Quick service seating

[traveler9]

Let’s say someone is holding a table for their family and doesn’t have food yet. If all tables are full and I already have my tray and sit at that table anyway, who will the CMs side with?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not a situation I’ve ever been involved in so I wonder what others will say.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm very curious to see the answers before I say mine.

 

[Lesverts]

I'm worried my response would be more appropriate for reddit and get me banned.

 

[Anthony1971]

I’ll bite. As far as I am aware Disney does not have any rules for seating at CS. In the recent past you did have to have food or mobile pick up to get in period but this is no longer. Busy times maybe enforced. During my stays over 30 years seating was never an issue but I can see it durning very heavy crowd weeks….
Today I can see only 1 way a CM will get involved and that is an actual altercation in which case all will be warned or asked to leave. While your question is semi valid I would suggest to avoid this period and wait a few minutes as a table will open at least from what I have seen…. Just really not worth a very unpleasant meal or worse. I am not sure I would even ask many these days to share a table common curtesy is a thing of the past for some these days although some will say this good planning on their part.

 

[traveler9]

I'm worried my response would be more appropriate for reddit and get me banned.

Ah, Reddit. Even posting on that site about walking to Boardwalk to take a Disney bus to MK when staying at Swan will get your comment removed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Grumble under your breath all you want about the situation you found yourself in with a tray in hand but don't be the antagonizer.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Not an opinion, but this is what CM's were doing when it got busy at a quick service in Epcot.
Last week we were at Connections Eatery and there was a huge storm. We went into Connections Eatery for lunch. CM's were blocking area into tables (in areas where they could) and only letting people through who had trays of food. I appreciated this as I had a try of food and was able to get through and find a seat.

 

[traveler9]

Not an opinion, but this is what CM's were doing when it got busy at a quick service in Epcot.
Last week we were at Connections Eatery and there was a huge storm. We went into Connections Eatery for lunch. CM's were blocking area into tables (in areas where they could) and only letting people through who had trays of food. I appreciated this as I had a try of food and was able to get through and find a seat.

I wish they would do this at all quick service, especially Woody’s

 

[traveler9]

Not an opinion, but this is what CM's were doing when it got busy at a quick service in Epcot.
Last week we were at Connections Eatery and there was a huge storm. We went into Connections Eatery for lunch. CM's were blocking area into tables (in areas where they could) and only letting people through who had trays of food. I appreciated this as I had a try of food and was able to get through and find a seat.

And I have frequently seen that at Connections during the lunch rush.

 

[HopperFan]

Not an opinion, but this is what CM's were doing when it got busy at a quick service in Epcot.
Last week we were at Connections Eatery and there was a huge storm. We went into Connections Eatery for lunch. CM's were blocking area into tables (in areas where they could) and only letting people through who had trays of food. I appreciated this as I had a try of food and was able to get through and find a seat.

And this is the answer ..

If CMs are restricting you from sitting until you have your food then the "rule of the location" is you can't save a table.

If there are no CMs blocking folks from sitting ~ while it might be rude ~ Disney is allowing folks to save seats or sit without food to rest.

I've never had to do it BUT I have had people stand literally next to us waiting on us to finish and leave. Not bright because they might cause me to linger longer. If I see a family distressed and we are close to done I will invite them over. I got trained on sharing tables on my lunch hour in NYC so if you look like a good fit - I'll invite you to join if I have enough seats.

I wish they would do this at all quick service, especially Woody’s

Woody's is the worse and one reason I never ate there ... until last summer but it was breakfast when it is less crowded. Bad enough it is all outside and there is literally no where to take your food.

 

[kwdw]

Not an opinion, but this is what CM's were doing when it got busy at a quick service in Epcot.
Last week we were at Connections Eatery and there was a huge storm. We went into Connections Eatery for lunch. CM's were blocking area into tables (in areas where they could) and only letting people through who had trays of food. I appreciated this as I had a try of food and was able to get through and find a seat.

While I don’t think they need to do this all the time, I wish Disney did it a bit more often. Nothing worse than having your food on tray looking at tables with a table holder at them and no place free to sit.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

If CMs are restricting you from sitting until you have your food then the "rule of the location" is you can't save a table.

If there are no CMs blocking folks from sitting ~ while it might be rude ~ Disney is allowing folks to save seats or sit without food to rest.

Like you said unless an establishment is prohibiting seating until food in hand then it really is fair game to save seats. I mean as much as I think society is quickly degrading, saving seats has kind of always been a thing. Especially families. What whole family goes up to a quick service counter...usually it's just one parent or a parent and kids but rarely does everyone order together like they're on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post from 1962.

 

[jiminycricket45]

Ah, Reddit. Even posting on that site about walking to Boardwalk to take a Disney bus to MK when staying at Swan will get your comment removed.

Does Disney mod the subreddit? I've tried posting serious security concerns on there with no luck, always deleted.

 

[Disneylover99]

Let’s say someone is holding a table for their family and doesn’t have food yet. If all tables are full and I already have my tray and sit at that table anyway, who will the CMs side with?

I don’t think the CMs are going to side with anyone.

And that’s why I eat quick service at off hours. Easy to either save a table or get a table after you’ve got your food. Zero stress.

 

[imbelle]

Or here's a novel thought, how about Disney allows for adequate seating space instead of making guests play "Hunger Games" to score a table?

 

[BrianL]

They do enforce it when it is necessary, though one might have varying opinions on when that is. I do think it's rude to hold a table in a busy area when people have food. If it's wide open though, then it's no big deal. I have found myself solo a few times and unable to find a seat. Most recently I remember this at Docking Bay, and it was pouring rain, so people were in no hurry to leave. I eventually took a "dirty" table, though it was really just some used trays, etc. I put them on a seat and took over (table was small). When I was done, I took all trays to the trash area and made sure to offer my table up to another stressed out looking group with food-in-hand.

 

[wilbur]

On our last couple of trips the CS at Epcot's Mexico Pavillion had a CM standing at the exit, directing people to order their food first....then find a table.....Not sure how tables are handled in the evening with people wanting to secure seats for the fireworks?!?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Selfishly, I wish CMs would enforce this all the time-that no one can enter the seating area without their food. That's because I travel solo, so I don't have the option of having anyone save a table. I'm the one you'll see eating lunch at 11:00 or 3:00, never at noon-1:00, because I'm more likely to be able to find a place to sit. And if I eat at 11o, I'll usually look for someone balancing a tray of food, looking for a place to sit, before I leave, so I can catch their eye and offer them my table.

 

[Dug720]

Or here's a novel thought, how about Disney allows for adequate seating space instead of making guests play "Hunger Games" to score a table?

I'm all for that. As long as it's enforced that you need to have purchased or be purchasing something (beyond just a drink to split 4+ ways) at the QS. They shouldn't be able to be used for people who bring their own food in and aren't purchasing anything beyond just a drink to split 4+ ways.