Back from WDW - Dining Plan - impressions - second post

[bicker]

People aren't trying to "travel to the past". They are simply saying the food and service used to be better. That's not an empty gesture, it's fair criticism.

"Fair" maybe, but definitely empty, since, as I said, people cannot travel to the past.

Looking back to when food and service were better is a valid means of coming to the conclusion that Disney could do a better job with food and service now if they wanted to.

I cannot agree. Just looking at V&As, today, or anytime, people could conclude that Disney "could do better." Indeed, if time and money means nothing, then Disney could charge $1 per meal. That would be "better" wouldn't it?

The point is that reasonable comparisons to current alternatives factor in how the world has changed. Criticisms based on comparisons to something that doesn't exist anymore are nothing more than nostalgia and (and this is the important part) don't help people planning vacations today, which is ostensibly the purpose of Trip Planning Forums.

No doubt, they see no reason to try if everyone returns and reports, "the food and service weren't as good as they used to be, but they were adequate -- and we're so pleased that we didn't die while we were there that we are thankful for what we got." Good grief. With thinking like that, if I were Disney, I wouldn't bother to improve food and service either!

Talk is cheap, and pretty meaningless in light of hard-data on guest purchasing behaviors. Let's take this out of WDW for a second: If a company's restaurants were packed every night, I bet the company wouldn't "bother" to improve food and service either. They'd focus their resources where they have actual serious challenges to address.

And trust me, when I think of places I can travel to, Sea World and Six Flags don't come to mind! I have to consider carefully whether a trip to WDW compares cuisine-wise with other places I would actually travel to (Paris, e.g.) or if it even compares to staying home in NYC and eating here.

When planning a trip, very few people, if anyone, would face deciding on a vacation at WDW versus a vacation in Paris, based on the dining. Generally, other factors will trump dining in the making of that decision.

 

[bicker]

I agree. Disney can do so much better. Problem is, too many people are willing to accept less and less. Disney has little incentive to improve.

This is really it, in a nutshell. As long as guests are, in general, satisfied -- or really, in this case, more than satisfied, given how packed the restaurants are -- then Disney's incentive is to expand, not make what they have even more attractive.

 

[disneymom2one]

My reviews are up now so I thought I'd bump this up.

 

[The Sweetness]

I will have to reserve judgement until after our vaca. but I have a feeling that I won't agree that WDW could *do better* with the TS that I will be having. Considering that the restaurants will likely be quite busy all day, every day, and not insanely priced (for DDP or OOP, as I consider both to be somewhat close in value, once I figure not taking discounts on room/ tix... in fact, I KNOW I will spend more. I could have done a Hojos with breakfast and scheduled trans included for alot less than WDW for room and buses only AND had discounted tix, but I wanted to be onsite with the 2y old, incase she needs a break out of the parks, and will enjoy eating about 6 more TS meals than I would have) Anyway I think my opinion will be that at the volume and price that WDW TS are moving, they are doing better than any other theme park/ resort (such as USF) Could you imagine what it would be like if the volume of WDW diners flooded USF

 

[mtrak17]

Hi

We just got back a few days ago from 9 days at Disney with the DDP. I agree with OP that, while it's not perfect, I think it's worth it and I would do it again.

1) We did not share, but I definitely think we would next time. There was really sooooo much food and I felt a bit ashamed to have so much wasted. I didn't want to feel disgustingly-full all week, so I realized quickly I should only have 4-5 bites of every course... OK, I finished the creme brulee more often than not... However, if you shared so many meals, did you use up the extra credits with "specialty" 2-credit dining?

2) I can't comment on the decline in food quality, because we only visit once every two years, so I didn't notice a decline in the same way as a frequent visitor would. However, I do agree that the menus were very similar at what used to be very unique restaurants, which was, admittedly, a bit disappointing. We always found more than enough to choose from, however.

3) We definitely didn't have any bad service experiences and all of our waiters were pleasant and helpful with regard to the DDP. None of them seemed at all aggravated that we were on the plan. Even if the restaurant's food was not too good (you DIS-ers were actually right about Sci-Fi ), the servers were always great. We did leave extra money for most of the servers, as we would usually tip 20% for good service.

HOWEVER, has anyone else on the DDP had the experience of your entire three-course meal being delivered to the table at record speed? As OP pointed out, at MOST restaurants, we were asked to give our appetizer, entree, and dessert orders at one time. We would hardly have finished 2-3 bites of our appetizer when the entree would come. This was especially a problem at Le Cellier. Truthfully, it didn't bother us, as we like to get in and get out, but I imagine this would be aggravating for people who like to have their meals at a slow pace I guess you could refuse to give your order all at once?

4) I do agree with OP that the signage was not great as to what qualified for the CS and especially the snacks. We also just got used to asking. Luckily, I had checked out the great DIS snack thread and had made notes to myself. However, had I not read that thread, I probably would not have known to ask and see if something could be used for a snack credit (esp. espressos and capuccinos). Poor non-DIS'ers


I do agree with OP; DDP is far from perfect, but I think it would be foolish for us to NOT to DDP every time, since we used to do table service restaurants before DDP. From what I understand, non-DDP customers are not getting better or worse service or quality than DDP people, so why would we pay more for the same thing?

 

[The Sweetness]

We dont eat at a leisurely pace, nor would we mind ordering our meal at the start of the meal. BUT I will not accept my entree if Im still eating my soup. I shouldnt have to choose which one to enjoy. I am entitled to, and expect to enjoy both

 

[mtrak17]

We dont eat at a leisurely pace, nor would we mind ordering our meal at the start of the meal. BUT I will not accept my entree if Im still eating my soup. I shouldnt have to choose which one to enjoy. I am entitled to, and expect to enjoy both

Yes; it definitely was noticeable, particularly at Le Cellier, Tony's, and Concourse. We were seated, ordered, ate our appetizers, entrees, desserts, settled the bill, and were back outside within 35-40 minutes at most places I can't say the server made us feeled rushed at all in EATING the food; it was more that the people delivering the food would bring it almost immediately after delivering the previous course. It was sort of odd I guess it really wasn't "acceptable" to some extent, but we thought it was funny and had it been a real problem for us, we would have said something. However, I do think it would have bothered a lot of people. In fact, out of 8 restaurants the only place that didn't do it was Whispering Canyon Cafe.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Am I the only one who does not care if the food comes out quickly? Maybe its because I have children and especially a 3 year old that when he is done eating so is the family or everyone will know it.

 

[susieq76]

Am I the only one who does not care if the food comes out quickly? Maybe its because I have children and especially a 3 year old that when he is done eating so is the family or everyone will know it.

Amen! Actually- I am all for speed in dining- as long as the appy & main course are not both sitting in front of me. It makes it easier to get back out to the parks w/o one of DSs whining at me...

 

[disneymom06]

Am I the only one who does not care if the food comes out quickly? Maybe its because I have children and especially a 3 year old that when he is done eating so is the family or everyone will know it.

We had noticed this trend on our last summer vacation. Sci Fi was the worst. I was asked for the entire order and not thinking gave the dessert because I knew the children wanted sundaes. All apps, entree and dessert brought out within 10 minutes. It was a bad day for me with four children, and I did complain to the manager about the rush of food and the lousy server. Only saw her to take the order and give the check. I was prepared after and never ordered dessert until after dinner and when at Le CElliar told them that we weren't ready for the entree until we had finished the apps.

I don't know if the servers get the full 18% tip, I hope that they do. When I felt the server did a good job, I usually leave a min in cash to make the total tip 25%.

If DDP diners had some control on the tip amount then service may improve. I am not looking to stiff servers their due but a tip guarantee of 18% doesn't give much incentive to check on my table.