DDP = Irritable Waiters?

[xWishes]

On another review board I saw a post that someone made that said that they wouldn't do the DDP again b/c the waiters were mean when they found out they were on it and didnt pay attention to them b/c they knew they would get their tip either way...

Does anyone actually agree that the waiters are mean when they find out you're on the DDP? I've never had a problem w. anyone, but then again I was always too happy to care! And personally, I think to say that you won't go on the amazing DDP again b/c you got a mean waiter is...well...pretty ridiculous.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I've used the DDP twice - once in Nov/Dec 05 and again in May 06 (and going to be using it again October 06). I have not experieced bad service because of the dining plan.

In fact, on the last trip, our worst service was when we were NOT on the dining plan - we were practically ignored!

 

[wdwobsessed]

Nope. Not at all. We didn't have bad service even once. We had some servers that seemed a little rushed and overwhelmed but no one was rude.

Our best service was on our first night .... so she made everyone else pale in comparision!

WDWO

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I'm not too worried about that. My POV - and I'm sure many people would agree - is always to be very polite to servers, saying please and thank you, smiling, appreciative. If you still do have a bad dining experience, just b/c you are on the DDP it doesn't mean you can't speak up. Politely ask to speak to a manager. The very least you would get is an apology - at most your meal would be credited back to you or something along those lines.

In the past, whenever we've had a bad experience at a restaurant (not at WDW - never been yet), DH politely speaks to manager or sends e-mail and we are either comped the bad portion of the meal or given a gift certificate. (And no, we do not complain a lot - lol.) Restaurants want your return business, another shot, and you to spread good word-of-mouth.

I'd be surprised if it isn't the same at Disney.

 

[aubriee]

We had the free dining plan last Sept and then paid for it this past May. The only bad service we had was at San Angel Inn (bad service and bad food) and Coral Reef and Alfredos (waiters got huffy when we refused alcoholic beverages) but I don't think any of those times had to do with the dining plan. Everywhere else we had excellent service on the dining plan.

 

[ReneeA]

We didn't have a problem - in fact just the opposite. We left extra tips at all the TS meals since we had GREAT servers.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

The main reason servers hate the DDP is because they add the tips to their bi-weeky pay-check instead of recieving them at the end of the shift. I also bet they get fully taxed on the tip instead of percentage allowance like in the past. I would be ticked off too!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

The main reason servers hate the DDP is because they add the tips to their bi-weeky pay-check instead of recieving them at the end of the shift. I also bet they get fully taxed on the tip instead of percentage allowance like in the past. I would be ticked off too!

That's something that I never thought about! I can see how that would not make the waitstaff very happy. However, I would think that they are probably making more money overall since people on the DDP are ordering appetizers and desserts when they otherwise would not AND the plan guarantees that the server will receive an 18% gratuity. Let's face it, there are a lot of people who still consider 15% to be a generous tip and many others for whom tipping is a foreign concept (in Europe, tipping the waitstaff is not customary).

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm not worried about it... or if I am, it's the least of my worries...

But I will tell you one thing, if I feel I'm not getting what I should be getting (example, they never refill my drinks, or something), I too can get very irritated... and I am not nice or quiet when I'm irritated.

 

[kcashner]

We had great service in May. In fact, DD commented that the "guy who replaced Eisner" must be doing his job be because the service was so much better than it had been on previous trips. (Can you tell she wants to be in business?!)

We were absolutely delighted with the service at every TS restaurant.

 

[UtahMama]

oh wow... We've never been treated the least bit poorly on the DDP restaurants. In fact it's quite the opposite. I think it's because we are VERY nice people who never ALLOW anyone to treat us badly. That's not to say it wont ever happen. In fact since reading these posts, I'm all ready for it to happen to us (we're staying on-site in Sept.) I've kind of gotten a "Bring It ON" attitude...I'll just ask to speak to a manager. I will bring my camera...to take photos if necessary to document any "offenses". I will take it to the upity ups if I have to but really wont allow it to happen. You are obligated to speak up so the problem can be solved. Being polite in the matter goes a long way. Polite and Mature. You ARE setting a good example for your kids who hang on your every word. But then there's NO impressing SOME people who find fault in EVERYTHING!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We just returned from WDW and I must say I wasn't impressed by the wait staff---I say that because I have worked as a server off and on for over 17 years and know what good service entails

7/3--Cinderellas Gala Feast/1900 Park Fare/Grand Floridian--Waitress just wasn't user friendly,basically ignored the kids(at a kids meal mind you) was hard to get refills and the dirty dishes sat forever on our table

7/5--50's Prime Time--Waiter was great even though we didn't have a lot of time to get into the vibe of the restaurant with hime because of our VIP seating at Fantasmic,he was very accomodating and we never waited for a refill

7/6--Hoop Dee Doo---Waitress seemed swamped and would just plop another bucket of whatever on our table without saying a word and seemed put out by the fact there were 5 kids at the table that she had to deal with

7/7--Akershus/Norway--Worst by far--Waitress took forever to get our drinks then only came by once after to refill and was nowhere to be found-She dropped 2 plates on our table and walked away so when we ran out we were unable to get anything else

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

That's something that I never thought about! I can see how that would not make the waitstaff very happy. However, I would think that they are probably making more money overall since people on the DDP are ordering appetizers and desserts when they otherwise would not AND the plan guarantees that the server will receive an 18% gratuity. Let's face it, there are a lot of people who still consider 15% to be a generous tip and many others for whom tipping is a foreign concept (in Europe, tipping the waitstaff is not customary).

You're right in the the long run.

Free Dinning attracts more people, during a typically slow time in WDW. Can't get a tip from an empty table.

We all had something like this at work to get us irritable. Mine was getting paid once a month vs bi-weekly. SAme pay just got to wait longer for it.

As for the servers, they know how the manipulate the system "suggesting" the most expensive apps, entrees and deserts, since their tip is a percentage of the total bill. Don't feel sorry for them. Understand their situation, but don't feel sorry for person working in AC, and probally one of the highest paid CMs in the park.

 

[Tam1067]

We just got back yesterday and had good service using the DPP. Sometimes they asked us if we were on it and then steered us to what we could get, and other times I asked just so we knew what to do. At the buffets (Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace) we didn't even mention it to the server ahead of time. All in all, service was good. I wouldn't worry at all about the DPP affecting service. We had super attentive and personable servers at Mama Melrose, Crystal Palace and Kona Cafe, and average ones at 'Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, and Restaurant Akershus, but never did we have "bad" or rude service.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

If they are getting irritated, it's probably due to all the guests trying to manipulate the DDP into something that wasn't intended. Can you imagine having to tell people over and over again: no...you can't do this, no...you can't do that. I'll bet it's get very tiring (especially went guests start arguing about it). I hope what we've seen on these boards over the last several weeks isn't what the CM's are having to deal with throughout their shift on a daily basis. They must have the patience of saints!

 

[keishashadow]

Since it's inception, we've used the DP twice & paid OOP during one trip.

Must say, with a few exceptions, we received more courteous service paying OOP (as in waitstaff is not guaranteed 18% tip.) as opposed to DDP. Don't flame me, I worked in the service industry & relyed on tips as part of my earnings. Accordingly, people do have "off days" & I personally wouldn't eliminate a tip entirely based on poor performance either, unless overt rudeness was encountered.

As for all the buffet waitstaff we encountered, they are very pleasant, sometimes slow but, do their best when its busy to accommodate, especially @ Chef Mickeys & H&V.

LeCellier has had consistently high service, the waitstaff discussing their region of Canada is a nice touch. YS was a completely different experience for us as well as many others I've spoken to comparing notes on DP.

Spoodles also made us feel welcome using the DP.

Overall, I do think some waitstaff performance has dropped a notch due to the DDP. Rather surprised though, since we do tip extra for good service, dining plan or not...assume others do too.

 

[Amyg]

Boy those people either had bad luck or bad vibes. We had great service at all eight table service meals we dined at! In fact we shared meals and the waiters were always very gracious and helpful.

 

[JimMIA]

If they are getting irritated, it's probably due to all the guests trying to manipulate the DDP into something that wasn't intended. Can you imagine having to tell people over and over again: no...you can't do this, no...you can't do that. I'll bet it's get very tiring (especially went guests start arguing about it). I hope what we've seen on these boards over the last several weeks isn't what the CM's are having to deal with throughout their shift on a daily basis. They must have the patience of saints!

We've always had consistently good service whenever we've been at Disney, whether on the DDP or not. Sometimes better than others, but we have not seen a difference dependent on the plan.

On our last trip (May), our CM at Le Cellier told me the above almost verbatim. She said the plan "...attracts many people who ordinarily wouldn't be able to afford to eat here and they just don't know how to act sometimes." She said she liked the plan because it had increased business (and tips), but some of the people were unpleasant. I can imagine a shift with two or three parties like that would be a very long day's work.

 

[tekmom]

When we were there last week, the servers seemed almost relieved to find out that we weren't on the dining plan.

 

[Sammie]

If they are getting irritated, it's probably due to all the guests trying to manipulate the DDP into something that wasn't intended. Can you imagine having to tell people over and over again: no...you can't do this, no...you can't do that. I'll bet it's get very tiring (especially went guests start arguing about it). I hope what we've seen on these boards over the last several weeks isn't what the CM's are having to deal with throughout their shift on a daily basis. They must have the patience of saints!

That would be my take on it. Can't say I blame them. When you read posts about guests that prior to even ordering, or going to let someone have it, if they tell them they can't share, etc. You have to wonder how these servers are being treated.

People need to realize the wait staff did not write the plan. If you don't like it and it does not fit your eating habits, then simply do not purchase it and go your merry way doing what you used to do.