Need opinions on recent situation!!

[C.Ann]

Note to self: Pack extra plates, cups, napkins, straws, plastic utensils...


Ridiculous!!

 

[DonnaDuck]

I am so sorry that this happened to you.

We had planned to eat at Pecos Bills in December. I have a DS, that is also 3 years old. I always ask for an extra plate when we go out to eat.

Now I don't know what to do. Do you guys think that I would be allowed to take extra plates, cups...in a place such as this? If they acted like that, they may think that I am taking them in there to steal the food off of the bar.

I can understand limits having to be set. However, that is rediculous. I don't know many mothers of toddlers that DON'T ask for extra plates.

If you decide to write Disney,please let us know the outcome.

 

[ls1222]

Thanks again guys, it helps knowing that it is not just me. Its funny, but had it been anywhere else besides WDW, I would have have told them to take their 36.00 food and stick it. But, I really don't want to get angry on vacation and then I think it would just upset the whole day. Maybe, the kind stranger who gave me his very own plate reads these boards!! Everyone in line behind me just could not believe what was going on. The manager that I did get to talk to at Pecos never said "sorry" just "what exactly do you want". I am not one to want free food, so all I was looking for was an explanation and for this situation not to happen again. I think if they are that worried about the "salad fixing bar" that maybe they should monitor the napkins and straws too. I saw several people take a big stack of napkins (that I'm sure they would not use). Isnt it sad that you honestly have to think about bringing your own plates?? I think our local Burger King would have been easier to get a plate from. I wanted to add this situation too (honestly, we had a wonderful time - just two unfortunate scenerios). Our first night, we went to DD to eat at the RainForest Cafe. It was very busy (about an hour and half wait). I went to the employee to give our number in the party and she directed me to another employee to give our name too (in fact, she said go stand behind the man in "green"). So, I go over behind the man in green, after about 5 minutes, I reach the employee putting the info in the computer and I start to say our last name and party of 5, when this lady says "you are a line cutter and I was before you". She said "line cutter, line cutter". Now, I would never cut in line and I had been standing behind the man in green the whole time. So, I say "I'm sorry, I know that I did not cut, and your welcome to go in front of me". She is talking very loud and says again "well, you are the line cutter". So, I say "I will not let you ruin day one of my vacation". She proceeds to give the employee her name and # in party, he tells her it will be at least 1 1/2 hrs wait. It is then my turn and I say to the employee "Sorry about the scene, but I did not cut". He says "I know that, and because she was acting like a fool, I'm going to let your family get a table immediatley". Everyone in line started clapping!! It was really nice as we walked right in and was sat at a wonderful table. I kept telling my DH "I hope I see that lady still waiting for a table as we are leaving, so I can Thank her for letting us go an hour before her". HAHA

 

[lpizzu]

Not that there is any excuse, but I used to work at the refreshment counter in a movie theater and we had to count the cups for the popcorn and soda. This is how they took inventory. We had to do this every night when we checked out and every morning when we opened. We also had to count the hot dog buns - not the hot dogs - just the buns.

 

[travelitis]

I used to manage restaurants and eventually owned one, and when a customer complains to your face, you should count yourself as fortunate. Most people don't speak up, but research shows they tell at least 10 other people of their bad experience. That was his golden opportunity to impress you with his customer service, and he chose instead to make it worse. How incredibly short-sighted! Anyone could tell you weren't some salad-surfer. There's no defense for his offensive behavior. At the very least you were owed an apology and explanation. It makes me nuts when restaurant workers site inventory as a reason not to give a cup. All they have to do is note the item as a promo, and it will not interfere with an accurate inventory.

Mitch, those were Mickey colored glasses? And I thought for sure they were blinders! j/k Well, it's heartwarming to know they aren't totally opaque!

 

[Penny12]

ls1222,

It's not just you This really is the most ridiculous thing to have happened to you - all this fuss over a paper plate!

I think most of us can understand the point of view that Disney might want to keep a close reign of people loading up with fixin's as if it's a free side salad, but really...a little bit of common sense and discretion was all that was needed by the CM here and especially the manager!

 

[DancingBear]

Common sense seems to be all too uncommon.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by travelitis
Mitch, those were Mickey colored glasses? And I thought for sure they were blinders! j/k Well, it's heartwarming to know they aren't totally opaque!

Blinders, glasses. All the same with me.

 

[calgarygary]

travelitis is quite right about the manager should have been thankful for the opportunity of solving your concerns. Satisfy a customer complaint and you may have them for life, do a lousy job of dealing with the complaint and you are almost guaranteed of losing them for life. The only disagreement I have with travelitis is the 10 to 1 ratio. That is a saying from my early days in the restaurant business, which much preceeds the internet. Your concern about this incident at Pecos Bills will reach over 1000 people by the end of the day, and that number doesn't include the people we tell.

Gary

 

[DeeP]

First of all I must say I agree with everyone else and them not giving you an extra paper plate was ridiculous. I would have probably given them back the food and asked for a refund. How could they not give you a paper plate for a 3 yo is totally nuts.
But I do have a question--how are people making salads at the fixins bar? It is just fried onions, mushrooms, lettuce and tomatoes,pickles, there are no salad dressings, croutons or the other good stuff you normally find at a salad bar. It is pretty sad if people go to this extreme to get free food, maybe they should not be spending money to go to WDW if they have to try and get free salad from a fixins bar!!
Mitch, don't feel bad I pretty much always wear Mickey colored glasses/blinders when it comes to WDW also!

 

[raidermatt]

No excuse whatsoever for not giving the plate. Since the same plates are used for different things at Pecos Bill's, its not an inventory issue (even if it were, there's still no excuse. Disney is not a 7-11).

Salads at the fixings bar? Well, I'm sure some people do this, and I guess I could see being careful about giving out plates to people who didn't just buy food. But ls1222 had $36 worth of food on her tray. Its not like she walked up empty-handed and asked for a plate. Besides, since she already had several plates, what's to stop her from taking her existing food off of her plate and using that plate to pile up the fixin's?

No, there is no excuse for not giving a plate in this case.

 

[MinnieGi]

I'm also just plain astounded by this plate incident!

Having a 2yo I also am frequently in this same situation of just needing an extra plate to share our food. I've never been denied a request for an extra plate anywhere - so hearing that your request was denied in what I consider the most child friendly place anywhere is really disturbing. We will of course not be eating a Pecos Bill's on our upcoming trip.

ps - also loved your outcome in the Rainforest situation!

Gi

 

[calgarygary]

1340+ views and counting. Do you think this much negative exposure was worth the paper plate? Does any one from Disney view these posts? If so, I would like to hear their input as to whether they have reviewed procedures with the CM and the Pecos Bill's manager.

 

[TChrist05]

The manager of Pecos Bills should read these posts....just cannot believe someone would be so stupid.....but my suggestion is this...always...always when you are unhappy get a name....people will change their tune when they think that you will go to someone higher with their name.....but I have to admit we Disney alot...and we also spend a lot of money there but we also try to cut corners when we can...we bring some of our own soda in cans.....get cups of ice and have our own soda...saves a couple of dollars here and there.....and I must admit we have never been turned down when we asked for them.....also...from time to time we get 2 large soda's with no ice...and 4 cups of ice...they know exactly what we are doing....but at $2.50 a pop five or six times a day it becomes costly....
We do agree with the posters regarding the salad situation....and we have noticed that some of the places have discontinued the toppings bar...especially in MGM.....
Finally...the squaky wheel gets the grease....so if you are not happy with something don't walk away and let it ruin your day....you only have one vacation(the one you are on at the time) and to let anything ruin your day is bull......stand up and make sure you get what you are paying for.....just had to say my peace....but...Disney is still the greatest...even after all the cutbacks!
Tom

 

[ls1222]

TChrist05-I did write down the managers name, but I did not get the name of the CM who told me "NO" or the CM in the kitchen flailing her arms. I agree w/ you, as I will not let something so "stupid and cheap" ruin my time. Like I said, I just found it extremely sad. I so enjoy WDW, but if this kind of thing continues to happen, it really does take some of that "magic" away. I have since emailed WDW w/ the situation. I really hope to hear from them soon. All that I want is to guarentee that this policy will change. I want the next parent who needs an extra plate for their child, to be handed a plate w/ a smile.

 

[TChrist05]

Is1222....I hear ya...it is a shame that some things that used to make us say....It never happens in Disney like that....seems to be happening these days....I had my own battle with Disney reservations and had people calling me to apologize about the situation....but in reality they did nothing for me.....maybe I should write Michael Eisner.....anyway....like I said...the cutbacks in Disney...and there seems to be more and more each day seems to be taking its toll on everyone...even cast members who are not as personable as they used to be....still beats being at work.....49 days for me to the Magic cruise...and 5 nights at POR....nice talking to ya....see ya at Disney!

 

[mazzarafe]

When we went last December I had no trouble getting extra plates and cups for my kids. I didn't think my 3 yo needed to have a full soda, so I would split it between my 2 kids. We are big water drinkers so soda for my kids is a treat.

Sometimes my daughter didn't want the kids meal, so I got her a regular one to share with my younger one. Guess I should be prepared this trip to be told "no" which is crazy because they charge enough to give a family of four a bulk package of plates from Sam's Club!

 

[A kid at heart]

When we were there last month we had stopped in Pinnochio's haus to eat and we had a seat at the window watching the boats at small world. Well this family came in with a picnic basket sat at the table next to us took out all their food and the mom went up to the fixin's bar filled her 2 paper plates with lettuce and a few other items came back to her table and poured salad dressing on them! They didn't even buy a drink! but yet they sat inside, used the fixin's from their bar and ate their food in ac while paying customers looked in disbelief! I thought I had seen it all!

 

[Jeanny]

Should I bring my own napkins (but hide them in my backpack?) because I sometimes 2 napkins at dinner!!!

Geesshh, it's not like you were asking for an extra cup and not paying for a drink!!

 

[Belle5]

A Kid at Heart,
That would have been an appropriate time for management to step in! Unbelievable! Normally,I would give them the benifit of the doubt that they just didn't know about not bringing outside food in--but they were clearly stealing from the fixings bar! Surely, they wouldn't say they thought that was included with their theme park admission!