Quick Service Seating Changes

[sherabby]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney-restaurants-seating-100609,0,1099425.story

It sure can be frustrating to find a seat when people with no food are holding tables.

 

[Nadjalu]

And the article also gave insight as to the chairs being swapped out. Instead of comfort while you are sitting, having more room for smaller chairs adds space for more diners.
Ooh, I have to say that irks me the wrong way. While the article goes on to say this is all about "customers relaxing and decompressing" while eating, let's give'em uncomfortable chairs so we can get more people in to take their money! How is the improving the "customer's overall comfort level"......

 

[si-am]

Replacing high-backed chairs with STOOLS? Which I assume have no backs? Talk about uncomfortable after walking around all day.

 

[princessmom29]

Sounds GREAT to me!!! No more fighting for a seat!!!!!

 

[wendy1974]

I agree with not letting people hold tables. My Mom and I were there last week and we didn't have anyone to hold a table for us and ended up having to hunt through tables of people just sitting there with no food. I did notice the new backless chairs at Pecos Bills and though they were padded they were not that comfortable, so I was a little disapointed in that.

 

[Mandychelle79]

But next you all will be complaining about the number of children in lines since the So of the person in line cannot go and get a table for the family. Sorry dont like it at all. I typically send my husband to get us a seat so I dont have to hear the Mom, Mom, Mom, I want a cookie, I want a soda, no I wanna...

 

[KELLY]

I like it. My only problem would be my kids watining in line with me to get food. At age 4 and 1 they tend to be more in the way. I guess I will have DH stand to the side with them.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Thank goodness - I hope this catches on in places other than WDW. We have a fantastic Italian beef stand by my house. The line is alway about a 1/2 block long. There are 4 outside tables. I just HATE it when someone is sitting there without any food holding a table. When I'm standing there with my bag of food without a place to sit - I just sit at their table and while I'm sitting say "hope you don't mind, but I have no where to eat my food" Me and kids sit down (sharing table is completely acceptable at this place). 90% of the time - we finish eating before table hogger's food has arrived.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Sounds like things will run alot more smoothly - I like it!

 

[kenny]

Not sure I am too pysched about these changes.

So now the entire party has to wait in line for the food? Can't wait to stand in line and wait for the food with tired cranky children (mine included). While I agree it can be frustrating to try and find a table only to see people with no food sitting there waiting, not sure how this makes it better. During busy times of the year, now you will get your food and still have no place to sit because every table is taken by some one who has food. Now you get to stand there with a tray of food getting cold while you wait for a table. Unless they now start limiting the number of people in line at one time, but isn't that just a table service restaurant then.

As for the backless chairs. great, now they can fit an extra chair at the table, but what do all the older individuals or people with young children do that need a back for support. Or is the purpose now to make it so uncomfortable that you rush through your meal to leave, creating an open table for the next guest.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

While I always thought it was wrong for people to sit at the tables in counter service locations if they never planned on eating there, I never had a problem with anyone saving a table while other members of their groups would order food. My reason is that the people who would save seats are planning on eating there and are not causing other not to get tables, plus why should they be at fault for being smart to save a table if the line looked long? Now the only counter service locations where my family and I save tables is at Earl of Sandwich and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, since they are usually busy and we will continue to keep doing that.

 

[cymbaldiva]

While I always thought it was wrong for people to sit at the tables in counter service locations if they never planned on eating there, I never had a problem with anyone saving a table while other members of their groups would order food. My reason is that the people who would save seats are planning on eating there and are not causing other not to get tables, plus why should they be at fault for being smart to save a table if the line looked long? Now the only counter service locations where my family and I save tables is at Earl of Sandwich and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, since they are usually busy and we will continue to keep doing that.

Can we please not have this debate yet again? It's not my fault that I'm traveling alone so have no one to save a table - that means I don't deserve a table? Of course not. Please don't imply that one not saving a table makes them less than intelligent ... it's really never good to assume, kwim?

With the new system the tables will turn over more quickly because the parties using them will actually be eating ... it's really not that bad - I promise.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I like the idea of a CM showing you to an empty table very much. I think that will relieve a lot of the stress involved in eating at CS restaurants.

However, I don't like the stool idea at all. That is just really bad guest service in my opinion. It affect's every guest's comfort level.

 

[Colleen27]

Wow. If I didn't already dislike CS, I would with these changes! With 3 kids, 1 too young to stand/walk on her own in a busy restaurant, sending them with DH to get a table is the only practical way to handle CS. And the stool idea is just stupid for a place that serves so many young children! That's an accident waiting to happen.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can we please not have this debate yet again? It's not my fault that I'm traveling alone so have no one to save a table - that means I don't deserve a table? Of course not. Please don't imply that one not saving a table makes them less than intelligent ... it's really never good to assume, kwim?

With the new system the tables will turn over more quickly because the parties using them will actually be eating ... it's really not that bad - I promise.

Obviously it's not your fault if you travel alone and can't have someone save a table for you. However I am willing to bet those same guests who might have complained about others saving tables didn't realize they could also do that, since there were no rules against it. So that's what I meant when I said those who saved them were smart enough to do that.

As for this being able to turn over tables a lot faster, how is it going to work? Are Cast Members going to be walking around and if a family is sitting there and hasn't touched their food in 2 minutes will they be asked to leave? Also what if some kids need to use the bathroom and others don't. Would it not be ok for one parent to stay at the table and the other one takes them who need to use it.

 

[Kay1]

They did this last Christmas or the Christmas before last. I remember seeing it done at Columbia Harbor House. I can see both sides to the issue but do like the idea of employees helping diners and sunbathers find a place to sit.

 

[FireDancer]

I have no problem with either of the changes. I sit on a backless chair all day because it is good for posture and developing you core muscles. I can sit in a stool for a few minutes to eat. At the same time I am not opposed to sitting in a chair with a back.

The debate about holding tables always turns into just that. I see the point of both sides and think both have a legitimate argument, so no matter what Disney does they will upset half of the people.

I almost always travel solo so the change is good for me. I understand the point however that a large group standing in line is also a pain especially if you have kids. I would have no problem if the new rule is enforced or not just like I don't care if there are backs on the chairs or not.

I am both table holding and chair back agnostic, neither will ruin my trip.

 

[aarmando20]

This wasn't thought out at all. So now we will have our kids in line while we try to order the food and keep everyone together. Then have to carry small children along with the food. Way to go Disney lets see how many trays are dropped now.

 

[GoodFairies]

Deja vu!

I remember the argumentative threads here when WDW tried to implement this a couple years ago. It was temporary then as I'm sure it is now. WDW is laying people off. They don't have extra people to staff at the front of counter services permanently.

 

[MusiqChic99]

It's not really about saving a table for the family, it's more about ok you take the kids so they can sit down and I'll get the food. I do this in a fast food place at home, that isn't packed with people!!!! I have never cared that people "held" tables. It has never ruined or effected my trip at all.

As for the chairs...how nice. Now my 3 year old will have trouble sitting in a stool.

Not impressed.