Why, oh why?

[TiggerXx]

Why oh why did they have to get rid of the appetizer part of the Dining Plan? I know that it was a lot of food, but my mom and I liked to split our appetizer, meal, and dessert so that we could do more table service meals. I think that the appetizer was the best part of the meal! I think that Disney should have left people the option between an appetizer or a dessert. So that way it would be fair to everyone. What do you think?

 

[TDC Nala]

There's no way to offer a choice and preserve the faster table turnover time that resulted from removing a course from the basic plan. Most of those who want a choice want one so their party can order some appetizers and some desserts and share them. That results in no faster table turnover for Disney. One course had to go, and desserts are cheaper than appetizers.

If I were to blame the removal of a course on something, it would be on the fact that the dining plan proved so popular that it filled most of the WDW table service restaurants on practically any given day. With the faster table turnover they can seat more parties.

WDW offers the deluxe plan for those who want an appetizer on the plan.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I think you answered your own question!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Allowing a choice of appetizer or dessert would not be fair to everyone. Parties of two or more would be able to have half the party order appetizers and the other half desserts - and then have everyone at the table share the items from both courses.

Solo Guests and Guests with food allergies or dietary restraints not shared by others in their party would NOT have this option - they'd be able to choose and eat only one of the courses.

Appetizers are more labor- and cost-intensive for the restaurant than are desserts.

NOT allowing a choice of course turns over tables faster and (in addition to bringing in more money for Disney) allows more Guests to be accommodated at Table Service locations.

And I'm 99.8% certain that while Disney allows Guests to share*, their intention was NEVER to have two people share a single meal at each and every (or even most) of the restaurants they patronize.

One more thing: The substitute Disney does allow is the Guest to choose an appetizer AS their entree... so Guests who feel the appetizer is the best part of the meal can certainly have the app as their main course.

 

[BriarRosie]

Hmm, wouldn't it be better for you in the long run to pay out of pocket now since you prefer to split one meal of appetizer/entree/dessert? I'd think that would save you more money than doing the dining plan anyway.

I mean, you don't have tip included nor the appetizer in the current DDP. I'd think splitting meals OOP would be better for you than getting the DDP.

 

[Tricia1972]

This may shock everyone, but I have nothing to say or add, I agree with all of the PP's!

It's a happy day

 

[fey_spirit]

If you allowed a choice but agreed everyone in a party to agree to the same option that would still get rid of a course option.

As it stands now it's not fair to diabetics... don't tell me about the "sugar" free options for desserts either. Most of those rely on sugar alchohals. sugar Alchhals are really bad for you - in that they tend to cause diaherea and in the end are worse for you then sugar. The carb content is usually roughly the same (the old baked potaoe/peice of cakge issue)

So I would think at least for Diabetics they would leave that option open.

There's no way to offer a choice and preserve the faster table turnover time that resulted from removing a course from the basic plan. Most of those who want a choice want one so their party can order some appetizers and some desserts and share them. That results in no faster table turnover for Disney. One course had to go, and desserts are cheaper than appetizers.

If I were to blame the removal of a course on something, it would be on the fact that the dining plan proved so popular that it filled most of the WDW table service restaurants on practically any given day. With the faster table turnover they can seat more parties.

WDW offers the deluxe plan for those who want an appetizer on the plan.

 

[Tricia1972]

You are right, and the point has been made before, about a party agreeing on a choice. Unfortunately it's also been pointed out that it could be difficult to enforce this, especially when you have two parties, from different rooms, dining at one table.

I do understand about the sugar free choices still being bad for diabetics. I can't imagine traveling with Type 1 Diabetes, but I might thing that a family with a type 1 might not find the DDP to be a good value to them because of the desserts and the inability to choose between appetizer and dessert.

I am positive that someone will correct me if I am wrong, but other than a salad don't many of the appetizers contain cabs? Which are as bad for a diabetic as a dessert in many cases as carbs just turn into sugar. as you pointed out.

If you allowed a choice but agreed everyone in a party to agree to the same option that would still get rid of a course option.

As it stands now it's not fair to diabetics... don't tell me about the "sugar" free options for desserts either. Most of those rely on sugar alchohals. sugar Alchhals are really bad for you - in that they tend to cause diaherea and in the end are worse for you then sugar. The carb content is usually roughly the same (the old baked potaoe/peice of cakge issue)

So I would think at least for Diabetics they would leave that option open.

 

[n2mm]

I think you answered your own question!!!

words right out of my mouth.

 

[mickey2000]

Bottom line more money for DI$NEY

 

[fey_spirit]

Actually, I can eat a meat based appetizer (unless heavily breaded) without doing nearly as much damage. Also the protein with meat with only a little carb coating helps my body process the few carbs in something lightly breaded a little more easily then a dessert.

You know we have EVCs for those of us who can't get around, front of the line passes for little ones who can't stand in line - I just don't think it's asking too much to make concessions for those who have diabetes. I know I don't have to use the plan, but it's so much cheaper with it... why in a place that heralds it's ability to adapt for any and all medical needs can't I take advantage of one of their better programs? It just doesn't seem fair.

This said, this is more a case of me debating for others like me then it is personal - this wild child is DDXP all the way

You are right, and the point has been made before, about a party agreeing on a choice. Unfortunately it's also been pointed out that it could be difficult to enforce this, especially when you have two parties, from different rooms, dining at one table.

I do understand about the sugar free choices still being bad for diabetics. I can't imagine traveling with Type 1 Diabetes, but I might thing that a family with a type 1 might not find the DDP to be a good value to them because of the desserts and the inability to choose between appetizer and dessert.

I am positive that someone will correct me if I am wrong, but other than a salad don't many of the appetizers contain cabs? Which are as bad for a diabetic as a dessert in many cases as carbs just turn into sugar. as you pointed out.