Has service improved since the tip has been excluded from the dining plan?

[TaylorsDad]

Last year was our first on the dining plan and I have to say I saw a huge difference in the quality of service we received. A couple of the dining establishments were still excellent in the area of service(Liberty Tree and Coral Reef especially). But I noticed some other guests receiving better service in almost all the other places and many times observed they were paying cash or cc. At one ADR where we paid OOP the server seemed inconveinced to serve us until he discovered we were paying out of pocket and then it was all smiles and great service.
The only reason that came to mind was that they knew with us using the DDP their tip was guaranteed and therefore they didnt need to try so had to impress. I always believed a good tip should be dependant upon good service and this proved the fact to me. Has anyone has had similar experiences.

 

[JimMIA]

We haven't been yet in 2008, but in 7-8 previous trips, both on DDP and paying cash, we have never noticed any difference in service. We've always had great service at Coral Reef, LTT, Le Cellier, and most other outlets -- and always had rotten service at Alfredo's (good riddance!) -- no matter how we were paying.

We heard that concern often here on the DIS when DDP included the tip, but there was very little actual information confirming those fears.

We're going in May, but we're only eating one meal onsite, and that's at Norway where the service is always fine, so our experience this year won't add much.

 

[minniekissedme]

We did 6 TS meals on the DDP in February. Never experienced one second of poor service. Servers were helpful and attentive. Not that it doesn't happen but it sure didn't happen with us.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't think so, but only because I thought the service never suffered.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Add us to the list of always having great service irregardless of DDP or OOP (Except for WCC and we paid OOP for that one, but that is another story...)
We have not yet gone in 2008.

 

[chief19spixi]

When we went to the world in 2004 we paid oop for dining and the service was great! Last year we were on the dining plan and yet still the service was great. We will be in at the world again this year in April on the dining plan and I am waiting to see how it all turns out!

 

[aubriee]

We've been the last three Septembers for free dining. I also go at least 2-3 other times during the year, sometimes with the DDP and sometimes without. We've never noticed a difference in the service.

 

[patsal]

I've never had bad service on the DDP. I did have service that seemed rushed, but that was more due to high crowds than the server themselves. I really form my own experiences, dont' think the DDP affected it one way or the other. I've had an equal amount of not so great servers on and off the DDP--and really over a peroid of many years can only think of a few really poor servers.

 

[beroh2253]

Went Sept. 06 and 07 on the free DDP and don't have any complaints about any CM at any of the restaurants and they knew we were there free or probably figures we were free cause it was Sept. I would say that was about 16 TS meals.

 

[JACKNAG]

Add us to the list of always having great service irregardless of DDP or OOP

I found on the DDP the server was attentive , he wants to sell you an appetizer and a dessert to boost the tip %

 

[Superspectral]

I have done TS OOP, old DDP, and DxDDP. The service seemed the same regardless of how I paid.