Pinnochio Village Haus -- horrible change???

[RMulieri]

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.

Why does it bother you how much the cms get paid to do this? So they are paying them to pretty much guide people.If people didn't feel and behave so dang entitled to do whatever they felt like on vacation , this probably wouldn't be an issue, and hardly neccessary.In any event, Disney decided it was time to step in and enforce a system to make it more enjoyable for all, and that system costs money to operate.

 

[rlovew]

Cosmic Rays had this happening this week when we ate there- We walked in through 1 door into a queque. As they was room in the lines we were dirrected into the bay that had the food type we wanted and then once we had our food we headed into the main seating area and easily found a table. I didn't notice anything that made this a problemtatic thing- although I do know that the family I was with mentioned when they had only ordered drinks a different time at Cosmic Rays they were told they could not sit at an inside table since they had no food.

It was significantly easier to eat at Cosmic Rays than a Sunshine Seasons where this was not being done.

 

[WdwforLife]

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

This seems to be a much more logical approach to the problem. Disney is always looking for ways to improve a guest's experience. If Disney could offer another CS restaurant, I'm sure they would.

However, what a lot of people don't know is all of the parks, especially the Magic Kingdom, is set up in such a way (almost scientifically) for everything, theming, ambience, colors, sound etc to flow seamlessly through the park. That kind of design and planning is always at work in WDW. You don't notice it because it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do: immersing you in the magic.

To build another CS restaurant could very well disrupt the flow of the park and clutter up the scenery completely destroying all of the hard work that previous imagineers put into the design of the park.

Most people just don't realize the amount of time and planning that goes into almost everything built in WDW. One can not just decide to build another CS restaurant.

 

[RMulieri]

Cosmic Rays had this happening this week when we ate there- We walked in through 1 door into a queque. As they was room in the lines we were dirrected into the bay that had the food type we wanted and then once we had our food we headed into the main seating area and easily found a table. I didn't notice anything that made this a problemtatic thing- although I do know that the family I was with mentioned when they had only ordered drinks a different time at Cosmic Rays they were told they could not sit at an inside table since they had no food.

It was significantly easier to eat at Cosmic Rays than a Sunshine Seasons where this was not being done.

Sunshine seasons needs to do this..it is ALWAYS A NIGHTMARE THERE..People just sit at the tables to wait for their FP time for Soarin and Living with the Land.We saw so many people just sitting at tables while wandering around with our food tray

 

[fla4fun]

I have not experienced this yet, but as a solo diner, it has benefits for me.

As to opening more CS restaurants, they could re-open some shuttered locations like the Adventureland Verandah, or keep the Noodle Station open, and not have to build any new structures. Even if they were only open for lunch (which is the most popular CS meal with the DDP crowd) it would give a little extra dining space. There are a few of these types of areas here and there throughout MK that could pretty easily be brought up to speed for summer and holiday seasons. I've been in MK in the summer, and have yet to find the Noodle Station open. Back when it was the Plaza Pavilion, that was one of my favorite lunch spots - even if the tables were outdoors!

I think the problem at Pinocchio's is that the restaurant is not laid out for this type of program. At both Cosmic Ray's and Pecos Bills, it's easier to isolate the food lines from the dining areas. They can funnel you in through specific doors and direct you to the ordering stations, and then move you on to the seating areas. At Pinocchio's, you have to walk through the dining room to get to the order counters, and the ordering area is very, very, VERY small. It doesn't take many people to really crowd that space, and it can sometimes be next to impossible to get your food from the counter back through the people waiting in line. I can understand why they feel the need to have more CM's there to work the seating program, but unfortunately, having that many extra people in what is already a confined space, just makes it that much worse. As popular as it is, I think they should consider taking it down for a big refurb, and reorganizing the ordering area and the dining area to make both more "user friendly".

This is one reason that I usually do a TS lunch and CS dinner. I don't buy the DDP, and I get a more reasonably priced TS experience, and I don't have to fight the crowds as much to eat.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is one reason that I usually do a TS lunch and CS dinner. I don't buy the DDP, and I get a more reasonably priced TS experience, and I don't have to fight the crowds as much to eat.

I will have to try all that next time! Frankly, a complete TS meal is enough food for me that I'd probably end up skipping dinner (okay, I know it's not healthy to skip a meal - but just get soup or a side or fruit salad from a food court or CS spot ) completely. Plus, I really like the chicken pot pie at 50's Prime Time, and they won't serve that at dinner. I've asked.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

During the busy times I think it is a great idea. It is miserable to carry around a heavy tray of food and drinks looking for a table while a large number are being held by people that are still waiting for their food. Those that already have their food in hand should be able to get a table. During the slower times when there are plenty of tables available it's not a big deal.

 

[dawnmommy]

The math on this is perfectly clear, even though some people don't want to hear it. If a family "stakes out" a table BEFORE they get their food, then they are taking that table for 10-30 minutes MORE than they need it (holding an entire table before they even have food). THAT is exactly why you then have people standing with their food and unable to find a place to sit.

It is basic logic - if you sit BEFORE you have your food, you are taking much more time at the table than you would if you sat AFTER you had your food.

I find it funny that this is already in place in Japan and in Europe, yet it is "horrible" when implemented here? "Horrible" to be more thoughtful to our fellow park guests?

If you sit before you have your food you are taking more time than you need at the table. Simple as that. I can understand exceptions for disabled visitors, but that is about it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've been going to WDW for 23 years and we have always used this "divide and conquer" method without issue.

Well, right. If you're doing the sit-before-you-have-food method, you're NOT going to encounter problems. But if you cannot save a seat before you get food, that's when problems happen. Your group is happy, some are sitting, others are ordering, knowing they have a seat waiting. While those who can't do that are worried, not sure that they will have a seat.



Groups that can split up can do it either way. Groups that cannot split up cannot do it the other way. So this policy seems to be putting everyone on the same footing. No group splits up, so all groups have better chances of having a table *when they have their food*.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No group splits up, so all groups have better chances of having a table *when they have their food*.

But it's not chances. When this practice is instituted - again, NOT every day, not every hour of every day when it is done, but only at busy times of the year at peak dining times - everybody who is prepared to dine GETS a table. Not a chance at a table, not a footrace to a table - but a table. Each party gets to sit and eat when they have their food and are ready to, well, sit and eat

 

[seadd67]

Yep we are one of those Familys that hold a table(my DS) while I go and get the food,I really never thought this to be a big Issue. So If there going to do this,they should do It all the time or none at all. People will just get confused and upset when some our getting tables and some our not. Hopefully the Brains at WDW can get this Into a better system.
But if not we will just go with the flow,we can sit just about any where and we will be happy.

 

[WdwforLife]

Yep we are one of those Familys that hold a table(my DS) while I go and get the food,I really never thought this to be a big Issue. So If there going to do this,they should do It all the time or none at all. People will just get confused and upset when some our getting tables and some our not. Hopefully the Brains at WDW can get this Into a better system.
But if not we will just go with the flow,we can sit just about any where and we will be happy.

Didn't multiple people say that this same system was already in play in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland and it's working great? So...it sounds like a pretty good system to me. If the French and the Japanese can swing it I think we can too.

 

[monarchsfan16]

As a solo traveler, I'm all for this plan.

For those complaining about double strollers in line, why can't the stroller be parked outside? Yes, then there are kids to wrangle, but really only for a few minutes. Eases the congestion in the line and the congestion near the tables.

I've only seen modified versions of this in practice (or, perhaps because I was solo, the full thing was being practiced, but I failed to notice), but is there any reason that part of the family couldn't wait off to the side?

I CAN see both sides of this, but at the same time, even as a young child, my entire family ALWAYS waited in line. And my parents sure as heck weren't wrestling strollers through the line. My sister and I were each 3 for our first trip, and dad felt that was old enough to be without a stroller. He was right. In lines we simply held our parents hands, or if they were carrying trays of food, we held belt loops or mom's pocketbook. I understand that it does create an extra hassle, but at the same time, I'm failing to understand the total outrage.

 

[Tricia1972]

It will be what it will be.

Thanks for summing it up so well.

This fight has been on the board many times before, and undoubtedly it will be back again.

Closing this thread now as it's less of a sharing of opinions and more the same old rhetoric.