How were you treated when dining under the CP package?

[lat]

I read several posts that the wait stafff seem to be not as nice to people who prepaid for their dinners under the CP package versus regular diners.

We have a CP dinner ressie at Chef de France on 12/28 for 11 people and I am a little concerend.

How was your experience?

Thanks

[webray]

We have always been treated wonderfully on the CP package.

[DisneyKidds]

We have always gotten great service at Le Cellier with the package. Service at San Angel Inn and Alfredo's has been rushed (not sure if it was due to package or not) and choices have been limited. We won't go back to those locations.

[ToTLaugher]

We were treated fine with our CP at the Rose and Crown last week. However, when we had another dinner at Chefs de France, the waiter seemed excited that we were not CP diners. Perhaps the included gratuity comes up a little short of what they usually get?

[Lesley]

Last year we went to both Le Cellier and Teppanyaki on the CP package...we were treated wonderfully at both places.

[dsneygirl]

We ate at Akershus on 12/12 with the package and had great service.
The gratuity is added on to their paychecks and they are usually taxed at a higher rate than normal. But they are guaranteed 15% whereas you never know what you are going to get otherwise.

[wannabee princess]

We ate at Le Cellier and I have to say we had the BEST service!!! We loved Karrie so much!!! (in fact I am wanting to send a note to her boss telling how awesome we thought she was!!).

We will go back to Le Cellier again and again - - Canada became my favorite "country" after our amazing experiences there last week (other CMs were so great to us - in the store, at the carts, everywhere in Canada we were treated so wonderfully!).

Definitely try to go to Le Cellier if you can!

[DisneyKidds]

Definitely try to go to Le Cellier if you can!
Shhhhh!!!! Stop telling people that. It is already hard enought to get a PS there ;).

Seriously, over the past few years we have definitely found Le Cellier to not only be one of the best restaurants in Epcot, but one of WDW's best.

[WebmasterKathy]

We at at Le Cellier with the CP package on 12/6, and were treated beautifully!

Great food, great service, terrific waiter.

[wannabee princess]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
Shhhhh!!!! Stop telling people that. It is already hard enought to get a PS there ;).

LOL! Uhhhh, oh yeah, good point! "Don't" go to Le Cellier, it's just an okay place! ::yes::

[mrsltg]

My mother and I ate at Le Cellier on 12/12 for CP. Food and service were exceptional! I can't imagine how our server could have been nicer!

Erin :D

[disney queen]

we were treated great!! all of the diners at our table were on the package and none had any problems or treated differently than paying guests. our chef was great! he was from fort worth, texas!!! have a super time.

[lat]

disney queen, which restaurant did you go for the cp? Thanks

[DebbieB]

We had great service at LeCellier. Our waiter really went out of his way. We asked for bags to carry our leftovers, he went to the store to get them! I left him an extra tip on the table.

[bunnyfoo]

We at at San Angel Inn on 12/10 and didn't have any problems. They let us order pretty much anything we wanted on the menu. The food was well prepared and arrived in a timely manner :) We only had a choice of one dessert though ... they called it a flan but it seemed to be more of a custard square with a light caramel sauce. I thought it was tasty :)

[goofy4tink]

We were at Garden Grill for the 12/12 CP. We actually had better service this time than last August. Our server was wonderful. In fact, the food was better this time too. Wonder why.

[danny1649]

This year on 12/11/03 at Teppanyaki and everyone at our grill had CP package.We were treated great and chef did a wonderful job and food was great.::yes:: :wave2: :cool1:

[CarolMN]

We chose Teppanyaki for our 12/11 CP dinner package. Shared the table/grill with a family of 5 who did not have the package. Service was excellent!

[chamonix]

I agree with the poster who wrote that when we said we were *not* on the CP package, the waiters seemed to be happier. It's like they asked us with trepidation in their voices, and when we said, no, not CP package, they actually brightened up a bit. This was at Rose and Crown.

[lynnandjb]

I am a true lurker here, but I just have to add my experience here...

We have done the CP eating in Canada for the past few years. Love the food and the service... just can't bring ourselves to go somewhere else. Unfortunately, we had a bad experience this past week. Our server was awful. We all agreed that she knew she had a tip coming and therefore didn't make any effort. She NEVER checked on us. We had ordered wine on top of our package and I honestly didn't think my poor husband was ever going to get his (which was well worth the wait, I must add). Food was great (as usual) and the people that brought us our food were cheery and attentive, but our server was AWFUL (and not just by Disney standards). We normally are very generous tippers, but not this time. I would still go there in a heartbeat though!

lynnandjb

[mickeysaver]

Well, we did the CP package with Le Cellier for our meal. I was a little displeased with the service. We arrived 30 minutes prior to our PS and were told that we might have to wait an additional 30 minutes after the PS time. We were seated on time, but the restaurant was empty and there were many people with CP badges on waiting to be seated. I don't know why they were waiting so long to seat the guests.

Our waitress was Emily. She was pleasant and explained the package to us, even though we knew all about it. We started with a couple of cokes and the cheese soup. The cheese soup wasn't all that great to either of us. It was only luke warm and just not that flavorful. Oh well, the pretzel bread was kinda cool.

We ordered the filets. I got the mushroom filet and my honey got the regular one. The green beans could have spent an extra minute or two in the steamer because they still had a bit too much of a raw taste for either of us. The cream cheese mashed potatoes were a hit with my honey and her filet was perfectly cooked. My mushroom filet with the risotto was wonderful. I was taking my time to enjoy every bite. The waitress must have decided that I was done. Without asking she reaches down and grabs my knife and my plate and THEN asks if I was done. Well, I was not, because I was saving the wonderfully flavored mushrooms for last, but I let it go. Note to Emily if she reads the board, you blew an additional tip at that moment.

Desert was ok, but the creme brulee could have been a bit warmer. It was still ice cold at the bottom. I prefer mine to be warm like the one that we had earlier in the week at the Rose & Crown that was to die for.

The waitress seemed to be in a hurry for us to leave. We hate to be rushed through our meals. So, if she had been a bit more patient, I was prepared to leave her an additional tip other than the 15% that was included in the price of the package.

I like CP, but I wouldn't pay to do it again with the dinner package. I will most likely eat at Le Cellier again because that filet was awesome, but I will ask in advance to not be rushed. Maggie

[Miss Jasmine]

We had dinner last night at Chefs de France on the CP package. We had outstanding service and food was great. I did feel bad for our server though, when we ordered a bottle of wine, he pointed out that it was not included, we said that we knew, and he seemed relieved at that, so I am guessing he has been given a hard time by other people on the package. I made sure to tip him above and beyond on the wine. He also liked that we tried to speak as much French as we could (I took French in High School). :D

[shelly3girls]

We ate at Chef's last Dec. for the CP. We had a fabulous meal. We were concerned about taking two young children although they are familiar with eating in a restaurant and are normally well behaved. Our server went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. He did seem a little uncomfortable when we ordered a meal for our 2 year-old since he had to tell us that we had to pay extra. We knew this and had planned for it, but I did get the impression that others had given him a difficult time over it. Overall we had a fabulous experience and will definitely dine there again on our next trip.

[chamonix]

Yes, for some reason, that is what I thought about when the servers asked us if we were doing the package, and then seemed happy/relieved that we weren't...it seemed that they were relieved not to have to explain what was covered or not, and/or having to deal with the fallout when guests aren't happy or are surprised what is or isn't covered, possibly not getting a larger tip, etc.
I have to admit, I had wanted to do the Fantasmic dinner package on a past trip, but decided not to if it would restrict what I could eat at my favorite restaurant, the Brown Derby, LOL! Problems are almost inevitable with these dining packages with people wanting to substitute, add-on, etc. Not that anyone here would ever be a problem, LOL!

[Jordan's MOM]

We had dinner in Mexico on the CP package and we were rushed through like a hurd of cows. The guy took our order for drinks, starters, meal and desert all at one time. It took 20 minutes for our drinks and they came out with our starters. He said he would be right back with our meals. I asked him to give us a little time. He was nice and polite, just get them though attitude. Our desert choices were limited and we were not given a menu for deserts. The food however was very good and we loved the resturant. We will return and try it not on the package.


Jordan's mom

[Ron from Michigan]

We ate at Chef de France on Nov. 30 and had great service and wonderful meals. We were not hurried in the least.

[JVSJr]

I ate at the Coral Reef in Summer 2002 (obviously not a CP) and it was great. This December we brought a large family gathering for the holidays and did the CP.

Awful service and makeshift menu.

The entire menu was printed on a single sheet of paper and included only a fraction of the regular menu.

2 apps
4 or 5 entree's
2 deserts

We were rushed and the server took the entire order in one shot and checked on us only once in passing.

Last December (2002) my immediate family did the CP at Chef's and got a regular menu, a very good server and we were not rushed at all.

If they plan to make-up limited menus and rush the CP packages through, we won't do it again. Maybe the popularity of this program is making them do more volume? Or maybe this was just a one time problem.

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by bunnyfoo
We only had a choice of one dessert though ... they called it a flan but it seemed to be more of a custard square with a light caramel sauce. I thought it was tasty :)

That is what flan is.

[bunnyfoo]

Oh... I guess I was thinking of something with more of a pie or flakey crust :p When I go to my bakery and pick up a flan ... it has fruit, custard and then a pie crust. I have to say I like the flan we got in Mexico better ... it's a lot less heavy :)

[MaryKatesMom]

Jeepers - now I'm nervous if I chime in with a thumbs up Le Cellier I'll never get another PS there!:p

Sevice was fantastic. Filet with Mushroom risotto (sorry Mickeysaver but that was the best part!!) was one of the best meals ever. Wasn't crazy about the salmon cakes which I would NOT reccomend. DH's strip steak was the size of a small child.

Anyway, should we find ourselves back in WDW in Dec. we'll be there again for sure!!

[MamaQuack]

We had a PS for 8:10. We arrived 15 minutes early and waited an additional 30 minutes more for the table. Finally got seated at 8:45. There were only the 2 of us but many, many large groups ahead of us. We were treated very nicely. I too ordered a glass of wine and our server gave a relieved sigh when I volunteered: "and I know this is not included". We did not hear any complaining but I had the impression she had heard it a lot! At any rate, our service was fine, we were allowed to select whatever we wished from the menu (a pleasant surprise) and the food was good. When we declined dessert our server was shocked and insisted we select something to take back to our hotel. We told her we were just tired and full and it was no big deal. The manager was summoned and insisted that I should then not have to pay for the wine - another pleasant surprise. I would not hesitate to go there again despite our long, chilly wait outside!

Mama Quack

[Mary Ellen]

We've had mixed experiences at LeCellier with the CP.

A few years ago we had a WONDERFUL waitress (she did check to see if we'd already seen the CP (we had), as she would have to rush our meal a bit to get us out in time if we hadn't). She was so great we checked with her to make sure she was getting a sufficient tip with the package. She very graciously turned down our additional tip and assured us that she was indeed well compensated.

Last year we had Mo (he was SO bad I still remember his name, the only CM whose name I can recall as we still joke about him) - we didn't offer him any additional tip. We normally tip around 20% and he would have been over-tipped in the 10% range.

[mrsheppo]

We had wonderful service at LeCellier on the CP package. Our waiter was Alvin and there were 3 tables in his area near us all on the CP package also. He made wonderful recommendations for wine and was very prompt and courteous in bringing us our appetizers and entrees. We both had the mushroom filet which was out of this world though I could have made an entire meal out of nothing but the cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread. When it cam time for dessert, he gave us a helpful suggestions and encouraged me to order the chocolate "mousse". He had a lot of fun teasing me and letting me know I had ordered off the children's dessert menu. I didn't care, the mousse was delicious and the way it was served was so cute.

Alvin most certainly earned an extra tip from us.

:wave: :wave:

[NYAna]

Please!!! What does CP stand for??

Thanks! :)

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by NYAna
Please!!! What does CP stand for??

Thanks! :)

CP= Candlelight Processional

You can find more information about it here...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/candlelight_processional.htm

[kadaten]

Wonderful experience with CP at Marakesh on 12/19. In spite of us being a party of 20, we were seated right at our PS time. The let us play around with our table arrangements until we were happy with it (we had to combine several to seat us all). The server was wonderful (how she managed to keep up with our table of 20 is beyond me, but she did!). Our waitress even let my neice and nephew split a regular entree (kebabs) instead of being regulated to the burger and chicken on the kids menu. And for no extra charge! We never felt rushed and in fact, since we'd seen the CP first, we lingered over drinks and desserts and she didn't seem to mind. The belly dancer visited our table and pulled my neice up to dance with her. All in all, a wonderful evening. This was the first time we ate at Marakesh, but won't be the last! The food was wonderful, the CM's friendly and attentive, and the entertainment kept the kids happy while all the adults lingered!!

Katie

[kadaten]

Wonderful experience with CP at Marakesh on 12/19. In spite of us being a party of 20, we were seated right at our PS time. The let us play around with our table arrangements until we were happy with it (we had to combine several to seat us all). The server was wonderful (how she managed to keep up with our table of 20 is beyond me, but she did!). Our waitress even let my neice and nephew split a regular entree (kebabs) instead of being regulated to the burger and chicken on the kids menu. And for no extra charge! We never felt rushed and in fact, since we'd seen the CP first, we lingered over drinks and desserts and she didn't seem to mind. The belly dancer visited our table and pulled my neice up to dance with her. All in all, a wonderful evening. This was the first time we ate at Marakesh, but won't be the last! The food was wonderful, the CM's friendly and attentive, and the entertainment kept the kids happy while all the adults lingered!!

Katie