Hi Jennifer, and welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
I added the
Disney Dining Plan to a recent Walt Disney World vacation for #resEARch purposes, and my family loved every scrumptious moment. Pre-paying gave us that all-inclusive feeling, and we felt like it was our job to try all the snacks, desserts, and specialty drinks. We had so much fun, and we’ve already added the Disney Dining Plan to an upcoming vacation because it worked so well for us.
Substitutions on the Disney Dining Plan may be requested but cannot be guaranteed. My husband asked about substituting a salad or appetizer for his dessert at multiple locations on our recent vacation, and while some locations were happy to allow the substitutions, it was not possible everywhere. I ended up having a great conversation with a server at one restaurant, who explained that substitutions are at the discretion of the Cast Member serving you as well as the restaurant. Some restaurants have a particular way of ordering and keeping inventory in their kitchen, and their workflow makes substitutions difficult.
Jennifer, my best advice is to ask politely, but go in with the expectation that substitutions will likely not be allowed. That way, any substitutions you might be granted can be considered pixie dust! Also, remember that the restaurant Cast Members are awesome resources, and want to work with you to ensure your dining experience is delicious and memorable, so always feel free to ask.
Have so much fun trying all the delicious Walt Disney World food, Jennifer. A great resource for planning dining is the
Disney Parks Blog, because they post regular updates about the latest treats, snacks, and meals in the parks and resorts. Bon appétit!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn