Can you get add-ons with the Dining Plan?

[saratogaslabes]

I'm going through & doing all the planning for our trip in July with the DDP on our DVC stay. Looking at the menus, checking the credits, etc. I have a question. Regarding the places where they have "add-ons" like "Oak-fired New York Strip with sweet potato steak fries and a horseradish chive cream drizzle $28.49; add shrimp or scallops $6.29" at Spoodles, "Fettuccini Alfredo $16.79; add shrimp, scallops, or chicken $6.29" at Spoodles, "Add a skewer of garlic butter roasted jumbo shrimp to any entree $9.99" at Concourse Steakhouse, "Add a Rock Lobster Tail to any entree $28" at Yachtsman Steakhouse. At these places, on the Dining Plan, are you allowed to get these add-ons as part of your meal credit?

 

[calgarygary]

Typically, you can not get add ons with the DP, but some cast members will allow you to get an add on instead of an appetizer. Personally, if you want it, order it and if you get a bill for the add on, you still get a pretty good meal at a very low cost.

 

[aubriee]

I understand things have changed, but when we went last Sept we were encouraged by the waiters to order the add ons as they were 'free'. At Cap'n Jacks my son said he didn't like lobster, but the waitress said that since his dad did why not order it to go with his steak and his dad could eat it. She even brought it out on a seperate plate. My ex round up with two lobster tails to go with his steak.

 

[n2mm]

There have been changes from the free dining of September 2005 to now. We just returned and did the free dinning last year. So we noticed the changes. Not only were we not allowed the add ons (we were at some places last year).....we were charged extra for coffee. Yes, you heard me correctly. While at Kona's using the DDP, we finished our meals and asked for coffee....the server said there would be an extra charge for coffee. OK, no big deal, we'll pay for it. But we thought this was strange. AFterall we had ice tea...all you can drink....so instead of bringing us another glass, just bring coffee. We thought the server was off her rocker, but paid. SURPRISE. We were at LECellier, and again ask for coffee after our meal, to drink with desert.....and you guess it...."there will be an extra charge for coffee....considered an additional drink" we paid it again and decided then, it must be true. We had to pay for coffee extra everytime we used the DDP if we had not ordered coffee as our original drink. I thought this was a little petty myself, but did find the servers mostly going by the letter of the law in terms of what is allowed and what is not allowed. We found, always, they will ask, are you on the dining plan....which plan....and sometimes (CR twice) asked to produce the card so the server can see it FIRST before placing your order. We also have the DDE card, and used that discount for extras.

 

[calgarygary]

I'm not sure why that would be considered petty. When you dine out at home, are you charged for only 1 beverage if you have both ice tea and coffee with your meal?

 

[n2mm]

I'm not sure why that would be considered petty. When you dine out at home, are you charged for only 1 beverage if you have both ice tea and coffee with your meal?

Yes we are only charged once at home and at WDW. We are only charged once for a beverage when we paid out of pocket at the Cape May, The Plaza, and 50s Prime Time on our trip last week. Each of those places did not charge us extra for changing our beverage from ice tea to coffee at the end of the meal. We don't have both beverages together. Usually the server comes back and said, would you like more ice tea, and we said, no, but a cup of coffee would be nice and it's never been a problem. That is why we were a little shocked. So yes, it is petty that they do this on the dining plan at their restraurants, but not when you're paying cash....

 

[BCV23]

I would think that is amazingly generous of the servers who didn't charge you rather than petty of those who did. It is two different beverages.

YMMV

 

[hezreck]

I worked at a restaurant for 5 years during college and we charged for coffee if people had already ordered something else. Like the other poster said, it is considered 2 drinks so you should pay for it. The dining plan says a drink, not 2. I think you are the one being petty, the dining plan is already an EXCELLENT deal, so just pay up for the coffee.

 

[n2mm]

I would think that is amazingly generous of the servers who didn't charge you rather than petty of those who did. It is two different beverages.

YMMV

It wasn't the servers choice, and reassured them, it was OK. They always apologized because they don't like the rule either, obviously. They told us we HAVE to charge you for the coffee because the plan will only cover one choice of beverage. It's part of the DDP guidelines. Since we probably have more than 100 meals a year in WDW, this was new to us, and apparently part of the DDP. This was only the second time we've used the DDP....first time last year in September for 10 days, then last week for 13 days as part of the DVC. Before that, we always used our CM discount and DDE discount when we dine.

 

[DaisyD]

I would think that is amazingly generous of the servers who didn't charge you rather than petty of those who did. It is two different beverages.

YMMV

I agree with you. We have eaten out all over the world, both at Disney and beyond, and have never been able to order coffee for free. LOL! If you get a coke and then later want a coffee then you undertandably pay for you. I've never heard of anything else except that.

 

[n2mm]

I worked at a restaurant for 5 years during college and we charged for coffee if people had already ordered something else. Like the other poster said, it is considered 2 drinks so you should pay for it. The dining plan says a drink, not 2. I think you are the one being petty, the dining plan is already an EXCELLENT deal, so just pay up for the coffee.

I am not petty, and name calling is not appropriate for these boards. I said the rule was petty. Since we are WDW veterans I posted only to alert others to recent changes on the DDP that we have experienced first hand.
We pay OOP for additional items for almost every meal while in WDW and pay OOP for additional tip when using the DDP.

 

[DaisyD]

It wasn't the servers choice, and reassured them, it was OK. They always apologized because they don't like the rule either, obviously. They told us we HAVE to charge you for the coffee because the plan will only cover one choice of beverage. It's part of the DDP guidelines. Since we probably have more than 100 meals a year in WDW, this was new to us, and apparently part of the DDP. This was only the second time we've used the DDP....first time last year in September for 10 days, then last week for 13 days as part of the DVC. Before that, we always used our CM discount and DDE discount when we dine.

Curious but you say you have eaten more then 100 meals at WDW. Do you mean you have never had to pay for a second type of drink at any of the table service meals? I must say that we have eaten over 1000 meals at WDW and were never given our coffee for free. I'm thinking you might not have noticed the charge for it.

 

[n2mm]

Curious but you say you have eaten more then 100 meals at WDW. Do you mean you have never had to pay for a second type of drink at any of the table service meals? I must say that we have eaten over 1000 meals at WDW and were never given our coffee for free. I'm thinking you might not have noticed the charge for it.

No, I can honestly say, I've never seen coffee added to my bill. We usually look at the bill, since my husband was a CM until recently for 8 years, we always had the gratuity added to the bill. We always have to check to make sure it is there and do take a look at the bill. I'm impressed that you have had 1,000 meals a year at WDW....wow. Even going to WDW 6 times a year, we can't come anywhere close to that. I thought we were above average spending 40-50 vacation days a year in WDW.

 

[DaisyD]

No, I can honestly say, I've never seen coffee added to my bill. We usually look at the bill, since my husband was a CM until recently for 8 years, we always had the gratuity added to the bill. We always have to check to make sure it is there and do take a look at the bill. I'm impressed that you have had 1,000 meals a year at WDW....wow. Even going to WDW 6 times a year, we can't come anywhere close to that. I thought we were above average spending 40-50 vacation days a year in WDW.

We spend the night at least 30 nights a year at WDW and have been doing that for 10 years. We never leave the place so all 3 meals a day are eaten there. Before that we went to WDW once a year for 2 weeks each trip and did that since the first year it opened. So I'd say we are closer to 2000 meals and they were all good! LOL!

 

[n2mm]

We spend the night at least 30 nights a year at WDW and have been doing that for 10 years. We never leave the place so all 3 meals a day are eaten there. Before that we went to WDW once a year for 2 weeks each trip and did that since the first year it opened. So I'd say we are closer to 2000 meals and they were all good! LOL!

OK, I thought a year....a lifetime, that is understandable. We too spend alot of nights a year in WDW. So lifetime we are probably about the same number too. We always go 2 weeks in May and 2 weeks in October and 1 week in early February. Then there are the extra last minute trips (airfare specials, free dining, special occassions, any excuse). Since hubby stopped being a CM (will miss those 50% and 60% room discounts), I promised to cut way back and am down to only 4 trips a year now. I can honestly say, as for meals in WDW, we have had good and we have had bad. We have added new ones to our list and removed favorites. Not as lucky as you guys.

Since my post is causing this thread to go off topic (OT). I won't post on this thread again. Been around the disboards for a long time (almost 5,000 post now), so don't want to upset the moderators. Sorry moderators for going on OT.

 

[Lewisc]

Last year a few restaurants charged when I had coffee with dessert although most didn't. I don't think I'd call it petty but I was surprised. Most restaurants that include drinks with a meal let you switch from soda with your main course to coffee with dessert. Buffets, all inclusive resorts and price fixed dinners generally let you order coffee with dessert without paying an additional charge.

Come to think of it I guess petty is a good way to describe it. Disney doesn't really have any entrée restrictions and is still letting guests use "child" credits to purchase adult meals. I guess they have to find some ways to adjust.

 

[jjohnson]

I appreciated the update on the dining plan

As to add-ons if you get them great..toss it up to but no they shouldn't be expected.

 

[BCV23]

n2mm, we're probably around the 2000 count as well but I never knew that the WDW restaurants were so generous with coffee. I really think that is extra pixie dust. Coffee is relatively expensive these days too especially compared to soft drinks. To me it makes sense to charge extra when the plan is already so generous. But I can understand why it seems petty to you when it is such a change in your experience.

And it is good to know.

 

[Lewisc]

I doubt the instant Nescafe stuff that Disney serves us is very expensive. Disney allows guests unlimited coffee with the refillable mug program. Even so a guest has the option of just getting coffee during the entire meal with free refills. If the coffee was expensive Disney should want to allow guests to start with soda, which costs Disney next to nothing.

It's not a big deal, I guess petty is the best way to describe it.

n2mm, we're probably around the 2000 count as well but I never knew that the WDW restaurants were so generous with coffee. I really think that is extra pixie dust. Coffee is relatively expensive these days too especially compared to soft drinks. To me it makes sense to charge extra when the plan is already so generous. But I can understand why it seems petty to you when it is such a change in your experience.

And it is good to know.

 

[BCV23]

I doubt the instant Nescafe stuff that Disney serves us is very expensive. Disney allows guests unlimited coffee with the refillable mug program. Even so a guest has the option of just getting coffee during the entire meal with free refills. If the coffee was expensive Disney should want to allow guests to start with soda, which costs Disney next to nothing.

It's not a big deal, I guess petty is the best way to describe it.

Kona doesn't serve Nescafe. It serves Kona or a Kona blend. That is not inexpensive especially as compared to soft drinks as I already noted. And that is one of the restaurants where n2mm had to pay OOP.

For that matter, do any of us really know if ANY restaurants still use the Nescafe? I know the BCV Marketplace uses brewed coffee as the grinder is right next to the brewer. And yes, you can use the mugs for brewed coffee.

And of course a guest has the option of drinking coffee throughout the meal.
It is ordering a second different beverage that is the exclusion. Reasonable to me.

And I imagine WDW does enjoy the extra revenue when guests order cokes instead of coffee.