Free Dining frustration <tiny vent>

[Tinkergirl]

Didn't read every post but if it hasn't been asked it needs to be:

Would the orginal poster or others in agreement honestly turn down the "free" DDP if it was offered to them?

I do however, feel for the DVC people. I wish that they were offered it as well. Perhaps because the sales are no where near a maximum they have no true "off time" for the promotion. Oh well, will keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[clkelley]

I'm not sure ADR's are understood fully here.

ADR's are not reservations, in the traditional sense of that word. They only mean you have a spot in line to be seated at a certain time, and you must show up for that spot on time, or the ADR gets cancelled after a window of a few minutes.

When you show up for an ADR, you still have to wait for a table, like everyone else who just walks up. Your name would be called before non-ADR people, but only when a table for your party size opens up.

So if one does not show up for an ADR, a table was never wasted, only a spot in line for a table, and a lot of people's time.

I think the ADR system is badly flawed, and this is why I suggested the changes I listed in the post before this one.

Although this may have been posted before, even if you are late for your ADR, and show up, they will put you in line for your table size. You may have a longer wait because their "timing" of when that table size should have been ready is off, but they will seat you ahead of walkups.

 

[clkelley]

Yes. At least that's my experience with Hoop de Doo, which I have booked for this October. I don't know about the Luau, and other events, since I haven't done those since the DP came about. This will be our 3rd Hoop de Doo visit since the DP came about, and 2nd time going to it actually using the 2 table service vouchers for it.

There's still a line when you get there, but that's because they have seating/show times, and the building is locked up. Then they let you in, look you up in the ressies list, and find a table for you. They even have now gone to assigning people in certain sections of the dinner hall for HDDR. I do think this is an attempt to separate DP people from cash people. I'm not a fan of the sections, but it won't matter, as the section they're putting us in I actually prefer, even though I'll be paying for the DP.

Also, I was told if we didn't show up, there'd be a fee of some sort. I responded that I'm glad to hear that; they need to do that for ALL the restaurants.

If you are not on the Dining Plan at all (free or otherwise), you pay the full price of the Hoop De Doo or Luau in advance. If you are on the dining plan, you give them a credit card for a guarantee.

 

[TDC Nala]

Didn't read every post but if it hasn't been asked it needs to be:

Would the orginal poster or others in agreement honestly turn down the "free" DDP if it was offered to them?

I do however, feel for the DVC people. I wish that they were offered it as well. Perhaps because the sales are no where near a maximum they have no true "off time" for the promotion. Oh well, will keep my fingers crossed for you!

We don't need to be offered a promotion. We don't need the dining plan for free. Our rooms are prepaid at a given rate, which is enough of a discount. We can purchase the very same dining plan if we want to, and we don't need to buy park tickets to get it. I don't see why we NEED to be offered a free dining promotion just because rack rate package guests are being offered one.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This is your regularly scheduled mod reminder to play nice. Differing opinions are great, love to hear all sides and views of an issue, but personal attacks are not allowed. If you are getting heated when replying, walk away.

You are now returned to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[mrsnj91]

I was free dining and made the mistake of not making ressies for one night last week. There was not a single place to eat at a park or resort or DTD. It was my own fault. And I was a free diner. I didn't rate any different than someone paying OOP. No ressie....no eatie. So I don't think it matters if you are on the meal plan or not. It is all about the planning.

 

[Tinkergirl]

We don't need to be offered a promotion. We don't need the dining plan for free. Our rooms are prepaid at a given rate, which is enough of a discount. We can purchase the very same dining plan if we want to, and we don't need to buy park tickets to get it. I don't see why we NEED to be offered a free dining promotion just because rack rate package guests are being offered one.

Okay.... just thought it would be nice for you to get it too...

 

[keliblue]

Okay.... just thought it would be nice for you to get it too...

I have to agree with you It would be nice and I wouldn't turn it down..

 

[madisonsmom]

The tip should is 18% of the total cash value of the dinner. At most TS restaurants you pay one credit, but the tip is based on what you would have paid OOP for the dinner. Currently in 2007 servers are given that amount from Disney. In 2008 it will be up to the consumer to provide any tip. (parties of 6 or more will be charged an automatic 18% on the OOP value of the meal)

There are different theories on reported lack of service or decline in service. We personally didn't experience this ourselves, but some say it has less to do with a decrease in tips, it's the fact that each server is guaranteed an 18% tip (currently on the 2007 plan) no matter what kind of service they provide. Some are hopeful that service will improve in 2008 because the servers will be working for their tips again.

We had a problem when we took the Disney Cruise last year, we had great service by our servers each night, we tipped them the night of our last dinner(as requested) and went to our departure breakfast, that you HAVE to goto, and our service was crappy. Why?? Who knows..maybe because they knew they didn't need to give us good service since we were heading off the boat and they got their $$ out of us or maybe they were busy to get ready for the next group of vacationers coming on in just a short few hours...who knows?? Not me, but the previous service we received from them was GREAT. As someone in the restaurant business, I am conflicted with which is best. Servers have to deal with ALL kinds of people(oh the stories that can be told, lol!!) and do it with a smile with no gurantee of making more than $2.13 an hour. Hopefully Disney will realize that people are not happy with the service and tighten the ropes on their customer service skills, because after all, their employees are a big reason as to why it is the "happiest place on earth"!

 

[ladysoleil]

Ummm...OP, you do realize that since your vacation doesn't start until 9/30, the biggest majority of free diners will be gone by then...considering the "FREE" dining promotion ends on September 22 and the "free" dining bounceback promotion ends on 9/30.

I'm really glad to hear you say this, because I arrive on the 28th for a short weekend trip and am going with locals who don't really "do" ADR's, so I have no ressies for anything. I know we're not going to starve, and we'll have access to a car, but the fact that the DP is dying down a bit that weekend makes me feel a bit better. (Yeah, I know, we're not going to get walkup at Le Cellier, but hopefully we won't end up at Buffalo Wild Wings at Crossroads for dinner every night, either! )

 

[RJD]

I've never been asked by a server if I was on the FREE dining plan. I have been asked if I was on the dining plan, but never if it was free or not.

Good point. Just returned from a week at WDW with the free dining plan and was asked if I was on the DDP not the "free dining plan". Also it's my understanding that when they do offer the free DDP the # of packages available is limited so it would be hard to assume that a restaurant is full of "free diners" Correct me if I'm wrong.