Quick Service Rules in Effect

[clanmcculloch]

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.

Have you actually been able to do this at WDW? CMs can be fired for taking a tip like this.

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 try to prepare. I'm trying them all and gonna hope for the best.) It happens to every kid at some point and the younger they are, they 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.

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."

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.

Sitting on a bench is NOTHING like sitting at a table inside a CS restaurants. The bench is for anybody to sit on for any reason they want. The tables at CS restaurants there for the express purpose of eating the meal you purchased in that establishment.

I agree it's more efficient for one adult to be in charge of the child(ren) while the other orders in situations where there are 2 adults with children. What's wrong with waiting outside with the children while the other parent orders? The person ordering can text the parent who has the children when the order is coming up so then you can all walk in together. Why does the parent with the child have to sit at a table? Do you care that while you're waiting, a parent who is alone with their children is wandering, with their food getting cold because there's no table for that patron who already has his/her food, just because you don't want to wait outside while your spouse is in line for another 20 minutes? That family could be done eating before your spouse even arrives with his food, if they had a table. In your scenario, that table is unavailble for people WITH FOOD the entire time your spouse is in line.

 

[robinb]

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

You would leave the park? Really? With a cranky hungry pre-schooler? So you don't have to wait an extra 10-15 minutes for a table? That seems to be a classic case of cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Going to WDW during busy times when these changes are implemented is a study in patience. If waiting for a table until you have your food will flip you out so much, I recommend that you book your trips during less stressful dates .

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I've never complained about children at a TS. In fact, I've braved the "Not at Bistro de France"! crowd. If your child isn't disturbing others fine. Who cares?

Why do you think these rules are put in place during busy season and busy restaurants? To make it a more efficient and easier for EVERYONE involved.

The faster the tables flip, more people can find a spot to eat.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're going to leave the park because two counter service restaurants are trying to control crowds, that is up to you. There are plenty of resorts nearby that have CS restaurants that probably won't be full because everyone is in the park, and if you go there you can probably sit where you like for just as long as you like.

But it should still be emphasized that if Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bill does have this rule in effect, it is only because the restaurant is at that time already considered extraordinarily crowded. There are plenty of places to grab something at MK, but if they are already that crowded, you'll likely have to wait no matter where you go in the park. It has nothing to do with who has children, who doesn't, and how easy it is to wait or not to wait with a child or if the children get loud. They're just trying to move the most people they can through the most crowded restaurants at the most crowded times. And it works, or they wouldn't keep doing it.

And slipping a CM a twenty at Pecos Bill isn't going to get them to allow you to sit down while someone else gets your food any more than it will get you a table at Le Cellier. (I'm sure the post about slipping them a 20 is a joke, I think Disney CMs can be fired for accepting tips like that)

I saw some complainers at the Three Broomsticks who did not like that they were unable to choose their table (when I went the restaurant was not full - I think it is just standard procedure there to have a staff member locate a table for each party). Someone protested and said they wanted a different table, but they were told they had to take the table they were shown to. But for the most part it seemed to work. At least Disney only does this when crowds are high.

 

[rocio]

I think they were doing this at the Village Haus when we visited in May. We liked it. We had 3 young children (newly 6yo, and 3 yo twins), but with only 2 adults and food for 5, there's no way one of us can balance all that food in one tray. So we have always gone through the line together and then struggled to find a table balancing trays and keeping the kids with us. We do it at Disney and any other fast food establishment. Now we can get a table right away.

 

[SmallWorld71]

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!

I think this is the key - doing it right. If they do it right like they do at Universal it makes life SO MUCH easier for everyone, especially those trying to juggle little ones and traveling with large parties. If it's not done with efficiency, I could see where it could be a problem for some.

 

[sam_gordon]

A couple questions...

Under the new rules...
You get your food, your party gets escorted to a table.
Now someone (adult or child) needs to go to the bathroom. So you leave the seating area.
Are you allowed "back in" since you're not carrying any food? Do you get a pass from the CM "guarding" the area?

Also,
Let's say your party split up to ride attractions. Group A finishes first and stops to get something to eat (following the rules). Group B finishes, shows up at the CS, isn't hungry, but wants to sit with Group A while they finish their meal. Can Group B join Group A?

My family generally splits at CS (DW takes kiddos to bathroom/find seat while I get food). I'll reserve judgement on the new rules until I go through them, but see the above two situations as probable common occurances that haven't been addressed in this thread.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I've reread the rules here and then the other thread where a DISer described their unfortunate experience with these rules.

I am generally a rule-follower, so I am willing to try to conform. If I'm not part of the food acquisition for the family, I can wait outside until someone texts me that they've picked up the food and are heading to a table (presumably escorted by the CM). Can I then join my family at the table or do I have to wait in a line? According to the DISer report this is where they ran into a problem and the husband was not allowed to join the family without waiting in line to enter the dining area. Does that make any sense? Or is this a case of an over-zealous CM given too much power? (Absolute power corrupts absolutely.) This is when my nonconformist tendencies will emerge.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

Have you actually been able to do this at WDW? CMs can be fired for taking a tip like this.

You’ll find that it is the “official” policy of any good restaurant to say that they would fire the maître d' (headwaiter, host, etc.) if they are caught accepting money for a table. In actual practice, it is an accepted practice. At Disney, often times the host will refuse to accept the money but will still get you a table with the understanding that the money offered will go toward the final tip. The method used to divide up tips among the wait staff varies in different restaurants.

 

[clanmcculloch]

You’ll find that it is the “official” policy of any good restaurant to say that they would fire the maître d' (headwaiter, host, etc.) if they are caught accepting money for a table. In actual practice, it is an accepted practice. At Disney, often times the host will refuse to accept the money but will still get you a table with the understanding that the money offered will go toward the final tip. The method used to divide up tips among the wait staff varies in different restaurants.

Again I ask; have you actually done this at WDW?

 

[DisneyMom]

I'm sorry if this has been addressed but I am a little concerned - I will be traveling in 2 weeks with my not yet 15 month old grandson and will be on the QS dining plan. Did I read correctly that strollers are not allowed in the restaurants? Just trying to envision me trying to carry a squirmy 14 month old, a diaper bag, a camera case and juggle a tray loaded with food while hoofing it to the table to which I am directed??

When he's in the stroller, he's strapped in and usually content to stay quiet. When he's not strapped in, he wants to walk everywhere himself.

Will be interesting!!

 

[Disney Von Drake]

Again I ask; have you actually done this at WDW?

Yes, of course.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'm sorry if this has been addressed but I am a little concerned - I will be traveling in 2 weeks with my not yet 15 month old grandson and will be on the QS dining plan. Did I read correctly that strollers are not allowed in the restaurants? Just trying to envision me trying to carry a squirmy 14 month old, a diaper bag, a camera case and juggle a tray loaded with food while hoofing it to the table to which I am directed??

When he's in the stroller, he's strapped in and usually content to stay quiet. When he's not strapped in, he wants to walk everywhere himself.

Will be interesting!!

I've been in this situation. FWIW, I thought it was easier to carry a toddler in one arm, and a tray in the other (only drink was bottled water, so I could lay it down on the tray), than trying to push a stroller, while holding a tray. I 'd leave the diaper bag with the stroller. Instead of a purse, just carried a small credit card holder.

 

[Simba's Mom]

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.

Yes! Another solo visitor who loves this new rule. However, Mom and Dad are planning a WDW trip, and they're 80 yo. I expect that when they get to a CS resturaunt, Mom will be anxious to sit as soon as possible. Maybe I underestimate them though-I'll be anxious to hear their response.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have a question about this rule. Assuming the counter service locations are doing this since it only happens when the parks are very busy, if someone needs to go off to the washroom while the other members of your party are still eating or they want to get something extra from the toppings bar that they forgot. Will we have any problems walking back to our table because the Cast Members would see that we are not carrying a tray of food.

 

[Funky Chicken]

The rule does not sound unreasonable to me if implemented during busy periods.

It also makes me feel even more fortunate to be able to travel to WDW during less crowded (not to mention less expensive) time of year which also has the pleasant side effect of letting me avoid some of the appalling behavior that seems to escalate during busy periods.

See y'all in January!

 

[eli3886]

At our full service restaurant we do not sit incomplete parties during our busy times because it backs up the flow of the business and is very inefficient. I'm sure that Disney is just trying to make sure they turn the tables as quickly as possible so that more people can get a seat and this is the best way to do that. I don't know if they have issues with people taking tables who are not actually eating but merely taking a break, but that could be another reason for the gatekeeper. Apparently there is a problem and I applaud them for trying to find a fair solution.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I love the idea. Normally DH gets in line for food and I took the kids to find a table. When it is busy we would have to "stalk" famiies who were getting ready to leave and I always hated that. It was very stressful trying to make sure we had a table big enough for 5 by the tiime DH got back with the food.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm sorry if this has been addressed but I am a little concerned - I will be traveling in 2 weeks with my not yet 15 month old grandson and will be on the QS dining plan. Did I read correctly that strollers are not allowed in the restaurants?

1) Not in all eateries.
2) Just the ones with narrower aisles.
3) One QS may allow strollers, where another may not.
4) In REALLY busy times, most QS eateries do not allow strollers at tables.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I don't have a problem with not being seated until you have your food in hand, but I do have a BIG problem with not being able to bring strollers into the dining area. The first time I went to Disney with DS he was 4 month old and unable to sit up in a high chair. If I am not able to bring in his stroller, how on earth am I supposed to be able to eat. If I am paying top disney dollar, I want to be able to enjoy my burger, and not have to balance lunch and my baby.

DS is now a year old, but still has a limited shelf life in a high chair. How eating out usually goes down is that I put him in the high chair and feed him, and then I put him back into the stroller and eat my own food. He is much happier and quieter in his stroller, and I am actually able to eat my food. I am not going to be happy if I cannot bring his stroller into the restaurant while I eat, and I can guarantee that everyone around me who has to listen to him cry will not be thrilled either.

The reason why we do mostly QS meals now is because we know that DS is not great in restaurants and we want to minimize bothering other guests. I guess that is not going to be the case anymore.