Pinnochio Village Haus -- horrible change???

[kaytieeldr]

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.

I have an opinion on the phrase 'the greatest thing since sliced bread' but I won't share it here

It doesn't actually matter what I think about Walt Disney World's seating procedure at a very few counter service restaurants a few hours a day at specific times of the year. THEY determined it works, and so they will apparently continue the practice.

It's understood that 'lots of people' have not had problems in the past; however, apparently enough people have had problems that WDW determined there was a need to change the process on occasion. You related an experience where patrons were forced to sit on curbs to eat. Do you realize that was very likely caused by other patrons holding tables while a few members of their party waited in hour-long lines to get food?

Whoever wrote the laws of physics had obviously never been to a theme park counter service restaurant. A "body" (group of people) certainly CAN occupy two different spaces - a spot in line to order food, and a table at which to eat that food - at the same time!!!!

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.

Respectfully, and given that Walt Disney World is aware of the occasional lack of available seating due at some counter service locations, it's reasonable to think that they have determined that THIS option is the best and most cost-effective. A couple of issues I can come up with off the top of my head -
stroller parking near Small World: not enough actual space, plus infrastructure
adding a second floor anywhere: infrastructure and accessibility
Tom Sawyer's Island: theming and accessibility

 

[RMulieri]

Honestly it sounds WORSE than it is..I have gone on a few trips since they implemented this, and with kids..I have had nor seen any issues with it.Everyone gets their food and then gets to eat it while it is warm, and no one is left wandering around for 20 mins looking for a table.I was one of the people criticisizing it when it started, and I have to say it works and it really is NO big deal

 

[csjordan]

While I understand the need for additional seating, and although I haven't experienced this yet (trip planned for Spring Break 2011), the vision I get is CM's standing at every corner of a restaurant staring everyone down as they come into the door, denying access to tables, requiring the entire party to stand in line...IDK...just kind of ruins the "magical" part of Disney for me. Seems more like teachers monitoring the cafeteria at school. Maybe if they were "assisting" in finding tables, etc...that might seem more like a host or hostess and less police-like. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I'm sure Disney will have it down to a science by the time we are there.

 

[sabrecmc]

We experienced this at Pinnochio's over Memorial Day weekend. While we usually would send someone to find a table, I actually liked this much better. I have a 4 year old and my aunt who was with us uses an ECV, which she left parked outside. We actually didn't have a terribly long wait for food, as the CMs were directing people to the appropriate lines, which helped. Sometimes, the crowd comes in and hits the first order-taker and no one makes it to the ones on the end. Anyway, when we had our food, we went directly to a table overlooking Its A Small World. It was great. Plus, the table was actually clean at lunchtime! Usually we grab one as people are getting up to go, so it isn't clean yet. While I can imagine it is inconvenient for some, overall, I thought it worked better than walking around the restaurant holding a loaded tray of food with a 4 year old hanging onto me. Just my personal preference, but I'm glad they're trying something to address the issue. Maybe there is no ideal, but they clearly are paying attention and giving something a try.

 

[palmtreelover08]

It doesn't actually matter what I think about Walt Disney World's seating procedure

I guess this is the only thing we will agree on. It doesnt matter what you nor I think, "THEY" are going to do what they think will work. If it works great..if it doesn't, "THEY" will change it. That doesn't mean that everyone is going to like it, or feel that it will work better for them. YES, I am being selfish and worried most about how it works for me. I visit 2-3x per year from NJ and feel I am entitled to an opinion as is everyone who visits from wherever, however often they chose.

It will be what it will be.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe if they were "assisting" in finding tables, etc...

Based on the original descriptions (around April 2009), as well as the experience of the poster directly above yours that's exactly what they're doing. CMs are, yes, preventing Guests from sitting before they have food - but they're also assisting Guests with their trays and escorting them to available tables. It's regrettable that the OP described the experience as "policing".

 

[kaytieeldr]

If it works great..if it doesn't, "THEY" will change it. That doesn't mean that everyone is going to like it, or feel that it will work better for them. YES, I am being selfish

First, it seems to work on the days / at the times of day when it's deemed necessary. Otherwise, Walt Disney World wouldn't still be instituting this procedure when and where it's needed a full fifteen months after it was first tested.

There's a huge difference between "feeling" it will/won't work for one's particular situation, and actually experiencing the procedure and seeing whether it works. A Guest who visits two or three times a year, especially at the same times, who hasn't experienced this procedure already likely won't experience it anyway.

 

[Mamu]

I have eaten at a few CS restaurants over the years and have never noticed this. I guess at times it gets busy.

I've eaten at most of the CS in the MK. I'll ONLY eat at 1 CS at DHS (Starring Rolls) and we eat outside. Only eaten at a few in Epcot. Eaten at most of the CS at AK.

Maybe were eating at the off time because most our not that busy.

Most times we eat at TS restaurants. Our upcoming trip we plan on doing a lot of CS for Dinner and TS for lunch. It will be interesting there are 10 of us going.

 

[RMulieri]

While I understand the need for additional seating, and although I haven't experienced this yet (trip planned for Spring Break 2011), the vision I get is CM's standing at every corner of a restaurant staring everyone down as they come into the door, denying access to tables, requiring the entire party to stand in line...IDK...just kind of ruins the "magical" part of Disney for me. Seems more like teachers monitoring the cafeteria at school. Maybe if they were "assisting" in finding tables, etc...that might seem more like a host or hostess and less police-like. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I'm sure Disney will have it down to a science by the time we are there.

It is not like the table gestapo or anything..Really..They actually -at least in the places I saw-assist people to find tables kind of like a host or hostess.. There weren't 12 either in the places i saw, there were 3-4 depending on how large the dining areas are.

 

[bdoyledimou]

another case of entitlement...

What people don't realize is that if everyone were to order and collect their food, then move to a table, then clean up their table and leave, it would be a Constant movement of in and out, and there would be enough seats for everyone.

If you break the process, and start filling seats 5-10 minutes before you consume your food, then that means people with food ready to eat will be held up.

Their food gets cold, they get grumpy, the pixie dust dissipates, and next thing you know they are plopping their kids down in front of you after you spent 2 hours holding a prime spot for the parade.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is not like the table gestapo or anything..Really..They actually -at least in the places I saw-assist people to find tables kind of like a host or hostess.. There weren't 12 either in the places i saw, there were 3-4 depending on how large the dining areas are.

That has been my experience as well.

I was skeptical of this practice at first. But I think it is needed, at least when the parks are busy. I can tell you that it is pretty horrible for a family of 6 to wander around with their food, just hoping someone else vacates a table so that you can sit and eat.

 

[palmtreelover08]

The closest thing I have seen to this practice was last December when there was a CM who stopped allowing guests to enter Cosmic Rays, and then once in Cosmic Ray's there was a "cow-path" down the one aisle. The lines were still crazy long inside, and people everywhere looking for a table (with and without food). People were sitting on the planters by the race-way. I did not see any CM's helping find tables, just CM's limiting the in-coming traffic. Perhaps I did not notice them. The only thing I got out of that dining experience (other than to be at Cosmic Ray's before opening on Parade days), is we invited another family looking for a table to join us, so we had a nice conversation, and DD got the chat "Jonas Brothers" stuff w/another 6 yr old.

By the way.. if you are referring to me about entitlement.. the only thing I feel entitled to is my opinion. If you don't like it.. you are entitled to .

 

[sleeping beauty 1]

Based on the original descriptions (around April 2009), as well as the experience of the poster directly above yours that's exactly what they're doing. CMs are, yes, preventing Guests from sitting before they have food - but they're also assisting Guests with their trays and escorting them to available tables. It's regrettable that the OP described the experience as "policing".

I was there last July and this policy was not in place then so I hadn't experienced it at any place in the MK.

I don't know if it is regrettable that I called it "policing" -- "enforcing a regulation to maintain order and neatness" really that is what it is as everyone has described on either side. They are policing who sits and who doesn't -- trying to maintain an order by definition. That is exactly what Disney is doing -- whether you agree with the policy or not.

I find it more regrettable they are paying these CMs so much to do this though -- that is my major complaint. The money spent on placing these people there -- and yes between the outside doors and those inside holding the "cute" little signs we counted at least 12 around 11:15 AM.

Although -- is anyone making people eat more quickly or get up as soon as they are done? Instead of holding tables right before they eat for a few minutes -- families could end up sitting longer after they are done and really not solving the issue -- just a different timing pattern? So is it really solving a problem or just displacing the timing of it? I would think if they do not sit as long before they may sit longer after finishing??? Then blocking them off for those with food seems to defeat the purpose.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Hmmm... I think Disney's policy has been a long time coming. My most uncomfortable counter service dining experience was in Mr. Toads Hall at DLP. There were no tables available. Lots of table hogs (both 'saving' and 'finished but not going out in the rain'). We ended up leaning on a window-sill, placing our food on the ledge. We were cold, wet and irritated, but AT LEAST THEY SERVED BEER!

 

[reiella]

Although -- is anyone making people eat more quickly or get up as soon as they are done? Instead of holding tables right before they eat for a few minutes -- families could end up sitting longer after they are done and really not solving the issue -- just a different timing pattern? So is it really solving a problem or just displacing the timing of it? I would think if they do not sit as long before they may sit longer after finishing??? Then blocking them off for those with food seems to defeat the purpose.

Independent issues. Just because they could sit earlier it does not follow that they will sit longer after they finish eating.

While there may be correlations between the two events, they certainly haven't been studied or observed in a significant manner in this thread, and the only people who really have a remotely significant observation [although I will contend, non-scientific] would be Disney themselves.

Although, I guess there could well be a correlation that a party that spends more time trying to find a seat, spends less time at that seat eating their food. On account of eating some food while standing/looking for a seat or the food losing it's edible quality in the time spent standing/looking. I don't think that'd be a customer satisfaction plus though .

 

[RachelsMommie]

I wish the CMs had been doing this at Pecos Bill's when I was there in May. We finally found a table in the furthest room out...it was packed. However, we saw LOTS of families taking up a table that were eating sack lunches. A few had made salads from the fixin's bar. I'm sorry, but that's just WRONG.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Too bad they can't set up a little theater area for the kids to wait at (like when you check into the resorts) where the parents can still see them while waiting in line to order the food at CS's.

Or have a little continuous side show going on that would entertain children waiting for mom or dad to order, a puppet show, character entertaining or something interesting like they do in Epcot at the countries that kids would want to check out before eating.

ANd if there were some benches behind the kids area, the other parent, grandparents, etc. could sit in the area to wait also while other parent is in line ordering the food.

This would help take the congestion out of the food ordering lines & help to deter families from grabbing tables before they get their food. And the could target the entertaining to occur between 11-2pm & again from 5-7 to cover the busier times of day.

 

[WdwforLife]

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.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it."

One person might be courteous enough to allow a family of five to sit down and let them enjoy their meal. But a family of fifteen full of teenagers, adults, kids and the like who are all hungry, well, forget it. It's every man for themselves.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

This 'guarding' of the table areas annoyed me in March, because the ordering area at Pecos Bills was jammed with people waiting to get their food to get a table. But I do get the concept and have since changed my mind. Table hogging disrupts the natural flow of getting food, sitting down, and leaving.

 

[KAB1]

Maybe this will eliminate the people at peco bill's who bring there own bread and help themselves to the free topping's bar. It's about time Disney did something about it.