Quick Service Rules in Effect

[TDC Nala]

Whenever these threads come up isn't it usually overlooked that it's only being done in three of the busiest restaurants, and only at the most crowded times?

Apparently it's always done this way at Disneyland Paris (they even have signs up in more than one language asking that you wait to get a seat until you have your food) and it doesn't bother anyone. I also don't see why people can't wait in the front of the restaurant for someone to get in line and pick up the food. These three restaurants have large areas to wait in, not a small vestibule. At crowded times they're just trying to accommodate as many guests as possible.

If you don't like the rule, all you have to do is choose a place to eat other than the three places that have it in effect, or if you must choose one of those three, don't go at peak mealtimes during high attendance periods.

Also if I was ever lucky enough to find a table, some family would ask me to give it up since I was solo and they needed that table.

They do that to you too? My answer is "when I'm finished the table is yours." Depending on how nice or rude the family was, I might then speed up or slow down my lunch. Never had anyone come out and tell me I didn't belong there. If that happened it would be time for me to pull out a book, get a drink refill and stick around for awhile.

I also don't mind if people want to ask if they can sit with me, but then don't treat me like I'm imposing on you by already being at the table you ASKED if you could sit at.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

We are going at the end of January - so it may not apply to us - but does anyone have any experience with this plan and needing to get a highchair? DD is pretty calm (if I'm lucky!)and I can hold her hand and the baby while DH gets the food - but we will then need to get a highchair.
Honestly overall though it seems like a good idea. We went to Cosmic Rays in early Nov 09 and it was such a madhouse that DH absolutely refuses to go back! So now we are looking at eating at CHH and Pecos Bills....

 

[robinb]

all i can say is that i hope that it doesnt get too crowded in the ORDERING area.

Another thing that is done during the busier season is they will set up one main queue and a CM will direct people to the individual cash registers to order. This *really* cuts the wait time A LOT plus you don't get the hairy eyeball from people who can't read the "Please Use Both Sides" sign when you get in line on the empty side of the cash register.

 

[Hopefully]

I think it is a great idea and support if fully.
I believe saving tables while folks with hot food are wandering and trying to eat is very selfish,

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i am all for this. we don't frequent counter service, but will when we have children. we had a "situation" happen at boulangerie patisserie a couple weeks ago and i think df has been aggrevated since, lol. we both had a plate in each hand and drinks nestled in our arms as we were walking to find a seat, we were going up the few steps less than 8 feet away from the table we obviously were going to, and a large man most likely in his 50s ran past me at full speed almost knocking me down and plopped down at the table and just looked at us. he had the "haha" look on his face. no plate, no drink, nothing. we have our hands and arms full of food that we want to eat. well df got really mad, i had never seen him react like that in public, but he did--i told him to calm down, but it was very aggrevating and quite immature on the gentleman's part. there wasn't a table, so we fumbled on a bench. if this happens at a bakery, i can only imagine how frustrating it could be at a full meal!!

 

[n2mm]

Obviously this rule only goes into effect during higher capacity times of year (holidays). We just returned 3 weeks ago and this rule was not in effect then. Post like this always make me glad I never go during busy times of the year!

 

[Becx N Gav]

As a frequent solo visitor I love this. I don't even bother to try eat at Cosmic Rays or Pecos Bills anymore, because I could never find a table. Everyone was always saving them while a member of their party was waiting in line to order. I could be through eating and out of there before their family member showed up with their food. Also if I was ever lucky enough to find a table, some family would ask me to give it up since I was solo and they needed that table. Back before Tusker House changed to a TS, I actually had a lady yell at me and threaten to get a manager because I was sitting by myself at the only table available (a four seater) and wouldn't give it up for her family. She said that since I was solo, I could just take my food outside and eat it. I offered to share the table with them, but she still demanded that I give it up. An elderly couple was walking by about that time looking for a table, so I offered to share my table with them. They took me up on it, I had a very nice meal, met a couple of new friends from New York, and the rude lady stalked off muttering about how rude I was to not give up my table and how WDW was for families and I shouldn't even be there.

But you're part of the Dis family

 

[thej]

The "rules" were in effect when we were at WDW last New Year's. While for the most part they worked well for us, we had a serious issue with them at the Tomorrowland Terrrace Noodle Station (TTNS?).

Now, DS has Aspergers, and we use a GAC for when he gets overwhelmed by the crowds or lines. If we think he can handle the line/crowd we do it just like everybody else. Disney usually does a great job with the GAC, and we do our absolute best to only use it when we have to. HOWEVER DS's limit for standing around in a crowded place is only ~20 minutes, after that he and everyone in the immediate vicinity will be VERY unhappy. Heat, hunger, and general tiredness all reduce this number.

We avoided Cosmic Ray's and the usual haunts because of the crowds, but even so on this particular day, the lines even at the Tomorrowland Terrace were long, service was slow, and DS was hungry. But, empty tables out on the terraces were plentiful, in fact they were maybe half full. That made it a good choice for us... or so we thought.

I headed to the lines to get the food, DW & DS headed to the tables so DS could avoid the crowd and the possibility of a meltdown. They were very surprised to be stopped at the entrance to the terraces by a CM who told them they would have to wait until I arrived with the food. DW explained the situation, and even showed the GAC to the CM who obstinately refused to allow them in. He actually suggested they come find me in the lines (read big crowd) to wait. After a bit more explanation he suggested perhaps they could wait outside and I could call them when I had the food. Great idea, except our AT&T phones had no service in there. In the end they wound up sitting on the ground as much out of the walkway as possible until I showed up. Then a CM happily let us in.

Of course part way thru the meal, DW had to go the the restroom, and of course the restrooms are outside the "gate" to the eating areas. A different CM gave her a hard time getting back in. You could say she was less than thrilled.

If this had been Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bills which get desperately packed, I guess I could understand. But not given the circumstances. I attribute our situation to a general lack experience on the part of CMs at the the TTNS which is rarely open. It seems these CMs were blindly following the rules more than anything else. At a different (busier) location later on the same trip, I saw a cast member happily offer to take a guest on crutches and her child to a table to wait while her husband went to stand in line.

In any case it left a bad taste in our mouth for Tomorrowland Terrace, and a general desire to avoid CS locations which happen to be implementing the "Rules" unless there is no other option.

 

[robinb]

If this had been Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bills which get desperately packed, I guess I could understand. But not given the circumstances. I attribute our situation to a general lack experience on the part of CMs at the the TTNS which is rarely open. It seems these CMs were blindly following the rules more than anything else. At a different (busier) location later on the same trip, I saw a cast member happily offer to take a guest on crutches and her child to a table to wait while her husband went to stand in line.

In any case it left a bad taste in our mouth for Tomorrowland Terrace, and a general desire to avoid CS locations which happen to be implementing the "Rules" unless there is no other option.

I am sure that since your son had a GAC and should have been allowed to sit and wait with your wife. Did you take this up with Disney management? FWIW, the Tommowland Terrace Noodles station leaves a bad taste in my mouth too .

 

[dis-happy]

Wish they would put this into effect at the Earl of Sandwich. It's beyond ridiculous there trying to get a table with food in hand and kids in tow while one person sits at a table doing nothing.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Thank God for this rule! Pecos Bills has always been insane!

 

[Luv4Disney]

DH and I ate at Pecos Bill's in September and did not see this. Being in my third trimester being pregnant, I sat my butt down while DH got the food. Sorry. However, there were plenty of empty tables.

 

[thej]

I am sure that since your son had a GAC and should have been allowed to sit and wait with your wife. Did you take this up with Disney management? FWIW, the Tommowland Terrace Noodles station leaves a bad taste in my mouth too .

We didn't take it further up the chain, just chalked it up to experience and went on with our day.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Overall I think this is a great idea but, as a mom with two small children, I loved being able to sit down with them while DH got the food. Having all those extra people, most of them squirming, hungry kids, will really clutter up the lines.

 

[DisneyMim]

I have no problem with this rule, BUT ONLY if a cast member is really going to walk my family to an empty table. I don't want to be carrying trays of food/drinks with no place to sit. I have real doubts of this being carried out. People like to sit and talk and take their time eating. I can't see a cast member telling people they have to leave.

 

[robinb]

We didn't take it further up the chain, just chalked it up to experience and went on with our day.

I would have told someone either at the restaurant or on my way out at Guest Services. They won't know that there is a problem unless someone tells them. Then again, I'm the kind of person who would stop by and let them know how much I liked the new rules.

 

[dmoore718]

hmmm...hopeful that it works efficiently. Might be tough for us with 3 kids under 5 but I'm willing to give it a try and hope for the best. We'll also try to eat at off times to make it less hectic.

 

[crashbb]

I am sure that since your son had a GAC and should have been allowed to sit and wait with your wife. Did you take this up with Disney management? FWIW, the Tommowland Terrace Noodles station leaves a bad taste in my mouth too .

Actually, the GAC specifically state that they are for attractions only (not transportation or character greets, for example). While many (most?) CMs at non-attractions will try to help, the GAC is not officially applicable.

Not that I agree with what the CM did - just pointing it out.

 

[AquaDame]

Is anyone else noticing that the hostility seems to be directed toward ONE adult sitting at a table..? It got me thinking; even when balancing a tray and having a hard time to find a seat I never even blink at the wheelchairs or strollers or tables with a family and no food at all... as long as the CMs are smart enough and allowed by management to make exceptions where warranted I think this is a great idea!

 

[NMW]

I really love this rule and think it should be in effect all year long. I admit that we really don't do CS meals as we always purchase the deluxe dining plan. However, we may do it once per trip. May 2009 we ate lunch at Pinnochio in MK and I can't tell you how incredibly annoying it was walking past table after table of people sitting by themselves without food. I detest the saving tables thing.

In fact, in 2005 or 2006 (I can't remember for sure and DH isn't here to ask ) we did the basic dining plan becuase well, that was the only one they had at the time, except for the premium and we would never use all the extras that come with that one. We did a lot of CS lunches and decided "Never Again"...to do that many CS meals.

One of our main issues was getting food and then walking past people saving tables. I have 3 kids. In 2005 they were 3, 6, and 8. We stood in line with them without issue. We then had to wander around looking for a table. And yes, rude people WITHOUT food did race past us and grab tables. The other thing, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned it, were the people that stood there with their trays of food, just staring at us while we ate.

We ended up adding TS lunches and paying cash for them because our experience with CS was so unpleasant. If the no table saving rule was in effect, it would have been much better, I'm sure.

Like I said, we only now do a CS lunch maybe once per trip because we do the deluxe dining plan. Our May 2011 trip we have one OOP cash CS meal planned for a MK day. I can only hope there are CM's stopping the table savers and escourting people WITH their food to tables.