Dessert and DDP

[PrincessDez]

Help!!!!! We need to call tomorrow if we want the DDP. I was wondering if anyone knew if they would allow you to get an appetizer instead of dessert? My husband is not a sweet eater, but loves a good appetizer. Does anyone know?

 

[daisyduck123]

No, they will not let you substitute.

We on occasion order an appetizer (and pay oop,) but not often. There is usually wayyy too much food anyway.

 

[hippsmom]

You cannot sub an appy for a dessert but at several places you could get a specialty coffee as your dessert. My DH is not a big sweet eater either so he exericsed this option on more than one occassion.

 

[itchin2go]

No way, Jose.

Why does Disney think everyone ends their meal with a dessert? I have dessert maybe 5 times a year, and it's not a health-conscious decision. More often than not, I'd rather fill up on the savory stuff, than to save room for dessert. Am I alone in that?

 

[storybookmum]

It's a definite draw-back to the plan, IMO. I understand either/or - I don't need to be greedy and demand both for the money, but it sure would be lovely to have a choice of one or the other.

 

[B-Ride]

It's a definite draw-back to the plan, IMO. I understand either/or - I don't need to be greedy and demand both for the money, but it sure would be lovely to have a choice of one or the other.

We would love a choice as well. Perhaps Disney's plan is to try and turn the tables over a bit quicker. If a couple of people in your party order an appetizer and a couple order a dessert the meal will probably take longer.

 

[storybookmum]

We would love a choice as well. Perhaps Disney's plan is to try and turn the tables over a bit quicker. If a couple of people in your party order an appetizer and a couple order a dessert the meal will probably take longer.

That makes sense, but also irritates me. I don't like to shovel my food in and bolt. Our TS meals are a welcome break in a long and tiring day. We like to relax. It bugs me if we feel rushed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But nobody expects you to shovel in your food and bolt (well, except maybe if your reservation starts five minutes before the restaurant closes, and you look around and realize all that's left in the entire restaurant is you and the staff, and that you've been sitting there relaxing for so long they're starting to set up for breakfast )

But the prep time for the appetizers is generally longer than that for desserts - sure, some work can be done on each in advance, but while you can bake an entire cake or thirty, and slice and refrigerate them before the restaurant opens, then plate as needed; you have to actually COOK the crab cakes only after the order has been placed.

Thus, the prep takes longer, the service takes longer. Then the consumption takes longer. If four people share two appetizers, they're not shoveling down the food - they're taking a bite, chewing, conversing, socializing, taking another bite... you're not appreciably cutting down from the time it would take four people to eat four appetizers.

Then you still have your entrees; then the two shared desserts - which are shared in a similar manner to the appetizers; bite, chew, swallow, sip, converse...

By eliminating the appetizer from the Basic Dining Plan, Disney better justifies the cost of the plan in relation to the table turnover time in any given restaurant - and so the number of parties that can be accommodated. DDP Guests who pay for appetizers on their own are certainly entitled to spend their own additional money on additional items - Disney rarely says "no" to taking more of our money

And the additional cost of the Deluxe DDP apparently justifies - again, to Disney - the inclusion of the appetizer both in terms of cost and table turnover time.

 

[storybookmum]

I see your point - I think the ungodly expense of the DxDDP should justify just about ANYTHING...but I still can't help but wish I had a choice. I quite understand I'm not LIKELY to get my choice. I may be affected by the knowledge that it used to be included. Nobody likes losing options, do they?

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I really wish we had a choice on the regular DDP. If we did, then DH and I would share an appetizer and a dessert and get the best of both worlds. But then I'm sure Disney planned this all out knowing that if they don't include the appetizer then if people want one, they'll have to pay OOP for it. Maybe things will eventually change.

 

[squirrel]

You can always ask for some fruit. You can take your dessert to go and eat it later.

 

[PrincessDez]

Thanks to everyone for the great info. I found out through the wonderful guy at the Yacht Club concierge I don't have to book the DDP until tomorrow. So, I took some time and looked at a lot of menus online and figured out if we don't eat dessert (which we usually don't), we would end up losing money on the plan. But then again, dessert is a nice luxury every now and then!!! And it was so nice not to have to worry about paying for meals last time we were there. AUGH!!! I HATE making decisions...................
Keep talking, I am listening.............
This is why

 

[squirrel]

How much do you figure you will save?

Do you have any children on the DP, that might want a real dessert? Kids' 3-9 don't get much in the way of dessert at CS. Remember you get a dessert at TS and CS if it's lunch or dinner.

 

[Pumbaa_]

here's 2 more things to consider. Are you staying concierge? They have so many offerings that can supplement your meals - having both concierge and DDP may be a tad much

the other thing to consider is what if you don't feel like eating a meal or someone is under the weather.

Desserts are nice, but if you don't have them that often, can you handle them at every single meal? (I couldn't would make me sick after a couple days)

Whatever you decide, it will be fine! You are going to Disney!

 

[PrincessDez]

How much do you figure you will save?

Do you have any children on the DP, that might want a real dessert? Kids' 3-9 don't get much in the way of dessert at CS. Remember you get a dessert at TS and CS if it's lunch or dinner.

They are the reason it is soooo expensive. They are both 'adults'. My older DS(14) eats like a bird! He also doesn't like desserts. My other DS(12) eats better but still not a huge dessert eater.

here's 2 more things to consider. Are you staying concierge? They have so many offerings that can supplement your meals - having both concierge and DDP may be a tad much

the other thing to consider is what if you don't feel like eating a meal or someone is under the weather.

Desserts are nice, but if you don't have them that often, can you handle them at every single meal? (I couldn't would make me sick after a couple days)

Whatever you decide, it will be fine! You are going to Disney!

We are staying concierge. That is why I am having such a hard time deciding! I am afraid it will be way too much food.......

 

[squirrel]

I think it will be too much food then.

I found that it was a lot in September when we went for Free Dining. I was able to share with my niece a lot.

I think it might be easier to get a Disney Gift Card and put money on it and just use it to pay. With all the free food in the concierge lounge, breakfast should be covered-unless you want to do a TS breakfast. I think they do food in the afternoon-early evening too. Never had concierge service.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I see your point

You do? Really? Would you be my new best friend? Please? It does not matter in the least that or whether you disagree with me - you see my point!!! I would be willing to get into a spirited discussion on any topic with you, any time - and I would not even always have to be right (contrary to the impression some people on the DIS seem to have of me )

I do see your point about not liking having one's options reduced - it annoys us because we have used the DDP through various changes; Disney probably realizes (hopes?) that by continuing to market to new clientele, they will increase the number of visitors who cannot miss what they never experienced?

the other thing to consider is what if you don't feel like eating a meal or someone is under the weather

Ah, yes. I had originally booked Future Stay in 2007 for 2008, but my brother 'convinced' me to use some of his DVC points instead - so I opted not to purchase any Dining Plan - despite an apparently relatively hard-sell on the part of MS (at least that's the impression I got, from what he quoted me). As it turns out, I just plain wasn't hungry on that trip. I would have wasted a LOT of food.

I did end up eating a couple of meals at Le Cellier - one with some DISers, one consisting of just a couple of appetizers and the Chocolate Moose - and attended some of the free cooking demos, but I truly just did not feel like eating.

They are the reason it is soooo expensive. They are both 'adults'. My older DS(14) eats like a bird!

Psst! Birds peck all day, and many eat between half and all of their body weight each day

I think it might be easier to get a Disney Gift Card and put money on it and just use it to pay

And that is what I did - a $300 card for nine nights, and except for paying cash for tips, I used just the GC to pay for anything I bought - except my very last day's last purchase, which was a Disney tote bag at World of Disney. I used up the balance of the GC, then paid the difference with my debit card.

 

[storybookmum]

You do? Really? Would you be my new best friend? Please? It does not matter in the least that or whether you disagree with me - you see my point!!! I would be willing to get into a spirited discussion on any topic with you, any time - and I would not even always have to be right (contrary to the impression some people on the DIS seem to have of me )

Ok, you're my new best friend.

 

[RMulieri]

I doubt they will ever give the option...I loved the old dp too.But it is gone and not likely to return since there is the deluxe plan if you want the appys.Seriously, it did not affect me at all last trip(which was my first under the new plan)If I wanted an appy( which was not often) I paid oop for it. Was it nicer when it was included...sure.But hey change happens and you can either learn to embrace it,and enjoy yourself or sit and grumble about how unfair it is.

 

[Sandisw]

DDP aside, do you plan on eating TS every night?

We did it last time and this time, are trying the QSDP. We liked the TS meals, but am not sure that I like to be tied down every night. Some of the ADR's we had were after 7:00 pm (we were there during Free Dining in August). A few times we were done with the park and would have preferred to just go back to the room, get something quick, and relax. But we had to stay at the park because we had the reservation. We even called to see if there was anything early somewhere else, and there was not so we were stuck. My 20 year old DS can eat a lot. Even if we decide to do TS meal OOP, the extra CS meals will not go to waste since we will use them for breakfast instead.

If you are doing CL, and your children are not big eaters, I might opt out of it this time. Remember, in addition to the extra cost of dessert (you may not really want), you are incurring a tip as well--that will probably add at least $20.00 - $40 to the cost each day with your family of 4.