Why do Disney Cast Members seem to hate the dining plan?

[Tammy296]

The title speaks for itself but I am curious...Do any of you experience that there is a bit of a dislike to the Disney Dining Plan whenever the restaurant cast members work with you on it? Every time we are asked (are you on the dining plan?) it seems they don't like that (you said yes)...or have a general dislike for it. Am I being paranoid or is this really the case? Why is this?

Also, when we went in 2007 (we're going again this March), we had to deal with being told the "system is down" when turning in the snack credits sometimes. I hope this won't be the case this time. :scared1: It just seems like some vendors really try to put the screws to you (and get cash). Why it's not more straight forward I don't know. (like up to a dollar amount credited for certain snack, cs, ts instead of -- entree, dessert, description, etc) KWIM?

I wish there was a simpler way to utilize the Disney Dining Plan. We pay good money for the plan (a lot of money actually) but it's gotten quite restrictive since it first came out, etc. We only select it because it might save us $7 - $10 per day on it. But as to whether it's anything like it used to be? No! It's not always enjoyable.

Other than the slight savings, it can sometimes seem a hassle. Do you agree or disagree? And if you are a cast member, please tell me why other cast members seem to dislike the plan.

-T

[beroh2253]

I have been on the free DDP 3 different times and 1 time on the DDP oop and we never had a cast member treat us bad because we were on the DDP. They have always been very nice and helpful.

[RMulieri]

I have never had an issue with any Cms when they find we are on the dining plan

[Sugardimples]

We've experienced the exact opposite. I think they like the DDP because you are likely to order more expensive options and thus increase the amount of their tip.

[Cinderumbrella]

We've experienced the exact opposite. I think they like the DDP because you are likely to order more expensive options and thus increase the amount of their tip.

this has always been our experience as well.

[septbaby]

I have not been since 2007 when tips were included, but our experience was the opposite. We generally had wonderful CM's when using the DP. In fact I was fine to let a few CS credits go at the end of the trip. The CM at the Grab & Go personally showed me my options for making CS meals to go that we were able to take to the airport with us. We also had our pizza meals and were allowed/remembered to go back for ice cream novelty items when we were finished eating.

I would say our CM at Chef Mickey's was indifferent, but with the plethora of food on the buffet, characters and watching my nephew celebrate his bday, who cared. We had food, drinks and fun. We paid OOP for that meal too so our one meal off DP was the worst service, but it wasn't bad service and we tipped a usual amount.

As for the system being down, we did experience this in MK at the pretzel cart, but I believe that was legitimate. To tell you the truth I was relieved that we didn't get a snack. We had a TS ressie an hour or so later and we just devoured lunch including extra bread instead. ;)

I'll be back this weekend off DP, and hope service is typically magical.

[PrincessTrisha]

I too have had the opposite experience. One one trip we did part on and part off the DDP - we got lousy service paying cash but fantastic service with the DDP. I haven't had servers sigh, complaint or roll their eyes when I've mentioned the DDP - they ask if we're on it, ask if we have any questions, and then usually give a suggestion for how best to use it or what's best to order.

[TDC Nala]

I've had a couple of servers pretty much rejoice when told my party WASN'T on the dining plan but have seen very few reports of guests who were, or perceived that they were, treated badly because they were on the dining plan. Most of those complaints dated prior to 2008 and were ascribed by most complainers to the fact that the tip was then included, so they had no control over the tip amount.

Had a DVC booking CM press me once to explain why I didn't want the dining plan, which I took exception to. None of their business why I want it or don't want it.

[Tara922c]

I was a CM back in 2006, at a stand in Magic Kingdom. Back then a snack was chips, a piece of fruit, an ice cream pop, a soda, or a bottle water. I didn't really mind the DDP. I just pressed a button, and the guest was on their way. The only thing that upset me was everyday someone would get really upset that they couldn't get a pretzle, or a slushie with their snack credit. (I think it has changed since there). Also, the stand I worked in, with a counter service you could only get a turkey leg, chips, and a drink. We didn't have dessert, and people would get really upset. Sometimes the system would be down, and there was nothing I could do about it. Durring the EMH when MK would stay open until 3 AM was the worse. The system would shut down at 2 am, and I couldn't take any credit cards, or DDP after that. I can understand where someone would get upset over that. Once a guest told me that his family was starving, and they were leaving at 6 in the morning, and still had 3 credits left each. I just let him have the food.

[caroline1851]

I found the cm's to be really helpful w/ ddp questions and most of the time, gave my dd2 her stuff for free. :)

[catne]

Have had excellent service every time we've eaten on & off the dining plan. Never had any CMs making faces, or treating us differently (or indifferently, for that matter:rotfl: )

They're working for those tips, no matter which way you're paying.

The only reason I can think they might have an issue is if it's a mixed table with some on & some not on the dining plan...then it would be a bit of a hassle keeping it straight. But not much more than cash customers wanting separate checks anyway.

Personally, I think this whole idea is a Disney forum urban legend :rotfl:

[NMW]

We have never been treated badly because of the dining plan. In fact, most servers seemed happy when we told them we were on the deluxe dining plan. :goodvibes

In general I think servers like us. At least I hope they do!! We always order alcohol with dinner and lunch, we don't complain, we genuinely appreciate our servers!

[bangzoom6877]

The only issue we had in July was at AK when DH went to get a Mickey ice cream bar, told the CM specifically that he is on the dining plan and would like to use a snack credit to pay for the ice cream bar, the CM was very nice and said "no problem, sir." DH hands over the room card, gets the receipt and we move along. Now, I will of course admit that I was the one keeping track of snack credits, not DH. When he saw how many we had left I guess he assumed it was the correct amount. I knew how many there should be, and the next time we grabbed a snack the number of credits left looked too high to me, one more than I calculated were left. Sure enough, we had been charged the $2.50 to our room for the ice cream bar at AK, as it stated on our final bill. We had 2 snack credits left and could have gotten it fixed, but it was the morning we were leaving, and we had a 7-hour drive ahead of us plus stopping for the kids. We knew it would have taken time to get everything straightened out, and it was only $2.50, not like a $100 meal or anything like that. So we "ate" the $2.50, and said we would be much more careful at checking our receipts from now on. We grabbed a bowl of grapes and a rice krispie treat for the road and went on our merry way.

We were not very angry or upset at the CM. We were more angry at ourselves for not checking and having it corrected. Then I would have been much angrier. Ultimately, it was his mistake but we were at fault for not looking carefully and learned our lesson.

We were, however, cautious about paying for our OOP meals (2 character breakfasts). We paid with the same credit card that the room charge was going onto, instead of using the room card...just in case they mistakenly used one of our TS credits. I am grateful we were careful about that one!

[aceys_h0ney]

I guess I will be the odd man out but we were treated badly by a server a Tony's. He was all smiles and very friendly while seating and taking drink orders. As soon as we answered yes that we were on the plan his face literally dropped. He was then rude and in a hurry with us. Other servers had to get us our drinks and someone else brought our food. All the while we see our server yucking it up with someone who was not on the dining plan (I overheard when they were seated and he asked them) I mean he really was a totally different person with the table next to us. At first I thought I was paranoid but I was not, my husband mentioned it to me before our meal was over.

That was our only bad experience with the plan however. Everyone else was super nice and if they did not know if something was a snack they would try and ring it up.

[aubriee]

I wish there was a simpler way to utilize the Disney Dining Plan. We pay good money for the plan (a lot of money actually) but it's gotten quite restrictive since it first came out, etc. We only select it because it might save us $7 - $10 per day on it. But as to whether it's anything like it used to be? No! It's not always enjoyable.
-T

I must disagree! We went to WDW in Sept '05 when the DDP first came out. The only snacks allowed were the stuff at the carts (literally a soda, chips, or ice cream type bars). Several restaurants restricted what you could order. Wolfgang Puck Express comes to mind with two entrees that were not allowed for people on the DDP. Now, the plan did allow things like the shrimp and lobster add ons back then, which they don't even offer now. However, overall the plan was more restrictive when it first came out. The following year they allowed 1/2 gallons of milk, family sized pkgs of chips and dips, and whole boxes of donuts for just a snack credit. Unfortunately people took advantage, and Disney went for single serving size snacks for a snack credit. Which you can't blame them for.

As far as service for people on the DDP, I have used the DDP several times a year, since the first year the plan started and have always gotten excellent service. In fact, we usually pay for at least a couple meals out of pocket every trip, and have never noticed a difference in the service. Now we have gotten bad service a few times, but I don't think it was related to whether we were on the DDP or not. In fact, we've gotten bad service three times at San Angel Inn and twice we were on the DDP and once we were not.

[elyse43230]

I'm really surprised by all of the responses on here, because I feel as though I have read so many times (especially in the dining review and dining reports thread), that CMs pressured people on the DDP to order alcohol or apps. They also can be tacky with the tips, making sure you're aware that it's not included.

I had horrible service at Coral Reef and CRT in March 08. But I think those more had to do with being two young females and not a huge family or a couple. I don't think they see dollar signs when they get our table. It makes me sad because I love going to Disney with my besties and I feel ignored a lot. Age discrimination. :sad2: I guess I shouldn't complain, because eventually I bet I'll beg for someone to discriminate against me for looking young! :goodvibes

[PaulaSB12]

I'm really surprised by all of the responses on here, because I feel as though I have read so many times (especially in the dining review and dining reports thread), that CMs pressured people on the DDP to order alcohol or apps. They also can be tacky with the tips, making sure you're aware that it's not included.

I had horrible service at Coral Reef and CRT in March 08. But I think those more had to do with being two young females and not a huge family or a couple. I don't think they see dollar signs when they get our table. It makes me sad because I love going to Disney with my besties and I feel ignored a lot. Age discrimination. :sad2: I guess I shouldn't complain, because eventually I bet I'll beg for someone to discriminate against me for looking young! :goodvibes

Well they won't like me then just one female at a table. Seriously I only had bad service at Tony's Town hall. There was a mother with a child on on table and a family on another and he paid a lot of attention to them, me when I asked for a pink lemonade he brought two glasses so he didn't have to refill!

[DonaldTDuck]

I'm really surprised by all of the responses on here, because I feel as though I have read so many times (especially in the dining review and dining reports thread), that CMs pressured people on the DDP to order alcohol or apps. They also can be tacky with the tips, making sure you're aware that it's not included.

I had horrible service at Coral Reef and CRT in March 08. But I think those more had to do with being two young females and not a huge family or a couple. I don't think they see dollar signs when they get our table. It makes me sad because I love going to Disney with my besties and I feel ignored a lot. Age discrimination. :sad2: I guess I shouldn't complain, because eventually I bet I'll beg for someone to discriminate against me for looking young! :goodvibes
More likely sex discrimination. I cooked for Crackerbarrel for 22 years and it always amazed me how much servers complained about tables of all women. I think it was their attitude that hurt their tips, not thefact they were women.
I've done the ddp both free and paid and always been treated well. We had poor service at Cape May to start with, but the server made every attempt to make up for it.

[elyse43230]

Well they won't like me then just one female at a table. Seriously I only had bad service at Tony's Town hall. There was a mother with a child on on table and a family on another and he paid a lot of attention to them, me when I asked for a pink lemonade he brought two glasses so he didn't have to refill!

I don't know if this will be the case. I actually think that having one person isn't seen the same as two young females. I feel like people that have solo reports have wonderful, personalized service because it's just you. I would not worry at all.

More likely sex discrimination. I cooked for Crackerbarrel for 22 years and it always amazed me how much servers complained about tables of all women. I think it was their attitude that hurt their tips, not thefact they were women.
I've done the ddp both free and paid and always been treated well. We had poor service at Cape May to start with, but the server made every attempt to make up for it.

I agree that it is probably that too. I think maybe they see guys at a table they think they have more $$ than women? :confused3 So dumb! I mean if we are two young women that can afford to go to Disney on the DxDP, then why do they think we're not going to order a lot and/or tip well??

I love Cracker Barrel! :love: