via napoli dining plan question

[ClaudeGobet]

i've been thru these threads, can't find more than vague dining plan answers concerning this place. anyone know what my dining plan options are concerning 2 adults 2 children? do they have a set menu as some restaurants do for dining plan selections? the only thing i believe i know for sure is that we can't get a large pizza. any knowledge appreciated...

 

[juliebug1997]

Correct, you cannot do a large pizza. However, almost every thing else on the menu is fair game, except the salad if I recall correctly. You have to pay to add the salad. Also, I got the pepperoni pizza but wanted to add a few toppings. Not a problem so long as I was okay paying for it (and I was). DH had the four seasons and really liked it.

I can highly recommend the aqua frescas. Not on the dining plan either but they sure are delicious!

 

[figment_jii]

VN is one of the most strict places regarding the DDP. You can order the individual specialty pizzas with the DDP, but you cannot share it with anyone not using the DDP. Regarding the "build-your-own" pizza, the basic individual-size is covered, but any extra topping must be paid for OOP. Also, the specialty drinks (e.g., aqua fresco) are not included. Finally, any item that says "for two" will require two people to use their credits to purchase it.

do they have a set menu as some restaurants do for dining plan selections?

None of the restaurants have a "dining plan only" menu. Some places have a prix fixe menu, which is available to anyone, including DDP users. It is a good way to get an appetizer on the regular DDP.

 

[ClaudeGobet]

in the past several years there have been many restaurants who have asked if i am on the dining plan. upon replying yes, not before, they gave me a special menu, perhaps this is what you refer to as "prix fixe". it is a menu, on it's own plastic coated sheet. at any rate this is the menu i refer to if it is available here. if this is not available, or no one has a copy of this, any specifics as to what i will be offered with the dining plan would be appreciated.

 

[purple figment]

in the past several years there have been many restaurants who have asked if i am on the dining plan. upon replying yes, not before, they gave me a special menu, perhaps this is what you refer to as "prix fixe". it is a menu, on it's own plastic coated sheet. at any rate this is the menu i refer to if it is available here. if this is not available, or no one has a copy of this, any specifics as to what i will be offered with the dining plan would be appreciated.

???

We've used the dining plan multiple times and we have never been handed a different menu because we were using it. We have always ordered from the regular menu that the host/hostess hands us after being seated and before the server asks if we're on the dining plan. I have never heard of a Dining Plan Only menu.

The prix fixe is already on the regular menu. It is a 3 course meal, usually with 2-4 choices in the appetizer, entree and dessert categories. You choose one from each course and you pay one specified price. For those on the regular DDP, it's a good way to get an appetizer. Among the restaurants that offer the prix fixe is Le Cellier (lunch only), Kona, Les Chefs and Captain's Grill. San Angel and Marrakesh have a modified version of the prix fixe.

 

[ClaudeGobet]

seeing how we are agreed about the prix fixe menu's existence, as well as who offers it, i will refer to le cellier as an example. upon responding "yes" to the "do you have the dining plan" question, the standard menu was literally pulled from our hands as we were reviewing it. the server then replaced it w/ the single page menu... prix fixe. this menu, covered in the dining plan logo does have prices on it, so i do suppose other people than dining plan users could have access to, and purchase from it.
does this prix fixe menu exist at via napoli? it is dining plan specific even if anyone could "purchase" from it as well. so it would answer my question. if not, does any of the many satisfied customers who rave about this place care to offer what my alternative options are if the prix fixe menu does not exist here.
since no one else seems interested to answer, i will have to wait until i arrive to solve this dining plan mystery.
i will report back in october for everyone else caught in this dead end of information.

 

[MouseMomx2]

seeing how we are agreed about the prix fixe menu's existence, as well as who offers it, i will refer to le cellier as an example. upon responding "yes" to the "do you have the dining plan" question, the standard menu was literally pulled from our hands as we were reviewing it. the server then replaced it w/ the single page menu... prix fixe. this menu, covered in the dining plan logo does have prices on it, so i do suppose other people than dining plan users could have access to, and purchase from it.

That menu is not for the dining plan. It is for anyone. You could have ordered off of the regular menu. Many people like the pix fixe menu (when offered) as it includes an appetizer/entree/dessert while using the DDP with the regular menu only gives you an entree and a dessert. But again, you are never restricted to the pix fixe menu when on the DDP. Regardless of all of that, Via Napoli does not have a PF menu.

 

[purple figment]

in the past several years there have been many restaurants who have asked if i am on the dining plan. upon replying yes, not before, they gave me a special menu.

since no one else seems interested to answer, i will have to wait until i arrive to solve this dining plan mystery.
i will report back in october for everyone else caught in this dead end of information.

Well, I tried answering you and said it has never happened to us in all the many times we used the dining plan. I don't know why it happened to you at so many restaurants. There have been many threads where people have asked if there are any restrictions on entrees or desserts when using the dining plan and the standard response has been that with a very few exceptions, every entree and dessert is included.

I guess it's a "dead end of information" because you didn't have the typical experience. I hope you'll have a better experience in October. At least now you know that you will be able to order off the regular menu with almost no entree limitations.

Via Napoli doesn't have a prix fixe menu, but as pointed out earlier on this thread, it is very strict in it's interpretation of the dining plan.

 

[POOHsie]

The way I have understand Via Napoli and Dining Plan is this:

If you want to order a Signature Pizza, $18, that's covered. Add a topping for $3.50 OOP each.
If you want to order a Build Your Own Pizza, starter level, $16, that's covered. Toppings are $3.50 OOP each.
No way to order a Large or Mezzo Metro Pizza by combining DDP Credits.

OTOH,
VN has Pasta entrees ranging from $21-$29, covered by DDP
VN has Piatti alla Parmigiana entrees ranging from $18-$29, covered by DDP
VN has Chicken Salad $18, Caesar with Chicken $22, Caesar with Shrimp $24, covered by DDP.

Conclusion: Via Napoli covers Pizzas $16-18 on DDP, Via Napoli covers entrees $18-29 on DDP.
It doesn't make sense to me. Am I missing something?

 

[ClaudeGobet]

these recent replies answer my question. thank you.

 

[MouseMomx2]

these recent replies answer my question. thank you.

I know that you believe that there are separate menus for those on the dining plan but please understand that there are not. If any sever tries to give you a different menu insist on the regular menu. You are entitled to order whatever you want within the plan guidelines. Some restaurants do have some restrictions but none limit you to a specific menu.

 

[Hopefully]

in the past several years there have been many restaurants who have asked if i am on the dining plan. upon replying yes, not before, they gave me a special menu, perhaps this is what you refer to as "prix fixe". it is a menu, on it's own plastic coated sheet. at any rate this is the menu i refer to if it is available here. if this is not available, or no one has a copy of this, any specifics as to what i will be offered with the dining plan would be appreciated.

We always use the dining plan on our annual trips, and have since it was implemented. We are always asked if we are on the DDP when being seated. We are ALWAYS given the same menu as any non DDP guest. You are mistaken in your belief that there are DDP specific menus.
Enjoy

 

[ClaudeGobet]

I know that you believe that there are separate menus for those on the dining plan but please understand that there are not. If any sever tries to give you a different menu insist on the regular menu. You are entitled to order whatever you want within the plan guidelines. Some restaurants do have some restrictions but none limit you to a specific menu.

we have not encountered the alternate menu since le cellier was one credit for dinner (at least 2 or more years ago). prior to that we had encountered it at least one other time, perhaps chefs de france, it escapes me now. again, i am not claiming that the prix fixe exists for ddp users only... only that the items on it are ALWAYS available to ddp users, unlike the standard menu.
despite what some disney "veteran's" would say, we are neither drug addicts nor drunks, i think i know when i am handed an alternate menu which contains only prix fixe choices.
why did the server snatch our regular menu and quickly replace it? my assumption would be he did not want to take the time to help me put together my choices on the regular menu, they were 45 minutes behind that night, and no doubt were trying to speed things up. no regrets, an enjoyable and good meal. none the less, the prix fixe was on a seperate menu.
i too have seen the prix fixe added to and incorporated in the regular menu. does the seperate menu no longer exist? with the passion that these disney veterans have attacked this statement, that must be the case.
i have taken my growing family to wdw every year for over 10 years (the exception being a trip to disneyland on their 50th). about the last half of those years saw me always using ddp. i know this in no way qaulifies me to know anything about disney, substantial posting makes an expert. however, i will not argue that which i lived through w/ someone who was not there.
i am always reluctant to post here when i need help. i first scan as much usable historic posts as i can. yet if i come up blank i have no choice. inevitably i know i will encounter at least one or more responses that have no desire to answer the root question, rather they scan these posts to find something to argue. an infinite amount of time at their disposal, and an opportunity to school someone in their errors. these are the disney veterans i've been acidly referring to, not the true disney veterans who have politely and almost professionally offered their real help over the years.
i appreciate the time taken by those offering concise information and do apologize for snapping in my response. it's frustrating when asking for help to have to argue your past experiences, and frankly, you can't win.
i respond here merely as a courtesy to your seemingly genuine response and as an opportunity to explain and apologize for my own irritated and gruff responses. thank you again for your concern/help.