Back from Disneyworld and used the MYW dining Plan, had some problems

[Tigge50447]

Gee, I hope we don't run into that problem of poor service because we are on the dining plan. Guess I should throw in that we got it for free with our package. We'll never get our glasses refilled. Quick question, do refills cost more. I think the plan says 1 drink.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I do plan on leaving extra tips for good service and plan on making cute envelopes for them with $5 or $10 dollars, which should bring thr tip to 20%. But since the servers will not know of my plans, but will know I am on the dinning plan I wonder if their service will meet my expectations.

Being a past server I usually give 20%. If a server is polite, my drink is refilled, and I don't wait forever for my bill to be taken care of I am a happy camper
janell

 

[dizfanz]

Then maybe their employers should pay them what they are worth.

If the employer had to pay a server what they are worth, do you realize where that money would come from? It would come from you. Servers are paid somewhere between $2.15-$3.00 an hour, which does not even begin to cover their taxes. They work for the money left on the table. If the restaurant had to pay the servers more, the result would be a significant increase in menu prices. In case you can't tell, I am a server/bartender myself, from the midwest. I enjoy the people I take care of and if I go above and beyond, I enjoy when my guests give me a %20 or higher tip. In the midwest, just like anywhere else, if you get good service, you should return in kind with 18-20%. If you have to ask for drink refills or the like, but service was still good and friendly, sure 15% is appropriate. I know what is left for me is part of the biz. Some tips are great and some are not. Any server who outwardly shows they are displeased is not acting in a professional way. You should tip them appropriately. You want 15 cherries for your child's soda, "It would be my pleasure."(with a smile on my face, but I am thinking oh god, I got another one of them)

Not to make an excuse for the tipping policy on the MYW dining plan, but I think the consensus of most is that tip is included. I know when I work, I will most likely get 20%. But if say 15-18% is included, my chances of making 20% is a lot lower because most will not think of leaving extra.

Another thought: Most people tip based on total after tax. Computers add gratuity to the pretax amount. The tax on restaurants in Florida is probably about 7%. On a $100 check, the server probably gets about $1 less when the computer adds tax. Over the course of a year, that can really add up, possibly into $1000-$2000.

Just a few thoughts from inside the head of a server. I am now putting on my flame-proof suit.

 

[BluOrchid2]

I know this is O/T, but I had to chuckle at this: "You want 15 cherries for your child's soda,... "

Whenever we dine at our favorite restaurants, two of them, the wait staff doesn't even wait to take our drink orders. Instead, the first time out of the kitchen and to our table, they bring a small BOWL of cherries for our daughter, who always orders "Sprite with cherries." They get tipped very well.

 

[NY Disney fan]

If the employer had to pay a server what they are worth, do you realize where that money would come from? It would come from you.

Yes, our economy is mostly driven by the consumer. But if the policy states that serves are to be tipped 15% (in most cases) why are people saying that's not a decent tip?? I hate tipping 15% (which I do anyway) for crappy service. I always tip 20-30% for great service. But as a consumer, I hate feeling like I am responsible for paying the waiter's rent or tuition. It can get ridiculous at times.

 

[robinb]

Thanks for your review! I'm using the dining plan next month and it's good to have a head's up about things. I have a couple questions for you:

(1) Did you offer to combine 2 desserts at Le Cellier for the sampler? What about the appitzers at L'Originale Alfredo of Rome? My guess is that in both cases the item was meant for 2 or more people.

(2) You say that your kids were not able to order an appitizer off the adult menu. Did your kids eat of the children's menus exclusively? I believe the rule is that kids must eat off the childrens menu and can only get an appitizer off the adult menu if one is not offered on their menu.

 

[swilshire]

I tip 20% for decent service, but on the before tip amount. Since we pay 10% sales tax, that adds up. I tip on the amount the bill would have been without any coupons or discounts.

I had mixed results on service when we used the meal vouchers last year. As you say, some servers seemed to ignore you since they assumed their tip was set. They lost the extra I would have left them for a little attention.

Sheila

 

[dizfanz]

I always tip 20-30% for great service. But as a consumer, I hate feeling like I am responsible for paying the waiter's rent or tuition. It can get ridiculous at times.

You are paying the waiter's rent and tuition. I never receive a paycheck, ever. It is entirely consumed by taxes and I had to pay $1500 in taxes in April. What you leave on the table is my bread and butter. If you leave 30%, that is certainly over the top and I hope your server washed your car while you were eating and put a coat of wax on too. What am I trying to say? I guess what I mean is 15% may be a little old fashioned. It may be appropriate for say Mel's Dinner(I may not be as young as you think I am ), not for CG, Citrico's, Artist Point, etc...

 

[eleanor]

Do you really only pay $2 or 3 for wait staff? Here you must pay minimun wage which is considerably more.Who would work for that.

 

[BCV23]

You know, I've always heard that at VERY fine dining establishments, it is a rule of thumb to tip more than the standard but I always feel for the server in more humble restaurants. We have breakfast at a little restaurant where the servers really hustle, refill coffee mutiple times, etc.. and the prices are really low. My husband tips well over 20% there.

 

[supermanfan]

We had the dining plan as well. When I mentioned it up front we did not checked on as often or refills as often. Also at Whispering Canyone the bottomless milkshake ends at 1 (very short bottomless). I always tried to mention it up front to make sure we were ordering correctly because it has to be exact for the computer to take it. The only real problem was when my 13 year old was trying to do things by himself. He still does not understand the difference between a snack on the plan and a regular dessert.

A tip that can make things work for you though is being nice to the cast member. At the Japanese steakhouse at Epcot we each got an extra appetizer and my 18 month old was given his own drinks. At Whispering Canyon I said I would pay for the bottomless milk shake and the manager actually worked things out so we didn't have to.

The dining plan was well worth it in my opinion. You got more food that you will eat. We had 21 (3 people * 7 nights) table services, 21 snacks, and 21 counter services. We used everything but 6 tables services and 1 counter service. Every table service was well over $100 and Every Counter service was around $60. The cost for the dining plan was $735 and we spent about $852.50. Just think if we used those last couple of table services!

The one complaint I had is that there was not a great selection for counter service meals at the parks.

 

[keishashadow]

On the Dining Plan, we left additional tips for our servers except for the Yaughtsman Steakhouse once we told them we were on the plan, the attitude/service went decidedly downhill. We didn't have this problem @ any other spot in WDW.

Just because you're on the plan doesn't mean you have to order the priciest items on the menu (doesn't guarantee they'll be the best, ask your server for recommendations - they'll know what's good). Additionally, if you want an item not included (souvenier glass, etc.), ask and you can pay the difference.

Seems like people are equating their successful usage of the plan with ordering the most expensive grub they can to make sure they get their money's worth...this won't necessarily equal a memorable dining experience. Relax, order what you'll enjoy eating, and appreciate the fact that your meals are prepaid; one less thing to worry about during your vacation.

FYI, the plan is only currently available to those paying rack rate with MYW tix purchase, DVC staying on points are shut out from purchasing the plan; although we're lobbying for it. Personally, I'd love to be able to utilize it again, with all of it's "perceived flaws".

 

[skiwee1]

That 'Ohana issue doesn't seem right. As far as I know, the pineapple and fortune cookies are INCLUDED in the cost of your dinner. I'd have politely asked to see a manager.

What fortune cookies? We've eaten at Ohana probably 20 times in the last 5 years and have never seen a fortune cookie.

 

[t-roy]

Do you have to tell them you're on the meal plan when you order?

 

[Carrie Ellis]

I drove carriages in downtown Dallas for several years (while in college). My income was tips. I most say that I made more money doing that then at my first job out of college. If a waiter or waitress has 2 $50 tables each hour and received 15% on each table, he or she would still make $15 in tips each hour not counting what the restaurant pays per hour ($3-$5). I know many people who don't pay taxes on their cash tips so that it is a benefit! I know it depends on the area but still not a bad hourly wage!!! A police officer in Dallas starts off making $30K (with a degree-dad and brother are Dallas cops) and that only amounts to $14.42/hour before taxes and what not. Teachers probably make that or less...

We are on the plan and if we don't get decent service I am going to be hot! That is wrong to treat people on the plan any different. We will have 9 of us and I am sure our tab will be over $100 each time. So the wait staff should make at least $15-$20 off us from the plan and I am not planning on being there more than an hour. I am going to have $$ to pay an extra 5% if they are great. I think that is a great wage!

 

[eeyore45]

Hey maybe I should get a button that says "will tip for good service - promise"

*sigh...

 

[Leslie32]

Thanks for your review! I'm using the dining plan next month and it's good to have a head's up about things. I have a couple questions for you:

(1) Did you offer to combine 2 desserts at Le Cellier for the sampler? What about the appitzers at L'Originale Alfredo of Rome? My guess is that in both cases the item was meant for 2 or more people.

(2) You say that your kids were not able to order an appitizer off the adult menu. Did your kids eat of the children's menus exclusively? I believe the rule is that kids must eat off the childrens menu and can only get an appitizer off the adult menu if one is not offered on their menu.

To answer your questions no I didn't offer to combine 2 desserts for the sampler, they never said we could. They said that since we are on the plan we couldn't order anything that is meant for 2 or more people even though they have on there for one person pay such and such prices which was always higher then the two person portion. The appetizers at Alfredos you could get anything except the ones that say more then one person.

Yes my kids did eat exclusivley off the childs menu. Every restaurant we went to if they didn't have a childs appetizer on the childs menu we still couldn't order one off the adult appetizer menu. I thought the same thing you did that they could get one off the adult if they didn't have one on the child but they told me that isn't the case. Now concourse steakhouse did have appetizers on the childs menu so my children got an appetizer there.

I would do the dining plan again it was well worth it. I didn't feel confused by it and we ate very very good and ALOT.

 

[Leslie32]

We had the dining plan as well. When I mentioned it up front we did not checked on as often or refills as often. Also at Whispering Canyone the bottomless milkshake ends at 1 (very short bottomless). I always tried to mention it up front to make sure we were ordering correctly because it has to be exact for the computer to take it. The only real problem was when my 13 year old was trying to do things by himself. He still does not understand the difference between a snack on the plan and a regular dessert.

A tip that can make things work for you though is being nice to the cast member. At the Japanese steakhouse at Epcot we each got an extra appetizer and my 18 month old was given his own drinks. At Whispering Canyon I said I would pay for the bottomless milk shake and the manager actually worked things out so we didn't have to.

The dining plan was well worth it in my opinion. You got more food that you will eat. We had 21 (3 people * 7 nights) table services, 21 snacks, and 21 counter services. We used everything but 6 tables services and 1 counter service. Every table service was well over $100 and Every Counter service was around $60. The cost for the dining plan was $735 and we spent about $852.50. Just think if we used those last couple of table services!

The one complaint I had is that there was not a great selection for counter service meals at the parks.

I agree with the counter service selection and I was very nice to the waiters and waitresses which I always am.

 

[Leslie32]

What fortune cookies? We've eaten at Ohana probably 20 times in the last 5 years and have never seen a fortune cookie.

No never gotten fortune cookies either. This was my first disney trip so I didn't know pineapple was standard at ohanas. Thank you all for filling me in, now I feel better.

 

[gigi1313]

Ask any casino dealer that deals to some rude. obnoxious, winning player, only to have the guy walk away with thousands, and tip nothing.

you're supposed to tip a dealer at a casino?! while i've never won thousands, i have won hundreds and it never occured to me to tip the dealer... i would have thought that was against the rules!