Question about counter service

[mandaf7]

I've read on a couple of threads about some counter service places not allowing people to save a table for someone else waiting for the food. Can someone please tell me if this is true..and what counter service places..do or do not allow you to save a table while wating for the food? I'm okay either way..but I would like to be prepared so I don't do something I"m not supposed to.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyNicki]

In all my trips to WDW I have only seen this at 1 place just 1 time and that was Nov 2010 when we ate at Peco Bills. You had to order first and then they would seat you, there was no way they would allow anyone to hold up a table while waiting for someone to come with the food.

Honestly this was soooo smooth and no one was waiting for a table and no one was rushed to hurry up and eat and leave.

 

[FireDancer]

This is only done during peak times and at certain CS restaurants. It always turns into a hot topic of debate which for the most part, like most debate on here, is a waste of time because the policy is rarely in place and when it is it runs smoothly.

 

[Huff]

The problem with not being able to sit and hold a table is it forces mom, dad and 4 kids, stollers etc. standing in line which isn't always fun for anyone!

It's not just to hold a table. Even if its not crowded, plenty of tables, one parent takes the kids to sit while the other parent gets the food.

Coronado Springs Market handles things different than anywhere else. When you arrive its much like table service. A hostess takes you to your table. You then send one or more to go get the food and bring back to table. This works well. Nobody holds tables and the entire party does not have to wait in the food lines.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

When I was there at Christmas, Pecos Bill and Cosmic Rays were enforcing food-before-sitting, as was the Three Broomsticks at Universal.

I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but the one that serves Mexican Counter Service was a free-for-all which led to a melt-down on my part. There is nothing more frustrating, in my opinion, than walking around with a tray full of messy food and finding only seas of tables with one person sitting there not eating holding the table for their party. This one restaurant experience may have altered our future trips to completely avoid counter service.

FYI, when they are doing it, it is obvious. There are CMs standing outside seating areas to give direction.

 

[mandaf7]

Thank you for the quick replies!

 

[addiln]

last time when we were at Pecos Bills we did not have a problem with this. in fact every cs that we have done one of us always got a table after we ordered the food and I waited to pick it up. we general try to do lunch between 1-2 since it is less crowded so that my be the reason.

 

[AppleSister1]

We encountered this at Pecos Bills over the holidays. It was actually pretty smooth but it did make for lines that SEEMED more crowded and longer than they actually were, and lots of people milling about by the front doors and around the fixin's bar. Once you ordered, tho, and got your food, it was pretty smooth sailing.

The place was a madhouse in general because they were doing those "30% off at select CS if you eat before noon" coupons. At 11:30am it was crazypants in there.

 

[Reddy]

We went in August & didn't have aneone say about us taking the kids to the table
but then having a 13 year old on a leash might have had them thinking it is best to leave us be (one lady did offer us her nice shady spot since she was getting up)