Using your CS Credits ??

[Sammie]

OK, this is what I was thinking....for example Casey's Corner has no kids menu, so kids can order same thing as adults. The "cost" is the same. So if I were to go up and order a Hot Dog using a child CS, but it was really for me, or I split with my son, I would be told I can't? My thinking is that because places with kids menu's are so limited in their selection, that I could also use one of my adult CS for a meal and my son could have it. I am not in any way trying to rip off WDW in my thinking. I just had thought that we can use the credits in any order and more than 1 at a time. Hopefully I made sense in my explaination.

What happen is this if you go to Casey's and only order one hot dog, you are going to have to tell them it is for my child, or they will charge an adult CS.

If you split it with your son, I guess that would be consider acceptable, if you order it for your son, and they charge you a child CS and you eat it yourself, well I guess we know what that is.

 

[englishrose47]

Man this is gettng complicated!! We are in Disney's eyes 4 adults and 1 child So we will be able to order 4 adult meals to share or 3 adults and 1 child I also had seen the double cheeseburger and extra bun idea which will save us a few c.s credits for our last day!!

 

[MaeDaisy]

"I thought that you could choose to use three of your adult CS at a time (even though there are only two of us who are adults), if we chose to have our children split an Adult CS choice instead of having a child's choice? I'm hoping to get clarification for this, as I'm anticipating having extra CS points left over (who could eat all that food!!) and thought we'd have the kids use an adult CS occasionally..."

It's circular reasoning to say, we're going to have the kids share an adult meal because there's so much food, and since we'll have so many credits left over, we'll use them to get the kids some adult meals.

If each adult just gets an adult meal and each kid just gets a kid's meal, that's a perfect amount of food. And you don't have to worry about whether or not you'll get away with it, or keep track of who shared what with whom. Everyone gets 1 CS per day, just have everyone use their 1 CS per day.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

"I thought that you could choose to use three of your adult CS at a time (even though there are only two of us who are adults), if we chose to have our children split an Adult CS choice instead of having a child's choice? I'm hoping to get clarification for this, as I'm anticipating having extra CS points left over (who could eat all that food!!) and thought we'd have the kids use an adult CS occasionally..."

It's circular reasoning to say, we're going to have the kids share an adult meal because there's so much food, and since we'll have so many credits left over, we'll use them to get the kids some adult meals.

If each adult just gets an adult meal and each kid just gets a kid's meal, that's a perfect amount of food. And you don't have to worry about whether or not you'll get away with it, or keep track of who shared what with whom. Everyone gets 1 CS per day, just have everyone use their 1 CS per day.

Thanks, though I was referring more to the choices than the portions. actually, I wasn't trying to be circular in order to scam...someone earlier said it perfectly with "who would browbeat a CM or scam Disney on their magical vacation?!!?" well said....I think we're all just trying to figure it out...

thanks so much to all for the clarification on the confusing pieces--and I will plan ahead like suggested to be sure we choose the restaurants with the most choices for the kids!

thanks!

 

[Katiebell]

Wow, this is a little nuts, huh? I can't even imagine "browbeating" a cashier, especially on my magical vacation!

Sadly, it happens, even at Disney. I've read a few threads on here and other boards recently about the awful things some guests do at Disney -- yelling and swearing at CM's that take tickets, throwing fits in restaurants and berating servers for ridiculous things, renting wheelchairs so they can get to the front of lines (DL has put a stop to that), etc. Unfortunately, I've even witnessed some of it first hand, though not often; most people seem to want to have fun at Disney. But I work in customer service, and you'd be amazed at the number of people that think if they swear and scream at me that it will somehow make me more sympathetic to their cause, and more inclined to go out of my way to help them.

I read something on another post that made me laugh though. The person wrote that the way they use the DDP is they use their CS at breakfast, use one TS at lunch - split it between two people, and use one TS at dinner - split between two people. Now that seems to me like it's really "playing" the system - but it's apparently within the rules!

Not sure if it's totally within the rules (still waiting to get a definite answer on that), but a lot of people do it and report they've had no problems -- and that the restaurants will often even plate the meal on two plates for them in the kitchen. It doesn't really surprise me because that's actually the way DH and I like to eat if portions are really large. We'd rather have two lighter TS meals a day, and sharing appetizer, entree, and dessert would be more than enough for the two of us -- and leave room for drinks or a fun snack later.

Thanks, though I was referring more to the choices than the portions. actually, I wasn't trying to be circular in order to scam...someone earlier said it perfectly with "who would browbeat a CM or scam Disney on their magical vacation?!!?" well said....I think we're all just trying to figure it out...

I don't think you or most other people who post questions on these boards are trying to scam (the ones that are trying to scam are usually pretty blatant about it!) I think most of us are just trying to figure it out -- it seems like it should be so simple, but it must not be because we all have so many questions! Honestly, a lot of it seems to be that folks just want to make sure that all of their family members are happy on vacation, and that they aren't getting ripped off. The DDP seems like a really good deal, and it certainly can be a great savings, but you have to study it and know how it works, and it really involves planning. Overall, it's less than the OOP cost of the food, but you can use up credits on meals that aren't worth it, or end up with wasted, unused credits at the end of your vacation. And no one likes to feel like they've wasted their money.

 

[bicker]

From what I understand, and in my experience, you can use as many credits as you like in any one sitting.

Actually, folks have reported being limited to using the number of credits as indicated on your room key: 2A2C = two adults meals and two child meals, maximum. As Katie mentioned, this is to address this rule:

However, it is also to address this rule:

However you slice it, the brochure makes it clear that there are limitations.

 

[bicker]

If each adult just gets an adult meal and each kid just gets a kid's meal ... you don't have to worry about whether or not you'll get away with it, or keep track of who shared what with whom.

That's a perfect way of addressing the issue if anyone is getting confused by it all. It is only confusing if you choose to make it confusing. Otherwise, just do as MaeDaisy says -- simple.

 

[jdd]

Honestly, a lot of it seems to be that folks just want to make sure that all of their family members are happy on vacation, and that they aren't getting ripped off. The DDP seems like a really good deal, and it certainly can be a great savings, but you have to study it and know how it works, and it really involves planning. Overall, it's less than the OOP cost of the food, but you can use up credits on meals that aren't worth it, or end up with wasted, unused credits at the end of your vacation. And no one likes to feel like they've wasted their money.

Very well put. I'm probably making way too much of this anyway - my kids are likely to wolf down whatever is put in front of them so they can get back to the parks!

 

[weluvslinkydog]

1


Honestly, a lot of it seems to be that folks just want to make sure that all of their family members are happy on vacation, and that they aren't getting ripped off. The DDP seems like a really good deal, and it certainly can be a great savings, but you have to study it and know how it works, and it really involves planning. Overall, it's less than the OOP cost of the food, but you can use up credits on meals that aren't worth it, or end up with wasted, unused credits at the end of your vacation. And no one likes to feel like they've wasted their money.

Thanks for understanding everyone's point so well and being so thorough in your responses Katiebell!

I think I've finally got it! Here's to the fun of planning!!

 

[rluey29]

I have a question...

The brochure states that you can't use your DDP credits to redeem meals for friends or family members that aren't on your reservation, right? Well, I've read on these boards of people who have extra credits at the end of their trip and pay for the person's meal(s) behind them with their credits. It's a very nice thing to do but how are they getting away with it if it's against the rules? Wouldn't the cashier tell them that they can't do it?

 

[aaronandterri]

Im wondering what all the fuss is over?

If youve paid for an adult credit, does it matter if an adult uses it or a child? its still been paid for in disneys eyes, as if you have some left over, y not pay for som one elses meal, its till been paid for?? as long as its adult for adult or child for child or even child for adult, whats the problem?

I also thought it was much better when you could use a ts for a cs, disney made on that choice ....wonder y they stopped it? couldnt see many people doing it, but hey weve paid for them credits,, anything not to waste them eh??

As for the cs meals, if your party isnt hungry at the same time and the kids wanted hot dogs and it was all on the menu not splitting into adult child whats the problem? you just tell them its for the kids and they take 2 childs credits off? Is that going to be a problem, i hope not as my kids eat at funny times.

i understand if you did that for adults some people might see it as wrong, but disney still get paid for the credit? and the meal is the same cost adult or child?

the whole system is up to people abusing it i suppose but most of us dont sit down and work out how to rip disney off , most of us r to busy planning the next trip already!

 

[NMW]

What happen is this if you go to Casey's and only order one hot dog, you are going to have to tell them it is for my child, or they will charge an adult CS.

If you split it with your son, I guess that would be consider acceptable, if you order it for your son, and they charge you a child CS and you eat it yourself, well I guess we know what that is.

When and IF they do seperate adult/child CS credits, don't you think these CS places with no kids menu will get one?? LOL-probably uncrustables and something equally yummy. I find it hard to believe they would go through the trouble of changing the CS credits and let a big "loophole" like this remain.

Are you even certain that they will seperate the CS credits? I can really see TS, they were probably losing money with websites like Mousesavers recomending that people pay cash OOP for their kids to "save" their credits. There is a huge price difference between adult and kids TS meals. Plus the whole treating people not on the plan, etc. But CS? The price difference is only a few dollars between adult and kid meals. The way it stands now, if a family gets in line and says that their child can't/won't eat the 2 kid choices, the CM can give them a burger, hot dog or whatever to accomodate that family. If they can't do that, then what? At TS it's not a big deal, there are more choices and chefs can alter things or even prepare things not on the menu, like plain pasta for instance. At CS places, how would they do this?

Just curious to see what you think about this.

 

[aaronandterri]

I agee as well, i can see y they did it with TS meal but a CS meal is not worth it, espically with there kids menus the way they stand at the moment.

My friend came back yesterday and she said yes they are still pooled, although it does say number of adults children in the party, however she said they often split up so how did they know who had used what and just took a credit each time, and yes i may be hanged for saying this, but did ocassionaly order her DD a adult meal.

Oh well i know what point i was trying to make..........

 

[bicker]

The brochure states that you can't use your DDP credits to redeem meals for friends or family members that aren't on your reservation, right? Well, I've read on these boards of people who have extra credits at the end of their trip and pay for the person's meal(s) behind them with their credits. It's a very nice thing to do but how are they getting away with it if it's against the rules?

Primarily because Disney relies on the integrity of their guests to voluntarily comply with a lot of the terms and conditions that are associated with their product and service offerings. They only apply active enforcement when the losses associated with guests violating those terms and conditions exceed the losses associated with building and applying the enforcement.

For example, since Disney went to the pay-one-price system for admission, transferring an admission pass from one guest to another has been prohibited. However, it wasn't until a few years ago that they put in place active enforcement against that (i.e., the finger measurements stuff). There is a thread somewhere on the Community Board that lists dozens of examples like this.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I had wanted to go to Pecos Bill for lunch one day and the kids menu only offers Sloppy Joe or Chilled Chicken I know DS would love to have a burger as they are very good. I was thinking that I could use two of my adult CS so that I could get him the burger too. Honestly asking to buy an extra bun to split the double cheeseburger would make me feel a little weird LOL. Anyway that was the reason I asked the question. There are just so many restaurants with just mac & cheese, chilled chicken, chicken fingers etc. And I think kids would get sick of eating these 2 times a day. After all, the TS kids menus also pretty much have same thing as the CS don't they?

 

[Katiebell]

And I think kids would get sick of eating these 2 times a day. After all, the TS kids menus also pretty much have same thing as the CS don't they?

Nope, actually -- and thankfully -- they don't (And I agree, Pecos Bill's has the most horrid kids' menu I've read so far!)

You didn't mention what TS restaurants you are planning on going to, but here are some of the kids' menu items for some of the more popular places:

50's PT:
Grilled Fish of the Day served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait
Garden Salad
Meatloaf
Ice Cream Sundae
Fruit Salad

Alfredo's:
Spaghetti Al Pomodoro - with Alfredo's tomato sauce and meatballs
Penne alla Panna e Formaggio - penne pasta with cream and parmigiano cheese
Strawberry or Electric Blue Slush
Kid's Cappuccino - hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles

Le Cellier:
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Grilled Steak

Marrakesh:
Beef Kabob
Chocolate Mousse

Rose and Crown:
Shepherd's Pie
Bangers and Mash

Tempura Kiku:
Shichi-Go-San - shrimp with fresh vegetables, dipped in a light batter and fried, served with steamed rice, child dessert

Coral Reef:
Smoked Fish Chowder or Lobster Soup
Grilled Chicken Breast served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Grilled Mahi Mahi served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Coral Reef Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
Build Your Own Sundae

Concourse:
Grilled chicken or Grilled steak
Ice Cream (make-your-own sundae)

Maya Grill:
Grilled Chicken Parmesan served with pasta
Fried Ravioli served with marinara sauce and french fries
Beef Tenderloin Tips served with french fries and corn
Fried Shrimp with french fries and raspberry dipping sauce

Olivia's:
Grilled Fish of the Day - served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait

Whispering Canyon:
All-you-care-to-Enjoy BBQ Skillet
Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with yukon gold mashed potatoes
Chunkwagon - A sundae served with a chocolate chunk cookie
Worms in the Dirt - Chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and gummy worms

Cap'n Jacks:
Linguini Provencal served with diced tomatoes, basil, olive oil and Parmesan cheese

Raglan Road:
Young Shepherd's Pie - Traditional Shepherd's Pie with our contemporary twist to this favorite dish
Bacon Beag - Oven-roasted loin of bacon with a honey glaze served with braised cabbage and creamed potato

That's just a sampling, and I picked the most unique items on each of those menus -- of course there were plenty of chicken strips/burgers/mac and cheese too, but if you are looking for variety and more interesting choices for your kids, it's out there.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I had wanted to go to Pecos Bill for lunch one day and the kids menu only offers Sloppy Joe or Chilled Chicken I know DS would love to have a burger as they are very good. I was thinking that I could use two of my adult CS so that I could get him the burger too. Honestly asking to buy an extra bun to split the double cheeseburger would make me feel a little weird LOL. Anyway that was the reason I asked the question. There are just so many restaurants with just mac & cheese, chilled chicken, chicken fingers etc. And I think kids would get sick of eating these 2 times a day. After all, the TS kids menus also pretty much have same thing as the CS don't they?

And I have done this a number of times for my two children. Since we usually go to WDW for at least 9 to 11 days, we always will have lots of CS left over since we do not eat lunch on the days we have a character breakfast and we go to alot of them. So, I have used some of DH and mine for our children who would rather have chicken strips than cold chicken salad, not to mention a hamburger at Peso's. Only once last year, the CM told me that I needed to order two childrens CS meals and I replied that I was going to have alot of adult CS meals left over so I am using two additional adult credits. I believe we left WDW with 12 CS credit left in 2006 and 18 in 2005.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

I agree, and can see this could be a sticky point for Disney, since the brochure states: "Use your meals and snacks in any order and in any amount throughout your package stay until your total is depleted". If this becomes an issue, you can bet they will change the wording in the 2008 brochure if they keep offering the DDP.

The bottom line is: Disney is trying to prevent guests from using children's credits to pay for adult meals. Guests found loopholes to do that, and even though it was possible, that doesn't mean it was fair or ethical to do so.

Adult price for DDP per day: 38.99
Child price for DDP per day: 10.99

Why is there a $28.00 per day difference in the cost? Because kids' meals are cheaper. The average kid's CS meal is $4-$5, the average adult's CS meal is $10-$13; the average kid's TS meal is $7-$10, the average adult's TS meal can vary greatly, but may be valued at $25-$40, or even more. Plain and simple, it is not right to pay $11 for a kid's plan for one day's worth of meals for a child, and use it for adult meals. Yes, the kid's selections are not as nice, or as varied, or as large as adult meals. But that's what kid's meals are, not just at Disney, and that's why they cost $28 less a day.

Right now, Disney is relying on guests' honesty to use the CS credits appropriately -- adult credits for adults, and child credits for children. However they relied on guests to be honest with the TS credits, people came up with all kinds of ways to beat the system, so Disney split the TS credits to identify adult vs child. If people are not honest about using kid's CS credits for kid's meals, Disney will certainly fix that too -- if they continue offering the plan.

Rather than trying to use kid's meal credits for adult meals (and this is generally speaking, not directed at any person in this thread ) the better and honest solutions are to:
*do your homework, research and eat at restaurants where your kids like the menu,
*make use of buffets and CS restaurants that don't have kid's menus so everyone has the same choices,
*share your extra food with your kids,
*use snack credits for extras for your kids,
*and/or pay OOP for a few extra items to supplement your kid's meals.

What a great way to explain it all!!! I am a little confused about Casey’s and their menu. Since there is no child's menu can we even use it on the DP?

 

[weluvslinkydog]

Nope, actually -- and thankfully -- they don't (And I agree, Pecos Bill's has the most horrid kids' menu I've read so far!)

You didn't mention what TS restaurants you are planning on going to, but here are some of the kids' menu items for some of the more popular places:


That's just a sampling, and I picked the most unique items on each of those menus -- of course there were plenty of chicken strips/burgers/mac and cheese too, but if you are looking for variety and more interesting choices for your kids, it's out there.

Katiebell, maybe you know the answer to the question I've been trying to find out...what does Mama Melrose offer ....allearsnet says that they have a choice of an app, entree, and dessert...and it might vary between restaurants what the entree is (they meniton is could be a hamburger, hotdog, etc)..I'm wondering what is is that Mama Melrose has for their kids' pick entree choices...do you know? Thanks for the great info...

 

[MBELSANTI]

Nope, actually -- and thankfully -- they don't (And I agree, Pecos Bill's has the most horrid kids' menu I've read so far!)

You didn't mention what TS restaurants you are planning on going to, but here are some of the kids' menu items for some of the more popular places:

50's PT:
Grilled Fish of the Day served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait
Garden Salad
Meatloaf
Ice Cream Sundae
Fruit Salad

Alfredo's:
Spaghetti Al Pomodoro - with Alfredo's tomato sauce and meatballs
Penne alla Panna e Formaggio - penne pasta with cream and parmigiano cheese
Strawberry or Electric Blue Slush
Kid's Cappuccino - hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles

Le Cellier:
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Grilled Steak

Marrakesh:
Beef Kabob
Chocolate Mousse

Rose and Crown:
Shepherd's Pie
Bangers and Mash

Tempura Kiku:
Shichi-Go-San - shrimp with fresh vegetables, dipped in a light batter and fried, served with steamed rice, child dessert

Coral Reef:
Smoked Fish Chowder or Lobster Soup
Grilled Chicken Breast served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Grilled Mahi Mahi served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Coral Reef Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
Build Your Own Sundae

Concourse:
Grilled chicken or Grilled steak
Ice Cream (make-your-own sundae)

Maya Grill:
Grilled Chicken Parmesan served with pasta
Fried Ravioli served with marinara sauce and french fries
Beef Tenderloin Tips served with french fries and corn
Fried Shrimp with french fries and raspberry dipping sauce

Olivia's:
Grilled Fish of the Day - served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait

Whispering Canyon:
All-you-care-to-Enjoy BBQ Skillet
Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with yukon gold mashed potatoes
Chunkwagon - A sundae served with a chocolate chunk cookie
Worms in the Dirt - Chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and gummy worms

Cap'n Jacks:
Linguini Provencal served with diced tomatoes, basil, olive oil and Parmesan cheese

Raglan Road:
Young Shepherd's Pie - Traditional Shepherd's Pie with our contemporary twist to this favorite dish
Bacon Beag - Oven-roasted loin of bacon with a honey glaze served with braised cabbage and creamed potato

That's just a sampling, and I picked the most unique items on each of those menus -- of course there were plenty of chicken strips/burgers/mac and cheese too, but if you are looking for variety and more interesting choices for your kids, it's out there.

HI Katiebell,

Thank you for looking those up! That was a big help. Actually, we are going to almost all of the TS you mentioned! I made ADR for:
Wolfgang Puck
Mama Melrose
Le Cellier
Concourse Steakhouse
Spoodles
Alfredo's
Tonys

I checked out those menus and not too bad. ALthough DS doesn't eat any fish and is mostly a burger, hotdog kind of kid. Do you know of any CS that does serve Burgers to kids?

Thanks for your help!