Is this acceptable?

[WDmommyof4]

I have a trip planned for December with a room only AP discount that I plan to add deluxe dining to. My DS6 keeps flipping back and forth about wanting to go or not wanting to go. He now says he definitely doesn't want to go, but that could change the minute me, my mom, and his brothers get ready to walk out the door.

My question is, if he does happen to change his mind last minute, can we just let him tag along with us and let him share food with his three brothers who will be getting kids meals. I know that we would have to pay OOP for him at buffets and such, but for the rest of the time is it okay for him just to share or not?

[TDC Nala]

Are you planning to have him in the room unregistered?

You could have several problems with this that have nothing to do with dining.

1) He will not have a room key and cannot access attractions at Extra Magic Hours.
2) He will not be registered to use Disney Magical Express. As he is a minor, I don't know how you'll get him to the resort if you're planning to use the service.
3) You may be looking at exceeding room capacity, depending on the size of room you booked. You appear to have five people in your party already and will be adding a sixth if you take the child registered or unregistered.

As far as the dining plan goes, the rule is that dining credits may not be used to feed someone who isn't listed on your reservation or participating in your dining plan.

You cannot add deluxe dining to a room only reservation. You would be changing your reservation to an AP ticketless package if you want to get the dining plan (you will be able to retain the room discount - just the character of the reservation will change). You need to do that no later than 72 hours before arrival. You can add the child any time if you do it before then, unless adding him will exceed room capacity. Your package must be paid off within 45 days of arrival - because it's no longer a room only reservation, you can't pay the balance at check-in.

[WDmommyof4]

No, if he came with us I would definitely notify them when we arrived. I just believe it is too late to modify dining at that point. We will be staying at the Wilderness cabins, so no problem with exceeding the room limit as six are allowed.

I just don't want to include him in the dining and miss out on the money if he does not go. However, I will do that if it is going to cause big problems. That is why I am asking ahead of time. He says he doesn't want to go but I want to be prepared in case I have a crying little boy begging me to go at the last minute lol.

[TDC Nala]

According to rules of the dining plan, you'd have to add him no later than 72 hours before arrival and buy him a plan, or pay OOP for his TS meals. It's pretty clear that they don't allow using dining credits to buy meals for someone not on the plan.

[WDmommyof4]

Okay, I will leave him off the reservation. If he decides to come at the last minute I will notify the front desk when we check in and then pay OOP for his meals. It may cost me a bit more that way, but I doubt it and at least I will not be out money if he sticks to his guns about not going. I am hoping he decides to come!

[igk]

At least the kids menu items are much cheaper than the adult (10+) items so it won't be nearly as expensive as having to pay OOP for an adult.