Are you finding DDP plans to be flexible?

[stitchntiggertoo]

Especially when it comes to appetizers and desserts? I am not a big eater, but my DH and I decided that it more economical to buy the DDP when we go down next month. I am hoping to be able to get one appetizer and generally one dessert instead of the 2. Are they generally flexible with doing that? What about substitutions? I see alot of places have fruit and fruit cups esp for kids desserts. Would you say that most places would be willing to substitute that way?

 

[LizinSTL]

Especially when it comes to appetizers and desserts? I am not a big eater, but my DH and I decided that it more economical to buy the DDP when we go down next month. I am hoping to be able to get one appetizer and generally one dessert instead of the 2. Are they generally flexible with doing that? What about substitutions? I see alot of places have fruit and fruit cups esp for kids desserts. Would you say that most places would be willing to substitute that way?

Do you mean that you'll be using 1 TS credit and getting 1 app, 1 entree and 1 dessert to share? You may be able to do that...or you may be told that you both need to use a TS credit. It's really up to the CM at the restaurant. At all you can eat/fixed price/character meals, you'll each be charged a TS credit whether you eat 20 plates or have a cup of tea and a saltine.

You may find that you don't want to do twice as many TS meals if you aren't a big eater (even sharing). A cup of soup or a salad and a fruit cup for dessert along with your entree may work for your order and then your husband can order whatever he'd like from the menu for his order.
I know that at 50s PT cafe, we had fruit cups as our desserts (and took them to go even!) since we were stuffed!

Just because you are entitled to order appetizers and desserts doesn't mean you MUST order them. Ordering an entree and beverage on the DDP typically brings you to the break even point at most restaurants for your daily cost of the plan. Adding in an appetizer and/or dessert makes you ahead of the game. Order what you want, when you want it and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about your individual value- look at your value as a package- if your spouse is a bigger eater, he'll get more value from the plan. He may enjoy, for example, trying a dessert intended for two if you are passing on dessert.

 

[Family5LovesDisney]

Especially when it comes to appetizers and desserts? I am not a big eater, but my DH and I decided that it more economical to buy the DDP when we go down next month. I am hoping to be able to get one appetizer and generally one dessert instead of the 2. Are they generally flexible with doing that? What about substitutions? I see alot of places have fruit and fruit cups esp for kids desserts. Would you say that most places would be willing to substitute that way?

You won't find much flexibility in the Counter Service restaurants but we found all of our table service restaurants to be very flexible. Just order what you want. My DS12 was an "adult" on the dining plan and he never ordered an appetizer. They were very willing to sub out items for him and remove sauces. I didn't order an appetizer one of the evenings we dined out. On another evening I asked for a fresh fruit cup for an appetizer (It wasn't a choice) but they brought me out a very nice one!

 

[bicker]

... my DH and I decided that it more economical to buy the DDP when we go down next month.

I'd be careful about that -- I found that we saved about $6 per night per adult on the Dining Plan, as compared to what we would have spent if we weren't on the Dining Plan. So, economically, it's not really that great of a deal unless everyone in your party always eats a lot of food.

I am hoping to be able to get one appetizer and generally one dessert instead of the 2. Are they generally flexible with doing that?

You never need to order everything you're entitled to, so that will be fine.

What about substitutions? I see alot of places have fruit and fruit cups esp for kids desserts. Would you say that most places would be willing to substitute that way?

Table service places are very flexible; counter service, not so much. And the child desserts are a major bone of contention for many -- your best bet is to NOT expect to be able to substitute there. I observed one guest get verbally abusive with the manager at Cosmic Rays because of their no substitutions policy in that regard.

 

[Princess Stitch]

We went last September on free dining and I never had trouble getting anything I wanted substituted as long as it was "cheaper" than what I was supposed to be getting. I ordered kids desserts a few times just because nothing on the adult menu really appealed to me.

Counter service meals, not so much though. I do remember that at some counter service meals we were able to get the frozen cokes there instead of our drink or dessert .. can't remember which.

All I can say is just be really polite when you're asking for things, say please, and smile. Don't demand anything. People will always try and accomodate you more when you're pleasant

 

[aubriee]

Table service places are very flexible; counter service, not so much. And the child desserts are a major bone of contention for many -- your best bet is to NOT expect to be able to substitute there. I observed one guest get verbally abusive with the manager at Cosmic Rays because of their no substitutions policy in that regard.

This past Sept at Columbia Harbour House the lady ordering on the other side of the cash register from me tried to substitute the grapes on the kids meals for the chocolate cake (only dessert they had available for adults). I guess the CM didn't like her attitude because he immediately told her that was not possible as the grapes were for the kids meals only. She got very irate, but the CM wouldn't back down. After she walked off, I told him I had a problem too then, as my mom (who was getting us a table) was a diabetic and couldn't eat chocolate cake. I offered to go get her insulin as proof, but he just laughed, winked, and said no problem, then turned and told the lady behind the counter to give me a bowl of grapes. He rung them up as chocolate cake. So, it apparently depends alot on the CM.