Our first complaint to a Disney Manager [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

pirateprincess777

01-10-2010, 12:13 PM

Well, Just got back from a very cold week at Disney. We had great service and meals all week except our last meal!. First with the good. Sunday- Boma. wonderful food, good attentive server. Monday- Shutters, good consistent quality,good service, but not one of my favorites. Tuesday-LeCellier. Wow had adr's but, they were completely booked and we waited 45 minutes passed our time. Food was good always, but because of the craziness our server really could not give us the attention we are used to. But yes it's one of our favorites so we will always go back. Wednesday- Garden grill. Actually this was our first time here. Our server was fantastic, the food was really good, and hot. Daughters loved the characters. They got us in 20 minutes early as well. Thursday- Ohanas. Wonderful food, really way too much, server kept drinks coming (and food), but you could tell she was trying to turn tables too fast and seemed a little annoyed when my DH asked for a little more steak. But still it was good enough to go back. Friday. Chef Mickey's WOW this was our daughters birthday and we were looking forward to a fairly good meal. I really wasn't expecting much from this buffet, and IMHO it was good that I wasn't. Our server from the very beginning was not friendly. She did not welcome us nor did she smile. It's funny because I had read so many other chats about rude servers and we have never had one until this visit. She literally left our glasses empty, did not acknowledge our DD's BD. I had ask for more drinks. I was fully aware that the complimentary cake was really small, and when I asked if she could bring her little cake, she looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Ma'am it's just a cupcake". I said I know. But unfortunately her attitude was so awful, it ruined the meal. Luckily my DD is young enough to be distracted by the characters. My husband went to the manager about this server. They of course apologized, but you know the meal was over, what happened,happened. So if you choose to go there, there did seem to be servers that really were attentive and friendly. But you know Disney should really hire "Disney" people. there is know way she could have fooled them that much in an interview.

danalee

01-10-2010, 12:40 PM

I know my brain is frozen in our lovely weather BUT what buffet are you talking about? I swear I dont see the name listed :confused3

sdemore

01-10-2010, 12:47 PM

I believe the OP was referring to 'Ohana's she implied they went back on Friday:confused3

dizneeat

01-10-2010, 12:48 PM

I swear I dont see the name listed :confused3

I could not find the name of the restaurant either!

danalee

01-10-2010, 12:52 PM

I kinda thought that at first but when I re-read it it seemed like she meant it was good enough to go back sometime even though the service was rushed?? then jumping into Friday, and the other reason I wondered is that Ohana isnt a buffet??? Hmmmm :confused3

danalee

01-10-2010, 12:53 PM

:lmao:ok at least I am not crazy alone!

pirateprincess777

01-10-2010, 01:14 PM

Yea, sorry guys it would help if in the original post I had put "Chef Mickeys"
My brain is still frozen:rotfl:

Angela Kay

01-10-2010, 01:16 PM

Looks like she's talking about Chef Mickeys.

Guess I read it after she edited!!! lol

hedgehog2owl

01-10-2010, 01:16 PM

Friday. Chef Mickey's WOW this was our daughters birthday and we were looking forward to a fairly good meal. I really wasn't expecting much from this buffet, and IMHO it was good that I wasn't. Our server from the very beginning was not friendly. She did not welcome us nor did she smile. It's funny because I had read so many other chats about rude servers and we have never had one until this visit. She literally left our glasses empty, did not acknowledge our DD's BD. I had ask for more drinks. I was fully aware that the complimentary cake was really small, and when I asked if she could bring her little cake, she looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Ma'am it's just a cupcake". I said I know. But unfortunately her attitude was so awful, it ruined the meal. Luckily my DD is young enough to be distracted by the characters. My husband went to the manager about this server. They of course apologized, but you know the meal was over, what happened,happened. So if you choose to go there, there did seem to be servers that really were attentive and friendly. But you know Disney should really hire "Disney" people. there is know way she could have fooled them that much in an interview.

Chef Mickeys as far as I can tell

danalee

01-10-2010, 01:27 PM

Thanks OP!!! :goodvibes

and on that note....almost the same happened to us last time, we had a young man that could have cared less that we were even there as well as we were having my son's birthday there and nothing even after I asked about it twice.
Luckily other times in the week he got noticed at other places even when it wasnt marked on the ressie???

If my friends family goes on our next trip(there first time) we will most likely give CM another try(we always liked it before) if they dont come along we will try somewhere else.

thanks again, and glad to hear everywhere else you went was good! :cool1:

IloveDMB

01-10-2010, 05:39 PM

glasslipper

01-11-2010, 07:06 AM

Someone correct me if I'm bring, but I thought the complimentary birthday cupcake was something Disney did as a little something extra, to give a little extra magic. It is not something that is done for everyone, nor should it be expected to.

Regardless, the server was still unprofessional and rude service is never warranted.

onelilspark

01-11-2010, 10:47 AM

I had a bad experience with the waitstaff at Chef Mickey's at breakfast time back in October 08. I haven't been back to Chef Mickey's since. 2 adults and they tried to rush us through the meal...sorry, but if I'm paying this much for breakfast, I want to see the characters...I'm wearing ears for crying out loud!

Doesn't surprise me.

eelkmj01

01-11-2010, 02:25 PM

So sorry you had a bad experience. It's so strange to me when I read negative things about CM (and I read a lot of bad things) b/c every time we've gone there (and we've only gone for DS BDay) the experience is amazing. The food and service are always great, but it seems to be really inconsistent here. We have a breakfast and dinner ADR for our next trip. Fingers crossed...

danielle.st

01-11-2010, 03:18 PM

I'm with you and understand everything except the cupcake. It's not promised for everyone celebrating a birthday. It's nice when they do it but no one should expect it.
Like I said, I amd with you on your reasons for complaining about the rest, doesn't sound like great service.

GingerN

01-11-2010, 10:15 PM

That's really too bad about your experience at CM. I booked ADR there for our trip in Feb., now I'm scared. I've read either really good or really terrible reviews about CM. Hopefully, you caught them on a bad day?

fireman1

01-12-2010, 12:40 PM

hmmm. we were kinda on the fence about trying CM's. It seems kinda hit or miss with most folks here.
I think we'll pass on it, no sense in risking a bad experience that could sour us for a few hours.

amberg@eastlink.ca

01-12-2010, 05:46 PM

Someone correct me if I'm bring, but I thought the complimentary birthday cupcake was something Disney did as a little something extra, to give a little extra magic. It is not something that is done for everyone, nor should it be expected to.

i believe chef mickeys is the exception to this rule. they do a little celebration every hr or so i think. they announce a spiel that mickey is happy to celebrate things with you yadda, yadda and when he appears please stand. the servers bring out the cupcake with a candle and you stand and everyone claps. this is also the point i believe they tell you to start swinging your napkins in the air. we celebrated our anniversary there in october.

sorry just wanted to clarify a little even if off topic.

Ron from Michigan

01-13-2010, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the reviews. Sorry to read about your experience at Chef Mickey's. There is no excuse for that kind of service from a server.

bluejasmine

01-13-2010, 10:55 AM

While the cupcake is complimentary and not guaranteed IF you dont ask for it my GOD there is no need to be RUDE! Sounds like server was having a not so Disney day and should have just gone home. Of course she is entitled to having a bad day but we all pay lots of $$$ for our disney vacations and WDW is known for its superior service so if you feel you cant give that service call in for the day! You could ruin someone day or even trip, worse yet a childs birthday!

Disney owl

01-14-2010, 06:16 AM

sorry to hear you didn't have a good meal at CM

rayangel

01-14-2010, 11:39 AM

maxiesmom

01-14-2010, 02:14 PM

i work in a restaraunt. if we know its your birthday and we dont bring the sundae that comes free for bdays then were not doing our job and im just a rregular restaurant. this is disney they have built a whole empire on treating their guests like royalty on going above and beoynd i am surprised to hear people saying well if they didnt you shouldnt have expected it. isnt this part of the magic and what we expect from disney. isnt this what we spend all of our time writing about and counting down days to get back to disney for those unexpected little touches. not oh well they just didnt think about it.

that server shouldve been let go imo. im sure people are dying to work there myself included and people with the correct mindset. that is not part of the vision that walt envisioned.

It is not "part of the magic" if you go in EXPECTING a freebie. You have now totally ruined the whole spirit of the thing. What happened to being happy to have a little "extra", instead of upset that you didn't get it? All the joy has been sucked out of a CM doing a little something extra. I think that this is when message boards like this take something nice and ruin it. A few CMs went above and beyond, and now it is demanded of all CMs.:sad2:

I doubt that a child would even know they were supposed to get something for thier birthday from a restaurant unless a parent told them to expect it. Which puts the fault of any birthday ruined by a lack of a cupcake squarely on the shoulders of the parent. I know the one time I wanted a cake I ordered it, so I knew we would have it. That way there was no disappointment.

I also don't think you can find a worker on the planet who doesn't have an off day. Fireing someone for one bad day is silly. Complain while you are there, and if that person shows a pattern of rude behavior, then yes, they should be let go. But not because one person didn't like how they were treated.

bluejasmine

01-14-2010, 04:09 PM

It is not "part of the magic" if you go in EXPECTING a freebie. You have now totally ruined the whole spirit of the thing. What happened to being happy to have a little "extra", instead of upset that you didn't get it? All the joy has been sucked out of a CM doing a little something extra. I think that this is when message boards like this take something nice and ruin it. A few CMs went above and beyond, and now it is demanded of all CMs.:sad2:

I doubt that a child would even know they were supposed to get something for thier birthday from a restaurant unless a parent told them to expect it. Which puts the fault of any birthday ruined by a lack of a cupcake squarely on the shoulders of the parent. I know the one time I wanted a cake I ordered it, so I knew we would have it. That way there was no disappointment.

I also don't think you can find a worker on the planet who doesn't have an off day. Fireing someone for one bad day is silly. Complain while you are there, and if that person shows a pattern of rude behavior, then yes, they should be let go. But not because one person didn't like how they were treated.

I dont believe the OP was expecting a freebie, the point was she asked nicely (also remember its for a childs bday!) and the server was snotty about it.
Again the point was she received poor service even before the cupcake incident.

maxiesmom

01-14-2010, 07:14 PM

I dont believe the OP was expecting a freebie, the point was she asked nicely (also remember its for a childs bday!) and the server was snotty about it.
Again the point was she received poor service even before the cupcake incident.

I agree that the OP had service that was less than stellar. But I do think she went in expecting more than was reasonable, which in turn caused her to be disappointed. Be happy if a CM goes above and beyond and makes a big deal over your child on their b-day, not mad when they don't. You can't force the magic, and I think the OP was forcing it a bit.

This reminds me of all of the towel animal threads. Used to be they were something nice houskeepers did when they had time, and now you see people posting complaining when they don't get them. Kind of ruins the whole spirit of making them when they are demanded, instead of appreciated. The cupcake incident seems to be the same time of thing.

I do agree that rude service is never acceptable, but I don't agree with the poster who right away said that CM should be fired. We all have bad days on the job, and I'm sure none of us want our whole body of worked judged on just those bad days. The whole Off-With-her-Head attitude is unreasonable at best.

*Seanaci*

01-14-2010, 07:40 PM

Ok. I take issue with people responding that OP shouldn't have gone in expecting her DD's b-day to be acknowledged. I've read sooooo many TR's where people have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, what have you and recieved their cupcake.

Rayangel said it best really. I can go into Chili's (or any other restaurant in town) and tell them we are celebrating a birthday, and they bring out a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy/girl (for lack of better phrase).

I don't think it was wrong of OP to ask about the cupcake. She was in her right in my opinion. The OP also walked into the meal stating they were celebrating a birthday...and the CM (it sounds like to me) could have cared less.

Here's the other thing I wonder. Were there tables around the OP's also celebrating something and being given (without asking) the cupcake? It sure would make me feel like crap if I went in telling my CM that we were celebrating my kiddos b-day and she could have cared less.

OP, so sorry your meal at Chef Mickey's was less magical than you had expected.

maxiesmom

01-14-2010, 07:54 PM

Ok. I take issue with people responding that OP shouldn't have gone in expecting her DD's b-day to be acknowledged. I've read sooooo many TR's where people have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, what have you and recieved their cupcake.

See, that is the problem! So many people post about how they got a free cupcake or whatever, and then instead of something nice it becomes an expectation.

Thinkk about how you feel when you give someone a gift. If they tell you their birthday is on such and such a day, and you had better get them a gift, that kind of ruins the fun in it, doesn't it? We have done the same thing to the little extras Disney does to be nice. Now the attitude is well, they gave a cupcake to so and so, so theyhad better give it to me too, or else. Not magical at all.

Wouldn't you rather the CMs be able to be genuine, and wish you a happy birthday, or give you a cupcake because they truly wanted your day to be special? Or do you really want a forced happy birthday with no true sentiment behind it, and a here is your cupcake so you shut up and are happy? I would rather have the genuine thing instead of it being forced. But I guess that is just me.

rayangel

01-14-2010, 09:00 PM

i agree i would rather it be genuine. i dont believe anyone is really arguing over a cupcake or really over any freebie. i think really its about being a special guest in the disney house. isnt that why they ask specifically on the reservation line if you are celebrating anything that day?

also i dont think a person who has an off day like that should have a job there im sorry. i have been in the food biz for 20 years and ive never had an off day that affected my guests like that. 3 days after my mother passed away i was shopped and got a 100%. and trust me i was a wreck.

its all about hiring the right people. its just in my nature to like people and want them to be happy thats why i enjoy my job yes i actually enjoy it.
thats the type of people who should be working there. disney should be very very picky about who they hire. its their reputation on the line.

bluejasmine

01-16-2010, 04:06 PM

I agree that the OP had service that was less than stellar. But I do think she went in expecting more than was reasonable, which in turn caused her to be disappointed. Be happy if a CM goes above and beyond and makes a big deal over your child on their b-day, not mad when they don't. You can't force the magic, and I think the OP was forcing it a bit.

This reminds me of all of the towel animal threads. Used to be they were something nice houskeepers did when they had time, and now you see people posting complaining when they don't get them. Kind of ruins the whole spirit of making them when they are demanded, instead of appreciated. The cupcake incident seems to be the same time of thing.

I do agree that rude service is never acceptable, but I don't agree with the poster who right away said that CM should be fired. We all have bad days on the job, and I'm sure none of us want our whole body of worked judged on just those bad days. The whole Off-With-her-Head attitude is unreasonable at best.

Its disney what is wrong with expecting a cupcake for a small childs bday?? You get it most restaurants outside of Disney! Its a cupcake that will brighten a childs bday experience for pete sake!! Again, it wasnt so much the cupcake incident that gets my goat but the whole experience. Ppl pay ALOT of money for their family vacations and Disney is known for their great customer service so service like that IS UNACCEPTABLE! The whole towel animal is ridiculous I will agree on that point. I have been to WDW 11 times and any time we had a bday or anniversary or Honeymoon we were always treated like royalty its part of the magic of WDW and I believe it is something we CAN EXPECT! I am grateful for any cupcake, song, smile or whatever that is given my family for whatever special occasion while we are there but I feel the OP expecting a cupcake for her child as well as decent service is acceptable..

NOLA_Tink

01-16-2010, 04:31 PM

Rayangel said it best really. I can go into Chili's (or any other restaurant in town) and tell them we are celebrating a birthday, and they bring out a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy/girl (for lack of better phrase).

Maybe, but Chili's isn't a huge buffet w/ an already included extentive dessert selection. Cupcakes are a nice touch, but they aren't essential to having the best birthday ever...especially when you've got 10+ other desserts to pick from. If I really wanted my daughter to have a cake (or cupcake) then I'd simply buy it myself.

OP, sorry you had a disappointing experience. The server def shouldn't have been rude. When I'm disappointed about something that I let ruin a special day, I just keep trying to think about what an otherwise great day I've had.

maxiesmom

01-16-2010, 05:16 PM

Its disney what is wrong with expecting a cupcake for a small childs bday?? You get it most restaurants outside of Disney! Its a cupcake that will brighten a childs bday experience for pete sake!! Again, it wasnt so much the cupcake incident that gets my goat but the whole experience. Ppl pay ALOT of money for their family vacations and Disney is known for their great customer service so service like that IS UNACCEPTABLE! The whole towel animal is ridiculous I will agree on that point. I have been to WDW 11 times and any time we had a bday or anniversary or Honeymoon we were always treated like royalty its part of the magic of WDW and I believe it is something we CAN EXPECT! I am grateful for any cupcake, song, smile or whatever that is given my family for whatever special occasion while we are there but I feel the OP expecting a cupcake for her child as well as decent service is acceptable..

Disney doesn't advertise that they give everyone something free on their birthday. If they did, then that would be different. A free cupcake has nothing do with their level of customer service. It has to do with people expecting something that used to be given out as an extra bit of magic. The expectation of it has now ruined that magic, imho. We will just have to disagree.

dd50

01-19-2010, 07:25 PM

We didn't have very good service there either. Wonder if we had the same server. Ours never came to refill drinks or take plates. We had to find him for it. The only time we came over was to collect the tip which was 18% because we were a table of 7. Our experience in 1900 was the same. I just thought it was because they were guaranteed the 18%.

jamjar84

01-20-2010, 09:08 AM

What a shame that you had such a bad experience with the server. :(

Maybe she was having a bad day, but regardless there is no excuse for bad manners.

Lady V

01-20-2010, 11:02 AM

I think the main thing is that part of why we go over and over is because of the SERVICE! Disney prides itself in going above and beyond. If it were simply the birthday 'week' it would be different. But the actual day? Come on! And I'm sorry-but to work at CM's you should be expecting that everyone that comes in has high expectation. It is one of the hardest adr's to score so they know that they have high standards. This server might have been having an off day and I do understand that happens. But on the actual birthday? I think sometimes people forget that this might just be another table to the server but to the guest it might be the most special part of their trip!

kaytieeldr

01-20-2010, 11:27 AM

While the cupcake is complimentary and not guaranteed IF you dont ask for it my GOD there is no need to be RUDE! Sounds like server was having a not so Disney day and should have just gone home.Ah, but the immediate problem that comes to mind is, then who takes over her tables? Granted, the OP got lackluster service at best - but isn't that better than NO server?

also i dont think a person who has an off day like that should have a job there im sorryReally? You would fire someone for having an off day? One day?

Its disney what is wrong with expecting a cupcake for a small childs bday?? You get it most restaurants outside of Disney! Its a cupcake that will brighten a childs bday experience for pete sake!!But so would a cake for which the Guest paid, and then the 'treat' would be guaranteed. Disney makes it easy - Guests can order a small, standard cake when they check in at the restaurant. Sure, it costs - but maxiesmom's point is being missed. The cupcake (not small cake) isn't ever guaranteed - it's just that people spread news/experience online, and soon everyone expects the same treatment. Look at all the threads on the Resorts board asking about how to get a [complimentary] upgrade, yet only a very, very small number of Guests ever do (and never by asking :))

kaytieeldr

01-20-2010, 11:29 AM

We didn't have very good service there either. Wonder if we had the same server. Ours never came to refill drinks or take plates. We had to find him for it.Mm, probably not. The OP referred to their server as "she".

amshowers

01-24-2010, 07:54 PM

YourMajesty

01-24-2010, 10:01 PM

Maybe, but Chili's isn't a huge buffet w/ an already included extentive dessert selection. Cupcakes are a nice touch, but they aren't essential to having the best birthday ever...especially when you've got 10+ other desserts to pick from. If I really wanted my daughter to have a cake (or cupcake) then I'd simply buy it myself.

OP, sorry you had a disappointing experience. The server def shouldn't have been rude. When I'm disappointed about something that I let ruin a special day, I just keep trying to think about what an otherwise great day I've had.

Really...bring your own cupcake to a WDW restuarant? Come on...I was served a cupcake with a candle after our huge buffet breakfast at the CP. It was great, a nice touch, and I was celebrating my 40th birthday. I'm sure a child would be very excited regardless of the type of food the restaurant serves. To the OP, one of our worst servers ever at Disney was at CM's. She was rude, mean to my kids, and didn't even try to keep our drinks filled. We've since been back twice and had great experiences. I would have been upset too and I competely agree about letting the manager know. Somethimes it's just a matter of bad luck...like getting in the wrong line at the grocery store. :headache:

taximomfor4

01-24-2010, 10:05 PM

Well we have always received something for birthdays at every disney restaurant even buffets. I would have also been upset if the server was rude and couldn't be bothered to take the time to wish a happy birthday. As a former server I feel that it part of your job to acknowledge that your party is celebrating a birthday.

Our experience is the complete opposite! I have been at a WDW restaurant for a birthday celebration 6 different times (between 2001-2007). Only ONE of those times was a cupcake brought out (in 2001). And only ONE time were balloons + card placed in our room as a birthday surprise (2006).Also, was there for 10th anniversary. No acknowledgment at all...not at either hotel (split stay) nor at the 2 restaurants on the actual day.

I think these surprises happen less than we think, because most people post when they DO get a surprise, not when they don't (unless it angered them, of course).

We will be there for 2 birthdays and a graduation present this year, and I fully expect that CMs won't do anything for us. Which is fine -- the kids are just thrilled to go to WDW!

Nicole&Becker

01-24-2010, 10:40 PM

Chef Mickey's WOW this was our daughters birthday and we were looking forward to a fairly good meal. I really wasn't expecting much from this buffet, and IMHO it was good that I wasn't. Our server from the very beginning was not friendly. She did not welcome us nor did she smile. It's funny because I had read so many other chats about rude servers and we have never had one until this visit. She literally left our glasses empty, did not acknowledge our DD's BD. I had ask for more drinks. I was fully aware that the complimentary cake was really small, and when I asked if she could bring her little cake, she looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Ma'am it's just a cupcake". I said I know. But unfortunately her attitude was so awful, it ruined the meal. Luckily my DD is young enough to be distracted by the characters. My husband went to the manager about this server. They of course apologized, but you know the meal was over, what happened,happened. So if you choose to go there, there did seem to be servers that really were attentive and friendly. But you know Disney should really hire "Disney" people. there is know way she could have fooled them that much in an interview.

Our last trip we went to Chef Mickey's as well. We too had horrible service. They rushed us in there and everyone was really really rude to us. It was my son's birthday and we thought it would be fun for him. The food was not good, the service was terrible. They lost our pictures and had to track them down after I asked for them 4 times. We have decided that we will never go there again. It was a horrible start to a perfectly horrible day.

I am so sorry that happened, but I guess at least now I know that it wasn't just a fluke and we are doing the right thing by not going back to CM's again.

Hugs!!

toddlers_mom

01-24-2010, 11:01 PM

I think the point is being missed. I don't believe the OP was upset because of the cupcake itself, she was upset because of the poor customer service.

And when you work in the service industry you MUST leave your bad days at home. You put a smile on your face and your serve your customers like you are the happiest person on earth. You go back and pout when they can't see you. There's no excuse, especially at Disney (I don't, however, think she should lose her job).

arrdee11462

01-25-2010, 10:00 AM

Well we have always received something for birthdays at every disney restaurant even buffets. I would have also been upset if the server was rude and couldn't be bothered to take the time to wish a happy birthday. As a former server I feel that it part of your job to acknowledge that your party is celebrating a birthday.

ITA, if you are going to visit disney the expectation is that you will be treated in a certain way. If I am going to dinner and they are asking if we are celebrating an event like a birthday, I would expect them to celebrate it the same way for everyone having a birthday. You should not pick and choose who should get a "cake" and who shouldn't.

I would be very upset if I brought my child to celebrate their birthday and she was not treated to the same "celebration" as another customer. It is an expectation that if a business "treats" their customers to a free item like a cupcake on their birthday then ALL customers would expect it.

I would not catagorize this in the same way as the "Disney Magic" moment you all are referring to. It just shows bad judgement on Disney to pick and choose in that way.

mefordis

01-25-2010, 03:58 PM

I hate this mentality of asking people to have low expectations when they are paying so much to go to Disney in the first place. Think about it -- if people do have high expectations and let those expectations be known, it will improve EVERYONE'S experience. I mean, come on -- we are talking cupcakes that cost next to nothing to make, and towel animals! We aren't talking free nights in the castle or anything! Raise your expectations and you will get an even better experience in the long run. Keep your low expectations and customer service will continue to go down the toilet.

See, that is the problem! So many people post about how they got a free cupcake or whatever, and then instead of something nice it becomes an expectation.

Thinkk about how you feel when you give someone a gift. If they tell you their birthday is on such and such a day, and you had better get them a gift, that kind of ruins the fun in it, doesn't it? We have done the same thing to the little extras Disney does to be nice. Now the attitude is well, they gave a cupcake to so and so, so theyhad better give it to me too, or else. Not magical at all.

Wouldn't you rather the CMs be able to be genuine, and wish you a happy birthday, or give you a cupcake because they truly wanted your day to be special? Or do you really want a forced happy birthday with no true sentiment behind it, and a here is your cupcake so you shut up and are happy? I would rather have the genuine thing instead of it being forced. But I guess that is just me.

maxiesmom

01-25-2010, 04:22 PM

I hate this mentality of asking people to have low expectations when they are paying so much to go to Disney in the first place. Think about it -- if people do have high expectations and let those expectations be known, it will improve EVERYONE'S experience. I mean, come on -- we are talking cupcakes that cost next to nothing to make, and towel animals! We aren't talking free nights in the castle or anything! Raise your expectations and you will get an even better experience in the long run. Keep your low expectations and customer service will continue to go down the toilet.

It has nothing to do with low expectations. It has to do with getting what you are paying for. You should have a good meal with good service, that is what you are paying for. Anything above and beyond is wonderful, but should NOT be expected. The rooms should all be clean, and towel animals are a nice extra, IF housekeeping has the time to make them.

Even something that costs "next to nothing" does cost Disney money. Especially if they have to give those things away a few hundred times a day. We all end up paying for it then. Hire more housekeepers so they have time to make everyone towel animals, and we all pay their wages.

Going with your theory of expecting more, should I go to the parks and expect that they just give me a soda? After all, it costs Disney next to nothing. Should we all demand free sodas? How about a frozen drink? Or an elephant ear? Where do you draw the line?

How about paying for what you want, and not expecting it to be just given to you?

Again, when people start demanding things for free it kind of ruins the magic of getting that thing in the first place. Even towel animals are not so special when you see one in every room.

arrdee11462

01-25-2010, 04:41 PM

If Disney gives out cupcakes for Birthdays then everyone celebrating a birthday that wants one should get it. If You (read generic you here) don't want one then turn it down. It sounds like the OP wanted it for their child. Not an unreasonalble expectation.

Don't bring someone else a little cake for their b'day and then not bring one to my DD... That would be bad...:mad:

mefordis

01-25-2010, 04:42 PM

Okay I agree that towel animals are something one shouldn't expect, but when WDW is running "What will you celebrate" promotion, and whenver you make a restaurant ADR you have them asking what you are celebrating, and whenever you make on online ADR it asks you what you are celebrating and has a picture of a cupcake on it, Yes, I think a cupcake is not too much to expect on a child's birthday.

OP: I hope you left that rude waitress $0.

It has nothing to do with low expectations. It has to do with getting what you are paying for. You should have a good meal with good service, that is what you are paying for. Anything above and beyond is wonderful, but should NOT be expected. The rooms should all be clean, and towel animals are a nice extra, IF housekeeping has the time to make them.

Even something that costs "next to nothing" does cost Disney money. Especially if they have to give those things away a few hundred times a day. We all end up paying for it then. Hire more housekeepers so they have time to make everyone towel animals, and we all pay their wages.

Going with your theory of expecting more, should I go to the parks and expect that they just give me a soda? After all, it costs Disney next to nothing. Should we all demand free sodas? How about a frozen drink? Or an elephant ear? Where do you draw the line?

How about paying for what you want, and not expecting it to be just given to you?

Again, when people start demanding things for free it kind of ruins the magic of getting that thing in the first place. Even towel animals are not so special when you see one in every room.

kaytieeldr

01-25-2010, 07:40 PM

I spent my 50th birthday at Disneyland. I waited on Main Street to see Wishes. About fifteen minutes after it was supposed to start, Disney cancelled it due to high winds up where the fireworks would go off, and the risk of fires to the neighborhood. The CM I'd been talking with got together several CMs and recruited various Guests in the area, to sing "Happy Birthday" instead.

Doesn't mean everyone should expect that, or that Disney should do it for every birthday celebrant. It was a surprise and a nice touch. Ditto for the cupcakes. Guests who want a cake for any celebration should arrange (and pay) for one in advance. Some Guests will get cupcakes, some won't. Could be a huge number of reasons - from a limited number of cupcakes, to an overworked server/kitchen, to 'where's the surprise/nice touch when everyone is asking for/expecting this treat'.

kaytieeldr

01-25-2010, 07:50 PM

Okay I agree that towel animals are something one shouldn't expect, but when WDW is running "What will you celebrate" promotion, As far as I can tell, it appears the OP's entire visit occurred in 2010 - no longer "What Will You Celebrate", but rather entirely during Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Day" promotion.

arrdee11462

01-26-2010, 07:55 AM

As far as I can tell, it appears the OP's entire visit occurred in 2010 - no longer "What Will You Celebrate", but rather entirely during Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Day" promotion.

Actually it's both, check out their website.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com

Having them sing you Happy Birthday in the street is totally different than giving our a Birthday dessert to the Birthday celebrant.

Again if is the policy of a business to give a Birthday guest a dessert then everyone who wants one should receive it.

That is just Business 101.

Otherwise you will get just what you have here, many people discussing whether Disney is "doing the right thing" with the treatment of their guests. I am sure if Disney management is reading these kind of posts they are horrified that a server would deny a child a free birthday cupcake when others were receiving one.

Let's give disney more credit than that, I'm sure the server was not long for that job with that kind of service.

taximomfor4

01-26-2010, 08:09 AM

Actually it's both, check out their website.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com

Having them sing you Happy Birthday in the street is totally different than giving our a Birthday dessert to the Birthday celebrant.

Again if is the policy of a business to give a Birthday guest a dessert then everyone who wants one should receive it.

That is just Business 101.

Otherwise you will get just what you have here, many people discussing whether Disney is "doing the right thing" with the treatment of their guests. I am sure if Disney management is reading these kind of posts they are horrified that a server would deny a child a free birthday cupcake when others were receiving one.

Let's give disney more credit than that, I'm sure the server was not long for that job with that kind of service.

I think what people are saying is that it's NOT WDW's "policy" ...the cupcake is just something they sometimes do. See my pp. More often than not, we didn't get any birthday acknowledgment at all. And looking around at those meals, we definitely saw some people getting a cupcake, but others wearing birthday or other badges didn't. We left the restaurants feeling a touch disappointed, but not upset. We just aren't that lucky, in general though, so our case might be extreme.

arrdee11462

01-26-2010, 08:43 AM

kaytieeldr

01-26-2010, 09:08 AM

Having them sing you Happy Birthday in the street is totally different than giving our a Birthday dessert to the Birthday celebrant. Sure. It's impromptu, unexpected, and a nice treat - just as the cupcake should be considered. NOT EVERY PERSON celebrating a birthday gets one. It's not "the policy". Sometimes the cupcake happens, sometimes it doesn't.

kaytieeldr

01-26-2010, 09:12 AM

I really would like to know the actual "policy" we are celebrating two birthdays on our next visit and if this is how they will handle it than we will definitely look for a place that "celebrates" in some way.

We do not want to "buy" a cake, we all would prefer to purchase our own dessertsDisney does not have a standing policy. Again, some Guests get a cupcake, some don't. If you want to ensure a treat to celebrate a birthday, see the cake thread on the Dining Forum, and buy your own cake. Tes, I do understand "we do not want to "buy" a cake - however, if you want to be guaranteed that there will be ANY kind of cake for your birthdays, you NEED to be proactive - and that doesn't mean asking for (expecting) anything free.

I do know they are making far more money with our family of 12 each picking a dessert and then they provide a small b'day dessert with a candle for the bday person.
While of course any restaurant gets money when the party purchases twelve desserts, that still doesn't mean they must provide a small birthday dessert with a candle for the birthday person. ALL it means is that the restaurant earns revenue (not necessarily make more morney) when a party orders twelve of anything.

arrdee11462

01-26-2010, 02:29 PM

Disney does not have a standing policy. Again, some Guests get a cupcake, some don't. If you want to ensure a treat to celebrate a birthday, see the cake thread on the Dining Forum, and buy your own cake. Tes, I do understand "we do not want to "buy" a cake - however, if you want to be guaranteed that there will be ANY kind of cake for your birthdays, you NEED to be proactive - and that doesn't mean asking for (expecting) anything free.

While of course any restaurant gets money when the party purchases twelve desserts, that still doesn't mean they must provide a small birthday dessert with a candle for the birthday person. ALL it means is that the restaurant earns revenue (not necessarily make more morney) when a party orders twelve of anything.

***nobody has said they must provide anything - unless their policy says so,

FYI *Desserts are one of the most profitable areas of a restaurant, so yes if they are selling 12 separate desserts they are making more money.

Is the Disney "policy" you speak of something you are aware of (have you asked or work there?) or just assuming. I am sure that a place like Disney has "policy" on everything. I would be shocked if they are as whimsical about this kind of decision as you say.

I am saying that if they are providing one to the tables around me then they darn well provide them for us. If they want to continue to have repeat customers that is. All it takes is a little common sense here...

You are comparing Disney to that commercial where one little girl gets the fake toy pony and the other gets the Real live Horse, not the Disney I know and love.

maxiesmom

01-26-2010, 03:03 PM

CanadianGuy

02-06-2010, 05:32 PM

I think the most memorable birthday in recent years was at a restaurant in the MK. The one opposite the 'all glass one' -- I'm so great with names.. haha.

Anyway... we were just eating lunch and it did happen to be my birthday. Well, the Mayor and piano teacher came in and wandered around the restaurant and at some point asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday.

I cringed a bit as my buddy David's hand shot up like it was rocket propelled and he pointed squarely at me.

The Mayor and the Piano teacher led the entire restaurant in singing me Happy Birthday and the P/T wrote out a birthday button for me..

Never saw ANY of that coming and it was pretty 'magical' and definitely something I'll always remember.

I asked Dave later if he had put anybody up to that or had done anything to arrange it prior to raising his hand.

He had not.

THAT is Disney magic in my book.

FWIW - I did not get a cupcake.. tho every server in the restaurant, and even the Mayor knew full well it was birthday. :)

As with all things in life - YMMV.

K

ConcKahuna

02-06-2010, 05:37 PM

FWIW - I did not get a cupcake.. tho every server in the restaurant, and even the Mayor knew full well it was birthday. :)

As with all things in life - YMMV.

K

Pfft you didnt need a cupcake, muffin :rotfl:

CanadianGuy

02-06-2010, 05:41 PM

Pfft you didnt need a cupcake, muffin :rotfl:

Are you suggesting that when I sit around the delightfully appointed king bed value room that I sit AROUND the delightfully appointed king bed value room?

:)

And Dave's right... I didn't need a cupcake. Heck, I didn't know they were an option... but my ignorance led me to just let things play out and I ended up with a much better memory than a cupcake..

Right muffin?

K

ConcKahuna

02-06-2010, 05:45 PM

Are you suggesting that when I sit around the delightfully appointed king bed value room that I sit AROUND the delightfully appointed king bed value room?

:)

And Dave's right... I didn't need a cupcake. Heck, I didn't know they were an option... but my ignorance led me to just let things play out and I ended up with a much better memory than a cupcake..

Right muffin?

K

Pfft, you can fit 15 of you in a king bed.

And the crowd and your beet-red face were much better than a pastry :thumbsup2

kaytieeldr

02-06-2010, 05:53 PM

Is the Disney "policy" you speak of something you are aware of (have you asked or work there?) or just assuming. Basing it on close to twenty-five years of visits (over thirty, total) and observations, and friends' visits over that period, along with several years of reading posts on the DIS, and about fifteen years of reading Disney-related forums on AOL.

kaytieeldr

02-06-2010, 05:55 PM

Pfft, you can fit 15 of you in a king bed.

And the crowd and your beet-red face were much better than a pastry :thumbsup2
Pictures! We want pictures! :rotfl2:!!!!

npmommie

02-07-2010, 01:21 PM

I am sorry you had a bad experience at Chef Mickeys.
We went for the first time last week, and it was outstanding. I was a little nervous from reviews I had read on the boards, but we went.

the kids really wanted to and we had no adrs so I was not even expecting to get in, but we did with only a 20 min wait.

the server ( I forget her name) was outstanding, very attentive, the whole experience was outstanding
we all loved it . not the best food, but we weren't really there for the food!

I hope you try it again and have a better experience:hug: