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!

[Tink]

It was clear that the DDP hadn't yet invaded that sanctuary.

DDP is going to end up being a mistake in the long run. Many, many people who go to Disney as adults for adult dining experiences (that doesn't mean no children present, it means excellent service and gourmet/high quality food) have already started to head elsewhere with their dollars.

We used to spend nearly every "dining out" dollar with WDW. Now? Only if we are staying there. We've taken to exploring our locale and have found some wonderful places that give us what Disney no longer can't seem to do.

CMs in the nicer restaurants have noticed the difference, and have tried to reason with "management" but to no avail.

I guess we will have to adjust our thinking back to the days when Disney was a great theme park but a lousy place to eat. (Not ALL that long ago).

[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]

Agree completely!

We were fortunate to dine offsite with Slowhand and his charming wife. The difference in service, quality and heck value for money too was extremely noticeable.

We would normally only dine offsite once a visit perhaps but in December we've already booked several offsite, upscale places.

[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.