Extremely Upset & In Shock with Chef Mickey

[hentob]

Oh come on guys you don't have to attack each other or bicker.

I don't see that at all. I see people offering different points of view/asking questions. Who is attacking?

I am glad the moderator hasn't closed the thread..

Why, oh why would a moderator close this thread?

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Things happen what about my birthday when hardly anyone said happy birthday to me when at Epcot for the day .

 

[brunette8706]

Things happen what about my birthday when hardly anyone said happy birthday to me when at Epcot for the day .

*****

LOL! Were you not wearing your "BIRTHDAY" pin?

 

[Calissto31]

I don't want to sound rude but the Swan Dolphin don't share many of the "perks". S/D guests can't have park purchases delivered to their resort and can't charge Disney purchases/meals to their room. I doubt the restaurants at the S/D get their food through Disney and I don't know if they use Disney bakeries.

A suggestion. Call the restaurant, or group sales/dining if your group is large enough. Explain exactly what you're looking for and ask what's the best way to make it happen. Once you tell them what kind of cake you're looking for they'll tell you if whatever bakery they use will be able to accommodate your request. You can ask about the Boardwalk Bakery. They'll tell you if the restaurant will accept delivery of a cake from the Boardwalk Bakery and how much the restaurant will charge to serve your cake (assuming there is a charge).

Shula's has 4 private dining rooms that seat 15 and 4 semi-private dining rooms that seat 12 to 54. Other restaurants in the S/D have private and semi-private dining rooms.

I know the room keys don't have charging privileges and you can't send things back from the parks. They do however share transportation and EMH and I believe they even have a character meal...that's all I meant by sharing perks. Also the reason why I ask here is because when I called to make a reservation it seems to be a general westin number not a number directly for the swan and dolphin. Also it isn't always easy to get the number of the restaurant at least that has been my experience with restaurants inside Disney Hotels and even if you get the number it is sometimes hard to get someone to answer as has happened to me with California Grill so I figured maybe someone had some more info.

Thanks

 

[Calissto31]

I don't see that at all. I see people offering different points of view/asking questions. Who is attacking?



Why, oh why would a moderator close this thread?

The moderator said they would close the thread if the bickering continued.

 

[MSLRAC]

Oh come on guys you don't have to attack each other or bicker. I don't think they meant cry for that literally. Honestly I wasn't sobbing uncontrollably I am not a big crier but when I get mad or frustrated which doesn't happen often the tears role and sometimes that's just out of your control. I was just upset because it seemed like everything that was planned for some time was falling apart and for the life of me I couldn't come up with a solution. It was just that helpless feeling that did me in especially since I am always so well prepared that I have itineraries written.

I am glad the moderator hasn't closed the thread because I still feel that we can all learn a lot from other people's experiences. If you have any cake ordering stories good or bad please post or even stories of traveling with a big group to disney when it comes to dinner.

Thanks

I totally understand where you are coming from 100%. I am not a big crier either but I am a planner and when things start going wrong (or not as planned), I tend to panic when I can't immediately come up with a solution and that leads to frustration and that usually ends with tears. Like you said, not uncontrollable sobbing but tears nonetheless.

 

[Lewisc]

My point is the food department at the S/D probably has nothing to do with WDW.

A few years ago I was considering using the restaurants at the S/D for a private party. I had no problem getting them on the phone and having group dining menus emailed to me.

I think this number gets you directly to the hotel.
407-934-4000.

http://www.swandolphin.com/privatedining/

online now.

I know the room keys don't have charging privileges and you can't send things back from the parks. They do however share transportation and EMH and I believe they even have a character meal...that's all I meant by sharing perks. Also the reason why I ask here is because when I called to make a reservation it seems to be a general westin number not a number directly for the swan and dolphin. Also it isn't always easy to get the number of the restaurant at least that has been my experience with restaurants inside Disney Hotels and even if you get the number it is sometimes hard to get someone to answer as has happened to me with California Grill so I figured maybe someone had some more info.

Thanks

 

[Kit'smommy]

Rule #1 and Rule #2 are absolutely true. If you do not believe that, you either do not work in a service industry, or should not.

I have worked in nothing but service industries, and absolutely disagree with the above statement.

The manager explained why he couldn't do something and offered a solution - keep it at the table. The customer started crying because her expectations weren't being met and then wrote a ranting post about the experience.

Sorry, but it is possible for a customer to be wrong.

I keep coming back to the thread just to look at that cake. It really is spectacular....

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

To the OP, what a beautiful cake and sorry that happened to you. Glad she was happy with her cake. I agree with PP that even if it was against health codes, it is the manager's job to find a solution, you shouldnt' have to run around the resort looking for someone to help you.
I have written the general manager of the Contemporary years ago when we had a food poisoning issue, Im talking 17 years ago..and he was more than understanding and accomodating...(don't know who is manager now) but it wouldn't hurt to just mention the nonchalant attitude of the manager at CM.
We went to CM in Feb. only for my 3 yr old nephew to see the characters up close, we certainly didn't go for the food.
We won't be back as it just isn't worth doing more than once because of the cost.
I'm glad in the end the 7 yr old's birthday was a success, sorry you had to endure the stress......

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Wow! That really was a beautiful cake! I would love to get one just like it for my next birthday!

A few people have said that since the cake came from a Disney bakery that it should have been allowed into a Disney restaurant. But I think the problem was that as soon as the cake was given to a customer, it was out of Disney's control and, therefore, considered an "outside" cake. The cake, in effect, became "contaminated" as soon as it left. Someone could have licked it, stuck their finger into it, added something to it, etc. I know that's not likely to happen, but I think it's the reason they couldn't put the cake in the kitchen.

I worked at McDonald's when I was in high school (a long, long time ago!). We were not allowed to take our own food back over the counter. If a customer opened their Big Mac box before leaving the counter and asked if we could put extra sauce on it, we were allowed to hand it back to the grill workers. However, if the customer had walked away with the Big Mac and brought it back to the counter, we couldn't take it back. We could offer them a small cup of sauce but we couldn't send the burger back to the grill area for the sauce. After the customer walked away with it, they could have done any number of things to it that would contaminate the food prep. area.

It might sound silly, but it was the code and we had to follow it. I suspect this was why CMs wouldn't store the cake, even though it was from a Disney bakery. If it had been delivered directly from the bakery to the restaurant, it would be different because Disney would have control of it the whole time. I do agree that the bakery should ask customers if they plan on taking a cake to a restaurant and letting them know the only way to store it in the kitchen is to have it delivered.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Also does anyone know how things work with the Swan and Dolphin? I know it technically isn't a Disney resort but still share a lot of the perks. I want to order a cake but haven't decided to where yet. Will the boardwalk bakery deliver to the Swan and Dolphin rooms or even one of their restaurants? Also for Cape May I assume the boardwalk bakery delivers...am I wrong?

Thanks guys

I would try calling S/D private dining to ask about a cake. They may be able to accommodate you in-house. IMO, they are the most deluxe of WDW's onsite hotels, so I'd be surprised if they didn't provide you with options. If they say they can't make one, it would be easy to pick up a cake from Boardwalk Bakery & carry it to your room. We saw a woman getting on one of the boats with a cake from BB the last time we were there. Walking from S/D to BB is an option too.

For Cape May, you would need to call YC/BC private dining. All the cakes I've seen from there have been very beautiful.

For anyone celebrating a birthday with the mouse, I wouldn't expect them to sing to the birthday boy/girl. We've celebrated several birthdays at WDW & Tutto Italia is the only restaurant that has sung happy birthday to anyone.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

A bit off topic, but pages ago, Maxiesmom said that they used to have divers hold signs for guests dining at Coral Reef and that it caused problems. I have to ask...how did it become a problem? And if it was a problem, did they charge for that? If not, charging for it would have eased the demand, (maybe)...I love Disney but there are some things that are way overpriced. That cake is gorgeous but can't believe they charged 120.00 . My wedding cake was 3 times that size and beautiful and was 150. And tasted so incredible!!!
All I can say is OP you are an extemely generous woman, as this girl wasn't even your daughter!!! How sweet of you!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

A bit off topic, but pages ago, Maxiesmom said that they used to have divers hold signs for guests dining at Coral Reef and that it caused problems. I have to ask...how did it become a problem? And if it was a problem, did they charge for that? If not, charging for it would have eased the demand, (maybe)...I love Disney but there are some things that are way overpriced. That cake is gorgeous but can't believe they charged 120.00 . My wedding cake was 3 times that size and beautiful and was 150. And tasted so incredible!!!
All I can say is OP you are an extemely generous woman, as this girl wasn't even your daughter!!! How sweet of you!

I'm pretty sure the problem was just that they were getting far too many requests to be able to accommodate everyone.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

FWIW The S/D does have a bakery to do their own cakes, but they also accept outside cakes- at least Fresh does. They will bring plates/knife but you have to serve it yourself, at the table We had a brunch there after our wedding and I had a cake brought in and it was set up in the room and I brought my husband to it, so he was surprised when he entered the room! HTH someone.

 

[si-am]

To the OP, what a beautiful cake and sorry that happened to you. Glad she was happy with her cake. I agree with PP that even if it was against health codes, it is the manager's job to find a solution, you shouldnt' have to run around the resort looking for someone to help you.

I don't understand why it was the manager's job to offer a solution? Sometimes things don't always go as planned on vacation. Sometimes it is your job as an adult to roll with it and figure out your OWN solution.

The manager said to put the cake on the table. That was a fine solution. It's not the manager's fault that the OP didn't think of making it a true centerpiece/attention-grabber.

Unless you've booked a VIP tour/event/party, then no one really needs to hold your hand through these things.

 

[si-am]

A bit off topic, but pages ago, Maxiesmom said that they used to have divers hold signs for guests dining at Coral Reef and that it caused problems. I have to ask...how did it become a problem? And if it was a problem, did they charge for that? If not, charging for it would have eased the demand, (maybe)...I love Disney but there are some things that are way overpriced. That cake is gorgeous but can't believe they charged 120.00 . My wedding cake was 3 times that size and beautiful and was 150. And tasted so incredible!!!
All I can say is OP you are an extemely generous woman, as this girl wasn't even your daughter!!! How sweet of you!

I believe-- and I could be thinking of something else but I don't think so-- someone posted on the Dis the private number of the person in charge of making the arrangements, and she was inundated with phone calls rather than emails.

Also, requests were coming in for silly things that weren't really celebrations just so kids could get their own sign from a diver ("Mommy loves you" kind of stuff.) It truly got out of control.

 

[acomasdiaz]

OP ~ I am sorry that happened to you. I can't even imagine what I would have done in your situation. I definitely would have cried as well. It's definitely hard when you plan so hard and then something like this happens. I can't believe the manager at CM wouldn't help you.

I am also shocked and angry at the price you were quoted for the cake. I think my DD's cake might have been one of the one's you looked at.



We got it in January and only paid $65 for it at 1900 park fare. I really can't stand how they don't have standard prices. I feel like if they didn't try to rip you off with the cake in the first place none of this would have happened.

 

[RickyMouseMom]

I read your post and I completely understand. We had a similar situation for my son's 6th birthday. We ordered the celebration cake (simple) but had also ordered the kids birthday party pack - incldues little gift bags and a center piece for the table. You guessed it....neither was at our table. I had to keep asking for it (had to keep chasing down our server...plus I reminded the hostess at check in and she confirmed it was on our reservation). The surprise was ruined (never came until the end of the meal - just plopped in a pile on the table with our check), no singing for my son's birthday (cake plopped down with candles...came back to light them when CM found a lighter...VERY AWKWARD!!!). Really sad and uncomfortable. I'm still pissed a little 1 1/2 years later....

 

[brunette8706]

I don't understand why it was the manager's job to offer a solution? Sometimes things don't always go as planned on vacation. Sometimes it is your job as an adult to roll with it and figure out your OWN solution.

The manager said to put the cake on the table. That was a fine solution. It's not the manager's fault that the OP didn't think of making it a true centerpiece/attention-grabber.

Unless you've booked a VIP tour/event/party, then no one really needs to hold your hand through these things.

**
Actually I disagree. The OP didn't know, okay, "gasp" heaven forbid she made a mistake about the "expensive" cake. She wanted a nice celebration for the child, without spoiling the surprise birthday cake, if it would have sat on the table. Her only request was to hold the cake behind the scenes. Afterall, 1900 Park fare did, and solved the issue and everyone was happy. Believe in me you want happy customers for repeat business. If customers aren't happy, it's a little known thing called word of mouth. It already looks like CM is getting poor ratings from alot of posters here in this forum. Most restaurants would accomodate a paying customer. I didn't think her request was all that difficult to accomodate. Afterall Disney is all for CELEBRATIONS. She really did get less than stellar service from the manager and waitress. Usually Disney is very accomodating.

 

[DianeV]

It IS a managers 'job' to try to offer solutions to any kind of problems in their restuarant, store etc. Of course it is, that is why they are the manager!