Can you decline DDP at check-in?

[CMedley78]

Let's not forget that tip is included in the DDP. Huge plus!

 

[Dean]

Let's not forget that tip is included in the DDP. Huge plus!

Financially it should be considered as part of the value. However, I'm not sure it's a plus overall since the tip is automatic and has seemed to affect the quality of the service at many of the restaurants.

 

[starbox]

Financially it should be considered as part of the value. However, I'm not sure it's a plus overall since the tip is automatic and has seemed to affect the quality of the service at many of the restaurants.

We've done the DDP on five trips so far.

Honestly, I've gotten some of the best service of my life while on the DDP. Our server at O'Hana last year was incredible - probably the best I've had at any restaurant. (And I worked food serve as a colllege student and I am the type that, when I am at home, eats at the same restaurant regularly to get better service: service means everything to me). We also had truly amazing service at Le Cellier, Turf Club and Coral Reef.

I've never had flat out "rude" or "bad" service. I have had more inexperienced servers or stressed out servers - and the worst of those was actually for a meal I was totally paying OOP for!

I don't think the DDP is responsible at all for a decline in service from waitstaff. Bad service usually comes from one of three places: problems in the kitchen, rude or pushy/demanding customers, or simply personal problems or exhaustion weighting down the server.

If you chat with them, most TS CMs have professional careers: they work at WDW because they love the mouse.

 

[starbox]

Actually Carol, that was in part my point. I'm not sure it truly is a break even for an entree and coffee. My figures suggest that one needs to consistently order to the tune of $25 per adult for those options that require one TS credit and double that for the signature options. But it also depends in part on how one does with the other options as well (snack and CS).

Dean has a point. We have a three day trip coming up. Right now, I've signed up for the plan for that trip and for two longer trips in the summer. BUT, DS is now 10. I'm pretty sure he would not normally eat close to $40.00 a day worth of food. I'm also not sure that there are even options for appetizers/desserts he would like on many of the menus. I'll use this trip as a "test" to see how he does. He eats like a horse, but he still has that 10 year old palate.

 

[Dean]

We've done the DDP on five trips so far.

Honestly, I've gotten some of the best service of my life while on the DDP. Our server at O'Hana last year was incredible - probably the best I've had at any restaurant. (And I worked food serve as a colllege student and I am the type that, when I am at home, eats at the same restaurant regularly to get better service: service means everything to me). We also had truly amazing service at Le Cellier, Turf Club and Coral Reef.

I've never had flat out "rude" or "bad" service. I have had more inexperienced servers or stressed out servers - and the worst of those was actually for a meal I was totally paying OOP for!

I don't think the DDP is responsible at all for a decline in service from waitstaff. Bad service usually comes from one of three places: problems in the kitchen, rude or pushy/demanding customers, or simply personal problems or exhaustion weighting down the server.

If you chat with them, most TS CMs have professional careers: they work at WDW because they love the mouse.

Many were complaining this past week about specific items that would have been related to the DDP. Overall, our service was fine this past week. The one thing we did experience was that the waiters would attempt to take the drink, appetizer and entree order all at once. This was fine for us as we generally knew what we wanted and were ready to order. We were never rushed on the meal itself and the timing of the meal was usually very good. The other thing we experience was that many times they would ask for the card before we were completely finished so they could be "working on it". Again not an issue for us as we would prefer to eat and move on in most cases.

The 10 y/o could be quite the experience. I'd think a 3 day trip would be ideal for this situation. Use the extra credits for yourself and order him a kids meal OOP. Maybe do lunch on the way out as TS or chose one or more signature options.

 

[starbox]

The 10 y/o could be quite the experience.

And I have ADRs in Morocco the last night! Should be very interesting indeed!

 

[CMedley78]

Dean-
I have had nothing but great service while using the DDP. I have worked in the restaurant business in the past, and not all servers are top-notch, nor the best at dealing with the customers. I really don't believe it has anything to do with the DDP; it is the server himself/herself. Besides, if a server is really great, we always leave an extra tip. I am sure that they know they may be coming so it keeps many of them "on their game". Sorry you have had bad luck with servers in the past, but I can't say that I have experienced that myself.

 

[Antonia]

Starbox - I love the picture in your sig!!!!!!! So precious!

Oh, by the way, I am still torn about whether or not to do the DDP! I'll cancel ahead of time if I decide to. Hey, if we don't do it it will give some of those free diners with WAY too much food some poor souls to give a dessert to!

 

[Dean]

Dean-
I have had nothing but great service while using the DDP. I have worked in the restaurant business in the past, and not all servers are top-notch, nor the best at dealing with the customers. I really don't believe it has anything to do with the DDP; it is the server himself/herself. Besides, if a server is really great, we always leave an extra tip. I am sure that they know they may be coming so it keeps many of them "on their game". Sorry you have had bad luck with servers in the past, but I can't say that I have experienced that myself.

I'm sure it's hit or miss but I have heard many people complain about it including on our trip. And as I pointed out above, there were issues that some might have found to be negative that were obviously attributable to the DDP including taking drink and all food orders at one time and asking for the card prior to being finished.

 

[starbox]

I'm sure it's hit or miss but I have heard many people complain about it including on our trip. And as I pointed out above, there were issues that some might have found to be negative that were obviously attributable to the DDP including taking drink and all food orders at one time and asking for the card prior to being finished.

If many CMs are complaining about the DDP to guests, IMHO they need to lose their jobs. That's highly unprofessional and just plain rude. Guests should not have employees whining/complaining/unloading about issues they have with the policies of the company they work for. I don't allow my children or spouse to complain during vacation (not even if we have to wait an hour for a bus!). I would not be pleased to overhear complaining from CMs.

As for the drink/food and asking for the card issue. These are actually policies that most high turn-over restaurants train their servers to do. Personally, I want my ticket as I am finishing my meal. I hate waiting for my check once I am done!

 

[Dean]

If many CMs are complaining about the DDP to guests, IMHO they need to lose their jobs. That's highly unprofessional and just plain rude. Guests should not have employees whining/complaining/unloading about issues they have with the policies of the company they work for. I don't allow my children or spouse to complain during vacation (not even if we have to wait an hour for a bus!). I would not be pleased to overhear complaining from CMs.

As for the drink/food and asking for the card issue. These are actually policies that most high turn-over restaurants train their servers to do. Personally, I want my ticket as I am finishing my meal. I hate waiting for my check once I am done!

I think you misunderstood. The ones complaining were other guests we talked to over the week as well as some posts I've seen on the boards. I'm aware of the technic to turn over guests but have never encountered it personally at WDW previously. Plus, it was specifically obvious that it was related to the DDP in the way they changed over after they knew you were on the plan. But as I tried to note above, it wasn't really an issue for us and I actually preferred it as long as the timing of the food delivery was appropriate and it was with two exceptions, both a longer wait for the main course and neither in a way that was a big deal to us.

On a side note, we experienced quite a spectacle at La Cellier one night. Apparently they tried to seat a party of 8 at a 6 top and squeeze them in. When they complained, apparently they were given the option of a longer wait or two tables and neither were acceptable to them. There was quite the ruckus associated. Threats and loud words were exchanged between the manager and several of the party members. After the before dinner entertainment was completed, they sat us at a 2 top where another couple had first been seated then moved over one table. They got every single item reversed throughout the evening and as such had to remake our meal after it was delivered to the wrong table and it wasn't realized until it was too late. They even reversed the checks initially. Both we and the other couple took it in stride. The waiter then brought each table a fast pass as a token of apology and he even reversed those, it was actually quite entertaining.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We are doing the DDP for the first time on our trip this coming February and here's why....

I am travelling with my 3 DS's while my DH is deployed to the middle east. I am treating my DMIL, DSIL, DBIL and DNephew to a stay at BCV. I thought it would be a logistical nightmare to try and "split" checks for an entire week. I don't mind forking over the points for the stay, but I am not paying for their food as well!!

Having the credits already paid for will just make the trip that much smoother.

Also, I only have to pay for 1 Adult and 3 little boys for six nights. That is only going to cost me $431.76 and let me tell you, that is certainly a value for my boys. My DS9 can "out eat" me at every turn. I will make my money back on him alone. We are doing several buffets and the cost of the child's DDP is less than the cost of the buffet.

When we go back with DH this next June, I don't know if we will do the DDP.
I also have DDE.

 

[starbox]

I think you misunderstood. The ones complaining were other guests we talked to over the week as well as some posts I've seen on the boards. I'm aware of the technic to turn over guests but have never encountered it personally at WDW previously.

I did misunderstand. Glad it was just guests and not CMs complaining!

As for the turn-over issue - we've always encountered it at CRT (formerly King Stephan's) and I always chalked it up to the fact that they have always been booked solid and needed to stay on schedule. As more restaurants experience solid advance booking, it becomes necessary to keep things running at a predictable speed. After years as a waitress at a high turn-over tourist-type restaurant, I almost always have my order ready with the drink order just to be helpful.

Entertaining stuff at Le Cellier - glad it did not ruin your meal. You were there during free dining, weren't you? Was it totally crazy?

 

[Dean]

Entertaining stuff at Le Cellier - glad it did not ruin your meal. You were there during free dining, weren't you? Was it totally crazy?

Sat and Sunday were pretty busy but after that it cleared out a lot. To the point where most restaurants were impossible to get into the holiday weekend and you could walk in anywhere the rest of the time. It did get busier Fri and Sat apparently because of convention guests. Our alter ego, AKA the other couple, at La Cellier were on the free DDP staying at one of the values, ? Pop Century.

As for the turn-over issue - we've always encountered it at CRT (formerly King Stephan's) and I always chalked it up to the fact that they have always been booked solid and needed to stay on schedule. As more restaurants experience solid advance booking, it becomes necessary to keep things running at a predictable speed. After years as a waitress at a high turn-over tourist-type restaurant, I almost always have my order ready with the drink order just to be helpful.

It was obvious it was due to the DDP from the change in approach once they knew you were on the DDP. You could have walked in to any of those restaurants for 5 of the 7 nights and waited no longer than we did for our table so no need to rush through otherwise unless they had short staffed purposefully with that in mind which didn't appear to be the case. But I actually enjoyed it as we don't like to hang out at restaurants. But it is very important to both of us that hot food be hot, drinks are kept filled and the entree doesn't come too early after I get any salad/soup/appetizer. Or as with lunch today at Logan's, the entree came before the soup and salad. That will get you on my bad side in a very big hurry.