I am pretty concerned about some of the comments I have been reading about the dining plan on assorted threads. I have read numerous comments about children being denied any appetizer at all (none listed on the children's menu and the CM refusing to offer adult appetizers). And now, I have read that some counter service places are severely limiting what is available under the plan--Like the Morrocco CS place offering only Backlava for dessert (when they have a large selection of other desserts for cash patrons).
Other CS places are supposedly removing the better ice cream desserts, like Haagen Daas bars from the plan. It looks like the Dining Plan is becoming much more limited that what was originally offered, with higher priced items now being made "unavailable"!
Frankly, the only reason we are going in September this year is the dining deal. Without it, we wouldn't be going until late January (and we may have chosen Universal as the youngest is currently crazy for Suess).
The plan appealed to me because it was simple and generous. I understood that certain restaurants weren't going to be included-- but that we could order whatever we wanted at those that were. If the plan is going to be a pain in neck to follow or we will be treated like 2nd class diners (oh, no- sorry the morrocan patries are only for real cash paying customers, not meal plan people!)-- they we would rather not have it. Paying full rack for the room ($75 more per night) and full rack for the tickets ($90 for the 4 in our family that require tickets) means the "
free dining" is really a cost of about $700 for us. Or about $85 a day-- this is a great deal if we can enjoy the meals we want, but no bargain at all if our favorite foods are excluded.
Even worse, many people report that CM's in reservations are not revealing any of these limitions EVEN when asked-- they are repeatedly telling us that appetizers will be served to our children and that we can order whatever we want. Heck, the CM is reservations even told me that anyone in our party, adult or child, could use any of the credits! So, I don't think calling reservations is going to allay my concerns.
I do not want to continually argue about food choices during my vacation. Nor, do I want to presented with a bill for items I thought were included in the plan (my son is old enough to go off on his own and charge snacks and counter service back to the room). And, if my DH can't have a Haagen Daas or Mickey Bar for his lunch dessert he will not be happy. The main selling point for him was that he could choose what he wanted-- not from some "limited menu".
If we could get an actual list of exactly what items are "excluded" in what venues, we could evaluate the choices (and maybe we would be content with them). But I am beginnings to suspect that what Disney is telling me in advance- Has no relation whatsoever to what is actually happening in the restaurants!
As it is, I am considering cancelling our trip alltogether. I just don't want the hassle-- I have another two weeks to decide before Disney charges a cancellation fee.
If you have recently returned, can you tell me if there were items you wanted but were denied under the plan (not items designed for 2, but regular, single serving things)? If so, what were they and how did you handle it? Did you speak to restaurant managers, go elsewhere or just accept whatever limitations were imposed?
