Free dp 07 - service, kids meals, etc.

[skater]

We recently returned from our 3rd free dp trip. Overall, we experienced better service than last year. Last year's service was not great, and I was starting to believe that perhaps the dp was to blame. This year service was great everywhere with the exception of San Angel Inn where the server was not unfriendly or incompetent, just very slow. I spoke with many servers about next year's changes and they seem to be fairly worried about the gratuity change. They are also worried about confusion in general - many guests barely understand the dp as it is - I'm sure they realize it will be difficult to explain the new plan.

At CS, I felt that there was so much confusion that almost nobody was happy. The CM's were stressed about clueless guests and the guests were stressed trying to understand what was allowed and what was not. At night in the food court at Pop, the CM's seemed barely able to hold onto their frustration (they weren't rude - I could just read the aggravation on their faces). I witnessed so many people treating the CM's rudely - I think they just get tired of it. Repeatedly, food items had to be returned that weren't allowed (like big water bottles or deserts for kids meals) The CM's seemed resigned and the guests were angry (after long days in the parks and long lines at the food court, its hard for some people to be nice when faced with confusion ). I wonder if Disney put up big signs with pictures on them explaining what's allowed if that would help? In talking with CM's some of them feel that Disney is not explaining the DP well enough - I'm not sure is that's true, but somehow people are confused. Wonder how things will go in 08 ?

We had two children with us under 10. One eats more than an adult and one can eat 4 bites off of my plate and be happy. At times it was difficult for the older one, but we were able to share, purchase something extra, and to be totally honest we did "cheat" a few times and order him an adult meal. Since the credits were pooled, it didn't affect our total CS credits. We did this the few times we were only ordering a few meals when not everybody was hungry. The kid's meals aren't all terrible, but for a 9 year old could get pretty boring. My 5 yr old was totally satisfied. If you have an older big eater child, I would say be prepared to order extra or share.

I was sick at our Crystal Palace meal , and the server didn't charge us for my credit. We were able to use that adult credit at LTT for my 9 yr old. He was thrilled to be able to order whatever he wanted. It was a banner day for him!

Sorry this was so long. Hope this info. helps somebody.

 

[ExtinctDino]

I've always had slow service at San Angel, including last week.

The CMs to me seem surprisingly patient in explaining what's allowed and what's not, even if not all of the guests are so patient and understanding.

There is clearly a problem however in CMs not knowing the rules and applying them consistently. After several days at Pop Century getting 2 drinks for a breakfast CS, a manager at Pepper Market at Coronado Springs said you only get 1 drink. So I thought maybe the rules were different for some reason at CSR v. Pop. But then the CMs allowed us 2 drinks every day. The manager was just wrong, or at least operating under different information from his workers.

 

[skater]

I've always had slow service at San Angel, including last week.

The CMs to me seem surprisingly patient in explaining what's allowed and what's not, even if not all of the guests are so patient and understanding.

There is clearly a problem however in CMs not knowing the rules and applying them consistently. After several days at Pop Century getting 2 drinks for a breakfast CS, a manager at Pepper Market at Coronado Springs said you only get 1 drink. So I thought maybe the rules were different for some reason at CSR v. Pop. But then the CMs allowed us 2 drinks every day. The manager was just wrong, or at least operating under different information from his workers.

I think the CMs get into a "zone" that allows them to deal with difficult people. I agree that not all the CMs understand the dining plan either. That can get frustrating and is especially confusing for people who aren't as "educated" as disers .