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

[LoraJ]

This wouldn't work for us. Standing in a line with a 4 year old At least while DH or I are in line getting the food, the other of us is entertaining DS with a book or toy that we brought with us just for this occasion

Comments against the policy like this confuse me. Aren't you already standing in line all day for rides? Why can't you entertain him away from the line? When you see the food is ready, help pick it up and get a table.

I am in favor of this new system. We have wandered around looking for tables while our food gets cold quite a few times.

 

[Chuck S]

Again, addressing the disabilities issue...Mom is in a manual whellchair, which I push, in the parks. I normally find us a table, park her there, then order the food. So, if she has to remain with me in line, are they guaranteeing that the HC accessible order line will always be staffed at every venue? Will they have an attendant carry the food, as I will be pushing the wheelchair? Will they have tables specifically reserved for wheelchair parties? We have had to often wait quite a while to find a table that was easily accessible, that had been filled with other, non-w/c guests, which is fine when it is "find your own table when you can", but now that we will be unable to locate a suitable table prior to ordering, they really need accessible ONLY tables.

 

[crazykids]

Does anyone wonder if this may be an attempt to stop the abuse of the dining plan for those who try to order adult meals for their children. Maybe people wouldn't try to do it if they knew people were watching them & waiting to escort them to a table?

 

[tasha99]

Wow. I am so in favor of this! I'm a single mom, and last year I wasn't comfortable having DS (8 then) save a table because he'd be out of sight while I was ordering. We were okay because we ate at off times, but even at 11 it was a little hairy getting a seat at Casey's.

The whole seat saving thing seems messed up to me because with a long line, someone could save a seat that several people could have eaten at before the seat saver even got food. Good for Disney.

 

[skater]

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?

I love choices too which is why I seem to have a philosophical problem with this. I am such a rebel that I don't much like the idea of CM telling me that I can't sit down with my kids while my DH brings our food. I like the CHOICE to get our table first. This is just my first gut reaction to it. It may not be an issue since we tend to go at a "down" time. If this rule (see, I just don't like too many rules - some are ok, just not too many ) is being enforced, maybe it won't be such a big deal to me once I get over my knee jerk reaction. Time will tell.

For those of you judging those of us who feel opposed to this rule, I am assuming you never have a problem with any of those little changes that Disney has made over the years. And if you did have a concern, I guess you wouldn't express it.

 

[TwingleMum]

Sounds like a good social experiment. It won't work perfectly for everyone no system can but hopefully it will work for the majority. I personally would have no problem if someone was alone with a person in a manual wheel chair being allowed to get them settled at a table and then getting their food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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 respectfully disagree. We on the DIS know there are many signs posted, both at Disney and around the (real) world that people regularly ignore.

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.

Apparently Disney sees it as enough of a problem at peak times to TEST a new procedure to alleviate it.

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

Where? Which counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World (or anywhere) have unused floor space to fit more seating?

I love choices too which is why I seem to have a philosophical problem with this. I am such a rebel that I don't much like the idea of CM telling me that I can't sit down with my kids while my DH brings our food.

First, until you experience the new procedure, you don't know that it will or won't work for you. Second, as the owner of the restaurant, Disney is the only entity - via, in this case, CMs specifically assigned to this duty - entitled to determine at what point in the dining process Guests can sit at a table in a restaurant. It seems reasonable that point would be 'when the Guest is ready to eat the food they just purchased'

 

[Golden Rose]

Count me on the side of the people who hate this idea, even though I have been burned by searching for a table while others are clearly saving them. This is actually why we usually do almost exclusively TS when we eat in the parks. We're only planning on doing a number of CS restaurants on our next trip because we'll be on the DDP.

I have trouble being on my feet as much as Disney trips usually require. I have a foot that never healed properly from a bad break many years ago; I can't wear heels, I have to be very careful of which shoes I buy, and I'm not supposed to stand much. I ought to be in a wheelchair on days that require much walking, but I don't usually because I feel so awkward about it. I don't really want special treatment, I'm pretty good at compensating for it because I know my limitations. But I definitely sit at the first opportunity whenever I can, and that includes finding a table in CS restaurants while DH orders food.

I have no idea how to handle restaurants with this policy. The obvious answer is not to eat there, and just pay oop for all ts restaurants.

 

[MissyDVC]

I love choices too which is why I seem to have a philosophical problem with this. I am such a rebel that I don't much like the idea of CM telling me that I can't sit down with my kids while my DH brings our food. I like the CHOICE to get our table first. This is just my first gut reaction to it. It may not be an issue since we tend to go at a "down" time. If this rule (see, I just don't like too many rules - some are ok, just not too many ) is being enforced, maybe it won't be such a big deal to me once I get over my knee jerk reaction. Time will tell.

For those of you judging those of us who feel opposed to this rule, I am assuming you never have a problem with any of those little changes that Disney has made over the years. And if you did have a concern, I guess you wouldn't express it.

This is exactly how I feel but we also go when it is not so busy so I also don't like people telling others that their reactions are wrong and that they should wait to have an opinion. People (except for the 2 people who have experienced it) are just expressing their initial thoughts on a new concept. I see nothing wrong with discussing the possible pros and cons of this new system.

 

[Princess Stitch]

2) 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.)

OT, but I think this is because some people are afraid to offer help because of the reaction they get sometimes. I guess it's just that you never know who's going to be grateful for the attempt, who's going to run screaming, and who's going to tell you off. My dad went over to help a lady with her tray at the mall food court one time, and she acted like he was going to try and abduct her kids or something! I also saw this lady trying to hang on to a toddlers hand while loading a stroller with an infant onto the bus. I made the mistake of asking her if she needed help with the stroller and was greeted with "I can handle my kids by myself thank-you-very-much!".

I still offer people help because I'm one of those who believes that most people in this world are good nice people but I can also sympathize with those who may have gotten the evil eye one too many times for offering help.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Let's face it, a lot of discussion has occurred.
2) The reason for the change is CAPACITY.
3) Without people saving tables, it increases a restaurants capacity.
4) Thus, during busy times, it increases revenue and profit.
5) And, WDW increases sales without brick and mortar or buying more tables.

6) Example:
. . . assume: it takes 15-minutes to go through the line
. . . assume: it takes 30-minutes to eat the meal (though most are less time)
. . . assume: the table is saved for the time it takes through the line
. . . result: a 50% increase in tables
. . . reason: it still takes the same time to eat (30-min)
. . . reason: the table is now empty for someone else to be eating (15-min)

 

[waltfan1957]

O.K....

I'm not sure I'm following your apparent anger with a policy that you haven't experienced, but so be it. I'm sure Disney will take in your opinion, along with all other guests, and adjust, or maintain, their policy as best suits the majority of their visitors. I for one, don't know of any instance where Disney didn't bend over backwards for special needs guests. I'm sure they will in this matter as well, if the situation warrants it.

maybe we need a poll on this I agree it should work and hope it does the people that are complaining before even trying it seem to be in a small minority on this thread

 

[waltfan1957]

It's quite simple, really. I don't have to "experience" this particular policy to know it will not work well for my family. In just the same way that I don't have to "experience" a hurricane or car accident to know they're unpleasant. Finding a table is never a problem for me -- so this policy doesn't do anything good in that regard for me. However, telling my wife and children that they have to stand in a "waiting area" like penned-in cattle until I show up with a tray of food before they can sit down at a table will be a problem.

David

it might not be a problem for you but its obviously been a problem for so many that disney has made this change

 

[ms_mckenna]

Well changes things for us because that means we can not go to the quickest line we can only go to the one for wheelchairs. I am however actually very happy with the idea anything that will make getting a table a more sane thing. Even if it is just me and DS he can hold the tray and I can push him or I can hold the tray and he can push himself. I can definately see how this could be an issue for some people though ... I hope the CM's are also ready to help the few that this is going to be an issue for. So are they outside too at places like Pizza Planet?

 

[waltfan1957]

What do you think will happen when we use the GAC to get a table before the food arrives? However discreetly we present the card to the CM, they're still going to be sitting there in plain view of others without food, who can't get tables. Do you honestly think that hot, tired and hungry patrons who aren't sitting down yet aren't going to notice, or ask why my kids get special treatment? You wouldn't believe some of the rude comments people have made when we used the GAC to bypass a super-long line on a few occasions before. At least in those situations, we're out of sight and on the ride before long. That won't happen at the tables in a CS location.

David

although I think its a good idea, you make a good point here yes people will make comments we to have experienced rude comments while using a GAC

 

[apostolic4life]

I have just finished reading the entire thing.......now my brain hurts!

Our family has been known to save a table in the past, but if the policy is now in place to control table squatting in the CS venues, we will be eager to try it. The primary reason for us making the early table grab was simply because it was the only thing to do to ensure we could get a seat. I see the potential for a great outcome with this new system, but it could also lead to problems if not properly monitored by the CM's.

I hope exceptions will be made for those in need: acceptable exceptions should be clearly outlined for CM's, plainly posted for the general public's viewing and backed-up by management at all times. If guidelines are not set up for the CM's to follow... it could run amuck. CM's should not be put into the tenuous position to make a call about the validity of a person's "reason" to grab an early table because then everyone under the sun would have a reason to be an exception to the policy. Those with a GAC should always have early access to the seating area if they are eating in the venue (I would hope no one would challenge that statement) and parents wrangling with children under 3 could be given early entry IMO (mainly for everyone's peace of mind and because of the limited number of high chairs in CS locations). These would probably be acceptable exceptions to most reasonable people!

I do not understand the ardent opposition to the policy from those who have not yet experienced it first hand (why so much distain????). Like I have said previously, we were table savers but now will be looking forward to giving the new process a chance before we decide if we like it or hate it. I do not think we should blindly accept the words of the two poster's (Laugh O. Grams & Mom2Evie no offense intended) as gospel truth about the overall benefit policy, but I will not discount or disrespect the positive experience they had either. Maybe this will something that works for your situation, maybe it won't, but I do not think we can make that call until we all try it for ourselves!!!!

Just my two cents!!!

 

[jacer333]

Just because a person has first-hand experienced something, that does not make them the only ones who know what it is and can be the only ones to post about it "correctly". I and many others know the details of this new policy, and therefore also have the right to post opinions on it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just because a person has first-hand experienced something, that does not make them the only ones who know what it is and can be the only ones to post about it "correctly".

Sure, anybody can post opinions about anything (within DIS guidelines, of course ) but the only people who can validly describe a process still in 'test' mode based on both viewing and experience are, well, the people who saw and experienced the process. Keep in mind, until Laugh O. Grams posted, only he and Mom2Evie (of all the posters in this thread) were even AWARE that such a practice exists. That does make them the only ones who know what the procedure is and can report in on correctly (note lack of qualifying punctuation). Everybody else can only post their opinions of a procedure that may not ever even affect us, given that once it's analyzed it's still likely to be used only at peak vacation times.

 

[Talking Hands]

I just wonder how this is going to work for families with someone in a wheeelchair since much of the time the line that is wide enough for a wheelchair is closed. (normally the first one closed). Where is the wheelchair user to wait while their companion goes through the line to get food? Are they just going to have to sit out there in the middle of space waiting and being stared at. Doesn't sound very pleasant to me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I ought to be in a wheelchair on days that require much walking, but I don't usually because I feel so awkward about it. I don't really want special treatment

With all due respect, that's your decision. It should be noted, though, that Guests in wheelchairs for the most part do NOT get special treatment. Being directed through an alternate entrance is based entirely on whether the mainstream line can accommodate wheelchairs. Example: At Splash Mountain, about halfway through the queue Guests in wheelchairs enter through a gate manned by a Cast Member (which works well, by the way ) to the exit platform - NOT because those Guests are getting special treatment, but because wheelchairs can't go up the stairs that the rest of the Guests use.

I have no idea how to handle restaurants with this policy. The obvious answer is not to eat there, and just pay oop for all ts restaurants.

Probably the best way to handle restaurants with this policy will be to first see if it's even being done at the restaurant and time you visit - see Laugh O. Grams' original post for an explanation from Pecos Bill's Manager, and then try it at least once, if it is.