Cape May disappointment - don't come thirsty!

[Mouseturtle]

This is my 2nd disappointing experience at the Cape May Cafe - my 1st time for breakfast. Let me back up by saying when we started coming in 2008, this was a "must do" for every trip- last year, they seemed to have cut back on offerings (and got rid of the hot lava cakes - shame on them!) - it's a nice buffet, and the service was fine, but there is one thing that is going to stop me from coming back here, if simply as a matter of principle.

I always get the dining plan, and it comes with a "non alcoholic beverage". The first few times here, no problem, my son got a smoothie. The last time, they argued it "wasn't included". Of course it is, that's what the plan says. The waitress had to talk to the manager and they would not allow it to be included, and I had to pay for it out of pocket. This time, I ordered a latte with my breakfast, and the waitress once again said "that's not included" - I asked if she was sure - she said "I'll talk to the manager" and came back with "bad news" - no latte for me.

Now, how can it be, that at EVERY OTHER RESTAURANT IN DISNEY, including the ""signature" restaurants, I can order a drink without drama, but at the Cape May I can't? All I can say is they need a lesson in service, and the managers should reconsider this ridiculous rule. At the Grand Floridian Cafe I get a latte. At the Kona Cafe my son gets a mega berry smoothie. But at this buffet they argue it? It just doesn't make sense, and really has turned me off to this restaurant. The waitresses are not empowered to help their guests (and ours, Linda, bless her heart was AWESOME and just apologized left and right for the latte not being included in my dining plan) - the food is good enough, and the chicken nuggets at dinner are still something my son talks about. Let the people order their drinks, bring back the lava cakes and maybe I'll consider coming back. A change in management is obvious, and I do not like their policies. If that doesn't bother you, go because the food is great, but as a matter of principle I just won't go back.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

I thought this was about not getting refills - which was my issue the two times I have eaten there (both in 2009). We were on the dining plan, and maybe I am nuts, but I feel like when I am on the dining plan vs. not, I get more refills when I am not on the dining plan. I might just be crazy though.

That is odd that they don't want to include the smoothies/lattes at May's. I wonder why that is? Maybe that manager has not gotten the right information about the dining plan. I would have talked to someone outside the restaurant (like the front desk manager). I know that is not the *job* of the front desk manager, but having worked in that resort myself, the front desk can do magic there (or at least pass the information along at the next manager meeting, which involves all the parts of the hotel, including the dining managers).