[nubeanie]

this is an awesome idea! i took the girls by myself a couple of times and lunchtime was a nightmare!

[DisneyTeacher]

Counter service restaurants were doing this when we were there at Christmas in 2007. There were CMs at the doors directing people to the main door and other CMs were stationed in the dining area telling people they couldn't save a table. Not everyone was happy about it but it sure made a difference in the number of tables available to families with trays of food.

[missymouse]

We've never really had a problem with finding a table in CS locations, so I don't think I'm too crazy about this idea. Personally, with 3 kids, it is so much easier for us to tell DH what we want to eat and the kids and I go park it at a table. This gives us time to wipe off our table with an antibacterial wipe, have the kids clean their hands with wipes and use some hand sanitizer. Plus, I think DH would be nuts if the kids were dancing all around while we're trying to get our food. We use the same method when we go to a local fast food restaurant. Just my opinion.

[Mickeybug]

Originally Posted by missymouse

We've never really had a problem with finding a table in CS locations, so I don't think I'm too crazy about this idea. Personally, with 3 kids, it is so much easier for us to tell DH what we want to eat and the kids and I go park it at a table. This gives us time to wipe off our table with an antibacterial wipe, have the kids clean their hands with wipes and use some hand sanitizer. Plus, I think DH would be nuts if the kids were dancing all around while we're trying to get our food. We use the same method when we go to a local fast food restaurant. Just my opinion.

I am so with you on this. I don't like to haul my whole family to the counter with me. Usually when we go in someplace I take their orders with me to the counter while they do restroom/handwashing duty. Wonder if they'd allow the whole party in but not allow any of them to occupy a table until ready-similar to that of waiting in a designated area for TS's.
My only complaint on "saving tables" is not those waiting the few minutes for their food to arrive but those that have been finished for over an HOUR at places like Epcot while waiting for Illuminations. Now THERE'S a place that needs to be policed. Not only have I had to sit on the wall surrounding a flowerbed in Mexico but also have had to squeeze in a highchair due to people table/chair hogging with no food. That's just not cool when you're um, 25.

[llama]

Sounds like a good plan! We always try to eat at "off" times - but sometimes it just isn't possible. There have been times when we've left a restaurant in such a grouchy mood, because of all the hassle of getting something to eat.

I think I'll just call down and leave a standing order for my tuna salad sandwich at Columbia Harbour House - they can just hand it to me as I enter.

[llama]

Originally Posted by missymouse

We've never really had a problem with finding a table in CS locations, so I don't think I'm too crazy about this idea. Personally, with 3 kids, it is so much easier for us to tell DH what we want to eat and the kids and I go park it at a table. This gives us time to wipe off our table with an antibacterial wipe, have the kids clean their hands with wipes and use some hand sanitizer. Plus, I think DH would be nuts if the kids were dancing all around while we're trying to get our food. We use the same method when we go to a local fast food restaurant. Just my opinion.

These are all very good points. That's the way we've always done it.

My hugest pet peeve are people that stand in line for a good ten minutes with all the kids and then when they get to the counter they say "now, what do you want?" DRIVES ME NUTS!! Decide what you want while you're waiting!

[bribren]

I preferred parking my 2 boys with Mom while I went to the line. Now all 4 of us will be clogging up space.

Also what happens to the folks who just need to sit down in some shade A/C for a while? Will they need to buy some food? I know my wife breastfed quite often inside when it was necessary

I think this one will have ups and downs.

[DonnyD]

In all the years I have gone only once did I run into this problem at Cosmic Rays back in January 2008. The line for the CS was worse than the NYC subway at rushhour but what was worse was the scavenger hunters trying to grab a table. It took us 30 mins just to grab a table. It was just not relaxing.

I hope this new method works. But since my one and only experience with this type of line, I now always avoid the crowded times like the plague. In fact I arrange my ADR so my lunch has to be at off peak times.

[Jen in Maine]

I much prefer to have the kids at the table with one of the adults and one adult order. Way easier than having 3 kids and 2 adults in line. Anxious to see how its working.

Mexico at Epcot is the worst. . . people sit there for hours waiting for illuminations and not eating. . . the "sheriff" needs to visit Mexico!

[hanwill]

I am going in two weeks, and I'll report on if they are doing this, and if it works... It will be interesting.

[Mickeybug]

i'll be there this weekend and if it's bottlenecked up i'll offer a "stay-away" report.

[nubeanie]

we were there on saturday and the park was PACKED!!!!! we were hitting the end of the dinner rush and they did not have this in place.
this is a kinda picture of what the chairs at pecos bills are now. they are little square wood stools. my 3 yr old took this picture btw!
p.s. i have no idea who these people are!!!! i just let her play with the camera to keep her still

[karliebug]

I haven't read all the posts and while I think this is a good idea in theory I think it is a big pain to have to have your whole party with you in line. Think of mom with a baby, dad trying to wrangle a few small children while they order and pick up their food. Who carries the drinks, the baby, holds onto little jr. etc. I love telling my hubby "get the table with the kids and I take one kid to help carry the food".

[jo-jo]

I'm curious if disney thinks you are hanging around at the table too long, does someone come by and "help" you clean up? One way to get people to move along.

I agree it sounds good but........ I know even if it's my DH and I, one gets the food and the other gets the forks, napkins etc and heads for a table.