20 adult diners sharing dxdp credits from one room

[Bronte]

I thought Disney officially stated that deluxe dining credits can be used for anyone anytime during your stay ...
We have three rooms at the beach club villas and put all the kids plus one adult into one room just because of this information ...
On New Year’s Eve we have a sitter for the kids and reservations at prime time for lunch and in Mexico for a late dinner (party of 20 adults). Will we have any issues using all our deluxe dining credits ??? I would think the server does not care either way because the tip on all those adults and all those adult drinks is much better than 4 kids

I don’t want to be embarrassed if there are any issues ...
I thought it would save me some money but also make it easier for the server (the Ards where hard to sort out for the large party and we already know we will probably have to sit at separate tables)

 

[Bjkandma]

You are asking if 20 adults can use dining credits for a room that lists children. When you swipe your magic band, (some restaurants swipe first to see what plan you are on). The server will be able to see that room has 1 adult and a number of kids in that room.

Deluxe plan doesn't show a difference between dining credits (adult\kids) but it does show resort and number of adults\kids in your room. Some have had luck using as you have suggested, some have not. I 'd suggest having an alternative payment method for those not on the plan to be safe. (Final decision is really up to restaurant manager).

 

[Bronte]

I thought it was allowed on the deluxe dining plan and not at the discretion of each restaurant. If they can say no or even if they think it’s odd we will not add the deluxe dining plan to that room for the length of stay and each person can pay separately ...
We are all staying on my dvc points and we all have our passes anyways so this was just an “add on” not part of any package or discount.
I am a server and personally I would have liked one check for a table of 20 adults but if the Disney server and/or manage sees us as a problem from the moment they scan my magic band than it is totally not worth it ..
We are there to enjoy ourselves not cause any issues.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This was originally posted in the dxdp sharing thread (actual experiences).

Off topic for that thread, moved to its own thread

 

[starry_solo]

So, I thought in the other thread, people reported issues sharing credits at 50s Prime Time and Hollywood Brown Derby.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disney-deluxe-dining-plan/
This is the official word of the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. In the DxDP, adult credits and children's credits aren't differentiated per se, except when the CM scans the magic band for payment and sees, wait, there's only one adult and three children on this plan, which should mean that the child doesn't get an alcoholic drink included in the plan. Are your three kids Disney-aged kids (3-9) or are they actually considered Disney "adults"?

 

[Paulines]

No offense but I feel that’s manipulating the system and taking advantage of a courtesy offered. Not nice.

 

[Nancyg56]

I thought Disney officially stated that deluxe dining credits can be used for anyone anytime during your stay ...
We have three rooms at the beach club villas and put all the kids plus one adult into one room just because of this information ...
On New Year’s Eve we have a sitter for the kids and reservations at prime time for lunch and in Mexico for a late dinner (party of 20 adults). Will we have any issues using all our deluxe dining credits ??? I would think the server does not care either way because the tip on all those adults and all those adult drinks is much better than 4 kids

I don’t want to be embarrassed if there are any issues ...
I thought it would save me some money but also make it easier for the server (the Ards where hard to sort out for the large party and we already know we will probably have to sit at separate tables)

It really is not the server you need to be concerned about. The tip might drive how the CM pushes sales, but it is not enough to risk a job. The restaurant sets the policy, and quite frankly in this case I think you may have a problem. When you factor in the number of credits you want to use in a 1 credit TS restaurant, along with the number of tables you will probably be seated at, add in different servers at each table (it happens more often than you think) you may find yourself in a logistical nightmare. Personally, I would just pay the bill.

 

[sharonabe]

I thought it was allowed on the deluxe dining plan and not at the discretion of each restaurant. If they can say no or even if they think it’s odd we will not add the deluxe dining plan to that room for the length of stay and each person can pay separately ...
We are all staying on my dvc points and we all have our passes anyways so this was just an “add on” not part of any package or discount.

If you read the dining plan PDF, it does still state that kid's must order off the kid's menu where available. That is the part that is totally up to the discretion of each restaurant, each manager. Even though the credits are not separated, they may insist that the kid's credits be used for kid's meals.

I would be hesitant to do this with 20 adults all at one time. I think this one has a 50/50 chance of going off without a hitch.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you read the dining plan PDF, it does still state that kid's must order off the kid's menu where available. That is the part that is totally up to the discretion of each restaurant, each manager. Even though the credits are not separated, they may insist that the kid's credits be used for kid's meals.

I would be hesitant to do this with 20 adults all at one time. I think this one has a 50/50 chance of going off without a hitch.

More like 90/10

 

[sharonabe]

More like 90/10

I know you've used the DxDDP many times and some in the same way the OP wants to use it, so I trust your thoughts. Just want to make sure I'm reading your comment correctly. You're saying they have a 90% chance of doing this with no problem at all, correct?

 

[Nancyg56]

I know you've used the DxDDP many times and some in the same way the OP wants to use it, so I trust your thoughts. Just want to make sure I'm reading your comment correctly. You're saying they have a 90% chance of doing this with no problem at all, correct?

No. I believe they will be walking into a disaster. I have used it between two rooms, and have added the kids to the room with the DxDDP, however we all had one plan or another, and did not have more children than adults in the room. We also had everyone who was in the room with the DxDDP at dinner, so the children were using their own credits. We all sat at the same table and use one MB to pay for the meal. We also only did this at Disney owned restaurants, although I do know that some of the independently owned restaurants will allow this practice.

The problem I see with the OP's plan is that she is stacking one room with children who will not even be in attendance at the meal, is going on a very busy evening to a Non Disney owned restaurant, will more than likely be seated be seated at two to three tables and somehow needs the one person who can swipe a band bouncing between all of the tables, and plans to use 20 credits all at one time. Frankly, I can see the manager just saying that this is not going to happen in order to reduce what is a nightmare for them, let alone a logistical cluster for the OP. Perhaps one table with a few people, but 20 who may be situated all over a restaurant on NYE? It is a ridiculous idea, IMO. I am not trying to be rude, but this is the scenario that Disney simply shuts the doors on.

 

[Dakota731]

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I may not get caught shoplifting that but doesn’t mean I should tty. Paying for one child’s plan and using it to pay for 20 adults sounds likes stealing plan and simple to my conscience.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Reminder to be kind. The OP is not doing anything others aren’t doing every day, just planning w more people. Which may be the sticky wicket

 

[Dakota731]

The OP is not doing anything others aren’t doing every day, just planning w more people.

Don't we tell our kids just because someone else is doing it doesn't make it right? The plan literature says kids must order off the kids menu so I don't understand how just because people cheat the system that we should encourage such.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Don't we tell our kids just because someone else is doing it doesn't make it right? The plan literature says kids must order off the kids menu so I don't understand how just because people cheat the system that we should encourage such.

I agree with you but I blame Disney just as much. They are all over the place where their DDP is concerned. Why is it so hard to allocate all child credits for kid's meals only? They force people to pay adult ddp prices on kids who are 10 and over but then turn around and allow kids 9 and under or adults in the group to order qs (all plans) and ts (deluxe plan) adult meals at kid's prices which, as we know, have a huge price difference. I mean an adult could potentially be eating 3 meals a day each with apps. entree, dessert and drink for $40.00 or so total. Of course "gaming the system" is going to happen as in the case of putting all the kids in one room and using the credits for adult meals. Or, keeping an adult off the reservation, adding him in at check-in and using the child's credits for the adult. As long as you don't care about the ME bus it can be done. Disney needs to close many loopholes.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Disney has chosen to leave the dxdp as pooled credits. This is on them. I really thought when they added alcohol they would designate child and adult credits, since they were tweaking the coding anyway

Until and unless they change how credits are assigned, they have pooled credits. That’s in Disney. They allow sharing credits w folks not on the plan. This specific case is unusual due to the size of the party. But it is nothing that has not been fully sanctioned by Disney for a couple years now.

OP is trying to maximize their use of credits and why not. Disney says they can. And since it is a Disney benefit w the dxdp, then it’s on them. There is no shame in trying to maximize your dollars.

 

[Nancyg56]

Disney has chosen to leave the dxdp as pooled credits. This is on them. I really thought when they added alcohol they would designate child and adult credits, since they were tweaking the coding anyway

Until and unless they change how credits are assigned, they have pooled credits. That’s in Disney. They allow sharing credits w folks not on the plan. This specific case is unusual due to the size of the party. But it is nothing that has not been fully sanctioned by Disney for a couple years now.

OP is trying to maximize their use of credits and why not. Disney says they can. And since it is a Disney benefit w the dxdp, then it’s on them. There is no shame in trying to maximize your dollars.

I have no issues with maximizing the plan, I do as well. I don't break DIsney rules and do not believe the OP is trying to do so either. I do feel that it is the overall scenario that the OP is walking into that is problematic, and while I hope it works out, I do not hold high hope that it will. We have had nine use deluxe credits that were assigned to a room of 4. We all were at the same table and in a WDW owned restaurant. The server allowed us to do so, and also allowed us to let the girls order from the adult menu.

My concern is that if they try this and are not all at the same table, and the manager is concerned with both eh size and the dynamic, and it is NYE, a cluster for many restaurants, they will not be allowed to do this.
If they go in prepared to pay, it's all good. If not they will not have a wonderful NYE.

 

[lotsohugginbear]

I guess I don't get it. You have 20 adults and 4 kids staying in three rooms?

 

[Nancyg56]

I guess I don't get it. You have 20 adults and 4 kids staying in three rooms?

The room issue is a non issue. I had 7 adults in one room reservation. We had a 2 bedroom villa.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I have no issues with maximizing the plan, I do as well. I don't break DIsney rules and do not believe the OP is trying to do so either. I do feel that it is the overall scenario that the OP is walking into that is problematic, and while I hope it works out, I do not hold high hope that it will. We have had nine use deluxe credits that were assigned to a room of 4. We all were at the same table and in a WDW owned restaurant. The server allowed us to do so, and also allowed us to let the girls order from the adult menu.

My concern is that if they try this and are not all at the same table, and the manager is concerned with both eh size and the dynamic, and it is NYE, a cluster for many restaurants, they will not be allowed to do this.
If they go in prepared to pay, it's all good. If not they will not have a wonderful NYE.

I understand your points and generally agree. I regularly take a "Don't hate the player, hate the game" stance around here. Except that the OP is not merely sharing credits. They are buying significantly less expensive children's credits with the intent of using them for real adults' meals, probably including pricey alcoholic drinks. This isn't using two kids' credits for four kids, or letting a light-eating 13yo use a child's credit. The goal is to pay children's prices for meal credits they have no intent of using for children and instead having a large NYE dinner party for adults.
Because of the lack of children at the table and because no manager is going to want to lose out on the big money NYE should pull in, I do not believe this plan will succeed. Even if a server (or servers as I think is likely for such a large group) is excited by the large tip the bill would generate. It's just too many people not on the plan vs. number (and type) of people actually listed.
I agree that they should definitely be prepared to pay OOP if they want to try and see if it works.