Dining Plan idea

[wdwlvr629]

I've gotta say, I agree with the people who say they've had great service! So much so that I just set myself up w/ the ddp for my next trip!

 

[Nancyg56]

I also had good to excellent service the past two times we used the dining plan. We were always treated well, and the CM's knew we were on the plan. We paid for the plan one time, in August it was free. I fthere would be an off night, I would attribute it to individual circumstances, not the DDP.

 

[everest]

We just got back last week from a seven night stay and were on the DDP. 20 plus years ago I started a business and waited tables to help me through the first couple of years, so I have a good idea about poor, good, great and just doing my job type of service. We used a lot of 2 TS meals and I would haft to say that those servers went way above and beyond and were tipped additionally. The other 1 TS restaurant was just doing her job and was ok, the buffet again was just barely doing his job. Now I would like to expanded another thought to the service as a whole if I may. I was absolutely blown away from the service that me and my family received during our trip, from the moment we saw the first magical express greeter to when we got off the bus to leave for home. I could really write a 2 page report detailing every above and beyond service that we received from cast members and I am not just saying that they truly went way above even my high standards. Now that I have said that I remarked a couple times to various cast members that the service and attitudes that they shared with my family was exceptional and that the very few times that we received just basic service really stuck out. So when we were there the two “just doing my job” services that we received was not bad service but it just stood out compared to all the exceptional service that we received.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

I thought that the service that we had while on the dining plan was great overall. Some servers were better than others but the service didn't seem any different than previous TS meals at WDW.

I was starting to wonder if service for people on the dining plan had really slipped but after reading these posts I tend to think that it is just having good or bad service - not being on the dining plan.

 

[MarieA]

We were there in August on the DDP and had really good service everywhere. We ate at LeCellier, Alfredos, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse, 50s Primetime Cafe, Teppanyaki, Concourse Steakhouse and had no complaints with service. Our servers were very attentive, kept our drinks refilled and came by several times to make sure everything was okay.

 

[GC&S]

We just got back Sat. from a 7 night stay and we had overall wonderful service. We ate at 2 non DP restaurants and the service wasn't that great. At the DP restaurants,most waitstaff we encountered explained the plan to us and gave us great service. This is our third time on the DP and I can't think when we had bad service - even in March when there were 12 of us at dinner on several nights.

 

[BCV23]

Oops, double post. Sorry!

 

[BCV23]

We just got back last week from a seven night stay and were on the DDP. 20 plus years ago I started a business and waited tables to help me through the first couple of years, so I have a good idea about poor, good, great and just doing my job type of service. We used a lot of 2 TS meals and I would haft to say that those servers went way above and beyond and were tipped additionally. The other 1 TS restaurant was just doing her job and was ok, the buffet again was just barely doing his job. Now I would like to expanded another thought to the service as a whole if I may. I was absolutely blown away from the service that me and my family received during our trip, from the moment we saw the first magical express greeter to when we got off the bus to leave for home. I could really write a 2 page report detailing every above and beyond service that we received from cast members and I am not just saying that they truly went way above even my high standards. Now that I have said that I remarked a couple times to various cast members that the service and attitudes that they shared with my family was exceptional and that the very few times that we received just basic service really stuck out. So when we were there the two “just doing my job” services that we received was not bad service but it just stood out compared to all the exceptional service that we received.

Everest, I think your post sums up my feelings about WDW CMs in a nutshell. The vast majority of them do such a great job that the few who are perhaps a little short on magic stand out like sore thumbs. Thankfully they are far and few between.

 

[pezpam]

It's hard to form a good opinion on some topics on boards like this - with things like wait-service, people are much more likely to post when they had a bad experience than when they had a good one. As soon as they post, others add in their own bad exoeriences, often the worst one they can remember. It all kind of skews the picture.

Personally, I haven't seen a difference. DD and I have been with and without DDP over a number of years now and are still seeing generally excellent service. Waitstaff can have a bad day, but the truly bad experience seems to be an exception rather than a rule.

As far as someone complaining about *every* meal being a negative experience, I admit that one of my first thoughts is that the only common thing to all of those meals was the diner themselves........ Not every experience will be stellar, but *all* of them?????

 

[balletomane]

If I understand your question correctly, as far as we know, at Disney-owned restaurants, servers (not necessarily the primary waiter/waitress, but the service staff that served your table, as a whole) always get the entire 18%.

OK, thanks! Does one know how to find of what is and what is not a Disney-owned restaurant?

 

[PaulaSB12]

I just came back from a 15 day trip with the dining plan, most of my waiters where so great that I gave them a bit of cash as an extra tip, and I don't like tipping (I do the appropriate amount though just don't like it when its so in your face).

 

[midge3426]

I did not really have a "bad server" when we were there the last of September, but we did not have exceptional service either. I think my worst service restaurants were Sci-Fi Dine In and Cinderella's Royal Table. For the charge of two dinining credits at CRT, I should not have had to ask for a single thing and I did, several times. I guess I could label the service I got at most of the restaurants mediocre to good---none were magical. I do not think this was a result of the Dining Plan. I think corporate Disney has gotten lax in their management.

 

[bicker]

CRT isn't a fine dining experience -- it is expensive solely because its popular, not to account for especially good food or service. They're charging a very high premium, maybe 100% or more, solely because of the unique experience offered, the ability to dine in the castle in the middle of the Magic Kingdom.

 

[madcat]

we had the dining plan on our last trip and the only places I think that we might have had so-so service at was at sci-fi and boma. boma service was slow, but he was nice and the guy that we had at sci-fi was borderline rude. the person that checks you in asks if you are on the dining plan. then when the waiter came up and started taking orders he stopped and said well wait are you on the dining plan? I told him that we were and then he said well that would have been nice to know from the begining, that kinda makes a difference. so I asked him why they ask if you are on the dining plan when they check you in and when you call to make the reservation. he said well I dont know.then continued with you know if you dont get an app or dessert then they go away you dont get to save those credits. I know that he was prob just trying to be helpful, but it was the tone that he used. aslo I got the cups and blinking ice cube for my boys and he said well those are not included so your going to have to be patient with me while I ring them up apart from the other order. I then just felt the need to advise him that I was well aware that the cups were not included on the plan. I think that he realized that he was wasting his attitude on me because after a few trips to the car he got pretty nice. but still not too good of a first impression if you know what I mean. now our waitress at Coral Reef was excellent!!! and our cousin at Ohana was pretty nice too they do kinda bring the food around fast though.

 

[Bev J]

My husband and I have been talking about this very subject. We are both of the opinion that yes service would be consistantly better without the auto tip. We have also experienced this at other resturants away from WDW in our home town.
We are not picky demanding people, but a full drink and some politeness goes along way.
Our worst experience was at Sci-FI- from the get go he could have cared less that we were taken care of, we did see tables around us get very good service.He was rude and smartA$$. I don't like to make a stink but I should have spoken to the manager- but were on vacation so I just let it go, they won't get our business anymore. We should have stuck with our original plan to go to Prime Time
Our favorite resturant LeCEller also was just a big disspointment regarding service. We have gone to this resturant many times and had 2 ADR's for this trip. We had a late lunch so it was not busy, once the server found my DD did not eat red meat or fish she acted like why are you here then? She did not even try to suggest or acomodate her at all. Such a disapointing lunch that we had so looked forward to, needless to say we cancelled the diner ADR, even though there were several entrees my DD would have ordered- pork or chicken.
Sure we had very good service at other resturants, LTT, Coral Reef and Rose and Crown.
We are thinking we would rather pay the tip ourselves, then the server knows he needs to do a good job for a good tip, lousy service=lousy tip.
I have no problem tipping, but these servers got $30+ tip- how nice for doing a crappy job.

Bev

 

[madcat]

if someone did a good job then we wold leave a little something extra as well. we did this with everyone I think except the person from the Sci Fi.

 

[traviesojmt]

We were at WDW on the free dining plan in Aug. Our family of 6 thought that we had wonderful service. Out of 10 days of dining, we only had one experience where our service was less than great. I still couldn't fault the attentiveness of this server, but he was a rather aloof guy who didn't appear to enjoy his job. I truly believe that the dining plan had nothing to do with this either. I can honestly say that I saw no difference in the service we received on the dining plan and the service we had the year before we we paid OOP for our meals. I found the servers more than willingly to help us figure out what was available on the plan and never was made to feel less of a patron because we were there on the free dining plan.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We had great service with DDP on our August trip. We also had the DDP last year and only 1 had server that was slow (Rose & Crown). If we really get service above what we expect, we tip extra so I would think the CMs would want to provide stellar service. No complaints here.

 

[jtlover]

We didnt have a problem with anyone on the dining plan other than our server at Spoodles. He literally ignored us as we were on the plan and ordered us extra prawns in our main course, as it would mean he got more money - I didnt like that - it meant there was too much to eat and a lot went to waste!

Quite a few of our dinners we gave an extra tip but we certainly didnt with this guy - I felt he was being greedy!

 

[splashmtnman]

We have had only one bad dining experience at WDW so I don't think it is a problem. We always have left quite a bit extra tip in most cases. My understanding is they don't receive 18% but something much less. Somewhere around 11%. Keep in mind what the DDP works out to per TS restaurant. It is nowhere near what your being billed for so the tip is probably not based on the actual bill either.That is what we were told by a couple of the waiters when we asked. We were also told they could get fired for telling us this info.