Substitutions on dining plan?

[donaldsgal]

We've been to Disney 5 times and often used a variety of whatever current dining plan is in place. With the new dining plan package, can you substitute a side dish for another? For example, could I get a baked potato instead of couscous at Coral Reef without extra cost or being told no?

Thanks!

 

[Stepharia]

I'd like to know that myself.

 

[n2mm]

I substitute often and have used the ddp 5 times since 2006. I substitute potatoes and veggies. Most places are very accommodating. The only place I've ever had a hassle was a LeCellier on more than one occassion. We go for 2 weeks in May and 2 weeks in October (and a few other trips that are only about 1 week). After awhile I get pretty sick of mashed potatoes. So on many occassions I try to sub out the mashed potatoes for anything at LeCell. Often they tell me no. On one trip I was getting the filet and mashed potatoes. I asked for a veggie, any veggie. They told me no, so I told them not to bring out the potatoes. (If you've had the filet, you know they bring it out in this HUGE pasta bowl dish.) I guess the idea that I was getting this tiny cut of meat on a huge plate bothered them, because they brought out asparagus with it. I told them I would rather not throw the potatoes away. I know hubby has substituted potatoes for onion rings at Concourse and I've substituted my veggies at the 50s PT. I sub out potatoes at breakfast for fruit. All you have to do is ask. Most of the time they will accommodate you.

 

[aubriee]

We've been to Disney 5 times and often used a variety of whatever current dining plan is in place. With the new dining plan package, can you substitute a side dish for another? For example, could I get a baked potato instead of couscous at Coral Reef without extra cost or being told no?

Thanks!

It didn't have anything to do with the DDP, but I believe there was a thread on here somewhere not too long ago about how Coral Reef would not allow anyone to substitute a baked potato for anything because they only made so many baked potatoes/day and they had to go with a certain entree (prime rib, I believe). Someone who is better at using the search engine may be able to find that thread.

In other restaurants though we've never had a problem substituting veggies though.

edited: OK: I found the old thread, but don't know how to paste it over here. It was asked on March 1, 2007 by Pooh2001. Anyway the answer by several people was that they had been denied at Coral Reef and each was told that they made only enough baked potatoes to go with the prime rib for that day.

 

[bicker]

And that really points out the actual answer to this question: It's up to the restaurant -- basically the server and chef -- what exchanges and substitutions will be allowed, and the Dining Plan has practically nothing to do with the specific types of substitutions the OP mentioned.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Don't know about the Coral Reef question but it looks like others have already ansewred it anyway.

We have never had a problem substituting whether we were on the dining plan or not. The servers have always been very nice and willing to do whatever it took to keep us happy.

Have a safe trip and eat lots of great food, Lisa

 

[The Sweetness]

edited: OK: I found the old thread, but don't know how to paste it over here. It was asked on March 1, 2007 by Pooh2001. Anyway the answer by several people was that they had been denied at Coral Reef and each was told that they made only enough baked potatoes to go with the prime rib for that day.

I'm sorry but that sounds crazy to me. W the prices they charge at the CR, a sub shouldnt be such a federal case. (this has nothing to do with the DDP though)

 

[bicker]

Coral Reef's menu pricing is no longer that high. Entrees run $15.99 to $28.99, in line with most of the rest of the comparable Epcot restaurants (Le Cellier, Chefs de France, San Angel Inn, ...)

 

[The Sweetness]

$15.99 is certainly an average dinner price here locally, even $19.99... but not higher (at Fridays etc...) Still, my point is that that is a lot of money to spend pp for dinner, and it shouldnt be an issue to make a simple substitution. At Tony Romas, here, for instance, we are given a choice of sides. All I'm saying is that for the money we spend, if we want a potato instead of rice etc... it shouldnt be a problem)

 

[missycj96]

I did DDP with my mom this year. She has very strict dietary restrictions and special orders just about everything. She was able to substitute almost anything and it was never a problem at every meal, in almost every restaurant we went to. Go and enjoy and don't worry.

 

[aubriee]

I'm sorry but that sounds crazy to me. W the prices they charge at the CR, a sub shouldnt be such a federal case. (this has nothing to do with the DDP though)

Hey, don't shoot the messenger I only posted because I remembered it being discussed before that Coral Reef wouldn't allow a baked potato substitution. I agree with you that it shouldn't be that big a deal, but remember more than one person posting that it was not possible at Coral Reef because baked potatoes take longer to cook and each of their baked potatoes is basically assigned to a prime rib and they don't make extra.

Bicker is right though. It seems to be up to each individual waiter (or manager). This past Sept we ate at CHH on the DDP. A lady ordering on the other side of the cash register from me said she wanted to substitute fruit for chocolate cake on both of her adult orders. She didn't really ask, just ordered them like she assumed it wouldn't be a problem. I guess the CM didn't like her attitude because without batting an eyelash the CM said that was not possible because the grapes were for kids orders only. She argued with him, but was again told that chocolate cake was her only choice. As she went forward to get her order, I told him I had a problem because my mom was a diabetic and can't eat chocolate cake. Again he didn't bat an eyelash, just winked and said no problem, then turned and told the person behind the counter to give me a bowl of grapes instead of cake.

 

[englishrose47]

Think about it would you like to be politely asked or rudely told?? Ask nicely and you are more likely to receive!!We have no dietary restrictions but like most we have preferences, so if we can get our preference by asking nicely that will be great if not so be it!!