Dessert Only - Just Turned Down by WDW-DINE!!!

[ArRzrbk]

I just got off the phone with WDW-DINE to make Priority Seating at the Yachtsman Steakhouse to have dinner with DH on our one night out without the kids. I was told it was an "upscale" restaurant for dinner, and that maybe I would like to go to a bakeshop! I told the man I didn't realize I had to eat dinner to get dessert there, and he again told me it was upscale. I was not given a PS.

Has anyone else had this issue? I want a fancy dessert, but I don't want dinner. The Steakhouse's dessert menu looked great! I don't want a bakeshop item. I guess I will call again tomorrow and just not mention I want dessert only. Or, will they make us get up from the table when we get there to dine? Your advice, suggestions, and thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Lewisc]

Having been told the restaurant doesn't want dessert only PS I think it would be rude to call them back to make a ps when you intend to only have dessert. The restaurant is staffed for dinner business.

I suspect if you get there after the dinner rush they'll be happy to seat you for coffee and dessert but it's really not fair to the other guests to tie up a table during the dinner rush. Disney doesn't have table minimums but if too many people abuse the system that's exactly what they'll have to do.

 

[Aimeedyan]

My mom made PS for CG one evening, late, for dessert, and when they showed up for their PS, they were told they would not be seated unless eating a meal... they were able to sit at the bar, however, and able to order dessert and drinks there. But not at a table.

I would not take take a chance of being seated for dessert only, now that you know their stance on it. That would be extremely embarassing if they held to it once you were seated.

This was at 9:30pm when my mom made hers, but Wishes was around that time, so they were not willing to give up tables for less expensive dining options... which is understandable, esp for waitstaff who depend upon tips. My mom was upset she wasn't told that when making a PS, and it was told when she arrived, so I guess it's good they told you upfront.

Sorry =(

I might stop in late at night to see if they can accomodate you.

 

[CEDmom]

I'd go ahead and call tomorrow to make a PS then see if you could get the phone number of the restaurant and call them ahead of time to see if it would be a problem to just have dessert. I'm sure the restaurant will be very accomodating. Enjoy.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Good point, Lewisc, but the man didn't act like it was a policy. It came off as his opinon, and he was very rude about it. I was left feeling like he thought I didn't know what "upscale" meant, and I most certainly do. I will consider your advice though. I still think it is worth another call, as CEDmom suggested, to see if this is a "rule" or just a CM's "bad day." Any other thoughts or experiences?

 

[Princess Glenda]

I posted a similar question a couple of weeks ago about making a PS for dessert at CRT. Later, I called and talked to a wonderful CM who said "no problem" and made a note on my reservation that we would be having dessert only. I'd try calling again and see what another CM says. It couldn't hurt to ask someone else.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Princess, where did you dine? In case we end up having to switch restaurants. Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

They might possibly refuse to seat you for dessert only if it's busy.

What you are very welcome to do is to take a table at the Crew's Cup right next door where you can order anything on the YSH menu They'll be more than happy to accomodate you for dessert only.

Anne

 

[Philly81]

Just curious, what time were you trying to get the ps for at the Yachtsman?

 

[Lewisc]

Good point, Lewisc, but the man didn't act like it was a policy. It came off as his opinon, and he was very rude about it. I was left feeling like he thought I didn't know what "upscale" meant, and I most certainly do. I will consider your advice though. I still think it is worth another call, as CEDmom suggested, to see if this is a "rule" or just a CM's "bad day." Any other thoughts or experiences?

Suppose half of the restaurant was taken up by people who only want to order dessert? Suppose people decided CG would be a great place to watch fireworks, just order coffee and dessert? Perhaps he was rude about it and perhaps Disney may be willing to accommodate you but I think it's rude to tie up a table that would otherwise be used by someone who wants to have dinner. I think showing up AFTER the dinner rush, when you're not tyeing up a table that would be otherwise used by a dinner guest is a much fairer way to do what you want.

People go to a diner or coffee shop for coffee and dessert. People go to an upscale restaurant for dinner.

I'm sure if you call enough times you'll find a CM that will make your dessert only reservation but I think that's rude.

 

[Philly81]

Suppose half of the restaurant was taken up by people who only want to order dessert? Suppose people decided CG would be a great place to watch fireworks, just order coffee and dessert? Perhaps he was rude about it and perhaps Disney may be willing to accommodate you but I think it's rude to tie up a table that would otherwise be used by someone who wants to have dinner. I think showing up AFTER the dinner rush, when you're not tyeing up a table that would be otherwise used by a dinner guest is a much fairer way to do what you want.

People go to a diner or coffee shop for coffee and dessert. People go to an upscale restaurant for dinner.

I'm sure if you call enough times you'll find a CM that will make your dessert only reservation but I think that's rude.

I see your point Lewisc and that the restaurant doesn't know in advance how quickly their tables will turn over in a given night and doesn't want to be disappointing customers who want to have dinner (and at WDW sometimes tha's late since people are on vacation) but I doubt the OP was intending to be rude, she just knows where she would like to have dessert and is in the planning mode I would imagine. I do think that it would be best not to make a p.s. but stop by after the dinner hour has passed and see what they say. If they can't accomodate you Ann had a great idea about going next door to the Crew's Cup.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I have to say that personally I think it's weird for them to refuse to seat "dessert-only" guests or allow them to make PS...to be totally honest, until this thread it NEVER would have occurred to me to state that I only wanted dessert if making a PS. Maybe that is because I can't have dessert at all at the vast majority of places...I dunno...but that said, it's their restaurant, and their policy, and I think if they don't want you going there for just dessert, you shouldn't. They get to set the rules!
I would just go to the place a little after "regular" dinner hours, when it's likely to be thinned out, and say that you'd love to try their delicious dessert menu and have coffee, if they have space for you. I doubt they'd turn you away unless they were just totally packed.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I really can't blame a restaurant for not wanting to make reservations for dessert only. I think the WDW restaurants would be in a terrible fix during busy times of the year and/or busy times of the evening if they did so. Think about all the "dessert only" people who would be filling up dining room seats during Illuminations and Wishes. I personally would be uncomfortable about trying to pressure a restaurant into seating me if they objected.

I think Anne's suggestion re: having dessert at the Crew's Cup is excellent!

 

[Tabetha]

I'd try calling again. Having dessert in an upscale restaurant (especially if it's not at a peak time) isn't such an unusual thing.

 

[Chuck S]

I absolutely understand the CG's position on "dessert only" since folks seem to like to linger there for the fireworks.

But, Yatchman Steakhouse doesn't have any "special" event draw like that, do they? We have showed up at Concourse Steakhouse for dessert only (without a PS) and informed the greeter that we wanted dessert only and they worked us in with no problem. I do agree, though, that dessert only is probably not a good idea during the main dinner hours or during especially busy holiday crowds.

 

[eeyore0062]

I think that Anne (Ducklite) has a wonderful idea. The Crews Cup is a very nice lounge and many people frequent it for dessert and coffee after leaving Epcot after Illuminations. The decor is very similar to that of the Yachtsman, and the service is good, too.

Try the Creme de Brulee sampler... it is outstanding!

 

[crisi]

I know a lot of restaurants that won't take a "dessert only" reservation. All these restuarants will be happy to seat you in the bar and serve you dessert. Most restaurants will also be happy to package the dessert to go.

 

[disney1990]

One place you might try is the Kona Cafe. It's a great place for dessert only. Plus, they have wonderful desserts.

 

[Peter Pirate]

ducklite has the perfect solution, but as for PS's for desert only, not a chance this is right. These are restaurants not bakeries and if you want desert only take your chances as a walk in or go to a bakery.

 

[LakeAriel]

I went to the French restaurant at Epcot with my daughter just for the profiteroiles. (sp) They looked at me as though I had just sprouted a second head! I was mortified. I can understand, in retrospect, why they can't seat people for dessert. It had not occurred to me though. What they did was allow us to sit at the bar for dessert and a beverage. Frankly, I was too embarrassed to enjoy it by then.