Paying OOP for kids meal for adult on DDP?

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I'm sorry for asking this because I know this subject has been discussed many times, but I'm still confused about what's appropriate. My DS12 and I are on the regular dining plan. After looking over the TS menus there are several places that I would like to eat that he will only eat a kid's meal. I know that I can order him the kids meal and use his adult TS credit, but I'm now wondering if I could just pay out of pocket for his kids meal and pay for mine with a TS credit. I'm specifically asking about 50's PTC, Tutto's, and The Plaza. I obviously want to maximize our dollar and think I will need to pay out of pocket for one meal anyway but I also don't want to do anything inappropriate.
Does anyone know if this is allowed?:confused3
Thanks,

[brymolmom]

I believe the kids menu at those (and all) restaurants specify that it is for kids ages 3 - 9, so while your child might be able to order that - I would guess you wouldn't be able to pay the same price listed, since those meals and prices are only for kids those ages. So if you're going to be paying adult meal prices anyway - you're probably better off just using the adult TS credit.

[tyandskyesmom]

Yes, you can do exactly that...and that is proabably what we will end up doing on our next trip because my son is now 10...and does not eat like an adult at all!

We will then use his left over TS credits to enjoy other meals together.

As long as they are adult cerdits for adults, it is fine. And the price is the price...if he orders a kid's meal he pays for a kid's meal...they cannot change the price becaus he is not 3-9...

[smiths02]

Yes, you can do exactly that...and that is proabably what we will end up doing on our next trip because my son is now 10...and does not eat like an adult at all!

We will then use his left over TS credits to enjoy other meals together.

As long as they are adult cerdits for adults, it is fine. And the price is the price...if he orders a kid's meal he pays for a kid's meal...they cannot change the price becaus he is not 3-9...

Why can't they change the price? They do at some chains around here.

[TDC Nala]

It's going to depend on the restaurant whether they will provide an adult portion and charge more or not. Some restaurants apparently will, and some won't. Most don't care what age you are to order from the children's menu. There is no hard and fast policy that applies to every restaurant on WDW property.

The only definite is that you will not be able to pay a child's price for a 12 year old at a buffet or all you can eat family style or fixed menu meal.

[brymolmom]

Yes, you can do exactly that...and that is proabably what we will end up doing on our next trip because my son is now 10...and does not eat like an adult at all!

We will then use his left over TS credits to enjoy other meals together.

As long as they are adult cerdits for adults, it is fine. And the price is the price...if he orders a kid's meal he pays for a kid's meal...they cannot change the price becaus he is not 3-9...


I tend to agree with you BUT the alternative is that they can deny the 12 year old from buying anything on the menu that is only for 3 -9 year olds. I was thinking that letting him get the meal but paying an adult price for it would be the nicer thing to do - and WDW might do the nicer thing. That menu is for kids 3 - 9, NOT for older kids/adults - THAT'S why the price is so low...because it isn't available to everyone. Many restaurants don't allow those over a certain age to order off their lower-priced, kids menu.

[tyandskyesmom]

I tend to agree with you BUT the alternative is that they can deny the 12 year old from buying anything on the menu that is only for 3 -9 year olds. I was thinking that letting him get the meal but paying an adult price for it would be the nicer thing to do - and WDW might do the nicer thing. That menu is for kids 3 - 9, NOT for older kids/adults - THAT'S why the price is so low...because it isn't available to everyone. Many restaurants don't allow those over a certain age to order off their lower-priced, kids menu.

Why can't they change the price? They do at some chains around here.

Ok...maybe I should have said "won't" rather than "can't".

Disney will not refuse your money. Per dining plan description, everyone ont he reservation needs to be on the same plan but everyone does not have to use their credits at the same time. Do you honestly think Disney is going to refuse anyone, but in this case a child, food because they want a kid's meal that they are technically not supposed to have? Many adults order from kid's menus. We have never been told that any of us cannot order a kid's meal...and to you know how many people would be extremely upset if they ordered a kid's meal, were asked their age, and then told it would be say $3.00 more because of their age? Tons! And Disney caves on much less than that (dress codes come to mind!)

Rest assurred, Smiling Cheshire Cat, your 12 year odl will be able to order a kid's meal and pay out of pocket for it at the kid's meal price. If he would like an adult sized plate, they will charge more but most places will make it for him.

[catne]

if you're paying cash, Disney does not care what you order. You can go in & just order appetizers. Or just dessert. Or kids meals for everyone at your table. Or everything on the menu. C'mon, really. The "kids meals" are not limited to only people under 10 - Disney is not going to run out of kids meals.

Sometimes adults don't want a full adult-sized meal (or they are very picky eaters who just want nuggets!) I know people who regularly buy kids meals all over (not just Disney) because that's the right amount of food for their appetites.

The only thing Disney will not allow is for a child 10 & over to buy the children's dining plan. You pay the adult price for the dining plan when your kids aged 10 & above. Some restaurants turn people down when they want to order a kids meal & use an adult Dining Plan credit to pay for it (but many will allow that, too, and some will bring the kids meal with larger portions.) But if you pay cash, they don't care how old the person is.

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks everyone for the information. I think I will just ask at Tutto's, 50's PTC, and The Plaza restaurant if we can pay for his kids meal OOP. They can only say no, right?
I'm really not sure if the DDP is right for those of us with older picky eaters. We're going to try it this time and see how it goes. He will enjoy the breakfast buffets which are not the best value anyway but beyond that there are not a lot of adult menu options at TS restaurants he would consider.
Thanks again and if anyone else has any experience with this pass it on.

[Tara922c]

I don't think you will have a problem doing that. I worked at Disney, and they were all about making the guest happy. I highly doubt they are going to tell you that you can't order your son a kids meal, or make you pay extra for the kids meal. I worked in the resturant industry for years, and if an adult wanted to order a child's meal, fine, but we never suggested it, or advertised it. Why make a guest upset, and not come back over a few bucks? I think you will be fine. I worked in food, and merchandise at MK. When I worked in food, if a guest came up, and said "I dropped my drink", we gave them a new drink, no questions asked. We only had to get a managers approval if it was over 5 bucks. Disney rarely argues with a guest!

[plutolovr]

I was just curious what your child won't eat at 50s Prime Time and Plaza, PTC has wonderful fried chicken, the Plaza has burgers and Tutto has spaghetti all on the adult menu.

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I was just curious what your child won't eat at 50s Prime Time and Plaza, PTC has wonderful fried chicken, the Plaza has burgers and Tutto has spaghetti all on the adult menu.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit how picky my son is. At 50 PTC, he might eat the stacked sandwich if I have them remove the turkey. He won't eat any meat with bone, beef, and pork other than bacon. He would eat a bowl of plain noodles at Tutto's but I really don't want to pay $24 for that. I'm hopefull that I can find him a plain ham sandwich at the Plaza as well so there might be some adult options for him there. Luckily Disney does cater to the picky eating kids. I think you can buy chicken nuggets almost everywhere.