DDP and Bad Service?

[crystalcml]

We have been on DDP the 2x. I do agree that once some servers find out you are on the plan, the service becomes less than desired. We have also had really great service at the same restaurants a year later. Part of it may be the time of year you go because it's busy and others it may just be the server.

Bad Service:
2007
Donald's Breakfastasaurus (Saw server 1x and he never came back, no refills or anything)

2006
Mama Melrose's (Server not very friendly almost annoyed)

50's Prime Time Cafe (Server did come back much nor were we included on the fun)

Great Service:
2007
Coral Reef (Besides the 1 hr wait or server was one of the best I've had. Very attentive and a breath of fresh air)

50's Prime Time Cafe (Our server was great! He was so attentive even though the restaurant was like overflowing busy. He made time to offer suggestions and have fun with us.)

Liberty Tree Tavern (I've always had great service here and I will continue to go back)

2006
Le Cellier (Server was great)

Liberty Tree Tavern (Server, service and food was excellent had a wonderful time)

 

[memorykeeper]

Our experience wasn't all bad we had good service at the Crystal Palace and good service at Ohana but 5 out of 7 table service meals the service was not what I've come to expect out of Disney. Maybe it was due to the holiday crowds and added stress on the employess but I wasn't feeling the magic.

 

[just another guy]

Here's a crazy thought. Bad servers give bad service, and good servers tend to give good service, although at times slip due to uncontrolable events, or just having a bad day.

 

[solfan68]

We've been using some permutation of DDP since the mid-nineties. I can not think of one instance where I was intentionally treated as a second class citizen because I was on the plan. YMMV.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've never had a problem with bad service because of the ddp. We had horrible service at Mama Melrose's, but the table next to us were not on the dining plan (they ordered after us, and we heard the server ask), and they had the same crappy service we did.

 

[Lowell317]

For what it's worth, last year when tips were included I felt that I recieved better service than I expected. All of the service staff answered any questions I had, gave me great suggestions on how to be utilize the plan, and provided timely and very good service with drinks and food etc. The service is one of the reasons my fiance and I will be returning this march. I can only imagine how it "used to be" seeing all the posts about how everything is going down hill due to the DDP

 

[Stittsville]

We were on the DDP in May 2007, and our service ranged from acceptable (Ohana's) to excellent (Artist Point). Furthermore, two of my daughters split a meal in every non-buffet setting, which of course reduced the amount of tip the waitstaff received.

We did give an additional tip to the waiter at Artist Point because of his excellent service.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have used the DDP 4 times and never got the feeling that my server was lackadaisical because we were on the plan. I did have one server who was not good and I did speak to the manager but one server in so many meals is not a pattern to me. I also did not think it was because of the plan, it was clear she was not good at her job.

 

[Amyg]

We were on DDP for 8 days in the summer of 2006 and did NOT come across "bad" service. Although I did notice the CM at Chef's des France seemed a bit aloof but my DH being a naturally congenial guy spoke to the CM (ask where he's from, spoke some bad French) and the CM did get friendlier.

Perhaps the demeanor of a tired patron is reflected onto the CM? There is no reason that being on the DDP should change a CM's attitude about the patron. JMO.