I know that Disney eliminated the appetizer and the tip from the table service credits in their dining plan recently. I have never used the dining plan before and am wondering if Disney is flexible with what is considered an "entree." For example, if I wanted to order two appetizers as my "entree" or an appetizer and salad in lieu of an entree (the total cost being the same or less then an entree) do you think Disney would charge extra for the additional item? Or allow the substitution?

And this may seem like a silly question, but do you suppose Disney would allow the dessert on the dining plan to be substituted for an appetizer (if the cost were the same)? Maybe this is a stretch though.

There have been some reports where diners on the new plan have requested an appetizer instead of a dessert and were told that was not an allowed substitution. (Im not sure if there have been successes for such a request.) At the same time, I dont believe that you can do two appetizers in lieu of an entree.

However, being that the package is still on the new side, you can always ask to see what they can do for you. Just be prepared for a "no." At the same time, I would not buy into the dining package unless you are sure that the package, as designed, is going to give you a good value.

This is why I wish they would come up with a "points" system (kinda like DVC!) I know it would be more complicated, but some days I might want to choose to do all counter-service as opposed to table service, or like the OP mentioned two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad. While the transition would probably be confusing it shouldn't be too hard for Disney to go through each menu and assign points to each menu item (hmm. sorta like Weight Watchers!) Obviously they could double the points for the character meals and the signature restaurants.

Anyway, I wish they would do something like that.

This is why I wish they would come up with a "points" system (kinda like DVC!) I know it would be more complicated....
More complicated would a nice way of looking at it. For some, it would be a logistical nightmare. It would be like having a pre-paid credit card for all your meals. It has a set amount of dollars on it. Once its gone, its gone. The problem is that you will either find yourself having "points" left at the end or you don't realize how much you have spent and come up way short at the end. I can see the pros and cons of such an arrangement, but mainly cons for most vacationers.

An alternative idea to this would be to have something like the DDE card available to all guests and not just to AP holders. That way, for a cost, you can get a discount but still buy what you want, where you want, and as much or little as you want.

I know that Disney eliminated the appetizer and the tip from the table service credits in their dining plan recently. I have never used the dining plan before and am wondering if Disney is flexible with what is considered an "entree." For example, if I wanted to order two appetizers as my "entree" or an appetizer and salad in lieu of an entree (the total cost being the same or less then an entree) do you think Disney would charge extra for the additional item? Or allow the substitution?

And this may seem like a silly question, but do you suppose Disney would allow the dessert on the dining plan to be substituted for an appetizer (if the cost were the same)? Maybe this is a stretch though.

In 2007, they were not flexible at all. Everytime we asked to do something different we were told no. An example is at Wispering Canyon I got water for my drink instead of their famous milk shakes. I tried to get the milk shake for the dessert which you would think would be doable but I got a no. On the dinning plan the milk shake was a drink not a dessert so they would not do it.

This is in contrast to 2005 when the plan first started and they were pretty flexible on things. Since this is the first year of gratuity is not included on sit down meals, maybe the wait staff will be more flexible when possible since they have to earn their tip.