Free dining = bad service

[MellieluvsDisney]

We are booked for our trip in September for 2 weeks.

This will be our third year using the free dining promotion during September. We always had great service at the TS restaurants, but now I'm starting to worry because I read on some other posts that people tend to get bad service during FD. As anybody experienced any of that during FD?

 

[KatMark]

We are booked for our trip in September for 2 weeks.

This will be our third year using the free dining promotion during September. We always had great service at the TS restaurants, but now I'm starting to worry because I read on some other posts that people tend to get bad service during FD. As anybody experienced any of that during FD?

We have done free dining the last three years. Out of all the restaurants we went to during our eight night stays (for two of those years and four nights last year), we have had bad service at only two restaurants. As it turns out, both of those restaurants were also the worse food we've ever eaten at Disney. I'm sure every now and then you can get a bad server, but over all we have had terrific waitstaff.

 

[*TheWigs*]

We have gone 2 times during free dining and NEVER had bad service...always great!

 

[bluejasmine]

Been doing FD since its first yr in 2005 and I can say Ive never experienced it. this yr im paying for DDP since I took advantage of room only instead but I hope now that Ive paid for it that it hasnt gone down hill

 

[tomt92]

I can't speak from experience, but my parents just came back from Disney yesterday. There was a free dinning option during this time.. They said service was great, in fact my dad had a wonderful time chatting with the wait staff..

The only thing they did mention was that the portions where a little small.. In all honesty we, my family, are big eaters so it might be that..

I hope this helps..

 

[butiflfeet]

We haven't seen a negative effect on service the last 2 years. We did have bad service at one restaurant during our last trip so one meal out of about 12 sit-down meals isn't too bad

Of course bad service happens but I don't think its free dining that causes bad service.

 

[maxiesmom]

Last year we used Free Dining for the first time. And I didn't notice any of the servers being rude or rushing us because of it. Don't worry!

 

[dandave]

I have noticed it. By going several times in a single year, you are more apt to notice subtle changes in atmosphere and service during a heavily visited free dining period. The biggest insult came at Tutto Italia (sp?) when the server simply said, "No. Get the pasta."
I wanted steak.
"No. Get the pasta."
Maybe the steak isn't good, I thought. "Okayyy. I'll have the fish."
"No. Get the pasta."
This guy wants to turn this table over quickly and cheaply, I thought. It was obvious.

It was that sort of thing that I found unpleasant.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

We have had great service on our previous free dining trips. The only exception would be at Tutto Italia.

 

[Tricia1972]

I've read reports of spotty bad service throughout the year, nothing that made me think that it was a lot worse during free dining though. Most servers seem to be professional, no matter how busy they get.

A post was just removed, so I wanted to remind everyone that tipping discussion is limited to The Disney Dining Tipping Info thread, which is a sticky at the top of the restaurant forum. The first post explains a bit why it's limited to just one thread, and gives general thread guidelines.

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW several times a year (including every year during free dining) and have never noticed that the service is any worse during the free dining time. In fact, last year I went twice during free dining (Sept and early Dec) and have received excellent service almost every time. The only time I've received REALLY bad service was three times during a May trip (at Spoodles, Coral Reef and Tutto Italia). I just seemed to have really bad luck that one trip.lol Never had a problem during free dining though.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We went in August and had great service most places...the only bad service we had was at Chef Mickeys but my family also did not like the food there so perhaps it was just not the restaurant for us. The characters seemed very rushed and disorganized as well...not sure if this was because of FD or just how they are in general.....Overall great experience during FD

 

[bytheblood]

The service is the same for all people regarless if you are on the dining plan, enjoying free dining or paying out of pocket. The service has gone down in general, but it is not terrible based upon free dining.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've used free DDP 5 times now and haven't seen a change in the level of service we've gotten. We also paid for DDP back in Jan. 05. Sometimes we have gotten spotty service but I don't attribute it to DDP. That's going to happen anytime.

Don't worry, it should be fine. And if you get bad service, don't be afraid to speak to the manager. Whether it's free or not, bad service should be reported.

Added-when free DDP first started the tip was inc. in the plan. Now the servers have to work for their tip. I think that's incentive alone to give good service, don't you?

 

[crazybones27]

We actually did the dining plan for the first time back in Dec. 2008. Unfortunately when we went our week was a blackout week. We never had a bad experience with any restaurant we ate in! We had so many wonderful servers who made wonderful suggestions on the food. They never rushed us out and always made sure we had what we needed. I feel they were very patient since almost all the servers had to work around our stroller with our sleeping 8 month old. The host/hostess did a wonderful job helping in every restaurant to fit the stroller comfortably for everyone, but no one gave us dirty looks when we said the baby was sleeping. Everytime it was time to go to our ADR our daughter would just pass out. She wasn't following any of her normal schedules due to all the excitement. I was always nervous and uncomfortable to tell them she was sleeping and I would have totally taken her out if need be but no one blinked an eye or gave a look and said no problem just stroll her right this way! To me this is one of the reasons why I love Disney. They just make you feel comfortable when there!! I personally think you will be fine during free dining.

 

[binkytell]

we have done free dining last 2 years and going back soon, cant say we have ever had bad service, same as everywhere some service is better than others

 

[stitch34]

I dont' think free dining has anything to do with bad service.
We just got back and had quite a few meals with terrible service. Such as, order a drink (cocktail) right when sat down - drink finally arrived AFTER our appetizers and dinner were served - and that's after reminding the server 3 times... when he would show up. Many other meals sitting there saying WHERE is our server!?
Now, they weren't just standing there hanging out not working, I think the problem is not enough servers so they all have way too many tables to properly give good service.
But each trip we always have a handful of meals with absolutely terrible service.
Now, we also did have some great servers - and each trip the couple that we have really stick out in our mind since the bulk of the time we're getting just "okay" service or terrible service.
We've always had great service at Cape May... and CRT - have to say, eating with three kids I LOVE how fast the food comes out there, and service is always great!
We usually do around 18 table service meals per trip... out of that I'd say maybe 2 or 3 is very good service, and then split the rest in half as to bad service and just okay service.