2020 dining plan changes- game changer! DxDP - any plan changes or credit sharing issues?

[scrappinginontario]

The subbing snack for drink is not a universal given. It is sometimes at resort food court only.
is it PoP that says no but AoA that says yes?
no idea if that little gift will continue or not.

Pop allows subbing a drink out for a snack.

While these are great suggestions, it means they will not be using their child QS credits. What does OP do with leftover child credits?

We often have QS credits left and exchange them for snacks. It's unfortunate though if now they only get 1 snack per child's QS credit.

Thanks for posting...

Looks like there will still be some value in the DDP and DxDP under certain circumstances; my kids are all Disney Adults now, but not very big eaters. By eating at Table Service restaurants and sharing a TS credit (except at Via Napoli !) could potentially be a money "saver" (when you include the app). But, on the flip-side, eating at AYCE restaurants would be a money "loser"! In addition, using a TS credit on "packages" (like Fantasmic or RoL) also has value. And, I guess there's still some value if you wanted to be restrictive and order the most expensive item every time.

I just don't see the benefit though of the Child QS credits anymore..."hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and apple slices!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and fries!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...we're going to try something different today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and dried-out carrot sticks!" Although, Disney is making some of the kid's menus more expansive and creative, but still...

I don't believe this is allowed at many Disney restaurants. My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that at table service locations each person in the dining party must use 1 TS credit. Sharing is not permitted. Is this correct?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

At the same time we need to realize that this all happened on January 1, 2020, arguably one of the very busiest days in the MK the entire year!! I cannot imagine the frustration of waiting in a very long line (all food lines are long on Jan 1) only to be told I could not order food for 1 or more people in my party due to changes they made overnight.
I would have paid for the child(ren)'s meal(s) out of pocket but then paid a visit to Guest Services. I don't think being upset is unreasonable.

Personally, I feel they chose to make this unannounced change on one of the worst days to do so due to the business of the parks.

The spirit of my comment was to not have posters throwing mud at each other and calling loopholes the devil! (Think waterboy movie)

I do think being upset is very reasonable and value yours and everybody’s comments. And I didn’t like others coming in here to be the “feelings” police. As long as people state their thoughts in a manner respectful of others we all good; right? And I feel like that’s been the tone here too which is great

 

[Dis Dragon]

I understand the change for the deluxe plan credits, I didn't know it worked like that but that was some major gaming right there. I'm confounded why they feel they need to push that to QS, there is such a lack of variety with QS as there is and my kids actually have taste buds and like eating different things. That really takes away from the experience with the subpar children's menus throughout the park. Someone mentioned the pork fries from flame tree that you can get for a snack credit - they've basically made the kids QS credits equal to a snack credit - you can get more things with it than chicken nuggets and a small burger with carrots. It would be great if they made smaller portions of the adult items available with those credits.

My kids will be passing the disney described adult barrier this next year so we only had one more trip to do the dining plan anyway, but we don't really see the value in it anymore considering we have to restrict what our kids would like to eat. It's disappointing that the dining plan doesn't make a lot of sense anymore, when we're breaking even for our dining, we chose to not get the dining plan and then that dictates some of the experiences unfortunately. It's what makes sense for us, just sharing an opinion. I'll miss the convenience.

 

[happysavermp]

Does anyone know if you can use an adult credit for a kid’s meal at a quick service location? I know it’s not cost effective but all three of my kids prefer “kids” meals and 2 of the 3 kids are are over 10 so they are considered adults on the dining plan. I’d rather “waste” an adult credit for a kids meal versus having tons of adult credits left over at the end of our trip. If not my free dining Bounceback offer may end up costing us a lot more money out of pocket!

 

[sharonabe]

I don't believe this is allowed at many Disney restaurants. My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that at table service locations each person in the dining party must use 1 TS credit. Sharing is not permitted. Is this correct?

The only one I know of that doesn't allow it is Via Napoli. Just about anywhere else will let two people use one credit to get one meal and share it.

understand the change for the deluxe plan credits, I didn't know it worked like that but that was some major gaming right there. I'm confounded why they feel they need to push that to QS,

The QSDP is the reason it was that way for the DxDDP. DxDP credits can be used for either TS or QS, and since some of the QS places didn't have kid's meals, they had to pool the credits for both of these plans. They simply made the change in their cash registers to only allow kid's credits to be used on a kid's meal. Places that don't have a kid's meal are reportedly unable to take kid's credits at all right now.

Does anyone know if you can use an adult credit for a kid’s meal at a quick service location? I know it’s not cost effective but all three of my kids prefer “kids” meals and 2 of the 3 kids are are over 10 so they are considered adults on the dining plan. I’d rather “waste” an adult credit for a kids meal versus having tons of adult credits left over at the end of our trip. If not my free dining Bounceback offer may end up costing us a lot more money out of pocket!

You should be fine. My guess is all the kid's QS credits will have to be used before you can use the adult credit, but we really don't know how this is going to shake out. My suggestion would be to peruse the QS menus and find places that have an adult meal of kid favorites and plan to eat there. If it's too much food, the two older kids could split an adult meal of food they like.

 

[Dis Dragon]

I've never had the deluxe plan but we've had the regular plan several times, table service credits were always broken out - I had assumed it was the same way for the deluxe plan.

 

[happysavermp]

The only one I know of that doesn't allow it is Via Napoli. Just about anywhere else will let two people use one credit to get one meal and share it.



The QSDP is the reason it was that way for the DxDDP. DxDP credits can be used for either TS or QS, and since some of the QS places didn't have kid's meals, they had to pool the credits for both of these plans. They simply made the change in their cash registers to only allow kid's credits to be used on a kid's meal. Places that don't have a kid's meal are reportedly unable to take kid's credits at all right now.



You should be fine. My guess is all the kid's QS credits will have to be used before you can use the adult credit, but we really don't know how this is going to shake out. My suggestion would be to peruse the QS menus and find places that have an adult meal of kid favorites and plan to eat there. If it's too much food, the two older kids could split an adult meal of food they like.

I wish they had an adult meal that they would eat but their favorites are meals like turkey and cheese with nothing else on it, Mac n cheese, and the cheese quesadilla at Satuli’s... unfortunately none of these options are available as an adult meal. One of my kids will eat a fish sandwich but hated the one that is so popular at the quick service fish and chips place in Epcot...at least that one would have counted as an adult meal lol!

 

[maxiesmom]

Personally, I feel they chose to make this unannounced change on one of the worst days to do so due to the business of the parks.

It isn't a change but an enforcement of the rule already in place. And I don't feel sorry for those who were bending the rules to suite themselves, and now are forced into following those rules. Disney asked nicely, and people wouldn't play nice. So now they are being forced into doing what is right.

 

[karen4546]

While these are great suggestions, it means they will not be using their child QS credits. What does OP do with leftover child credits?

qs kid's meals i would just use them at BOG breakfast or lunch. Since it is a preorder and you don't have to use a set number of meals/person.

AND, the dining plan details clearly state kids meal WHERE AVAILABLE - so if the family is at Casey's then child can order a regular meal. This goes for any QS that does not offer a kid's meal.

good luck OP and have fun!

 

[TwoMisfits]

I wish they had an adult meal that they would eat but their favorites are meals like turkey and cheese with nothing else on it, Mac n cheese, and the cheese quesadilla at Satuli’s... unfortunately none of these options are available as an adult meal. One of my kids will eat a fish sandwich but hated the one that is so popular at the quick service fish and chips place in Epcot...at least that one would have counted as an adult meal lol!

Adult credits can usually be turned into 3 snacks if used at a single location...so if they like simple, you may get more "bang for your buck" by using an adult meal every morning to get them a snacky breakfast, as an example...

 

[scrappinginontario]

qs kid's meals i would just use them at BOG breakfast or lunch. Since it is a preorder and you don't have to use a set number of meals/person.

AND, the dining plan details clearly state kids meal WHERE AVAILABLE - so if the family is at Casey's then child can order a regular meal. This goes for any QS that does not offer a kid's meal.

good luck OP and have fun!

While that's great in theory, if you only have 2A and 1C credit left, they computer was only allowing them to purchase 2 meals using dining credits and forcing them to pay cash for the last meal. Even though children's meals are not available at Casey's, the system currently uses 1 adult credit for each meal purchased.

 

[otterpop]

As someone said "I just don't see the benefit though of the Child QS credits anymore"
Well, then don't get the DDP, pretty simple.

“hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and apple slices!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and fries!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...we're going to try something different today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and dried-out carrot sticks!"

 

[sharonabe]

AND, the dining plan details clearly state kids meal WHERE AVAILABLE - so if the family is at Casey's then child can order a regular meal. This goes for any QS that does not offer a kid's meal.

While it SHOULD work that way, we've already had one report of someone not being able to use a child credit at Casey's at all. We can only assume it will be the same at any place that does not have a kid's meal until they fix the registers or begin offering some kind of kid's meal.

As to BoG, we don't know yet if they will let you get more kids meals than you have kids. They should, and that would be a good use of leftover kids credits, but it does require an ADR that is sometimes hard to get.

 

[clee152]

“hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and apple slices!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and fries!" "Hey Johnny, guess what's for lunch today...we're going to try something different today...yeah, it's Chicken nuggets and dried-out carrot sticks!"

I have no idea what your reply means.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I have no idea what your reply means.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

It isn't a change but an enforcement of the rule already in place. And I don't feel sorry for those who were bending the rules to suite themselves, and now are forced into following those rules. Disney asked nicely, and people wouldn't play nice. So now they are being forced into doing what is right.

Exactly this! Same thing with the mugs and soda machines. Disney had their rules in place but so many people abused it (stealing soda) that it was switched to rfid. I, for one, am really glad it did. I remember seeing a "lady" filling a half gallon milk jug with orange soda at Pop! It's about time Disney enforced their own rules. How was it fair that people with kids under 10 got adult meals at a small fraction of the cost while other adults and kids 10 and over paid full price for the same food? Or, families putting one adult and all the kids in one room, getting the ddp for that room only and using all the kid's credits for adults. Crazy abuse and Disney approved! Maybe now the ddp costs won't rise as much since nobody will be getting something they didn't pay for. Maybe now I will purchase the ddp for my family next trip without feeling I am subsidising the families with kids under 10.

 

[Zia100]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what the situation would be for special diets. We are all vegetarians, there are times when only the adult meals has a decent vegetarian option. The kids meals are chicken nuggets or something along those lines.

 

[Hcalvert1980]

?

 

[Hcalvert1980]

?

 

[karen4546]

While it SHOULD work that way, we've already had one report of someone not being able to use a child credit at Casey's at all. We can only assume it will be the same at any place that does not have a kid's meal until they fix the registers or begin offering some kind of kid's meal.

As to BoG, we don't know yet if they will let you get more kids meals than you have kids. They should, and that would be a good use of leftover kids credits, but it does require an ADR that is sometimes hard to get.

Unless you have Firsthand experience then you don't know if Casey will not allow use of a kid's meal. I think the person overheard the denial and did not personally experience it. I know that if that happened to me in person, then I would get a manager and they would a.) honor the dining plan and use my child credit for a meal, b.) give me the meal at no charge, or c.) I would charge the amount back to my room and have concierge services remove the charge and take the appropiate child credits. I mean ultimately i think that they would honor the plan.
FWIW, I have had the dining plan and deluxe dining plan on almost all my trips since 2012. I have only brought small children once and I did use their credits to get them adult meals to split (mostly at breakfast). So, the changes don't bother me. I can see how some families with 2 or more under 9yo would want to utilize their QS or Deluxe dining plan to maximize savings.

Back to Casey's, my husband has wanted to eat there for the last 7 trips, but the lines were always so long and nowhere to sit.

Oh, and I don't think but not sure that the Yorkshire in Epcot has a kid's meal so the kids could get a meal there.

Again, i think that any location that has a pre order option then you could use your kids credits. I order kid's meals all the time using the app when it is just my husband and I. These are the trips when we don't have the dining plan. They do not care if you order a kid's meal at any counter service location.