Quick Service Rules in Effect

[jerivera]

I'm going to have to go with "I like this rule".

If the place is so crowded that there are no tables, then you probably wouldn't eat there anyway. And if you still did, what's different now?

I'm pretty sure everyone in this board has had the experience of looking for tables, and seeing the 1 person sitting down on a large table "holding" it for the rest of the family. I'm pretty sure that by only allowing folks WITH food to use the table, the table will be available MUCH more often than if it was also "held" for 15-20 minutes by someone while the rest of the family got food.

They're trying to organize the chaos that is Disney CS dining. And I, for one, am all for it.

I do feel sorry for others who like "saving" a table, or feel they have a right to one, but hey, we all have to eat. If you don't want to wait, then don't eat there.

 

[jerivera]

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.

Good for you, not letting the lady push you around!

It really gets my blood pressure up when you see people acting entitled. Why do folks feel like they are the only ones who deserve anything? I mean seriously! Who do they think they are? Everyone in there had to pay to be in there. And everyone has the same rights as everyone else. What nerve!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I once left an 8 year old at a table while I went up to get her food, and came back to find all the chairs gone, my coat & backpack on the floor and the child in tears (thanks to a large group of under-supervised youths of whom I dare say no more). After that, even if I had been inclined to leave her alone at a table, she would've refused.

It's all well and good for folks with large parties to declare their "right" to indefinitely take up table space and chairs, but for the rest of us who don't have that luxury, it's about time! Having CMs oversee it will finally free us from the food-court/CS bullies. If you're not eating, you shouldn't be taking space away from people who are ready to. And if people traveling solo or single adults with children manage to carry a tray and get their condiments, I'm sure with a little remedial training you can learn to do it too.

And next week, when I'm traveling with another adult who could "save" a table, I'll happily pass that up for this rule. I just want a place to eat - I have no interest in staking a claim & making life difficult for other people in the process. *I* am not that selfish.

How dreadful! We have always grabbed a seat while DH picked up our food, but most times it's not busy. We dont go to the parks when its busy or stay long enough to eat if it gets busy.
If this rule saves children from being subjected to un-magicalness, Im all for it!

 

[princess aleya]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Love it! Would really like to see it at Sunshine Seasons. We wondered around with food for 20 minutes before we found a spot and there were a lot of people sitting without food. VERY frustrating, especially since we had to split our group up.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Could we make this a poll?

Put me down for "like". I admit, I've hovered and stalked diners before while DH got our food, but then I had it done to me and you know what? I hated it. I'm all for CM's getting me a table. My only question is, wouldn't the families standing together clog up the lines?

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Love it! Would really like to see it at Sunshine Seasons. We wondered around with food for 20 minutes before we found a spot and there were a lot of people sitting without food. VERY frustrating, especially since we had to split our group up.

I think I like this rule, although to be fair, I haven't seen it in action. But Sunshine Seasons was the most difficult place to find a seat on our last trip. We ended up having 3 of us wander around looking for a table, while 2 got food, and another kept the kids out of the madness.

I've always gotten a table with DS while DH gets food if we can - DS is diabetic, and it's a lot easier to check his blood sugar before there's food in front of him There's nothing fun about telling a 2 year old not to eat yet when he's hungry. But my personal situation certainly doesn't need to be the basis for Disney policies If this rule keeps people moving along, and gets everyone a seat, I'll just learn to test him before we go in.

 

[nmmom95]

I also like this rule. We saw it in effect 2 weeks ago at Cosmic Rays.

 

[copperhound]

I experienced the "rule" last spring at Pecos Bills. As it was, there was nothing on the kids menu that appealed to my children, so I snagged 2 hot dogs and bottled waters from the cart outside from them, and intended to order from the menu for myself and my elderly mother.

So I found myself with a hot dog in each hand, bottled waters in the "pinkie grasp", large diaper bag over shoulder, and 4 and 6 year old in tow, and found that being told that I need to somehow figure out how to order, pay, and tote a tray of food in addition to the aforementioned stuff was somewhat annoying.

I agree that the rule could work, but they need to have extra staff on hand to handle your extra bags, food, kids, etc. while you order and retrieve your food.

For me (and possibly others), lesson learned: secure your QS food and table first, then circle back outside to get hot dogs or whatever for the kids... but will you be allowed back to your table then?

 

[Disney Von Drake]

It looks like reservations will not be too far off for the QS establishments. As it stands now for restaurants that take reservations, if you don't have an ADR then you've got to give the CM a twenty to get a table. Looks like the same deal is just around the bend for the QS places.

I have no objection to this system since I rarely make ADR's anyway. I'd rather give a CM a few extra dollars than wait on a table. It's always fun.

 

[Laurabearz]

It works quite well at Three Broomsticks and they were able to seat our party of 9 within moments of us showing up with our trays.

So if Disney does it as well as Universal does, I am for it!

 

[over50visits]

We are going in January- value season. Will this be in effect then, or is it just for busy seasons?

They don't need the rules in January, since people are not rude (saving tables) during value season.

 

[coopersmom]

Add me in as one of the "rude" and terrible people who hates the sound of this. We're a party of three and anytime we have to eat somewhere where there is a wait-in-line-to-order-get-food situation, we always split up. I take my son to bathroom, wash-up and sit while my husband gets the food (or vice versa). It just makes things go a LOT more smoothly for all involved (including others waiting in line around us). Not because my son is out of control and I need to teach him a few things, but because he's 3-1/2 and waiting in line sucks. … Which is why so many parents are so "rude" as to avoid the situation in an attempt to keep their little ones from melting down.

If I'm paying the same prices for food as anyone else, I'm just as deserving of a table as they are. (Not more so, mind you, just the same.) If the restaurant is so full there are no tables, then that should be made clear BEFORE you get in line. Maybe a sign at the food ordering line entrance that says: "We are at capacity, no tables are currently available." You could still order, but with the knowledge it's unlikely you'll be seated and will have to make due with whatever is available. But then many people just wouldn't eat there and Disney couldn't have that.

To be told I can't sit down (something most people desperately want to do after trudging around a theme park), if I see an empty table, just because I don't have my food already in hand, or if I get up for any reason, I'll have to fight/argue my way back in? All to eat over-priced theme park fast food that usually doesn't even live up to McDonald's quality levels? No, thank you! Talk about your un-magical experiences.

What's next, a timer on the table that says how long you can occupy it based on the amount of money you spent on food items?

Frankly, if I saw this in effect in a restaurant we walked into, I'd just leave. You pay through the nose for EVERYTHING at Disney, that's a given, as is waiting in line. But wait in line to order, wait in line to get the food, wait in line to pay and then wait in line again to be seated? Who needs one more extra hassle?

 

[robinb]

If I'm paying the same prices for food as anyone else, I'm just as deserving of a table as they are. (Not more so, mind you, just the same.)

Exactly. You are just as deserving of a table to eat your meal as anyone else. However, you are not MORE deserving of a table to sit, relax, regroup, etc with your preschooler while one spouse gets the food than someone who already has food and wants to eat while their food is still hot.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Exactly. You are just as deserving of a table to eat your meal as anyone else. However, you are not MORE deserving of a table to sit, relax, regroup, etc with your preschooler while one spouse gets the food than someone who already has food and wants to eat while their food is still hot.

This!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I love this rule! It will flip tables faster so MORE people can sit and eat. Let's put the Quick back in QS.

If you need/want to sit prior to getting your food then get a TS.

I learned that the hard way the first couple of trips years ago when I had two toddlers solo. Wandering with small children, a stroller and a tray of food around looking for a table was unbearable.

Now how about we beat up on the people who stand in line at a QS for 10 min. get to the register THEN look at the menu to decide.

 

[NMW]

Exactly. You are just as deserving of a table to eat your meal as anyone else. However, you are not MORE deserving of a table to sit, relax, regroup, etc with your preschooler while one spouse gets the food than someone who already has food and wants to eat while their food is still hot.

Exactly this!!!

 

[over50visits]

Frankly, if I saw this in effect in a restaurant we walked into, I'd just leave

Thank you! This will help us all, this is a great idea for you to do.

 

[pampam]

Frankly, if I saw this in effect in a restaurant we walked into, I'd just leave. You pay through the nose for EVERYTHING at Disney, that's a given, as is waiting in line. But wait in line to order, wait in line to get the food, wait in line to pay and then wait in line again to be seated? Who needs one more extra hassle?

If the restaurants are as busy as described, where would you eat? You wouldn't have rssies at TS places so that's out. Counter service is backed up to the door, and if you got into another restaurant, it sounds like it would be the same type of quick service rules. That leaves pretzel and turkey leg stands.

 

[coopersmom]

Thank you! This will help us all, this is a great idea for you to do.

If the restaurants are as busy as described, where would you eat? You wouldn't have rssies at TS places so that's out. Counter service is backed up to the door, and if you got into another restaurant, it sounds like it would be the same type of quick service rules. That leaves pretzel and turkey leg stands.

WE WOULD LEAVE THE PARK--which is EXACTLY what Disney doesn't want.

I think it's so funny all these people shouting "rude" on these boards about everything they don't like, and the constant complaining about "out of control" kids and "bad parents." Gee, it's Disney World, kids are gonna be everywhere, and they're gonna be loud, and if you happen to see someone's at a bad moment, they're gonna be cranky and crazy too. And waiting in lines is pretty much universally a bad moment, no matter how many tips, tricks and tools parents use to prepare. I'm trying them all and gonna hope for the best and, most of all, anytime I can avoid standing in a line, I'm gonna do it. It happens to every kid at some point and the younger they are, the more likely it is to occur.

I'm the exact same parent when my child is being polite, saying excuse me and please and thank you to everyone he meets, as I am when he's melting down. And, yes, I will correct him, but no, it won't always work and it might get worse (where he's carried out screaming), before it gets better. This doesn't make me a bad parent, or my child a wild heathen, it makes use both human beings.

In this thread everyone is talking about "rude" parents at Quick Service and "if you want a table book table service," while others talk about "rude" parents bringing their kids to table service where they "don't belong" because they're trying to have a romantic dinner and left their kids with a babysitter, it's their honeymoon, or at these prices we deserve to have a kid-free meal.

So, if you stake out a bench or plant yourself on a curb before parade time, blocking everyone's way and making it hard to pass are you being "rude" too, or just prepared? Maybe I just wanted to sit on that bench for a minute, and would have been gone in plenty of time for you to watch the parade. Or someone else "needed" the bench for whatever reason (to tie a shoe, eat a meal, nurse a baby, rest an injury, whatever).

If I'm lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time that I get to sit down, be it at a show, a restaurant, a bus or a park bench, good for me. If you're there first, good for you. I'm certainly not going to make anyone feel like a criminal for sitting down. Seems fair enough to me.

I, personally, think it's much more efficient to have one parent in charge of food, and the other in charge of seating and child. That's the way that works best for us. If another plan works better for you, that's good too, and I won't make fun of you or berate you for your differing opinion. If your situation is different, and ours certainly was before we had kids, and will be again when they're older, your opinion likely will be too.

I'm certainly not going to throw a fit or argue with policy (I'm a strict rule follower), but if I'm annoyed enough, I might tell the cast member why we're not dining.