Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I don't want to be a complainer.>> Most people don't want to complain, but don't let yourself be a doormat. There should be some minimum things you should expect; if they couldn't even bring you a menu, then they weren't providing the minimum. It wouldn't have ruined your vacation to complain about such service; in fact, it would have likely enhanced it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit, we didn't say or do anything at the time. We were all hot and tired and were kind of in shock this had really happened. It seemed unreal.>> I can imagine that. And that's a shame because that's just not been my experiences (although I know many people who have had issues at Artist Point and I've never had a bad meal or bad service there either ... sometimes it is the luck of the draw.) <<I should have written a letter when I got home, but then I would have had to write about our room (Contemporary, we checked out Oct 1, the last day before the refurb). It just seemed better to let it go and not focus on the negative.>> A few issues here ... a letter when you get home is never as effective as face-to-face with people around. If you just write a letter, Disney can easily dismiss (and will) your concerns or complaints. If you get the Epcot Food and Beverage Manager involved, you'll likely be able to get a free meal on your next visit, but you'll also likely be flagged as 'an operator' too (a dirty little secret is Disney does blacklist guests). If you had brought the situation to a manager immediately, it would have been obvious you were telling the truth and getting very poor service. Something would have been done immediately and you'd likely help them improve their service and you would have had a good meal in the end. Writing, while not a waste especially if you tell them you don't expect anything other their assurance that these problems in service will be dealt with, is kinda closing the barn doors after the horses have taken off for a gallop. As to the Contemporary, I take it you were one of the last guests in the North Wings before it was closed for asbestos removal and conversion to DVC? If so, I would certainly write. I never would have accepted a room in that wing unless it was at least 50% off whatever you were paying as those rooms were in deplorable condition because they stopped maintaining them as soon as the decision to DVC was made. You paid the same or more than folks in the other renovated wing and the experience would have been day and night. You have a very legit beef about being given a substandard product and you should take it as far up th ladder is necessary to get some of your trip refunded. Those rooms should never have been rented at standard rates and Disney knows this. <<I don't want to be a complainer. It was our first trip, a huge deal to us, we'd saved for three years to go. And one meal and our room didn't ruin it for us, just disappointed and shocked us. We will go again, but we will spend less time/$$$ on the sit-down restaurants (we're real foodies when we're on vacation but have to be careful the rest of the time so we don't live unhealthily). We'll also try a different resort although loved the location of the Contemporary, it just wasn't worth the $$$ and not as nice or clean as the Grand Calif or the Disneyland Hotel which we have paid much less to stay at.>> I'm very glad you didn't let these things ruin your trip because no trip to WDW should be less than magical. But if you don't stand up for yourself and for getting what you paid for, you're setting yourself up for future bad experiences (sorry for the Dr. Phil advice, but it's true and he's a nice dude anyway!) and you're helping to allow companies like Disney to take advantage of other consumers in the future. There's nothing wrong with complaining AND demanding you get what you paid for. That's true in the real world and at The World.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I've heard consistently poor reports about the Coral Reef as being overpriced with bad food.
Originally Posted By Indigo Some percentage of your price definitely goes to pay for the amazing view. Which is why I always thought they should give you a discount if you're sat in the back couple rows.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I can see it now on the menu: "Fish Eaten with View of Fish, $50" "Fish Eaten with View of Other Diners, $25"
