More menu items excluded from Dining plan?!

[eclectics]

But, to use what I hope is an outlandish example to make my point: If I pay for the plan today, which currently has very few printed menu restrictions, and then, get to WDW in December to be told, "Oh, we changed the plan, and now you just get cereal for breakfast, a hamburger, Coke and cooke for lunch, and a slice of pizza, cookie and Coke for dessert" I will feel very cheated and angry.

Would it be legal for Disney to make such a radical change to the Dining Plan? Perhaps. Would it be an ethical way to conduct business? I don't think so - not when the plan has been marketed to most of us as a great opportunity to try new restaurants without restrictions (other than the stated inclusions - one appetizer, etc.) I don't really believe Disney would do this, but others on this thread seem to be suggesting that they would have every right to do so, and as long as we still get fed something we should be happy!

Exactly! Is it legal? I'm sure it is. Is it ethical? No way! I don't think Disney forsaw the broohahhah this is creating or they would have worded their offer a tad more definitive. With that said, I am going in September for 10 nights and when I get to a TS Dinner I expect to find everything I saw on the online menus when I signed up for this package. I expect to be able to choose the appetizer, entree, and dessert of my choice. Nothing more, nothing less. If not, I certainly won't be persuaded to do a "package" deal next trip. It will be AP and Room Only. Since I believe Disney does not wish to alienate any of the future "package" guests, I don't think I will be dissapointed. I hope not, anyway!

 

[DeirdreTours]

This entire thread is about a few posters that are concerned that a (probably non-Disney owned) restaurant might decide that a menu item that's designed to be shared must be ordered by the appropriate number of guests or that a CS restaurant my limit your choices to the type of items that the Disney owned CS restaurants serve.

That is certainly not what I started the thread about, nor have I seen any poster in the thread advocate that menu items designed for more than 1 be ordered with 1 credit. I started the thread to discuss my concern that Disney seemed to be (according to some posts) narrowing the plan to not include certain items and my fear that should this trend continue, it would materially impact my perceived value of the plan.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

if some menu items are for 2...make em for 1 as to accomodate the dining plan...simple fix.

 

[Julia M]

The plan is priced assuming that not every guest will be getting an appetizer and dessert with every meal. You can still get value if you skip an occassional dessert or appetizer. I agree the plan doesn't make as much sense if you tend to skip appetizers and desserts more often than not.

From this thread you'd think guests are being denied menu items on a regular basis. So far we have guests being told children must order off the children's menu. No adult appetizers. We have guests being told the pineapple dessert is included with no substitutions at Ohana. If you want an additional dessert you pay for it. Finally we have Tangerine which is limiting you to a house dessert.

This entire thread is about a few posters that are concerned that a (probably non-Disney owned) restaurant might decide that a menu item that's designed to be shared must be ordered by the appropriate number of guests or that a CS restaurant my limit your choices to the type of items that the Disney owned CS restaurants serve.

From this some guests are concerned they'll be told a bag of chips is your meal. Give me a break.

The only hint of a confrontation is the poster who said she'll refuse to pay if the restaurant tries to charge for something that she thinks should be included.

I'm easy, if I want the most expensive item on the menu, and there is a surcharge, I'll either pay it or order something else. I don't expect that a non Disney restaurant should have to drop the dessert from the menu just to keep me happy.

Truthfully, I'm really not worried about any potential changes, because I don't think there are going to be that many (if any)

It sounds like MAYBE there will be a change that specifically prevents using a child credit for an adult meal. There is one counter service restaurant limiting a dessert. This isn't the end of the world.

What we have here is a 10 page discussion, primarily based on opinions of what MIGHT happen and what people MIGHT do IF an official change is made.

It makes sense that someone might call or email DIsney and be told that adult and child credits are differentiated. That's because someone selling the plan has a concept that one is sold for one price, and one for another. However, right now they are not.

There was a post a few weeks ago about kids over 9 being charged double price for kids meals. That happened once, to someone (can't remember who) and there was a big uproar and many posts. But nothing since then has indicated this is really happening. It was just one over zealous (or rather nasty) waitress.

Everyone needs to stop and take a deep breath and b--r--e--a--t--h--e. Really, I imagine that all is happening is what SHOULD have been happening in the beginning (ie. lobster tail add ons aren't part of the plan, or an appetizer for three).

But that's JMHO.

 

[Lewisc]

This entire thread is about a few posters that are concerned that a (probably non-Disney owned) restaurant might decide that a menu item that's designed to be shared must be ordered by the appropriate number of guests or that a CS restaurant my limit your choices to the type of items that the Disney owned CS restaurants serve.

That is certainly not what I started the thread about, nor have I seen any poster in the thread advocate that menu items designed for more than 1 be ordered with 1 credit. I started the thread to discuss my concern that Disney seemed to be (according to some posts) narrowing the plan to not include certain items and my fear that should this trend continue, it would materially impact my perceived value of the plan.

But those are the changes that are being made. Restaurants are requiring multiple guests order desserts and appetizers that are designed for sharing. appetizers in Italy, the dessert sampler in Le Celler etc.

Excluding the adult/child appetizer issue which, at least for WDW restaurants, is being solved with child appetizers THIS ENTIRE THREAD revolves around one poster at an expensive non-Disney owned CS restaurant being limited to a house dessert.

 

[Lewisc]

Exactly! Is it legal? I'm sure it is. Is it ethical? No way! I don't think Disney forsaw the broohahhah this is creating or they would have worded their offer a tad more definitive. With that said, I am going in September for 10 nights and when I get to a TS Dinner I expect to find everything I saw on the online menus when I signed up for this package. I expect to be able to choose the appetizer, entree, and dessert of my choice. Nothing more, nothing less. If not, I certainly won't be persuaded to do a "package" deal next trip. It will be AP and Room Only. Since I believe Disney does not wish to alienate any of the future "package" guests, I don't think I will be dissapointed. I hope not, anyway!

Restaurants change menus all the time. I don't think Disney even posts the menus on the web. We certainly can't complain if the menu that we get a restaurant isn't the same as an old menu we found on an unofficial web site.

Your last few sentences says it all. Disney has no motivation to alienate future guests. With the possible exception of separating child/adult credits I don't think we'll see any restrictions that are a major problem.

I think our biggest problem is going to be how to lose the weight we're going to be gaining on the dining plan.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Lewis seems determined to paint all who want the range of choice they were expressly promised at booking as some sort of thieves and chiselers who will ruin the dining plan for the upstanding citizens like himself. The interpretation that Disney can select a single appetizer, entree and dessert from the menu and call that the Dining Plan is fine for him-- but it won't work for me.

I won't pretend to know what Lewis is determined or not determined to do and I'm not Lewis. I'm certainly not portraying you as a thief.

Betsy and other posters seem to believe that Disney can put anything in the brochure fine print and that would become legally binding. Ain't so. Contract law is clear and direct on this point. At the point that a contract is legally binding on one party, it is legally binding on both. My package is legally binding on at 45 days out-- if I want to make changes after that point I will be heavily penalized.

You're right. They can't just put in any ole thing they want to and have it stick. But terms and conditions subject to change is an acceptable clause. Now this doesn't mean you can substitute a Yugo for a Mercedes mind you but Disney's changes don't rise to that level. I also don't see where any particular menu item is promised, nor any particular restaurant.

If someone says this is an upcharge item and you eat it without first settling your differences, by eating it you just agreed to their terms. If you had a previous agreement you just agreed to amend it. Please note also, if it's a non-Disney owned restaurant, Disney is the party you contracted with not the restaurant. You have no agreement with them until you order.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Let's review, shall we?

Nobody has posted on this or any other thread that they have been denied single serving items that weren't listed somewhere as exclusions, correct?

One poster (bless his heart!) was denied the "good" dessert at Tangierine Cafe, which was originally not on the plan AT ALL. So the food is covered, but not a choice of dessert. Correct?

I'm a bit late to the party on the Haagen Dazs bar - might need a recap of that.

So everything else, restaurants withdrawing or limiting menu items available on the plan, etc. is entirely speculation, correct?

We can pretty much anticipate that paying out of pocket for children and then redeeming the children's credits for adults later on will be stopped. I think we might see more menus with an appetizer or two for kids, and I think most places already have a scoop of ice cream or a cookie (at the very least) available for a child's dessert. Could my DS9 (yes, he's REALLY 9 ) eat that much food? Probably not. But my friend's DD3 can out-eat my DS, so you just never know.

In the grand scheme of things we prefer buffets (I know, we're odd) so looking over our ADR's we're only going to TS with menus about 3 times. CRT and Concourse already have appetizers and desserts for kids, so ONE time out of an 8 day trip we MIGHT have to supplement DS meal. I can handle it.

I think we need to start a thread about "What was DENIED on your dining plan that you thought was covered?" and see where it goes.

 

[madge]

In the grand scheme of things we prefer buffets (I know, we're odd) so looking over our ADR's we're only going to TS with menus about 3 times. CRT and Concourse already have appetizers and desserts for kids, so ONE time out of an 8 day trip we MIGHT have to supplement DS meal. I can handle it.

As I have followed this thread, I have finally found a post I can relate to

We have 5 nights of the dining plan. We are using 2 credits per person for the Hoop Dee Doo Review, 2 character buffets for all 5 of us, and splitting the other 5 credits between the Sci-Fi Dine In & CRT (only using 3 there). We'll pay out of pocket when we run out of credits, LOL.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Exactly! Is it legal? I'm sure it is. Is it ethical? No way! I don't think Disney forsaw the broohahhah this is creating or they would have worded their offer a tad more definitive. With that said, I am going in September for 10 nights and when I get to a TS Dinner I expect to find everything I saw on the online menus when I signed up for this package. I expect to be able to choose the appetizer, entree, and dessert of my choice. Nothing more, nothing less. If not, I certainly won't be persuaded to do a "package" deal next trip. It will be AP and Room Only. Since I believe Disney does not wish to alienate any of the future "package" guests, I don't think I will be dissapointed. I hope not, anyway!

Does Disney even publish on-line menus? All I see are quisine types and a general description. There are a ton of em on all ears but Disney isn't responsible for what Deb publishes any more than Chiles is responsible if I publish a menu for them on allpeppersnet dot com.
I can tell you right now if you're going to any buffet or to Cali Grill the menu will undoubtedly change 4 or 5 times between now and then. They change quite often. And there's nowhere I've seen where they guarantee you a specific menu item.
They tell you the terms, conditions, and even the dining locations are subject to change without notice. You get the meal plan accepting that limitation or you don't get the meal plan.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

As I have followed this thread, I have finally found a post I can relate to

We have 5 nights of the dining plan. We are using 2 credits per person for the Hoop Dee Doo Review, 2 character buffets for all 5 of us, and splitting the other 5 credits between the Sci-Fi Dine In & CRT (only using 3 there). We'll pay out of pocket when we run out of credits, LOL.

Oooooyeah!!! Finally some people that appreciate the glutonous fine eatin, that is the trough.

5 of our 9 are troughs....Yes Yes, I know that low percentage qualifies us as trough rookie lightweights but baby steps. baby steps.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Is lobster in general not included (even if on the menu) or just as the add on to your entree? I'm not on the MYW Dining but the Premium and no where in that brochure is there any restriction placed on what you can order. Can someone direct me to where the no lobster policy is if in fact it is for on menu lobster entrees.

Premium is different from MYW.

 

[DeirdreTours]

I won't pretend to know what Lewis is determined or not determined to do and I'm not Lewis. I'm certainly not portraying you as a thief.



You're right. They can't just put in any ole thing they want to and have it stick. But terms and conditions subject to change is an acceptable clause. Now this doesn't mean you can substitute a Yugo for a Mercedes mind you but Disney's changes don't rise to that level. I also don't see where any particular menu item is promised, nor any particular restaurant.

If someone says this is an upcharge item and you eat it without first settling your differences, by eating it you just agreed to their terms. If you had a previous agreement you just agreed to amend it. Please note also, if it's a non-Disney owned restaurant, Disney is the party you contracted with not the restaurant. You have no agreement with them until you order.

Your right, it is a perfectly acceptable clause. It just doesn't have the legal meaning that is being assigned to it in this thread. That is, it does not make it legal for Disney to penalize you for changes while reserving the right to make changes penalty free themselves. The legal meaning of that clause pertains to the ongoing availability of the product--that is Disney can quit selling the product at any time (changing the product from that point forward would be discontinueing that product and creating another).

I think your mistaken about the second point as well-- We purchased an entire package that contains x,y, and z elements. Disney cannot wait until we are in the middle of that package-- flown to Orlando, checked into the hotel, activated the tickets-- to announce tableside that y has been amended. . Just won't stand up to the reasonableness test. Eating the food anyway doesn't constitute agreeing to a change- it is simply continueing to consume an integral part of the total product. I understand that your opinion is different, and that you would handle it differently. But I am pretty comfortable in my position. I

 

[eclectics]

Does Disney even publish on-line menus? All I see are quisine types and a general description. There are a ton of em on all ears but Disney isn't responsible for what Deb publishes any more than Chiles is responsible if I publish a menu for them on allpeppersnet dot com.
I can tell you right now if you're going to any buffet or to Cali Grill the menu will undoubtedly change 4 or 5 times between now and then. They change quite often. And there's nowhere I've seen where they guarantee you a specific menu item.
They tell you the terms, conditions, and even the dining locations are subject to change without notice. You get the meal plan accepting that limitation or you don't get the meal plan.

I meant that "menu" remark to be non-specific. Of course I realize menus change all the time. In general what I meant was that if I read a very recent menu from a "Steakhouse Type" restaurant and it has three or four steak choices, I would expect them to have at least two or three reasonable facsimilies to choose from when I dine there. I don't care if they run out of a certain cut of beef and substitute another or switch halibut for salmon. When I read a recent menu I get a general idea of what type of food that restaurant serves and I expect to find a very similar menu (with similar food type, quality, and price range) when I arrive. That's all I meant.

 

[Pedler]

I meant that "menu" remark to be non-specific. Of course I realize menus change all the time. In general what I meant was that if I read a very recent menu from a "Steakhouse Type" restaurant and it has three or four steak choices, I would expect them to have at least two or three reasonable facsimilies to choose from when I dine there. I don't care if they run out of a certain cut of beef and substitute another or switch halibut for salmon. When I read a recent menu I get a general idea of what type of food that restaurant serves and I expect to find a very similar menu (with similar food type, quality, and price range) when I arrive. That's all I meant.

I think you could in general rely on things being more or less similar but you also have to accept some changes. For example the Tomorrowland Noodle Station was something else completly different less than a year ago. There are still some web sites that have not updated that information. Also the Coral Reef is going to be closed with the rest of the living seas starting sometime near the end of August. So if we had our heart set on eating seafood while watching seafood we would be out of luck. And as someone mentioned the California Grill changes thier menu items quite a bit. Such is life.


FYI I did start a thread for real world first hand encounters with being denied items. I am curious how much we will see there.

 

[madge]

deleted

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I think you could in general rely on things being more or less similar but you also have to accept some changes. For example the Tomorrowland Noodle Station was something else completly different less than a year ago. There are still some web sites that have not updated that information. Also the Coral Reef is going to be closed with the rest of the living seas starting sometime near the end of August. So if we had our heart set on eating seafood while watching seafood we would be out of luck. And as someone mentioned the California Grill changes thier menu items quite a bit. Such is life.


FYI I did start a thread for real world first hand encounters with being denied items. I am curious how much we will see there.

Coral Reef will *not* be closed while the rest of the Living Seas is closed. The Coral Reef will be open and is accepting ADR's.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Does Disney even publish on-line menus? All I see are quisine types and a general description. There are a ton of em on all ears but Disney isn't responsible for what Deb publishes any more than Chiles is responsible if I publish a menu for them on allpeppersnet dot com.
I can tell you right now if you're going to any buffet or to Cali Grill the menu will undoubtedly change 4 or 5 times between now and then. They change quite often. And there's nowhere I've seen where they guarantee you a specific menu item.
They tell you the terms, conditions, and even the dining locations are subject to change without notice. You get the meal plan accepting that limitation or you don't get the meal plan.

You're right, I have never seen a menu published by Disney.

 

[Disneysnel]

I think you could in general rely on things being more or less similar but you also have to accept some changes. For example the Tomorrowland Noodle Station was something else completly different less than a year ago. There are still some web sites that have not updated that information. Also the Coral Reef is going to be closed with the rest of the living seas starting sometime near the end of August. So if we had our heart set on eating seafood while watching seafood we would be out of luck. And as someone mentioned the California Grill changes thier menu items quite a bit. Such is life.


FYI I did start a thread for real world first hand encounters with being denied items. I am curious how much we will see there.

Yeah Pedler - that will be a very interesting thread to read. I do have a question though - wouldn't DW Dining tell you that those restaurants are closed when you called to make your ressie or would they just take the ressie and let you find out for yourself when you get there? I know Noodle Station was a counter service and therefore would have no ressies but you can also find something similar nearby where there is nothing like Coral Reef in the rest of the "world".

I think that is the point a lot of people (including myself) are trying to make. As long as the plan is basically the same - I will be happy but I would like to know in advance if there are any drastic changes, so I can change my plans (and budget) accordingly.

For example, if I get to MK and say Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are all closed for repairs - I would be unhappy with that but I would still enjoy my trip - especially if I called and found out they would be closed before hand BUT if the 3 rides mentioned above plus say all of Fantasyland and Tommorowland are closed and I did not know about it before I got there, even though I inquired - I would be VERY unhappy and would be demanding a refund.

I honestly don't care if they say I can only have thus and so for dessert I just want to know before I go if that will be the case - for me planning is the key to a magical WDW vacation and the more I know the better I can plan.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Easy for me to say I know, but there is planning. And then there is over planning.
Anyone who has concerns and issues, should take them to Disney or go about the usual way of dining while at WDW.