Horrible "Dining" Experience at DCA

[Astylla]

We made a point to hit up Cove Bar for lunch/early afternoon as it was still free seating around that time last year. Service could be slow but it appears they only usually have about 2 servers at a time but we also chose a time we were not in a rush. We wanted to just sit down , enjoy the view from the pier , have a few appetizers and drinks and it was well worth the wait.

The slow service wasn't bad - just more relaxed but I understand how that could be offputting to some. Trader Sam's can be the same way and slow depending on time of day so we tend to choose earlier times of the day to miss the rushes.

I can definitely understand the frustration from the OP at Cove Bar during the time they came and am sorry you were disappointed. I'm glad you found a nice spot at Flo's it's one of our favorites.

 

[SMD]

Because I haven't been to dlr in awhile but we have a visit coming up thanks to rundisney, I have to clarify. They have seaters/hosts now? Last time I went you just walked past the CMs out front because they were there for the restaurant below. You could even enter on the other side closer to Screaming '. And as long as you didn't have kids with you you could just go right up to the bar no table required.

Has it really changed that much?

I've never experienced a seater or host, but there is a cover charge for WOC, so it doesn't suprise me that they'd have a host within an hour of the show. Personally, I wouldn't try to pop in for a snack that close to WOC, even without a cover charge. Cove Bar just isn't that big, but that doesn't stop people from camping out there like they do for Fantasmic and fireworks. It just doesn't seem like a scenario that will often end well.

 

[pixiewings71]

Because I haven't been to dlr in awhile but we have a visit coming up thanks to rundisney, I have to clarify. They have seaters/hosts now? Last time I went you just walked past the CMs out front because they were there for the restaurant below. You could even enter on the other side closer to Screaming '. And as long as you didn't have kids with you you could just go right up to the bar no table required.

Has it really changed that much?

Yes, they have a host/ess now at the Cove Bar and yes, you do wait to be seated. That was the situation as of June 2013 when I went with my friend.

I've never experienced a seater or host, but there is a cover charge for WOC, so it doesn't suprise me that they'd have a host within an hour of the show. Personally, I wouldn't try to pop in for a snack that close to WOC, even without a cover charge. Cove Bar just isn't that big, but that doesn't stop people from camping out there like they do for Fantasmic and fireworks. It just doesn't seem like a scenario that will often end well.

I thought they did away with the cover charge?

OP (and anyone else thinking of the Cove Bar), I'm sorry your experience wasn't as you expected. I've eaten at the CB many times (excellent Sangria and the Lobster Nachos are great) and always seemed to have quite the wait for food and drinks. I've felt it was worth it when we went (for various reasons) so I've always stuck it out but honestly, IME 15-20 minutes is about normal for service there. Just now there might be a wait as you go in and then make your own choices as to whether it's worth it or not to wait.
As for RC, I've only eaten there a few times and never experienced what the OP did, that's very unfortunate. OP I would definitely send this message to DL as well as posting it here, the feedback would be appreciated and perhaps it will help them change how things are done.

 

[DarthMole]

I quite often take the business side of an argument like this, but both of these sound like terrible customer service to me. No excuses at all.

If I were in that situation at the Cove Bar, after being seated for 5 minutes or so, I would have at least flagged down one of the other servers and asked them to get my server so I could get the ball rolling. I've had similar non-Disney experiences and more often than not, the server is apologetic and provides attentive service afterward.

 

[kitayama]

It is funny... I have been going to Disneyland for years, and I go often. I did not know of the Cove Bar's existence.
As far as not being able to eat at the quick service restaurant... Trust me, unless the menu has changed recently, you didn't miss anything. Flo's has much better food. Although it does not make up for what happened, I think you lucked out there.

 

[nervous1sttimer]

We are going to DL for the first time in August, so I can't comment on either location specifically.

But to all the people who think that the CS CM didn't know they wanted to order, or just thought they might get upset if approached when they didn't want to order, let me say - he totally knew. As someone with a lot of food service industry experience, I can vouch for the fact that someone walking up 5mins before closing when you're 90% cleaned up and ready to go is your worst nightmare. He totally knew and specifically waited until 8pm to say something so that he wouldn't have to serve them, otherwise it would have caused him to redo a dozen closing tasks he'd already completed.

But just because I understand, doesn't make it okay to the customer. They are supposed to be open until 8pm. Disney should know about both cases for sure. Hope they can do something to help make it right.

 

[bumbershoot]

I do not know whether they have the seaters/hosts during the daytime, but twice around 7:45ish on the night we attempted to eat at the Cove Bar there was a host (and hostess) seating people. They also had them there the second night when we walked by around 7pm.

The entrance to the bar was next to the Duffy gazebo also. You didn't enter through the restaurant.

Thanks.

OK something must have changed drastically since the last time I went to the Cove Bar or walked by the Duffy gazebo... Feels like a shorter time than when I write it out, but I suppose we were at DLR was October 2012, and Duffy's spot was next to the stores on the opposite side from the bar and stairs (?) to Ariel's. (I've never been to that character meal so I don't know exactly how you get in there, but when I have been to Cove, which is before that last trip, you had to go around the host for Ariel's to get in)

I"m thinking Duffy is now where Santa tends to be, with his back to the Screamin' launch platform area?

You go and focus on Orlando for awhile and find that they've moved everything around!

Yes, they have a host/ess now at the Cove Bar and yes, you do wait to be seated. That was the situation as of June 2013 when I went with my friend.

Thanks!

As someone with a lot of food service industry experience, I can vouch for the fact that someone walking up 5mins before closing when you're 90% cleaned up and ready to go is your worst nightmare. He totally knew and specifically waited until 8pm to say something so that he wouldn't have to serve them, otherwise it would have caused him to redo a dozen closing tasks he'd already completed.

I totally agree; I worked with many coworkers exactly like that. Drove me bananas since I always tried to put myself into the hungry customer's shoes. Their urgency to go home shouldn't trump a customer who was there while the place was still open.

But...because of that experience, I wouldn't have gone to just look at the menu at 5 minutes to closing. I understand why others would; I just wouldn't want to deal with surly, anxious people who would then be making my food, nor would I want to be a bother. I think that just comes with experience in that sort of food environment, though.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We made a point to hit up Cove Bar for lunch/early afternoon as it was still free seating around that time last year. Service could be slow but it appears they only usually have about 2 servers at a time but we also chose a time we were not in a rush. We wanted to just sit down , enjoy the view from the pier , have a few appetizers and drinks and it was well worth the wait.

The slow service wasn't bad - just more relaxed but I understand how that could be offputting to some. Trader Sam's can be the same way and slow depending on time of day so we tend to choose earlier times of the day to miss the rushes.

I can definitely understand the frustration from the OP at Cove Bar during the time they came and am sorry you were disappointed. I'm glad you found a nice spot at Flo's it's one of our favorites.

That's our usual time to visit Cove Bar as well and we go there to sit and relax with a cocktail and appetizers and to enjoy the view. The service has never been bad, but I will say it's the most disjointed restaurant in DL/DCA/DTD - the staff does not work together or take responsibility for the restaurant as a whole.

For OP, the service at Cove Bar may indeed have been poor during your visit, but empty tables are never ever a sign that you should receive immediate seating in a restaurant!

For the wharf restaurant, as a 15 year server/bartender I would never ever eat food served to me by a restaurant I ordered from 1 minute before closing. Ever. Count your blessings that they refused you!

 

[pixiewings71]

I quite often take the business side of an argument like this, but both of these sound like terrible customer service to me. No excuses at all.

If I were in that situation at the Cove Bar, after being seated for 5 minutes or so, I would have at least flagged down one of the other servers and asked them to get my server so I could get the ball rolling. I've had similar non-Disney experiences and more often than not, the server is apologetic and provides attentive service afterward.

there is no way I would flag anyone down after only waiting for 5 minutes....to me that just screams impatience and rudeness. While I do feel a server should stop at your table within that time frame I would wait for 10-15 before stopping someone for help.
As I mentioned previously 15 minutes has been the standard time for a server to stop at our table when we've been to the CB. Not really ideal but I just know it's going to be that way and plan accordingly now. The last time I was there the service was fine, slow but fine, and the server we had we kept talking to the table of cute girls next to us in turn neglecting us. He was right next to us so we just interrupted him if we needed/wanted something. lol We got looks from the girls but after a few looks from us they stopped. haha We could clearly hear their conversation and we know that they arranged to meet after he got off so they could "hang out and maybe go clubbing". lol He did take care of us but we did have empty Sangria's and we did have to ask him for more. lol He got about a 10% tip from us due to his lack of attention.

Thanks.

OK something must have changed drastically since the last time I went to the Cove Bar or walked by the Duffy gazebo... Feels like a shorter time than when I write it out, but I suppose we were at DLR was October 2012, and Duffy's spot was next to the stores on the opposite side from the bar and stairs (?) to Ariel's. (I've never been to that character meal so I don't know exactly how you get in there, but when I have been to Cove, which is before that last trip, you had to go around the host for Ariel's to get in)

I"m thinking Duffy is now where Santa tends to be, with his back to the Screamin' launch platform area?

You go and focus on Orlando for awhile and find that they've moved everything around!





Thanks!




I totally agree; I worked with many coworkers exactly like that. Drove me bananas since I always tried to put myself into the hungry customer's shoes. Their urgency to go home shouldn't trump a customer who was there while the place was still open.

But...because of that experience, I wouldn't have gone to just look at the menu at 5 minutes to closing. I understand why others would; I just wouldn't want to deal with surly, anxious people who would then be making my food, nor would I want to be a bother. I think that just comes with experience in that sort of food environment, though.

Yes, Duffy is now with his back to Screamin' next to the CB, when you used to enter you used the same entrance that was used for Ariel's Grotto (across from where Duffy used to stand by the store), now you enter by a small gate by the bar outside. There is a host/ess there who asks your party size, then they give a wait time (we had a 10 or 15 minute wait time and yes, there were plenty of empty tables so previously we would have simply walked in and seated ourselves) and then seat you.
I would have looked at the menu but I would not have ordered, for much the same reasons as have been mentioned, I worked in a QS/CS type of place for a few years and it always drove me nuts to have to redo cleaning when someone came in 5 minutes prior to closing. lol

 

[RandFamily]

My 2 cents worth: You're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I can see why you were frustrated at the time, but in the total scheme of things, this is not worth getting upset about.

Also, as a long-time NJ resident and long-time AP holder at WDW, I am now an AP holder at DL and go frequently. There is a big difference in culture, really! Things are slower and more easy going at DL. This can be frustrating at times because I'm used to higher-energy east coast ways, but it's like going to another country - you can also adapt and enjoy their ways.

 

[RyMickey]

My 2 cents worth: You're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I can see why you were frustrated at the time, but in the total scheme of things, this is not worth getting upset about.

Also, as a long-time NJ resident and long-time AP holder at WDW, I am now an AP holder at DL and go frequently. There is a big difference in culture, really! Things are slower and more easy going at DL. This can be frustrating at times because I'm used to higher-energy east coast ways, but it's like going to another country - you can also adapt and enjoy their ways.

I went on with my day, didn't complain to guest relations, and don't think I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill...heck, I'm just posting on a discussion board and haven't yet decided whether to send a letter as others on the board have suggested. I am describing a problem that, having read other posts on this thread, seems to be a consistent issue with this location. Rather unfortunately, the level of Disney service that we in the public have been "trained" to expect hasn't seemed to have shown itself here at the Cove Bar.

I post this simply because after decades of traveling to Disney parks in the US and overseas, these two food services experiences were the worst I've experienced. In the grand scheme of things, I fully recognize the frivolity of my complaints, however, having issues like this happen to us two days in a row in the same park within hundreds of feet of one another painted a poor picture of this aspect of DCA. As I said, we went to Flo's for dinner afterwards and were treated nicely by CMs (an example, as they saw one of us wiping down the table, they said, "Please, let me do that for you" -- simple, but customer service-oriented for sure), but this is still an issue that needs to be addressed particularly the Cove Bar situation since it seems to be something that happens often.

Then again, seeing as how it happens often and the situation still hasn't been addressed, I'm thinking that's just the mindset of the manager at that location which doesn't mean that it's appropriate.

As far as the Cucamonga thing -- as I said before, while frustrating, it really just made us laugh considering the debacle of the Cove Bar the night before. I still stand by the fact that it was just as wrong, however.