Deluxe Dining Plan Substitution?

[Kimrlav]

Hello Everyone,

I will be heading to Disney World within the next seven days and very excited to use the Deluxe Dining plan -- upgraded from the free dining offer.

My question is: Do restaurants allow diners to substitute side items in place of an appetizer? For example, could I order the grilled cauliflower at Tiffins.

Thanks for any information!

 

[supersnoop]

Technically, no. But I bet most servers will find a way to make that work for you. You’ll likely have the most luck at Disney-owned restaurants.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My question is: Do restaurants allow diners to substitute side items in place of an appetizer? For example, could I order the grilled cauliflower at Tiffins.

I would expect no. The official Tiffins menu lists the grilled cauliflower under "Enhancements Not eligible on the Disney Dining Plan)."

 

[Kimrlav]

Thanks very much for the information!

Technically, no. But I bet most servers will find a way to make that work for you. You’ll likely have the most luck at Disney-owned restaurants.

I would expect no. The official Tiffins menu lists the grilled cauliflower under "Enhancements Not eligible on the Disney Dining Plan)."

 

[purple figment]

You'll have to ask at every restaurant. While some Disney owned restaurants might allow it or might have an alternate substitute for the appetizer (e.g. a small side salad or cup of soup), the third party restaurants are unlikely to allow it. They are reimbursed by Disney according to the rules of the dining plan so they are only reimbursed when you choose an appetizer.

 

[clutter]

However, the Enhancements are offered at Nomad Lounge along with appetizers. So they are somewhat of an equivalent, so it might happen. I'd ask if you could order an enhancement as an appetizer. You never know. That said, it was decent, but no where near as good as I was hoping.

 

[Faldred]

This will be a case-by-case situation, I'm sure, which can vary on location/server/manager/day.

Since you are technically trying to go outside plan rules, you can hope for it, but do not plan on/expect it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

However, the Enhancements are offered at Nomad Lounge along with appetizers. So they are somewhat of an equivalent, so it might happen. I'd ask if you could order an enhancement as an appetizer. You never know. That said, it was decent, but no where near as good as I was hoping.

No reason enhancements shouldn't be available for individual ordering, just like appetizers.

It appears this is not what the OP is asking. They seem to wish to substitute an enhancement for an accompaniment/side. The official menu specifically addressed and refuses this.I'm

 

[DazzleT]

I reaad the no enhancements on dining plan as “the cost of these things are not part of the dining plan”, not “you can’t substitute an appetizer for one.” If it was my menu, I would probably explicitly state enhancements do not count as appetizers under ddp. I could see a waiter going either way with it- depending on what other training they have had.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

We tried to substitute the truffle Mac and cheese which is listed as a “side” at Yachtsman and weren’t able to. The server said the computer won’t recognize it as an appetizer.

ETA: it never hurts to ask though if that’s what you’d rather have. Things can always change and they can vary from restaurant to restaurant.

 

[Kimrlav]

Thanks for the information!

 

[Kimrlav]

We tried to substitute the truffle Mac and cheese which is listed as a “side” at Yachtsman and weren’t able to. The server said the computer won’t recognize it as an appetizer.

ETA: it never hurts to ask though if that’s what you’d rather have. Things can always change and they can vary from restaurant to restaurant.

Thanks for the information!

 

[Valerie C]

I reaad the no enhancements on dining plan as “the cost of these things are not part of the dining plan”, not “you can’t substitute an appetizer for one.” If it was my menu, I would probably explicitly state enhancements do not count as appetizers under ddp. I could see a waiter going either way with it- depending on what other training they have had.

I’ve had some luck getting substitutions on the dining plan. As everyone else said, it will depend on the restaurant and the waiter. You can try, but don’t plan on it.