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

[darrose]

Why cant the kids and I each grab our own tray and get our food individuality? Works for me, dont see how that will clog the system? We are pretty fast at grabbing food. Am I to understand that the CMs also police how many go through the food line?

 

[kaysmommie]

I agree.. I dont know if I like this idea... having 4 kids including 2 strollers is going to clog up the line even more.. and make juggling a pain.

I don't really like this system at all. it's easier to save a seat while DH gets the food and I sit with the kids. DS2 was still in a high chair last trip. I don't see a problem with saving a seat for a few mintues while DH grabs the food. Also I don't like being old where to sit. I guess since I usually go offpeak in the fall I don't see many people stressing over seats. now Parade time is a different story .

 

[kparc]

The folks that don't like the "new seating practice" seem to be part of the "me-me-me - generation". The same folks that drive in the left turn only lane, and then pull in just before the light, the folks that use the express check out with more then 15 items, the folks that park in the standing zone and run inside the store 'cause they'll only be a minute and get irate when they get a ticket, the folks that stand in front of you after you've been waiting for an hour to see a parade at Disney, cause they need to see! It's "me-me-me". I wish the people that don't like this new system would "boycott" Disney altogether. It would make it a better place to visit for all the rest of us who are or at least try to be considerate!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We were at Columbia Harbour House, and they were blocking the side doors as well, telling people to use the main entrance. At the main entrance, the CM was asking people to park their strollers, but it appeared if you had a sleeping child, it was allowed in.

Once we were in there was no one at all blocking any of the seating area from guests wanting to hold a table. There weren't many tables open, but there were a few, and the lines were very long (Except for the one on the far left, with people only allowed to enter the main entrance, they lined up at the first registers on the right and we just had to squeez past them to the shorter lines).

Just my experience, and I am sure it will be different next time.

George.

Sounds to me like they weren't using the new system and were only policing strollers at Columbia House.

In our experience with the new system at PB's, the door CMs didn't allow any one food line to get any longer than any of the others. If there was a shorter line, there was a CMs just inside the entrance who would suggest that you go to the left, the right, or straight ahead for the best line available. There was no bottle necking/squeezing around long lines at all at PB's, which was extremely unlike any of the zoo-like meals we have experienced there in the past during busy seasons.

 

[brymolmom]

I haven't read everything yet...but not sure if anyone's brought this up - If we end up eating at a busy time (which I try to avoid but sometimes end up there anyway) - I base WHICH restaruant I want to eat based on WHICH SEAT I CAN GET and whether any seats are available. For example, at Pinocchio Village Haus I wait for one of the tables overlooking IASW before we even get in line for food - because if it looks like it'll be a long wait - we'll go elsewhere.

I can tell you - with two kids in tow - when I'm standing there holding 3 meals PLUS trying to hold the hands of my kids (which, unless you're an octopus is more or less impossible) AND our backpack....if that CM doesn't have a table available IMMEDIATELY I will NOT be happy (and will happily ask them to carry stuff for me). I don't expect tables to just 'be available' and how, exactly, do they know that there will be a spot for ALL the people coming off-line with food in hand. That is the main reason I select a table beforehand...I've seen people resort to sitting on the floor to eat during very busy times because they did not wait for a table first. If that happened because the CM's wouldn't let me verify that a table would, in fact, be available for me by holding it - I would not be happy.

OK - so does anyone who has seen this in practice know how they keep track of # of tables vs. # of people they're letting in line? I'm guessing that they're just HOPING that one becomes available for everyone leaving the line - but that would not be a fun situation if it wasn't immediate.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Why cant the kids and I each grab our own tray and get our food individuality? Works for me, dont see how that will clog the system? We are pretty fast at grabbing food. Am I to understand that the CMs also police how many go through the food line?

No, you care take your whole clan through the line or go one at a time. It's so well organized now that it really doesn't make a difference. That being said, I think it can be safely assumed that an individual family would probably move faster if they only had one check, what with the whole money exchange for each transaction, but in the end, that's your choice.

 

[brymolmom]

The folks that don't like the "new seating practice" seem to be part of the "me-me-me - generation". The same folks that drive in the left turn only lane, and then pull in just before the light, the folks that use the express check out with more then 15 items, the folks that park in the standing zone and run inside the store 'cause they'll only be a minute and get irate when they get a ticket, the folks that stand in front of you after you've been waiting for an hour to see a parade at Disney, cause they need to see! It's "me-me-me". I wish the people that don't like this new system would "boycott" Disney altogether. It would make it a better place to visit for all the rest of us who are or at least try to be considerate!

I don't like the system and I am NOT a 'me - me' person. I am MORE THAN WILLING to wait my turn for a table, but IMO you should wait your turn for a table BEFORE you have food in hand vs. after. It is a MUCH BIGGER PAIN to wait for a table when you are carrying multiple meals vs. before you have a food when you can just wait in line for the table. That's why I always (in the past - I'll let you know about after our upcoming trip) wait, patiently, for a table prior to going up to eat.

I would argue that the people who LIKE THIS POLICY are WAY more self-focused than I am. It means that these people think a table should just 'magically appear' for them after getting their food, instead of waiting for it like the ones who choose to do so beforehand.

 

[Princess Stitch]

The folks that don't like the "new seating practice" seem to be part of the "me-me-me - generation". The same folks that drive in the left turn only lane, and then pull in just before the light, the folks that use the express check out with more then 15 items, the folks that park in the standing zone and run inside the store 'cause they'll only be a minute and get irate when they get a ticket, the folks that stand in front of you after you've been waiting for an hour to see a parade at Disney, cause they need to see! It's "me-me-me". I wish the people that don't like this new system would "boycott" Disney altogether. It would make it a better place to visit for all the rest of us who are or at least try to be considerate!

I'm sure SOME of the people against this practice are in that category, but don't forget there are some people who have, or are travelling with somone who has a disability. They are legitamitely concerned about how this may affect their family and what kind of issues and hardships it will cause them.

I do agree that alot of people seem to have this awful sense of entitlement these days, and it's really annoying, but it's not fair to lump everyone into the same category. If I had an autistic kid who was likely to bolt out of the restaurant if he wasn't seated, or had to feed a crying infant while juggling a diaper bag and stroller I'd probably be worried about standing around at the front of the restaurant as well.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I haven't read everything yet...but not sure if anyone's brought this up - If we end up eating at a busy time (which I try to avoid but sometimes end up there anyway) - I base WHICH restaruant I want to eat based on WHICH SEAT I CAN GET and whether any seats are available. For example, at Pinocchio Village Haus I wait for one of the tables overlooking IASW before we even get in line for food - because if it looks like it'll be a long wait - we'll go elsewhere.

I can tell you - with two kids in tow - when I'm standing there holding 3 meals PLUS trying to hold the hands of my kids (which, unless you're an octopus is more or less impossible) AND our backpack....if that CM doesn't have a table available IMMEDIATELY I will NOT be happy (and will happily ask them to carry stuff for me). I don't expect tables to just 'be available' and how, exactly, do they know that there will be a spot for ALL the people coming off-line with food in hand. That is the main reason I select a table beforehand...I've seen people resort to sitting on the floor to eat during very busy times because they did not wait for a table first. If that happened because the CM's wouldn't let me verify that a table would, in fact, be available for me by holding it - I would not be happy.

OK - so does anyone who has seen this in practice know how they keep track of # of tables vs. # of people they're letting in line? I'm guessing that they're just HOPING that one becomes available for everyone leaving the line - but that would not be a fun situation if it wasn't immediate.

I'm not going to try to pretend that I understand the ins and outs of crowd control and the economies of scale in the restaurant business, but I can tell you this. I've seen the new system in action myself, on one of the busiest days of the year, during lunch rush, and there were way more than enough open tables for everyone, at all areas of the restaurant to accommodate everyone. As I've said before, I don't know why it works...but I'm glad it does!!

 

[Princess Stitch]

I would argue that the people who LIKE THIS POLICY are WAY more self-focused than I am. It means that these people think a table should just 'magically appear' for them after getting their food, instead of waiting for it like the ones who choose to do so beforehand.

So if one of those tables overlooking IASW opened up and someoen was walking towards them with a tray of food would you rush to get there before them or let them have the table? I've walked around with a tray before and had people who hadn't even ordered yet cut me off to get to a table that I was heading to. People also did this when my mom took me and my brother to WDW after her and my dad got divoriced (so we were one adult with two young children).

Also, don't assume that everyone has the choice of getting a table ahead of time. A single parent with small kids can't get a table ahead of time, a solo traveller can't get a table ahead of time, someone travelling with a person who has special needs may not be able to get a table ahead of time, when there is more than one tray needing to be carried a table can't always be saved ahead of time. If you're lucky enough to have this choice then I'm sure it's the most convenient thing for you, but just because not everyone has the capability of saving tables it doesn't mean they showed poor planning or weren't smart enough to do it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I don't like the system and I am NOT a 'me - me' person. I am MORE THAN WILLING to wait my turn for a table, but IMO you should wait your turn for a table BEFORE you have food in hand vs. after. It is a MUCH BIGGER PAIN to wait for a table when you are carrying multiple meals vs. before you have a food when you can just wait in line for the table. That's why I always (in the past - I'll let you know about after our upcoming trip) wait, patiently, for a table prior to going up to eat.

I would argue that the people who LIKE THIS POLICY are WAY more self-focused than I am. It means that these people think a table should just 'magically appear' for them after getting their food, instead of waiting for it like the ones who choose to do so beforehand.

That's just the thing, there is no need to actually "wait" for a table anymore. When you get your food, you simply walk into the dining room and there are more than enough tables, all cleaned, bussed, with all chairs returned and in place, all over the restaurant to choose from.

 

[kparc]

I'm sure SOME of the people against this practice are in that category, but don't forget there are some people who have, or are travelling with somone who has a disability. They are legitamitely concerned about how this may affect their family and what kind of issues and hardships it will cause them.


This system is not "ABSOLUTE". If people have "legitimate" concerns I'm sure Disney will accommodate them. It's the folks that don't like this system because the feel "inconvenienced" or because they "want to sit where they want" or they "want it their way" these are the folks I'm talking about and these are the reasons I see folks postings.

Prime example, we got our pizza's at Pizza Plant, we couldn’t' find a seat because so many people were saving tables, (I'm sure the ALL had LEGITAMENT reasons, -strollers, children, diaper bags, tired, etc.) finally we asked if we could sit at someone’s table that only one person was saving until their party arrived, he said yes, well we finished our pizza BEFORE they even got to the table to eat!

 

[brymolmom]

So if one of those tables overlooking IASW opened up and someoen was walking towards them with a tray of food would you rush to get there before them or let them have the table? I've walked around with a tray before and had people who hadn't even ordered yet cut me off to get to a table that I was heading to. People also did this when my mom took me and my brother to WDW after her and my dad got divoriced (so we were one adult with two young children).

Also, don't assume that everyone has the choice of getting a table ahead of time. A single parent with small kids can't get a table ahead of time, a solo traveller can't get a table ahead of time, someone travelling with a person who has special needs may not be able to get a table ahead of time, when there is more than one tray needing to be carried a table can't always be saved ahead of time. If you're lucky enough to have this choice then I'm sure it's the most convenient thing for you, but just because not everyone has the capability of saving tables it doesn't mean they showed poor planning or weren't smart enough to do it.

Good point about the single parent - I've done the WDW thing alone with kids - I just make sure to have enough snacks to get through the busy lunchtime or go at 11:00am when there are plenty of seats.

I would say though that bringing up the single parent thing - you'd think this would be a WORSE situation for that person - if there are no tables and now you have your food and your kids...what do you do? I have been known to put my young kids at a table right next to the line so that I could wait in line while they waited and had a snack out of our bag right next to me at the table. This, too, wouldn't be 'allowed' anymore. So that single parent would now be left holding the food and the kids and maybe not a table.

And the 'rush to beat someone to the table' thing....no, I would never do this - I wait my turn for a table. So, if I've been waiting the longest - yes, I would take it. But I would never rush ahead of someone who's been waiting longer.

 

[deltachi8]

I like the idea!

Of course, it won't ruin my vacation either way...I have had my share of times where I waited or had a difficult time finding a seat but I never thought about it later on. If the new system makes it work so those actually ready to dine can find a table first, then I am all for it. If it doesn't, then so be it. Afterall, its a fast food meal, nothing to lose any sleep over.

 

[darrose]

No, you care take your whole clan through the line or go one at a time. It's so well organized now that it really doesn't make a difference. That being said, I think it can be safely assumed that an individual family would probably move faster if they only had one check, what with the whole money exchange for each transaction, but in the end, that's your choice.

Thanks!!!!! We charge the meals to our room resort so still should go fast. We are in the eat and get out camp.

 

[Princess Stitch]

I'm sure SOME of the people against this practice are in that category, but don't forget there are some people who have, or are travelling with somone who has a disability. They are legitamitely concerned about how this may affect their family and what kind of issues and hardships it will cause them.

This system is not "ABSOLUTE". If people have "legitmate" concerns I'm sure Disney will accomadate them. It's the folks that don't like this system because the feel "inconvienced" or because they "want to sit where they want" or they "want it their way" these are the folks I'm talking about and these are the reasons I see folks postings.

Prime example, we got our pizza's at Pizza Plant, we couldnt' find a seat because so many people were saving tables, (I'm sure the ALL had LEGITAMENT reasons, -strollers, children, diaper bags, tired, ect.) finally we asked if we could sit at someones table that only one person was saving until their party arrived, he said yes, well we finished our pizza BEFORE they even got to the table to eat!

Oh I totally agree with you! I even posted a similar comment earlier in the thread. Having a child under the age of 12 or tired feet from walking all day isn't a good enough reason to "NEED" a table. They "WANT" a table not "NEED" one. People have a hard time distinguinsing between their wants and needs these days.... Just trying to head off all the possible angry comments of people who are going to come back and say something about how they really do need a table because of some special need or another.

 

[brymolmom]

That's just the thing, there is no need to actually "wait" for a table anymore. When you get your food, you simply walk into the dining room and there are more than enough tables, all cleaned, bussed, with all chairs returned and in place, all over the restaurant to choose from.

If that's the case - then I would like it. But we all know that sometimes the number of diners exceeds the number of available tables so I tend to wonder if that 'more than enough tables' thing is always the case. I guess I'll see on my upcoming trip.

 

[Princess Stitch]

Good point about the single parent - I've done the WDW thing alone with kids - I just make sure to have enough snacks to get through the busy lunchtime or go at 11:00am when there are plenty of seats.

I would say though that bringing up the single parent thing - you'd think this would be a WORSE situation for that person - if there are no tables and now you have your food and your kids...what do you do? I have been known to put my young kids at a table right next to the line so that I could wait in line while they waited and had a snack out of our bag right next to me at the table. This, too, wouldn't be 'allowed' anymore. So that single parent would now be left holding the food and the kids and maybe not a table.

And the 'rush to beat someone to the table' thing....no, I would never do this - I wait my turn for a table. So, if I've been waiting the longest - yes, I would take it. But I would never rush ahead of someone who's been waiting longer.

My mom took us into line with her where we had to stand quietly and behave (and this was in the middle of August so it was busy and the lines were LONG). If we fidgited or made nuisances out of ourselves she took us out of line and back to the hotel room where we had bologna sandwiches for lunch. Believe me when I say we learned how to stand in line pretty fast! When the food came we helped my mom carry everything to the table. Most kids who are at least in kindergarden should be able to at least hold their drink and maybe the dessert without spilling things all over the place.

I know it may sound like an impossible task, but a single parent has to learn how to do the juggling act every day in real life, Disney is no different. I suppose you get used to holding the kids and they tray and looking for the table.. although I'm sure if you asked a CM to assist you with the tray they'd be happy to help.

 

[kileybeth]

anyone who has been lately with new seating arrangements notice whether or not tables for 6 and 8 are readily available under the new system? This is our only difficulty with this, we need to all be together to share food, help with cups, bibs, cutting up food etc. ?

anyone notice large parties being able to get table together in timely fashion? It is one of the reasons we usually sit then order (also to figure out our order ahead instead of in line while others are forced to wait while we try to make up all of our collective minds!

 

[kparc]

....also to figure out our order ahead instead of in line while others are forced to wait while we try to make up all of our collective minds!

Why don't you STAND TO THE SIDE, and make up your COLLECTIVE MINDS! Then get in line - So others won't be forced to wait.

Just a thought.