Why would Dining Planners get different treatment?

[BlindTyldak]

The reason they ask you up front if you are on the DDP is very simple: so they can put it in the computer and start running your tab accurately, as well as be prepared to answer any questions you may have or tell you what you will have to pay OOP for (like glow cubes). It has nothing to do with finding out how much service they should give you or what kind of tip they are going to get. I would attribute the bad mood to being overworked.

When we did it it was Magical Wishes (two points a day, could be used anywhere, some restaurants were two points, etc) and we were treated LIKE KINGS. Other than the name and number of points and how they were used, it was exactly the same deal, you can order this much and the tip is included. You want to see a waiter perk up while you're on the DDP? Ask him what he recommends. You'll get something pricey, of course, but he'll also keep you happy (we were steered away from the top entree more than once to another one) hoping to get not only a big auto-tip, but also something extra. We too had "meh" service when we paid OOP.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am at WDW right now. We are DVC, and we are not on the dining plan, but I did do the free plan last year.

The BIGGEST issue I have had so far, is that because of the free food, all sit down restuarants are 100% booked, completely. This is REALLY rough, because normally you can try and book a last minute PS, or push a meal back an hour, etc. NOT SO right now. I find this lack of flexbilty to be difficult, but understandable. Restuarants are packed. I would like to avoid the free dining weeks in the future, if possible.

 

[S.Poppins]

I agree with DisKim. I think the DDP should work out great for the wait staff. If we were eating OOP, we would not order appetizers and desserts and all that. The tip would actually be less. Makes since to me that the DDP is a guarantee. We never had any bad service with the DDP. I have found that when you are nice they are usually nice too. If I was having a problem, I would say something.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I hear so much how free dining is ruining restaurants and servers treat dining plan people with less service. I really don't see why. The restaurants and servers are still receiving payment and tips. Sometimes they may receive an extra tip. I feel like free diners, which I will be soon, are looked at as a lesser class of people. You know, like watch out, it's those free dining people. Hide the silver, they may swipe it. I'm doing the same restaurants I would have done without the free dining. For me the only difference is, I'm stayng at a deluxe resort instead of our timeshare.

Rude servers and poor food in restaurants should not be blamed on the Dining Plan. Someone has to stand up for us!

We got great service everywhere we went. Most everywhere, they really explained the options on the dining plan very well and gave us good to great service. Nobody treated us as second class citizens.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

or from the fact that we probably won't be ordering all the courses so it may be less work.

Honestly, if I was a server at WDW, this is how I would feel. I wouldn't give bad service but it would be a relief to have one table not needing several appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Especially since they are understaffed and have more tables per server than usual to wait on.

 

[kimis]

My dh and I have discovered that the servers like the dp better because they know they are going to at least an 18% tip and sometimes more. They like you to order expensive items--it builds their tips. We have never had a bad experience using the dp. Enjoy

 

[helenm29]

I've always wondered why they ask if your are on the dining plan when you make your reservations? what difference does it make? we made most of our reservations before deciding to go on the dining plan (which we are paying for since we missed the FREE dining!) so, they will just have to live with it. Helen

 

[LibertyLover]

I was at WDW the end of July with DD4 for a day (long boring story). We ate lunch at 9 Dragons and the first thing the server asked was if I was on the dining plan. I said no and he gave a sigh of relief and said that he was so glad to hear that because the dining plan was a pain in the neck for them and they really hated it when someone was on the dining plan. I didn't bother to ask why the plan was a problem. I also remember during our trip in February at Mara the people in front of me on the line to pay were dining plan and it took the cashier a really long time to ring them up with lots of "what do you mean X is so many points" and "but we were only charged Y points for that yesterday". When it was my turn, I told the cashier I was not on the plan and she replied oh thank God.

 

[ducknturtle]

Just a few thoughts.

In reply to AdventureGuru's comment about the servers not getting their tip right away when customers use DDP, the servers must also wait when non DDP customers pay their check and tip with a credit card. So I don't think that can be much of a factor determining the type of service. Personally, in general, I always leave tips in cash for just that reason.

Someone else mentioned that servers have the garauntee of a tip from all customers that are on the DDP even those from other countries who may not understand "tipping." I know that in at least Denmark where my DSis lives, the tip is factored into the price of each entree and item on the menu. It is not "on top" of the total price of the meal as it is here in the States. If the service is exemplary DSis and DBiL may leave "a Kroner" more. But that is not the norm.

Also, like every CM in the "World" the servers are "on stage" when they wait on their patrons. Is it really appropriate for a CM to pronounce their hatred for a certain Disney policy to a guest? The waiter at the Nine Dragons that LibertyLover spoke of must be one of a small percentage of CM who have difficulty getting into character when they are "on stage." In January '06 my DH & I enjoyed the freedom the DDP gave to order the steak that we wanted even though it was the most expensive thing on the menu. As for thr CM's that took care of our meals, they were attentive, pleasant and polite. My DH enjoyed conversations with two CM's at LeCellier and the Biergarten about different wines. Without asking, each CM wrote down the names of the wines my DH was trying. On our last night we ate at the California Grill. I did not want an appetizer and my DH was having a tough time deciding on his. Our waiter suggested that my DH order both (since we had "paid" for it with DDP)and take back to the room what was left. (It made a great breakfast the next morning.) Also, our waiter had no problem with a special food request that I had. All our waiter wanted was to make our meal "Magical."

We are going again in Feb '07 on the DDP and we look forward to having a vacation that only Disney and it's CM's can provide, one where we feel treated like guests! Getting off my soap box now.

 

[Rhongepooh]

I've done the disney dining plan for our last few trips and had no problem with it. In my opinion they would treat those with the dining plan BETTER because their tip HAS been figured in where when it's not there is always a chance that they won't get the correct tip.

 

[PatriciaH]

We have not been on a dining plan since the old "Food N Fun" plan but I remember how the servers loved that plan in the past. They would point out all the good things to order. I know I would love a guaranteed 18% tip on apps, entree and desserts!

 

[Scraper]

I was at WDW the end of July with DD4 for a day (long boring story). We ate lunch at 9 Dragons and the first thing the server asked was if I was on the dining plan. I said no and he gave a sigh of relief and said that he was so glad to hear that because the dining plan was a pain in the neck for them and they really hated it when someone was on the dining plan. I didn't bother to ask why the plan was a problem. I also remember during our trip in February at Mara the people in front of me on the line to pay were dining plan and it took the cashier a really long time to ring them up with lots of "what do you mean X is so many points" and "but we were only charged Y points for that yesterday". When it was my turn, I told the cashier I was not on the plan and she replied oh thank God.

We have experienced the same thing we don't do the plan because we are Fl residents and seldom do a package. However I have also been in line when the CM knows exactly what they are doing and have no proplems with the plan. I am pretty sure that the lack of good service has only to do with how crowded and busy they are. We hardly ever do fancy dinning we are hot dog and hamburg people but had I known about free dinning in time we would be part of the crowd. I hope all enjoy there time in the reasturants and get the the best Disney service.

 

[mumeof3]

we are down here now and have the free dining plan and I have to say we are not treated any diffrent then anyone else here,so far our servers have been great and they know they are getting a tip because it is already in our plan at 18% but we give more with our card

 

[mumeof3]

I hear so much how free dining is ruining restaurants and servers treat dining plan people with less service. I really don't see why. The restaurants and servers are still receiving payment and tips. Sometimes they may receive an extra tip. I feel like free diners, which I will be soon, are looked at as a lesser class of people. You know, like watch out, it's those free dining people. Hide the silver, they may swipe it. I'm doing the same restaurants I would have done without the free dining. For me the only difference is, I'm stayng at a deluxe resort instead of our timeshare.

Rude servers and poor food in restaurants should not be blamed on the Dining Plan. Someone has to stand up for us!

We too have opted out of staying out of our timeshare this time