A different version of an old question...just dessert at TS

[hllb]

We have an early dinner reservation at BOG but have decided to do a later dinner reservation at CA Grill for dinner instead. I debated cancelling this reservation but decided that we would do dessert only so we could meet the Beast and then have our dinner at CA Grill.

Lots of people ask if it's OK to do that. But I'm going to take it a step further LOL. Would it be weird to order two of the specialty desserts ahead of time and only do that? So not ordering off their menu at all but getting the specialty cupcake trio? We'd probably do 2 of them for our group of 5 (or maybe even 3, not sure how small the mini cupcakes are).

Beast should be there even for a 4:05 reservation, shouldn't he? That's really the main point of keeping the reservation.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Here is a thread from a few months ago that has pictures: https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...was-win-the-chocolate-rose-was-great.3604133/

Would it be weird? I don't know. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, but I was a server when I was younger, so I come at it from that perspective. There is no ordering minimum at BOG, so . . .

 

[hllb]

I’m fine ordering just dessert. My question was about not ordering off the menu at all.

 

[Keels]

I've gone in for an app, dessert and glass of champagne ... but I've also been by myself and haven't been taking up a big table.

It's obviously up to you, but I wouldn't loiter so the server has an opportunity to have the 6-top turned and can recoup lost tip potential. I would say it's probably no big deal to just order the specialty desserts, but it probably wouldn't hurt to mix in a charcuterie plate too just in case. It's small and would be a nice savory accompaniment to the sweets. It definitely won't spoil dinner at California Grill.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I’m fine ordering just dessert. My question was about not ordering off the menu at all.

I don't really understand what the difference is? You still have to pay for the pre-order specialty desserts at the restaurant. You just pre-order so they are prepared for you. There is no rule stating you have to order any type of minimum off the menu. Only you know if you are comfortable doing this or not.

 

[Pumbaa_]

You can do whatever you want. The specialty items are meant to be an add on to your meal at bog, although it doesn't expressly say that

Hopefully your plan isn't to just spend 30$ for 5 people at probably the most desired adr at Disney. But there is no rule against it.

 

[hllb]

You can do whatever you want. The specialty items are meant to be an add on to your meal at bog, although it doesn't expressly say that

Hopefully your plan isn't to just spend 30$ for 5 people at probably the most desired adr at Disney. But there is no rule against it.

Wow, insult much? If I’m spending almost as much on this trip as a 2 week trip to Korea, I won’t feel a bit bad about spending “just” $30 and taking up a table for 20 minutes. Frankly, I would’ve expected nicer from a moderator.

 

[hllb]

I don't really understand what the difference is? You still have to pay for the pre-order specialty desserts at the restaurant. You just pre-order so they are prepared for you. There is no rule stating you have to order any type of minimum off the menu. Only you know if you are comfortable doing this or not.

I didn’t know if there was a difference, hence the question. I’ve never ordered the specialty desserts before. I wanted to get a celebration cake for my son during the trip but thought this would work instead.

 

[Runnsally]

It’s inappropriate to do what you are suggesting for a variety of reasons.

 

[hllb]

It’s inappropriate to do what you are suggesting for a variety of reasons.

Such as? The general consensus is that ordering dessert only off the menu is fine but ordering the specialty dessert isn’t? If that’s the case, we’ll just order off the menu, but I’d like to hear your reasoning.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I didn’t know if there was a difference, hence the question. I’ve never ordered the specialty desserts before. I wanted to get a celebration cake for my son during the trip but thought this would work instead.

I think no matter how you slice it - specialty dessert or dessert off the menu - you're ordering dessert. You will be presented with a bill at the end so you can pay for either.

Such as? The general consensus is that ordering dessert only off the menu is fine but ordering the specialty dessert isn’t? If that’s the case, we’ll just order off the menu, but I’d like to hear your reasoning.

You're going to get a range of opinions on this on these boards. You did ask if it was weird and some people will probably say yes. There is no rule stating you can't do it, but you need to decide what you are comfortable with. By asking if it's weird, it kind of indicates you're a little unsure about it. It's your decision. Would I do it? No, for a variety of reasons. But it doesn't mean you can't. I bring my DS10 to Trader Sam's and Nomad and was told by certain posters on this board that that was inappropriate because they wouldn't bring THEIR children there (insert eyeball roll). It's your family and your ADR. Do what you are comfortable doing.

 

[Runnsally]

Nothing personal, but there’s a social contract being broken with this type of behavior. If everyone chose to do what you suggest, the restaurant as we know it would cease to exist. When you alone do it, you’re relying on others to subsidize your experience, while simultaneously denying the experience to others who would like to actually eat a meal there. You become the guy at Pecos Bill who buys a side of chips and then corners the market on the condiment bar guacamole. Allowable, but not an appropriate or sustainable behavior.

 

[hllb]

I think no matter how you slice it - specialty dessert or dessert off the menu - you're ordering dessert. You will be presented with a bill at the end so you can pay for either.



You're going to get a range of opinions on this on these boards. You did ask if it was weird and some people will probably say yes. There is no rule stating you can't do it, but you need to decide what you are comfortable with. By asking if it's weird, it kind of indicates you're a little unsure about it. It's your decision. Would I do it? No, for a variety of reasons. But it doesn't mean you can't. I bring my DS10 to Trader Sam's and Nomad and was told by certain posters on this board that that was inappropriate because they wouldn't bring THEIR children there (insert eyeball roll). It's your family and your ADR. Do what you are comfortable doing.

Yup, I know a minority will think people shouldn’t do this and that’s fine. But I would appreciate if they at least give a reason (not meaning you). I considered ordering an app too, but the only thing that appealed was the meat tray and I don’t know that my kids would eat it (and even the adults likely wouldn’t eat the pate). I haven’t looked for a drink menu yet. I like cocktails but don’t drink beer or wine so not sure they serve cocktails.

 

[hllb]

Nothing personal, but there’s a social contract being broken with this type of behavior. If everyone chose to do what you suggest, the restaurant as we know it would cease to exist. When you alone do it, you’re relying on others to subsidize your experience, while simultaneously denying the experience to others who would like to actually eat a meal there. You become the guy at Pecos Bill who buys a side of chips and then corners the market on the condiment bar guacamole. Allowable, but not an appropriate or sustainable behavior.

Appreciate you adding your reasoning. I do disagree with you and that’s fine. I do drinks and dessert at restaurants all the time and have never been met with disdain. When we go to an area of good restaurants, we frequently have dessert at a different restaurant. If you consider turn over rate for a dessert only table, no one is losing money in the deal. 3 dessert only tables would take the same time as 1 full meal table. The three dessert bills would be comparable to 1 meal bill. But you’re free to disagree with that.

 

[Keels]

Appreciate you adding your reasoning. I do disagree with you and that’s fine. I do drinks and dessert at restaurants all the time and have never been met with disdain. When we go to an area of good restaurants, we frequently have dessert at a different restaurant. If you consider turn over rate for a dessert only table, no one is losing money in the deal. 3 dessert only tables would take the same time as 1 full meal table. The three dessert bills would be comparable to 1 meal bill. But you’re free to disagree with that.

Your math is a little fuzzy, but I'll go with it - if three 6-top tables only came in for dessert, that is in no way fiscally the same as one 6-top table having a full meal at Be Our Guest. Be Our Guest is not a restaurant that takes walk-ins like a local restaurant at home - it is a very coveted ADR, and as such, ADRs are structured for party size with a specific amount of time in mind ... for a table of six (even if you just have five), I would imagine that it's allotted roughly 60-75 minutes. That table is not going to be sat again until the next larger party comes along - it's not like taking up a 2-top. You're taking a major table out of the dining pool (and out of that server's allotment) for 60-75 minutes because you want to meet the Beast. Long and short of it.

 

[persimmondeb]

I'm going to throw my two cents in and suggest that it's a lot less inconvenient to the server if you tip as if you had ordered at least a modest meal. Because of course you can do as you wish, as long as there's no specific rule, but you will be taking up a table for some chunk of time, and they probably won't be able/willing to fit an extra party in despite not being at the table as long as someone who orders a meal. Disney will certainly survive, but you're depriving the waiter of an opportunity to earn a tip.

 

[Pumbaa_]

But we will not bring tipping into it, not a topic for discussion

Thanks!

 

[HappyGrape]

Another thing to consider is waiting for are. If you wait 20 min in CG do you really want to take a chance to wait another 20 just to be seated at BOG in the same night?

 

[clippers6]

I have no issues with doing dessert only. However, I would never just order 2-3 items to split among 5 people at a place like Be Our Guest. While not violating any “official” rules, you are taking advantage of the situation in a way since the restaurant is taking care of 5 people (place setting, waters, serving, extra plates, cleaning up, etc.) while only being compensated for 2 or 3. I would do at least one dessert and one beverage per person.

 

[hllb]

I have no issues with doing dessert only. However, I would never just order 2-3 items to split among 5 people at a place like Be Our Guest. While not violating any “official” rules, you are taking advantage of the situation in a way since the restaurant is taking care of 5 people (place setting, waters, serving, extra plates, cleaning up, etc.) while only being compensated for 2 or 3. I would do at least one dessert and one beverage per person.

Fair enough though the cost of two or three specialty desserts is the same or more than buying 5 individual desserts. But we could easily buy my son the specialty dessert since it’s his celebration and everyone else order off the menu.