A thought about Free DDP

[TravelinGal]

If the plan isn't offered, or not offered with the same dates as last year (as MANY of us are hoping for the same date range) are we going to be upset?

Maybe not - Here's my thought just now.


We heard how poor service was.

We heard about tired cranky un-Disneylike CM servers.

We heard about small meal portions - smaller than normal.

We heard about long waits because places were overbooked.


Do we really want that?


Ok - so I'm trying to make wine (instead of whine) from (possible sour) grapes. (because, YES! I'd endure those things to save a buck - or be able to upgrade my resort)

Anyway...Just 'thinking out loud'.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now, see, I didn't experience any of that. Oh, sure, service at Coral Reef was kind of rushed... but after all, my reservation was for ten minutes before the park closed for the night.

My service was always great; my servers were always pleasant, if not downright friendly; my portions had me vowing "never* again" because I was able to finish only one course at one restaurant (i.e. - lots of food went to waste); and I never had an unreasonable wait - maybe fifteen minutes at Coral Reef, and ten at AP because I wanted a specific (great!) server.

* new definition of 'never': 51 weeks.

 

[twinspluscade]

We didn't experience any of that either--and we went during free dining last year . Service and food was great.

The only plus of not having free dining this year is that maybe parks will be even less crowded than last year (although last year was pretty darn uncrowded).

 

[n2mm]

We also never experienced any of the items from the disgruntlement list. We went during free dining in September 2005 and August 2005. We paid for DDP in May 2006, October 2006, February 2007. I never saw a difference whether we got it free or paid for it. Free is always better.

 

[TravelinGal]

Hey - I'm trying here!

Just searching for a bright side if it doesn't pan out.

 

[castleri]

Even if they do free dining this year maybe they will limit it more after what happened last year where they had to extend hours and open extra buffets or trade out TS credits for CS ones. to handle the number of people eating at TS places. We were on the diining plan (paid for it as we were staying at DVC villa). We had great service in most places and fortunately had our ADRs so did not have the experience some people did of not being able to get into places to use their TS credits. It would just make sense for them to keep it on a more limited basis to prevent those things from happening this year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hey - I'm trying here!

Just searching for a bright side if it doesn't pan out.

Oh, ooops, sorry, you're absolutely correct!

It would just make sense for them to keep it on a more limited basis to prevent those things from happening this year.

And maybe put a LOT more energy into convincing Guests to make at least some reservations when originally booking the package!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We heard how poor service was.

We heard about tired cranky un-Disneylike CM servers.

We heard about small meal portions - smaller than normal.

We heard about long waits because places were overbooked.

You have to meet certain requirements to get free dining. Not everyone is eligible for it. How would the servers know if guests are getting the dining plan for free or if they're paying for it?

We're DVC members and have done the dining plan twice during split stays. And I can say we've gotten more food than we normally eat, and have had very pleasant service.

 

[TravelinGal]

You have to meet certain requirements to get free dining. Not everyone is eligible for it. How would the servers know if guests are getting the dining plan for free or if they're paying for it?

We're DVC members and have done the dining plan twice during split stays. And I can say we've gotten more food than we normally eat, and have had very pleasant service.

While this post was meant to be in FUN, I will answer your question from my view point -

I never said just the free DDP guests got poor service. People posted last year on Disney board (here and others) about those very problems I listed. Because the entire dining system was under seige with the free plan, those conditions existed. Maybe not everywhere - or all the time - but they were reported last year - by free DDP folks as well as paying DDP people.

Anyway - I was just trying to find a sunny spot to lounge in if/when I find out they don't go through Sept 30th this year (as the rumor goes). Don't get all critical and rain on me, please.

(but it is good to hear not everyone had bad DDP experiences last year during free DD - gives me more hope incase my dates DO qualify for it this year!)

 

[Leanne1977]

Aww i willl join you in your sunny spot.

We already have free dining for 2 weeks as we are from the UK. But i have just extended our holiay(vacation) for another week and i booked this direct with disney. If free dining does come out i will have it for 3 weeks and i may need the whole plane to myself to fit into on the way home!!!

 

[n2mm]

Hey - I'm trying here!

Just searching for a bright side if it doesn't pan out.

OK, so you're just trying to convince yourself that you're not really going to miss it! OK, I agree, it was terrible and the food awful.

OK, it better not be terrible, because we gave up on the free ddp already since our dates are Aug. 15-24 and booked the DVC so we will be the few people actually PAYING for the DDP while others (BB and UK) will be getting it for free.

 

[bookgirl2632]

If the plan isn't offered, or not offered with the same dates as last year (as MANY of us are hoping for the same date range) are we going to be upset?

Maybe not - Here's my thought just now.


We heard how poor service was.

We heard about tired cranky un-Disneylike CM servers.

We heard about small meal portions - smaller than normal.

We heard about long waits because places were overbooked.


Do we really want that?


Ok - so I'm trying to make wine (instead of whine) from (possible sour) grapes. (because, YES! I'd endure those things to save a buck - or be able to upgrade my resort)

Anyway...Just 'thinking out loud'.

I was there in September for free dining. I had fabulous, uncranky servers, more than adequate meal portions, and a table available within five minutes of every ADR I made.

So, yeah, no problems here.

 

[kimberh]

I Know, that last year many people did not make their ADR's. I witnessed this. Saw the Longgggggg lines at the TS restaurants. Saw the extra tables being set up outside at some to the Epcot restaurants, (it looked liked it was going to rain). Had a note in my Welcome packet stating ' if we had not made our TS reservations, they would give us two CS meals for 1 TS meal or something else, Lanyard?' maybe??? can't remember. Saw many people being turned away at MGM restaurants. Just want to say, Plan, Plan, Plan! Then if you have ADR's that you are not using, cancel them, so that someone else can use the slot. Lot of discussion on this last year. Don't double book while you make up your mind. It will stop another family from getting there's.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We experienced great service, good to great food, and didn't feel like anything had been watered down because of the dining plan one bit.
The past two years of free dining we have had mostly great meals, a few good ones, and only one bad one. Funny thing is, the bad meal was in no way shape or form due to being overwhelmed by the dining plan. They weren't even full.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Another UK resident with free disney dining for 3 weeks at POFR. Can't beat free food. I got the free dining plan last year and had none of the problems mentioned, I did get one waiter (at Sci Fi) call me sir! but that was all

 

[kimberlyp02]

Just to comment from the "other side" of things. We had horrible service at least 2x's during our week long trip. Once was at O'hana, the waiter was RUDE and we were there for nearly 2.5hrs!!! from beginning to end. He came to our table maybe 2x's the whole night. He paused after saying the specials then I asked a question and he said "Are you going to let me finish what I was saying or should I answer your question first?"(was VERY cocky and rude when saying it too) I was SHOCKED. We have NEVER had bad service anywhere in disney, EVER! This was our first day and I wanted to cry.

Then we are standing in line at Pop Century food court waiting for our food to be prepared and 2 of the ladies working behind the counter are talking loud about how disney is not taking care of them, their jobs suck and they can't wait until they can stop working there, this is ridiculous,etc. Again, we were floored.

So, we did see a difference during that time. We had a few other incidents too during our stay that was SOOO un-disneylike. As I said, we have had PERFECT service on ALL of our other trips.

I was trying to hide from the lightning that I just knew was going to come shooting down from the disney gods to strike these employees...lol...how dare they be anything but cheery. Especially when they are getting tipped 18%(and sometimes more from you) on Ridiculously overpriced meals?!

Anyway, just thought I'd tell the other side since we had been there.

 

[kimberlyp02]

OH! To answer the question though, no, I'll still be ticked if I can't get the free DDP this year...lol

 

[M2DD's]

We went last year at the end of september with the FD.We stayed at PC and it was packed. The parks we ok but TS places were very busy. We ate at alot of TS that we had not ate at before so I really can't compare the food quality. My family are chain food people who like Chiilis,TGIF,Olive garden and so on. So the food was a little different. I don't eat meat and my DD is allergic to dairy. All the servers and cooks were very accomidating to our needs. My DH does not want them to offer the free dinning because he thinks it crowds the resorts.(which it does)People who would normally stay off property tend to stay on with the FD.The bottom line is I love anything free at WDW since were already paying$$$$ to go. If they don't offer FD hopefully they will offer some other discount. We already paid full rack rates for our trip in september.
Laura
P.S Waiting for them to make the announcement is killing me