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

[kaytieeldr]

Are they just going to have to sit out there in the middle of space waiting and being stared at.

Based on the descriptions I've read in this thread - only if all the other Guests not waiting in line with the person or persons ordering their food are out there in the middle of space waiting and being stared at. There seem to be areas where all such Guests can wait where they're out of the way of traffic but within view of their ordering party.

 

[Talking Hands]

For all of the people fretting over this reported change, let me give you some comfort. My guess is that for people in wheelchairs, mothers with nursing babies, people with babies crying for their Gerber apple sauce, etc. the CMs will make allowances for your needs. My guess is they even let you go to the bathroom before you get your food trays.

If you are suing a wheelchair you don't want guesses as to how you will be treated. All you need is an unsympathetic or poorly trained castmember to ruin your day. I am not happy about this change at all. Lines are rarely accessible and I don't want to wait in some space while my husband gets food being bumped and knocked by others who are not looking where they are going. Also in some of the restaurants there are limited seats that my wheelchair will fit and mine is small. I can't imagine others with larger chairs. Aisles are wide enough for a wheelchair provided there are no people in the restaurant but once people are in the seats with the chairs pushed back you can't pass. In fact there is one or two CS restaurants where I can't use the restroom because I can't get my PWC through the aisles with people in them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Again, first, none of us knows today if this procedure will even be in effect when we each next visit Walt Disney World.
Second, while I (we) have no prior knowledge of this procedure, I get the distinct impression Disney didn't just suddenly pull the practice out of its hat. I'm sure they took otherly-abled Guests into account before they even started TESTing the procedure (many, many posters seem to be forgetting that, based on Laugh's experience and his discussion with a PB manager, this is just a trial), at ONE restaurant and only during PEAK travel periods)!

 

[Talking Hands]

Based on the descriptions I've read in this thread - only if all the other Guests not waiting in line with the person or persons ordering their food are out there in the middle of space waiting and being stared at. There seem to be areas where all such Guests can wait where they're out of the way of traffic but within view of their ordering party.

It is quite different standing waiting outside a line when you are STANDING than when you are in a wheelchair. People are not polite in the least. They don't watch what they are doing or where there backpacks and the like are hitting. You are below most people's eye level and can be fallen on or knocked in the head. It isn't pleasant. An within view of their ordering party. Not in a wheelchair. All you see is people's butts.

 

[Claire L]

Sounds like a great idea to me as everyone then gets to sit down and eat hot food rather than wandering around with a rapidly cooling tray of food trying to find a table, when most people occupying the tables haven't even got their food yet!



Claire

 

[Chuck S]

It is quite different standing waiting outside a line when you are STANDING than when you are in a wheelchair. People are not polite in the least. They don't watch what they are doing or where there backpacks and the like are hitting. You are below most people's eye level and can be fallen on or knocked in the head. It isn't pleasant. An within view of their ordering party. Not in a wheelchair. All you see is people's butts.

Absolutely. I travel with a wheelchair in my party, and it is still hard to see them (just as it is difficult to see small children) while walking and carrying a food tray, especially with beverages.

 

[BillSears]

As with everything it's not a one size fits all policy. As a wheelchair user I think it'll make things a lot easier for me. I sometimes travel solo so I don't have the option of saving a table or avoiding the lines to get food. Again I'm speaking just for myself but I'll enjoy having a CM find a table for me after I get my food rather then have to hope I find one before my food gets cold or I drop my food by accident.

 

[mickeymedic]

OK. I just read all 15 pages of this post - so forgive me if I get any facts messed up here. From reading everyone's past experience, it used to take 10-20 minutes to stand in line and get your food. Now, with the new system at PB's , it took the OP 3-5 minutes. So, those left waiting are waiting 3-5 minutes before they are allowed to be seated. I can completely understand not wanting to wait an extra 10-20 minutes with figity little ones, but 3-5 minutes does not sound unreasonable.

Also, I believe one of the 2 posters who actually experienced this new system said that people with wheelchairs were allowed to enter the dining area prior to having food in hand. So, obviously there are allowances being made for those who need it.

For those concerned about the availability of wheelchair accessible tables, if what the OP says is correct (and I have no reason to doubt him/her at this point) this should greatly increase your ability to find a table that meets your needs. If there are 10-15 tables available at any given time during peak times (I believe this is what the OP reported), and if a CM is directing you to a table, it sounds like the CM is eliminating your run-around. It is up to the CM to locate an appropriate table for you then direct you to it. If they have the musical charis situation worked out, there should be fewer instances of walkways being blocked by people pulling tables together and/or crowding extra chairs around small tables.

Before I get flamed, let me say that I am very curious to see how/if this new systems works out. During my last trip to WDW I was traveling in a party of 5 - including two using ECV's. One of the ECV users was able to get up and walk for short periods. The other was not (OK, she could hop on her one good leg, but could not effectively/safely transport herself outside of her ECV.) During that trip, the two ECV'ers would find a table while the rest of us got the food. So, we were among the table-savers. On a trip prior to that, we were traveling with my parents and my inlaws. My mom needs to rest often. She never waits in food lines - instead she goes to find a table. All that being said, if the wait for the non-line-standers is only going to be 3-5 minutes, and we are going to have the help of a CM to find an appropriate table, I have to say I am 100% willing to give this new system a chance.

I look forward to hearing more first-hand accounts of this new policy in action.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm still trying to figure out how having table available means less time in the food order line.

I mean, I was in line several minutes while the girls in front of me changed her mind several times while ordering.

 

[ransom]

I'm thrilled with the new change!

How can you not like faster service, faster seating, and cleaner tables? It sounds perfect to me!

Thank you so much for the report, Laugh-o-Grams!

 

[Geoff_M]

If you are suing a wheelchair you don't want guesses as to how you will be treated. All you need is an unsympathetic or poorly trained cast member to ruin your day.

I understand your concern... but I don't think it's appropriate to assume the worst without the notion being tested. Without a doubt someone in a wheelchair will have a bad experience due to this procedure if they encounter a "Barney Fife" CM... as someone can with anything at WDW (special needs, or not). I'm also sure you can find people in wheelchairs that have had bad experiences (or maybe even having their day ruined too) by not being able to find a table at noon at PBs for an extended period of time.

I'm still trying to figure out how having table available means less time in the food order line.

The OP said they also had CMs assisting and organizing people in the ordering queue area to help direct folks, etc. But it wouldn't be a good idea to help speed up the ordering queue, get people their food faster... and then send them into a full dining area. Here's what was reported:

There were two gals at each of the front doors directing traffic to the registers and a couple on the inside making sure you understood where to go to order and made sure you went to the correct line.

 

[Chuck S]

The OP said they also had CMs assisting and organizing people in the ordering queue area to help direct folks, etc. But it wouldn't be a good idea to help speed up the ordering queue, get people their food faster... and then send them into a full dining area. Here's what was reported:

There were two gals at each of the front doors directing traffic to the registers and a couple on the inside making sure you understood where to go to order and made sure you went to the correct line.

I understand that, but again, how can simply having someone direct you to the order line with the least number of people speed up the line? Wouldn't most folks look for the shortest line, even without the CMs? Or perhaps it took less time because folks with small kids weren't allowed to sit at a table while waiting, then send one person up to order, so they left and ate elsewhere.

Guest (to spouse): "Look, hun, you and the kids find a table, while I get the food."
CM: "Hi, welcome to Pecos Bill's. Please take your party with you to order, or wait for them in our designated waiting area, when you have your food, your party will be shown a table."
Guest: (again to spouse): "Are they kidding? Come one kids, we'll eat someplace else...who wants ice cream?"

 

[Geoff_M]

I understand that, but again, how can simply having someone direct you to the order line with the least number of people speed up the line? Wouldn't most folks look for the shortest line, even without the CMs?

Some do, but a lot don't. I see it all of the time at places like WDW. Most people tend to just walk into a CS restaurant and jump in a line near the center where they walk in (the same goes for gate turnstiles and other multi-queue areas). Whenever I walk in, I immediately look at the ends. Usually, there's a line or two on one end or the other that's a lot shorter than the rest. The fact that such disparities are easy to find is proof that a significant number of people don't look for the shortest line.

Also, the fact that Disney is willing to send out CMs to help assist in the ordering areas indicates that there is a benefit. They wouldn't assign such resources if they didn't feel there was a benefit for doing so. As the 2nd first-hand witness reported, this isn't a new process that they just rolled out. It was also witnessed in effect and working back during Spring Break. It's clear that Disney has had some time to try and test it out. Clearly, from what Laugh saw, they still apparently feel there's a benefit to having CMs assist in the queue area during peak periods.

Guest: (again to spouse): "Are they kidding? Come one kids, we'll eat someplace else...who wants ice cream?"

And you'll need to compare that group against the people (like us, the people we met in Columbia HH last month, and others that have posted here) that won't set foot into certain CS restaurants because of the crowd hassle. After last month's trip, I'm about to add the Sunshine Food Fair (or whatever it's called now) in The Land to that list. If there's one place that crying out for this procedure... it's there! The only thing that give me pause is the food is good there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Am I correct that only one person reported that they experienced it and yet we've had 16 pages of reaction to this "change"? And several people have posted that they were there recently and didn't experience this "change". You know, maybe it was just something that was just being tried out one time, never to be seen or heard from again-except for the 16 pages. I'd really like to see how a few more people experience it working before I get all upset.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Am I correct that only one person reported that they experienced it and yet we've had 16 pages of reaction to this "change"? And several people have posted that they were there recently and didn't experience this "change". You know, maybe it was just something that was just being tried out one time, never to be seen or heard from again-except for the 16 pages. I'd really like to see how a few more people experience it working before I get all upset.

You make some very good points. I think in total on this whole thread only 2 people have experienced this new system, so I find it hard to believe that no one else posted about it before. Usually when WDW comes up with something new like this it would have been posted right away and I think I remember reading that someone saw this in April and it was only being talked about now for the 1st time.

 

[eemmie1]

Am I correct that only one person reported that they experienced it and yet we've had 16 pages of reaction to this "change"? And several people have posted that they were there recently and didn't experience this "change". You know, maybe it was just something that was just being tried out one time, never to be seen or heard from again-except for the 16 pages. I'd really like to see how a few more people experience it working before I get all upset.

I couldn't agree with you more . I try not to get stressed about what ifs.

 

[asianway]

One needs to wonder if this is a Disney Food and Beverage initiative or the PB Manager's way of dealing with the problem. It is surprising to see them adding staff with no real return.

 

[eeyoresnr]

So, doesnt this make the lines at the order counter horrendous? I am thinking if you have several kids, waiting in the line with the order takers. Would that not cause a problem?? How were the lines OP?? Where does the rest of the party wait?

I agree that it may make the lines more crowded, but at the same time, I can recall several occasions seeing partial families holding 1 or 2 tables for over a half hour before anyone arrived with their food. That's enough time for one or two other families to eat without having to spend 10 or so minutes trying to find a table to sit at when you already have your food

 

[AdventurersClub]

Plane fare for a family of four: $850
Hotel Room for seven days: $2875
Park tickets for four people for: $528
A 16 page thread on a test procedure for a counter service resturant: Priceless

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just got one more thing to ask about this. Is there a time limit for people to eat once they get a table? I mean what if they are still hungry and order something else? Also what if their done eating and they decide to talk for 5 minutes and decide where they want to go next, or what if some kids have to go the bathroom and one parent stays at the table? Are Cast Members going around to their table and tell them they got to leave? This is where I see a major problem with this rule. At least it's only being tested at Peco Bills and let's hope it does not happen at the other counter service locations.