TiggerBouncy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2013
So I just got back from our 7 day October trip (including the 50th). Of course, these boards are recently ripe with reports of the service declining, so wanted to give my experience.
The night we arrived, we had a reservation to eat at Steakhouse 71. Steakhouse 71 had been opened now for 10 days, so I would expect they are still shaking things out and was ready to have to give them a bit of a pass. We checked in, and first I have to say - I was expecting to not enjoy the décor. However, I found I liked it! In any event, we were kept waiting for a ridiculous 5 minutes before we were seated at our table. But our terrible experience there was just beginning.
Now, DW really wanted the fish, but did not want the veggie it came with. She asked if she could get a substitute. Our waiter, Joseph, said he would have to check with the chef. He came back and told us that the fish comes pre-packaged in a steam bag with the veggie. I was prepared for the next statement- that he would suggest they bring the fish and add the extra veggie as a side. But NO. They had the audacity to state that the chef suggested he could make her a unique Fish dish with her suggested veggie, but he would have to sear it since it would take too long to steam. HOW DARE HE? And being open 10 days, I am sure it was hectic back there and no one knew what they were doing. ABSURD!
Okay... I can't keep up pretending to be mad.... Sorry. They were terrific. It was amazing to me that the chef would be willing to do that - especially during a new opening. It would have been more than reasonable to just give her a side... Hats off to the chef and our waiter Joseph for going above and beyond. (Most places I have eaten would have just given her a side). It was also delicious if you are wondering. Also, the bacon and eggs was a truly religious experience. All in all, it was a terrific meal. Joseph also was able to accurately describe every dish and drink on the menu. It was clear he had actually tasted them all and was not just speaking from a menu. He also gave me a great menu recommendation - different than what I thought I wanted, but he was right.
Let's see.... We ate at Le Cellier later in the trip. DW has injured her knee just before the trip and was unable to walk, so I was pushing her in a wheelchair. Me being a stupid, idiotic man - did not drink enough. Our waitress (who's name escapes me) was very insistent that I drink, and drink, and drink some more. She watched me and monitored. She gave me time for my stomach to settle before bringing the food. She brought us extra bread as well. The kicker though was when the front desk lady came back to see us and told us she was getting off her shift and wanted to check and make sure DW would be able to make it back up the ramp to her wheelchair or if she could get us some assistance before she left. The chef came out and asked how we enjoyed our meal; which was very nice of him.
I can give you a dozen more stories this past week. Suffice it to say that EVERYONE without reproach was terrific. There was only one issue we had which I will save for another thread and that was with a manager who never came out to talk to us. However, the manager I DID talk to was visibly frustrated that we experienced the issue and made a lot of calls to make sure to bring it up to the people above him and went above and beyond in making sure our remaining stay was uneventful. I have reported that issue to Disney. But overall, every CM that we had contact with was wonderful beyond words -including the staff at Chef Mickey's. Ohana, security staff, resort staff, and merchandise.
If there is a decline in Disney service, I feel for those of you who have experienced it... but it did not happen to me this trip.
The night we arrived, we had a reservation to eat at Steakhouse 71. Steakhouse 71 had been opened now for 10 days, so I would expect they are still shaking things out and was ready to have to give them a bit of a pass. We checked in, and first I have to say - I was expecting to not enjoy the décor. However, I found I liked it! In any event, we were kept waiting for a ridiculous 5 minutes before we were seated at our table. But our terrible experience there was just beginning.
Now, DW really wanted the fish, but did not want the veggie it came with. She asked if she could get a substitute. Our waiter, Joseph, said he would have to check with the chef. He came back and told us that the fish comes pre-packaged in a steam bag with the veggie. I was prepared for the next statement- that he would suggest they bring the fish and add the extra veggie as a side. But NO. They had the audacity to state that the chef suggested he could make her a unique Fish dish with her suggested veggie, but he would have to sear it since it would take too long to steam. HOW DARE HE? And being open 10 days, I am sure it was hectic back there and no one knew what they were doing. ABSURD!
Okay... I can't keep up pretending to be mad.... Sorry. They were terrific. It was amazing to me that the chef would be willing to do that - especially during a new opening. It would have been more than reasonable to just give her a side... Hats off to the chef and our waiter Joseph for going above and beyond. (Most places I have eaten would have just given her a side). It was also delicious if you are wondering. Also, the bacon and eggs was a truly religious experience. All in all, it was a terrific meal. Joseph also was able to accurately describe every dish and drink on the menu. It was clear he had actually tasted them all and was not just speaking from a menu. He also gave me a great menu recommendation - different than what I thought I wanted, but he was right.
Let's see.... We ate at Le Cellier later in the trip. DW has injured her knee just before the trip and was unable to walk, so I was pushing her in a wheelchair. Me being a stupid, idiotic man - did not drink enough. Our waitress (who's name escapes me) was very insistent that I drink, and drink, and drink some more. She watched me and monitored. She gave me time for my stomach to settle before bringing the food. She brought us extra bread as well. The kicker though was when the front desk lady came back to see us and told us she was getting off her shift and wanted to check and make sure DW would be able to make it back up the ramp to her wheelchair or if she could get us some assistance before she left. The chef came out and asked how we enjoyed our meal; which was very nice of him.
I can give you a dozen more stories this past week. Suffice it to say that EVERYONE without reproach was terrific. There was only one issue we had which I will save for another thread and that was with a manager who never came out to talk to us. However, the manager I DID talk to was visibly frustrated that we experienced the issue and made a lot of calls to make sure to bring it up to the people above him and went above and beyond in making sure our remaining stay was uneventful. I have reported that issue to Disney. But overall, every CM that we had contact with was wonderful beyond words -including the staff at Chef Mickey's. Ohana, security staff, resort staff, and merchandise.
If there is a decline in Disney service, I feel for those of you who have experienced it... but it did not happen to me this trip.
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