Why are reservationists asking if you are on the dining plan now?Does it hurt or help

[elovell]

Why are reservationists asking if you are on the dining plan now? Do you think there are a set amount of reservations set aside for those that are or are not on the plan? Or are they just seeing if more people make reservations that are on the plan?

[lilyv]

They've been doing this for awhile. My opinion only-they do it so they can note the particular food plan on the reservation. The server needs to be sure the guest understands exactly what they are allowed and not allowed to have on their plan for free.
Probably avoids trouble when the bill comes. You certainly can have an appetizer...but you'll be charged for it if you plan doesn't cover it.

[Nie0214]

It could also be an internal survey for them to analyze the popularity of the dining plan and/or if the people who call for ADRs are more likely to use the dining plan, etc.

I wish they'd save my information though so I wouldn't have to go through the whole deal every time I call. :lmao:

[maj42169]

They have been doing this for over a year that I know of! It is also noted on the reservation for the resturaunt, and they will confirm this with you when you are seated, and again by the waiter/waitress.

[RabbitFood]

All of the above, and the ADR CM will tell you whether the restaurant takes one or two TS credits.

[Cindy's Mom]

All of the above, and the ADR CM will tell you whether the restaurant takes one or two TS credits.

and whether or not to charge your credit card or not if you are doing CRT, HDDR, Luau, Mickey's BBQ.

[mickaholic4077]

I always tell the person no even though I have the DDE. It isn't anyone's business what dining plan I might have until the check comes. Also,if the server knows in advance that I am DDE,and thus will be getting an automatic 18% gratuity,their service might not be as good as if they don't know what kind of tip they might be getting.

[daisy112878]

They've been asking this for more then a year now. It's just so they can tell you if a restaurant is one or 2 credits and to make sur eyou know what you'll be getting.

I always tell the person no even though I have the DDE. It isn't anyone's business what dining plan I might have until the check comes. Also,if the server knows in advance that I am DDE,and thus will be getting an automatic 18% gratuity,their service might not be as good as if they don't know what kind of tip they might be getting.

DDE is not considered a dining plan. It's a discount card. The CMs are asking if the caller is on the regular dining plan or the deluze plan. These two plans are marked on the reservation and asked at check-in so that the CMs can make sure the guests know what they are allowed to get with their credits.

[newtodis]

If I made ADRs and said that no I didn't have the dining plan (made Sept ADRs before free dining was announced, made Dec ressies and just added dining plan to save $$), should I be calling back to make note of this on all of our ADRs??? Would I just mention it when we place our drink order? Some meals we will pay OOP for but some we will use the dining plan.

TIA!

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

I think its so they can tell you how many points it will use and if the restaurant is covered. I called today to make reservations for my Aug 1st trip and asked for other character dinings because everything I want for my 1st and 2nd choice was booked so she named another and then said "oh but your on the dining plan and that restaurant isn't covered" LOL. so I think that may have something to do with why they ask

[Allison]

Simply so they can give you the correct information as far as the number of credits a restaurant requires, determine if you need to make a deposit or to know what kind of seating you can get at the dinner shows.

[kaytieeldr]

I always tell the person no even though I have the DDE. It isn't anyone's business what dining plan I might have until the check comes. Also,if the server knows in advance that I am DDE,and thus will be getting an automatic 18% gratuity,their service might not be as good as if they don't know what kind of tip they might be getting.
Well, as long as you promise not to come back here and post complaints about something you ordered not being DDE-eligible and so causing problems when it was time to pay... go ahead. DON'T tell any Cast Member your using some type of Dining Plan.

Just don't complain because they couldn't tell you about some new or recent restriction, because you didn't tell them you're using your DDE discount.

[SnwflkCts]

Tiff - mom o'3 - I would not call back and tell Dining that you are DDP. They usually ask at the restaurant also. I really think it is just to inform you what things are allowed - help you use the plan best. (I don't think there is any nefarious plot going on when they ask.) I made all my ressies the first time I went and then added DDP later just as you did so it wasn't noted on my ADRs but I was asked ... or maybe even told them myself. I think you will be just fine!

I am going to say that we got excellent service in every restaurant - being on DDP didn't seem to make a difference in that (and that was when the gratuity was in it!).

[mickaholic4077]

Well, as long as you promise not to come back here and post complaints about something you ordered not being DDE-eligible and so causing problems when it was time to pay... go ahead. DON'T tell any Cast Member your using some type of Dining Plan.

Just don't complain because they couldn't tell you about some new or recent restriction, because you didn't tell them you're using your DDE discount.

Right back atcha sweetheart!!!

[tiger4me2]

Well, as long as you promise not to come back here and post complaints about something you ordered not being DDE-eligible and so causing problems when it was time to pay... go ahead. DON'T tell any Cast Member your using some type of Dining Plan.

Just don't complain because they couldn't tell you about some new or recent restriction, because you didn't tell them you're using your DDE discount.

:rotfl: :rotfl: Good point ;)

[disney1990]

:rotfl: :rotfl: Good point ;)

Besides that, when you pull out your DDE card for your discount, they are going to take everything back and THEN add the 18% gratuity. There's no getting around this one. Sorry.

[BCV23]

They've been asking that question for many years. Since sometime in the 80s to my recollection. You just may not have noticed it in the past if you weren't on some type of dining plan.

I have no idea why they ask but it has never seemed to affect anything for us.

[Belle5]

The server always asks you regardless of what the computer does or does not say. When I made my ADR's for December of '07--I told the CM that I was NOT on the DDP--when I called to make my ADR's. One week before we left for our trip, I called and added the DDP to our package. I certainly did not call back and have that information added to my ADR's. I don't think it really has much to do with your server getting information about what plan you're on.

[disnut8]

Asking if you are on a dining plan is simply a CYA move. Otherwise, you'd call up, make your reservation and not realize that you are making it for a two credit place. Then you'd get there, have your meal and two credits would be deducted. You'd be a bit ticked.

It doesn't matter at all if you are or are not on a dining plan if you get a reservation or your service is any different. Yes, the server at the restaurant will ask if you are on the dining plan. That is another CYA move. You are then told what you can and cannot order. The server doesn't immediately think to give you crappy service. They do that, they get into trouble (unless you don't tell the manager about it and then the server will never change).

[TDC Nala]

I always tell the person no even though I have the DDE. It isn't anyone's business what dining plan I might have until the check comes. Also,if the server knows in advance that I am DDE,and thus will be getting an automatic 18% gratuity,their service might not be as good as if they don't know what kind of tip they might be getting.

They're talking about DDP, not DDE. DDE is not a dining plan. You do not present DDE until the check comes. If I am asked "Are you on a dining plan" I will say "no" because DDE is not considered a dining plan. When you're asked that, they mean the basic DDP, deluxe DDP, or the platinum or premium plans.

The servers MUST know when you arrive at the restaurant if you are on the Disney Dining Plan so they can ring up your meal properly and tell you what's covered and what isn't, since that changes depending on which dining plan you are using.

The reservationists ask so they can inform you that you are booking a 2 credit restaurant or dinner show, or it could be that the restaurant you are trying to book does not take the dining plan.

(I ate at Wolfgang Puck Upstairs once, which does not take the dining plan - although the cafe downstairs does - and was asked no fewer than four times at the restaurant if I was on the dining plan, so they must have gotten lots of dining plan users who booked it in error and were unaware they couldn't use the dining plan there.)

[mbanks21]

CM's have to state how many credits and if the restaurant takes the DDP. Thats why they ask. It has nothing to do with availibility at all. Its in case someone books the Luau or CRT and gets there and they take 2 credits and noone told them that.

[tvmissy]

I called this morning to make a change to a reservation for breakfast at Ohana. My current ADR was at 8:35am and I wanted something later. I told this to the cm and that we were a party of 4. She told me there was nothing avaiable. Then said" Oh wait, are you on the digning plan?" I said no and she said well then there is nothing avaiable. She then proceeded to tell me that if I had been a party of six there was a lot of availabilty. I told her this made no sense, if there was space available I should be able to make a reservation. In the end, I changed my reservation to a party of six at 9:15am. This cm sure made it seem like if I had been on the DDP I would have had no problem getting a reservation but since I wasn't I had to change my party number to get in.

With that said, I believe there are tables held for specifically for guests on the dining plan.

[Cindy's Mom]

I called this morning to make a change to a reservation for breakfast at Ohana. My current ADR was at 8:35am and I wanted something later. I told this to the cm and that we were a party of 4. She told me there was nothing avaiable. Then said" Oh wait, are you on the digning plan?" I said no and she said well then there is nothing avaiable. She then proceeded to tell me that if I had been a party of six there was a lot of availabilty. I told her this made no sense, if there was space available I should be able to make a reservation. In the end, I changed my reservation to a party of six at 9:15am. This cm sure made it seem like if I had been on the DDP I would have had no problem getting a reservation but since I wasn't I had to change my party number to get in.

With that said, I believe there are tables held for specifically for guests on the dining plan.


I still don't believe that there are separate holds for tables for DDP participants. I surely never had that advantage (or disadvantage). Parties of 4 are the hardest to get - 3s are easy 5s a little easy. You will be seated at a large table now because it will certainly be a table for 6.

Frankly, I'm surprised that the CM took the deceptive reservation. :confused3

[Tricia1972]

I would guess that the CM made the comment about the party of 6 specifically so they WOULD make the deceptive reservation. There have been a few threads about CM's helping guests out who can't get in just because of their party size.

[Cindy's Mom]

I would guess that the CM made the comment about the party of 6 specifically so they WOULD make the deceptive reservation. There have been a few threads about CM's helping guests out who can't get in just because of their party size.

I agree - I should have said that I'm surprised that the CM participated and had an active role in this deceptive reservation.