Dining Plan - restricted menu - conflicting info?

[AllyMay]

Hi guys

We went to the World in 2011 with the Disney Dining Plan purchased from the UK. Every restaurant we went to, we told our server that we were on the dining plan and the server proceeded to show us a certain section of the menu from which we could order (ie restrictions).

However, I have just done some researching and everyone seems to say that there are no restrictions.....except for 'to share' meals...

I am confused...if there are no restrictions then why were we shown specific sections of the menu that were for dining plan participants when we went in 2011? Is this something that they no longer do?

Thanks for any replies

 

[Master Yoda]

The only thing that can be called a restriction on the dining plan would be that appetizers and alcohol are not included on the basic or plus plans. Your server will typically point out where the entree, deserts and drinks are on the menu, but there is not any kind of separate dining plan menu.

Aside from that there are a few meals meant for 2 to share that can be ordered, but require 2 credits.

There is also no restriction that I know of that would forbid sharing meals. You would simply have to purchase a 2nd beverage.

 

[AllyMay]

Thanks for the reply....your reply matches the info we found online BUT when we went in 2011 we were literally shown a section on the menus specifically for dining plan users...at almost every restaurant.... Which left us a little disappointed as some of the nicer entrees and desserts were not included.... I mean there was literally a little inset on the menu which mentioned that dining plan users can pick from this list.....

Is this something they used to do but don't any more? If so thats great....

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks for the reply....your reply matches the info we found online BUT when we went in 2011 we were literally shown a section on the menus specifically for dining plan users...at almost every restaurant.... Which left us a little disappointed as some of the nicer entrees and desserts were not included.... I mean there was literally a little inset on the menu which mentioned that dining plan users can pick from this list.....

Is this something they used to do but don't any more? If so thats great....

To my knowledge Disney has never done that which kind of has me scratching my head about your experience.

In 2011 I was working as a Disney Travel agent and I was knee deep in Disney's policies and procedures. Needless to say, the dining plan was at the top of the "you must know everything about this" list.

 

[AllyMay]

I know....confusing or what! We expected to be able to choose anything from the menus....but were pointed to little 'dining plan' sections on a lot of menus...so missed out on some of the food we actually wanted....

We thought it was a little unfair at the time, but assumed it was because the dining was being given away free......but now we see all this info about there being no restrictions.....

 

[Master Yoda]

I know....confusing or what! We expected to be able to choose anything from the menus....but were pointed to little 'dining plan' sections on a lot of menus...so missed out on some of the food we actually wanted....

We thought it was a little unfair at the time, but assumed it was because the dining was being given away free......but now we see all this info about there being no restrictions.....

Do you remember which restaurants did this?

 

[mickeysshoes]

We have always had the a dining plan and have never had this happen. They will point out of something takes more than 1 credit for example the Forrest of Scallop app at Raglan Road takes 2 dining credit. And I think a cheese plate at the yachtsman is the same.

 

[momof1princess]

@Master Yoda isn't this true of some world showcase restaurants? I think I read it somewhere.

 

[Jo DeVil]

We too are from the UK and have used the Dining Plan since 2007, and we have never been shown any restrictions. The only place I have seen this is DLP, I have to admit that one is not worth it at all, we stayed in New York Hotel and went to Inventions for Me and DS 9, had to pay 45 euros on top of the DP for a buffet. Cafe Mickeys we had a set menu to choose from or pay extra again!

 

[Master Yoda]

@Master Yoda isn't this true of some world showcase restaurants? I think I read it somewhere.

Not that I know of. The restaurants in WS tend to have more appetizers, shared meals, things not included, etc than the Disney owned restaurants, but I do not know of one that has a separate DDP menu.

I was kind of wondering if the OP might be mixing up an experience at Paris or California as the dining plans there operate much differently than they do at WDW.

 

[wannab@dis]

Could the OP be talking about the Snack credits? Only some items are available for snacks... other than that, I also do not remember any restrictions.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

The only thing that can be called a restriction on the dining plan would be that appetizers and alcohol are not included on the basic or plus plans. Your server will typically point out where the entree, deserts and drinks are on the menu, but there is not any kind of separate dining plan menu.

Aside from that there are a few meals meant for 2 to share that can be ordered, but require 2 credits.

There is also no restriction that I know of that would forbid sharing meals. You would simply have to purchase a 2nd beverage.

as always @Master Yoda spot on

 

[AllyMay]

Restaurant Marrakesh was definitely one of them....definitely not confusing it with Paris or California as we haven't been to California and have never had the 'dining plan' in Paris....

This definitely happened. My whole family recall it quite clearly. Its what let us down a little bit....but like I said, we just assumed since it was free, perhaps they were making sure that we didn't order all of the most expensive items?

 

[Master Yoda]

Restaurant Marrakesh was definitely one of them....definitely not confusing it with Paris or California as we haven't been to California and have never had the 'dining plan' in Paris....

This definitely happened. My whole family recall it quite clearly. Its what let us down a little bit....but like I said, we just assumed since it was free, perhaps they were making sure that we didn't order all of the most expensive items?

I don't think free dining is the answer. There is no way to delineate between a guest who got free dining from one who paid for it, nor would every resort guest on property at any one time even qualify for the promotion.

Restaurant Marrakesh does offer a bit of a clue though. That restaurants menu is chock full of items that are combination meals and appetizers that play havoc with the DDP. They might have come up with a separate menu for a short period to help stem confusion.

Either way, it is irrelevant to your question. There are no restrictions on the DDP save for what I outlined earlier.

 

[AllyMay]

Okie doke we shall look forward to all the lovely choices we will have next year! Thanks all!

 

[lunchbox1175]

This happened to us in 2011 as well at Le Celier, I thought it was odd, but the choices that we wanted were on the menu we were given. We went at lunch if that makes any difference.