I few years back a large group of Disney fans (20ish) were going there for dinner. We were left out of the reservation because there was not enough space, even though eating at the same table was not a requirement (or even possible). Anyway, we (two) decided to show up at the reservation time. We got a table and we were seated before the others. I think they were broken into something like 6,4,4,4,2 - plus us at our table for two.
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Dining Plan Downer/ Yaughtsmens Galley Downer
- Thread starter PoohsGang
- Start date
I few years back a large group of Disney fans (20ish) were going there for dinner. We were left out of the reservation because there was not enough space, even though eating at the same table was not a requirement (or even possible). Anyway, we (two) decided to show up at the reservation time. We got a table and we were seated before the others. I think they were broken into something like 6,4,4,4,2 - plus us at our table for two.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
We had LeCellier a couple weeks ago and had the best service we encountered our entire trip (and we ate sit-down meals 11 times). Val was great. She knew we were on the DDP and still was exceptional. She refreshed our drinks not when they were empty, when the ice had melted. LOL! She also helped my 2 sons (ages 10 & 11) understand the menu and order things they would like. In addition to the 18% she got automatically with the DDP we left her $40. We did the math. She made a bit over $80 in gratuity from us but she earned every dime. I don't think it's so much the restaurant or type of restaurant. I think it depends on the waitress/waitor. There are good ones and bad ones everywhere. We've had fantastic service at even a buffet (Crystal Palace to be exact). But last February Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast was the pits. We aren't difficult or hard to please. If it's such a chore to get what we need at least let me know where I can go get it. LOL! If service is good it is reflected in our tip even when we are on the DDP.
We have had the DDE card in the past. I'm not sure how much sense it makes for 2008 to exclude gratuity from DDP but then make it automatic for the DDE other than the obvious - now Disney doesn't pick up the bill on the tip but restaurant patrons are forced to. It was convenient to have it included on the DDP but I don't think it's ever a good idea to make it automatic. It leaves little incentive to wait staff to do a proper job. Maybe this is Disney's effort to discourage the DDE. I don't know.
We have had the DDE card in the past. I'm not sure how much sense it makes for 2008 to exclude gratuity from DDP but then make it automatic for the DDE other than the obvious - now Disney doesn't pick up the bill on the tip but restaurant patrons are forced to. It was convenient to have it included on the DDP but I don't think it's ever a good idea to make it automatic. It leaves little incentive to wait staff to do a proper job. Maybe this is Disney's effort to discourage the DDE. I don't know.
bigtotoro
Member
With what we ordered, we still got over on the DDP for 2007. If it means we have to charge the tip back to the room, it's solid value at the high end (plus everything is paid in advance, so that's one less thing to worry about). If you're looking at the lower end table service, you probably don't quite make out as nicely.
wannab@dis
Well-Known Member
This is so very interesting! I just spent 9 great days at WDW and we used the dining plan. We had great service at every table restaurant except one... Le Cellier!! Our service was HORRIBLE. We only saw our server two or three times the entire time. Our food was brought by someone else, drinks refilled by someone else, desert menus and deserts delivered by yet another person.We had LeCellier a couple weeks ago and had the best service we encountered our entire trip (and we ate sit-down meals 11 times). Val was great. She knew we were on the DDP and still was exceptional. She refreshed our drinks not when they were empty, when the ice had melted. LOL! She also helped my 2 sons (ages 10 & 11) understand the menu and order things they would like. In addition to the 18% she got automatically with the DDP we left her $40. We did the math. She made a bit over $80 in gratuity from us but she earned every dime. I don't think it's so much the restaurant or type of restaurant. I think it depends on the waitress/waitor. There are good ones and bad ones everywhere. We've had fantastic service at even a buffet (Crystal Palace to be exact). But last February Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast was the pits. We aren't difficult or hard to please. If it's such a chore to get what we need at least let me know where I can go get it. LOL! If service is good it is reflected in our tip even when we are on the DDP.
We have had the DDE card in the past. I'm not sure how much sense it makes for 2008 to exclude gratuity from DDP but then make it automatic for the DDE other than the obvious - now Disney doesn't pick up the bill on the tip but restaurant patrons are forced to. It was convenient to have it included on the DDP but I don't think it's ever a good idea to make it automatic. It leaves little incentive to wait staff to do a proper job. Maybe this is Disney's effort to discourage the DDE. I don't know.
I will agree it's harder to get reservations, but I do not believe service has been hampered by the dining plan. You get rotten servers even at good locations. I would have never thought our only bad service would be Le Cellier. I'll be back to enjoy the good food at Le Cellier because it was our server who had the problem, not the restaurant.
wannab@dis
Well-Known Member
The dining plan has been available for YEARS... just not marketed in the same fashion.
From a theoretical angle this would make sense. The value put on a meal at Disney is now less overall. I've read many people who are on the dining plan say that they eat in places they normally would not. Thus, they don't feel those places are worth the regular retail value. They will frequent them but only if a lesser value is placed on the meal. Thus the expectation must be that quality will suffer. The people on the dining plan cannot expect regular retail value because they are not paying that price.
The problem arises when there are customers paying regular price and expecting regular price value. The kitchen cannot differentiate between regular and DP. So the regulars begin to realize they are being overcharged and stop frequenting those places. The makeup of the clientèle shifts to DP customers who do not care as much about the quality as they are not willing to pay the regular price for their experience. They are happy paying lesser price and getting lesser value.
The regular customers will then migrate toward places not on DP or places that charge double points. Theoretically, the quality there should not suffer. Is this the case in your experience?
They have always had a dining plan of sorts but 4=7 years ago , the food and service was much better, dare I say special? Since the official DDP plan came out, not whatever they called the meal plan before, the food has suffered. Again I was there then there is no comparison, now there less choices, worse sevice, most food these days is delivered frozen on a SYSCO truck and named something different depending upon where you eat it.
I guess if you don't mind frozen SYSCO food the food is now ok. AGAIN NOT LIKE IT USE TO BE. Yes I still eat on property for the convience of it so I don't have to leave property, I beleive this is a plan Disney has that works.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Yeah. We've had bad service at places where the food was pretty good or others highly recommended it. I'm with you. I think there's good and bad servers everywhere. We've had good and bad in the same restaurants on different trips. What can you do? :shrug: That's why I like having the tip left to my discretion.
Did I mention our waitress was a sweet girl named Val?! Val is awesome. She really was a plethora of info and a lot of fun. We had a good time chatting with her.
That pretzel bread is addictive, huh??? :slurp:
wannab@dis
Well-Known Member
LOL! Yes, it's good. I was torn between it and the multi-grain. My chocolate "moose" desert was awesome.
As I said, the food was wonderful and we really didn't have long waits. Maybe our waiter was new and the others knew they had to tag-team the table, but THEY got the job done based on simple eye contact. Kudos to the others.
But are these trucks just servicing the takeout and counter places - supplying fries and apple slices - or are they supplying the more gourmet places like Citricos and Jiko? I mean, a lot of the stuff is just fast food. I think people realize that at the takeout places.
I do service work in resturants from Mass to Maine, very high end resturants, you would be amazed t the items Sysco supplys even main entrees, meaning frozen meats, Chicken coron blue, a variety of steaks, chicken breast etc.
They also carry fries, nuggets frozen veggies. I would say hat not all the Sysco stuff goes just to counter service or take out.
I know nothing of the food business, but how else do steaks come into a restaurant if not frozen? Wouldn't they spoil otherwise? Or do they have a fresh cow flown in everyday?
there are resturants I service here that buy there meat fresh daily.........from local cows,, Sorry I meant local butchers, does that answer your question?
Its very difficult to get cows through baggage claim.:brick:
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
Was the original meal/experience in question poor at the Yacht Club Galley or the Yachtsman Steakhouse?
I also did notice on my last trip in December at Beach Club that Beaches and Cream no longer has a "hot" take out menu. You must sit down and eat. The only food available for take-out is now ice cream. A shame b/c I always used to order a burger or grilled cheese to go and eat it on my way back to my room.
I also did notice on my last trip in December at Beach Club that Beaches and Cream no longer has a "hot" take out menu. You must sit down and eat. The only food available for take-out is now ice cream. A shame b/c I always used to order a burger or grilled cheese to go and eat it on my way back to my room.
Galley not steakhouse.
WDWKat26
New Member
You know, it's funny that a lot of you mention quality of the food. At Universal, they have a dining plan there as well. There's the Fantastic 4 Cafe (Where I eat every time I go to Universal), and another cafe just down the street. The Cafe down the street serves burgers, fries, chicken strips, etc. Pretty much all of the artery clogging foods. Fantasic 4 cafe serves pizza, pasta, fettucine alfredo with chicken, salads etc. Guess which one is on the dining plan that Universal offers? The Cafe down the street. Yet, they are both quick service. So, I understand what some people are saying when they say the quality of food isn't as good.
Dwarful
Well-Known Member
We were just there 12-12 to 12-16. I agree that the 'new' dining plan has been the demise of the dining experience at Disney. With the 'new' (past few years) marketing more people are taking advantage of it, Disney has up'd the cost on many meals for those paying cash making them not such a great value. We for one won't go back to LTT in MK. The food was only ok, the service was horrid and the meal set us back over $125 for a family of four. We will gladly leave that for the dining plan users. We have used the DDP but didn't this trip.