More menu items excluded from Dining plan?!

[DeirdreTours]

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?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I agree that there seem to be new limits popping up every day. The thing to remember is that people who have just come back might not have the same experience that you will have in September.

It is my strong suspicion that Disney is putting lots of new restrictions in place in preparation for "free dining". Not to mention that the system was pretty loose when it was introduced - they are cracking down on people who were "working" the system.

I'm going in October, and while we will have the dining plan we are paying for it. I can only wonder what the plan will be after the free dining is over, and my package has to be paid in full long before the free dining folks will be back to post their experiences.

I wouldn't tell anyone to cancel a trip because of this, but you have several valid points. You will get a different answer every time you call. Even when you arrive there will be CM's in the restaurants who will do different things. It is sort of a gamble. But only you can decide if it is worth it for your family to go or not. Good luck!

 

[honeymo78]

The system is in no way new (the premium plan has been around for over 10 years just called other things) - just the current incarnation of the MYW add on and people and servers have been "working" it for years. I think there are just more people using it/aware of it.

 

[mommykds]

Anyone know what the new restrictions are? Did any restaurants drop out of the plan?

 

[DeirdreTours]

There have not been any "official" changes (that I know of). But there are quite a few posts saying thigs like "we tried to order X and were told that wasn't on the plan" , etc. regarding ice cream bars, pastries, appetizers for children, etc.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I haven't seen any posts saying folks couldn't get ice cream bars. I am pretty sure the "Mickey" ice cream bars are specifically listed as a sncak item.

The deal with kids not being allowed to order appetizers seems to be surfacing lately - I hadn't read that before.

I had heard some back-and-forth on being allowed to "add on" sides of grilled shrimp etc., so I can see that being denied.

I am a little sad at the baklava restriction at Tangierine Cafe because baklava makes me gag. We like the food there and I had an amazing fruit-filled pastry covered in sliced almonds back in January when we did NOT have the plan. Maybe DH will want 2 baklavas? Or maybe DS will want mine since he might not get a dessert of his own?

I think the restrictions on kids will be the most difficult to understand. Just because a restaurant doesn't have separate kids' dessert and appetizers means kids don't get those items on the plan? Sorry, I have a problem with that! Yes, I see where it says they MUST order from the kids menu, but I also see where it says the meal includes appetizer and dessert for each person!

For some reason I can't get the brochure from the Disney site to work for me - it comes up a bunch of lines of gobbledy-gook code instead of normal text? The basic gist is spelled out on the website but I can't click into the specific dining brochure.

For us we will still save money compared to paying everything out of pocket. Maybe our savings won't be as much as they WOULD have been, but we will still come out ahead.

 

[Lewisc]

I always assumed the most expensive items on the menu might be surcharged, excluded for MYW Dining customers or merely dropped from the menu. I certainly don't expect Le Cellier will be offering the surf and turf special every night to every MYW Dining customer. If it happens to be available when I dine there I might order it but I certainly won't have a heart attack if it's either not on the menu or not available to MYW Dining customers.

Some posters were almost making a game out of trying to maximize the dollar value of food that was obtained. Did you really think the lobster tail or shrimp add ons would continue to be included? Do you even think Disney ever intended to include them? Do you really think Disney intended that significant number of guests would be paying OOP and using $10 child credits for expensive adult meals?

Most price fixed menus have surcharges for some menu items. There are almost no restrictions on MYW Dining. I understand you're upset that children seem to be limited to whatever is on the child's menu but that's the way the plan is priced. Perhaps the brochure could be worded differently but it does say children must order off the children's menu. Disney saw what was going on and is starting to limit the plan to what was intended.

You might want to cancel your trip. You prefer Universal, they do a nice job. The dining program is really just an promotion, the kids are truly free but we're "paying" for the free adult meals with higher rooms rates. Would you have booked your trip if Disney was just offering a $70 room discount? That's basically what they did. I was already planning my trip to Disney and I think the meal plan will give me more than a $70 room discount would. Now the families that are putting 4 or even 5 people in a value resort are getting a real steal.

You're far too concerned with a few items that might not be included than the vast number of items that are included. Far fewer exceptions than most price fixed menus.

The plan is priced at $35 /day which is around $8 for a CS meal, $2 for a snack and $25 for the TS meal (which is around $20 without tax and tip). You're going to be able to eat far more than that.

Most of the counter service restaurants offer basic dessert items. Cookies, regular ice cream, carrot cake and the like. Restaurants, particularly non-Disney owned, seem to be limiting the dessert to the items that are carried by the other CS and not allowing the fancy pastries. Do you really think we should be allowed a $10 dessert with a meal that's only "worth" $8? Use a little common sense. If the possibility of restrictions is bothering you limit your meal choices to Disney owned restaurants.

I'm not really sure if espresso or cappuccino is included in the plan. I'd expect not but will be pleasantly surprised if they are.

 

[llb]

The Disney site explaining the meal plan is specific in stating info such as a TS meal for an adult includes appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. The childrens menu does not offer an appetizer so its fair to assume they can not order from the adult menu. I do feel that once you have chosen to go to Disney because of free dining they morally should not change the plan if you booked it but my guess would be that they legally could because we have not technicaly "paid" for it as it is free dining. I've read thru this site different people getting different answers from wait staff, I don't think Disney is taking a stand I think they are as confused as us. But they did make an offer(dining plan) and they should honor that offer without newly imposed limits.

 

[Luv2Roam]

To the OP, I think your concerns are valid. But I also think you should be directing them at Disney.
I would let them know by present these concerns and asking specific questions for an official response. Then decide what is best for you and your family.

 

[CBear]

Most of the counter service restaurants offer basic dessert items. Cookies, regular ice cream, carrot cake and the like. Restaurants, particularly non-Disney owned, seem to be limiting the dessert to the items that are carried by the other CS and not allowing the fancy pastries. Do you really think we should be allowed a $10 dessert with a meal that's only "worth" $8? Use a little common sense.

Oh boy, new thread, same topic and posters!

Yes, I did think I would be allowed to choose any dessert at Tangierine because that's what I was told the plan allowed me to do. The menu for Tangieriene (from allearsnet.com) indicates:

Freshly baked pastries and specialty coffees. With the purchase of each sandwich or platter, add any baklava dessert for only $2.50.

This restaurant obviously decided they would offer the cheapest dessert they had to those on the plan. Well, that's not what I was offered when I booked the plan. I think for many people, the fun of knowing we can choose anything off the menu at participating restaurants is very much part of the appeal of the Dining Plan. Most people will probably accept a few limitations or exclusions, such as Lobster tails, add ons, etc. But I don't want to pay what is apparently now $37.99 to discover in December that my menu options are very limited.

Unfortunately, I think at the beginning Disney was very generous to those under the plan - a lot of exceptions were made (like my scallops and shrimps). This may have set up some unrealistic expectations, and some will be disappointed. It would appear Disney is now adhering to the plan much more stringently. I don't, however, expect more than the plan as it exists at the time I pay. I do expect that menus might change, a few restaurants may close. But I do expect that the basic tenets of the plan (choose any appetizer, entree, dessert) will be enforced.

If Disney chooses to change plan, to a more limited selection from each menu (entrees must be under $20, for example), it is of course their right to do so. But tell me when I book the plan, and give reasonable notice when a major change is going to be made.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

IMO, an appetizer, entre and dessert is too much food for a young child anyway. My dd will be with us in Dec. on the dining plan, and she usually shares with me anyway. I'll just share my appetizer and dessert with her. If the kids are older and are able to eat all of that, they're probably old enough to be charged the adult price of the plan.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

We had the dining plan in June. There was 1 TS places that our kids couldnt get an appetizer because there wasnt one on the kids menu(Maya Grill). The other places(CRT and Cap'n Jacks) both had added a kids appetizer, so that has been happening for awhile now. No big deal for us, our kids dont eat that much. Personally, we cant wait to go back and we will be buying the dining plan again. If we want a specific dessert that isnt on the plan, we'll pay out of pocket, most of the ones we would want to try arent that expensive. As for espresso and cappuccino, we werent able to get it on the plan.

 

[vatmark]

I plan on using the dining plan correctly. I am going Oct. 29th -Nov 4th so I am paying for my dining plan. I will have my kids use their own credits when they eat at TS restuarants and even at the signiture resturants. I don't have a problem with my kids not getting an appetizer because they will barely be able to eat all the food that comes with the regular meal and a dessert. What I don't like hearing is that all of a sudden there going to say you can't have this off the menu and you can't have that. I can see if it's a dessert or appetizer that is meant for 2 people that I can not order that and then my DH order another appetizer. But if we order the 1 appetizer that is for 2 people and split it and my DH doesn't order any appetizer then I shouldn't think there would be a problem.

It says on the dining plan brochure that there is ony surcharges at Planet Hollywood and Wolfgang pucks. I hope I don't get surcharged at other places for things off the menu.

I don't want to be told that I can only have this dessert and none of the others because this dessert is the cheapest. No where on the plan brochure does it mention that. If they start limiting the stuff on the menu then I just wouldn't have gotten the plan at all. They basically misrepresented the plan big time if that is how it is going to be.

If kids were not able to get an appetizer from the adult menu then on the brochure plan it should be stated that kids can get an appetizer if there are childrens appetizers available. I don't have a problem with kids having to choose off the childrens menu. That's all my kids would eat anyway.

I am starting to get real nervous about his plan now. If I go to Disney and order a regular appetizer and a regular meal and a regular dessert and then am told I can't have something they are going to have a big fight on their hands.

Are different resturants making up their own rules now? I just think it's ridiculous. I'm not trying to cheat any body. If there were all these rules then they should have been stated on the brochure so you know exactly what you are getting out of the plan.

Annie

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Take a place like Le Cellier. There's one item there that's like $38, 3 items at $27 and the rest are $16-22.

Would you rather because the $38 item is on there have them make it two credits because yes indeed everyone is going there and trying to get over $50 menu price in total and effectively shut everything else off the menu or make it one and add a $10 surcharge to the Ribeye steak of prime grade?

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Excluding certain more expensive items is understandable.

Leaving only one dessert choice that possibly excludes a large percentage of the dining populace (ones allergic to nuts, not able to eat large amounts of fat, diabetics, vegans, etc.) when you are entitled to eat a dessert is NOT.

Common sense- there should be at least 1 or 2 more dessert choices availble- a fresh fruit or ice cream or sorbet selection perhaps.

Lobster tail add ons and worming one's way to get the most expensive entree for free is making Disney crack down, which again, is understandable, but some things are over the top.

To me, the WORST part of this is the posts that I have read saying servers joyfully offered lots of items to the diner, with the full knowledge that A) they had the dining plan and B) the items weren't included in the dining plan. This is an underhanded practice. Disney is not supposed to have underhanded practices. They always come around and bite the scammer in the end.

Above all, the servers should be made aware of the rules and regulations of the Dining Plan, they should remain consistent and fair and inform the diners of what IS and IS NOT included BEFORE the diner orders it.

 

[vatmark]

When I go to the resturants of my choice I am not going to look at the menu and choose the most expensive thing just because it is most expensive and i feel like I have to get my moneys worth and more. I will go there and pick what I like whether it be the most expensive or the least expensive. If they want to put surcharges on certain items that is fine but it should all be spelled out ahead of time when you get the dining plan. Not decide all of a sudden to spring it on us. They had to know when starting this dining plan that people were going to go to resturants and yes, order the $50 surf and turf.

I plan on going to Wolfgang Pucks which does indeed surcharge for certain menu items. No problem. I was told this ahead of time but still I choose to go and if the item I order happens to have a surcharge so be it. I'll pay it out of pocket. But the point is I knew about this ahead of time. If all of a sudden every resturant decides that they are surcharging for anything over say $20 after all these people bought the plan with certain expectations. They show up at a resturant that is on the plan and go to order something and they spring it on them that anything over $20 has a surcharge then it is not fair. If this were the case I would have gone through the menus ahead of time and seen what things had surcharges and if they were things I would order and calculated if the Dining plan was indeed worth it for me.

Annie

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Leaving only one dessert choice that possibly excludes a large percentage of the dining populace (ones allergic to nuts, not able to eat large amounts of fat, diabetics, vegans, etc.) when you are entitled to eat a dessert is NOT.

Will they not make accomodations for those with special needs???

 

[angel's momma]

IMO, an appetizer, entre and dessert is too much food for a young child anyway. My dd will be with us in Dec. on the dining plan, and she usually shares with me anyway. I'll just share my appetizer and dessert with her. If the kids are older and are able to eat all of that, they're probably old enough to be charged the adult price of the plan.

DD7 could easily eat all of that, and she's very small for her age. I know she's the exception & most children don't eat that way. Never expected to be able to order her an adult appetizer, but I know she would enjoy a kid's version. As far as desserts go, I think the kids should get a dessert, even if its something like a cookie. Unless things change (and they probably will) the few non-buffet TS we have planned do offer kid's appetizers & desserts.

I'm glad I opted for mostly buffets. It may not be the best "value", but I won't have to be concerned about what is/isn't included.

 

[Pedler]

Some posters were almost making a game out of trying to maximize the dollar value of food that was obtained. Did you really think the lobster tail or shrimp add ons would continue to be included? Do you even think Disney ever intended to include them? Do you really think Disney intended that significant number of guests would be paying OOP and using $10 child credits for expensive adult meals?

....

The plan is priced at $35 /day which is around $8 for a CS meal, $2 for a snack and $25 for the TS meal (which is around $20 without tax and tip). You're going to be able to eat far more than that.

....

I'm not really sure if espresso or cappuccino is included in the plan. I'd expect not but will be pleasantly surprised if they are.

As always Lewisc has hit the nail on the head. We booked the plan for our August trip back when it was first introduced and are thrilled that it is now free. Keeping in the general idea of the plan, not trying to work every angle, we felt it was a great deal. Just getting a kids counter service meal, snack and TS there is no way you can't come out ahead at $10 per kid.

The only concern I have with differentiating credits between children and adults is for counter service meals. It not that I want to use the CS credits for adults its that at some places they have lame kids meal. Pizza Planet for example comes to mind in that they do not have a kids pizza. If the credits are separated then they can't get Pizza there or at Pizzafari in AK. I know they don't have kids pizzas to avoid adults ordering kids meal but it is lame to have the dinning plan and not be able to geta pizza at Pizza Planet at MGM.

As for all the people reading all the fine print and complaining about the plan the whole reason that they put in the language about having the ability to change the plan without notice is just because people will look for any loophole and try to exploit it. Rather than have a 50 + page agreement prepared by lawyers and signed and notorized for a dinning plan this lets them adapt as people try to scam the system.

As far as I am concerned even under the strictest definitions on the plan we would have done very well paying the $90 for two adults and two kids. Now that its free we do even better.

If the restrictions don't work for you then don't get the plan. If you got it free and the restrictions bother you don't worry. I am sure that Disney will let you opt out of the free plan and pay for any meals that you want.

Time to get off the soap box now.

 

[vatmark]

I don't think they would have to write a 50 page outline of the rules. It is easy to state: you get a dessert but only from a specific list or only the one dessert that the resturant offers to those on the dining plan. I have no problems with seperating out the credits between child and adult. I'm not trying to scam or find loopholes. I just want to be able to go in and order my food and what ever dessert I want. If it was going to be a limited menu it could have easily been stated. I am paying for my dining plan it is not free. I can see if I was getting it free it would be a lot more restricted.

Did they not think this plan through in the beginning? Come on. They knew people would be trying to abuse the system. Could they not have thoughT of these things before? Have lists of items in each resturant that are surcharged etc. I don't know it just seems like there was no thought put into the plan.

Annie