Anyone Experience "Enhanced" MYW Dining (table service)?

[Tinseltown Trauma]

Someone mentioned in a dining report several weeks ago that their server (table service meal) had given them some suggestions on how to enhance their meal yet stay within the MYW dining parameters (i.e., avoid extra cost). I've seen several menus on allears that offer vegetable sides, chicken add-on to a pasta entree, lobster tail add-on to a meat entree, etc. Can anyone who has already used the dining plan tell us if they experienced this with their table service meals and what items they were able to add on?

Thanks,
TT

 

[princessmomma]

Yes, we just got back last week. Our biggest add on was at Spoodles. My husband ordered the steak ($27.99)and was encouraged to add on both shrimp and scallops ($5.99 each). I had the fettucine and I added both as well.

We were also allowed to order milkshakes at Spoodles for the kids for their non-alcoholic drink.

Ohana's allowed virgin pina coladas and virgin strawberry margaritas for the non-alcoholic drinks.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The servers do this for their benefit, not yours. Although the price of the meal does not affect your meal credits, it does affect their tip.

 

[princessmomma]

The servers do this for their benefit, not yours. Although the price of the meal does not affect your meal credits, it does affect their tip.

Of course!

 

[natorimom]

Hi there, this July will be my ninth trip to the world and we always travel with Disney vacation packages, the silver, gold and platinum dream maker packages. This July we will be on the new Premium plan and it is no different than the others. The servers, especially in the signature restaurants always encourage us to enhance our meal with different add ons. i will only do this if i know i can eat it. I will rather leave a big tip for great sevice, than order more food than i could eat. Coming from the Bahamas where gratuity is automatically added to every meal, it is nice to leave an extra tip for servers that are deserving.

 

[chobie]

The servers do this for their benefit, not yours. Although the price of the meal does not affect your meal credits, it does affect their tip.

Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

Thanks, everybody! Let's go with it being a win-win and not debate that aspect.

Princessmomma, that's really great news and helpful info, yum! Spoodles is one of my choices, extras not indicated on their menu.

Natorimom, I agree, no one should ever waste food (this makes me crazy at buffets in particular), and I am personally a member of the Scrape-Your-Plate-Clean Club, but would really appreciate hearing specifics about at which restaurants and what food items you were encouraged to add on. I have several signatures on my agenda.

TT

 

[MeredithJ]

I'm all for getting your money's worth, no question, and I agree that everyone purchasing the dining plan would try to get their money's worth. In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits to the plan is being able to order whatever I want and not worry about the price, but that does work both ways. I may decide that I want a pasta dish that costs $10. I'm not going to try and rack up the price of that dish just so I can feel like I'm getting a deal, or order something more expensive that I don't want, just because it is more expensive. I would hope that I am the norm, because if everyone is trying to get $100 in meals for $35, we can be guaranteed that Disney will change this plan next year. I do think it is "nice" that CM's are offering suggestions for add-ons, but as a previous poster stated, don't take the add on just to get a deal, only do it if it's what you want to eat anyway.

Just my opinion of course, and if you want to order the lobster, then go for it. Just don't order the lobster when you really want the spaghetti just to see how much you can spend

Meredith

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

I tried to address this gently above, but apparently I need to be more direct, and since I started this thread, I know my own intent: The OP had to do with adding on food to enhance the meal, without adding on cost--NOT about pumping up the bill just for the sake of doing so. This was meant to elicit informational and presumably "light" responses. NOT interested in a bunch of preachy posts from a bunch of preachy people! And if anyone, such as you, MeredithJ, wants to assail "errant" MYW Dining users because you're just so bothered by what everyone else is doing, you might consider focusing your efforts and criticism on the bigger "loophole" group of MYW families who horse-trade their children's dining credits. But, don't worry, you're too late anyway, Disney is already well aware of all of it. So, please let those of us (hearty eaters and families alike) who want to "maximize" just enjoy it the way it is now!

Again, would LOVE to hear from anyone who has an enhanced dining experience to share, otherwise, if you have some other opinion/axe to grind, please start a different thread.

TT

 

[disneyjunkie]

I tried to address this gently above, but apparently I need to be more direct, and since I started this thread, I know my own intent: The OP had to do with adding on food to enhance the meal, without adding on cost--NOT about pumping up the bill just for the sake of doing so. This was meant to elicit informational and presumably "light" responses. NOT interested in a bunch of preachy posts from a bunch of preachy people! And if anyone, such as you, MeredithJ, wants to assail "errant" MYW Dining users because you're just so bothered by what everyone else is doing, you might consider focusing your efforts and criticism on the bigger "loophole" group of MYW families who horse-trade their children's dining credits. But, don't worry, you're too late anyway, Disney is already well aware of all of it. So, please let those of us (hearty eaters and families alike) who want to "maximize" just enjoy it the way it is now!

Again, would LOVE to hear from anyone who has an enhanced dining experience to share, otherwise, if you have some other opinion/axe to grind, please start a different thread.

TT

You can't force people to respond the way you wish. As long as they follow the boards guidelines, they are free to post to any thread here.

Princessmomma, thanks for posting about the drinks at Ohana's I was wondering if that was possible.

I want to add the crab legs to our Cape May Cafe dinner. I wonder if the dining plan will cover this or if I'll have to pay extra?

This will be our first time using a dining plan. I'm looking forward to ordering without worrying about the prices. My son (13) will be in heaven when he finds out he can order a dessert with every meal.

13 more days to go.

 

[Kasmir]

I tried to address this gently above, but apparently I need to be more direct, and since I started this thread, I know my own intent: The OP had to do with adding on food to enhance the meal, without adding on cost--NOT about pumping up the bill just for the sake of doing so. This was meant to elicit informational and presumably "light" responses. NOT interested in a bunch of preachy posts from a bunch of preachy people! And if anyone, such as you, MeredithJ, wants to assail "errant" MYW Dining users because you're just so bothered by what everyone else is doing, you might consider focusing your efforts and criticism on the bigger "loophole" group of MYW families who horse-trade their children's dining credits. But, don't worry, you're too late anyway, Disney is already well aware of all of it. So, please let those of us (hearty eaters and families alike) who want to "maximize" just enjoy it the way it is now!

Again, would LOVE to hear from anyone who has an enhanced dining experience to share, otherwise, if you have some other opinion/axe to grind, please start a different thread.

TT

Chill out!!!!!!

 

[chobie]

I feel for the OP, but you need to know with the Dis it's "Poster Beware".
Anything you say can and will be held against you. Don't let the holier than thou's get to you. That's why they have the eye rolling smilies.

Look on the bright side. At least you did not post about bringing small children to Jiko .

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I tried to address this gently above, but apparently I need to be more direct, and since I started this thread, I know my own intent: The OP had to do with adding on food to enhance the meal, without adding on cost--NOT about pumping up the bill just for the sake of doing so. This was meant to elicit informational and presumably "light" responses. NOT interested in a bunch of preachy posts from a bunch of preachy people! And if anyone, such as you, MeredithJ, wants to assail "errant" MYW Dining users because you're just so bothered by what everyone else is doing, you might consider focusing your efforts and criticism on the bigger "loophole" group of MYW families who horse-trade their children's dining credits. But, don't worry, you're too late anyway, Disney is already well aware of all of it. So, please let those of us (hearty eaters and families alike) who want to "maximize" just enjoy it the way it is now!

Again, would LOVE to hear from anyone who has an enhanced dining experience to share, otherwise, if you have some other opinion/axe to grind, please start a different thread.

TT

A little harsh don't you think. I'm not saying Meredith is right or wrong, but come on!!

Also, as for your OP, getting off-track- Why the HORSE-trading thing. You don't think that will cause some off OP issues, and even more controversy. Maybe that's what you intend?

There is nothing wrong with using the MYD, to the best possible value. Disney has clearly posted the guidelines, and set the policies. It is up to the vacationer to plan, and figure out the best way to do so, and also suit their personal needs.

Enjoy your vacation

 

[ncbyrne]

If the tip is included, how would the freebie add-ons affect a gratuity? Do people tip over and above the cost of the plan. One of the reasons we bought the plan in the first place was so that we didn't have to figure out what the tip should be.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

If the tip is included, how would the freebie add-ons affect a gratuity? Do people tip over and above the cost of the plan. One of the reasons we bought the plan in the first place was so that we didn't have to figure out what the tip should be.

The tip is incl. It is 15% of the total check. More expensive meals=bigger tip.

The meal plan will cost you the same whether you order the most expensive, or least expensive meal on the menu. The add ons are free to you if you have the plan, but they still add to the total amount of the check.

Keep in mind, too- If you order something that is not incl. in the plan (alcohol or spec drinks), you will need to tip sep. for those, or at least I think you do. I also plan on tipping extra if we have great service. I usually tip 20%.

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

You can't force people to respond the way you wish. As long as they follow the boards guidelines, they are free to post to any thread here.

....but you need to know with the Dis it's "Poster Beware".

Not about forcing or the guidelines; my irritation is with posters who a.) don't read a thread before they post, and/or b.) must always make "something out of nothing," especially when it is not apropos to the OP. "Free speech" also means such posters can start their own thread and get on a soapbox if they are so compelled to stir up the pot all the time. It is just so wearisome when the only intent is to get info!

A little harsh don't you think. I'm not saying Meredith is right or wrong, but come on!!

Also, as for your OP, getting off-track- Why the HORSE-trading thing. You don't think that will cause some off OP issues, and even more controversy. Maybe that's what you intend?

Nope, I don't think 'harsh'....And I suggest you carefully re-read what I wrote if you want to know what I really meant.

As for your Cape May question, we'll probably never get the answer on this thread, because anyone who might have the info has probably been turned off to posting from all the extraneous dialogue herein....


Again, would LOVE to hear from anyone who has an enhanced MYW dining experience to share. Just want the 411. If you need to preach, please go to another thread.

TT

 

[MeredithJ]

TT: Since I was personally attacked for my opinion, I thought I should speak out and say that for the record, I am not a preacher. If you would read any of the threads I have ever posted to, or started, you would know that. It is actually ironic that you would label me in that way, because I always roll my eyes at the people who "preach" about pool hopping, refillable mugs, as well as the "HORSE TRADING" of childrens meal credits (which Disney actually promotes doing in their own brochure!). I really don't care what other people do, I just find it funny that people would specifically "seek out" restaurants just because of the extras they can get with the meal plan.

The next time you decide to post a thread, might I suggest that you say "those with opinions other than mine need not reply", rather than resorting to blatant personal attacks, which are against board guidelines, and frankly not very nice. There I go preaching again, now I am banning myself from this thread so I can find some of them there horse traders that need a good preaching

Have a good night!

Meredith

 

[the kabuki]

Whoa there Tinseltown...little extra pent up hostility today????

 

[MomofKatie]

Hi! We haven't used the MYW Dining plan yet, but will this fall. I have been reading every post having to do with the plan, though, so I do humbly think I've become an "expert" when it comes to knowing the ins and outs!

There was a poster a while ago who said he got to add on the lobster tail at Capt. Jacks at no additional cost. Others have added on at Spoodles, and (I think) Kona Cafe.

I guess the bottom line is- ask your server! If you can add on, I'm sure they will let you know. Not too sure about Cape May, though- since you are paying for the buffet, it doesn't seem likely you could add on without paying extra. But I'm sure someone will be able to report whether it can be done or not soon.

Have a great vacation- eat well!

 

[bugsy]

girls...girls...it's only dinner! r-e-l-a-x !!!!!
(DH and I couldn't eat all the
extras anyway- we did the DDE instead and
plan to share all our meals, so we aren't too
stuffed, and can enjoy things we don't normally,
like desserts, epcot lunch-on-the-fly. snackies!