Has anyone received any flack for having an ADR but only wanting to order Desserts?

[disneyfan2kids]

I'm interested in making ADR's for dessert only at a place or 2 or maybe even apps and drinks. (Couples only trip.) Has anyone done this and how was your experience once you told the server you only wanted apps or dessert? Clearly we'd also be there for 1/5th the amount of time - and I'd tip well knowing we're taking up their table.

I'm just fearful that I'd get an upset server realizing our bill would be minimal. Thoughts?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

People do it all the time, it's fine.

 

[gharter]

I've never seen any problem with that.
The only play it appears to have been a problem was at Be Our Guest with the evening meal and people only ordering a cupcake. Disney didn't like that and fixed it.
IF it was an issue at any other restaurant, I suspect you would see changes made and they haven't.

 

[FSU Girl]

Disney's prices are high across the board so you're bill will still be decent with appetizers and drinks. People do this all the time with no issue. I've gone to restaurants for dessert and they didn't have a problem with it either.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Never ordered only desserts at Disney but have at other areas' eateries with no problem.
Have ordered appetizers at Disney with no issue though.

 

[SamFaniam]

We make ADRs at Sci-Fi just to get a milkshake

 

[Farro]

We love to do cocktails, appetizers and dessert!

 

[Disneypro1]

You can order whatever you want.. Heck, i very often order from the kids menu as Im not that hungry and it saves some money. do it all the time. We have eaten at a lot of restaurants at the parks..Epcot is an exception, we usually do QS there....but all of them didn't care what we ordered... if it was meals or just dessert. etc.

 

[ambellina]

We had an ADR for Citricos but by the time we sat down we were both exhausted and didn't much feel like eating. We had appetizers and wine with no problems. I really don't think any server would mind a dessert only table.

 

[NickDubs34]

This is completely normal and common.

If it makes you feel better, my family and I used to (a loooooong time ago) go to California Grill for appetizers and desserts. They had a killer steak and carmelized onion flatbread and then that just ridiculously good chocolate soufflé. We’d order two or three flatbreads. Drinks and a couple souffles. And the CG staff told us we were far from the only ones who did that. The only reason we don’t do it there now is because CGno longer has those items.

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

We make ADRs at Sci-Fi just to get a milkshake

My son and I are planning to do exactly that in September. Glad to know we're not the only ones!

(Well, we might also get some onion rings .)

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Totally agree you can order what you like. But if concerned about it or if you’re looking for more flexibility, there are several great bars and lounges that “allow” you to do that without needing an ADR. Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom. Tutto Gusto in the Italy pavilion in Epcot. Brown Derby Lounge in Hollywood Studios. Just about every restaurant in Disney Springs has a bar. All the deluxe resorts have lounges as well -a tour of the ones on the monorail can be a fun afternoon/evening.

Again, I think you should feel free to make an ADR & order what you’d like... just tossing out an alternative. Have a great trip!

 

[pooh2001]

I have ordered the veggies from the kids menu and added it to my entree
I like the plain veggies and fruit

 

[Castlequeen5]

We did this at Be Our Guest last year at dinner. This was before they changed the prices. The menu was not appealing to my family, but we wanted to see the Beast. So all the kids got the light up castle cups and cupcakes. Also we got appetizers. We still had an expensive bill because of the cups, but at least we got to bring those home as souvenirs. Plus we didn't waste money on food we didn't want.

 

[CT Yankee]

We have not done this at Disney because our ADRs are usually for a dinner anyway, but we did get a bit of an attitude once at a restaurant in our home town. My husband and I had gone to a restaurant for dinner and decided to go to another place in town for desserts (we had a gift card that we wanted to use up). This was in the height of the recession and the restaurants were pretty low on business. We told the hostess that we were there for desserts only and were willing to sit at the bar so as not to take up a table. The place was pretty slow so she said to just grab a table (there were several open). We told the waiter that we were there just for drinks/dessert and he told us that the tables were for dinner guests only. Awkward. I get that he didn't want to lose out on a tip for a full dinner but there were like two other parties in the restaurant at the time, and it didn't fill up much in the time that we were there. Just weird and a little clumsy on the waiter's part. I felt a little childish having to say something to the effect of, "But the hostess said we could sit here" but the hostess did indeed say we could sit there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There are enough times I go to Cheesecake Factory for just desserts (and usually coffee too). Or Perkins where we go for just pie (and usually coffee too). The only time I would ever clarify is in regards to giving full menus as opposed to dessert menus. I wouldn't clarify to justify my choice. I can't see why Disney is any different in that way. What I will say is BOG seems to be more centered around the hot bed aspect of the topic with people ordering cupcakes, especially when it's a PPO.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We have not done this at Disney because our ADRs are usually for a dinner anyway, but we did get a bit of an attitude once at a restaurant in our home town. My husband and I had gone to a restaurant for dinner and decided to go to another place in town for desserts (we had a gift card that we wanted to use up). This was in the height of the recession and the restaurants were pretty low on business. We told the hostess that we were there for desserts only and were willing to sit at the bar so as not to take up a table. The place was pretty slow so she said to just grab a table (there were several open). We told the waiter that we were there just for drinks/dessert and he told us that the tables were for dinner guests only. Awkward. I get that he didn't want to lose out on a tip for a full dinner but there were like two other parties in the restaurant at the time, and it didn't fill up much in the time that we were there. Just weird and a little clumsy on the waiter's part. I felt a little childish having to say something to the effect of, "But the hostess said we could sit here" but the hostess did indeed say we could sit there.

I'm not sure I would have gone back after that unless I felt it was just a one off situation with one waiter. The thing that is strange is the waiter assuming you'd be spending less on drinks and dessert than you would have on meals--I'm guessing that's why they felt the need to make that sort of comment.

I obviously don't know the pricing structure of the place you are talking about but methinks that waiter needs to hang out with my husband's coworkers. They can rack up a significant tab for happy hour lol (just apps and drinks no actual meals).

 

[CT Yankee]

I'm not sure I would have gone back after that unless I felt it was just a one off situation with one waiter. The thing that is strange is the waiter assuming you'd be spending less on drinks and dessert than you would have on meals--I'm guessing that's why they felt the need to make that sort of comment.

I obviously don't know the pricing structure of the place you are talking about but methinks that waiter needs to hang out with my husband's coworkers. They can rack up a significant tab for happy hour lol (just apps and drinks no actual meals).

We just chalked it up to the waiter being a bit clumsy with his customer skills, but it was a bit off-putting for us. The place was practically empty, and it being the recession and all, one would think he would be happy to have ANY opportunity to get a tip.

 

[Accidental Magpie]

Have done it, and will do it again. Last time was at Be Our Guest for lunch: 2 cupcakes and 2 beverages.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Totally agree you can order what you like. But if concerned about it or if you’re looking for more flexibility, there are several great bars and lounges that “allow” you to do that without needing an ADR. Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom. Tutto Gusto in the Italy pavilion in Epcot. Brown Derby Lounge in Hollywood Studios. Just about every restaurant in Disney Springs has a bar. All the deluxe resorts have lounges as well -a tour of the ones on the monorail can be a fun afternoon/evening.

Again, I think you should feel free to make an ADR & order what you’d like... just tossing out an alternative. Have a great trip!

I am definitely going to try this! Haven't ever frequented a lounge/bar as we always have kids with us! Thanks!