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

[Geoff_M]

The system was not broken for the vast majority of people - 83%, if we can extrapolate from the poll here. This is an idiotic solution in search of a problem.

I'll take one more whack at it too...

One isolated unscientific poll on an Internet site aside, something appears to have triggered WDW to take this action. I doubt a Disney exec dreamed up this move one day while staring up at the ceiling. Firsthand reports are that the feedback from people that have actually experienced the change has been the polar opposite of now famous DIS Board poll. Just because someone doesn't think that there's a problem with "saving tables" if it's allowed doesn't mean they would automatically mind Disney putting this policy in place if they can be reasonably assured there would be no need to send out an advance team to stake a claim if they want to eat their food while it's hot.

As far as your situation, it's hard to take your personal situation and another of someone like a single parent with special needs kids that they can't leave at a table and then has to struggle to shepherd them around for several minutes in search of a table and decide who's situation is more deserving of consideration. There's no scenario that will meet everyone's needs all of the time.

It's also worth recapping what we do, and don't know, abut what was reported and can infer from our general knowledge of how Disney operates:
- The policy will reportedly only be used at peak times during the year.
- The policy appears to be clearly aimed at people "saving" tables.
- There's been no statement that your group must go through the line with you or remain in a crowded section of the restaurant. They are free to wait in other areas outside the restaurant or other common areas within the restaurant. People in this thread keep repeating the misconception that their family must remain in line with the orderer.
- There's no reason to believe that CMs will be so strict as to prevent a member of your party using the bathroom, or returning from a FP run, to re-join your group that's already dining at a table. I think it's reasonable to think the "your party is present" part of the reported policy is to keep a single member of a party from buying food for the group, and then saving a table while the other members of the group finish an attraction and then come to the restaurant to eat the waiting food.
- There's no reason to believe that CMs would withhold the same sort of considers given to special needs guests that they do in other parts of the park. I think it's safe to think that any perceived problem the policy is aimed at helping isn't related to keeping people that have a good reason to seat down sooner rather than later from doing so.
- The OP saw the policy at work in a popular CS restaurant during one of the most attended times of the year at WDW.
- The OP saw no indication that the policy resulted in a sort of mob near the registers that some here have feared and predicted as certain.
- The OP saw that the policy had an obvious positive effect in table availability... A problem long recognized as a common problem at WDW in busier times.

Time will tell if the OP has all of the parts of the policy right, and if it will be commonly used or selectively used. I also echo the comments that its a good idea to wait and see it firsthand before pronouncing condemnation. It wouldn't be the first time Disney has announced something that was first greeted with jeers by some and then later accepted.

Disgruntled Hoosiers? Heck no, we just wanted to be different.

FWIW, I was born and raised in Muncie and my wife is from Canaan (near Madison).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You said here that you agreed with AdventurersClub that the new rule was uninforcible because CMs aren't paid enough to follow rules. That was the post that I was refering to.

What I meant was the Cast Members are going to be paid most likely very little money to be the "table police." However when I compared that to the other rules you describe I meant those are much more serious ones then guests saving tables at counter service locations.

 

[Princess Stitch]

In all the counter service locations there were never any signs that said please do not save seats until you get you're food. So technically no one was breaking any rules since there never was one.

There's also no rules about who can and can't use a companion restroom. If everyone decided they were going to treat it as a regular restroom then those who needed to use it would not get to do so in a timely manner.

Just because something isn't against a rule it doesn't necessarily mean it's for the benefit of the greater good. The only reason this is a problem is because everyone overuses the privledge of being able to sit at a table before you have food. If people who were capable of waiting until they had food to sit down would do so, there would be enough room for everyone. I realize that this is on the honour system, and no judging should be going on, but it's just a courtesy.

For example, most people on a bus would stand to give their seat to someone who was pregnant or had a small child or obvious disability, but what about those who have a disability that no one can see? No one would ever give up their seat for someone who didn't "look like they need it". If everyone who was physically capable would stand on the bus, there would mostly always be seats available for those who could beter benefit from sitting down.

 

[AdventurersClub]

Kinda like the way so many CMs allow so many guests to line jump, or hand in bogus fastpasses, or let them to stand up on rides and not wear the proper restraints, or allow them to take all the merchandise they can carry without paying for it...that kind of stuff? They're not paid enough to simply be responsible to do their jobs? That's what you're saying?

First off, I don't appreciate you twisting my words to fit what you want them to mean. Second what I'm stating is there are only so many cast members in one area that have certain tasks. People will break the rules no matter how many cast members guard that area. I hardly would compare sitting at a table while a member of your party goes up to buy the food to stealing from a gift shop. There are a variety of different reasons someone would need to bypass this rule. Disabled guests should be able to sit and rest while someone from their group goes up. Children I'm sure has been brought up, does Disney want children running around while people wait in line. I can't wait to see a child accidently bump into someone carrying a trey of sodas, while it may be following the rule, I'm sure people would agree they should be seated at a table (especially the hyper children). You pay a lot of money to vacation, with the amount of quick service places and Florida heat its unreasonable to not allow access to a place in air conditioning out of the sun. Elderly people visit the parks too, often times they need to rest or need air condition for medical and health reasons, given there are gift shops but none of which have a place to sit. It is not usually alright to break the rules, but if the world was perfect it wouldn't happen. The fact is circumstances sometimes dictate the right to bend or look blindly at a rule. Comparing stealing to holding a table is just plain silly. When you can find a health or medical reason stealing would be consider alright I will change my opinion. For now I see too many holes in this rule. The average tourist is not going to take a cast member seriously when they insist the entire party wait in line (while it clogs the limited space) it is unreasonable. There are so many variables at play when people visit the parks, it will be interesting to see how this plays out, I for one don't expect this rule to last long, or if it does I don't expect it to be enforced to the same level of stealing.

Just my opinion.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

What I meant was the Cast Members are going to be paid most likely very little money to be the "table police." However when I compared that to the other rules you describe I meant those are much more serious ones then guests saving tables at counter service locations.

So how much more money should the "line jumping" police make than the "table jumping" police in order o get them to "care"? What about the lowly street sweeper who sees a guest stealing a bag of merchandise? He's the lowest paid on the ladder, so what should he do? According to your theory, I suppose he just keeps his yap shut because he doesn't make enough green to care? I agree with you on the fact that in the past, there was no table saving rules at CS restaurants, but you're way off on your reasoning on this one, CR...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There's also no rules about who can and can't use a companion restroom. If everyone decided they were going to treat it as a regular restroom then those who needed to use it would not get to do so in a timely manner.

Just because something isn't against a rule it doesn't necessarily mean it's for the benefit of the greater good. The only reason this is a problem is because everyone overuses the privledge of being able to sit at a table before you have food. If people who were capable of waiting until they had food to sit down would do so, there would be enough room for everyone. I realize that this is on the honour system, and no judging should be going on, but it's just a courtesy.

For example, most people on a bus would stand to give their seat to someone who was pregnant or had a small child or obvious disability, but what about those who have a disability that no one can see? No one would ever give up their seat for someone who didn't "look like they need it". If everyone who was physically capable would stand on the bus, there would mostly always be seats available for those who could beter benefit from sitting down.

The non written rules you described do not come close to saving tables at a counter service location.

 

[Geoff_M]

First off, I don't appreciate you twisting my words to fit what you want them to mean. Second what I'm stating is there are only so many cast members in one area that have certain tasks.

I don't think he's misstating the core of your statement. Based on what was reported the CMs he encountered in the dining area weren't the normal CMs assigned to empty the trash and wipe tables but were placed there for the specific purpose of seeing that people got their food first before taking a seat and then helping them find a table. In most places if your manager tells you your job is to do X, Y, and Z... and you ignore the assigned tasks you won't work there very long. These CMs didn't have "table police" added to their normal tasks... it appears to be their job du jour.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

First off, I don't appreciate you twisting my words to fit what you want them to mean. Second what I'm stating is there are only so many cast members in one area that have certain tasks. People will break the rules no matter how many cast members guard that area. I hardly would compare sitting at a table while a member of your party goes up to buy the food to stealing from a gift shop. There are a variety of different reasons someone would need to bypass this rule. Disabled guests should be able to sit and rest while someone from their group goes up. Children I'm sure has been brought up, does Disney want children running around while people wait in line. I can't wait to see a child accidently bump into someone carrying a trey of sodas, while it may be following the rule, I'm sure people would agree they should be seated at a table (especially the hyper children). You pay a lot of money to vacation, with the amount of quick service places and Florida heat its unreasonable to not allow access to a place in air conditioning out of the sun. Elderly people visit the parks too, often times they need to rest or need air condition for medical and health reasons, given there are gift shops but none of which have a place to sit. It is not usually alright to break the rules, but if the world was perfect it wouldn't happen. The fact is circumstances sometimes dictate the right to bend or look blindly at a rule. Comparing stealing to holding a table is just plain silly. When you can find a health or medical reason stealing would be consider alright I will change my opinion. For now I see too many holes in this rule. The average tourist is not going to take a cast member seriously when they insist the entire party wait in line (while it clogs the limited space) it is unreasonable. There are so many variables at play when people visit the parks, it will be interesting to see how this plays out, I for one don't expect this rule to last long, or if it does I don't expect it to be enforced to the same level of stealing.

Just my opinion.

Plain and simple, no twisting here, you clearly stated that the CMs don't make enough money to care about the new rules at PB's. You now state that guests don't take what CMs say seriously anyways because you personally feel that the policy is unreasonable. What if some ******* decides that it's unreasonale to pay $18.00 for a stuffed Mickey doll, so he decides to simply pocket a t-shirt to make up the difference. Why should CMs care about that, seeing that they're not taken seriously and according to you, not paid enough to see that their jobs are done properly? You're getting way out on a limb here as well.

 

[Princess Stitch]

The non written rules you described do not come close to saving tables at a counter service location.

I don't see how. In all cases the abuse of the system inconveniences those who might actually need accomodations. Why does it matter if someone is saving a table at a restaurant or taking up an extra seat on a bus? In either case someone who might need to sit down won't be able too. Same with using the companion bathroom.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is a link to that poll where it was an overwhelming majority of people who said they see no problem in saving tables at counter service locations. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1482417

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I don't think he's misstating the core of your statement. Based on what was reported the CMs he encountered in the dining area weren't the normal CMs assigned to empty the trash and wipe tables but were placed there for the specific purpose of seeing that people got their food first before taking a seat and then helping them find a table. In most places if your manager tells you your job is to do X, Y, and Z... and you ignore the assigned tasks you won't work there very long. These CMs didn't have "table police" added to their normal tasks... it appears to be their job du jour.

Absolutely. Thank you!

My argument is not about stealing being better or worse than table saving. It's about the theory being bandied about that CMs don't take rule enforcement seriously because they aren't paid enough. The theory is extremely foolish and happens to be insulting to Disney's CMs, who incidentally happen to be some of the best in the business.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Here is a link to that poll where it was an overwhelming majority of people who said they see no problem in saving tables at counter service locations. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1482417

As Geoff rightly stated, there has to be some reason why Disney decided to put the new rule into effect, and I guarentee it's not because some Disney suit happened to be reading the DISboards and said to himself "Let screw with those clowns over there who claim they don't care about table saving!" Someone, somewhere has a bit more pull than our little slice of Disney here on the internet.

 

[Geoff_M]

Here is a link to that poll where it was an overwhelming majority of people who said they see no problem in saving tables at counter service locations.

However, that poll is moot to this discussion for a couple of reasons. First of all, the poll assumes no Disney policy against such a thing is in place and it's "open season" on table per WDW. As I stated much earlier, we save tables... but I like the policy as described. It's a trade-off I'd gladly take. Secondly, if 83% if DIS'ers think that using FPs after the issue date is OK... Does that mean it's a good idea?

 

[bellecat22]

Wasn't this thread started about a new policy about PB table seating? It seems to have gotten OT.

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with saving a table if you plan on eating a meal there and someone is currently in the line getting the food. What is the difference between that and waiting in that corral area? 5 or 10 minutes? The OP claims that the time the food was prepared was much quicker so what is the difference if a table is saved?

You shouldn't have to whip out a GAC to get a table. It's not fair to those kids to go thru life with that stigma that they are "special".

Does PB have CM guards at all the doors so no one can get in any of the entrances where the seating is?

I hope this policy doesn't happen at all CS restaurants. At least I can avoid PB's.

 

[dkcsmom]

 

[dkcsmom]

It seems to me that they wouldn't be trying something new if there wasn't a problem to begin with. But that's just my opinion.

I was there in the early 90's with my two toddlers. I was a single mom at the time and was at the World alone with my kids. I wandered around for 15 minutes looking for a place to eat with 4 tables being saved by people whose families were in line. I even asked if we could sit at one of the tables so that we could eat and was told very rudely "No, we are saving these for our family." It was kinda sad because here I am waiting for a table when I paid the same amount that they did to get into the park and I arrived at the restaurant before them and I had my food.....why am I waiting?? I was not going to leave my toddlers to sit at the table while I got in line and even if I had someone there with me, it's still not something that I would do. I was always taught that you let the one's who have their food sit down and eat first.

Once again, just my opinion....why cut it down until you have experienced it. I'm negative about the "table saving" because I have experienced it. Just see how it works and then make your decision.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Wasn't this thread started about a new policy about PB table seating? It seems to have gotten OT.

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with saving a table if you plan on eating a meal there and someone is currently in the line getting the food. What is the difference between that and waiting in that corral area? 5 or 10 minutes? The OP claims that the time the food was prepared was much quicker so what is the difference if a table is saved?

You shouldn't have to whip out a GAC to get a table. It's not fair to those kids to go thru life with that stigma that they are "special".

Does PB have CM guards at all the doors so no one can get in any of the entrances where the seating is?

I hope this policy doesn't happen at all CS restaurants. At least I can avoid PB's.

That was very well said and I agree with you 100%.

 

[Mom2Evie]

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. Things ran smoother and there were more tables available. The CMs were polite and professional. They kept the path clear so the lines didn't back up across the restaurant. As you came in the door, they told you which line to get in. They sent parties of 3 to smaller tables, leaving larger tables available for families. I did notice them allowing groups with infants, scooters or wheel chairs to go ahead and sit down. That's just common courtesy and common sense. It was like people knowing that you merge on the interstate BEFORE your lane runs out of you back up traffic. It's those last minute jerks that back up the rest of us.

My family and I have avoided Tusker House and a few other CS places for this very reason. Families will hold tables for the 20+ minutes the Dad is in line while I stand there with food growing cold. Chances are that I'd be finished with my food and out the door before they got back to the table with their food.

This policy made our visit much more pleasant.

 

[seven dwarfs]

It will be nice to be sure to have a table, but I have six kids under 7 and that is going to be a lot to handle for me not being able to have them already sitting at a table. Kinda scary actually. I guess time will tell how it works out for my family. I wonder if the next thing will be making people get up after they are long done eating. We see this at CS and TS places. People are done and there is a line of others waiting and they are just hanging out long after.

 

[Princess Stitch]

It will be nice to be sure to have a table, but I have six kids under 7 and that is going to be a lot to handle for me not being able to have them already sitting at a table. Kinda scary actually. I guess time will tell how it works out for my family. I wonder if the next thing will be making people get up after they are long done eating. We see this at CS and TS places. People are done and there is a line of others waiting and they are just hanging out long after.

My point about that was that if someone takes up a table for 20 mintues before their meal arrives, then those who weren't able to should be able to stay at the table for 20 minutes after their meal if they choose. You are both holding the table for the same amount of time so why do you care if it's before or after the meal?

ETA: this wasn't directed at you. Just that I noticed alot of people who were ok with saving tables also said people should get up right after they're done eating and I found it kinda funny.