Curious, why is it hard to ask for what you want?

[GinnerD]

In reading some of the threads on this board, people seem to be less inclined to voice their displeasure in Disney dining establishments. Why?
When you go out to eat at home and are not satisfied with the table you are offered, or the meal you are BUYING, most people speak up. This appears not to be the case at WDW.
I had a ressie for this past Friday nite at Rose & Crown. I was a solo diner. I asked for a table outside. The CM at the podium was very pleasant, told me they could not guarantee an outside table, but would do their best. OK.
When it was time to be seated, they escorted me inside the dining room, to a table just inside the door. It was a round table pushed up against the wall with one chair. Not a good spot as far as I was concerned. I spoke up! "Could I please be seated somewhere else?" I was willing to wait for another table, whether it was inside or out on the patio. I was polite but firm. Ultimately, I was seated outside with a front row view of Illuminations! I enjoyed a great meal and really good service. I for one am glad I spoke up for myself.

 

[CTJKLAB]

Good Job, you are a strong, confident woman!!!

 

[minnie mum]

In reading some of the threads on this board, people seem to be less inclined to voice their displeasure in Disney dining establishments. Why?
When you go out to eat at home and are not satisfied with the table you are offered, or the meal you are BUYING, most people speak up. This appears not to be the case at WDW.

People don't voice their displeasure about Disney Dining????? Boy are you new to these boards.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I have to agree with you. Coming home and kvetching that your steak was well done when it was supposed to be medium or that your fries were cold is a worthless endevor.

I'm a picky eater so if something isn't right, I speak up. I learned that very young lol.

 

[GinnerD]

People don't voice their displeasure about Disney Dining????? Boy are you new to these boards.

Yes, I am new to the Dis. I know that people voice their displeasure on here, but it is usually "after the fact". I have read many postings of how people did not care for what they were served, or it was not as they asked for it, but they chose not to "send it back" or have the issue corrected. I was just wondering why.

 

[TDC Nala]

Some people don't want to speak up for whatever reason - they're too shy, they want to avoid conflict, they fear "retaliation" by restaurant staff, they just don't think it's worth the hassle, whatever. That's just the way it is.

 

[kerstfan1]

if something is not right i will tell it

 

[smiths02]

Some people don't want to speak up for whatever reason - they're too shy, they want to avoid conflict, they fear "retaliation" by restaurant staff, they just don't think it's worth the hassle, whatever. That's just the way it is.

Yeah, my DH would not speak up at a restaurant at home either b/c he fears his food being spit on or something. (For instance, he doesn't like sauces on burgers, sandwiches, etc...so he always asks for plain...this gets screwed up A LOT but he will just wipe it off)

I don't speak up b/c I hate confrontation (and I won't want to worry DH) BUT I will speak up if it is just totally wrong.

Whether we are at Disney or not has nothing to do with it.

 

[smiths02]

Yes, I am new to the Dis. I know that people voice their displeasure on here, but it is usually "after the fact". I have read many postings of how people did not care for what they were served, or it was not as they asked for it, but they chose not to "send it back" or have the issue corrected. I was just wondering why.

I think I might also not say anything if I just found something not that great or maybe cooked a little wrong (like I ordered a steak medium and it came medium well) b/c at Disney I am eating with my family, and it is a big hassle to have to wait for them to cook me another steak while my family eats.

 

[minnie mum]

Some people don't want to speak up for whatever reason - they're too shy, they want to avoid conflict, they fear "retaliation" by restaurant staff, they just don't think it's worth the hassle, whatever. That's just the way it is.

Absolutely true, of course. Different people have different approaches and reactions to these situations. But this is not WDW specific- they would no doubt react similarly in ANY dining situation. I can't imagine why anyone would treat a Disney restaurant any differently than they would any other restaurant in the 'real world'.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

Just my 2 cents on the matter. I'm not really one to speak up anyway. Just usually not worth the hassle for me. In everyday life, if there's something that's really going to really affect my enjoyment of something, then I will. If its something I can live with, I go on with life. Disney is a different ball game. I don't go to Disney expecting great food, with very few exceptions. In some cases, all I really expect is edible food. You won't ever find me on a dining board complaining that something was cold or that I didn't like it, because I don't really expect anything else. Now, if I ordered a medium well steak at a signature restaurant that came out rare, I would send it back, but in general, it's not worth the time or effort for food that's barely edible anyway. As far as seating, I make requests. I'm pleasantly surprised when it works out, but if everyone actually spoke up and wouldn't settle for less than what they wanted, there would be a 42 hour line for prime seating. Everyone wants prime illuminations viewing at Rose & Crown. That doesn't mean everyone can have it. The sheer volume of people moving through Disney restaurants every day is overwhelming.

 

[sharonabe]

You got the table you wanted, but you had to wait for it. Most people value the money paid for the park ticket and the time needed to enjoy it fully more than getting the best table. Hence, we don't speak and wait the time needed for that table, but are happy to be seated within a reasonable time.

 

[smiths02]

You got the table you wanted, but you had to wait for it. Most people value the money paid for the park ticket and the time needed to enjoy it fully more than getting the best table. Hence, we don't speak and wait the time needed for that table, but are happy to be seated within a reasonable time.

Many people at Disney also have small children with them who need to eat or sit NOW...so waiting for a table or waiting for your meal to be recooked is just not a good option.

 

[RMulieri]

Yeah, my DH would not speak up at a restaurant at home either b/c he fears his food being spit on or something. (For instance, he doesn't like sauces on burgers, sandwiches, etc...so he always asks for plain...this gets screwed up A LOT but he will just wipe it off)

I don't speak up b/c I hate confrontation (and I won't want to worry DH) BUT I will speak up if it is just totally wrong.

Whether we are at Disney or not has nothing to do with it.

I am the same way.I worked in a restaurant and I remember staff doing things to peoples food.I still can't watch the movie "waiting" without gagging

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The way I see it someone has to take the bad tables. I'm no better than the other diners in the restaurant. Odds are we won't always have the worst table. I also don't expect to always get the prime table. That's JMO, of course.

 

[emilyann415]

I certainly hope most people don't take your advice. I, too, worked in food service and it was people who refused to sit anywhere other than where they wanted to sit that slowed down service for everyone else! Someone else pointed out, we can't always have the best table in the house, we all deserve our turn at the crappy table or else they'd only seat 10 people per restaraunt. I'm glad the majority of people are more flexible than this and don't cavech every time it's not what they want. Do we have a right to be disappointed and even whine now and again, I guess I think yes. But, you're right, they do do things to people's food that complain about where they sit or if their food isn't done to their liking. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just sayin......

 

[GinnerD]

I certainly hope most people don't take your advice. I, too, worked in food service and it was people who refused to sit anywhere other than where they wanted to sit that slowed down service for everyone else! Someone else pointed out, we can't always have the best table in the house, we all deserve our turn at the crappy table or else they'd only seat 10 people per restaraunt. I'm glad the majority of people are more flexible than this and don't cavech every time it's not what they want. Do we have a right to be disappointed and even whine now and again, I guess I think yes. But, you're right, they do do things to people's food that complain about where they sit or if their food isn't done to their liking. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just sayin......

Personally, I was not offering "advice" to anyone. If someone is happy to accept substandard service that is their right. I did not expect the "Best" seat in the house, but I certainly was not going to be pushed into the worst seat either. Yes, I was willing to give up another few minutes of my time to secure a better seat. I did not demand, nor did I expect the table I was given. I deemed it a bonus, and a little "pixie dust" thrown my way. I have been part of a large group at times and have never complained or expected more than what we got. We were grateful to be seated in a timely fashion and enjoyed our meal. As far as employees being gross and defiling people's food, it probably happens. I also have worked in the food service industry, and most people are not that mean.

 

[emilyann415]

I guess I felt the need to reply because I was a bit affronted by your subject title "why is it so hard to ask for what you want" as if it is a character flaw to take a table given to you instead to asking for another. I personally think I don't ask for another table because I think it's inconsiderate to the rest of the people who are also waiting for a place to sit. When one person or 20 people need to be placed in a certain area it slows down service for us all. If everyone did as you did that day you'd still be waiting for a table. You call it standing up for yourself, I call it inconsiderate. To each their own.

 

[mom2of2]

servers are on a seating rotation. When a guest is lead to a table, they have already been assigned the table and the server is aware that there is a party in their station. If you reject the table then you are simply assigned a new table. The server either gets the next table that will fit in their station or they get skipped in rotation. Guests don't like bad tables and servers don't like bad stations. It happens every day, every meal time. Guests are free to wait for another table that is more to their liking. Happy Guests=Happy Servers

 

[jblrn2b]

I am the same way.I worked in a restaurant and I remember staff doing things to peoples food.I still can't watch the movie "waiting" without gagging

I can only hope you spoke up. That's terrible.