If you have a "bad" "free" DDP experience please make sure you are satisfied!

[wdwobsessed]

OK. A few posts have peaked my attention so I'm gonna say something here.

Even if you are on the "free" dining plan as I will be in just a little over a week don't feel like that gives WDW a right to sock it to you with bad service and ill prepared food. IMHO ... paying rack rate for a room pays for the dining plan that is "free" and you are entitled ... yes ... entitled to GOOD service and GOOD food.

Now this does not mean to complain about things that are not in WDW written policies such as the $4 "rule" or "treating" people not on the plan or not getting the extra shrimp skewer without paying for it or the fact that they make your 6 year old order a meal to make sure you use the C credit for him or because you had to wait 20 minutes for a table at a place you knew would be jam packed.

I'm talking about not putting up with rude or innatentive servers, burnt entree's and melted desserts. Any time I have had a problem at a WDW eatery ... we complain and it's fixed ... if they can't fix it ... then we ask for compensation and usually get it. (A comp or credit back or whatever.)

On the other hand ... If we have OUTSTANDING service we ask for the manager and commend our server on being outstanding. (We love the look on thier faces when they think we are gonna complain and we tell them how great our CM was, it really makes thier day.)

I don't expect this to change just because I bought an expensive package that threw in the DDP for free as a marketing tool to get me to buy the more expensive package and stay at the more expensive resort. I work hard for my money. So you should not just "take it because it's free" either.

So if you are not happy ... for a reasonable issue .... speak up and say something. If your CM takes 30 minutes to get your drinks to you ... talk to the manager.

I also say cut the CM's a break if you see they are trying. They work hard to serve us and I'm sure they meet up with really unreasonable people every day. Smile at them and let your excitement of being at the world show through ... they will give you better service.

OK ... off my soap box!

Not sure of the point of this post other than to try to pass the time for another awful 8 days until I leave!!!!!!!!!!!

WDWO

 

[mickey2000]

Should I feel guilty? I got the free food plan and didn't pay rack rate for my rooms Saved $150 by booking with AAA with perks, DTD 10%, Story time, AAA parking, etc.... I called Disney direct and they wanted $150 more for the same package. Thanks AAA

 

[Mackey Mouse]

No.. do not feel guilty.. good for you that you got a great package from AAA...

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Should I feel guilty? I got the free food plan and didn't pay rack rate for my rooms Saved $150 by booking with AAA with perks, DTD 10%, Story time, AAA parking, etc.... I called Disney direct and they wanted $150 more for the same package. Thanks AAA

Unfortunately, you did pay rack rate, even through AAA, if you chose the free dining code. It cannot be used with other codes, like the AAA package discount you would normally get if you paid for the dining plan.

I would say the best part of using AAA is the Diamond Parking Pass.

Enjoy!

 

[mickey2000]

Unfortunately, you did pay rack rate, even through AAA, if you chose the free dining code. It cannot be used with other codes, like the AAA package discount you would normally get if you paid for the dining plan.

I would say the best part of using AAA is the Diamond Parking Pass.

Enjoy!

I called Disney direct and they wanted $150 more for the same package!
My AAA agent said that because I had a package booked prior to the free dining that when they converted the package Disney gave me the best of both worlds. Free dining and a reduced room rate below the rack rate
Package for two at POP with upgraded tickets and added day for 8 nights with dining and tour for 2 of behind the scene train at MK - AAA discounts (room & Tour) = $1050

 

[wdwishes1990]

Yep I saw that as well - they did convert the packages over to free dining with whatever rate they had. I did not pay rack rate either.

 

[Lewisc]

Are you sure the quote from Disney didn't include travel insurance?

 

[mickey2000]

Are you sure the quote from Disney didn't include travel insurance?

Yes I always "ask" for no insurance. Why is hard to believe that AAA was just the greatest by getting me both discounts?

 

[Lewisc]

Yes I always "ask" for no insurance. Why is hard to believe that AAA was just the greatest by getting me both discounts?

Because in the past you were definitely not allowed to stack a AAA discount with free dining. Generally Disney will include insurance in every quote but a good TA will ask you.

Congratulations on a great deal.

 

[donaldsgal]

Wow. After wdwobsessed's great post encouraging us to thank and reward great CM servers by praising them to their managers, people have spent time talking about whether or not mickey2000's discount is legit. Can anyone say ? Let's stay on topic pretty please! There's plenty of other boards where you guys can have that discussion.

Bringing it BACK on topic (I hope).... thanks, wdwo, for such a great post. I think it's definitely a good point that we expect (and politely ask for) great service, and even better is your idea that we take the time to summon a manager and congratulate them on their great employee. I know too often that I skip this part of the meal and just rave about the service to friends or my fellow diners, so I plan to make a bigger point of recognizing stellar CMs, no matter their role at WDW.

Good post, wdwo!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Yes I always "ask" for no insurance. Why is hard to believe that AAA was just the greatest by getting me both discounts?

Because CRO computers will only allow one three letter discount code per package.



My apologies to Donaldsgal who spent more text telling us we were off topic than all off topic-ers combined...

 

[donaldsgal]

My apologies to Donaldsgal who spent more text telling us we were off topic than all off topic-ers combined...

That's okay - I can handle being poked fun at. I was nice in my post and tried to be respectful, so have a great day ShopGirl.

 

[janets]

I absolutely agree. I find that if service is exceptional, tell the manager. Servers work hard (I used to wait tables and dh used to be a bartender) and we can usually spot the difference between a busy restaurant, a backed up kitchen and a bad server. If an order is incorrect, or the food is subpar, I will politely ask for it to be fixed. If the server takes 30 minutes to bring me a beverage, and I can tell that it isn't because they are overwhelmed, then I ask for a manager.

On the flip side, when a server goes out of their way to make my dining experience a good one, when they show attentiveness to my needs, when they intereact in a positive way with me and my family, then I will definitely make a comment to a manager. Too often, managers (and in the real world, restaurant corporation head offices) only hear from disgruntled patrons. It's important to commend waitstaff for outstanding work.

Thanks for the reminder, especially now that we're all in the free dining period. The more crazy things get at the TS restaurants, the more we're likely to forget this important item.

Only 16 days left for us!!!

 

[wdwobsessed]

Whew! I didn't think my post would prompt a debate on discounts ... but who knows what you can expect here on the DIS!

To answer the question about feeling guilty ... no ... regardless of the discount you are lucky enough to get ... you are still spending money and should expect a certain standard.

I agree with Janet who said about there being a difference between a backed up kitchen or the CM being overwhelmed. The only time I complain if it's complete incompetence or a nasty attitude coming from a server.

We went to Bob Evans the other day and we had a very nice waiter who you could tell was probably a rookie and just didn't have his act down yet. But he was trying his little heart out so we still tipped him well.

WDWO

 

[sorul82?]

We just returned home from 5 days of free dining. The worst service we received was at Maya Grill and Whispering Canyon. At Maya our ADR was 5:00PM, the very first table....no one should be backed up. We did not leave until 8:00PM! At WCC, again, it was very slow and we were there over 2 hours.

 

[nurseypoo5]

i once asked what to do if you had bad service "ie: how do you not tip when its automatic"..naturally i got flamed lol. I never meant to imply that i was waiting to "screw" a poor soul out of a tip, but was genuinly wondering if service gets lax when tipping is automatic all the time, like free dining.

I like your answer. COMPLAIN! If its bad, say something! If its good then let the manager know your happy.

 

[Nancyg56]

I can chime in and set your mind at ease. I paid for the dining plan last January, and got it for free last week. My family was impressed with the level of service we received on both trips, but I can honestly say that if anything, it was better this time. We never waited for our ADR's and on one very stressfull morning, we were worked into 1900 Park Fare for breakfast. The CM's were friendly and professional throughout the week. They helped us to use our plan effectively, and pointed out items that were not included, such as smoothies at 50's PTC. There were no surprises when the check was presented.


If you experience poor service, by all means go to a manager, but I would encourage you to assume that the servers will provide you with the professional level of service that you expect. Have a great time!