being rushed through TS

[Goofy_4_WDW]

Enjoyed the free dining plan last week. Had great meals at LeCellier, Prime Time, Coral Reef, Concourse, WCC, Sci Fi. We were really rushed through our meals. Especially at Coral Reef and Concourse. We would not even be done with our app. and they were serving the main meal. They really wanted to turn over the tables fast. We were not the only people that felt this way, all the people around us felt the same way. I am grateful that we got the free dining and really did enjoy the meals, but if I was paying for the meals I really would have been upset.

 

[BluOrchid2]

Did you ever think about telling the server that you'd like to slow down and take your time to enjoy the meal and the experience? I wonder if that would have helped. I can understand them wanting to turn the table over fast, but I would think that if a guest specifically asked for a more leisurely dinner, they would accomodate. Likewise, I would show my appreciation with a generous tip in thanks.

 

[Lesley]

This has been common at WDW for a long time. When you have small kids like I do, you appreciate it! LOL But it can be annoying if you're trying to have a relaxing meal.

Honestly though, what is exceptionally slow service as a family can be just right for adults....and what seems too fast for just adults is often what is needed by a family with kids. The best servers seem able to judge what each of their guests needs....but I think turning over tables rapidly is more the norm than not at WDW.

 

[Goofy_4_WDW]

We have a 12 and an 8 year old. They were rushing people with and without kids. We thought about asking them to slow down, but like I said it was free dining and I was so happy for that, I didnt want to feel too pushy. Dont get me wrong, the meals were amazing, but at Coral Reef and Concourse we felt like there was a gun to our head. Maybe the servers feel like the tips on dining plan is not a great tip, little did they know, we always leave extra tip for exceptional service.

 

[bicker]

It is important to note how often criticisms of these restaurants are of the order, "It took so long to get the next course..." Different people have different expectations with regard to the pacing of a meal. At the better restaurants, such as Artist Point and Jiko, the servers are more experienced and have fewer tables to worry about, and so they can better sequence orders for each course into the kitchen, based on an individual table's speed. However, an entrees that require a long lead-time will make it impossible even for the best restaurants to do that for you. Therefore, if you want a more leisurely meal, even at a signature restaurant, you really need to tell the server that that is what you want. (Just don't complain about waiting for your next course, if you told your server you wanted a more leisurely meal! )

 

[ReneeA]

We didn't notice that at all when we were there last week, and we ate at Concourse, Boma, Akershus, Sci-Fi, Chef Mickey, Kona, and LeCellier.

However, we have a 3 and 4 year old and inhale our food so that we can be done as quickly as possible.

 

[emh1129]

I would have been thrilled with that! But like some other posters have said, it's different for everyone. We have two young children so we're thrilled when the food comes out fast and we can finish our meals before the kids are tired of sitting still. I'd be upset if I was having a nice dinner with DH, though. (hmmm.. can't even remember what that was like! )

 

[Markstudy]

They can't rush you if you don't order

When I see that they are rushing people (only seen it at Disney)

I order appetizers and then wait to order my main course, telling them that I'm still thinking about it. Maybe after I finish my appetizer I'll order my main course. Slows things down real fast.

 

[EnnEss]

Lots of restaurants (not WDW necessarily) bring out the food as soon as its ready and the stagger between appies and the main course can be very close. They just bring it out instead of having it sit. I do have no doubt though with free dining that the restaurants are being told to hurry hurry hurry so that everyone who has free dining as an opportunity to get in.

 

[dmthoma76]

Please just hurry up and eat so MY FAMILY can come in and sit down and while you are at it save me and my child a front curbside seat at wishes!

~Donna

 

[gatour]

Markstudy has it mostly correct, other places besides Disney will rush single diners unless they know you. When I was as single diner and wanted to enjoy a nicely paced a meal, I would order course by course by my feel of the crowd in the dining room.

 

[liamsaunt]

They can't rush you if you don't order

When I see that they are rushing people (only seen it at Disney)

I order appetizers and then wait to order my main course, telling them that I'm still thinking about it. Maybe after I finish my appetizer I'll order my main course. Slows things down real fast.

This is always what we do. I think most servers pick up on the vibe right away when we order apps only to start, letting them know we'll be choosing our entrees later. What we've found is that the server will then stop by and let us know that he/she is about to bring out the appetizers, and would we like to order the entree? I think when the servers seem to be rushing you at first, they are doing this because the majority of diners really do want to get back out to the parks. They are trying to provide good service--I've never had a problem getting them to slow the pace, once I let them know we want to relax and enjoy our meal.

 

[wdw4us2]

This problem has become noticably worse since the Dining Plan started. We spoke with a CM during our visit in July (don't want to say where so she won't get in trouble). Most of the CM's are not happy about the Dining Plan - small tips, rude guests, etc.

We have been going to TS restaurants at WDW for many years now and have noticed many changes in the past year - none good. Menus are becoming more standardized and many restaurants have lost their signature dishes. CM's at some locations confirmed this observation saying that they have been told it it a measure to save $$. I would assume this is because of all the free dining that Disney is giving away in order to book rooms. It's kind of sad because a lot of the restaurants are no longer as exceptional as they once were.

I think the hurried meals are here to stay . . .

 

[nurseypoo5]

Most of the CM's are not happy about the Dining Plan - small tips, rude guests, etc.

I wonder why they wouldnt love it. Don't they get 18% from each diner (pretty much guaranteeing a decent tip from everyone) where as when people pay OOP i'm sure they get stiffeed quite a bit or get less than 18%.

I usually order a drink if its dinner (and if we dont go back to the parks) and so will my DD (22), we will certainly tip on the drinks and at 10 bucks a pop, thats about 4.00 on top of the 18%. My DD;s a waitress and she would be busting at the seams to make 18% on a 200.00 table service.. I agree that giving extra for awsome service is good for great servers, but they need to earn it. If i'm being rushed with rude service i'm not giving extra. However, i do not want my main courses cold. A good server will put in the order for appetizers BEFORE the main course, even if its only a 10 minute difference.

that being said, i'm at Disney, I do NOT want a 2 hour meal at le cellier or 50s PT etc. 2 hours would be expected at Cali grill or Jiko.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

This problem has become noticably worse since the Dining Plan started. We spoke with a CM during our visit in July (don't want to say where so she won't get in trouble). Most of the CM's are not happy about the Dining Plan - small tips, rude guests, etc.

We have been going to TS restaurants at WDW for many years now and have noticed many changes in the past year - none good. Menus are becoming more standardized and many restaurants have lost their signature dishes. CM's at some locations confirmed this observation saying that they have been told it it a measure to save $$. I would assume this is because of all the free dining that Disney is giving away in order to book rooms. It's kind of sad because a lot of the restaurants are no longer as exceptional as they once were.

I think the hurried meals are here to stay . . .

A few things:

1. It sounds like you spoke to a pretty sour CM..especially as they were criticizing the company's programs to a guest. I have heard the exact opposite in other people's experiences with CMs who seem to really like the dining plan.

2. I don't think one CM can speak for "most of the CM's".

3. "Rushing" people has nothing to do with the dining plan. Many servers will "hurry" guests depending on the overall pace of the resteraunt and their desire to turn tables, regardless of whether or not they are on the dining plan. Disneyworld is not the only place that this happens.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree with #3. We now always let our server know right off the bat that we are in NO hurry. Usually we'll order drinks, then after they come we order the appetizer. Then when THAT comes we'll order dinner. It's the only way we can guarantee that all the food won't arrive at once.
As long as the server knows you aren't a "camper" it works out well for us .. often the servers actually seem grateful that they don't have to rush around with us.

 

[fizz13]

I had a very rushed experience at Spoodles in August, the restuarant only had 4 tables full and yet it felt like a race. now had I thought to order one course at a time or know what was going to happen then i might have done it differently, as the restaurant itself was a lovely setting with good service. Didn't love the food but that might be personal taste Will definately bear this in mind for October. Now if I was in a theme park I can understand the rush...

 

[4boysmom]

Nowhere did we feel rushed last week except at Sci-Fi. We did have children w/ us but we weren't happy when she brought our hot fudge sundaes out while we were just halfway thru our entrees. Kids didn't want to finish their meals & we ate melted sundaes.

At a couple places our servers even told us there was no hurry.

 

[brbenoit]

I want to go on the record of someone who enjoys a relaxing dinner to break up the day within the parks. To us, we use this time to unwind, and actually enjoy the meal. This would be the same with or without our daughter. I never like to order the entree at the same time as the appetizer at any restaurant. All it takes is one inexperienced waiter/waitress and they both come at the same time or worse the entree comes first (it has happened).

I would like to hear the perspective of the people who want to rush through dinner. Is it a matter of losing time at the parks or catering to kids? Especially seeing the comment about kids getting tired of sitting. I may be in the minority but to me it is alien that a child would not be able to sit for dinner for an hour or so. I would expect that they eat dinner every day.

 

[mrsltg]

The OP's experience mirrored mine 8/14-8/21. I posted on these boards about a meal at Kona taking less than 70 minutes. That's appetizer, entree, and dessert - plus drinks in an hour. It was too much, too soon. I have a baby, too (as well as a five year old). I don't want the baby learning that food is something to be inhaled rather than enjoyed. At most restaurants I felt there was pressure to turn the table over - quickly. DH and I are going back in December without the kids. We're dining at Artist Point and Jiko. I am fully expecting a two hour meal at both. I don't think the waiters will have a problem with it, but I will ask them to keep the pace leisurely.