A Plea To All Dis'ers

[JimmyV]

Pre Park Opening ADRs have become a "thing" as a strategy for gaining access to popular rides up to the point where people are skipping their meals altogether and heading straight for the attraction line, absorbing the "no show" fee. I won't get in to the "right or wrong" of this. But please consider the following. The restaurants cannot fill "no show" tables with walk-ins the way other restaurants can because no one is allowed to the restaurant unless they can show that they have an ADR. This means that the table goes unused, and the server for that table generates no gratuity. The $10 no show fee goes to Disney, but servers will be left with empty tables and no revenue. As a result, I would cordially suggest that if you skip out on a PPO ADR, that you calculate what you would have spent at that restaurant if you actually ate there and later in the day go back to the restaurant and hand the manager 20% of that bill and tell him or her to add this to the tip pool. Imagine being a server at Garden Grill and seeing a fully booked reservation docket from 7:30-9:00 only to have only 30% of those people actually show up with the rest hovering in Mexico waiting for Rope Drop and the rush to Norway. Imagine what your take home tips would be that day. Now imagine trying to pay your rent or mortgage. Actions have consequences. This is just one that I don't think many have thought about. Maybe this act of kindness can go viral. Thanks.

 

[cdnjason]

Couldn't agree more.

Besides, though we used to book PPO ADRs to get into the parks early, we've since dumped that strategy. It's not worth the money and doesn't save you that much time on rides. Unless, you skip it, as you've eluded to.

I know you don't want to get into whether it's right or wrong, but I will. It's selfish and wrong. Not only are you preventing a family from an opportunity to eat at that restaurant, you're affecting revenue for servers, as you already stated.

 

[wilkeliza]

Let's not forget it also makes food prices go up as the restraunt is still expected to make the profit they should have during that 1.5-2 hour span people are skipping out on.

 

[cosmicmommy]

I plan to book 3 different PPO breakfasts, but that's because I don't want to waste park time with eating and I will have small children who need to eat, so I'm filling otherwise 'dead' time - being able to already be in the park is just an added bonus.

 

[Shanti]

Let's not forget it also makes food prices go up as the restraunt is still expect to make the profit they should have during that 1.5-2 hour span people are skipping out on.

And that it will likely lead to Early Morning Magic at Epcot if the trend continues.

 

[ncc1701]

If this becomes a serious issue for Disney you can bet that they will make changes. Most likely in the form of prepaid just like CRT. And I would hope they add a gratuity fee.
We always try to book a PPO at CP but that is to get pics on Main St and we enjoy the breakfast buffet

 

[pigletgirl]

I plan to book 3 different PPO breakfasts, but that's because I don't want to waste park time with eating and I will have small children who need to eat, so I'm filling otherwise 'dead' time - being able to already be in the park is just an added bonus.

You may find yourself still wasting park time.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

If this becomes a serious issue for Disney you can bet that they will make changes. Most likely in the form of prepaid just like CRT. And I would hope they add a gratuity fee.
We always try to book a PPO at CP but that is to get pics on Main St and we enjoy the breakfast buffet

The prepaid sounds like the best solution.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Pre Park Opening ADRs have become a "thing" as a strategy for gaining access to popular rides up to the point where people are skipping their meals altogether and heading straight for the attraction line, absorbing the "no show" fee. I won't get in to the "right or wrong" of this. But please consider the following. The restaurants cannot fill "no show" tables with walk-ins the way other restaurants can because no one is allowed to the restaurant unless they can show that they have an ADR. This means that the table goes unused, and the server for that table generates no gratuity. The $10 no show fee goes to Disney, but servers will be left with empty tables and no revenue. As a result, I would cordially suggest that if you skip out on a PPO ADR, that you calculate what you would have spent at that restaurant if you actually ate there and later in the day go back to the restaurant and hand the manager 20% of that bill and tell him or her to add this to the tip pool. Imagine being a server at Garden Grill and seeing a fully booked reservation docket from 7:30-9:00 only to have only 30% of those people actually show up with the rest hovering in Mexico waiting for Rope Drop and the rush to Norway. Imagine what your take home tips would be that day. Now imagine trying to pay your rent or mortgage. Actions have consequences. This is just one that I don't think many have thought about. Maybe this act of kindness can go viral. Thanks.

I would not even think about doing this. We have been fortunate with our PPO ADR's and have enjoyed them immensely (especially at the MK). When my DD was younger, I would stay and pay the bill while my DW and DD would go and wake up Tinkerbell in Tinkerbell's Treasures. I learn something new everyday about the lengths that some people will go to in order to get on a certain ride first. It is just sad that someone would take something away someone else just to be in the front of a line. I commend Disney on the FP+ ability even though it may not be perfect. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. I guess some people just don't have a conscience, just money.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Disney is essentially allowing guests to "buy" an additional Fast Pass for $10pp. I agree with PPs that prepaid meals for ALL PPO breakfasts would solve this problem.

 

[TeresaWen]

If Disney is smart and using all the data they have at their disposal, they may be overbooking the restaurants knowing on average a certain percentage of tables are no-shows. Win-win for them. The customer ultimately looses when the percentage is off, forcing wait times because more tables than expected actually showed up to eat.

 

[cjbcam]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this but there is no way a restaurant is actually losing money when they charge no shows $10 each. Breakfast food is cheap. While they may not make as much they are not actually losing money. As for the waiters yes they would lose out however they only need one table of six (like my family) to show. 20% of our bill is like over $40 (how much over 40 depends on how much they actually charge for buffets). With the cost of the food being so high I really don't believe the waiters are being under paid. I mean really with just my family they make over 40 dollars and we usually don't take an hour to eat buffet.

I don't think it's right and I would never do it. We like actually eating at restaurants PPO. But the amount we tip while in WDW is crazy because of the cost of food. A waiter having 2 tables an hour of 6 people they are making over $80. How much do you think a waiter should make? Even with tip out that's a crazy amount.

 

[GreatLakes]

If this becomes a serious issue for Disney you can bet that they will make changes. Most likely in the form of prepaid just like CRT. And I would hope they add a gratuity fee.
We always try to book a PPO at CP but that is to get pics on Main St and we enjoy the breakfast buffet

Yep. When people try to game the system Disney has to implement changes to close the loopholes people are using. Don't get mad at Disney for no-show fees, pre-paid ADRs, and the like. Get mad at the guests who necessitated them in the first place.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this but there is no way a restaurant is actually losing money when they charge no shows $10 each. Breakfast food is cheap. While they may not make as much they are not actually losing money. As for the waiters yes they would lose out however they only need one table of six (like my family) to show. 20% of our bill is like over $40 (how much over 40 depends on how much they actually charge for buffets). With the cost of the food being so high I really don't believe the waiters are being under paid. I mean really with just my family they make over 40 dollars and we usually don't take an hour to eat buffet.

I don't think it's right and I would never do it. We like actually eating at restaurants PPO. But the amount we tip while in WDW is crazy because of the cost of food. A waiter having 2 tables an hour of 6 people they are making over $80. How much do you think a waiter should make? Even with tip out that's a crazy amount.

Not trying to "flame" you in anyway. So please don't mistake my comments for that.

For argument's sake, let's say you have a job that you are expected to work from 9am-5pm. You show up to work on time at 9am and your boss says we don't need you until 10am so we will not start paying you until then. So just go sit at your desk, twiddle your thumbs and do nothing for an hour then at 10am we'll start paying you. I would imagine this would be pretty frustrating as there is probably many things you could have done with that hour of wasted time rather than sit at your desk for free.

Also, I've never been a fan of the "how much do you think a xxxxxx should make" argument. Because invariably everyone thinks their profession is underpaid and most everyone else's is overpaid.

I DO agree with you on the prices of food at DW though. We are booked for 9 days with DxDDP and will be eating at a lot of signatures. Was doing some quick math on what we can expect tips to be for the week and it add$ up quick! See there, I pretty much contradicted myself in the same post!

 

[maxiesmom]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this but there is no way a restaurant is actually losing money when they charge no shows $10 each. Breakfast food is cheap. While they may not make as much they are not actually losing money. As for the waiters yes they would lose out however they only need one table of six (like my family) to show. 20% of our bill is like over $40 (how much over 40 depends on how much they actually charge for buffets). With the cost of the food being so high I really don't believe the waiters are being under paid. I mean really with just my family they make over 40 dollars and we usually don't take an hour to eat buffet.

I don't think it's right and I would never do it. We like actually eating at restaurants PPO. But the amount we tip while in WDW is crazy because of the cost of food. A waiter having 2 tables an hour of 6 people they are making over $80. How much do you think a waiter should make? Even with tip out that's a crazy amount.

I will flame you, on behalf of the wait staff. It doesn't matter what you consider "underpaid". If you skip out on your meal the wait staff is losing pay. I'm not sure what you do for a living, but put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if you only made 30% of what you expected on any given day? Rate of pay doesn't signify.

 

[cjbcam]

Not trying to "flame" you in anyway. So please don't mistake my comments for that.

For argument's sake, let's say you have a job that you are expected to work from 9am-5pm. You show up to work on time at 9am and your boss says we don't need you until 10am so we will not start paying you until then. So just go sit at your desk, twiddle your thumbs and do nothing for an hour then at 10am we'll start paying you. I would imagine this would be pretty frustrating as there is probably many things you could have done with that hour of wasted time rather than sit at your desk for free.

Also, I've never been a fan of the "how much do you think a xxxxxx should make" argument. Because invariably everyone thinks their profession is underpaid and most everyone else's is overpaid.

I DO agree with you on the prices of food at DW though. We are booked for 9 days with DxDDP and will be eating at a lot of signatures. Was doing some quick math on what we can expect tips to be for the week and it add$ up quick! See there, I pretty much contradicted myself in the same post!

They still get some sort of hourly rate and I doubt 100% of the tables are people that ditch and suck up a $10 fee. So it's not like they aren't getting something.

 

[maxiesmom]

They still get some sort of hourly rate and I doubt 100% of the tables are people that ditch and suck up a $10 fee. So it's not like they aren't getting something.

In their position would you be grateful that you got only a small portion of your pay? Say you were supposed to be earning $30 an hour, but only ended up being paid $5 an hour, would you be happy with that?

 

[cjbcam]

I will flame you, on behalf of the wait staff. It doesn't matter what you consider "underpaid". If you skip out on your meal the wait staff is losing pay. I'm not sure what you do for a living, but put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if you only made 30% of what you expected on any given day? Rate of pay doesn't signify.

I have been a waiter when I was younger so I do know what it feels to be one and being a waiter you can't guarantee anything but your hourly take home. I also doubt 70% are no shows or Disney would have already put a stop to it. If I expected $80 in tips for my one hour and only received $24 that's still a very good hourly wage for a waiter.
Sorry I just don't believe the waiters at Disney are underpaid even if tables aren't 100% filled. With the hundreds of people being shuffled through these restaurants everyday where it's really hard to get ADRs I really doubt the servers are not taking home a lot of money in tips even if they have a 30% cancellation or no show.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They still get some sort of hourly rate and I doubt 100% of the tables are people that ditch and suck up a $10 fee. So it's not like they aren't getting something.

Minimum wage for servers in Florida is $2.13/hour. While Disney might pay more than that, it's still not even close to minimum wage.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have been a waiter when I was younger so I do know what it feels to be one and being a waiter you can't guarantee anything but your hourly take home. I also doubt 70% are no shows or Disney would have already put a stop to it. If I expected $80 in tips for my one hour and only received $24 that's still a very good hourly wage for a waiter.
Sorry I just don't believe the waiters at Disney are underpaid even if tables aren't 100% filled. With the hundreds of people being shuffled through these restaurants everyday where it's really hard to get ADRs I really doubt the servers are not taking home a lot of money in tips even if they have a 30% cancellation or no show.

Doesn't matter what they are being paid. No matter what someone earns it is not right to knowingly deprive them of that. Again, how would you feel right now, in their shoes? Would you be happy? I don't think so.

I really hope Disney goes to pre-paid for their character breakfasts. So that people stop this sort of nonsense.

 

[cjbcam]

Minimum wage for servers in Florida is $2.13/hour. While Disney might pay more than that, it's still not even close to minimum wage.

I don't agree with waiters not getting min wage. But I also don't think 100% of their tables are ever a no show. So like I said before if only one table of 6 (like my family) shows they are making at least $40 for less than an hours worth of work.