Le Cellier podium asked if we were on the DDP

[BCV23]

Has anyone else been asked that at any other restaurant? It was the only restaurant that has asked in our 6 trips since the DDP began. We've dined at many TS in those trips and this was the only one that asked that. This was the second trip that we were actually on the DDP and when we told the girl that yes we were, I swear her face dropped a bit.

We arrived at 5:35 for a 5:40 reservation and weren't seated until sometime after 6:05 (the last time I glanced at my watch). Many others were waiting too but a family of the same size that came in after us was seated before we were. Now they may have been waiting outside for a bit but I wondered.

Anyway, have any of you been asked at Le Cellier or anywhere else if you were on the DDP when you checked in?

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

We were asked at most of our restaurants actually, including LeCellier, and we weren't given a frown. At LeCellier, the hosts (there were a lot) and our waitress were very nice. The only problem was their computer went down, and we sat around for a while. They entertained us all by quizing everyone with Disney trivia. The prize? Stickers. They even got my shy dd to sing a song for stickers. She sang Bippity Boppity Boo.

We were treated wonderfully at all places, and they told us what we could get with a smile. It didn't seem to phase anyone at all. The only problems we ever had were getting drink refills at a couple places. Oh, and I was disappointed to hear that people got specialty drinks on the DDP at Ohanas. Our server didn't offer that or even show us a drink menu. Oh, well. Service at Disney was great.

 

[TammyBell]

We just returned from 15 days and were asked several places when we checked in if we were on DDP. We didn't notice anything different in the service we received, but the wait staff were told prior to coming to our table and told us up front what was included (ex. milkshakes, smoothies) and what was not. I was appreciative of this since I may forget to ask and simply order something without knowing.

 

[BCV23]

At LeCellier, the hosts (there were a lot) and our waitress were very nice. The only problem was their computer went down, and we sat around for a while. They entertained us all by quizing everyone with Disney trivia. The prize? Stickers. They even got my shy dd to sing a song for stickers. She sang Bippity Boppity Boo.

That is sweet. They were playing trivia in the lobby of Le Cellier the night we were there too. That probably increased my frustration though as our son who probably knew all the answers but is aphasic couldn't participate. But it was a very nice idea and the kids were having fun.

And I didn't mean to imply that our service was any less friendly or attentive. It wasn't on either trip. But it was the only restaurant where we were asked...at least that I heard as sometimes my DH would check us in.

What other restaurants asked at the podium if either of you recall?

 

[TammyBell]

I specifically remember 50's PTC, Concourse, Yachtsman, Le Cellier and Whispering Canyon, but there may have been others.

 

[shellybaxter]

Waiting to be seated for around a half-an-hour at LeCellier seems to be normal even with ADRs, at least in busy times. I'm sure your wait was not connected to your use of the dinning plan

 

[beattyfamily]

I was at WDW the end of August and we were asked at every single podium if we were on the dining plan.

We always wait at least 15 minutes or more for a table at Le Cellier, Sci-fi, H&V, and 50's Primetime and sometimes others.

 

[KarenAylwood]

We were asked if we were on the Dining Plan at Le Cellier, Cape May, Coral Reef, Kona, and the Brown Derby. We never got any different treatment or reaction from anyone about being on the DDP.

We were seated no more than 4 minutes after our reservation time at every restaurant. We were even 10 minutes late for our 5:30 reservation at Le Cellier and were seated immediately when we got there. There were many waiting outside and inside- we were a group of 2 seated at a table of 4 and I saw many groups of 4 waiting around.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I have a theory...perhaps you would have been the recipient of a free meal as part of the YOAMD had you not already been on the DDP. Maybe that's why the CM's face showed some disappointment, maybe she was hoping to spread a little magic. There have already been several reports of guest receiving freebies or special treatment as part of the promo. You never know...

 

[GIOny]

Just wondering why they need to know that information before you get seated or even before you eat???

 

[beattyfamily]

Just wondering why they need to know that information before you get seated or even before you eat???

When they ask me, they are filling out one of those cards and then when they call your name, the hostess carries that card and hands it to the waiter or leaves it on the table.

So my guess is its for the waiter.

 

[Tiffany]

Has anyone else been asked that at any other restaurant? It was the only restaurant that has asked in our 6 trips since the DDP began. We've dined at many TS in those trips and this was the only one that asked that. This was the second trip that we were actually on the DDP and when we told the girl that yes we were, I swear her face dropped a bit.

We arrived at 5:35 for a 5:40 reservation and weren't seated until sometime after 6:05 (the last time I glanced at my watch). Many others were waiting too but a family of the same size that came in after us was seated before we were. Now they may have been waiting outside for a bit but I wondered.

Anyway, have any of you been asked at Le Cellier or anywhere else if you were on the DDP when you checked in?

We are here right now and we are on the Free DDP and we have been asked at each podium if we had anyone in our party with food allergies and if we were on the DDP. The only place that has not asked was at San Angel Inn. They did not ask either question and in my opinion they were also the least organized. Our ADR was for 7pm we arrived at 6:45pm as told by Disney Dining the line to check in was huge and then we were not seated until 7:20pm. The place was completely sold out for the night according to the CMs working the podium area.

 

[Tiffany]

When they ask me, they are filling out one of those cards and then when they call your name, the hostess carries that card and hands it to the waiter or leaves it on the table.

So my guess is its for the waiter.

I agree with this as we ordered items not covered by the DDP and just paid out of pocket for them at every TS place that we have eaten at and the only place that had to go back and redo the check was San Angel Inn and they were the only place that did not ask at the podium.

 

[BCV23]

I have a theory...perhaps you would have been the recipient of a free meal as part of the YOAMD had you not already been on the DDP. Maybe that's why the CM's face showed some disappointment, maybe she was hoping to spread a little magic. There have already been several reports of guest receiving freebies or special treatment as part of the promo. You never know...

We paid for the DDP as DVCers...no free DDP for us.

I didn't know that YOAMD reports were already filtering in....how very cool.

 

[BCV23]

Just wondering why they need to know that information before you get seated or even before you eat???

I was wondering the same thing. In fact, I've seen a couple of posts that servers in some restaurants were not supposed to even ask....much less the podium. CG comes to mind.

Oh, we too were asked most places about food allergies which is new to me too. But not at Le Cellier.

 

[kribit]

Dining plan automatically includes 18% gratuity. Our servers in Mexico and SciFi indicated that we were entitled to desert and appetizer (which we rarely eat). More food = more gratuity?

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I'm not sure how many places asked at the podium b/c dh checked in while I brought in our dds. I am pretty sure almost every place we ate at the server asked us, and that would be LTT, CRT, Biergarten, Ohana, LeCellier (did ask at podium and again when computers went down), Coral Reef, Princess Story Book, and Crystal Palace.

It was sort of like this: "Are you on the dining plan?"
Yes
"Very Good" with a smile or "Let me explain what you're entitled to."

 

[bicker]

I have a theory...perhaps you would have been the recipient of a free meal as part of the YOAMD had you not already been on the DDP. Maybe that's why the CM's face showed some disappointment, maybe she was hoping to spread a little magic.

That could be. Or it could just be a misread. We humans tend to find problems when we go looking for them, even when they're not there!

 

[Uncleromulus]

We were there last week and at no time were we ever asked (by anyone) if we were on the DP. We ate at 14 different restaurants.

 

[Nancyg56]

We were on the free DP in August and were asked at several places if we were on teh plan. The CM then explained the plan to us, and offered any exclusions. I did not notice any difference in the servce. We never waited more than 5 minutes for our table.
I imagine that the question is to assist the CM.