Child DDP - to Adult DDP -pay upgrade question

[WhitGB]

We are going during free dining and I was wondering what needs to be done to upgrade my child to adult DDP status. I understand we need to pay the difference in the ticket price, which for 9 days seems like a minimal price for this upgrade.

So the question is...

Am I understanding correctly to upgrade a child to adult, I have to pay the adult ticket prices?

How do I go about requesting an adult plan and the ticket upgrade?

If she would like to eat a kids meal, can I use an adult credit to do it? I know it seems like a waste, but I need to ask.

Are the rules any different because it is free dining time?

Thanks for any help.

[bussellmomof3]

That's a good question that I'd love to know the answer to also.

[ancestry]

There has been quite a few posts here on the boards about this. I have no personal experience with this but from what others have written you have to make your child an adult age (over 9) on your reservation in order to get the adult plan for your child. You will also have to pay adult prices on your park tickets. I'm not sure what Disney's official position is on this -- i.e. if it is "permitted" or not. I would suspect that it is probably against Disney rules especially during free dining.

Considering your children are so young (according to your signature) I wouldn't recommend doing this as you would really be adding a lot of years their ages. A five year old isn't going to look like a 10 year old.

Also in previous years during free dining, Disney has required that all parties be present at check-in in order to receive the free dining credits. It will be obvious that your five year old isn't an adult.

[WhitGB]

Thanks for your feedback.

We are going this fall and hoping to book bounceback for 2010, at that point she would be 8 (I need to update my sig to 6 year old).

I found another thread and it seems like this is a popular question.

Thanks again.

[TDC Nala]

So far I don't consider registering your child as older to upgrade their dining plan as against Disney rules. You're paying Disney extra whether it's free dining or not - they shouldn't mind that.

However, when your child is obviously well under 10, you might be better off just booking a lot of buffets or paying a little out of pocket if they need extra food.

[Venoxen]

It cost me 37 dollars to upgrade my 7 year old to the adult plan (10 nights). A bargain as far as i am concerned. :banana:

[RACHELSMOM1]

I plan to do this very thing with my 8 & 9 yr old girls and we are going for free dining also. I have already inquired about this, and yes it is permitted, you just have to pay adult price for the tickets. We have season passes, buying one day base tickets, won't be much difference and will make them happy!!

[PebblesMK]

I upgraded my 8 year old daughter to an adult because she doesn't like what's offered on most children's menu's. I think it was a matter of 30 dollars or so to upgrade her tickets to adult, that was for 4 day with park hopper. I was told that she could order off the children's menu if she wanted (places like akershus where nothing floats her boat). The only problem that we had was that they changed her to a Mrs. and me to a Mr. Took about four different calls to work that out but very minor. I think it's definitely worth upgrading.

[Coparm]

I've upgraded my 6 year old daughter to adult, they've just listed her as 10 yrs old. I specifically asked if this was allowed under free dining and they said yes. Its cost me an extra $37 for the 6 days park tickets for her. She can still order off the the childrens menu, but she is a steak lover and sometimes wants to order off the adult menu.

We were there in Feb on DDP as well and were bumped from ASMo to AsMu due to the cheerleading and they put her down as an adult when we were moved across. I questioned it and they said don't worry about it, this way she can order from either menu. We did have some problems at restaurants, just tell your server up front that the child is on the adult dining plan.

[DCDisney]

We did find with a barely adult aged child that some places would not allow him to use an adult credit for a kids meal. If you are planning on a decent number of TS kids meals then I wouldn't upgrade. Part of it I think is the servers wanted a higher priced meal to get a bigger tip. In the cases where they wouldn't allow it we just paid OOP for a kids meal and then used the extra credits for a TS breakfast on our last day. We always schedule an extra last day breakfast in case we somehow don't use up our credits.

[DisneyMomma81]

YAY ~ I just changed DS's age, a week or so ago I tried twice to change him from 9 to 10 ~ two different CMs told me ~ "No, it's not ethical ~ would you change his age if you didn't have free dining??"

I'm glad I tried again ~ DS out eats me and I like to eat.

[buzzmom3]

I called and told the CM exactly what I wanted to do and why and I asked if it was allowed. He put me on hold and came back and said no problem. My DS just eats more than what he can get in a CS meal as a child.

[Order66]

I tried 3 different times to change my sons' ages to 10 and was told I could not. My twins are going to be 10 two months after our trip, so it's not really even a stretch. Last CM even put me on hold to check guest relations and still came back and told me no and said it was because I was on free dining.

My kids are picky eaters and for TS I just choose places I know will have something they like. But the CS choices really just stink. I mean, no burgers for kids at a burger place? The CM suggested that I was certainly welcome to order and pay for anything I'd like them to have off the adult menu. Gee thanks....I'm glad to know that is allowed. :rolleyes1

[skier_pete]

One thing to be aware of...if your child is 6 and you make them 10 years old in Disney's system, then when you want to go again and PAY for dining say the next year and your child is 7...Disney will say no he's 11 and then you'd have to pay $39 for the DDP. (We went with a friend in 2007 who had a 9 yo DD, and it didn't occur to me to do this until we were already there.)

Otherwise, I would guess you could do this...

SkierPete

[TDC Nala]

Have not seen on the boards before that upgrading a child to an adult was not permitted during free dining. Disney may be putting a new policy in place.

[heatherbelle]

I have the opposite problem.

My DS is 11, so will have an adult ticket. But when I look at some of the menu's I know he will want the kids burger. Are you able to use the dining plan adult for this, or will I have to pay cash for his burgers and fries!

I appreciate it's a waste of dining credit, but he won't eat fancy food.