Letting servers know we won't be attending dinner? - The DIS Discussion Forums

amystevekai&bump · 11-18-2012, 11:26 AM

Hi all

We are doing two back 2 back med cruises in the summer and have decided that whilst we will eat in the dining rooms, we will probably only do each menu once over the fortnight (so in effect we would only eat in the dining rooms on 7 out of 14 nights).

Last year we really enjoyed eating at Topsiders and I know that our two boys would much prefer to grab dinner some nights at Plutos Doghouse and stay playing by the pools, or we will get room service and watch a movie. So with this in mind.....

What is the best way to notify our Servers? I was thinking that on the first night I would explain our plans and then let them know that if we are not on time to dinner (we are always on time!

) then not to expect us that evening.

I have also requested a four top table on both cruises (I know its just a request), but I thought that would at least help in terms of other table mates sitting and waiting for us.

Or do you think there is a better way for me to handle it?

Many thanks for your thoughts

sdlong329 · 11-18-2012, 11:32 AM

Your plan seems PERFECT ... and would allow you to show up for dinner any of the 14 nights ... enabling you to change you plans "literally minutes" before dinner.

PrincessShmoo · 11-18-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amystevekai&bump

Hi all

We are doing two back 2 back med cruises in the summer and have decided that whilst we will eat in the dining rooms, we will probably only do each menu once over the fortnight (so in effect we would only eat in the dining rooms on 7 out of 14 nights).

Last year we really enjoyed eating at Topsiders and I know that our two boys would much prefer to grab dinner some nights at Plutos Doghouse and stay playing by the pools, or we will get room service and watch a movie. So with this in mind.....

What is the best way to notify our Servers? I was thinking that on the first night I would explain our plans and then let them know that if we are not on time to dinner (we are always on time!

) then not to expect us that evening.

I have also requested a four top table on both cruises (I know its just a request), but I thought that would at least help in terms of other table mates sitting and waiting for us.

Or do you think there is a better way for me to handle it?

Many thanks for your thoughts

I think it sound fine. I would, however, put a more specific time. Instead of just saying "If we're late" say "If we aren't here by XX time".

amystevekai&bump · 11-18-2012, 11:49 AM

Thank you both for your replies

I will definitely do the 'if we are not there by .... time, then we won't be there' - thats a good idea.

If dinner is say at 6pm, would you say 6.15 or is that too long if we do happen to end up with table mates?

tajz90 · 11-18-2012, 11:55 AM

You will most likely get a 4 top. Our requests for 4 top has always been honored (except for when I FORGOT to request it)

You won't have to worry about table mates, but 6:15 is a good time to stipulate.

amystevekai&bump · 11-18-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tajz90

You will most likely get a 4 top. Our requests for 4 top has always been honored (except for when I FORGOT to request it)

You won't have to worry about table mates, but 6:15 is a good time to stipulate.

Great - thank you. Hopefully we'll get our request too, that will save me worrying about offending any tablemates

jgura · 11-18-2012, 12:24 PM

I usually inform our server the night before when I know we will not be coming to dinner. (they will try to talk you into coming)
If you see your server working breakfast or lunch you can tell them.
I have told guest services before, but the message did not make it to our server.
OR when we have table mates I let them know.

Jill

11-18-2012, 11:26 AM	#1
amystevekai&bump DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK Posts: 3,422	Letting servers know we won't be attending dinner? Hi all We are doing two back 2 back med cruises in the summer and have decided that whilst we will eat in the dining rooms, we will probably only do each menu once over the fortnight (so in effect we would only eat in the dining rooms on 7 out of 14 nights). Last year we really enjoyed eating at Topsiders and I know that our two boys would much prefer to grab dinner some nights at Plutos Doghouse and stay playing by the pools, or we will get room service and watch a movie. So with this in mind..... What is the best way to notify our Servers? I was thinking that on the first night I would explain our plans and then let them know that if we are not on time to dinner (we are always on time!) then not to expect us that evening. I have also requested a four top table on both cruises (I know its just a request), but I thought that would at least help in terms of other table mates sitting and waiting for us. Or do you think there is a better way for me to handle it? Many thanks for your thoughts __________________ Amy x NEXT TRIPS: Back to Back DCL Med cruises - August 2013 / New Years 2013 at Portofino, BLT & AKV / October 2014 - Discovery Cove & DCL Southern Caribbean cruise Between Oct 1979 & Oct 2012 - approx 26 trips (including Bay Lake Towers, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo & Kidani, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs, All Stars Sports, off site hotels (inc Royal Pacific, Hard Rock hotel!!) and villas) PLUS - Disney Cruises x 4, Disney's Vero Beach resort, DLP x 10 visits & Disneyland California x 1 visit - And our 1998 Disney Wedding at the Wedding Pavillion!!

11-18-2012, 11:32 AM	#2
sdlong329 "Life is just a Fantasy!" Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suburban Philadelphia Posts: 1,214	Your plan seems PERFECT ... and would allow you to show up for dinner any of the 14 nights ... enabling you to change you plans "literally minutes" before dinner. __________________ Steven & Donna: DCL PLATINUM Castaway Club, DVC members since 1994 (Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Villas) DCL MAGIC: 4 night Bahamas practice cruise ('99), 7 night Eastern Caribbean ('01), 7 night Western Caribbean ('06), 15 night EB Panama Canal - Inaugural to Aruba & Cartagena (Aug-Sep '08), Eastern Caribbean / Inaugural Tortola (April-May '09), Eastern Caribbean / St. Croix (Ooops - Tortola) (Dec '09), 14 night EB TransAtlantic (April '10), 14 night EB TransAtlantic (May '13), 7 night Southern Caribbean (Sept/Oct '14) DCL WONDER: 4 night Bahamas practice cruise (April '08), LA - Vancouver REPO (Apr/May '11), -B2B- Inaugural Alaska (May '11) DCL FANTASY: 7 night Maiden Voyage: Western Caribbean (March '12), 7 night podCast 4.0 Western Caribbean (Dec '12) DISapalooza: WWOHP / Universal (Dec '12) NON-DCL: Celebrity Horizon, 7 night Philadelphia - Bermuda; HAL Noordam, 10 night NYC - Caribbean; Princess, 7 night FL-Caribbean; Carnival (don't waste my time)

11-18-2012, 11:49 AM	#4
amystevekai&bump DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK Posts: 3,422	Thank you both for your replies I will definitely do the 'if we are not there by .... time, then we won't be there' - thats a good idea. If dinner is say at 6pm, would you say 6.15 or is that too long if we do happen to end up with table mates? __________________ Amy x NEXT TRIPS: Back to Back DCL Med cruises - August 2013 / New Years 2013 at Portofino, BLT & AKV / October 2014 - Discovery Cove & DCL Southern Caribbean cruise Between Oct 1979 & Oct 2012 - approx 26 trips (including Bay Lake Towers, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo & Kidani, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs, All Stars Sports, off site hotels (inc Royal Pacific, Hard Rock hotel!!) and villas) PLUS - Disney Cruises x 4, Disney's Vero Beach resort, DLP x 10 visits & Disneyland California x 1 visit - And our 1998 Disney Wedding at the Wedding Pavillion!!

11-18-2012, 12:24 PM	#7
jgura Discruiser Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: US Posts: 279	skipping dinner I usually inform our server the night before when I know we will not be coming to dinner. (they will try to talk you into coming) If you see your server working breakfast or lunch you can tell them. I have told guest services before, but the message did not make it to our server. OR when we have table mates I let them know. Jill

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11-18-2012, 11:55 AM	#5
tajz90 Mama D Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,375	You will most likely get a 4 top. Our requests for 4 top has always been honored (except for when I FORGOT to request it) You won't have to worry about table mates, but 6:15 is a good time to stipulate.