So what is the deal with servers wanting your entire order?

[3csluvthemouse]

Why are servers at Disney asking patrons to order everything at once (app, meal, dessert)? Sometimes I do not know what I want for dessert at the beginning of my meal. This really bothers me, and I had a server get quite rude about it when I changed my mind about what I wanted. She first came to the table and said, "This is how we are going to do this" and proceeded to tell us she wanted the entire order. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[Luvamouse]

9 nights, 1/2 dozen TS and not once did we experience this. We made changes at all different points, asked for items off menu and vegetarian when none were available and got only great responses. Never pushed to do order all at once and never hurried. Sorry.

 

[tmws66]

Never had that happen. Was wondering what restaurant you experienced this in.

 

[duffy]

What's to prevent me from just saying, "I don't know yet what I want for my dessert. May I wait until I'm done with my meal to order it?"

 

[crystalcml]

Were you on the dining plan?

We were there in Sept and at every single TS meal they asked us the same thing. Half the time I never knew what I wanted for an appetizer let alone my whole meal. I thought it was very strange. At one point, we thought it was because they were really busy at that time.

 

[Luvamouse]

We were not on the DDP. I wonder if that affected it? It was very busy for some of our TS's-- Thanksgiving week. Never asked us ahead.

 

[Pakey]

DH and I just returned from a mini-vacation to Las Vegas where we ate at several of the high end restaurants. We were asked to order all at once also. This was something new that didn't happen to us last year when we were there. However, it was very crowded in Las Vegas so I'm wondering if this is becoming more standard at busier places?

 

[Booyakasha]

When it is very busy or a kitchen is way behind it makes it easier on the kitchen if they know what everyone is ordering as soon as possible. This allows them (unfortunately) to prepare things en masse and have cooks working a dish or two instead of many. This is usually not a good thing and food qualtity can suffer. It also allows them to prepare things is advance which is obviously not a good thing either

B.

 

[LindyN]

If there is a special dessert that needs to be prepared in advance it is customary to notify the kitchen. What comes to mind is a souffle or a baked alaska--neither of which I've seen on a Disney menu.

Prix fixe meals sometimes ask this too, or where there are special tasting menus, but Disney doesn't do this either.

Maybe they were very busy, or were running low on something. Perhaps they have to guests out the door and turn the tables over faster.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

That has never happened to me at WDW, but it happened at an upscale place just recently. It was a girl's night out, there were four of us, and we ordered drinks and 3 apps to share. The waiter then said, "We like to take the entire order at once, what will you be having for dinner?" Well, we didn't know what we would want for dinner, or even if we would order entrees, more apps, whatever. I want to stress that this is not only a "restaurant" but a jazz lounge type place. We were seated outside, some people only go there for drinks. It was just weird.

I would also like to know what restaurant and if the diner was on the DDP. Of course at V&A's, you order all at once, but then again, you are paying a fixed price. If you were indeed on the DDP and paying a set price for app, entree and dessert, I wouldn't think it was very odd or rude, although you should be able to decide later, it just makes sense.

 

[Steffiesunshine]

I wonder if it was one of the more popular, which requires ADRs. It likely is just a way for them to speed up the table turnover.

I read in one of the posts that they actually reserve "times" not tables. So if people linger, it throws off their schedule.

This way, they bring out the app and they hope that as soon as you are done with it, the entree will be ready, then the dessert. It speeds up your meal, and allows them to seat everyone.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If this is a trend, the trend is not going to work well.

I do not know what I want for dessert and I want a more leisurely meal too. I want to order my appy, then my meal and will think about dessert.

Anywhere we go that wants my full order had better be when I am sitting in my car and talking into a clown's mouth

Otherwise, it will be at my pace

 

[Booyakasha]

I think the thing to remember is that this is your dinner. If you don't want to order all at once don't. Keeping in mind that a restaurant needs to turn tables and has other reservations behind yours.

If the restaurant is empty which doesn't happen all to often in DW than sit at the table all night if you like. It is your money.

B.

 

[Brian Noble]

Simple: if you can get the party to order all at once, you can turn the table faster. The faster you turn tables, the more likely you get an extra service in during the meal---and that means more money for the house and the server.

 

[simonkodousek]

I think this only happens when the kitchen is behind, because when we were at the Polynesian in July, that never happened to us. Besides, when paying so much for each meal, I would expect good service.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't recall ever being asked to order all my courses at once (although sometimes I did it voluntarily, as at Raglan Road where I knew I'd be getting the bread pudding), but it doesn't make sense. I know at the Turf Club, I had intended to get the apple pie with ice cream - but by the time I was half-done with my entree I was full. While the apple pie wouldn't have traveled well, the chocolate cake with the melted center - recommended by my server - did.

 

[dreambound]

Why are servers at Disney asking patrons to order everything at once (app, meal, dessert)? Sometimes I do not know what I want for dessert at the beginning of my meal. This really bothers me, and I had a server get quite rude about it when I changed my mind about what I wanted. She first came to the table and said, "This is how we are going to do this" and proceeded to tell us she wanted the entire order. Anyone else experiencing this?

Where was this? And when?

 

[Colleen27]

I haven't experienced this at all. We usually voluntarily order apetizers & entrees at the same time, but don't order dessert until after the meal. My dessert choice is likely to be based on if I want it right then or to-go - the kona kone looked wonderful when we got the dessert tour on the way into the restaurant, but when it came time to actually choose dessert, I took the choc & macadamia nut pie to go and had it in the room 4 hours later.

 

[jarestel]

Another example of WDW restaurants transitioning from relaxed, casual dining to cafeteria style - move in 'em, move 'em out!

 

[dreambound]

Another example of WDW restaurants transitioning from relaxed, casual dining to cafeteria style - move in 'em, move 'em out!

Really? Do you have any more examples of this happening? I hear so many positive reviews of Disney Dining, so this is alarming to a newbie.