Saving Tables....A Complaint

[belle&beast]

I guess we have been lucky. We traveled in January the last 2 times and never had trouble getting a seat at a CS restaurant. We all stood in line to decide what we wanted to eat and then I took the kids (then 4 and almost 2) to find a seat while DH ordered. I never had a hard time finding one and I never noticed anyone looking and not finding a table. Hopefully the same will be true on our next trip!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have brought my tray back to the cashier and explained why I want my money back – by then, my previously-hot food is no longer edible.

I don't think it's right to return food just because you haven't eaten it in a search for a table.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If you travel solo you can't.

At times solos seem to be treated like step children. At Tusker House one time I got my food, wandered around for several minutes until I spotted a group getting up. The table was for six people, but was the only table available. I had just sat down and started spreading my stuff out, when a lady approached and basically demanded I give her the table, as she had a family of six coming and since I was solo I should find another table. I looked around at all the full tables and told her they were welcome to join me, but I wasn't moving. No way was I going outside as hot as it was. She got huffy and stomped off and the elderly couple behind her (also looking for a table) said that if I didn't mind, they'd take me up on that offer. I got to meet a very nice couple from Simsbury, CT.

Anyway my point is, if the only table available is one for larger groups, would you consider it rude for a solo to sit there?

There has been several occasions when I've shared a table as well. I know Tusker House, and also at Ghiradelli's I've shared.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, I don't think it's right for people who don't yet have their food to jump in front of someone WITH a tray of food. See me again after it's happened to you several times in fifteen minutes.

 

[Mkrop]

If you travel solo you can't.

At times solos seem to be treated like step children. At Tusker House one time I got my food, wandered around for several minutes until I spotted a group getting up. The table was for six people, but was the only table available. I had just sat down and started spreading my stuff out, when a lady approached and basically demanded I give her the table, as she had a family of six coming and since I was solo I should find another table. I looked around at all the full tables and told her they were welcome to join me, but I wasn't moving. No way was I going outside as hot as it was. She got huffy and stomped off and the elderly couple behind her (also looking for a table) said that if I didn't mind, they'd take me up on that offer. I got to meet a very nice couple from Simsbury, CT.

Anyway my point is, if the only table available is one for larger groups, would you consider it rude for a solo to sit there?

No and you offered your empty seats, you did the considerate thing. I get teh feeling you feel you are the only ones who have to do this, hence the stepchildren comment" like I said before I think many of us have been in this boat (maybe not at WDW but plenty of other places) and yet many of us have never felt put out.

I got more nasty looks when I got in food court lines with my stroller when it was just me and one of my kids at the mall then I did when I sat at table and waited as a family.

 

[Mkrop]

So how do you guys feel about double booking reservations under 2 different phone numbers? To me this is the same sort of thing. I guess those double booking reservations 180 days out are just better planners.

Not the same. One you will be using the table eventually the other you have no intention of using since you booked two.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do love threads like this one, where we are asked to essentially buck human nature. Having one's spouse go and save a table in a busy restaurant, while the other spouse stands in line and orders food, goes back to the beginning of time.

It's not 'human nature'. Breathing is human nature. Occupying a restaurant table twice as long as the diner needs it to eat on/at, not so much. It's a learned behavior, and as such can be unlearned, or amended.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

If having someone save a table while someone else waits in line gets you so upset, you need to go to Disney World much much more often because you are waaaaaay to uptight!

 

[Epcotgal]

There is nothing wrong with sitting the kids down while someone is in line. The poll says about 85% of the folks here agree. Unless you're a solo you have as just as much opportunity to find and save a table as everyone else. The area by the counters is crazy enough as it is without all the kids running around afoot. I'm curious of those who are complaining how many have children?

 

[pavil]

Long thread.

Anyone who sits for a half hour prior to getting food at counterservice is crazy IMO. I have never had to wait that long to order food.

That being said, I see no problem with someone camping out at a table while someone is ordering food, we split our party up like that all the tiem. If need be we would eat where we could find room.

 

[ihearttink]

If having someone save a table while someone else waits in line gets you so upset, you need to go to Disney World much much more often because you are waaaaaay to uptight!

 

[luv2nascar]

Yes we always split up and save the table. There are four of us so two ordering two getting condiments and looking for a table. Sometimes it takes 1/2 or more to find a table. I am not going to start looking once I have me food. I have kids you have to be kidding.
And further more if we need a break I am not going to rush my kids to eat so you can have my table. I paid the same as you.

 

[legalsea]

It's not 'human nature'. Breathing is human nature. Occupying a restaurant table twice as long as the diner needs it to eat on/at, not so much. It's a learned behavior, and as such can be unlearned, or amended.

Since 84 percent of those who answered the poll agreed with my statement, which I wish you had quoted in full, then I guess that saving a table is human nature: or, at least, we have learned to do so over the years.

Those who disagree are welcomed to go into a Disney restaurant, have all the family stand in line for the order and then, and only after receiving your food, look for a table. I hope you find one.

But don't whine about the 84 percent who do otherwise.

 

[heavenleigh412]

To tell the truth I voted to save a table... I am disabled and have always had problems standing in lines, or standing still for that matter (however I wouldn't eat anywhere that had a 30 minute line, because that is ridiculous)
You would never know I was disabled to look at me, and if anyone walked over to where I was sitting and demanded I get up, they would have no chance.
I'll be darned if I am going to stand up and pass out, so someone who didn't have the foresight to get a table can eat at mine!

 

[HelenePA]

until I was there I didn't understand why people had such a bad time with doing this... I came I saw.. I didn't like it either!!!!! It happned at the first place we went to eat, Tusker House... I had to be there when DH ordered food he had no clue how the DDP worked.. what to order ect ect (its NOT my fault! I TRIED to make him learn!! it was always later later later.. later came and went many many times....) so yes me and 3 grumpy HOT kids were in line with DH I would have just ordered alone but DS is a mama's boy... he just woke up from a nap and needed to be held of course.. so with him in my arms no way could I carry food.. anyway... we also saw people sitting with no food... I figured they were leaving nope just sitting resting eh what ever... we searched outside.. the other rooms... no tables... so here we are with food for 5 me carrying a lil boy who wants to eat thankfully a NICE CM helped us carry our food out... he seached with us.. FINALLY after a good 10 min we found a table... SOME of the ppl who had no food before we sat still didn't have food when we were almost done our food.. that's just rude.. VERY rude! I dont care who you are or what the reason you need to hold that table for... you see people with food... get up.. they'll be done before you get your food! you can have the table back!!!!! VERY RUDE!!!

 

[CR88]

I was unaware that there were people that DIDN'T save tables; I see it everywhere. Judging by the poll, over 90% agree, some agree only if it is slow, but over 90% nonetheless. We take the time to plan TS dinners 180 days in advance; it only seems logical to plan a few minutes in advance to reserve a table while food is being ordered, especially during peak times. We don’t always do it, but the majority of people do and I have no problem with it. There are many times that we didn’t grab a table for whatever reason and consequently had to wait until one was available, but that’s OK, that’s life. I will grab a table when one is available. When we are at WDW it’s hard to find something to complain about, we are just happy being there. But, that being said, we only go during early December so there is rarely a problem with finding a table for a CS.

 

[heavenleigh412]

until I was there I didn't understand why people had such a bad time with doing this... I came I saw.. I didn't like it either!!!!! It happned at the first place we went to eat, Tusker House... I had to be there when DH ordered food he had no clue how the DDP worked.. what to order ect ect (its NOT my fault! I TRIED to make him learn!! it was always later later later.. later came and went many many times....) so yes me and 3 grumpy HOT kids were in line with DH I would have just ordered alone but DS is a mama's boy... he just woke up from a nap and needed to be held of course.. so with him in my arms no way could I carry food.. anyway... we also saw people sitting with no food... I figured they were leaving nope just sitting resting eh what ever... we searched outside.. the other rooms... no tables... so here we are with food for 5 me carrying a lil boy who wants to eat thankfully a NICE CM helped us carry our food out... he seached with us.. FINALLY after a good 10 min we found a table... SOME of the ppl who had no food before we sat still didn't have food when we were almost done our food.. that's just rude.. VERY rude! I dont care who you are or what the reason you need to hold that table for... you see people with food... get up.. they'll be done before you get your food! you can have the table back!!!!! VERY RUDE!!!

This is how people with differing opinions get into arguments... I find it rude that you would demand that someone get up...
I find it rude that you don't think their personal circumstances matter, but you think think YOURS do.
EVERYONE is on vacation in Disney...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Y'know, not even get up necessarily - but if you're saving a table for food that won't even be ordered for ten or fifteen minutes, SHARE your table with someone searching for a place to put their tray and their bottom. Odds are, we'll be done eating before your food shows up.

 

[stagemomx3]

"Pete and Repeat were in a boat.
Pete fell out.
Who was left?"


"Repeat."


"Pete and Repeat were in a boat.
Pete fell out.
Who was left?"


"Repeat."


"Pete and Repeat were in a boat.
Pete fell out.
Who was left?"


"Repeat."

 

[HelenePA]

No I'm not demanding... but it would have been nice! Just remember Karma.... One day you'll be the one looking for a table... It wasn't like we ASKED anyone to get up.. but for those sitting there watching us walk around with 3 kids me carrying at 28 pound UNHAPPY boy... 2 trays of food and a CM carrying one of them... It took us all of 10-15 min to eat... by the time you got your food we would have been out of there...