AN important "NOTE" about Bounceback Offer

[jgallant]

We just returned from WL...friend I was there with booked bounceback offer, was told by cm that there were going to be minor modifications to the plan.

1) Appetizers are not included in the plan

2) Gratuities are not included either ( 18% ) (which we tip anyways for great service...last year we tipped 20-30 dollars every single time....but this year we were more uhm...conservative a.k.a CHEAP! I hated it! Not leaving a tip felt so awkward and rude to me. But DH kept saying Its already included don't worry about it!) We left tips at a few restaurants- Narcoosee's, Mame Melrose, Le Cellier, and Marakesh. But no more than 10-20 dollars.

I personally think it is a great deal...its still FREE , but DH did not so we did not book it. Also we are finding that we are wasting way too much food and we don't eat like we used to.

On a short off topic note though...does anyone think that as "free diners" we aren't getting treated as well as we used to? Anyone else feel that way? We were there for 10 days and only had a small number of waiters/waitresses that seemed to like what they were doing and were kind and happy?

We may change our vaca time from Sept. to another month? We'll see.

Just wanted to let people know if they didn't know already????

 

[lustergirl]

We just returned from WL...friend I was there with booked bounceback offer, was told by cm that there were going to be minor modifications to the plan.

1) Appetizers are not included in the plan

2) Gratuities are not included either ( 18% ) (which we tip anyways for great service...last year we tipped 20-30 dollars every single time....but this year we were more uhm...conservative a.k.a CHEAP! I hated it! Not leaving a tip felt so awkward and rude to me. But DH kept saying Its already included don't worry about it!) We left tips at a few restaurants- Narcoosee's, Mame Melrose, Le Cellier, and Marakesh. But no more than 10-20 dollars.

I personally think it is a great deal...its still FREE , but DH did not so we did not book it. Also we are finding that we are wasting way too much food and we don't eat like we used to.

On a short off topic note though...does anyone think that as "free diners" we aren't getting treated as well as we used to? Anyone else feel that way? We were there for 10 days and only had a small number of waiters/waitresses that seemed to like what they were doing and were kind and happy?

We may change our vaca time from Sept. to another month? We'll see.

Just wanted to let people know if they didn't know already????

I don't think the waiters know the difference if you have paid for the dining or you are enjoying the "free dining promo". I think that service may be a little off key or hurried right now because of the sheer volume of people being served. I went in september 05 and 06 with the free dining promo and they waiters were wonderful!!

 

[ldrprn]

I agree with you on the service. I am glad the gratuity has been removed. I often got the feeling that the servers felt that they would get their tip anyway. We actually had one server talking back to us and was very rude. It was if it didn't matter, she still got her 18%. Don't get me wrong, we had wonderful meals, and most servers were wonderful. We almost always added to the tip for good service though. We thought the food was wonedrful and did book bounceback for next year. 347 days to go.

 

[kaelarad]

I also agree that since the dining plan came in the service is lacking a bit. I think the servers know that they will get their tip no matter how good a server they are--for now. But after the change, they are going to have to work for that tip. My issue with the new dining plan is that for $1.00 less in cost you are still getting the short end of the stick. Less food, no tip included and only one dollar cheaper. Welcome to the new disney philosophy.

 

[jgallant]

I guess they really wouldn't know for sure whether or not it was "free dining" or paid DDP, but I remember all of our previous trips ( all 6 in the past three years at that) They were all wonderful, we kept coming home and saying how fabulous all the staff were, they were exceptional, Disney has the customer service touch! White glove treatment, no matter where you were and where you stayed. We told everyone you HAVE got to try to go to Disney, etc. etc. but I wasn't feelin the magic this trip.....sigh....some days were great but for the most part it was so so.
And we quite love Disney still too! We can't get enough of it, and maybe it was just not a good week, I am hoping! But I can't wait to go back again...lookin to get back for Christmas or there abouts! Can't wait cant wait cant wait!

 

[lustergirl]

I guess they really wouldn't know for sure whether or not it was "free dining" or paid DDP, but I remember all of our previous trips ( all 6 in the past three years at that) They were all wonderful, we kept coming home and saying how fabulous all the staff were, they were exceptional, Disney has the customer service touch! White glove treatment, no matter where you were and where you stayed. We told everyone you HAVE got to try to go to Disney, etc. etc. but I wasn't feelin the magic this trip.....sigh....some days were great but for the most part it was so so.
And we quite love Disney still too! We can't get enough of it, and maybe it was just not a good week, I am hoping! But I can't wait to go back again...lookin to get back for Christmas or there abouts! Can't wait cant wait cant wait!

have you ever been at christmas? It is quite beautiful with all of the decorations everywhere. My hubby and I are going solo 11/29-12/5.

 

[SplashMom]

[QUOTE
1) Appetizers are not included in the plan

2) Gratuities are not included either ( 18% ) [/QUOTE]

I believe this is just the new dining plan beginning in 2008--it isn't just the bounceback special. Beginning in 2008, there are changes to the dining plan and there will now be a deluxe dining plan if you wish to purchase it. There is a lot of discussion about the pros and cons. We didn't notice any difference in the service when we paid for dining and when we didn't--great service all around.

 

[disneymom06]

I agree that the servers don't know who has free dining but the tip was automatic either way so YES, I did feel that service was lacking. My 5 yr old had an ENTIRE tray of 6 large beverages dumped on her at 11 in the morning and the server just turned and left. He then returned and said to her "You must be cold". I was stunned, I had to ask someone for towels to clean up . No one apologized and I cleaned up the table. My husband and older son also were splashed. I had to get my daughter new clothes. I was deeply dissappointed by how the situation was handled. Mind you we are 6 so the tip will still be TOLD to us in the future. I do not like the thought of being forced to pay a tip for the service that I received. Mind you we usually tip 20-25% and always have left extra cash during free dining to meet our usual tip rate.

 

[lisalonglash]

I agree that the servers don't know who has free dining but the tip was automatic either way so YES, I did feel that service was lacking. My 5 yr old had an ENTIRE tray of 6 large beverages dumped on her at 11 in the morning and the server just turned and left. He then returned and said to her "You must be cold". I was stunned, I had to ask someone for towels to clean up . No one apologized and I cleaned up the table. My husband and older son also were splashed. I had to get my daughter new clothes. I was deeply dissappointed by how the situation was handled. Mind you we are 6 so the tip will still be TOLD to us in the future. I do not like the thought of being forced to pay a tip for the service that I received. Mind you we usually tip 20-25% and always have left extra cash during free dining to meet our usual tip rate.

I'm sorry that happened to your family Did you speak to the restaurant manager? I sure would have! I hope you were all able to enjoy the rest of your day, even though your day started badly

 

[Mousecat]

One trip I used the Dining Plan and found the service to be average. The last time I did not use the Dining Plan, stated that upfront, and had the magical service that I expect from Disney. With the gratuities not included, you are going to see a lot of very hard working cast members getting stiffed so often that all diners are going to suffer.

 

[Allegro]

One trip I used the Dining Plan and found the service to be average. The last time I did not use the Dining Plan, stated that upfront, and had the magical service that I expect from Disney. With the gratuities not included, you are going to see a lot of very hard working cast members getting stiffed so often that all diners are going to suffer.

I don't follow your logic. When tip was included the service wasn't great. When you told the servers that you weren't on the dining plan they worked hard to earn their tip. Next year without having a tip included they won't work hard to earn there tip because they might get stiffed?

Ummm... if they aren't working hard well they are going to get stiffed almost assuredly. If they do their jobs well they should do well.

 

[Mousecat]

I agree, in some cases when the tip was included the service was below a Denny’s. The server knew they were going to get a tip and acted accordingly. Not all but some. I would tell my server that I was on the dining plan right at the beginning (or they usually asked).
The next time I visited I decided that the dining plan was just too much and I didn’t want to have as much structure to my visit. So I would tell the server that I was not on the plan and they were great and were rewarded appropriately.
My point is that some of those on the dining plan (especially when it is part of a “free” dining plan offer) will have a tendency to not leave a tip. It is going to be a tough first year for the cast members. Does this make sense?