Any chance of substituting Appetizer for Dessert?

[Pluto0809]

Planning an anniversary/Happy 40th B-day to me trip in October 2013 (yeah I know I'm way ahead of things but I'm actually planning trips for 2012, 2013 and 2014 all at the same time ).

I'm looking at the DDP package, I've done the DxDP and it is way too much food for both myself and DH.

My problem is that DH hates desserts, never touches them. But he loves appetizers and orders them all the time when we go out to eat.

Has any one tried to substitute an appetizer for the dessert on the DDP plan? I would really prefer to do it that way rather than upgrade to the DxDP just so he can get an appetizer. Especially when I know he won't be eating the desserts on that plan.

 

[Sandi]

As a general rule, you will not be allowed to substitute an appetizer for a dessert. There are exceptions to every rule and there are a few servers who reportedly allow the substitution. Don't expect that to be the case, however.

 

[Mrs D]

I have never tried but, I'm fairly certain the answer you'll get here is a resounding no- that you won't be allowed to do that.

 

[robinb]

Sorry, but no. You can't. You may want to look into the Tables in Wonderland card if you are planning to buy an Annual Pass. The TiW card will get you 20% off your entire meal including alcohol. If you think you will return within a year of your next trip your APs and your TiW card will still be active for the 2nd trip too.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Nope! Not even for dietary or medical reasons. I'd suggest that you forgo the dining plan if that is no how you eat. The latest figures on the dining plan don't save as much as they have in the past. Add in desserts that you don't want and you are probably going to take a loss.

 

[Pluto0809]

Thanks all! I kind of figured it was a big no but it didn't hurt to ask! I do wish they would allow either dessert or appetizer but I guess appetizers are a bit more expensive than desserts.

I will have to do some thinking between now and then. I love getting the meal plans but not sure if it will be worth it if he isn't going to eat his dessert. I love dessert but two at each meal for me is a bit too much!

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as I can see they are very strict about this rule, and the servers are not to make exceptions. An alternative dessert might be allowed, but not appetizers.

 

[brymolmom]

Thanks all! I kind of figured it was a big no but it didn't hurt to ask! I do wish they would allow either dessert or appetizer but I guess appetizers are a bit more expensive than desserts.

I will have to do some thinking between now and then. I love getting the meal plans but not sure if it will be worth it if he isn't going to eat his dessert. I love dessert but two at each meal for me is a bit too much!

Make sure to run the numbers...If you're talking about getting ONE appetizer per day - I'm guessing it's WAY cheaper to just do the basic DP and buy that one appetizer OOP as opposed to upgrading to deluxe just for that appetizer (especially since it sounds like you wouldn't take 'full advantage' of the deluxe since you stated it's way too much food for your family).

That's what I would do if I was you. Just plan to buy one appetizer per day ($12-ish) and then ask for a substitution for his dessert - like an order of fruit to go OR a dessert that travels well that you can eat later (or for breakfast the next day - yummy!).

 

[Pluto0809]

Make sure to run the numbers...If you're talking about getting ONE appetizer per day - I'm guessing it's WAY cheaper to just do the basic DP and buy that one appetizer OOP as opposed to upgrading to deluxe just for that appetizer (especially since it sounds like you wouldn't take 'full advantage' of the deluxe since you stated it's way too much food for your family).

That's what I would do if I was you. Just plan to buy one appetizer per day ($12-ish) and then ask for a substitution for his dessert - like an order of fruit to go OR a dessert that travels well that you can eat later (or for breakfast the next day - yummy!).

That's one option I'm thinking of.

I'm also thinking that I'm going to go with the Club Level at AKL because I've always wanted to stay there and it is for a special occasion this time. We may not need a meal plan at all with the food they serve at the Club Level.

My DH hasn't been to Disney since our Honeymoon in 1998. He's not a big amusement park fan (or a fan of going anywhere on vacation) so I'm trying to make this a laid back, stress free trip. That's gonna take a lot of effort on my part because I'm used to go, go, go when I'm at Disney.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

My DH hasn't been to Disney since our Honeymoon in 1998. He's not a big amusement park fan (or a fan of going anywhere on vacation) so I'm trying to make this a laid back, stress free trip. That's gonna take a lot of effort on my part because I'm used to go, go, go when I'm at Disney.

You said in your original post you were planning 3 trips for 2012, 2013 & 2014 (lucky you) so I'm going to advise you in a sisterly way to get all of your go, go, go out of the way before returning with hubby and THEN resume the go, go, go in 2014 if you're going without him for a girls trip?

My DH also is not a big fan of amusement parks & had I not adjusted my plans when he went to WDW with us (I did girls & kids trips too) he would have been lost to wanting to go back. He enjoys going out to dinner on vacation so that's a big part of planning when he goes. So I'm encouraging you to try extra hard not to overwhelm him when he goes so he'll want to go back again Plan specific dining experiences you know he will especially enjoy. The Rose & Crown Pub, ESPN club & Boma's won my husband over

If you opt for DDP, you're going to be spending OOP for the tip anyway so why not go ahead & order an appetiser & pay that OOP. You can always choose to not have the dessert if they don't have fresh fruit or a suitable sustitute.

ENJOY

 

[Pluto0809]

You said in your original post you were planning 3 trips for 2012, 2013 & 2014 (lucky you) so I'm going to advise you in a sisterly way to get all of your go, go, go out of the way before returning with hubby and THEN resume the go, go, go in 2014 if you're going without him for a girls trip?

My DH also is not a big fan of amusement parks & had I not adjusted my plans when he went to WDW with us (I did girls & kids trips too) he would have been lost to wanting to go back. He enjoys going out to dinner on vacation so that's a big part of planning when he goes. So I'm encouraging you to try extra hard not to overwhelm him when he goes so he'll want to go back again Plan specific dining experiences you know he will especially enjoy. The Rose & Crown Pub, ESPN club & Boma's won my husband over

If you opt for DDP, you're going to be spending OOP for the tip anyway so why not go ahead & order an appetiser & pay that OOP. You can always choose to not have the dessert if they don't have fresh fruit or a suitable sustitute.

ENJOY

2012 is going to be a solo trip so I can do what I want! 2014 I will be tagging along with a friend who is going for the Humane Society Conference. She may join me for some evenings in the parks but I will be solo a lot for that trip unless another friend joins us. So I definitely will get the go, go, go out of my system!

My DH doesn't like to travel because he likes to work too much. I was so glad to see that Disney is adding free wi fi to the rooms. We will need breaks to go back to the room so he can get on his laptop!

We did a trip to Universal in January and I left three days for the parks. We did park time till about 4pm then back to the room for a few hours and then back out for dinner. On the extra day, we went back to each park and saw what we missed. Worked out perfectly for him! I just have to bring a lot of reading material to fill the gaps while he is working.

 

[robinb]

The solution to your dilemma is actually pretty easy. It appears that you have a solo trip planned for November of 2012 and then your family trip for October 2013. Buy or upgrade to an Annual Pass on your solo trip. An AP will allow you to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for $75. With it you will receive 20% off of most Table Service restaurants and some Counter Service restaurants. It will allow you to eat exactly what you want. Here is some more information for you: http://allears.net/din/dde.htm . You can purchase the card on your first trip or wait until your second trip. The card expires about 13 months after it is issued.

As an added bonus, an AP will get you a good discount at resorts. If you are thinking about staying at a Deluxe Resort the AP discount is usually the best out there, including better than "free dining".

 

[catne]

That's one option I'm thinking of.

I'm also thinking that I'm going to go with the Club Level at AKL because I've always wanted to stay there and it is for a special occasion this time. We may not need a meal plan at all with the food they serve at the Club Level.

My DH hasn't been to Disney since our Honeymoon in 1998. He's not a big amusement park fan (or a fan of going anywhere on vacation) so I'm trying to make this a laid back, stress free trip. That's gonna take a lot of effort on my part because I'm used to go, go, go when I'm at Disney.

just wanted to say...we did Club Level at AKL just this past January and have to say, don't count on getting a whole lot of food at the club room there. Yes, they do serve at all the times of day they list...but no, they don't put much out, and it disappears very fast, and does not get replaced very quickly. Other than a suitable-sized continental breakfast of small pastries, fruit, and cereal, the other offerings throughout the day didn't meet expectations at all: we really did not ever think there was enough food out to even call it a small meal (other than breakfast...but if you're a big breakfast eater, then there's not enough either.)

But the rest of the day: Definitely "appetizer" sized meal would be most you could count on (and that only if you timed your visit right to get food when it's available. Most of the time when we went, 1/2 the food offerings were out and not replaced while we were there...and tables in very short supply, too. We have been to other Disney Club level hotels, and AKL club room offerings was the skimpiest by far.

That said, I would still go for a club room at AKL because you'll get a savannah room...that is worth it, especially when you're with your hubby and he's not a park guy. The animal viewing is phenomenal from those balcony-savannah rooms...for a couple of hours in the AM (like 7-9:00 am) and then again in the late afternoon (like 4-6:00 PM) there were dozens of animals right outside our balcony. We're not even big on zoos, but we loved watching animals so up close and personal. For a very laid-back trip, then yes, those savannah view club rooms are fabulous.