Dont try to share at Tutto

[gandb26]

We have the regular dining plan and have been here for 9 nights. We had no problem sharing meals at Le Celier, the Contemporary (the one at the top, can't think of the name of it at the moment) Japan. We had an odd 1 credit that we tried to use at Tutto today because we were pretty full from eating our way around the world and we needed the remaining 4 for Jiko tonight, and they refused us and wanted to take two. We always state upfront that we would like to share and that we tip as if two had full meals. We usually order an app as well and pay out of pocket. They were not nice about it so we picked up our stuff and left. Very strange that every other place had no issues. Just be forewarned, you may want to ask before sitting at Tutto or other places. But again had no problem at all at every other place.

 

[kathie859]

We have the regular dining plan and have been here for 9 nights. We had no problem sharing meals at Le Celier, the Contemporary (the one at the top, can't think of the name of it at the moment) Japan. We had an odd 1 credit that we tried to use at Tutto today because we were pretty full from eating our way around the world and we needed the remaining 4 for Jiko tonight, and they refused us and wanted to take two. We always state upfront that we would like to share and that we tip as if two had full meals. We usually order an app as well and pay out of pocket. They were not nice about it so we picked up our stuff and left. Very strange that every other place had no issues. Just be forewarned, you may want to ask before sitting at Tutto or other places. But again had no problem at all at every other place.

I've never split a dinner but have split an appetizer BUT.......
I just don't get the lack of customer service at this restaurant. In my case, my DSis and I were there in March--we had an ADR for 8:45. When we checked in the restaurant was over half empty. I asked for a booth--"Absolutely not" I was informed "those are for larger parties". OK, whatever....THEN we were given a table that had us sitting on the aisle, at an intersection, where we couldn't even chat due to the congestion and traffic near that table. I asked the server if we could move and he eventually brought the "seater" who said no. So I got up, went to the desk and when the seater saw I intended to make my request to the manager, a table miraculously appeared in a less congested area. I just didn't understand what the power struggle was all about given the low occupancy of the restaurant.

 

[gandb26]

I told the waiter as soon as we sat down that it was our last day, we had been eating at Epcot all day and were not hungry enough for two meals. I was upfront and said we often share meals as we are not big eaters but we ALWAYS tip on what it would cost for two meals. He seemed ok, brought us bread, waters, took our order and THEN informed us that it would be 2 credits. I said no, we were ordering one meal and we had split several other meals that week with no questions asked, no one batted an eye. He sent over the manager and he was obnoxious and rude and I was in no mood to deal with this on my last day as there were plenty of good places to eat. I can get better Italian food in NJ any day of the week. So we gathered our stuff and left.

 

[gandb26]

And I might add, had a wonderful quick service meal in France. I'm pretty sure it was much better than what we would've gotten in Tutto anyway. The food in France was to die for. Just fabulous. What a gem that little place is. I've always visited with kids and had never eaten there before. Never even knew it was back there.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm sorry you were unaware of this ahead of time. It is true that you cannot share when using dining credits at either Italian restaurant in Epcot. I don't know why, but it has been that way for quite some time. If you are paying out of pocket you can share, using the dining plan you cannot.

 

[Disneylover99]

I didn't even know you could share TS credits at restaurants. I know you can't share at buffets. But other restaurants? Hmmm, good to know.

 

[ses1230]

I told the waiter as soon as we sat down that it was our last day, we had been eating at Epcot all day and were not hungry enough for two meals. I was upfront and said we often share meals as we are not big eaters but we ALWAYS tip on what it would cost for two meals. He seemed ok, brought us bread, waters, took our order and THEN informed us that it would be 2 credits. I said no, we were ordering one meal and we had split several other meals that week with no questions asked, no one batted an eye. He sent over the manager and he was obnoxious and rude and I was in no mood to deal with this on my last day as there were plenty of good places to eat. I can get better Italian food in NJ any day of the week. So we gathered our stuff and left.

This is the policy at Tutto for guests on the dining plan. It's a shame the waiter initially led you to believe otherwise. The Italy restaurants are not owned by Disney and I believe it has to do with something about reimbursement for meals using the dining plan.

 

[gandb26]

This is the policy at Tutto for guests on the dining plan. It's a shame the waiter initially led you to believe otherwise. The Italy restaurants are not owned by Disney and I believe it has to do with something about reimbursement for meals using the dining plan.

Thank you for explaining it! I had no idea they were not owned by Disney. That explains it. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me why we had no problem anywhere else and they were so fresh about it. That explains it. And for anyone wondering, we had no issue sharing at the locations I spoke of. I am sure to always tip as if we bought two meals because the server is doing the same amount of work. We often will split meals when we go out at home as we are not huge eaters and the amount of food we were eating at Disney was crazy so at meal times it was hard enough to finish one meal, let alone two!

 

[mommyboys3]

I just wanted to add that we shared TS meals on our trip last Nov during free dining. We had no problems at 50's Prime Time, Kona, Rose & Crown, BOG (lunch). I knew Via Napoli would be a problem so DH & I used credits for our meal & we paid OOP for a large pizza for our 3 boys to split. I didn't realize Tutto was also an issue.

 

[Sandy321]

We have the regular dining plan and have been here for 9 nights. We had no problem sharing meals at Le Celier, the Contemporary (the one at the top, can't think of the name of it at the moment) Japan. We had an odd 1 credit that we tried to use at Tutto today because we were pretty full from eating our way around the world and we needed the remaining 4 for Jiko tonight, and they refused us and wanted to take two. We always state upfront that we would like to share and that we tip as if two had full meals. We usually order an app as well and pay out of pocket. They were not nice about it so we picked up our stuff and left. Very strange that every other place had no issues. Just be forewarned, you may want to ask before sitting at Tutto or other places. But again had no problem at all at every other place.

The last time we were at California Grill (Contemporary restaurant on the top) We were told we could not split on the DDP AND our dd who was not hungry, and would not eat, still had to order a meal, and they would prepare it "to go"... ok then, it was a great lunch the next day.... (and I'll repeat this had to be 2012)

 

[GillianP1301]

I would've walked out too. It should be no different than paying OOP and as the paying customer, I can order as much or as little as I want and share as much of it with my party as I want (the obvious exclusion here is a buffet). I've never eaten at Tutto, but the service at Via Napoli was horrific when I was there in August, so I'm not surprised to hear of the service issues at Tutto as well.

 

[GillianP1301]

The last time we were at California Grill (Contemporary restaurant on the top) We were told we could not split on the DDP AND our dd who was not hungry, and would not eat, still had to order a meal, and they would prepare it "to go"... ok then, it was a great lunch the next day.... (and I'll repeat this had to be 2012)

To me that screams of a server trying to pad their tip. It happened several times when I would try to decline dessert on the DxDP. Pushing it on me only results in the opposite from me though, I will decrease a tip in that situation. Those that happily obliged were tipped accordingly.

 

[aaarcher86]

I would've walked out too. It should be no different than paying OOP and as the paying customer, I can order as much or as little as I want and share as much of it with my party as I want (the obvious exclusion here is a buffet). I've never eaten at Tutto, but the service at Via Napoli was horrific when I was there in August, so I'm not surprised to hear of the service issues at Tutto as well.

Well, bottom line is the ddp IS different than paying oop. There are rules and restrictions and they can vary by restaurant. That's just the way it works.

If you don't like it, I'd write to guest services.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would've walked out too. It should be no different than paying OOP and as the paying customer, I can order as much or as little as I want and share as much of it with my party as I want (the obvious exclusion here is a buffet). I've never eaten at Tutto, but the service at Via Napoli was horrific when I was there in August, so I'm not surprised to hear of the service issues at Tutto as well.

It IS different. Why do you think they ask you first if you are on the dining plan or not? It changes how they handle your bill.

As far as Tuto Italia itself, I've had more than one meal there, and they were all outstanding. Great food, and great service.

 

[GillianP1301]

Well, bottom line is the ddp IS different than paying oop. There are rules and restrictions and they can vary by restaurant. That's just the way it works.

If you don't like it, I'd write to guest services.

Had I been in the situation myself that the OP described, then I would've contacted guest services or spoken to the restaurant manager. My bad experience I referenced at Via Napoli was not dining plan related at all.

And I do realize that there are rules around DDP, my opinion on the sharing is that I don't agree with it. I can choose to use the DDP or not based on that and I actually love the dining plans and do choose to use them. But, if a server states the rules one way and then changes them mid meal (as described by the OP), then that's a problem. I've personally never experienced it, but I can sure understand why it would be upsetting if it did happen.