids/old parents/large group.

Side 2: I was here first, got in line, waited for my food, and got my food. I don't want to walk around and see a bunch of tables full of people who got here after me with no food holding tables for people in line.

I think both sides have merit so no matter what Disney does half of the people will not like it. I am almost always solo so would slide into side 2 easier. At the same time though I am not afraid to stand and eat (if it is a sandwich), walk to an attraction and eat on the way, or just walk up to a table with another solo person and ask if I can share the table. That's why I say either way I can live with it. It's one of those things that just aren't a big enough deal for me to worry about.

I also travel solo if I'm not doing a podcast trip. It doesn't matter to me either way. I feel for families thou. It is going to make it harder on them. I think this is going to make a mess out of the lines. I would rather let the families grab a seat first, instead of making everyone stand in line.

 

[drakethib]

This has got to be one of the dumbest ideas that Disney has ever come up with, especially for those with children.

So now the lines where you order and wait for your food will be more congested.

Does anyone remember about 20 years ago when Burger King decided to have someone escort you to your table? (no I am not joking) and then one the the BK workers would bring you your food?

Well since I am running my mouth I admit I don't have the answer, but there has got to be something better then this.

Of course, if the food doesn't get better anytime soon I think the lines will get shorter and more tables will be open on their own.

 

[katscradle]

We usually take our children with us when getting the food. This way they can get what they want.
Yes it may cause a back up in the food court area, but we are not calling the shots here, Disney is.
As for the table area I happen to think this is going to be alot better.
We actually gave up our table to an elderly couple on our last trip.
There were no tables left, but a man was holding 2 tables for his family.
Well he was there before we came and was still there when we were leaving, but his family wasn't.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Since this is just in the "testing" phase, I'll be interested to see what comes of the following issues (in my mind):

1) When you're seated, are you seated at the 1st available table or the 1st available table for your party size?
2) While a guest is ordering, where does the rest of his/her party stand? In line? Behind the ordering lines? Outside?
3) Same question as #2 regarding where the party is to stand while waiting for their food after ordering?

I can understand that people were abusing the ability the hold tables, but this seems like a knee-jerk reaction to the problem. Hopefully (I'll be an optimist here ) they'll make some changes.

- D