Success with exchanging dessert for soup/appetizer

[OMGDIsney]

Anyone have any success recently in getting waiter to allow substitution of dessert for and appetizer/salad/soup on the 2015 DP? It was one of my feedback complaints to Disney back in 2013, and when they called me to talk about it, the CM said in most cases the waiters could use their own discretion if there wasn't a big difference in cost. But that's easy for them to say AFTER the trip had already taken place. Just wondering if anyone has tried this and had success.

 

[TDC Nala]

On the dining plan? Won't happen. the CM is incorrect about waiters using their own discrection based on cost. It doesn't have anything to do with the cost of the item and is consistently enforced. I remember seeing two persons posting here who said it was allowed to substitute an appetizer for a dessert. One was something like "my brother's co-worker's aunt's friend said they were able to do it" and the other was apparently a board troll looking to start some excitement.

You can ask for an alternate dessert besides the ones on the menu, but not an appetizer instead.

Some counter service locations may let you substitute your dessert for the fruit items on the kids menu, or for a bottle of water.

 

[OMGDIsney]

Good info, thanks! I think I'll still attempt it during our up coming trip to WDW (May 2015), especially if we are having good luck with getting great waiters! I'll post an update after the trip with the results.

 

[Allison]

Sorry, you experienced another CM who has no idea what actually happens at Disney. You can't do that.

 

[purple figment]

Do not expect to sub an appetizer/starter course for dessert because it is one of the only rules that is consistently enforced when using the dining plan. It is not a matter of getting "great" servers who will ignore the rules. The CM on the phone was incorrect and I agree that it has nothing to do with comparable cost of an item, but more about the additional time that 3 courses would take if some at the table ordered apps and others ordered desserts.

The appetizer course was included in the first year of the regular dining plan, but was removed and not likely to return for that level of dining plan.

At CS venues you can often sub a bottle of water or the grapes, apples or carrots that come with the kids meals in place of the listed desserts.

 

[supersnoop]

Good info, thanks! I think I'll still attempt it during our up coming trip to WDW (May 2015), especially if we are having good luck with getting great waiters! I'll post an update after the trip with the results.

Will not happen. Desert has a higher margin than appetizers, so allowing a swap would cost them more, even though the price may be the same. And, allowing an appetizer would extend the length of the meal, taking up valuable time they could have someone else sitting and eating at that table.

There are very few absolutes at Disney; many of their "rules" are seldom enforced. But this is an absolute. Nobody has ever had an desert swapped for an appetizer. Not ever.

 

[sssteph]

And, allowing an appetizer would extend the length of the meal, taking up valuable time they could have someone else sitting and eating at that table.

This might be true, however, the servers can't stop you from paying extra for an appetizers, drinks or anything else.

 

[supersnoop]

This might be true, however, the servers can't stop you from paying extra for an appetizers, drinks or anything else.

Certainly if you're paying for it, they wouldn't mind. That was kind of the point.

 

[purple figment]

This might be true, however, the servers can't stop you from paying extra for an appetizers, drinks or anything else.

Yes, you can always pay for something not included in the dining plan and while it will extend the time a group is in the restaurant it will also increase revenue.

Disney has chosen to no longer include apps in the DDP because inevitably many tables will choose to share apps, then share desserts so they take longer to dine. Also, when looking at menus, there are more apps that are priced higher than desserts and apps are more labor intensive, taking more time in the kitchen to prepare after the order is received than many desserts.

 

[LilyWDW]

It is not allowed. I have never heard of it being allowed and in fact I have read info from a couple CMs who have said it is the number 1 rule that you do not break. The restaurant will not be reimbursed for an appetizer being input into the system. There is not a way around it and, according to one CM I spoke to, even if you could it would most likely end up with the CM fired.

 

[lauradis]

On the dining plan? Won't happen. the CM is incorrect about waiters using their own discrection based on cost. It doesn't have anything to do with the cost of the item and is consistently enforced. I remember seeing two persons posting here who said it was allowed to substitute an appetizer for a dessert. One was something like "my brother's co-worker's aunt's friend said they were able to do it" and the other was apparently a board troll looking to start some excitement.

You can ask for an alternate dessert besides the ones on the menu, but not an appetizer instead.

Some counter service locations may let you substitute your dessert for the fruit items on the kids menu, or for a bottle of water.

This is the only truth to the switching out desserts, My youngest went thew a cheese eating faze around 7 yo , the waitress asked her what she wanted for dessert and she went "cheese".

The waitress just looked at me, I shock my head and loled. Waitress came back with cute little plate of assorted cheese. I expected to be charged extra but it wasn't listed on the bill.

 

[Nancyg56]

Please do not ask your server to put a job on the line to see if you can get him or her to break the rules. This swap is not allowed, and it you ask you both are in an uncomfortable position.

Years ago the DDp was way more flexible, but that ship sailed and now the plan covers what it covers. Period. If your family does not like dessert, and prefers appetizers, it is a good idea to check out the prices and see if the plan is the right fit for your family.

 

[mom2of2]

It can't be done because the computer system doesn't allow it. When the DP is entered as payment into the system, it automatically deducts what is covered under the plan and computes a balance for what isn't