Wait your turn!! New seating rules for CS restaurants at WDW...

[Geoff_M]

We noticed this policy when we visited in April 2007, one of the busiest weeks of the year. I must tell you that we loved it.

OK, make that two people now here that have actually experienced the policy in effect with positive reviews and no reports of observed problems. So, Laugh, it looks like you weren't hallucinating after all!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

OK, make that two people now here that have actually experienced the policy in effect with positive reviews and no reports of observed problems. So, Laugh, it looks like you weren't hallucinating after all!

Amazing! I'm just glad there's another person here who can back me up and possibly field the same misconceptions, over, and over, and over, and over...

I feel like the poster boy for the CS new policy, and all I ever really wanted to say was that in my experience, it worked great! Now I can finally go to bed...I leave the discussion in your capable hands. Take it easy...

 

[BillSears]

I haven't finished reading the whole thread yet but I've made it through the first few pages.

I just wanted to say I'm happy to hear this is being done. I'm a wheelchair user and and much happier to have tables set aside for after you go through the line. I usually go through the line anyway and balancing that tray while trying to beat others to a table that just opened is really tough.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Well, I guess I have never held a table for 20 minutes before. We usually get in line long enough to all pick what we want and then I go hunt out a table. Then I get napkins and stuff. It doesn't take 20 mins for my husband to get our food. I am not saying this change is bad. I am just wondering how it is going to work with all my little ones. It is hard for my family with anything we do. I think it is rude to sit at the table for long periods of time when you are finished when the tables are full and people are waiting. And again I will end with, time will tell how it works out for us.

 

[Maggi May]

Wow, what a discussion the original post has generated. While my family was in the table saving majority, I think this new system should work well.

What I don't get is the folks complaining that they want to be able to get tables immediately for various health, disability or child-related issues. Under the "old" system, the person minding the kids while the other person ordered still had to wrangle a table in a crowded restaurant, sometimes like the game of musical chairs.

I remember thinking that I had offered to do the "work" when I suggested to my DH that he and our DS look for a table while I ordered our food. When I finally got to the table with our food, my DH was stressed out from having to hover around the seating area with cranky, tired toddler to get a table, and then fend off people who tried to take chairs from our table. Under the new system, it sounds like there will be more open tables, which will reduce the stress and frustration of hovering like a shark over diners to guess who's going to get up and relinquish their table.

 

[HaleyB]

I am sorry some of you are feeling angst over this.

 

[Andy B]

I'll be as clear as I can be about this.

If a CM tells my wife and children they can't find a table and sit down while I order the food, I will be angry and I will complain to a manager. There's no way that I could possibly be "pleasantly surprised" if the policy is in effect when I'm there. Two of my three children have non-obvious (i.e., not visible at first glance) special needs. They will be allowed to enter the seating area and get situated or the manager will get an earful.

David

That's the way try it out and don't go with preconceived ideas.

 

[Andy B]

I still don't understand why/if your entire party has to be present before you can sit down. If half of us have our food and the other half haven't received their's yet or like I said they are in the bathroom will we be allowed to sit down or must we stand there with our food getting cold until our entire party is present?

I think you are getting the wrong end of the stick, you will be seated and the others will join you when they have their food or return when you have ordered theirs.

 

[Andy B]

See, that is my question. Where on earth do the powers that be think that the people who bring their own food in eat? From what I have read on this board before, it is at these very tables! So now you can bring food in, but you have nowhere to eat it.

I agree that you should not bring your own food into CS restaurants.

 

[fla4fun]

As a person who does a lot of solo visits to the parks, I'm glad that I might have a good chance of getting a table. However, I usually go during the slower seasons, so I don't know if they'll be doing it then or not. My next trip is during free dining, so I might have a shot at it then.

 

[Andy B]

Laugh O. Grams,

Before you post again, please remove your blinders. Consider what others have to say instead of dismissing it with the "no way, I am right, you are wrong-end of story" crap, ok? You are not the only person that matters in this world. Alright, on with the bickering....

Have a nice day.

It seems to me the binkers are being worn by the 'I have not experienced this but I will complain' camp of posters.

 

[mzliza3]

Sounds great... But I do wonder about parents with infants, the handicapped, etc. We're going in December & would be more than happy to see this implemented.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This isn't going to benefit them monetarily. During very busy times, the "revenue bottleneck" is the line in front of the registers, not the people wandering around looking for tables.

Did you see this http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19592027&postcount=44 (example) post? While the poster has no access to Disney's actual figures, it makes sense that a 20% increase in capacity would translate to a 20% increase in sales. Think about this - in that other thread, a number of posters said if the restaurant was too busy they'd go somewhere else. Keep in mind that a number of those tables at any given time were occupied by people waiting for their food, and then remained occupied by those same people eating the food when it arrived. With the procedure noted by the OP, there appears to be a regular turnover of tables, and available tables. Now, you look into a restaurant and see that you WILL be able to sit - and eat - as soon as you get your food. So, now, 20% more diners can patronize a given CS location. No bottleneck, physical or revenue.

I don't really get this part, what if we sent a FPV to get fastpasses and they haven't returned yet, or some of our party has gone to the restroom, the rest of us have to stand food in hand and wait before any of us can sit down?

What do you think the likelihood is of it taking longer to get and return with the FastPasses, or (in most cases) complete a restroom visit than it's taking those of you in the restaurant to get the food?

Even ignoring my children's special needs... I can't understand why anybody, special needs or not, would be in favor of being treated like cattle.

Right. Because that never happens at any Disney attraction, or waiting for a bus...

The GAC is okay, but we shouldn't have to whip it out to be treated like human beings.

But, if you're treated exactly the same as every other Guest, you ARE being treated as human beings - at least, as equal to all the other Guests.

*Sigh* You're still not getting it. I shouldn't have to tell the CM anything about my kids. Do you have any idea what it makes a 9 year old girl feel like when you repeatedly have to say, "Pssst... give us special treatment, because she's different."

Sigh... the specific purpose of a GAC is to provide the Guest with the necessary assistance. You don't need to 'tell' any CM anything after the card has been issued. You discreetly present your GAC. If the assistance required is a quiet place to wait, I bet Disney has already taken this need into consideration and the CM will direct you appropriately. I mean, do you go up to the Greeter at each attraction and say "Pssst... give us special treatment, because she's different."? Then why do you expect you'd have to say that in a counter service restaurant?

There has to be a better way than sending everyone thru the line or having ppl standing taking up space with screamin hot hungry kids runnin everywhere.

Laugh O. Grams, were there screaming hot hungry kids running everywhere at Pecos Bill's?

1) So, do the same thing at the CS spots.
2) WOW!
3) I just solved one of the biggest problems on this post.
4) Am I good, or what?

Well, you always have been in the past - why should this be any different? Good thinking!

I have a feeling this rule won't last very long. Do you actually see Cast Members going up to people who are sitting at tables while their families are getting food and telling them they can't sit there until their family comes back with food.

If you reread the original post, you will see that the Cast Members are preventing ANYONE from entering the seating area at the TEST location until they have their food and the party is (for the most part) together.

What about the Resort counter service locations? My family and I always go to Gasparilla Grill & Games

So, then, Earl of Sandwich isn't the only Counter Service location where you eat? At any rate, right now according to the OP this procedure is being tested at Pecos Bill's.

I didn't read the entire thread but this rule sounds rediculous. Nobody will ever follow this rule or even awknowledge it for that matter. Cast members aren't paid enough to care who saves tables and who doesn't. Even if its a test run it would be very difficult to enforce without offending a large amount of guests.

You must not have seen the multiple posts in this thread from the OP, indicating both that it DOES work in his actual experience AND that a discussion with a Pecos Bill's manager indicated Disney is getting overwhelmingly POSITIVE responses to it.

Second what I'm stating is there are only so many cast members in one area that have certain tasks.

And right now, during this busy period, at Pecos Bill's, some of those Cast Members tasks are to control the flow in the PB seating area.

Before you post again, please remove your blinders. Consider what others have to say instead of dismissing it with the "no way, I am right, you are wrong-end of story" crap, ok? You are not the only person that matters in this world.

Blinders? Did I miss something? Laugh represents 50% of the posters here who have experienced this procedure, and 100% of the posters who have had positive ACTUAL experience with it.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This post has lasted much longer than I thought it would before personal attacks began Good job!

It sounds like this seating policy is pretty needed during the busiest times of the year. The searching for a table thing is very stressful, IMO. Being taken to a clean table with chairs would be a very lovely surprise.

It may not work for every family. Fortunately, there are choices. If the policy is in effect when you go there, you have the choice of dining elsewhere. You have the choice of talking to the CM to see if there are exceptions. You have the choice of trying the policy to see if it works. I love choices!

Everyone is free to agree or disagree. But let's keep the discussion on point ok?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Blinders? Did I miss something? Laugh represents 50% of the posters here who have experienced this procedure, and 100% of the posters who have had positive ACTUAL experience with it.

I guess for some people, reporting an actual experience that flies in the face of some preconceived notion or imagined outcome is equated with having blinders on. That's definitely a new one on me...

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

This post has lasted much longer than I thought it would before personal attacks began Good job!

It sounds like this seating policy is pretty needed during the busiest times of the year. The searching for a table thing is very stressful, IMO. Being taken to a clean table with chairs would be a very lovely surprise.

It may not work for every family. Fortunately, there are choices. If the policy is in effect when you go there, you have the choice of dining elsewhere. You have the choice of talking to the CM to see if there are exceptions. You have the choice of trying the policy to see if it works. I love choices!

Everyone is free to agree or disagree. But let's keep the discussion on point ok?

Will do...

I'm thinking that once more people than just the 2 of us who have actually witnessed the new policy working IRL come home from the busy 4th of July week at the parks and start reporting in, we'll start getting a better and more rational discussion going.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll be interested to see how it works for people with disabilities because many of us have issues that may not 'mesh' well with the new policy. Obviously, I'm not speaking for anyone but my family, but I know other people who have family members with disabilities will have some of the same concerns.

Our family usually tries to eat at times when it isn't busy, but we often spend time looking for a table. DD and I do usually get a table while DH is getting the food for several reasons:

1) There is usually only one wheelchair accessible ordering station at each CS restaurant and it's not always one of the open ones. If DD sees DH in line, she wants to be with him - wheelchair accessible line or not. So, it's not going to work for us to wait near the ordering area if she can see it.

2) When we have waited to get a table until after we had our food, it was very difficult to try to manouver around with a wheelchair and all our food, trying to find a table. When we are alone, DH and I have sometimes taken our food outside to eat at a bench, balancing our food on our laps. That's not an option when we have DD in her wheelchair because she can't eat without a table. When we have to hunt for one in a busy restaurant, it often takes us almost as long to find a table as it takes DH to get the food.
These dilemmas are why we started having DH order the food while DD and I get a table. The new policy might help that if tables are ready.

3) Many of the restaurants have tables that are not exactly wheelchair accessible. We often have to choose a larger table than we have people for because the legs or center pedistal of the table prevent a wheelchair from getting close enough to the table. Sometimes we get to a table that looks like it will fit, but it doesn't. We don't have the option of DD getting out of the wheelchair. Hopefully the CMs seating people will understand and be able to accomodate.

4) The table location is important for us too. Sometimes there are open tables, but we can't get to them because there is not a clear 'wheelchair wide' path or the available table is in a spot where the wheelchair will be too near to a traffic path or too close to the next table. Again, the new seating may or may not help with that.

5) We are usually traveling with relatives/friends who are ordering and paying for their own food, so we might have 3 different sets of people ordering and being ready for a table at different times. If they will only seat the members of the party who have food and/or will only allow a table big enough for those people who have food right then, that will not work for our family.

People have posted that they are sure disabilities will be accomodated. If they are, that will be helpful for people who need the accomodation. But I'm afraid if they are accomodated, it will become another reason for people who don't understand to 'bash' people with disabilities (as already happens frequently on threads about buses, Companion Restrooms and handicapped toilet stalls).

 

[RedRuby]

1) Just leave them parked in the stroller area.
2) Toddlers can walk along or be carried by the other parent.

2) Makes me *laugh*! You see, I have twins, and toured the parks alone with them quite a bit on our last trip (when they were 2yo). On our final day, I was flyin' solo with them the entire time since DH was holed up at the First Aid station :-(

So, I have not-so-fond memories of trying to have the girls "walk along" in the line and wait nicely for us to order, get our food, sit down. (I'd originally wanted to keep them in the stroller but the CM wouldn't let me. This was at Harbour whatchacallit in Fantasyland; I should have just gone somewhere else where the stroller would have fit!). the best/worst part was when they decided to play 'chase' around a pole/beam -- but they were wearing those 'tether bracelets' and thus were attached to each of my arms. I was trying to hold the tray steady, get the girls to stop running around and keep from being swept up into their dizzying circles!

Sadly, the people sitting at all the nearby tables just smiled/laughed at the sight of me, and no one offered to help. I ended up getting my toppings and hightailing it out of there. Some very nice ladies outside saw that I was having trouble with finding a place to put the tray while strapping the girls into the stroller, and happily gave me a hand.

Obviously none of this would have been solved by saving a table -- since there wasn't another adult to save it -- but it does illustrate how hard it can be for kids to 'walk along' and 'behave' while in line. Heck, I've seen adults misbehave -- and badly! -- in lines :-(
I find it sad but slightly amusing that it's almost exclusively *mothers* (of all ages, descriptions) who offer to lend a hand in public if I look like I need it. Somehow those memories of the hard, early years never leave you, eh?
(This is true all over, not just at Disney. And includes CMs, sadly.)

 

[MidgeD79]

We spent a week at WDW (last day was 6/29/07). I did not see this at any counter-service restaurant that we went to. We did not go to Pecos Bill. I am a single parent and I do not like this idea for many reasons that have posted.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

If the tables are being taken up by folks who are bringing in their own food, which I have not seen much of and especially at busy times, a simple sign reminding folks that the seating is for customers only would suffice.

I do not see a thing wrong with the rest of the party sitting at a table while another member goes and gets the food. It seems an efficient way to handle things.

If there is a seating problem maybe it is more the fault of the establishment which needs more seating??

We like Pinocchio's and that seems to be where most of the problem is for us. I have been known to scarf down our food just so I could give the table to some poor wanderers or even share if there are just two people.

Being solo travelers now it is my pleasure to help out those with small children or other distractions. Been there, done that and admire those who are still in the midst.

Slightly Goofy