Inconsisteny with DDP

[carmie3377]

NOT being critical at all - but (especially given that a couple of posts in this thread indicate that the half-wrap IS the standard inclusion in the combo meal), would the OP have even posted about the inconsistencies at Tusker House if their experience had been reversed? If the first time they ate there they got medium drinks and a half-wrap-and-chowder combo, and then the next time they got large drinks and a whole wrap with the chowder, would this have been an issue?

YES, I would have brought it up. It surprises me the number of people who seem to think I was trying to use the system because I mentioned the Half wrap. NOWHERE does it mention half wrap. So, I'm just to assume it is a half wrap? And to the person that said that CS meals are intended for one person so I should know it is a half wrap? What about the rib/chicken platter at Cosmic Ray's. It could have much easily served two people than this wrap/chowder combo but we opted not to share meals. So, even if we thought the food could have served two people, each person got a meal.

I thought this board was to discuss the DDP, our likes, dislikes, concerns. I guess we are all just supposed to be experts at the DDP and not come on here with questions or concerns. I should have known to only expect a half wrap, a medium drink, and I should know all the rules at all the restuarants. When I'm told that "on the DDP", I should have known that it was just simply a CM making a mistake, even though they do this for a living and this was my first time on the DDP. So, to all of you others with inconsistencies, you should have known what you were going to get and just be happy.

Some you have voiced similar concerns. However, it seems to me that some of you think I should have known up front what to expect and just be happy with a little "extra pixie dust". I was never trying to get something extra for nothing. It's nice to see the OP about inconsistencies so we know what to expect (or not to expect) when using the DDP. However, it seems to irritate others that we dare say something negative about Disney.

 

[sebamt]

I'm with you carmie3377. Lately it seems almost impossible to say something negative about WDW, TGM, etc... without instigating a bunch of flaming posts... I would have been as ticked as you were. The bottom line is that Disney should make the rules clear so that consumers could take full advantage of the DDP without being accused of cheating or abusing the system. Just my 2c... let the flames come!

 

[Tricia1972]

Thank you to the OP for bringing up this point. Without this dialogue I would have been in your shoes if this happened to me, annoyed at being 'cheated'. Now I understand what the standard is.

I don't blame you at all for questioning it, especially since you got a whole wrap on your first visit and got the half wrap on your second visit. Also, the CM should have not told you that the half wrap had anything to do with DDP. They should have said, our standard serving is half a wrap and soup.

 

[FayeW]

I'm sure that the frustration you felt at the inconsistencies is nothing compared to the frustration you must surely feel now that you were apparently supposed to KNOW that the first wrap/chowder combo was inconsistent with the standard, any you should be grateful for the extra serving and generous pixie dust thrown your way!

People eat at McBloat's for a reason...they know what they are going to get each and every time they order. Eating at WDW restaurants and CS shouldn't be an investigative process. You shouldn't have to feel like you are playing roulette when you are ordering a meal...DDP or not!

 

[bicker]

I guess we are all just supposed to be experts at the DDP and not come on here with questions or concerns.

Clearly not. I think the point some members are raising is that, when guests get something that is "less" than what they got before, the assumption these members feel is best is that either (1) there is no intention to provide a absolutely consistent portion each time, and/or (2) that the previous time, when the guest got "more", the guest was actually benefiting from a bonus, i.e., getting something more than then guest was "supposed" to. Again, these are assumptions that are reasonable, respectful of the CMs, and considerably likely, and so adopting them as your assumptions will perhaps lead to a greater level of satisfaction, or at least understanding, of what you will experience at WDW.

 

[carmie3377]

Thanks to those who understand my point of view. Most of you seem to and are happy to post their inconsistencies too. That way, when we do go to WDW, we know that we are not being singled out.

 

[bicker]

Absolutely... I think the more guests understand not to expect consistency, the more guests will appreciate their experiences.

 

[FayeW]

Absolutely... I think the more guests understand not to expect consistency, the more guests will appreciate their experiences.

But Bicker, don't you think that we, as consumers of the product WDW is offering, have the right to expect consistency? I certainly expect consistency from the other businesses I patronize and I don't understand why Disney is held to a lower standard, or why we are being encouraged to hold them to a lower standard.

 

[bicker]

But Bicker, don't you think that we, as consumers of the product WDW is offering, have the right to expect consistency?

No, not at all. People want pixie dust -- they want those special experiences at WDW where they're treated extra special, randomly. Inconsistency has been a hallmark of the Disney experience. The alternative is that everyone always gets treated exactly the same -- absolutely no pixie dust, no special treats, no Dreams. It would also mean that Disney would have to have robots instead of people acting as CMs, since people vary with regard to their provision of service.

This is actually extremely common: We go to a few local restaurants regularly, and sometimes we get "one of the good servers" and sometimes we get "one of the bad servers". I get my oil changed a few times a year, and sometimes they wash my car and sometimes they don't. Since it isn't a specified part of the "18 point service" I pay for, they can provide it or not -- their choice. I go to the dentist twice a year. Most of the time I get "my" hygienist, but sometimes it is her day off and I unexpectedly have to endure some less careful hygienist and incur a bit more discomfort than normal. Don't get me started on the inconsistencies between different massage therapists! ... between different on-call doctors in my doctor's practice! (Talk about something where you would hope to have some measure of consistency -- eh? -- Your health!) ... between different Hampton Inns (some are palaces, some are dives)! ... between different subcontractors from the contract firm we use to handle short-term work in our office.

 

[FayeW]

Random acts of kindness (or pixie dust, if you prefer) aside, I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect consistency in what is put on your plate when you are paying a specific amount of money for a specific dish, unless an item is listed as being "available seasonally".

Inconsistincies need to be identified as such, not excused as being a random reward. Giving a full size portion instead of 1/2, giving large drinks instead of medium...these are training issues and allowing them to go unaddressed breeds confusion. I can tell you that if every other CS gave me a large drink EXCEPT Peco's Bills, I would not be feeling the love walking away from the counter. I would not be celebrating all the pixie dust that had been sprinkled at the other restaurants. I would be asking why I was being gyped.

 

[carmie3377]

Random acts of kindness (or pixie dust, if you prefer) aside, I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect consistency in what is put on your plate when you are paying a specific amount of money for a specific dish, unless an item is listed as being "available seasonally".

Inconsistincies need to be identified as such, not excused as being a random reward. Giving a full size portion instead of 1/2, giving large drinks instead of medium...these are training issues and allowing them to go unaddressed breeds confusion. I can tell you that if every other CS gave me a large drink EXCEPT Peco's Bills, I would not be feeling the love walking away from the counter. I would not be celebrating all the pixie dust that had been sprinkled at the other restaurants. I would be asking why I was being gyped.

Nicely said Faye! THANK YOU!!!!

 

[carmie3377]

Inconsistency has been a hallmark of the Disney experience.

I think Walt would roll over in his grave if he could read that.

I don't think Walt's vision was to add confusion to the consumers. "Walt Disney's dream of a clean, and organized amusement park, came true, as Disneyland Park opened in 1955"- from a biography on Walt. I don't think inconsistencies play in with organization.

There is a difference between inconsistency and pixie dust. Being able to go to the front of the line because it's your birthday is pixie dust. Not knowing what to expect on you plate is not.

 

[Dogslider]

Though we are not new to Disney World, we are new to the DDP and will be using it for the 1st time in November. All of the inconsistencies are making me rethink that choice.

I thought I understood the plan after reading through it. I really don't want to have to ask 20 questions at each and every place we eat. I'm just not buying the whole "pixie dust" reasoning as to why you can get a large drink at certain places and only medium at others. The same with milkshakes, they are non alcoholic and aren't bottled so I would assume that they are covered, but I guess it depends on if the CM is feeling generous? I just don't get it. I am not looking to make out on the Plan, but since we eat a TS everyday any way it seemed like a good idea. I do believe that it is a good plan, but I think like anywhere else I should know just what I am paying for and then in return, I should get what I paid for.

 

[Allison]

Inconsistincies need to be identified as such, not excused as being a random reward.

I agree, people can call it "pixie dust" all they want. I believe most of the time it happens it is because an employee doesn't know or doesn't care what the standard is.

Are CM's doing random acts of kindness, yes, but I don't believe that is happening in most of these dining situations. I think you will know it when they do it, such as a birthday cupcake or something.

 

[carmie3377]

The same with milkshakes, they are non alcoholic and aren't bottled so I would assume that they are covered, but I guess it depends on if the CM is feeling generous?

It depends on where and when. At Le'Cellier, I asked what beverages and our waiter stated "any" non-alcoholic beverage but sacrastically. I had the rasberry chocolate shake. However, at Olivias at OKW, the shakes were allowed, but as a dessert. The server stated that soft drinks and tea only for drinks. I agree, confusing.

 

[Katiebell]

Keeping with the same example...

I looked at menus on 3 different sites -- here, Intercot, and AllEars. The Tusker House menu lists the item as "Turkey Wrap and Corn Chowder". It does not specify what size drink, or if it is a whole sandwich or a half sandwich.

If the guest had been served half a sandwich and a medium drink the first time they ordered, they would have assumed that was the appropriate portion. Getting a whole sandwich and a large drink the first time led the guest to reasonably believe that was the correct portion. Getting half the sandwich (not slightly smaller) and a medium drink the second time -- and being told, "That's the portion you get because you are on the DDP," is what caused the problem. Not only were they given considerably less, which may or may not have been the correct serving size, but they were also told that being on the dining plan meant they were supposed to get less than someone who was paying OOP. I wouldn't imagine a customer would be grateful they got extra last time if they had no way of even knowing it was extra. Good customer service means meeting or exceeding your customer's expectations, not confusing them on what they are supposed to expect.

"Pixie dust" is when a guest says "My kid doesn't like Jello" and the CM says, "Well, that's the only dessert on the kids' menu, but here's a cookie anyway." It was a nice gesture, made the guest happy, but the guest should be aware that's not what they were actually supposed to get so they don't expect it next time.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Getting the same cake in 2 very different sizes is not 'pixie dust' when you get the large yummy piece and the standard when you don't. That is ludicrous.

Either they changed (in 4 days) how they serve cake, or there is a difference when you pay cash and when you don't.

In the big scheme of life, is this a big deal? Probably not. Annoying? Absolutely!

This is an interesting discussion. I would like to remind everyone that the discussion is just that, a discussion. Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it. But no one's opinion is more important than anyone else's. No one other than Disney is the authority or final say, k?

 

[bicker]

Random acts of kindness (or pixie dust, if you prefer) aside, I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect consistency in what is put on your plate when you are paying a specific amount of money for a specific dish, unless an item is listed as being "available seasonally".

Please don't confuse "consistency" with satisfying a minimal standard. That's the point I've been trying to make. There is a minimal standard, defined in this case by the restaurant. I feel they surely should be allowed to give people larger slices of cake, sometimes, if they want, or a double portion of the entree, or whatever.

 

[FayeW]

Please don't confuse "consistency" with satisfying a minimal standard. That's the point I've been trying to make. There is a minimal standard, defined in this case by the restaurant. I feel they surely should be allowed to give people larger slices of cake, sometimes, if they want, or a double portion of the entree, or whatever.

The question, Bicker, is what is the minimum standard? In Carmie3377's case, the minimum standard they set for themselves by giving a full wrap on the first day was not met on the second day, when the portion dropped to 1/2 the wrap.

As for giving out larger slices of cake or double portions on a whim...that is where you and I part company, my friend. No restaurant would ever allow that as portion control is practically the benchmark of (financially) successful food service. They measure, weigh, and count EVERYTHING! When I worked in restaurant management we did weekly inventory, and it was brutal. They have to account for breakage, spillage, spoilage, wastage,(and several other ages). They might build a little bit of goodwill into the budget (birthday cupcakes, etc) but to randomly double somebody's portion? Not on purpose.

 

[bicker]

The question, Bicker, is what is the minimum standard? In Carmie3377's case, the minimum standard they set for themselves by giving a full wrap on the first day was not met on the second day, when the portion dropped to 1/2 the wrap.

Providing a bonus does not constitute setting a minimum standard. I'm sorry but I cannot explain it any better.