Marakesh? Dining Plan Limitations?

[Moeluv4u7]

Okay I had to start a new thread here for this one- It seems the header for the otehr thread may not be clear...

The question,
Are there any entree items at Marakesh NOT available to Dining Plan? It was said by one poster that they believed that the Royal Feast was available to reg DDP w/ an upcharge- Can anyone confirm that for me- Or tell me where I can find that info? Also, Are there any other menu items at other restraunts that are not available to DDP?
I know the Kitchen Sink is not a DDP item- what about other places?

Can someone who has had this experience specifically at Marakesh chime in here and anyone at all that can point me to the "law" of unavailable menu items? I would be very greatful!

 

[ConnieB]

I don't think I've ever seen an OFFICIAL list of exclusions, with the exception of "lobster entrees".

I have read a couple times that the feast at Marakkesh can be had by basic dining folks for an additional charge of "about $5" because it includes an appetizer. Given that the appetizers are $5.95 but there are two of them listed, it would make more sense for it to be more like $10 in other words paying for them both, but perhaps because it's a sampler plate it's not a "full" serving of an appetizer, so both appetizer together equal the value of a single appetizer ala carte?

Most times you won't know for sure until you talk to your server, because we've all seen the threads where today's CM said no, but last week someone else was allowed to order the item denied today. It's the Disney way,

If it's a decision that will make or break your dining there, you might try calling the restaurant directly and asking them. You still run the chance of today's CM saying yes, but the one you encounter to order saying no, but at least you'll have as close to an official word as you're likely to get!

 

[George69]

Hi. According to the Dining Plan Rest. List from Disney World Site..Marakesh is not even on the dining plan as of 2009. I think quite a few are missing compared to 2007.

 

[GailT]

When I mad my reservations for lunch on Dec 24 I was told one table serve for this resturant, I hope that is right

 

[kellyg403]

I also made a reservation here for Dec 9. Also told it was on the dining plan. DH has always wanted to eat here but the kids are not adventurous enough to waste credits here. So, dh and I are doing adults only and it was the place he chose to go to. I think it might be the belly dancers but he swears its the food!

I know that in years past, alot of rest. looked like they were not going to be on the dining plan and then by the time Jan rolled around they were. I think I remember reading on another thread that a complete listing isn't available until Jan. Those lists for '09 are technically incomplete and are only those "Disney" owned rest.. If I am incorrect someone else will have the correct information, but this is what I understood.

Kelly

 

[7beasley]

Hi

I just returned from Disney and we ate at Marakesh using the Basic Dining Plan on Sunday Sept 14th.

See my "Monkey Chow" dining report for the review. In summary - the meal was terrible!!!

Anyway -- everything on the menu except the Feast is part of the dining plan. With the feast - we were charged a surcharge of $5.95 per person and it was listed on our bill as a charge for a "special appetizer".

I actually called the dining line from the table because I did not think that was right and Dining line CM said no surcharges were supposed to be charged and I should complain to the manager.

As you can see in my dining report - for a host of reasons I did not complain and we just paid the surcharge.

But they are sneaky there -- they charge you the cost of the Feast ($43) plus the surcharge ($6) and then calculate the tip on both charges -- so basically if you pay cash the Feast costs $43 but if you are on Dining Plan the feast costs $49!

Frankly - I would skip this restaurant - it has gone way down hill!

-Nicole

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Nicole,
Thx for that tip! It doesn't make me happy but thx! LOL I am going to read your report- we were really looking forward to this restraunt and experience- I don't mind so much an upcharge if I know about it and make the decision to order that item anyway but I don't believe it should be charged to everyone at the table! I mean not if they ordered a diff entree item! My DH is also really looking forward to trying the cuisine here- I will read your report and then see...
Now, another eye opener... Is it correct that lobster meals are not part of DDP or DDxP? at $70- a person on DDxP you would think ordering lobster onenight would be the only way to make it worth it! Can someone verify this?

 

[TDC Nala]

There is no official list of exclusions on these boards that comes from Disney or any of the owners/operators of WDW restaurants. All we can do is list the exclusions that are reported by other posters. The only way to make sure is probably to either call the restaurant directly (not through WDW DINE) and ask - or ask when you get there. The restaurants will set their own rules (especially if they are not owned or operated by Disney) and WDW DINE is probably not the place to ask about a specific restaurant's policies.

Marrakesh apparently can and does charge an upcharge for its multicourse fixed price meals for guests on basic dining. You are not supposed to have an appetizer included in basic dining, therefore they are taking the tack of charging you for the appetizer rather than taking the multicourse meal off the menu or excluding it from basic dining altogether.

Marrakesh is not on the 2009 list because it is not owned or operated by Disney. Those restaurants are added only after their contracts for DDP participation are finalized.

RE lobster - as far as I recall of all the dining plan restaurants, only Cap'n Jack's and Narcoosee's serve lobster, and it is available on the dining plan at both restaurants. Before Teppanyaki was changed to Teppan Edo, they had a lobster entree but excluded it from the dining plan. Now, Teppan Edo does not have any lobster on the menu at all.

 

[disneyin2008]

Hi. According to the Dining Plan Rest. List from Disney World Site..Marakesh is not even on the dining plan as of 2009. I think quite a few are missing compared to 2007.

Don't fret to much about it....when the 2008 list came out there were a lot of them missing as well......and then in late December many started getting added. I think it has to do with the contracts between the countries/restaurants and Disney not being final when Disney starts putting out the first brochures.

I can't remember which restaurant now (which is really funny given how monumental it all seemed at the time) but there was one of the more famous ones that wasn't listed and people were just going nuts about it!

Over the next several months they'll start getting added back in.....Morroco would be nuts to exclude their only TS menu from the dining plan, it would cut into their business big time I would think since a lot of people are willing to try something new like this because they have the dining plan.

I know it's hard, but be patient!

 

[Freyja]

Hi

I just returned from Disney and we ate at Marakesh using the Basic Dining Plan on Sunday Sept 14th.

See my "Monkey Chow" dining report for the review. In summary - the meal was terrible!!!

Anyway -- everything on the menu except the Feast is part of the dining plan. With the feast - we were charged a surcharge of $5.95 per person and it was listed on our bill as a charge for a "special appetizer".

I actually called the dining line from the table because I did not think that was right and Dining line CM said no surcharges were supposed to be charged and I should complain to the manager.

As you can see in my dining report - for a host of reasons I did not complain and we just paid the surcharge.

But they are sneaky there -- they charge you the cost of the Feast ($43) plus the surcharge ($6) and then calculate the tip on both charges -- so basically if you pay cash the Feast costs $43 but if you are on Dining Plan the feast costs $49!
Frankly - I would skip this restaurant - it has gone way down hill!

-Nicole

Sorry you had such a bad experience. Did everyone at the table need to order the Royal Feast if one person wanted to have it?
I´m pretty sure my 2 oldest (11 and 14) will not care for all that food and therefore I really can´t see us ordering 4 Royal Feasts + kids meals and paying $24 out of pocket and $40 in tips.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Thx Nala! I appreciate any info I can get here but if there is anywhere it is actually stated I would also like the ability to check out the written word as well. Your info has been very helpful! I also do know to check closer into 2009 for all restraunts available on the Dining Plan due to some not being listed yet. Will still have to decide if Marakesh is this important to us. Not even sure if the Feast would have been an option for any of us... Just nice to know what we may be facing if any of us were interested in ordering this- I think O'Hana's may be our pleasure now in it's place this time- We will see! Thx!

 

[7beasley]

Freyja -- Hi -- no - everyone does not need to order the feast. Just one person can get it. Its not all you can eat - it is one entree on the plate.

Moeluv -- Hi -- I would definately choose Ohana over Morocco -- Ohana is a great restaurant!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm sure marrakesh will be on the DP in 2009. They do this every year.

 

[George69]

Thank you for the info. I thought a lot of restaurants were missing from the 2009 list.......I will keep checking back to see how it changes as the months go by....I am glad there will be additions