Quick Service Seating Rules in Effect

[Ian]

I don 't think there's bene much mention of this either. It could be to keep people who bring their own food out of the restaurants. I'd rather the seats be available for paying customers of the restaurant, not hikers who packed their Thansgiving meal in a rolling cooler. I've seen that too...

Well that I'd be okay with. I agree that folks who don't buy from the restaurant shouldn't be able to eat there.

Of course, that also brings to mind the fact that they may simply be trying to keep folks out who aren't eating at all and just came in to use the restroom or to get warmed up/cooled off from tying up tables.

[alaMode]

I usually travel to WDW with my DS who is physically disabled and uses a travel wheelchair/stroller. We usually go without DH.

DS waits with me in line, or just to the side of the line when he doesn't "fit".

It's a nightmare trying to make your way to a table balancing a full tray of food and drink while simultaneously pushing a wheelchair.

It's just plain awful when you finally make it to the seating area only to find there aren't any free tables because they're being saved.

I like the idea of being escorted because that means someone can wait with my son (in my line of sight) while I put the tray down on an open table, or vice-versa. Just having someone direct me in the right direction is a big improvement for us!

Last October DS and I ate lunch at Flametree BBQ at AK. No sooner had I stepped away from the counter than I managed to dump the whole thing over. I was in tears!

A very kind CM came over, helped Ds and I to a lovely table down by water looking across at EE, then came back with another tray of food. I didn't even know this area existed because I never would have been able to get to it with food.

This CM definitely turned our frowns upside down!

We're in WDW right now-can't wait to check out this situation in MK tomorrow!

[magicofdisney]

I can verify this policy was not being enforced after lunch time at Cosmic Rays on 12/1/10. I wasn't even aware the policy had been reinstated until I came across this thread just now. Unless I missed this in the thread somewhere (I didn't read everything), perhaps it's only used during the busier eating periods.

For the record, I hate the policy. I travel often with my children, sans the husband, and having the seat before the food works best for us.

[eandrsmom]

I understand the logic behind the policy, but the thought of having all four of my young children in line at a busy CS restaurant is not appealing and quite stressful. Usually, my husband sits with them and they gather all the napkins and condiments while I'm in line. What's next? Are they going to restrict the amount of time it takes to eat your meal? I agree witht the previous post, if you can't sit and wait for your food at a table, there needs to be a waiting area. (Especially if you have young children.)

[luvdiznee]

I like this idea. Because there is nothing worse than having to walk around with a tray full of food, looking for a place to sit. And you have bunches of people sitting at tables with no food.

I only hope that people will respect these rules and not give the CM's any problems who will be trying to enforce them, as they are only doing their job. But that's probably asking a lot.

[magicofdisney]

I want to add that even with the policy in effect, you may still have to walk around with a tray full of food looking for an empty table. This happened to me which is probably why I'm so against it. It solved no problem at all.

[Granny Jill A]

Perhaps CM's can ask "how many in your party", give out a number and then escort the group to a table as the food is being ordered? When the food is ready, the number is posted on lighted boards around the restaurants and one or two people retrieve the food.

[DizneyRox]

That doesn't solve the problem of people sitting waiting for food to arrive when other already have their food and don't have a seat (which means they were in line before the people already sitting usually).

Which begs the question, why is line hopping so taboo for a ride, but not for a meal?

[forever a child]

Just got back 12/19 from the world. This policy was not being enforced at Peco Bill's, Sunshine Season's or Flame Tree BBQ while we were there.

[Granny Jill A]

That doesn't solve the problem of people sitting waiting for food to arrive when other already have their food and don't have a seat (which means they were in line before the people already sitting usually).

They can rope off the section and hire a big burly guy to stand there while numbers are assigned.

If someone jumps the line, he is authorized to shot-put them back over the barrier.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Some people just got a wish granted.
2) Some eateries are using the new rules during busy times.
3) But, there is an experiment at Electric Umbrella.

4) Today, they started to limit admission.
. . . CM's now guard ALL the entrances to the eatery
. . . guests are admitted ONLY through one door
. . . guests may exit through any door
. . . when the eatery is full, admittance is stopped
. . . until guests leave, no guests are allowed in
. . . when the guest comes in, they can get a seat like previous
. . . they can wait for the other people to bring the food
. . . but, there remains a line outside waiting to get in
. . . regardless of temperature (or rain)

5) This was started today, due to the 20% and 30% discount coupons
6) Lots of angry guests trying to get in and being blocked.
7) Some even tried to push the CM out of the way.
8) They complained about tables without guests and no food.
9) We will see if Umbrella goes back to the other rule.

[RedSoxFan]

I was at WDW 12/11/----12/19. We ate at Pecos Bill on 12/11 --- and it was enforced. I didn't see it enforced at any other place for the rest of the week.

[forever a child]

I was at WDW 12/11/----12/19. We ate at Pecos Bill on 12/11 --- and it was enforced. I didn't see it enforced at any other place for the rest of the week.

That's funny cause we were there during the same time and I didn't think it was enforced. We at there twice but I guess one time was about 30 minutes before closing so it didn't matter cause the place was practically empty and then the second time DD did go find us a seat...but she sat outside cause the warm sun was a welcomed after a few cold and cloudy days. So maybe since she choose outside seating we didn't have an issue then either. So if it was in effect..we didn't have to deal with it. Not that is would have mattered much....since it was just the two of us.

[elmjimmlm]

We were just there last week and there was nothing like this at the places that we went...
Pecos Bills
Sunshine Seasons
Pinocchio Village Haus
Starring Rolls
Caseys Corner

[Goes4FastPass]

1) Some people just got a wish granted.
...

Was anyone wishing for this? Somehow, When I think about Walt Disney World I don't find myself wishing I were hundling outside a counterservice restaurant in the rain waiting to eat. If I were a cast member I wouldn't be wishing I got the job of 'guarding' the entrance to a counter service joint.

[NJGIRL]

When I was there in October and then in November again this was not being enforced anywhere we had CS. I really don't like it either. Everyone has the ability to split up and get a table when they walk into a CS so it's not like anyone is being treated unfair. In fact, when I get into a CS line I think it's more difficult when there are 5 people standing in line for one order rather than just having one or two people ordering. What happens when tired kids start hitting into guests after they have a tray full of food and drinks? Many of the ordering stations are not very far from the pick up counter and there isn't much standing room now let alone making whole families wait. I think this is going a little overboard on Disney's part. If they are looking for something to fix I noticed when I was there both times there was much more line jumping/holding for attractions than I have ever seen before. This is something they should look into.

[magicofdisney]

4) Today, they started to limit admission.
. . . CM's now guard ALL the entrances to the eatery
. . . guests are admitted ONLY through one door
. . . guests may exit through any door
. . . when the eatery is full, admittance is stopped
. . . until guests leave, no guests are allowed in
. . . when the guest comes in, they can get a seat like previous
. . . they can wait for the other people to bring the food
. . . but, there remains a line outside waiting to get in
. . . regardless of temperature (or rain)

This makes more sense to me than anything tried thus far. This is why seating is difficult to come by in the first place.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

I really can't decide how I feel about this. Maybe I have to experience it before I make my final decision...

This is something we haven't experienced yet, either. Last trip was May...Doesn't sound like it would be a big problem for two of us. Might feel differently when we bring the little Princess...

[Disney_Barbie]

I know they've done this in the past, but only during busy seasons, has it just been in effect for this current (BUSY) time of year, or do they intend to do this all year round?

[TheRustyScupper]

I know they've done this in the past, but only during busy seasons

1) Busy times, only.
2) Where in-season or not.
3) So,
. . . in a busy season, they might not use it
. . . in a slow season, they might use it
. . . depends upon how bisy the eatery is