We were told the same thing when we made ressies thru the email address, then when we got there, it was a prix fixe menu. The options were soup or salad, several choices of entree, and a predetermined dessert. The dessert was an assortment of really yummy choices. Beverages, (non alcoholic) were not extra. This was the 39.99 per person WOC dinner.
The dinner was really good and all at our table were happy with the choices available. Actually for 39.99, I thought it was a really good deal.
So, not sure if you are getting the correct info from Disney Dining. I thought with all the changes maybe it was a new thing, the entree and dessert thing, but then was told by our waiter how it worked with the prix fixe menu.