Is there a bias against the Dining Plan??

[WDWDecember]

We just returned from a WDW vacation. For past vacations, we've had the full service dining plan. This time we had the quick service dining plan but paid OOP for a few meals. One of them was at the Coral Reef, where we've eaten before on the dining plan. I have to say that as soon as we told the server that we were NOT on the dining plan, we got better service than we ever have while on the dining plan. Has anyone else experienced this? It could be coincidence.

 

[Wistraveler]

I would have to say that is not the norm. I have my favorite restaurants that we visit every time, and have done so both on and off the dining plan. I have never seen any difference at any of them.

What I have witnessed is people trying to con the staff into giving them something the DDP doesn't entitle them to, thinking if they complain loud enough, they will get comped. What these people don't realize is the staff has seen it all before and don't let them get away with it.

 

[kaybird]

We have used the DDP through everyone of its changes clear back to the old Food and Fun coupons. I hear guests say that on these boards, we have never once experienced anything like it in more than 40 trips. The staff in general is helpful, ready to answer questions, and usually happy to guide the diners who have no clue.

 

[Nadjalu]

I have to say that we have done both and have gotten wonderful service on the plan and off. No difference was seen.

The only time we did experience a horrible service we were paying OOP. So I don't think the plans have anything to do with it.

 

[AnnetteF]

Have done both and have to say that we've had great service either way. However, when paying out of pocket, I would say that they're just a little bit more accomodating when it comes to special requests. DD7 is a very picky eater and has a tough time with some of the kid's menus. We've found that the restaurants are much more receptive to tweaking the menu a little, or even providing something not on the kid's menu (as in plain pasta with butter when it's not on the kids menu), when you are paying out of pocket. When you are on the dining plan, they will pretty much make you stick to those menu's. They're still very nice and we get good service, but the anwaer is no as far as the special requests.

 

[kdawg8762]

It would make zero sense for you to get different service. You are still paying the tip either way. I would think some servers might give DDP better service, with the thinking being that they might have extra cash in their pocket and be willing to tip closer to 20-25%.

 

[pooch]

but the one place I had really bad service (more than once) was Coral Reef. I don't know if it was because of DDP or not. But I've never experienced really bad service anywhere else. This is why CR is off my list. The food is not good enough to justify the bad service.

 

[3pletprincesses]

We've done no DDP, DDP and DxDDP and didn't feel the service to be better at any particular instance. I think it all depends on the server you get. Last Month on the DxDDP we had some really good service and some really poor service.