Now this is a terrific idea - Magic Kingdom eateries take control of seating

[EPCOTPluto]

I have seen this perhaps testing some time ago. I thought it was neat and efficient, but the packed atmosphere was overwhelming, and this was not during a busy time. It was actually sometime around the very end of November....

At least it would be a reminder that a c.s. restaurant would be busy on normal days when seeing a CM directing guests to tables.

Plus, the food will not be rushed or the place being overcrowded if coming a little later... :shrug:

 

[RiversideBunny]

I think this points out the need for another counter service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

Pecos Bill's is very popular because it has hamburgers, i.e., "real food".
Pinochio's Haus used to also serve hamburgers and wasn't so crowded but then they changed the menu.

 

[Monty]

I think this points out the need for another counter service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

Pecos Bill's is very popular because it has hamburgers, i.e., "real food".
Pinochio's Haus used to also serve hamburgers and wasn't so crowded but then they changed the menu.

:brick:

That just scares me.

 

[Figment632]

I think this points out the need for another counter service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

Pecos Bill's is very popular because it has hamburgers, i.e., "real food".
Pinochio's Haus used to also serve hamburgers and wasn't so crowded but then they changed the menu.

Gaston's Coming to a FL near you soon.

 

[luvlifeinfl]

I my self like the idea. My family of 4 have been in Disney at Pesco Bills, ordered our food and could not find a place to sit and eat ( becasue we chose to eat at peek time). Well then We started sending the kids on a table hunt while my DH & I ordered the food. Then though we had to go hunting the kids and hope that they were not snactched in a busy location. So to have a little organization and control over the situation is a good thing.

 

[durangojim]

Good idea but an exception needs to be made for families so that a seat can be given when one in the party is in line to get food. If you have two kids, each in a stroller (like we sometimes do) how exactly is one supposed to push a stroller and carry food at the same time? Instead, as soon as someone in a party gets in line, they should be given a fast pass that the other party members are given and then directed to the table.

 

[Phonedave]

Good idea but an exception needs to be made for families so that a seat can be given when one in the party is in line to get food. If you have two kids, each in a stroller (like we sometimes do) how exactly is one supposed to push a stroller and carry food at the same time? Instead, as soon as someone in a party gets in line, they should be given a fast pass that the other party members are given and then directed to the table.

But now again you have people who have not got their food yet taking up a table.

Instead, since a CM escorts you to your table, you could simply say "could you please help push a stroller for me"

-dave

 

[KRW101]

This seems to be a good idea - I will get to try it out in a couple of weeks when we are there. :sohappy:

I am leaning toward that it is a good idea, wandering around with a tray full of food and drinks looking for a table is a little stressful. I will hold my judgement until I try it our for myself. :shrug:

 

[durangojim]

But now again you have people who have not got their food yet taking up a table.

Instead, since a CM escorts you to your table, you could simply say "could you please help push a stroller for me"

-dave

I understand what you're saying but , how exactly do I get from the counter where I pick up my food to where a CM may or may not be able to help push my stroller while I'm carrying the food. Wouldn't that mean they would have to have more CMs just for food carrying or stroller pushing duties? Or do I leave my wife and kids behind go set my food down, leave the food at the empty table and then come back to get them? Doesn't make much sense to me and I doubt I'm the only one that will be in that boat.

 

[Computer Magic]

Something very similar but not at MK. Earl Sandwich can have a huge line. A wait to order food of easy an half hour. Having people walk in a sit down/hover to find a table while their family stand is line waiting to order is very annoying. You get your food and trying to find a seat can be impossible. If they had to wait to get their food, many people would be finished and leave by the time their food is served. So it becomes a fair system of first serve, first seated. I have my food and eat in 30 minutes so they can have the seat after me.

On the other hand I like finding my hidden seat in Columbia Harbour in MK. But like someone said, this is only for the busy times. So I should be able to sit where I want after I have my food.

 

[PKD]

I understand what you're saying but , how exactly do I get from the counter where I pick up my food to where a CM may or may not be able to help push my stroller while I'm carrying the food. Wouldn't that mean they would have to have more CMs just for food carrying or stroller pushing duties? Or do I leave my wife and kids behind go set my food down, leave the food at the empty table and then come back to get them? Doesn't make much sense to me and I doubt I'm the only one that will be in that boat.

Simple solution, and what this is designed for.

You stand in line to buy the food. Your family waits by the seating CM until you arrive with your food. Your entire party will be seated in an open table at the same time with out having to "search endlessly" cause another family isn't holding a table hostage when they don't have their food.

 

[Phonedave]

I understand what you're saying but , how exactly do I get from the counter where I pick up my food to where a CM may or may not be able to help push my stroller while I'm carrying the food. Wouldn't that mean they would have to have more CMs just for food carrying or stroller pushing duties? Or do I leave my wife and kids behind go set my food down, leave the food at the empty table and then come back to get them? Doesn't make much sense to me and I doubt I'm the only one that will be in that boat.

You, your wife, and the two strollers go over to the area where the CM who seats people are. The job of this CM is to escort people to thier seats when they become open.

You then go get in line and get the food.

When you get the food you go back over to where your wife and two kids are waiting.

Your wife says "Ah, here is my husband with the food" The CM says "let me escort you to your table", your wife says "could you please push one of these strollers"

-dave

 

[Phonedave]

It just causes one big cluster ____ at the registers.

Where does it say your entire party has to get in line with you?

All it says is they can't claim a table. They can go off to the bathroom, wander around, wait by the seating CM, or do whatever the heck they want, as long as it is not claiming at table.

-dave

 

[djpoore94]

Actually it does say that the greeter steers the entire party to the line...

A greeter hands menus and steers the entire group to cash registers to place their orders. After they get their food, they are guided by another employee to an empty table.

I can see both sides of this, but I am leaning toward it's a good idea, then again I am not hauling kids, strollers and the like with me either.

 

[durangojim]

You, your wife, and the two strollers go over to the area where the CM who seats people are. The job of this CM is to escort people to thier seats when they become open.

You then go get in line and get the food.

When you get the food you go back over to where your wife and two kids are waiting.

Your wife says "Ah, here is my husband with the food" The CM says "let me escort you to your table", your wife says "could you please push one of these strollers"

-dave

If that's how it works, then I've got no problem with it. On another note, it would seem that they would need multiple CMs to perform this duty, and how exactly do they prevent other people from wandering in and sitting down at a table without being directed there by the CM? Will they have table police asking people to get up and move?

 

[docnabox]

Doesn't matter much to me as I am single without kids and travel with other adults who are in the same boat. But I guess, just to stir the pot, let's say a couple with two strollers goes to Pecos Bill and Dad gets in line while mom stands near the seating CM waiting on him to pick up the food at which point they then approach the CM and are "escorted" to an open table. Now, since this is supposed to be only going on during the peak times, let's magnify that by a factor of say, 10 couples in that situation since it is supposed to be crowded. So, there will be 10 moms with 20 limousine sized strollers standing waiting for dads to bring back the burgers and chicken fingers. Sounds like a big congestion to me and I can only imagine being Dad trying to balance one or two trays of food while tip-toeing through the stroller parking lot to get to the CM, uttering "excuse me" and "pardon me" and "can I squeeze past you." And then mom will probably be stuck against the wall with the other 9 moms in front of her and everyone will have to do the stroller dance to get out of the way so that they can go get a table.

Sounds like a big crowded mess. I have eaten at these places during just those times and I know the frustration that can ensue. But given that the lines themselves can be horrendously long and slow-moving and that adds to the crowd, I can just imagine the hoopla this could create. Makes me glad I eat mostly table service nowadays but I might want to check in on that next week just to see it! LOL! Bon Appetit! :wave:

 

[WDW Vacationer]

The FL expansion will add a sit down. That will help a little.

 

[Laura]

We have already experienced this system at Pecos Bill's during the busy Christmas season. Last year on Christmas Eve we went there for lunch right before the first showing of the Once Upon a Christmastime parade; I think it was a little before noon. The place was PACKED. I mean, crazy busy. CM's were stationed around the seating area and were not allowing people without food to "hold" tables. Since the lines for food were very long, it could potentially be quite awhile before your party returned with your meals. So to avoid having guests not have a place to sit who DID have their food, the CM's did not allow table holding, and instead would direct each party to an open table as they exited the food line. It was seamless, and it was very nice to avoid the "table stalking" (as Happymom so eloquently put it, lol) that everyone dreads.

I didn't read through this whole thread, but just wanted to say they were also doing this when we were there back in January at Pinocchios, and I LOVED it. I hate when we get done waiting for our food only to find that we have to walk around for 30 minutes with our hands full of food just to find a place to set it down. It was SO nice to come out of the line with our trays and have a CM direct us to an available table. If it means I gotta wait in line with my kids, then oh well! Still easier than wandering around with trays full trying to find a place to sit.

 

[WDW 3]

You can't make everyone happy. I personally like the idea but... have never been to WDW with a stroller. I wouldn't do that to myself. Just me:shrug: My kids were old enough to stay up all day, keep up or out run us. The fact that my dd would have been scarred for life if we had taken her at that young age because of a fear of all things in costume (Easter Bunny, McGruff) aside

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

This is a horrible idea. I do not want my kids to wait in line with me to get food. This is going to create chaos at the registers if everyone has to be there before sitting down.

Same here. It's a total PITA to have the whole group waiting at the registers.

However, if it does get you a table and quicker, I'm for it...