Kids CS Credits & Menus FAQ & Q&A

[sharonabe]

I'm doing the same thing during free dining too. I had to pay for the ticket upgrade from child to adult ticket. I also had to pay an extra $11/nt for ds to upgrade from the child TS plan to the adult TS plan.

Now if we were just on the CS plan during free dining, then we would only have to pay for ticket upgrade.

Shoot, if you're saying you got to skip out on the dining upgrade fee, then maybe I need to call Disney and get my money back!

But seriously, I couldn't really see Disney letting a child eat on the reg adult DDP basically for free. And now that I think about it, I'm wondering if OP is staying at a Mod or Deluxe, because if you're at a Value, TSDP is not free.

I think you figured it out. If you're staying at a value, you only get free QSDP and have to pay to upgrade to DDP and the price of ticket. If you're staying at mod or deluxe, you get free DDP and only have to pay price of ticket to upgrade a child to adult.

 

[vossjemi]

I think you figured it out. If you're staying at a value, you only get free QSDP and have to pay to upgrade to DDP and the price of ticket. If you're staying at mod or deluxe, you get free DDP and only have to pay price of ticket to upgrade a child to adult.

This is correct. We are at staying at a mod resort, so we are on a free DDP not QSDP, so we don't have to upgrade that. We have DDP already. Ours was ticket price increase only...which was about $25 total to change him from child to adult. No other fees.

 

[Pinkgirl]

This is correct. We are at staying at a mod resort, so we are on a free DDP not QSDP, so we don't have to upgrade that. We have DDP already. Ours was ticket price increase only...which was about $25 total to change him from child to adult. No other fees.

Having just read this, I've had to go and email my travel agent to see how much to upgrade DD aged 8 lol!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Hmmm Disney have just informed my Travel Agent that a "child" is a "CHILD" and you cannot upgrade them to an adult!!!!!! Okay, going to give it a few hours and wait for a shift change for a more knowledgable CM!!!!

 

[vossjemi]

Hmmm Disney have just informed my Travel Agent that a "child" is a "CHILD" and you cannot upgrade them to an adult!!!!!! Okay, going to give it a few hours and wait for a shift change for a more knowledgable CM!!!!

Well, I hope it works out for you. We just got back and had absolutely no problems at all. My TA is DU from these boards and they upgraded my 9 yo son to 10 and all we paid was the ticket price increase. Our key to the world cards listed him as an adult and he was able to order as an adult the entire trip. And I'm glad we did because he out ate most of us and would have NEVER been satisfied with chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, and pizza. At the F&W, he was all about the escargot. And at Cape May, he had 3 plates of mussels before he started on the crab legs. At 50's Prime Time, he had the pork loin. He ate his entire chicken bbq pizza at WPE, as well as the bounty breakfast platters at various quick service places. Some meals were buffets where it didn't make a difference, but at sit down TS or QS, he was glad he didn't have to be stuck with a kiddie meal. Heck, when we went to Clearwater for the rest of our trip, he ordered grilled swordfish with a port wine demi glaze and bleu cheese on top and ate every bite! He also had a 10oz sirloin another night. And he's actually not a "big" kid. He's lean and muscular with an excellent palette for a 9 year old. He likes to cook, and I'm thinking I may have a chef on my hands.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Just want to confirm that CS credits are all bunched into one group...not divided by adult/child. Not looking for any hints/tricks...or anything else....just an answer to my posted question. Thanks!

Was curious if this is still true as well...anyone know for sure?

Hmmm Disney have just informed my Travel Agent that a "child" is a "CHILD" and you cannot upgrade them to an adult!!!!!! Okay, going to give it a few hours and wait for a shift change for a more knowledgable CM!!!!

I'd have your TA call back & say there was an error made...your child is indeed 10, not 9. Not upgrading...just fixing an error. Good luck!!

 

[elleavon]

Well, I hope it works out for you. We just got back and had absolutely no problems at all. My TA is DU from these boards and they upgraded my 9 yo son to 10 and all we paid was the ticket price increase. Our key to the world cards listed him as an adult and he was able to order as an adult the entire trip. And I'm glad we did because he out ate most of us and would have NEVER been satisfied with chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, and pizza.

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you. I want to upgrade my duaghter for the variety, not for the portion sizes. She likes to try new foods, and would certainly be disappointed to watch her dad and me order interesting adult meals, while she is expected to eat chicken nuggets.

This will be the first visit to Disney World for all 3 off us. Until I started reading these boards, I was thinking we'd be eating overpriced convenience store-type nachos and hot dogs for all our meals. Can you tell I'm a naive theme park visitor? Imagine my delight to discover they have real food there too!

Ellen

 

[Tarffri]

I already paid for the DDP for my trip in March 2012 because I didn't want to be hassled with pulling cash out all day long in the parks, but am extremely disappointed with the kids menu choices. So ridiculously limited! Wish I had found this out before I purchased it. My kid may be unusual, but she hates cheese. So that lets out mac & cheese (makes her gag), and she will have to special order every burger because virtually every menu lists CHEESEburgers. Other than that, what are her choices? I've looked at every menu, most of them offer chicken nuggets (she likes only occasionally), and PBJ sandwiches (are you kidding me? She won't eat that). My nine y.o. likes to eat all sorts of food. I have to plan my trip extra carefully to find the places that offer more choices. My question is this: Can I eat some of the kids' meals myself and swap and let my kid eat the healthier fare? Can we split meals? Can we share each others' meals? I'd be willing to virtually starve myself to ensure that she eats right that week.

Other complaints: Lots of the quick service kiosks (that offer things that we both like) are not listed on the DDP. What a rip-off! With only the two of us, I cannot see how we will get our money's worth with the DDP. Disney needs to be more flexible with their DDP. Not everyone's kids eats nothing but chicken nuggets, mac & cheese and PBJ. And not all parents want their kids to eat dessert with every meal.

 

[TDC Nala]

Can I eat some of the kids' meals myself and swap and let my kid eat the healthier fare?

Yes.

Can we split meals? Can we share each others' meals?

Yes, except at fixed price restaurants.

Which "quick service kiosks" were you looking for that aren't listed for DDP? If you are looking at the 2012 DDP listing, it is possible the ones you want haven't been added yet because they are not operated by Disney.

The problem with the dining plan in this respect is that the child's dining plan is so inexpensive, which is one reason why the offerings are very limited. As for the dessert thing - that is the nature of the dining plan, it includes dessert with every meal (except breakfast). The options are 1) upgrade the child and pay for an adult dining plan and ticket (doesn't help with the desserts - desserts are still included), 2) do lots of buffets or family style restaurants (which won't help with counter service), 3) eat at the counter services with no child's menu, or 4) don't do the dining plan (you still have time to remove it from your reservation) - then the child can order whatever they want.

 

[waltfan42]

Does anyone know if you can sub fries for the kids sides at most places? I'm wondering most about Captain Cook's at the Poly. Thanks!

 

[delmar411]

Does anyone know if you can sub fries for the kids sides at most places? I'm wondering most about Captain Cook's at the Poly. Thanks!

you can sub fries and sodas in the kids meals at anyplace that serves fries.

It's normally grapes, carrots, cookie and you can say 2 cookies or 2 grapes or 2 fries or 2 carrots or any combo of 2 things. Some places don't have fries so for my YDD who doesn't eat carrots or grapes, I just get her 2 cookies. (hey it's vacation, right? LOL)

 

[delmar411]

Not everyone's kids eats nothing but chicken nuggets, mac & cheese and PBJ. And not all parents want their kids to eat dessert with every meal.

Well you don't have to get dessert for them at all. The side/dessert thing is that the kids get one main item and 2 sides. The 'dessert' counts as 1 side so your child could get 2 carrots or 2 grapes or 1 carrot/1grape and that's it. No dessert item.

And JIC you do order say the PBJ...it's an uncrustable not a normal sandwich so if your kids don't like PBJ normally, I wouldn't order this thinking it's just a sandwich. I find uncrustables to be beyond nasty so be forewarned.

You can remove the DDP from your room reservation and just charge everything to the room instead of carrying money. You have to pull out your room key to swipe if you get the DDP anyway so if you want to just pay 'cash' then just swipe the card and charge to the room.

 

[caribear]

Wanted to post about my experience using the DDP at 'Ohana. My DD9 and DS4 are very picky eaters...and do not eat much. Each time we go to 'Ohana we order them the kid's hamburger to share. We did the same last weekend when we were on the DDP. Our server charged us for 2 Kids meals anyway....saying since we were on the dining plan it was mandatory that we pay for both meals even though our kids shared a meal. I meant to take this up at my hotel, but we were only there for 2 nights and were very busy running around the parks so I did not have an opportunity to find out if we were "overcharged" or if that is the way the DDP works at 'Ohana. We have never ordered the "family style" meal for the kids...always the plated hamburger to share.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Wanted to post about my experience using the DDP at 'Ohana. My DD9 and DS4 are very picky eaters...and do not eat much. Each time we go to 'Ohana we order them the kid's hamburger to share. We did the same last weekend when we were on the DDP. Our server charged us for 2 Kids meals anyway....saying since we were on the dining plan it was mandatory that we pay for both meals even though our kids shared a meal. I meant to take this up at my hotel, but we were only there for 2 nights and were very busy running around the parks so I did not have an opportunity to find out if we were "overcharged" or if that is the way the DDP works at 'Ohana. We have never ordered the "family style" meal for the kids...always the plated hamburger to share.

My DS3 fell asleep during dinner at Ohana last month. There was food on his plate, but we were not charged for his meal on the ddp. Not the same situation exactly, but obviously not mandatory to charge everyone who's there.

 

[TDC Nala]

There's no meal sharing at 'Ohana. It's a fixed price restaurant. You are supposed to pay for everyone who sits at the table and is age 3 or over, even if you order the kids selections and the kids share them. Makes no difference whether you're on the dining plan or not.

It actually is mandatory to charge everyone at a fixed price restaurant, but servers have been known to sometimes cut slack for kids who are asleep or don't eat anything - just don't expect it.

 

[irishsharon]

So planning to do the regular dining plan 3adults one child. One of the "adults" is my 10yr old who is very picky even with kids food.At coral reef,sci-fi and whispering canyon can I use 2 adult credits and one child credit and then pay for a kids meal and save his adult credit for buffets? This will be my boys first visit so want to bring them to some fun restaurants, for them its the environment and not about the food.Thanks for your time Oh one more question can you refill your mug at any of the resorts or just the one your staying at,I want to eat cs at some of the other resorts.

 

[DJFan88]

There's no meal sharing at 'Ohana. It's a fixed price restaurant. You are supposed to pay for everyone who sits at the table and is age 3 or over, even if you order the kids selections and the kids share them. Makes no difference whether you're on the dining plan or not.

It actually is mandatory to charge everyone at a fixed price restaurant, but servers have been known to sometimes cut slack for kids who are asleep or don't eat anything - just don't expect it.

Sorry I totally believe you that that is true, it's just utterly rediculous in my opinion. If I don't get Free dining, there is no way I would go there. (Actually even with FD, I won't be). Yeah, it's probably great food or whatever, but I won't know what I've never had)

 

[DJFan88]

One more question can you refill your mug at any of the resorts or just the one your staying at,I want to eat cs at some of the other resorts.

The rules state just your resort.

 

[cburnett27]

This is very helpful! thank you

 

[cburnett27]

sorry, duplicate post