Changes in interpretation of Dining Plan?

[michellex2]

10-2 I am not sure if this has always been but at Chef Micley's last night we were not able to pay OOP for our dd's buffet. We HAD to use the dining plan. The manager reconfirmed this.

9/28 Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki This was the only disappointing meal. The waitress was not very pleasant and the food choices were fair. We were only allowed to have the salad for app and only allowed ice cream for desert.

I was reviewing the official Disney brochure for the dining plan. Here's what it says re: Character Dining: "The Disney Dining Plan can be used for character dining experiences. Your server will redeem one (1) Table Service Meal for each person participating in the character dining experience." Regarding Signature Restaurant Dining and Dinner Show Dining, it also says, "Your server will redeem two (2) Table Service meals for each person dining at a Signature Restaurant [Dinner Show]." There is no statement made re: the number of meals deducted for regular table service or counter service meals according to the number of people in the party. So, if I'm reading this correctly, it seems that they would be within the description of the plan to require that the requisite number of table service meals be deducted for the number of people "participating" in a character meal or "dining" at a signature restaurant. There is nothing stated, however, in any of the literature that would indicate that food choices would be notably restricted such as the reviewer at Teppanyaki experienced. Has anyone else experienced very restrictive limits as to what could be ordered off of the menu?

Has anyone recently shared a meal at a signature restaurant? I was planning on doing so at CG and at Jiko as my mother is frail, elderly and a very light eater, but enjoys nice settings and good food, just not very much of it. I had planned to tip extra, but 2 meals would be simply WAY too much food. I wonder now if that will be a problem.

If anyone has RECENT experience with sharing meals at a signature restaurant while on the dining plan I'd love to hear input, as I may need to redo my plans if this is no longer allowed.

 

[lonegungirl]

I was there from 9/19-9/26 and shared meals at California Grill and Artist Point. At the CG the server initially thought we couldn't share, but then went and asked someone and was told that we could. At Artist's Point, there wasn't any problem.

I don't know if the buffets or shows are different, but there seems to be a great deal of variability as to how the dining plan rules are interpreted. It generally seems to depend on the cast member you encounter.

 

[Lewisc]

There is nothing stated, however, in any of the literature that would indicate that food choices would be notably restricted such as the reviewer at Teppanyaki experienced. Has anyone else experienced very restrictive limits as to what could be ordered off of the menu?

I didn't look up the post you quoted but children are required to order off the children's menu and I suspect that's what the post is referring to.

 

[sherry]

Hi, My dh and I were at Teppanyaki last week and we were told, one appetizer, one entree, and ice cream. I told her what I had experienced when another couple had the dining plan in June, they were able to add on more entree instead of an appetizer and they could select any dessert, she said it was no longer this way. This was our least favorite restaurant of our 5 days.

 

[eeyore45]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I intrepreted the Origianal CM "no" was that the OP wanted to pay "out of pocket" for the child, and was told "no"... not about appetizers, or child menus, not about credits for a buffet etc...

Many of us have planned to pay "Out of our own pocket" instead of using the Disney Dining Plan, for example we're going to a 2 TS place, where my child will eat NOTHING!! So, I will feed her before hand, and just pay out of pocket for french fries, and a dessert... I will also bring some activities to keep her quiet during the meal, and I could be wrong, but we'll find out next Wednesday!!

 

[pennyplanner]

Michellex2,

If you have any doubts, you could call ahead to the restaurants and simply ask. You have an extraordinary case, ie. your mom's frail condition and very small appetite. I just can't imagine you will not be allowed to do this. I think it's great to think of the wait staff with an extra tip. I hope you get some of the best WDW has to offer.

Aren't you lovely for taking your mom to Disney!

--penny

 

[lucincia]

We have a package+dining for our Nov/Dec trip. Most of our meals are character buffet meals (for the kids), so we'll end up using the dining plan on the kids on those. My wife and I are going to Artist Point (using the kids' TS credit), but the kids will be with in-room sitting, so no issue there. The only possible issue is the TS on our last night. We will be out of TS credits for the kids so will be paying OOP for them. They have to let us since we will be out of TS credits!

If possible, move your meals with OOP to the end of your trip. Use the 2 credits signature meals in the beginning. This way, if Disney changes their rules along the way, you can still "abuse" the system