Interesting tidbit re: Cali Grill and DDP

[WDW4us2006]

We ate at the California Grill last Saturday night. (It was wonderful, full dining reviews coming soon!) When he brought the bill, I told our waiter that we were on the dining plan, and would pay OOP for one childs meal. He kind of laughed, and when I questioned him about it, he said that the waitstaff at the CG is not allowed to ask guests at any time if they are on the Dining plan, as most other restaurants do. He said he has to "redo checks" all the time. He was super nice, didn't make a big deal about it, and I felt bad not telling him when we asked for the bill, which I should have done. So....if anyone is going there in the near future, you might want to mention it up front to help your server out a bit.

 

[PottersMom]

Why do you think that is? Like its a negative to be on the plan- like you're a freeloader or something?( I mean you paid for it already- right?)
Or do you think they are trying to get off the DP? Just wondering

 

[Sammie]

They are not allowed to ask probably because someone complained that they did not like their server to know they were automatically going to get the tip.

But yes the nice thing to do is let your server know before you order so they can ring it up on the DDP.

 

[PottersMom]

That IS interesting. I waited tables for years- it's a very difficult, physically demanding high stress job. Certainly not a job for the braindead, as the truely braindead would assume... you have to know what is in EVERYTHING, how its prepared, what drinks complement which items, know when to make a suggestion or joke and when to keep your distance. Its tough.
What kind of scrooge would demand that the entire restaurant change procedures simply for the twisted pleasure of making someone jump through hoops over a tip? I ask you. Like anyone is getting truely bad service at Disney. Even the worst service there is on par with your average at Applebees or the like.

 

[WDW4us2006]

Maybe it's because it is also a "renowned" restaurant for floridians as well, and I am sure many other types of people go there besides WDW vacationers. Maybe those patrons don't want to feel like they are part of some "deal".

 

[PottersMom]

Imho-
I hope thats not really the reason. But it sure makes sense

 

[Cookie Princess]

We always let the servers know up front that we are on the DDP. It makes things go smoother for both guests and servers.

 

[bicker]

Another possibility is that perhaps Disney is cracking down on the practice of servers encouraging Dining Plan patrons to order lots of extras, to beef up gratuities.

 

[melomouse]

Thank you for the heads up.We'll be there next week.

I believe the reason is that their preference is to have everyone all on the same page - you sit, you eat, you pay all DDP or OOP. That's what they want.

Then they GET:
Kid,
adult kid,
adult,
adult eating like bird,
toddler eating like hog,
watching calories,
watching portion size,
watching for waste,
watching $,
addding dining experiences....etc., etc.

If they don't ask, maybe guests will be intimidated into NOT asking for "variations", exceptions,(essentially, whatever it is we need or want)

If they don't ask, then they can't be accused of trying to raise, lower or maintain their tips at verying amounts.... depending....

This is a very interesting development on the way to a solution for the DDP problems they have encountered.

I will report back when I return!!!!

 

[patsal]

Maybe it is just so that no one could say they were treated poorly because of the DDP. Evens the playing field, everyone is treated as a paying customer (which they are) and then the discount is applied at the end of the meal.

 

[kcrew]

I found it amusing at the Grand Floridian that our server inquired "We're not supposed to ask, but are you on the Dining Plan?"

I think it is fine if you WANT to offer that you are on the DDP (because you have questions about what you are allowed for instance). However, if you prefer that your server not know, and you need no assitance using the plan, I don't feel there is any need for the server to question you.

I thought it was very rude at the Coral Reef that our server demanded to see our cards up front and then proceeded to scrutinize them. Then we were forced to order our dessert at the same time we placed our entree order. This was ridiculous! Do they make nonDDP customers do this? Do they demand to see nonDDP customers cash/credit card up front?

 

[bicker]

The whole "order dessert in advance" thing has been discussed before. There is no such requirement, so the recommendation is to respectfully decline to order dessert, "until we're finished eating our entrees."

 

[Nancyg56]

I thought it was very rude at the Coral Reef that our server demanded to see our cards up front and then proceeded to scrutinize them. Then we were forced to order our dessert at the same time we placed our entree order. This was ridiculous! Do they make nonDDP customers do this? Do they demand to see nonDDP customers cash/credit card up front?

Perhaps the server wanted to see the card in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises or discussions when the bill was presented. It is unfortunate that it has happened. As to ordering dessert up front, I would also decline, unless there was chocolate on the menu...then I know what I want .

 

[kcrew]

The whole "order dessert in advance" thing has been discussed before. There is no such requirement, so the recommendation is to respectfully decline to order dessert, "until we're finished eating our entrees."

Oh, I see. If I perceived that a cast member did anything inappropriate, pushy, or rude it was because I didn't handle the situation properly? Unfortunately I missed the other discussion and wasn't aware of the protocol to follow when a brusque server states "You need to order your dessert now."

 

[magsmom]

Off topic, but the reason why Coral Reef wants to have you order your final course with your dinner is due to the time it takes to prep it (discussed before on here).

IMO, Coral Reef was the best final course that we had for our 14 days of DDP. The awesome final course does not warrant our return for dinner, however. The dinner itself was one of the most disappointing.

As cookie princess said, we always let the server know we had DDP and DDE (for our libations) before ordering. There was never an issue, anywhere. The waiters loved it because they automatically got 20% even with the DDE.

We can't wait for February and our next experience with the DDE.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I found it amusing at the Grand Floridian that our server inquired "We're not supposed to ask, but are you on the Dining Plan?"

I think it is fine if you WANT to offer that you are on the DDP (because you have questions about what you are allowed for instance). However, if you prefer that your server not know, and you need no assitance using the plan, I don't feel there is any need for the server to question you.

I thought it was very rude at the Coral Reef that our server demanded to see our cards up front and then proceeded to scrutinize them. Then we were forced to order our dessert at the same time we placed our entree order. This was ridiculous! Do they make nonDDP customers do this? Do they demand to see nonDDP customers cash/credit card up front?

It's possible you just got a grumpy server. We were there Sep 9 and our meal was served in courses. We were there a very long time. I would have been fine with that normally, but I had a cold/allergy thing that day (thankfully just one day!) and I was a bit worn out - noticeably so, as our server asked if I was okay and several times asked how I was doing. It was extremely busy in there, so spreading out the courses probably helped the kitchen get things out right. Things were a bit slow, but our server was very nice and was moving as quickly as she could. Drinks, wait, bread, wait, appetizers. I think she took our entree order during appetizers or right before. I can't remember. Some time later our meals arrived. She didn't take our dessert order until we finished our entrees. She even returned to the kitchen when she forgot we were celebrating a birthday. She even took pictures of us together. She was very nice. DH really enjoyed this place, and I would like to go again when I'm feeling well.

 

[bicker]

Oh, I see. If I perceived that a cast member did anything inappropriate, pushy, or rude it was because I didn't handle the situation properly?

I don't think anyone has said that. Rather, what is important to know is that you can control what servers do for you, simply by asking them, directing them, and controlling your own reactions to what they try to get you to do. In doing so, you enhance your own experience greatly, and that of your entire party.

Unfortunately I missed the other discussion and wasn't aware of the protocol to follow when a brusque server states "You need to order your dessert now."

As I indicated, my reply would be: "I'm sorry, we'll order our desserts after we finish our entrees. Thanks!" Do keep in mind, though, as magsmom mentioned, that prep time of Coral Reef's desserts, especially, can be very long, so you could end up waiting 45 minutes for your dessert if you don't order it early. Take a look at the photos of the desserts at Coral Reef in the food porn thread, and you'll understand why. Also, understand by ordering beforehand, you have a greater chance of getting your first choice, as sometimes, some desserts run out. Personally, I'd be willing to take my chances with the latter, but not the former. YMMV.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It's considered rude to ask how payment will be made up front in some circles among us old fogies. That's my guess as to why they don't ask at a place like CA Grill.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

As I indicated, my reply would be: "I'm sorry, we'll order our desserts after we finish our entrees. Thanks!" Do keep in mind, though, as magsmom mentioned, that prep time of Coral Reef's desserts, especially, can be very long, so you could end up waiting 45 minutes for your dessert if you don't order it early. Take a look at the photos of the desserts at Coral Reef in the food porn thread, and you'll understand why. Also, understand by ordering beforehand, you have a greater chance of getting your first choice, as sometimes, some desserts run out. Personally, I'd be willing to take my chances with the latter, but not the former. YMMV.

I think when they're busy they must have them constantly being prepared or something because our waitress took our dessert order after we were done eating our entrees, and if I had to guess, I'd say dessert came within 15 minutes.

Also, I'd say to anyone ordering dessert, to get what sounds best and not necessarily the chocolate wave. I love chocolate, but I didn't think the wave was that good. I enjoy my homemade chocolate cake better. My favorite dessert the whole trip was the chocolate flourless cake from Starring Roles in MGM. It was way better than any dessert I had in a restaurant. I did get to sample the brulee thing at Coral Reef, and that was very good. My second favorite dessert was the raspberry sorbet at Cinderella. The sorbet at LeCellier did not compare because the mango wasn't good and while it had raspberry too, the portions were tiny! Cinderella's is very generous. Great - now I'm hungry!

 

[Allensfan]

We had an interesting thing happen at CA Grill. We had 6 dining credits left on the plan and there were 3 of us. (my son who is 7, my dh and I). We told the server we were on the dining plan and she asked to see our dining card. She said "you know this takes two credits per person". I explained that I knew that. I handed the dining card to her and she took it and then returned and said we were all set to order dinner.

I am sure she checked the amount of credits.

Our bill, with out drinks, came to $177.00 for the three of us. I gave her the dining card to pay, paid for my other bill (which I think was $60.00) and we left.

When I got home, my credit card (the one I had used to 'hold' the reservation) had been charged $177.00. Then, a couple of days later, the charge was removed. I have no idea what happened. There was NO way she thought she needed to charge us after the effort she made to make sure we had enough credits on the plan.

Either way, it worked out okay, but I thought it was strange.