Eww . . . I'm not eating that!

[centurythree]

What happens in this scenario: You're on the DDP or Deluxe DDP and sit down to eat. Someone in your party looks at the menu and sees absolutely nothing that they're interested in eating.

Can they bring in something from a nearby counter service, even if that means that they have to use a credit at the TS and pay out of pocket for the CS meal?

I'm referring specifically to the Garden Grill at Epcot. I think that this would be a great arrival night experience for our group (two first-timers and myself, a "Disney vet"), but I just can't get into the menu. The other two think the menu sounds great. I can fix the dessert issue by just ordering a cake, but the type of food GG serves is just not something I'm interested in. However, I can always find something down at Sunshine Seasons.

Would they let me bring something up from Sunshine Seasons for myself? As I said, I have no problem spending the credit at GG and paying OOP for Sunshine Seasons.

Anyone ever been in this situation? How was it handled?

 

[mom2aredhead]

What would you do at home? If your family was going to a seafood restaurant for dinner and you didn't like fish, would think it was OK to walk in the restaurant with a Taco Bell bag and sit at the table with everyone?

If it was for a kid, I would say maybe...But for an adult, my opinion would be to eat your CS meal before or after your ADR at Garden Grill, then just let the server know you will not be eating. Although that may get tricky since Garden Grill is family style - so you'll probably still have to blow the TS credit.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

What happens in this scenario: You're on the DDP or Deluxe DDP and sit down to eat. Someone in your party looks at the menu and sees absolutely nothing that they're interested in eating.

Can they bring in something from a nearby counter service, even if that means that they have to use a credit at the TS and pay out of pocket for the CS meal?

I'm referring specifically to the Garden Grill at Epcot. I think that this would be a great arrival night experience for our group (two first-timers and myself, a "Disney vet"), but I just can't get into the menu. The other two think the menu sounds great. I can fix the dessert issue by just ordering a cake, but the type of food GG serves is just not something I'm interested in. However, I can always find something down at Sunshine Seasons.

Would they let me bring something up from Sunshine Seasons for myself? As I said, I have no problem spending the credit at GG and paying OOP for Sunshine Seasons.

Anyone ever been in this situation? How was it handled?

Honestly, if I were you, I would either tell them to suck it up and eat what's on the menu, or go someplace else to eat. I cannot imagine that it would be ok to bring in food from another place. Think of it this way, if you were eating at Olive Garden, would it be ok to bring in a bad from KFC into the restaurant??

 

[centurythree]

Honestly, if I were you, I would either tell them to suck it up and eat what's on the menu, or go someplace else to eat. I cannot imagine that it would be ok to bring in food from another place. Think of it this way, if you were eating at Olive Garden, would it be ok to bring in a bad from KFC into the restaurant??

If Olive Garden and KFC were owned and operated by the same company (they aren't, of course) and in the same building, yes I would.

 

[mom2aredhead]

If Olive Garden and KFC were owned and operated by the same company (they aren't, of course) and in the same building, yes I would.

So then you already decided it's OK to do.
Enjoy.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I wouldn't do it at a place like that, at least not for an adult. I'm not sure the server would like it either. You would be taking up a table for x number of people but less people are actually buying dinner, thus lowering the amount of the bill and the tip. I would think the server would rather not have you taking up a space and put your party at a smaller table.

We looked at all of the menus before making our ADRs. If there wasn't something that everyone would eat, we didn't go there.

 

[centurythree]

So then you already decided it's OK to do.
Enjoy.

It's not a question of whether or not I think "it's OK to do." I'm asking if it would be allowed at all.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

If Olive Garden and KFC were owned and operated by the same company (they aren't, of course) and in the same building, yes I would.

Ok, so the point of your question was????

 

[centurythree]

I wouldn't do it at a place like that, at least not for an adult. I'm not sure the server would like it either. You would be taking up a table for x number of people but less people are actually buying dinner, thus lowering the amount of the bill and the tip. I would think the server would rather not have you taking up a space and put your party at a smaller table.

This would actually be a real concern of mine, since if there's one thing I can't stand it's people trying to figure out ways to stiff servers. I would be willing to spend the dining credit and tip off of the resulting total bill, which would leave the server in the same position as if I had eaten there. The restaurant as a whole benefits as well, since they only have to provide food for two while taking in revenue for three.

We looked at all of the menus before making our ADRs. If there wasn't something that everyone would eat, we didn't go there.

That's what we've done as well. Right now we have our reservations set at Coral Reef for our arrival night, but I was just thinking of this option as another possibility.

 

[centurythree]

Ok, so the point of your question was????

Original Post:

What happens in this scenario: You're on the DDP or Deluxe DDP and sit down to eat. Someone in your party looks at the menu and sees absolutely nothing that they're interested in eating.

Can they bring in something from a nearby counter service, even if that means that they have to use a credit at the TS and pay out of pocket for the CS meal?

I'm referring specifically to the Garden Grill at Epcot. I think that this would be a great arrival night experience for our group (two first-timers and myself, a "Disney vet"), but I just can't get into the menu. The other two think the menu sounds great. I can fix the dessert issue by just ordering a cake, but the type of food GG serves is just not something I'm interested in. However, I can always find something down at Sunshine Seasons.

Would they let me bring something up from Sunshine Seasons for myself? As I said, I have no problem spending the credit at GG and paying OOP for Sunshine Seasons.

Anyone ever been in this situation? How was it handled?

Post immediately prior to yours:

It's not a question of whether or not I think "it's OK to do." I'm asking if it would be allowed at all.

 

[mom2aredhead]

It's not a question of whether or not I think "it's OK to do." I'm asking if it would be allowed at all.

I guess since all of your responses are reasons why it should be allowed, and how you would make it ok by taking care of the server, using a TS credit, etc. it sounds like you've already rationalized that it won't be a problem.

That being said, I do not think that there is specifically a policy that prohibits outside food from being brought into restaurants because Disney is a place that accommodates families and if there is a toddler munching cheerios and sipping a juice cup while his parents eat dinner, that shouldn't be banned.

I do not recall seeing a sign outside Garden Grill saying "no outside food and beverages" like they have at movie theaters or sports arenas. So is it technically "allowed" - maybe. But i would think that an adult could find something on the menu that they wouldn't be "grossed out" by, or make other arrangements for dinner rather than carting in a bag of food from somewhere else.

 

[beroh2253]

We always look at the menus before booking an ADR and in most cases know what we are going to order before we go in.

 

[Tricia1972]

I believe that if you google Garden Grill (or look at the Cake thread) you can probably find their phone number.

I would just call and ask a manager if it's allowed or not. It's entirely possible that the chef may even be able to accommodate you in some way (not use certain sauces, etc). It never hurts to ask.

 

[LadyOmega]

Is it a matter of time? It seems to me like it would be much less hassle, since you're comfortable using the TS credit anyway, to just sit and eat a few bites up at GG with your friends, then take your cake down to SS and have it there while you eat your CS. If your willing to sit with your friends during their meal, I'm sure they'll do the same for you. But like I said, if it's a matter of not wanting to take up time for 2 seperate meals, I really know of no "rule" that says you can't take your meal in with you, as long as you are also using your TS as you plan to. Still not sure they would actually "allow" it though.....the restaurant itself is probably the only one who could answer that for sure.

 

[centurythree]

I believe that if you google Garden Grill (or look at the Cake thread) you can probably find their phone number.

I would just call and ask a manager if it's allowed or not. It's entirely possible that the chef may even be able to accommodate you in some way (not use certain sauces, etc). It never hurts to ask.

I think I will, thanks Tricia.

 

[wdwmaw]

I believe that if you google Garden Grill (or look at the Cake thread) you can probably find their phone number.

I would just call and ask a manager if it's allowed or not. It's entirely possible that the chef may even be able to accommodate you in some way (not use certain sauces, etc). It never hurts to ask.

We have done this for a couple of years. When my kids turned 10 and started ordering off of the adult menu every place accomodated them graciously. If you call ahead then the resturant can be more flexable, just ask to speak to the chef and tell him what you will eat. GG is a wonderful resturant and very mild, very fresh and a great viriety. I would think with the CS being in the same building GG Chef could work somthing out so that you would not have to carry somthing in.

Let everyone know how this turns out for you. Very informative for others that might have the same question.I am sure people bypass lots of great places because there is allways one that would not be happy.

 

[pilferk]

I'm not sure about Garden Grill, specifically, but I can think of 2 seperate occasions at 2 seperate restaurants (one in Epcot, one in MK) where I saw someone doing what you're proposing. Nobody even said "boo" to them, that I saw, and in the MK scenario, they were sitting right next to us. I would almost definitely have noticed.

The only difference (and I don't see how it would matter, since you're using the credits/paying for the CS) is that they were consuming food from both the Sit down they were at, AND the CS they brought food in from (for example: At MK, they came into CP with a couple of hot dogs from Casey's Corner...which they ate in ADDITION to the buffet at CP). I'm also not sure if they were on any of the incarnations of the DP....I didn't ask..but again, I can't imagine that detail would matter.

 

[centurythree]

Ok, I found the number for the Garden Grill on the Cake Thread as Tricia suggested. I spoke with the hostess, and here's what she said:

* As far as she knows, it is not possible to bring in food from Sunshine Seasons. (I didn't ask about using a "extra" dining credit at GG, because of another option I thought of--)

* However, it is possible for an adult to order a kid's plate instead of eating from the adult option, as long as the kid's meal is charged as an adult table service.

I'm always up for some chicken fingers, so the kid's meal sounds great to me!

 

[Tricia1972]

Fantastic news! So glad that it's going to work out for you.

 

[kimis]

I will tell you about my dh and myself. My dh loves everything----fish, vegtables, anything. I however am very simple and basic. I like steak, chicken, potatoes and the plain stuff. We always do the dining plan and last Feb we did the DxDDP.
I always find something to eat and it is always good. We both are happy. He can eat all the fish he wants and I can have steak or chicken. He likes the fancier desserts and I like the chocolate cake.
There is enough of a variety that all should be happy.