So what is the deal with servers wanting your entire order?

[TDC Nala]

Maybe a little off topic, but I have a question. We will be there in January on the DDP. WHY does the server need to know your (our) method of payment before the meal is ordered? Having waited tables in the past, payment type doesn't matter until the ticket is being closed out, at which point you can swipe gift cards/credit cards, apply cash or gift certificates/traveler's cheques?? I know some might say, so they can tell you what's included, etc. My feeling is that should a guest already know what is included in the DDP the source of payment shouldn't matter to the server. I just don't want to be shelling out thousands of dollars for this dream vacation only to receive sub par service at restaurants we've been looking forward to for 180 days only because we are on the dining plan.

They ask about the dining plan because they may have to talk to you about how it works, and whether there are items that are excluded or have surcharges (there are not many of these). A lot of guests end up not having any idea how DDP works. If they're left to figure it out, the table doesn't get turned. And the server apparently has to be prepared for the way it's rung up. This is why they check right away; to see if the table has some people who are on the dining plan, and some who are not. Dining plan orders are not rung up with non-dining plan orders. And you can't assume that everybody at the table will be paying the same way.

Also, if the table wants to order any off-plan items, like alcoholic beverages, these have to be rung up separately.

There was speculation that if you were getting subpar service while on the dining plan, it may have been because the tip is included. In 2008 that is not a factor since the tip won't be included anymore (unless you're a party of 6 or more which will get an automatic gratuity added).

They don't ask how you're paying. They only ask about the dining plan. I've never been asked ahead of time for my DDE card, or whether I'd be paying cash or credit, because these items are rung up AFTER the meal.

 

[BrianD]

Alas, yet another reason we will never use the DDP.

 

[melomouse]

Gosh - so much defensiveness!

Get a manager because the server wants to take the entire order at once? How about simply saying -"We know the deal with DDP, but we need to give you each course order separately"?

This issue has come up here before. It's easier for the servers with DDP guests to put all the orders in, as TDCNala has suggested.

Last August, every TS server for 10 days tried to explain the DDP and take the appy, entree and dessert order at once. Shook my head, smiled and said, "Sorry - we need to tell you as we go!" If this had bothered me, I would have mentioned it in my dining reviews. It did not.

Why get all mad and anxious if it hasn't happened to you yet?

 

[crystalcml]

We were not on the DDP. I wonder if that affected it? It was very busy for some of our TS's-- Thanksgiving week. Never asked us ahead.

We were on the DDP so I thought that may have had something to do with it. Maybe it's because they were really busy.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Alas, yet another reason we will never use the DDP.

Don't knock it till you've tried it. This never happened to me while using the DDP, and we had excellant servers the whole trip, who never asked for our dessert with the rest of the orders.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Okay, they ususally already know if you are on DDP before you are seated...they ask this when you make an ADR. I am sure the main reason for asking for your entire order IS to turn your table over as quickly as possible. This cuts down on how often they MUST come to your table....as well as having your next course ready as soon as you put your fork down. As it's been stated, faster service means more money for Disney and more 18% manadatory service charges for the servers. It's much simpler to feed cattle...oops...I mean customers this way.

This being said, the other side is that most guests don't want to spend half their day in a restaurant. I almost always order my appy and entree at the same time....I do this to save time. I may or may not order my dessert at this time.

Have you noticed, over the years, how the menu choices have diminished? Less choices makes it easier for food prep and for guests to decide what they want.

 

[OKW Lover]

Gosh - so much defensiveness!

Get a manager because the server wants to take the entire order at once? How about simply saying -"We know the deal with DDP, but we need to give you each course order separately"?
Why get all mad and anxious if it hasn't happened to you yet?

The OP didn't say a thing about being on the DDP. And even if we were, this is just not how we (speaking only for ourselves) want our dining experience to go.

I'm certainly not mad or anxious - and I won't be even if it does happen to me.

 

[Brian Noble]

(Signature) prices should guarantee a "unique dining experience" IMHO

From my perspective, the signature restaurants are not ridiculously more expensive than an average nice restaurant here in our little corner of the world. I just had dinner at our local seafood place. A nice place, not spectacular, and certainly not "unique". We split an appetizer, and each got a salad, an entree, a glass of wine, and dessert. The total, including tax and tip, came to about $120 or so. True, a signature place will run more than that, but not so much more that I would expect a dramatically better meal.

I place the Signature locations in league with the better restaurants here in town. Very nice. Good service. High-quality food. But certainly not a best-meal-ever expierience.

Victoria & Albert's, on the other hand, is more in the neighborhood where "best meal you've had in some time" expectations are more than reasonable, unless you eat in restaurants with a Michelin star or two on a regular basis.

Sadly, I don't get to do that more often than ever few years...but there's always hope!

 

[disneyholic family]

From my perspective, the signature restaurants are not ridiculously more expensive than an average nice restaurant here in our little corner of the world. I just had dinner at our local seafood place. A nice place, not spectacular, and certainly not "unique". We split an appetizer, and each got a salad, an entree, a glass of wine, and dessert. The total, including tax and tip, came to about $120 or so. True, a signature place will run more than that, but not so much more that I would expect a dramatically better meal.

I place the Signature locations in league with the better restaurants here in town. Very nice. Good service. High-quality food. But certainly not a best-meal-ever expierience.

Victoria & Albert's, on the other hand, is more in the neighborhood where "best meal you've had in some time" expectations are more than reasonable, unless you eat in restaurants with a Michelin star or two on a regular basis.

Sadly, I don't get to do that more often than ever few years...but there's always hope!

citricos is outstanding, both food and service...
the meal we had there this time was far superior to even the finest restaurants in detroit (since you're from ann arbor, i would assume that you're familiar with the top places in detroit)....and the service was absolutely perfect....

 

[disneyfav4ever]

citricos is outstanding, both food and service...
the meal we had there this time was far superior to even the finest restaurants in detroit (since you're from ann arbor, i would assume that you're familiar with the top places in detroit)....and the service was absolutely perfect....

I like Citricos, I wouldn't call it outstanding though. I really loved the appetizers I had there, but the dessert was very dissapointing, and the service was indifferent. Still, I'm going to eat there again nest year, as well as every other signature restaurant.

 

[D&R love Disney]

We had it happen at 50's Prime Time last August when we were on the dining plan. I didn't really like it.

 

[disneyholic family]

I like Citricos, I wouldn't call it outstanding though. I really loved the appetizers I had there, but the dessert was very dissapointing, and the service was indifferent. Still, I'm going to eat there again nest year, as well as every other signature restaurant.

the meal DD and i had there last month was outstanding...
the food and the service....
the waiter - i think his name was gueiermo (sp?), was always around, though not hovering....absolutely perfect service...

i had the striped sea bass....it was the best fish i have ever had at any restaurant - and i typically only eat at 4 forks types of establishments (and almost always order fish)..
the appetizer was also excellent, though i can't recall what it was...

the desert was also amazing - a creme brulee - something i wouldn't normally order but did on a whim.....it was excellent..

add to the above that the two of us (DD and me) were seated at a table for 4, by the window overlooking the marina and the magic kingdom and the evening was perfect...

 

[wdwmaw]

How do you know they were not on the dining plan? Just curious.

I know they were not on the dining plan because they came in about half way through our meal and we heard the server ask them. They replied no and we then watched to see how there service was. By the way they even finished there meal and was out of there before we were. They did not have kids or did they order desert. The server did not even ask them if they wanted desert till he was ready to bring there check. Sorry that we were spying we were just curious. We had never experienced dining being this way before. This was only our second time on the DDP.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

the meal DD and i had there last month was outstanding...
the food and the service....
the waiter - i think his name was gueiermo (sp?), was always around, though not hovering....absolutely perfect service...

i had the striped sea bass....it was the best fish i have ever had at any restaurant - and i typically only eat at 4 forks types of establishments (and almost always order fish)..
the appetizer was also excellent, though i can't recall what it was...

the desert was also amazing - a creme brulee - something i wouldn't normally order but did on a whim.....it was excellent..

add to the above that the two of us (DD and me) were seated at a table for 4, by the window overlooking the marina and the magic kingdom and the evening was perfect...

When I ate there I had the gateau of crab and the butternut squash soup, and they were both excellant. The pumpkin cheesecake I had though was very dry. The server just didn't pay much attention to me.

Hopefully my next time there will be similar to your experience.