Has the disney dining plan ruined disney dining?

[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.

[Tink]

Yes! Yes! Those are the days I'm talking about.

Walking up to the French cafe (downstairs) and being seated. Ordering "pour le table" and having a wonderful meal with a server who was truly interested in our enjoyment of the food and the time!

Auld lang syne. :sigh;

I will say, the service at the Bistro de Paris is quite nice still. They are not safe from the DDP though. There was a large party there when we were (maybe 8 adults) and they were carrying on terribly. :sigh;

[MystikPiglit]

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?

No, you don't.

That's how I was brought up and how I brought my children up. I am a strong believer in good manners and correct behaviour. Sadly, we seem to be a dying breed....

So, would you agree that it's better not to be on the DDP? DH has never thought of it as a good idea but I assumed as it was so popular that it was worth doing?

[Figment]

We must have just been very lucky with our servers. With only one exception, we had absolutely lovely servers who spent lots of time with us...making suggestions, checking back often, offering extra little touches with no demands. Even the one exception was certainly not a terrible server, he simply paled in comparison to the really wonderful ones.

I cannot comment on quality remaining the same, because before the DDP, we were never able to afford to eat at very many of the table service restaurants. I'm sorry so many of you have such bad experiences, but we really enjoy having the opportunity. My son, however, is an angel () and has never been the cause of any bad behavior in a restaurant situation.

We did see one example of uncontrollable kids when we were at Liberty Tree Tavern...a couple of children waiting in the foyer ran up to Goofy asking for an autograph...the *handler* wasn't paying any attention (was chatting up a server) and poor Goofy had no real choice other than to sign their books. Oh, and there was another family sitting on a bench near the steps that was letting their toddler play on the steps nearly causing a huge wipeout with our server. Parents should have never let that happen.

[Beccaberry]

So if I'm being honest I have to say when I first started reading these threads (and there are LOADS of them because it is a HOT BUTTON issue at the moment) I always felt a bit "embarrassed". I worried that because people disliked the DDP and what it had done to dining in general at WDW, they would look down on my family and I for taking advantage of it when it was offered for free.

Since *really* reading the threads for their worth and not just reading them "on the defensive" I have learned that most people who are frustrated aren't frustrated with those using the DDP, they are frustrated with Disney for OFFERING it without being able to MANAGE it properly.

Personally, I feel fortunate that we're able to take advantage of the DDP...would I *purchase* it? No, not a chance. But when we have the opportunity to eat in places we normally would not, I feel quite fortunate. I also have manners, and my children have manners (at least in public, where it matters ) That being said, I think ANYTIME you encounter unruly or uncouth people disturbing the enjoyment of someone's meal, it is just plain rude. I don't care if your at Bistro De Paris or Pizza Hut, it's uncalled for. And if I had to choose between having the dining plan for free w/ bad service/bad food/bad experiences or eating counter service every meal every trip for the rest of my life in contentment....I'd pick the counter service EVERY time. I saw a sign today that read, "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten." This has never been more true then when applied to this situation.

[MystikPiglit]

So, summing up -

For free = good idea
Paying for it = not so good?

[Beccaberry]

So, summing up -

For free = good idea
Paying for it = not so good?

I would agree with that MP...though others might not...*AND* some might even throw in a third option altogether...

GET RID OF IT AND BRING BACK THE GOOD OLE DAYS

[Tink]

DIIIIING!!! WE HAVE A GRAND PRIZE WINNER!!!!

Under no circumstances is my dislike (and disparaging) of the DDP aimed at anyone who uses it at all. We used it once too.

It's totally directed at the managment of the program by WDW.

I know that some folks would never be able to try some of the restaurants at WDW without DDP, and in particular free DDP. If I were offered a free dining plan, I'd take it and I'd be choosing restaurants that I couldn't otherwise afford, and I'd choose those items on the menu that I couldn't otherwise afford. That's just clear as day for me. Why wouldn't you?

I am really pleased that Figment had an excellent experience! I really hope you do to, Becca.

Remember, I've been around a long while (careful there, not quite so much sniggering at the back) and remember when you could walk up to nearly any restaurant and be seated, fed quite well, and not feel as though your pockets had been vacuumed. I remember when the Buffet at Germany was one of the best values on property (along with Akershus). It was roughly $12 to have lunch there ($15 for dinner) with entertainment, great service and food that was much more authentic then than it is now.

Are all the changes due to DDP? Nope. But it is a major factor in the reduction of quality and the move toward bland recipes instead of recipes authentic to the country in which you are dining (in EPCOT I mean) or to the cuisine that you are eating otherwise.

I remember one of our favorite things to do for lunch was to go to France's Bakery or Norway's and get the cheese plate and some wine. It was filling, and enough for two to share for a light lunch. We looked at the cheese plate this last stay and I was honestly saddened. Gone was the authentic experience replaced by three (maybe four) miserably thin slices of mundane cheese.

Norway no longer offers a cheese plate or those wonderful (authentic) open faced sandwiches.

Again, not all due to DDP but the DDP exacerbates the "condition" if that makes any sense.

And yepper, my parents would haul us out of McDonalds if we didn't behave properly there just as quick as they would a more elegant restaurant.

[Johnie]

We've enjoyed the DDP every time it has been offered free. We also paid for it in May when they had the special for AP holders. I've eaten everywhere in Disney except most of the 2 TS credit places. With and without the DDP, I have had mostly great service. The times I recall poor service has been when we haven't used the DDP. We were treated like red headed step children in Le Cellier once upon a time until I ordered alcohol (then he perked up ). I suppose he thought since DD and I were sharing that he would get stiffed for a tip. I overtip to compensate for that. I don't tip well for bad attitudes though. The other time was when we went to Sci Fi and just ordered shakes and onion rings. Again a surly server who must have overheard my quiet complaint to beccaberry b/c his attitude did a complete 360.

Personally, I think they should get rid of the DDP. I've noticed they've raised prices in many of the restaurants. I won't pay OOP for that, even with my DDP discount. It's ridiculous and there are LOTS of lovely off site restaurants.

I WISH they'd bring back the vouchers. Those were a FABULOUS deal!!!

[disneywishmom]

We have always dined at the Disney Table Service resturants without the DDP. We even ate at some of the 2 TS places without the plan. We would just budget it into the trip. However, this time we are using the DDP cause we went through a travel agent. I am nervous about it cause we are not big "quick service" fans (for dietary reasons). We know it will save money, but I don't know if I will like having to think about it during the trip. Like, "How many snacks do we have now?"