substituting...

[mlbrv]

this will be my 1st time using the DDP. my family only really drinks water and we do not eat desserts so we will be wasting a part of it i fear.
can i substitute a dessert for an appetizer?
can i substitute a snack credit for an appetizer?
is there a list of what i can "swap"?
any advice is helpful!
thanks!

 

[cruisingtwins]

If that's the case you are better off not getting the dinong plan on the first place.

 

[tinka-belle]

For CS locations, you can sub a bottle of water for the dessert to take with you to the parks, or sub dessert for most items listed on the menu board with the "snack credit" purple & white DDP symbol. Often I can sub my adult dessert for the apple slices or grape packs that come with the kids meals at CS. Those fruit packs are small, intended for children, but are better than eating more sweets I (and my thighs) don't need. Can often sub the dessert for a side that comes with another meal on their menu too. I don't pass on ALL desserts, some of them I like and look forward to.

At TS menu locations often there is some type of fruit cup offered, or a small salad or soup or side of the RESTAURANT's choosing as an alternate to a normal dessert.

At TS buffets just don't pick a sweet dessert, I often go for extra salad if nothing on the dessert table interests me.

As far as beverages, lemonade, iced tea, or coffee are often available as a beverage, as well as milk or juice for children.
Cannot get bottled water to go or use any snack credits at a TS place, they are not set up for it.

Only you can decide if the DDP is a good fit for your family. You are paying for the drink and dessert in the price of the plan, so if not using them you are paying more for your meal than you would OOP. Do the math using average meal prices for WDW, only way to see if a DDP would be cost effective for you.

 

[sharonabe]

At all QS places you can swap your drink and/or dessert entitlement for anything that has the purple snack logo next to it. Most of them will let you swap both, but there are some that will only let you swap one. If everyone in your family is swapping, that's going to be a lot of the same food.

At TS, you cannot swap the drink for anything. There have been very FEW reports of being able to get something other than the dessert. As PP said, each restaurant chooses what, if anything, they will allow you to swap. It will probably not be anything listed on the menu.

It does sound like you need to do some serious menu browsing and math to see if getting the plan is really worth it for your family.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

No Desserts?!

 

[Marlyn]

If you drink water and don't like dessert, the DDP is a waste of money. Actually, I think it's a waste of money even if you do eat dessert

 

[JWigs]

Hi,

We just got back and we had swapped a few things out. I think that you do what's best for your family. I saved (just me) $40 by using the DDP. My hubby saved a little more (like $45) and my FIL lost us $ because he decided to pass on his desserts at TS and skip meals when he decided he wasn't "hungry". I didn't know til it was too late to use it for something else.

But for subbing, ask when you're sitting down. We ate at Teppan Edo and they sub dessert for miso soup or the edamame. Tony's subs for salad or minestrone soup.

I did do the sub for QS lunch for bottles of water and/or for yogurt, etc. So I think if you are someone who knows what you want to eat and know how to sub, it can work out for you.

 

[SunnieRN]

When I've used the plan in the past, I was often able to have bottled water, such as Perrier when it was available. That may still be available, but I'm sure it varies by restaurant.

I love an occasional dessert, but many times I would rather have a bowl of fruit. I've never been told I couldn't substitutes fruit, as most of the restaurants have fruit for the children's sides.

You know the pros and cons for your family. Something that may help you make a decision is to look at the menus and see if your family will save or lose money on th dining plan!!