Don't hear about specials when on DDP?

[Linda 441]

If you're on the Dining Plan and order anything extra, including bar drinks, your bill will already have the standard 18% gratuity added. You can add more if you wish.

We just got back and it varied based on the place. Most did include the tip on the "other" stuff, but the California Grill for one did not. I think it depends on the waiter. For us, we generally tipped more than the 18% anyway (especially because we used the DDE for the other stuff).

We found we had stellar service everywhere. Most places my 10 year old and I shared a table service credit. With 6 of us (all dining adults) - 5 appetizers, 5 desserts, and 5 meals was plenty. We had no problems doing that. And, when we ordered "adult" drinks, they made sure our other drinks were inlcuded - if it was an extra drink for one of the kids - milk AND a soda, or a beer AND a coffee later, things like that.

The worst service we had was at Fulton's - not even on the dining plan.

 

[puddleduck]

I'm glad to hear another report of comparable treatment provided to Dining Plan patrons, especially since we'll be visiting two of the restaurants you listed, puddleduck.

And just to add, we had 13-14 people each time we dined om 3 different plans. All of our servers did an excellent job of making sure the whole party heard and understood. I felt that all our servers did great, especially since they were very busy with our large groups. I never felt that we were treated differently because of the plan.

 

[disney1990]

I found it to our advantage to tell our server that we were on the Dining Plan. At 1900 Park Fare, our server informed us that we could order smoothies as our drinks if we were on the Dining Plan. At Sci Fi, our server let us know that we could order milkshakes as our beverage.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I always tell the server ahead of time, because we tend to order extras that are not on there and I like to let them know they will have to do 2 checks, one DDP and one cash.

The only server I ever had an issue with the DDP about was for that reason. She did not ask and I forgot to mention it. When she asked if we were ready for the check, I said "we are on the DDP" and she was a little miffed, since I think she had our check already done.

The servers we have had, in May and September, on the DDP have been great.

We are also DVC and are buying it again in Feb.