Don't flame me...MIL making me ask a question!

[Jacksmom99]

Ok, my MIL wants to know if anyone has tipped (read bribed ) a host/hostess to get an outside table at Rose and Crown for Illuminations. She was thinking about getting to her PS way early, asking about the outside table, then if none were available, slipping (er tipping) the hostess a $20 and saying that she'd wait for the first available.

Here's what I think will happen 1) the money will be refused, 2) the money could get accepted, but the person would be in jeopardy of loosing their job or being reprimanded in some manner. MIL does not want to cause trouble, but face it, this is acceptable practice in other venues, so she wants to know if anyone has done it at WDW and been successful.

What do you think?

 

[jwfla422]

I think you have all the right answers there I would never think of doing this in WDW especially to a CM there as it would put them in jeopardy of losing their job. I would never want to be responsible for that. You can tell your MIL that other venues are not "Disney".

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I think if she gets there before her reservation and is willing to wait for one, they will give her one no questions asked. I know many people who have asked and been seated outside for Illuminations. I don't think its as difficult as sneaking secrets out of the Kremlin.

 

[dizneekim]

My family had an 8pm PS last Feb. 6 for R&C. It was quite busy-cheerleaders had overrun Epcot that night- but we were given a patio table and had a great view of Illuminations. The canopy walls were down to keep out the cold, but they were rolled up when the show began. We ordered hot chocolate to go with our dessert-yum! It was one of the highlights of our trip and we hope to do it again this Sept. or Dec. Just be nice and hope for the best. Sprinkling some pixie dust on your MIL wouldn't hurt, either! LOL

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Acceptable or not, we have seen this done in WDW before at Cali Grill twice to be specific. So though we may disagree, it appears it is done at WDW just as it is in "other venues".

 

[tinkerbell81284]

The only thing I can recomend is get there early for your PS, be extremely nice (no $$ involved!) to the CMs at the podium, and hope that Pixie Dust is on your side! If anything 2/3 things mentioned will help. But remember nothing is guaranteed!

Jessica

 

[sugermouse]

Works everytime with a Ben Franklin..............

 

[ophie]

I would never try to tip a CM to get a nice table because it's not allowed. I think showing up early is the best bet, but if it's busy season that may not be possible.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Disneyjen:
If that's so, it should anger anyone who has made a PS in good faith and hopes for a "nice" table just like the rest of us. If it becomes known you can bribe a CM for a better table at CG, the whole experience will be ruined.
I certainly hope it was an isolated incident--and I'm sure the CM who took the "incentive" put themselves in jeapordy by doing so.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Thanks for the responses! Now I have other people's opinions to pass along. Mine apparently wasn't enough!

 

[WDWDennis]

I'm sure it would work with some CM's and would not work with other CM's!! There is only one way to find out. Pesonally, I have good luck just being nice to them and asking for what you want!!

Good luck with whatever you(I mean your MIL) do!!

 

[gopack]

Your MIL sounds like a hoot! Can we trade?

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Disneyjen:
If that's so, it should anger anyone who has made a PS in good faith and hopes for a "nice" table just like the rest of us. If it becomes known you can bribe a CM for a better table at CG, the whole experience will be ruined.
I certainly hope it was an isolated incident--and I'm sure the CM who took the "incentive" put themselves in jeapordy by doing so.

I agree-it stinks for those (including myself) who made a PS and hoped for a good table and don't b/c someone else tipped them. We spend enough cash in WDW so we don't do this but its not worth getting upset about because it happens everyday in all types of places. Thinking it doesn't happen in WDW is just plain silly. And thinking the CMs who do accept tips are sitting in a corner feeling shameful for their bad deed is crazy .
In our experience, and we have dined at Cali Grill and Rose and Crown during fireworks, we have found that showing up early for our PS does not work as there are often already guests seated and planning to stay. So, we always make an little earlier PS for special restaurants, that gives us enough time to enjoy our meal, drinks and dessert and watch the fireworks.

 

[bicker]

This does appear to occur at some of the privately-operated restaurants on-property, while it doesn't appear to occur at Disney-operated restaurants. I've seen anecdotal claims that the greeter at every restaurant can be "bought" but have never seen evidence to believe that.

The privately-operated restaurants where I have seen clear indications of this are California Grill, Chefs de France and Shulas. I suspect it's pretty common at other privately-operated restaurants too... and that's one of the reasons that I prefer the more egalitarian approach that Disney-operated restaurants use.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Wondering now what the going price is for a CM to be "bought"???

Perhaps we should have some guidelines--after all, why bribe a guy for $20.00 when just $10.00 would have been fine???

 

[TDC Nala]

They used to allow you to wait for an available outside table at R&C. They don't allow this any longer. You will get the table they assign you to.

I don't know whether or not tipping works.

 

[daisy112878]

I agree with TDC. Last time we were there in Dec 03 it was the table they gave you no matter if you were willing to wait for one outside. We heard the CM tell many people that if they didn't want the table they had available they would lose their PS and would be put at the end of the walk-in list.