Has the disney dining plan ruined disney dining?

[AKLnut]

friends just back are saying they felt more rushed than ever, service was worse, food was worse

Is this all the disney dining plan? Is it particularly bad during free dining?

How about the question of whether you get better or worse service if you're on the dining plan?

[Tink]

In my opinion? Yes to all the above.

It's no secret that I have nothing good to say about the DDP.

It's ruined spontaneous dining. There is no more walking up to any full service restuarant. During free dining it's particularly bad. We were there staying on property and had ADRs during the stay at several places.

Each place was mobbed (and we had later ADRs trying to avoid too much chaos) with screaming kids who really needed to be in bed instead of waiting for their dinners. :sigh;

The service is markedly different from my unscientific point of view. You are asked if you are on the DDP of course, and when you say no, you are greeted with a beaming smile and a great service.

The quality of the food is hit or miss. At the YSH and Bistro de Paris we had no loss of quality. Kona Cafe was so poor (service and quality) that we won't be returning anytime soon.

So, for me? I'm not happy with the affects of the DDP on Disney dining at all!

[Slowhand]

So, for me? I'm not happy with the affects of the DDP on Disney dining at all!

Totally agree with those comments Tink.
Many of the CM`s I`ve spoken to have also the same opinion.

Bring back the good old days of relaxed dining, albeit using PS`s [or ADR`s as they are now called] is my view on the subject.

[uscwest]

I also totally agree with Tink and Slowhand. While we eat at a lot of the signature places we also eat at the non signature and have indeed notice a downfall in the service.

[Tink]

Yes. I have no real problem with making ADRs, although I really did like the days that saw us strolling the WS of a Friday evening and then deciding where we wanted to eat and GETTING IN! *gasp*

I'll happily make an ADR if I know I'm going to have a relaxed dinner, good service and food commesurate with the cost.

This last time was a real eye opener. Using YSH as an example, the place was heaving with people waiting outside the actual restaurant for their seating. Kids were running up and down the hallway shrieking, crying, asking to go for ice cream, not understanding that they couldn't swim in the pool. :sigh; Some of the adults weren't much better. Shouting at the podium staff that they had a RESERVATION and didn't see WHY THEY HAD TO WAIT... :sigh;

We took refuge (as we always do) at the Crew's Cup lounge which was surprisingly empty and quite peaceful, and had a nice pre-dinner drink and chance to visit. Once we crossed into the YSH and were placed in Ricardo's very capable and impeccable service hands, all really was well, however the noise level of the restaurant was markedly higher than at any other time we had been.

Again, people not familiar with the menu talking loudly about "what the hell is that do you suppose" and kids saying "YUCK THIS IS GROSS!"

If families are going to dine in a nicer restaurant with an atmosphere that is conducive to low voices and pardon me, manners then they need to educate themselves and their offspring before hand. I know that sounds dreadfully harsh, but I promise you if I had behaved the way the majority of the children I saw that night (and no, I'm not talking exclusively about two year olds, there were children well into their teens behaving like hooligans) my parents would have removed me from the restaurant and there would have a very unpleasant "discussion" ensuing. When we were taken to a proper restaurant we were taught and expected to behave with proper manners.

There. I sound like a hateful old woman now don't I?

[Keith]

Agree with everyone here, it's taken an awful turn for the worse! I guess Disney's view is that they've managed to pack every restaurant so more money for them, but long term it has an effect on level of enjoyment and return business (in my opinion)

The crews cup now does a limited YSH menu and no booking needed. I did this last time and it was brilliant!

[Slowhand]

Yes. I have no real problem with making ADRs, although I really did like the days that saw us strolling the WS of a Friday evening and then deciding where we wanted to eat and GETTING IN! *gasp*

Those were the days eh?
It would be nice once in a while to be able to decide where and when to dine without having to make that decision months in advance! This is one of the reasons why we are using more and more off site places whenever we visit, much as we love dining on site.

[Keith]

Those were the days eh?
It would be nice once in a while to be able to decide where and when to dine without having to make that decision months in advance! This is one of the reasons why we are using more and more off site places whenever we visit, much as we love dining on site.

I remember walking up to Le Cellier, being seated immediately at a great table. Excellent service, not so packed that it was unpleasent, server took time to explain the offerings etc. Perfect.

[Slowhand]

I remember walking up to Le Cellier, being seated immediately at a great table. Excellent service, not so packed that it was unpleasent, server took time to explain the offerings etc. Perfect.

You are getting me all nostalgic for the good old days now Keith.

[CHURCHSTT]

I agree with Tink!! And we may sound like old ladies, BUT we are actually well-mannered ladies!!

My children (now 15 and 21) were exposed to "fine dining" early on as soon as they were old enough to have good table manners and restaurant etiquette. We practice good table manners at home and discuss proper behavior at restaurants. When they were younger, they would often remark about the other children in the restaurant and how they were not "minding their manners".

Both the girls appreciate this life lesson and have commented on how it helped them when they were with other families and the older in work related dining situations. They know how to order, inquire respectfully about the menu, use the proper utensils, cut their meat, etc. They were amazed at the number of friends and co-workers that didn't seem to understand this.

We are going to Disney in October and have our dining planned out (of course!!). I do hope we are not disappointed in the atmosphere of the nicer restaurants. I expect a higher level of excitement at character meals (only doing 2 of these), but the other restaurants, I do expect well mannered quests!!

Hope it is not ruined...