Newbie ??--Do you get treated differently on the dining plan?

[GeneralTso]

We just returned from WDW. Every single restaurant we ate at asked us if we had the dining plan. We did not. We had some ADRs for the bigger places (Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sci Fi, etc.).

May be a dumb question, but other than billing, why do they need to know?
Do you get the same food, same portions? Do they ask strictly for how to charge the meal? It got us wondering if there was a separate cut of meat or some such for those on the dining plan. Something "cheaper"????

I don't know enough about it so figured I would ask you experts here! We're returning in Feb and I'm contemplating doing the plan.

 

[Disneymad]

May be a dumb question, but other than billing

There's your reason

Many servers will bring the check at the end without you asking. If they know how you're paying from the start then they'll bring it out correctly first time rather than having to take it back and amend it to accomodate the plan.

Same applies if you're using any manner of discount (Tables in Wonderland, Annual Passholder, DVC member), it helps if you tell your server that in advance.

Last but not least, (it's not so much an issue these day as the Dining Plan is familiar to most people by now) but it's also not uncommon for a server to talk you through the Plan to make sure you understand what you can get.

Meals, portions, quality etc are all identical - plan or no plan

 

[Nadjalu]

You are treated the same whether or not you are on the dining plan.

Another reason why they ask is most people aren't as familar with the dining plan as people who go and use it all the time.

So when they ask if you are on the dining plan and you say yes, they ask if you have any questions or go thru what your plan entails.

Food, service and portion size are all the same no matter what.

 

[Faldred]

They ask for two reasons

1) They are supposed to explain what guests are entitled to on the plan, so that people on DDP/DxDP know what will be covered.

2) For billing purposes, as noted above.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you feel you are being treated negatively because you are on a dining plan, or are receiving "cheaper" items or smaller portions just because you are on a dining plan, you can always speak to a manager about it. (For greatest effectiveness, if you experience something about which you wish to complain, do it at the restaurant, or go to guest services while you are still in the park. Don't wait until a month after you get home to send an e-mail to Disney).

However, the above posts are correct. They are not asking if you are on a dining plan so they know whom to treat badly or who should get cheaper cuts of meat. They must ask because they are required to explain the plan to guests, many of whom do not know how to use the plan or what is included, and because they have to ring up dining plan orders differently from regular orders.

 

[TDC Nala]

Removed 2 posts because of tipping discussion. All discussion of tipping on the Restaurant Boards is to be carried out on the Tipping Information sticky thread on the main board. The first post has an explanation.

 

[budbeerlady]

Same treatment when we had the plan as when we didnt.... The menus were the same, portions, etc.

The only thing we ran into with the plan when Dh did the Marrakesh Royal Feast
$42.00 per person

Harira soup, Beef Brewat Rolls, Marakesh Mixed Grill (Tenderloin of Beef Shish Kebab, Lamb Merzuez Sausage, Marinated Chicken Kebab, and served with roasted potatoes) and Assorted Moroccan pastries


Dh had to pay $5 for the "appetizer" extra that came with this meal. No big deal, they told him that when he ordered it. For what its worth it was VERY good he said!

If you are on the fence about the plan run some fake menu orders and see what the cost would be. Dh is a steak lover so the plan is a win for him, I am a vegetarian so its a loss for me based on the cost of my entrees.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Been to many restaurants on the dining plan. Always have been treated wonderfully. At the beginning of the meal, the waiters seem like they have to explain what is included. That's all.