Just Desserts?

[dizneekim]

Has anyone ever made a late PS at the castle (or anywhere else) to do dessert only? I asked the cm when I made my PS for last trip, and he said, "Well, I guess so; no one has ever asked me before." We ended up cancelling as Spectro was not running that night. Thought it might be a good way to save some $$$ and see some new places?

 

[Skylarr29]

Well I have never done this but I think it is a great idea and I was thinking of doing this once or twice in sept. By the time you eat a meal you are so full!!! ANd I love to have dessert but never have any room and hate that stuffed to the gills feeling. I say eat dinner wait a while and eat dessert.

 

[aubriee]

Someone posted this same question on the boards a couple of months ago. I believe though that they wanted to do a PS at California Grill for desserts and was told this was frowned upon, because it takes a table away from someone who would order a full meal. In fact she and her daughter was turned away from California Grill or else was offered a place at the bar to order dessert. I forget which. Anyway someone said they were turned away and someone else said they were offered the bar, but refused a table. Of course the castle doesn't have a bar. so that wouldn't be an answer for you. You might want to do a search to find that thread as there was quite a few responses on it and the general consensus was that you could not order just dessert at the nicer, more popular restaraunts.

 

[scrump]

We like to do this. As you mentioned, it allows us to sample different ambiences without having to pay for a full meal. We definitely go during off-peak hours, and we notify the CM before we're seated. I even give them a timeframe ("we'll only be 20 minutes" or whatever), and we try and we tip a little extra. I've never had a problem. I would never go during busy times, as I do feel that the table is better reserved for parties ordering full meals.

 

[dizneekim]

Thanks, all! I agree, I wouldn't want to keep a table from a family having a full meal, so off-peak and an extra tip sound reasonable. Trying to sample as much of the magic as we can...without being too bloated or broke! One full sit down meal a day is enough for us.

 

[dragonstarr]

I have a slight problem with this. First of all, why would you even feel that it's necessary to tell them you are only coming in for dessert? Maybe you planned on going for a meal, but ended up eating a late lunch, or were just not that hungry, but still wanted the dining experience. I mean, either way, they are getting money from you and if they dared try to turn me away just because I wanted dessert, there would be a problem. I'm sorry, but I don't think that you are taking away anything from anyone just because you only want dessert.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have a slight problem with this. First of all, why would you even feel that it's necessary to tell them you are only coming in for dessert? Maybe you planned on going for a meal, but ended up eating a late lunch, or were just not that hungry, but still wanted the dining experience. I mean, either way, they are getting money from you and if they dared try to turn me away just because I wanted dessert, there would be a problem. I'm sorry, but I don't think that you are taking away anything from anyone just because you only want dessert.

my mom and sister were turned away from California Grill because they were only ordering dessert - this was at 930 at night. The waitstaff lose tons of money on a table if you just order a couple of $7 desserts, compared to a dinner of around $75. Esp at a popular restaurant that has a great view or atmosphere. They ordered at the bar instead.

In some places this might not be a problem but they have told people they cannot have a table if not ordering a meal at some restaurants. It makes sense, esp if you wait tables. You def are taking away from someone.

I would try it at slow season, or during offhours.

 

[HaleyB]

I have a slight problem with this. First of all, why would you even feel that it's necessary to tell them you are only coming in for dessert? Maybe you planned on going for a meal, but ended up eating a late lunch, or were just not that hungry, but still wanted the dining experience. I mean, either way, they are getting money from you and if they dared try to turn me away just because I wanted dessert, there would be a problem. I'm sorry, but I don't think that you are taking away anything from anyone just because you only want dessert.

Please do not be offened by this response. First of all the OP was talking about times when you intended to only eat dessert from the get go. I think if one or two people in a party decide not to eat that is fine. People split meals all the time. However going with the intention of only ordering dessert is another case. I think you need to keep in mind the seating inside Disney is very limited. I doubt you have thought about it this way, but it is selfish to take up a table just for dessert when there are people waiting to be seated that want to eat. It is also unfair to the server who is given only a set number of tables. In the off season this would not be an issue except at the most popular places at the most popular hours.

Here is a solution, if it is busy: ask for a dessert to be packaged to go.

 

[Aisling]

The waitstaff lose tons of money on a table if you just order a couple of $7 desserts, compared to a dinner of around $75.

We've ordered dessert-only many times at WDW restaurants, and it was never frowned upon. This includes at the GF.
I always give a generous tip, though (well, if it's deserved), not as much as if it were a dinner, but more than an average dessert tip would be.

 

[leebee]

If I remember correctly, I think I read awhile back that California Grill had to start the "no dessert only at a table" deal because so many folks were coming in to get a table for dessert and Wishes. They were coming in early and holding the table while waiting for the show. I guess I understand this...if you are tying up a table for an hour or so, just for dessert, the waitperson really gets stiffed, tip wise.

 

[phyllis1966]

If I remember correctly, I think I read awhile back that California Grill had to start the "no dessert only at a table" deal because so many folks were coming in to get a table for dessert and Wishes. They were coming in early and holding the table while waiting for the show. I guess I understand this...if you are tying up a table for an hour or so, just for dessert, the waitperson really gets stiffed, tip wise.

This I can understand, but in most other circumstances, no one has the right, IMHO, to tell you that you can't sit at a table and order dessert only! You are a paying patron and should be treated with the same respect as people who are eating a meal.

 

[poohangel]

We are going Dec. 3-8, and wanted to go the castle for just the slipper dessert, maybe I will just have to go to 1900 park fare dinner and have one there. Will I have to call ahead of time to have one there?

 

[Sherrilatte]

The waitstaff lose tons of money on a table if you just order a couple of $7 desserts, compared to a dinner of around $75. Esp at a popular restaurant that has a great view or atmosphere.

In some places this might not be a problem but they have told people they cannot have a table if not ordering a meal at some restaurants. It makes sense, esp if you wait tables. You def are taking away from someone.

Interesting...I am going to be honest. I'm not going to plan our dining schedule around making sure the waitstaff make or lose tons of money on their tables. Believe me, it is certainly unreasonable for someone to order desserts only and sit at a table for two hours at a prime time, but if we want to have dessert and drinks only, I will not be asking the waitstaff's permission before I am seated. There is nothing I can do if they ask us to leave. Fortunately this has never been the case. No offense to the OP and any waitstaff on this board.

 

[Skylarr29]

IF YOU MAKE A PRIORITY SEATING THAN YOU HAVE JUST AS MUCH A RIGHT TO EAT DESSERT ONLY!!!!!!!! TAKING AWAY TABLES FROM PEOPLE??? PLEASE.........YOU DO A TON OF PLANNING AND DESERVE TO EAT WHERE EVER AND WHATEVER YOU WANT..(providing its not like the whole Califonia Grill or V&A"S) IF OTHER PEOPLE DONT PLAN AND CALL 90 DAYS OUT THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM FOR NOT DOING RESEARCH. I FOUND THIS SITE ON MY OWN BECAUSE I MADE IT A PRIORITY TO KNOW THE FACTS!!!!!! Flame suite on

 

[Sherrilatte]

Btw, the PS CM on WDW-DINE recommended that I make dessert reservations at EPCOT, MGM and MK as a way to try the different food experiences around Disney.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm going solo and was thinking of just doing appetizer and dessert instead of an entree, since I'm not a huge eater, and I hate wasting food. Is this frowned upon?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done this several times on solo trips and it's never been frowned on. Besides, sometimes an appetizer and dessert cost just as much as just ordering an entree with no appetizer or dessert. Some of those desserts are expensive!

 

[scrump]

To me, telling the waitstaff beforehand has nothing to do with the equality of dessert diners and full meal diners. It's more about taking the hassle out of the potential "Is that all you're ordering?" exchange, which I have gotten in full force at Le Cellier. Restaurants are all different and can have their own set of rules, whether it's no sharing, per head minimums, or their reservation system, so you might as well know before you sit down.

 

[Aimeedyan]

To me, telling the waitstaff beforehand has nothing to do with the equality of dessert diners and full meal diners. It's more about taking the hassle out of the potential "Is that all you're ordering?" exchange, which I have gotten in full force at Le Cellier. Restaurants are all different and can have their own set of rules, whether it's no sharing, per head minimums, or their reservation system, so you might as well know before you sit down.

I agree with this competely. Every restaurant is diff, and I would ask before being seated personally.

And please also remember that just because CRO suggests it, doesn't mean it's gonna fly at the restaurant of choice. MANY CRO have never even been to Florida, much less know the workings of each restaurant.

Don't stress about it - make a PS and show up and ask, easy as that! =0

 

[caribear]

Last month when we stayed at the Poly we did dessert at Kona Cafe. It was really a great way to end the evening. We ate an early dinner at O'hana then watched Wishes and the EWP from the beach. Strolled around the grounds for a little bit and then went to Kona for dessert. We did not have a PS. This was around 10pm, so the restaurant was pretty empty. We only ordered 2 desserts, but our bill was still $20. This is comparable to a person ordering a dinner and dining solo.