MK Restaurants testing new seating program About This Page:

[EddieCVS]

Sounds interesting! I'll have to see how it works in two weeks when we go.

[Lemap760]

I can see the reasoning behind this, but if I had my entire family with me then I wouldn't like it. Since I usually travel with just me and my son he is usually in line with me anyway. I can just see the congestion at the line area with families of multiple hungry, confused, and possibly angry people.

[chillepepa]

I'm willing to try it - guess I'll be doing that next week. Are they going to direct me as to where I can sit??? I like to sit out on the terrace at Cosmic Rays. In the room with the singing puppet (Ray ?) is too noisy for me. I too like having one teenager with me helping to carry food and the other gathering the napkins, condiments, etc and getting the table.

[ddavis]

I just had a flashback of our last trip there, last year, at Pecos Bills. How the heck that would have worked. There were 7 of us. Three of us have scooters, and 2 of them cannot walk at all. Can you imagine having that circus waiting in line to order food? I think this might be one of those ideas that sounds great on paper. But there has got to be some flexibility in it for handicap situations, babies, big groups, etc.

My 2 Cents.

[Mystic]

A CM from Pecos Bills posted on another board that they've only had to use this new system 3 times there so far and it's only put into effect in peak dining times.

My mom and I try to eat in off peak times, either early or late when we eat quick service for lunch (we usually do table service for dinner) and we will usually go find a table first then one of us will go up and order for the two of us before bringing it back to the table. If it starts to become an issue for us at MK then we'll simply walk over to the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary to get lunch and then head back to the Magic Kingdom to continue our day.

[Julian]

If this means I don't have to carry my tray past loads of people just sitting there waiting for their tray to be brought to them I'm all for it.

We had a lunch at Cosmic Ray's last year and there was woman who was "keeping a table" for her family. She had "taken up residence" literally seconds before we sat down with our food, we were close to finishing when her (presumably) husband and two kids turned up with their trays. If the new system cuts this sort of thing to a minimum then I'm all for it. That table could have been put to far better use!

I hope they do make special provision for some guests though. There are those who need to be seated while someone gets their food etc.

We'll see how the new system works in December

[Kynna]

Originally Posted by Julian

If this means I don't have to carry my tray past loads of people just sitting there waiting for their tray to be brought to them I'm all for it.

We had a lunch at Cosmic Ray's last year and there was woman who was "keeping a table" for her family. She had "taken up residence" literally seconds before we sat down with our food, we were close to finishing when her (presumably) husband and two kids turned up with their trays. If the new system cuts this sort of thing to a minimum then I'm all for it. That table could have been put to far better use!

I hope they do make special provision for some guests though. There are those who need to be seated while someone gets their food etc.

We'll see how the new system works in December

That was probably me! I have arthritis and that is how I get my breaks without feeling completely useless so I can try to keep up with my crew.

[Happymommy]

Don't like this. We like to split up, one parent waits in line, and the others sit with the kids. Waiting in line, with the kids seems a little unpleasant. I think we'll be doing alot more table service.

[Happymommy]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

I guess I'll have to see it in action. My first response is not liking it though.

I always buy the food and let the rest of my party sit (get utensils and napkins first) and then find them. I don't know what they'd do with themselves while I order.

I've never had trouble getting a table in MK. The only place we could not find a place to sit was the Backlot Express in DHS on my March 09 trip.

Same experience here. I've never had a problem anywhere, but Backlot Express-- that was awful! The food was good, but we always have trouble with seats there.

[Mares75]

I like the new idea. Pecos Bills was absolutely horrible last August. We walked that entire place with a tray full of food and couldn't find one table. Eventually we found one but it was one of the larger round tables and only 2 of us. We felt bad taking a large table but there really were no other options. We ended up sharing the rest of our table with a really nice woman and her 2 daughters. I'm interested to see how it works out.

[judyjo]

I am really happy to hear of this new program. There have been more times than I could count when I had my food but no place to sit. Often we just sit outside somewhere. In August 2008 during TS Fay, it was raining so we couldn't sit outside. There was a family of three that noticed our frustration and asked my daughter and I to join them. They saved the day for us and we had the joy of meeting some very nice people.

[jblondie1999]

I think if we do CS then we'll eat at off times because I have no intention of standing in line with 2 little ones for a long period of time. Then trying to hold their hands and balance the tray....no way. Maybe they should just seat you after ordering with a number or pager so you can get settled while waiting for the food. What I noticed on our last trip was people just chillin in the AC and not eating at all. This one group were using the tables as a main camp while others came and went to rides or shops.

[mousestruck]

Count me in with the "wait and see" group. Nevertheless, I am concerned about this concept solving one problem while creating another. Instead of waiting at tables, now there will be families waiting in line, creating much bigger crowds in that part of the restaurants.

[jovigirlnj]

I really hate this idea - we are a large family of 7. Usually my hubby and my 2 older boys will wait in line while I sit with my 3 younger boys. My youngest also has Autism and it is rough to get him to sit down to eat - i usually have to bring my bag of tricks to keep him busy....there is no way he would stand in line waiting for food then be able to sit and eat.

[Disney Franatic]

I personally love the idea. Last time we were at Cosmic Rays it seemed like we had to walk around forever to find a table. Didn't they used to do that at Tusker House before it changed? I know there were CMs to help point out a table to you. I'm sure there will be CMs to help if you need help juggling your trays.