Quick Service Rules in Effect

[NMW]

First, I travel every 5-6 weeks to Disney with my 3 year old. Typically, we stay between 5-9 days. My husband is contracted out through Disney so occasionally we will do the parks with DH since he is at work. We have done DDP as well as OOP. This past visit, we had NO reservations and winged it happily while we stayed at the Swan.

Now... onto the review. WE LOVED the new seating program.

PECOS BILL: My husband waited in line, ordered, and picked up the food while I took our daughter to the bathroom. By the time I came back, he was being served our food. We all walked together to the "podium" and she waived us on. There were at least 4 CM's looking for tables and informing you of open seats. There was another CM at the exit informing people to walk in the main entrance. After we sat, I went to get items from the Topping Bar. While I was walking back to our table, I informed the CM we were already seated and she waived me by. It was GREAT! No walking in circles trying to find a table...

Columbia Harbor: Mommy/Daughter Day. No hubbie and a tired 3 year old in my arms. Paid and got food. Another CM recognized that my hands were tied up and called someone over to carry my tray. Walked us to a table and poof... it was GREAT! (This may solve the issue of solo travelers w little ones and no stroller).

I think that was it for the two places we used the seating thing... hope that helps! We were there Nov 17-24th.

Courtney

It's nice to hear that it worked out so well for your family. I really think critics of the new rule may change their minds once they experience it in person. I'm sure Disney can, and will do a good job of making sure things run smoothly.

 

[robinb]

I think we are just going to have some faith that Disney CMs have a little common sense when it comes to guests using the potty, getting fixins and meeting up with people already seated.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Universal did this at their Three Broomsticks CS in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When times are busy, it is such a life saver and keeps you from doing balancing acts with your food and kept people from hovering over us while we were eating, waiting to pounce on our table as soon as we were done. Much more relaxing this way!

The Three Broomsticks is very efficient at seating pattrons I agree! The Wizards working there were polite and helpful!

Threads like this are alwys informative and a bit entertaining. If there is ever a change of any sort whether is is a major change such as an attraction close or wording on a sign it always opens up a great debate. What it boils down to is some people are open to change and others are not.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Last March at Pecos, when I need to go to the fixin's bar, I told the CM on the way up, and then just went back to our table with our goodies.

Great tip !

 

[sam_gordon]

If there is ever a change of any sort whether is is a major change such as an attraction close or wording on a sign it always opens up a great debate. What it boils down to is some people are open to change and others are not.

I'm sorry. I think that's a very simplistic view and insulting to those questioning/critiquing the change.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I'm sorry. I think that's a very simplistic view and insulting to those questioning/critiquing the change.

Sorry to insult not trying to be insulting it wasn't meant to be there are some great posts debating the topic. As I said it is an interesting thread I wasn't being sarcastic about that perhaps you assumed that. I enjoy hearing other peoples opinions. I do think it would be hard to deny however that whenever there is a change there are long threads often very emotional threads "debating and critiquing" the change. As you see in this thread are some welcoming to the change others are not. Not all posts were questioning (ie looking for further information) nor critiquing (ie I have used this method on xyz trip and it worked/didn't work for these reasons).

 

[Music City Mama]

I like this new set up!

 

[emptynestr]

I love this rule. I hope it is in effect when we go.

 

[emptynestr]

This will be my last post on this thread, I promise. But we are all standing all day long everywhere practically at WDW. Why would it be any different or more bothersome in the food line? If my child is running around tearing up a place then I have something to work on....come on folks, evidently there is a problem and they are trying to fix it.

I love this post! I would rather have someone seat us than have to ask around to a number of people: "is someone sitting here?"

 

[sam_gordon]

Sorry to insult not trying to be insulting it wasn't meant to be there are some great posts debating the topic. As I said it is an interesting thread I wasn't being sarcastic about that perhaps you assumed that. I enjoy hearing other peoples opinions. I do think it would be hard to deny however that whenever there is a change there are long threads often very emotional threads "debating and critiquing" the change. As you see in this thread are some welcoming to the change others are not. Not all posts were questioning (ie looking for further information) nor critiquing (ie I have used this method on xyz trip and it worked/didn't work for these reasons).

I'll admit I did not read your post the way you intended. It's impossible to read inflection on a message board.

No matter what change happens (at Disney or elsewhere), some people will like it, others won't. But just because someone doesn't like the change, doesn't mean "they are not open to change". While I'm sure some people will fight change no matter what, I think in this case at least, the majority of people "against" the change just don't see how it helps them. Until they try it, they only have the information posted on how it works.

As for me, I'm willing to try it when we're down there in June. 180 days & counting!

 

[crashbb]

I'll admit I did not read your post the way you intended. It's impossible to read inflection on a message board.

No matter what change happens (at Disney or elsewhere), some people will like it, others won't. But just because someone doesn't like the change, doesn't mean "they are not open to change". While I'm sure some people will fight change no matter what, I think in this case at least, the majority of people "against" the change just don't see how it helps them. Until they try it, they only have the information posted on how it works.

As for me, I'm willing to try it when we're down there in June. 180 days & counting!

And therein lies the rub (the bit I bolded). People only care about how somethin helps them personally. However, WDW cares about best helping the majority of their visitors* and these two views sometimes clash.

*Okay, WDW actually cares about making the most amount of money possible, but in this case that would involve making lunch as fast and easy as possible for everyone.

 

[over50visits]

No matter what change happens (at Disney or elsewhere), some people will like it, others won't. But just because someone doesn't like the change, doesn't mean "they are not open to change".

I agree; unfortunately, many people react to a change with "what's in it for me" (whether something as trivial as how patrons are seated at WDW or something important such as a national health plan). That approach colors a lot of arguments, where people who do/don't want something for themselves cloak it in an argument trying to seem reasonable, not selfish. Thus very spirited discussions on this board! As long as they don't get mean, it's fun to talk so much (about so little!).

Have a great trip - we always do. One of my favorite days is a heavy afternoon thunderstorm, it tends to really clear out the parks, and the rain always stops before long. Nice to have small crowds on an otherwise normally packed day.

 

[PatsMom]

I really like this rule. We've been to the Studios during Star Wars Weekends when the quick service places were a zoo and they really could have used this! Unfotunately they were not - we wandered with our food looking for a table while many were sitting and saving.

We've also been to the MK during President's Week when PB had their get your food first policy in effect and it worked great. CM's were holding people at the door, they had menus so that you could make your food decisions prior to entry. When it was your turn, they directed you to a cash register. After you got your food, you went to the CM in charge of seating and were promptly shown to a table. If you wanted a particular table and it was empty, you could just speak up and say "how about that table" and point. The people in front of us did that. We didn't care so we just went where we were taken. I would rather wait in line prior to getting my food than to carry it around getting cold while I look for a table.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1) CM's have been known to "wave through" returning guests
2) But, just as many had to wait until they got to the CM.
3) Sometimes there is not enough room to squeeze around.
4) Or, the CM doesn't notice the person trying to return.
5) I just gave the worst-case scenario.

Well I believe in a situation where a guest is returning to their table because they came back from the toppings bar or the bathroom they shouldn't need to wait in line to sit down at their table, because in my opinion it doesn't make sense.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I really like this rule. We've been to the Studios during Star Wars Weekends when the quick service places were a zoo and they really could have used this! Unfotunately they were not - we wandered with our food looking for a table while many were sitting and saving.

We've also been to the MK during President's Week when PB had their get your food first policy in effect and it worked great. CM's were holding people at the door, they had menus so that you could make your food decisions prior to entry. When it was your turn, they directed you to a cash register. After you got your food, you went to the CM in charge of seating and were promptly shown to a table. If you wanted a particular table and it was empty, you could just speak up and say "how about that table" and point. The people in front of us did that. We didn't care so we just went where we were taken. I would rather wait in line prior to getting my food than to carry it around getting cold while I look for a table.

Ohhhh. Can I add to the rule?

Timer's at the cash register!!!! If you don't start spitting out your order in 30 seconds (after standing in line 10 minutes staring at the menu) you have to go to the back of the line!!!

Actually, I DO like the idea of menu's posted out front so people can look before they enter.

Ok, I'm kidding. Although it is my pet peeve that people chat, sing, dance, whatever, then look confused as if transported in time to the front of the line, when they are asked what they want. Who knew it was such a hard question?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Well I believe in a situation where a guest is returning to their table because they came back from the toppings bar or the bathroom they shouldn't need to wait in line to sit down at their table, because in my opinion it doesn't make sense.

Still better then circling looking for a table with a tray full of food.

Maybe the CM's should direct people to the bathroom's before entering?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I like the new rules.

Cosmic Rays was a bit overboard, they were pretty militant. Still I was able to leave my table to go to the fixins bar and return without major incident.

I honestly wish they would do it everywhere, at LaCantina my daughter and I had to eat outside on a dark bench because the restaurant was full of people sitting with no food.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I'll admit I did not read your post the way you intended. It's impossible to read inflection on a message board.

No matter what change happens (at Disney or elsewhere), some people will like it, others won't. But just because someone doesn't like the change, doesn't mean "they are not open to change". While I'm sure some people will fight change no matter what, I think in this case at least, the majority of people "against" the change just don't see how it helps them. Until they try it, they only have the information posted on how it works.

As for me, I'm willing to try it when we're down there in June. 180 days & counting!

We will be down this Christmas and at end of June early July both busy times so I expect to probably encounter this seating situation. I was very impressed with this style seating at Three Broomsticks but on the other hand that is a different theme park and the restaurant is set up differently ie you can't just go in and sit down at a table there is a queue to go through before you even get up to the ordering areas. I'm interested to hear the reports of experiences of those coming back recently, as well as the info on how it is phsyically working so we know more or less what to expect. I am not a big one on change in general not just WDW but if I know what to expect I am usually good with it or will keep an open mind about it until I can experience it basically I just like to have the info so I can have an idea on what to expect. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Maybe the real answer to all of this is that Disney really needs to think about expanding dining, period. Quick Service or TS, there obviously isn't enough capacity for the volume Disney is experiencing. The more I read about this, the more I think that militantly guarding table use is a little ridiculous. The noodle station and El Pirata & el Perico (or whatever its called), sits closed most of the year, not to mention the extra space at the Adventureland Veranda and the Diamond Horseshoe review.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Anyone who doesn't like these new rules should just stay home. There. All better?