Pinnochio Village Haus -- horrible change???

[Luv2trav]

I think it's stupid. Most of those people sitting are waiting for their "food getter". It's not like they are hogging tables. I don't think having a bunch of tired, hungry and cranky children stand in line when they don't have too is very smart!

I think the solution is that WDW should make the lines go by faster. Sometimes it take almost 1/2 hour to get your food in some of these places.

 

[nytimez]

I think it's stupid. Most of those people sitting are waiting for their "food getter". It's not like they are hogging tables. I don't think having a bunch of tired, hungry and cranky children stand in line when they don't have too is very smart!

I don't think it's better to have a bunch of tired, hungry and cranky children wandering around looking for a seat, knowing they have food, but unable to find a place where they can eat it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think it's stupid. Most of those people sitting are waiting for their "food getter". It's not like they are hogging tables. I don't think having a bunch of tired, hungry and cranky children stand in line when they don't have too is very smart!

I think the solution is that WDW should make the lines go by faster. Sometimes it take almost 1/2 hour to get your food in some of these places.

You're entitled to think it's stupid. It's actually not, though. You admit "some of those lines take a half hour to get through". Why do you think that is? Do you think it's demand combined with kitchen capacity? Each location, fully staffed, can still only prepare and serve X amount of food per hour. The only way to provide larger cooking facilities is to take away from the seating area.

So, back to the lines. If it takes a half hour to get through the line, how does it make sense for any party to sit at a table for that half hour BEFORE they have their food, then also once their food arrives and they can eat it... when, during that foodless half hour, numerous Guests who already have food are wandering around looking for a table at which to sit and eat it.

How would YOU solve the seating problem? Please don't respond with a "too bad for them if they don't or can't save a table" non-solution. Since you don't like Walt Disney World's occasional/as needed remedy, what sensible, reasonable suggestions do you have that make quick service dining fair to everyone?

 

[RMulieri]

Its been done for OVER A year now.They do it only at the busy CS eateries and during peak times .At first I thought it was a pain in the rump ,and a bad idea when you have small kids etc.Really,, it isn't that bad.We managed just fine, but granted we weren't pushing a stroller the size of a cadillac and carrying so much we look like sherpas on expedition..Had we been then maybe I would feel differently.

 

[corgi_monster]

I just got back from Tokyo Disneyland and they used this system in two of the most popular counter service type restaurants. When done RIGHT, this can be an excellent system!

At the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall, a cast member controlled the door to get into the restaurant. We had no problem walking right in, but later, we saw a few people being asked to wait outside (no more than a few minutes). Once inside, all three of us were instructed to enter the food line. It was a buffeteria style place, so we walked through the line, grabbed whatever we wanted and paid the cashier at the end of the line. At the cashier, we were greeted by a cast member who took our tray and escorted us to an open table. Mind you, this was during the peak of the dinner rush at perhaps the most popular counter service type (sort of) restaurant in the park. No one in the restaurant was forced to walk around with a heavy tray looking for an empty table. And there was never a line of people waiting to be seated - so efficient!

 

[archimedes76]

When a small group, say 2 -4 people, go in they really don't have the luxury of sending people to find a table especially when the others are little children. I can not tell you how many times we have gone in, picked up our food, then searched and searched for a place to eat it. Then ended sitting near a person holding a table for others, sat down ate all of our food at a normal pace, and then left, all before the other group has actually ate or sometimes even shown up. Many times we have seen the person who is holding the table get up to go get everything the others forget at the condiment station. Which in itself forces them to use up even more table time. I think the old system is great if you are in a group of 5 or more people, but the new system is much better for groups of 2 - 4 people.

 

[WdwforLife]

You're entitled to think it's stupid. It's actually not, though. You admit "some of those lines take a half hour to get through". Why do you think that is? Do you think it's demand combined with kitchen capacity? Each location, fully staffed, can still only prepare and serve X amount of food per hour. The only way to provide larger cooking facilities is to take away from the seating area.

So, back to the lines. If it takes a half hour to get through the line, how does it make sense for any party to sit at a table for that half hour BEFORE they have their food, then also once their food arrives and they can eat it... when, during that foodless half hour, numerous Guests who already have food are wandering around looking for a table at which to sit and eat it.

How would YOU solve the seating problem? Please don't respond with a "too bad for them if they don't or can't save a table" non-solution. Since you don't like Walt Disney World's occasional/as needed remedy, what sensible, reasonable suggestions do you have that make quick service dining fair to everyone?

Hmm. It seems as though logic has and business savvy have taken a more central role in the logistics of this discussion. It would appear the bar has been risen now.

 

[TDC Nala]

I just got back from Tokyo Disneyland and they used this system in two of the most popular counter service type restaurants. When done RIGHT, this can be an excellent system!

They do the same at the large CS in Disneyland Paris. Nobody complains. Although I did notice that at Disneyland Paris almost no one had a stroller. Plenty of kids, but very very few strollers.

 

[palmtreelover08]

You're entitled to think it's stupid. It's actually not, though.

You are entitled to your opinion to think it is not a stupid opinion. Just because you dont' think it is stupid doesn't mean it isn't..just like the poster who thinks it is stupid..doesn't mean it is. To each their own. PS. instead of stupid..let's just say a bad idea. I don't want the thread closed for people being mean to each other. I'd like to hear other suggestions.

My suggestion--more counter service restaurants that are open seasonally. Then a group of 10 won't have to wait in line, instead of a group of 3 "food getters". And there won't be a "need" to save tables because there will actually be enough. I think the solution is pretty obvious.

I can tell you right now.. my Dad (whom I am going w/in November -Jersey week) has trouble standing in long lines. There is no way he is going to be able to stand 30-45 minutes waiting for food in line after walking around the park all day/morning. Am I going to need a special pass for him to be able to sit down? He is "older" and not technologically savvy. A cell phone call to him that I have our food is not an option. I don't want to eat all TS meals either, as I don't want to be tied to Resi's. What do you do when you have "elders" in your group?

 

[darthtatty]

when i 1st heard about them restricting people from sitting without food i thought it was a great idea. Like others have said it takes a while to get your food. A lot of the time there are loads walking about with food getting cold, looking for somewhere to sit.
However i do not like the idea that your whole party has to join the Q. those Q's are narrow and from what i remember it was very awkward for my son in his wheelchair.
We usually go very early or late for meals so im sure we'll prob miss them

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

Let's change the assumption to $10 / hour, and double all your numbers!!!

yah, I know they are not making $10 and hour, I would go more between $7 and $8. $10 would be awesome, but unrealistic for Disney.

 

[budbeerlady]

However i do not like the idea that your whole party has to join the Q. those Q's are narrow and from what i remember it was very awkward for my son in his wheelchair.
We usually go very early or late for meals so im sure we'll prob miss them

Have to agree its a catch 22. You will have millions of people in the line trying to figure out what to order, climbing over families with your food to get out to a table. It can be horrid to get in and out with your trays. But I do see the other side where the family sits at a table with no food for 20 minutes. There is not a good fix for this. Maybe treat it like a character breakfast and seat people in sections or waves. Fill it from left to right so it clears easier? Section 1 is open please come sit over here?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Everyone has their own opinions on this matter, but I do feel that 12 CMs enforcing this rule at one restaurant is a bit extreme.

Personally, my party always sends 1 person to the line and the rest of the party to the table. But, we eat at off times, 11ish or 2ish, and there are always plenty of tables available.

I can understand that WDW is trying to prevent people from sitting at tables without food, but I'm still not sure I agree with the rule. I've been going to WDW for 23 years and we have always used this "divide and conquer" method without issue.

 

[chartle]

I can understand that WDW is trying to prevent people from sitting at tables without food, but I'm still not sure I agree with the rule. I've been going to WDW for 23 years and we have always used this "divide and conquer" method without issue.

The reason your method works for you, is that you know better then to go to a CS place any time after 11:30 or before 1:30. Saving a table at these times doesn't impact service because you are in line a shorter amount of time and there is not the same demand for tables.

As a whole, the new policy is better for everyone, but every policy that Disney makes is going to inconvenience someone. They just try to come up with plans that inconvenience the least number of people.

Also I don't see them opening up more seasonal CS restaurants. For some place like the MK there is not a lot of free space and something that is seasonal will tie up valuable real estate that could be used year round to make money.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You are entitled to your opinion to think it is not a stupid opinion.

You clearly misunderstood. I made no judgment about Luv2trav's opinion. It's impossible for an opinion to be 'stupid'. Opinions are entirely subjective.

Luv2trav said Walt Disney World's (occasional/as needed) CS seating procedure is stupid, and I responded that he/she is entitled to think that procedure is stupid. I then went on to explain the logistics and reasoning why it's not stupid.

My suggestion--more counter service restaurants that are open seasonally.

That's probably not realistic. Where would you put more counter service restaurants?

I can tell you right now.. my Dad (whom I am going w/in November -Jersey week) has trouble standing in long lines. There is no way he is going to be able to stand 30-45 minutes waiting for food in line after walking around the park all day/morning. Am I going to need a special pass for him to be able to sit down?

I haven't seen a single issue, ever, of a 45 minute line. Walt Disney World's recommendation for Guests with mobility or stamina issues is to rent a wheelchair or ECV. If your dad has trouble standing in long lines, the food lines are going to be among the shortest he encounters during his visit. How do you intend to handle his park touring? Another option would be to simply not eat at peak times. Yet another option would be to not eat at the restaurants that don't allow Guests to sit until they have their food. And yet another would be, yes, have him sit outside until you've at least ordered your food or you're partway between the order/pay point and the pickup point.

 

[palmtreelover08]

That's not realistic. Where would you put more counter service restaurants?

I haven't seen a single issue, ever, of a 45 minute line. Walt Disney World's recommendation for Guests with mobility or stamina issues is to rent a wheelchair or ECV. If your dad has trouble standing in long lines, the food lines are going to be among the shortest he encounters during his visit. How do you intend to handle his park touring? Another option would be to simply not eat at peak times. Yet another option would be to not eat at the restaurants that don't allow Guests to sit until they have their food. And yet another would be, yes, have him sit outside until you've at least ordered your food or you're partway between the order/pay point and the pickup point.

More counter services-how about all the unused land that is behind the scenes, how about behind the stoller parking by small world, how about Tom's Island, how about several extras during the Toon town reconstruction, how about adding additional seating on a second floor of single floor restaurants..I am sure the Disney engineers could think of more places than me, but there are a few suggestions.

As far as my touring plan for my Dad, I've been to Disney dozens of times. I've never waited in a ride line longer than 20 minutes, with the exception of Splash Mt. when it first opened. (Waited 2 hours!) My usual wait times are 10-20 minutes for NON FP rides. I know how to Tour and use fast passes.
We will not be eating at Peak times, but again, I do not believe that is the issue. I believe that people should be able to eat when/where they want w/o having to be told they all have to stand in line. If this plan is already at pinnochio's, Peco's Bills, and Cosmic Ray's, you are really limiting us to finding other CS's that aren't set up this way.

If you have never waited more than 45 minutes obviously you weren't at AK with me during Spring break in 2006. I waited in line 1 hour, 15 minutes for 3 individual pizzas at pizza-fari. My parents waited w/DD on a bench outside as there were no seats inside. People were eating on the curb on the way towards the Lion King show. Trays were everywhere on the ground. It was a disaster.

You make think it is an awsome plan..great idea, better than sliced bread.. fine. My opinion is that it is going to add lots of congestion, more trays being accidentally spilled, and aggrevation to lots of people that have not had probelms in the past..like the OP, and myself.

 

[vicki_c]

I guess Disney thinks it works well or they wouldn't still be doing it after a year. It works for me although I haven't experienced it yet, but my family doesn't do the table saving thing anyway, we just get in line and order together - but we are beyond the stroller/toddler years now.

We also never eat CS lunch after around 11:15 anyway, so we are often some of the only people in the restaurant around 11 AM.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I sure hope you are wrong with the math... even rounding. That would mean they are making $5.00 / hour, and I would hope Disney wouldn't be able to stoop to such low wages.

Let's change the assumption to $10 / hour, and double all your numbers!!!

Actually, for what WDW classifies as Casual Regular (i.e. not full time) employees, the starting wage for Food & Beverage is in the $7.50 - $8 per hour range

 

[chartle]

Actually, for what WDW classifies as Casual Regular (i.e. not full time) employees, the starting wage for Food & Beverage is in the $7.50 - $8 per hour range

But when you figure in other costs that an employer must pay(Social Security, disability insurance, etc.) it may be closer to $15 -16 per hour real cost.

 

[Tam1067]

I think it's a great idea and a much needed one to alleviate congestion at the busiest times.