Curious, why is it hard to ask for what you want?

[TheRatPack]

servers don't like bad stations.

It's not always something you can help though. Sometimes the air vents are aimed right at your table and it would be downright uncomfortable to be seated there for long enough to eat your meal. Sometimes you're right under the speaker system....right in the sun.....or close to the bathroom and it stinks...etc.

We don't complain a lot....like a previous poster said, if I'm eating at a 5 star restaurant I expect better than average food. At Disney we don't have high expectations for many of the establishments....we just want it decent and cooked thru .

We speak up if it's something just horrid...but seriously I can't remember an episode at Disney where we've needed to.

 

[BabsBunny]

When at WDW, I am a sheep. Baaaaaaaa. (Look at my signature.)

 

[Doc Goofy]

I think it is interesting to note the geographic locations of the posters and correlate it with their comments. Southerners can be polite to a fault. Look at the posters who said that someone has to sit in that place or that food not cooked perfectly is not worthy of a big hassle/confrontation. I share their general attitudes. I don't think this is Disney specific but has to do with the way they would approach a similar situation in any restaurant anywhere...

 

[pixarmom]

First, I have to laugh because our Rose and Crown experience is the opposite of everyone else's. We've been to R&C three times in the past year and asked to be seated inside every time. My husband really wants an inside table and we just can't get one (he's pretty grumpy about it, too!) He definitely asks for what he wants, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. (Wish we could trade with one of you seeking that outside table we always get!)

Anyway, we'll politely request a table and book an ADR or PS that puts us in the best position to get it (11:30 am at Blue Bayou at DL, for example, when waterfront tables are more available.) But if it's not possible, that's fine.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

People don't voice their displeasure about Disney Dining????? Boy are you new to these boards.

People do complain on the boards but usually they didn't complain at the time. Most of the problems people encounter is because they didn't speak up at the time so someone could fix it or get it sorted.

 

[minnie mum]

People do complain on the boards but usually they didn't complain at the time. Most of the problems people encounter is because they didn't speak up at the time so someone could fix it or get it sorted.

I disagree with this for a few reasons. Granted, as another PP has mentioned, there are some folks who for their own reasons are hesitant to ever voice a complaint (regardless of the restaurant location- WDW or elsewhere). However I think a lot of complaints voiced here on the Disboards would be pointless to make 'at the time'. Take a look at some of the common complaints made here:
1. Long waits to be seated. You've got a 6:00 ADR at XYZ restaurant. There's a big crowd already waiting to be seated. You wait for 30 min and still haven't gotten your table. Do you really think that going up to the podium and complaining is going to get you seated any faster? I'm not saying you shouldn't go up and ask how much longer it's going to be, but demanding to see the manager isn't going to empty a table any sooner.
2. You don't like your table location. Unless the restaurant is half empty or you are prepared for a lengthy wait, I don't think it is reasonable or practical to insist on a different table at most of the WDW restaurants. And aside from the always desired patio table at Rose and Crown, or the tables right against the glass at Coral Reef, I don't even see this as being a factor.
3. Poor service. Your server has 'an attitude'. What are you going to do? "Excuse me miss, but I don't like your attitude. I'd like you to be more Disney friendly please". Or perhaps you should summon the manager and request a more pleasant server? Or the server takes too long to bring your food, drinks, refills, bill. Exactly what are you going to do about it at the time? Get up from your table and hunt her down?
4. The food is poorly prepared. OK, here is where you can do something about it. By all means send it back and have it re-done. Politely, of course.
5. Miscellaneous factors: high noise levels, annoying guests at nearby tables, kids screaming and running around. Absolutely nothing you can do about these things at the time. Sure you can complain to your server or manager. But there's not much they can do about it.

What I am trying to say is that there are lots of things that we complain about when reviewing our dining experiences here on the boards. Very few of these things could have been effectively altered by complaining at the time.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

It is very dependent on the situation. As the OP said, asking where you'd like to sit is fine, as long as you're prepared to wait. But people complain on the boards saying they were seated inside, outside, near the kitchen, next to a screaming child. That IS something they could address at the time but chose not to, for whatever reason. The servers aren't mind readers, they don't "know" where you want to sit.

If a server is over the top rude, I would speak to their manager right there and then. If they take awhile to bring food, the bill, I would address it straight with them. At Tusker House, we waited almost 20 mins for the bill and eventually I asked another server to help us out because we needed to leave. I wasn't rude but firm.

I agree there are many things you cannot change BUT there is no point in complaining your steak wasn't cooked properly, or your server was rude, 2 weeks after it happened. I think many people are scared to ask for what they want, which is what the OPs post is about.

I disagree with this for a few reasons. Granted, as another PP has mentioned, there are some folks who for their own reasons are hesitant to ever voice a complaint (regardless of the restaurant location- WDW or elsewhere). However I think a lot of complaints voiced here on the Disboards would be pointless to make 'at the time'. Take a look at some of the common complaints made here:
1. Long waits to be seated. You've got a 6:00 ADR at XYZ restaurant. There's a big crowd already waiting to be seated. You wait for 30 min and still haven't gotten your table. Do you really think that going up to the podium and complaining is going to get you seated any faster? I'm not saying you shouldn't go up and ask how much longer it's going to be, but demanding to see the manager isn't going to empty a table any sooner.
2. You don't like your table location. Unless the restaurant is half empty or you are prepared for a lengthy wait, I don't think it is reasonable or practical to insist on a different table at most of the WDW restaurants. And aside from the always desired patio table at Rose and Crown, or the tables right against the glass at Coral Reef, I don't even see this as being a factor.
3. Poor service. Your server has 'an attitude'. What are you going to do? "Excuse me miss, but I don't like your attitude. I'd like you to be more Disney friendly please". Or perhaps you should summon the manager and request a more pleasant server? Or the server takes too long to bring your food, drinks, refills, bill. Exactly what are you going to do about it at the time? Get up from your table and hunt her down?
4. The food is poorly prepared. OK, here is where you can do something about it. By all means send it back and have it re-done. Politely, of course.
5. Miscellaneous factors: high noise levels, annoying guests at nearby tables, kids screaming and running around. Absolutely nothing you can do about these things at the time. Sure you can complain to your server or manager. But there's not much they can do about it.

What I am trying to say is that there are lots of things that we complain about when reviewing our dining experiences here on the boards. Very few of these things could have been effectively altered by complaining at the time.

 

[shenaniganzz]

I guess I felt the need to reply because I was a bit affronted by your subject title "why is it so hard to ask for what you want" as if it is a character flaw to take a table given to you instead to asking for another. I personally think I don't ask for another table because I think it's inconsiderate to the rest of the people who are also waiting for a place to sit. When one person or 20 people need to be placed in a certain area it slows down service for us all. If everyone did as you did that day you'd still be waiting for a table. You call it standing up for yourself, I call it inconsiderate. To each their own.

How is it inconsiderate? If there is another table of 2 waiting and they are fine with the table, how is this going to hold everything up? There will always be people who are okay with the table so I don't see this as an issue. Let's face it, not everyone is going to ask to wait (and I say this as someone who also worked as a server for many years). She advised she was happy to wait. Someone else could take the table she didn't want. No biggie.

As for the OP, just as you have preferences as to where you'd like to sit.. some people have preferences as to how they handle a bad experience, including those who don't say anything. Just like I feel it's up to you if you want to wait for a table, it's up to others if they want to complain and rectify the situation or suffer in silence.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I disagree with this for a few reasons. Granted, as another PP has mentioned, there are some folks who for their own reasons are hesitant to ever voice a complaint (regardless of the restaurant location- WDW or elsewhere). However I think a lot of complaints voiced here on the Disboards would be pointless to make 'at the time'. Take a look at some of the common complaints made here:
1. Long waits to be seated. You've got a 6:00 ADR at XYZ restaurant. There's a big crowd already waiting to be seated. You wait for 30 min and still haven't gotten your table. Do you really think that going up to the podium and complaining is going to get you seated any faster? I'm not saying you shouldn't go up and ask how much longer it's going to be, but demanding to see the manager isn't going to empty a table any sooner.
2. You don't like your table location. Unless the restaurant is half empty or you are prepared for a lengthy wait, I don't think it is reasonable or practical to insist on a different table at most of the WDW restaurants. And aside from the always desired patio table at Rose and Crown, or the tables right against the glass at Coral Reef, I don't even see this as being a factor.
3. Poor service. Your server has 'an attitude'. What are you going to do? "Excuse me miss, but I don't like your attitude. I'd like you to be more Disney friendly please". Or perhaps you should summon the manager and request a more pleasant server? Or the server takes too long to bring your food, drinks, refills, bill. Exactly what are you going to do about it at the time? Get up from your table and hunt her down?
4. The food is poorly prepared. OK, here is where you can do something about it. By all means send it back and have it re-done. Politely, of course.
5. Miscellaneous factors: high noise levels, annoying guests at nearby tables, kids screaming and running around. Absolutely nothing you can do about these things at the time. Sure you can complain to your server or manager. But there's not much they can do about it.

What I am trying to say is that there are lots of things that we complain about when reviewing our dining experiences here on the boards. Very few of these things could have been effectively altered by complaining at the time.

This is how I feel Minnie Mum...

Usually I'm in such a great mood at WDW.... I can take the little "downs" because there are SO many 'UP's" !!!!