The French Fry Substitution Saga...

[lovethattink]

With picky eaters in tow, I am finding more and more Disney restaurants no longer allowing french fry substitution. Is this now a resort-wide policy or restaurant specific?

We first ran into this at the Poly's Captn Cooks in December, with an adult meal.

Next it was at the Grand Floridian Cafe in December, but this time with the kid's pizza meal.

Saturday it was at Tangierine Cafe, substitution was allowed between tabouleh, marinated olives, couscous, or lentil salad. Fries are now $3.99 additional, not to be a substitution.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

Must be restaurant-specific, I'm thinking. We were there last week and had no trouble getting fries substituted for one of the side items offered as part of a kid's combo. This worked for us at Cosmic Ray's, Columbia Harbor House, and (I believe?) at the Roaring Forks in WL.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I think it depends on what the original side is - like if its comparable to fries, say if its another starch particularly a potato one.

For example -

BBQ Rib Meal at Cosmic Rays- Served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable, $10.49
I'll bet substituting fries for the potatoes would be no problem

Pizza Combo Meal at Pinnochio's Village Haus - Individual pizza with tossed salad, $8.49
Probably not going to let you substitute fries for the salad

It probably also depends if that restaurant uses fries as a side for other meals. Like at Flame Tree BBQ, fries are a side item ($3.99) but not offered as a side with a meal, all of the meals are served w/ baked beans, coleslaw or corn so you probably couldn't substitute fries for a side there b/c none of the meals come w/ fries (same as Tangeriene Cafe).

Anyhow, that's my weird logic take on it.

 

[2Tiggies]

It may be more the case of resort foodcourts than park CS locations restricting this. It's hard to tell as policies are so variable from one place, moment and CM to the next.

I know that Tangierine Cafe has always been one of the big sticky ones for NO subs whatsoever so it looks like the OP did pretty well there.

One evening last October we were at Pecos Bills and I asked if I could sub a water for the dessert (never had any problems). I was told no, which was fine as I just bought one with a snack credit. However the CM said I could have any side instead of dessert. I thanked her and declined as we wouldn't have been able to eat a side, but sides for dessert have always been a big no-no. I truly believe it was simply a case of who I spoke to. Had I gone to another cashier, I probably would have got the water and been denied a side. Who knows?!