Magic is gone-disappointing 3rd DDP experience

[drag n' fly]

Whatever happened to Disney only hiring folks who genuinely loved the environment? If I want a chain-smoking hag who hates her job for a waitress I will eat at Denny's.

 

[disneymom06]

I agree with the comment about the tip and the card. I found it rude that I was asked to order everything up front, (in case the kitchen got backed up?) and present my card for billing purposes before the meal began. Then could never get service for refill on drinks.

 

[n2mm]

We just returned (GG party of 13) from our disappointing Jan 15-22 trip.

Thankfully we were aware of the changes (no appetizer or gratuity) from reading these boards. Our AAA agent did not inform us when we booked the trip. This was the 3rd trip for my family of 4, my parents and my brother's family of 4 in four years time. We had all become so adicted to Disney and the DDP that we convinced my sister's family of 3 to join us. This trip was VERY disappointing and we will not be returning any time soon.The magic is definately gone!

We stayed again at the POP. The food court did have SOME items labeled for DDP in coolers but we still found it confusing. We ate ate the food court several times during the trip but the quality of the food had really gone down hill. The chocolate chip pancakes were so-so, french toast and combo platter were both hard as a rock! We thought maybe it was just a bad day so tried it again another day and same thing. The chicken noodle soup was some chicken and veggies from one pot with CLEAR (like water) broth laddled over it. YUCK! My grape container also had several spoiled ones in it. The chicken strips and fries were ok but not much meat, mostly breading. The only bright spot was the chicken alfredo pasta which was very good.

Our other meals were at:
Prime Time Cafe- Food was ok at best. Our group had steak (about the only TS on our trip it was available), chicken and meat loaf. Servers had no Umphhh. The last time we were there they played with the customers and other staff, they yelled across the room, made people eat their veggies, tattled to momma, etc. We saw very little of this on our visit. Nobody smiled. They asked if you were on the DDP and barely spoke after that.

Sci-Fi- The best thing I had here was the appetizer artichoke dip that I paid for OOP. Awesome! The rest of the food was alright. Burgers, ribs, chicken penne. Kids had hot dogs. You could get a shake as your drink which was good. It was VERY busy and they were turning many away outside.

Ohana- My brother had LOVED this place on his last trip but complained that the food quality was not good this time. He questioned the waiter and was told they are in transition right now. Several menu items are being changed including the sausages removed and replaced with a very bland shrimp. They also brought some kind of dry bread for the sauces instead of chips.

Biergarten- New to us and pretty good. Large buffet with very good desserts. Fresh and hot meats and sides. Quick service with a smile from a young girl returning to Germany this week.


1900 Park Fare Breakfast- The only place we loved! Yummy, hot breakfast. Large variety, made to order omletes. Soft serve ice cream bar for dessert! We only saw a serve 2 times during our meal though- once for drinks and then to take our payment. No drink refills and we were there way over an hour.

Liberty Tree Tavern- Gross. The meat was very dry. We never got any gravy. The ice cream on the bread pudding was all melted and soupy. The potty is tiny and up several flights of stairs. The decor is old and blah. I realize it's suppose to be colonial but just not DISNEY to us.

Whispering Canyon Cafe- Our BIGGEST disappointment! We have always dined here at Dinner, but they were full months ahead of time so we had to do lunch. Only one server "Albert" was great! The rest were blah. When my son asked for ketchup he was snarled at " it is already on the tables." Our older waitress (I won't mention names) really did not like her job. She waited on us and got confused MANY times. Three times she was told we were on the dining plan and which families were together. At the end of the meal she gathered our cards and took off. It would be 45 minutes before we saw her AGAIN! We went to the front desk to have them track her down. We stopped a manager in a suit to find her. He said she was figuring our tickets. When she finally returned (reeking of cigarette smoke) her only response was "what can I say, we HATE the dining plan"!!!!

For snacks we were able to get Dole whips and filled pretzels. The rest was pretty much gone back to the way the DDP was in the beginning.

Counter service burgers and fries just tasted bad this time. We had Cosmic Rays and Electric Umbrella which were favs in the past but not very good this time. Flame tree ribs are still tasty but not much meat.

All in all it just didn't seem like we got our money's worth. These are just our opinions of course. But to us, the Disney magic has really slipped. It's all about the $$$ now and how many people they can serve with low quality food.
P.S. The entire time we were there, not one of us ever saw ANY dreams issued to anyone! On previous trips someone was always getting a free dessert or something.

We won't be planning another trip to DisneyWorld any time soon.

That is sad. It's hard when you want to share your excitment with others and things are not up to the high standards you are use to. I've been in that sitatuion too. Like you we just returned--not like others who are comparing their trips of past years to yours. We decided not to use the DDP after using it for the last 10 trips. (we too loved it and thought we would miss it) We opted to use our DDE card instead which worked out prefectly for us. While we never experienced any bad meals or bad service, we also noticed how frustrated the servers were, how time consuming getting checked out has now become. While we were only using the DDE discount, we were always presented with 4 slips of paper. Hubby only overtipped once! We have found that changing from our favorite restraurants to sometimes new ones refreshes our routine. Sadly we have grown tire of Kona Cafe. While the food is not bad, the wow factors just is not there anymore, so we will take a break from them. We too ate at WCC for dinner and ordered from the menu. The meal was OK and no real interaction, pretty much a standard dinner (which was fine for us). We visit often, and sometimes we have wows and sometimes we don't. It's too bad you couldn't wow your family.

 

[MagicAllison]

I think when a customer visits ANY Disney dining establishment they should be able to expect good food and service.

I thought I would share our opinions and what a server actually told us. My posts were truthful although many have indicated other wise. It's really too bad that some feel the need to turn every post into an argument and make accusations.

ITA with what you've said about expecting ALL to be good. Disney prides itself on the entire experience being "magical" and "dreams coming true" . It does not state that magic and dreams are only granted to those who can afford the higher end restaurants.

Thank you for your honesty.

 

[lexmelinda]

Thanks to the OP for sharing her experiences and opinions about her recent trip.

 

[OKW Mom]

The food had always been grand and our children behaved and enjoyed it as much as we did. As they grew they would sample off our plates and try new things!

In 2007 the family was 55, 53, 31, 22, 19, ready to enjoy appetizers, full entrees and desserts.

The plan was great because we wanted to enjoy the sit down time and eat as a family since the kids have been away at colleges across the US.

We saved a ton of $$ and had 90% great meals and service. Even at it's moment of disappointment it did not dampen the day.

This year the the crew is bringing newbies who want to spend the time on the pathes doing and not so much sitting and eating. I know we'll be wearing out the PHOTOPASS photographers-hope they are in a good mood!

When I did have a difference of opinion with the DDP policies the "Magesterium of DISNEY" did not act like it would make a difference....I got a canned phone call about our concerns, yadda-yadadada, etc. The concerns were ones I had seen here and other groups and DISNEY was unmoveable.

It got worse when the DDE got the mandatory 18% added on. So you save 20% only to get charged 18% for the gratuity. We usually always leave more $$ - our three kids have worked as servers to get through college. I just do not like being told to.

So we are boycotting their managed plans. I'll eat where and when I want and EVEN eat in my OKW kitchen. I'll have my beer and wine and cocktails on the back porch.

When we have our lunch at the Japanese restaurant we'll do what we used to do. Order what we want and pay for it.

In 2007 The Magic we saw was small time stuff, like fast passes when none were needed, people being picked for parades, etc.

I am a BIG Disney fan-they should pay me for promos I have given in the last 25 years. We are DVC since 96', Stockholders, AP holders....

I don't go looking to be chosen, it would be nice. We've had alot of terminal family illness and job loss in the past 5 years. We are back on our feet and would like some hugs....

The bigger you paint the dream the bigger a bomb it can be. I'll enjoy the fireworks every night and believe that dreams do come true and maybe one day.........