A new 2 yr old DDP question.....(is this brilliant?)

[3Minnies1Mickey]

For a savings of only $30 I definitely wouldn't try to bend/stretch the rules like that. Even if you forget about the thought that a CM at a restaurant might question you (# of kids with you supposedly paying with a meal credit vs # of kids at the table), you're still lying. Not to be a negative nelly, but my personal integrity, example I set for my kids and clear conscience is worth a lot more than $30. (I actually can't put a price on lying. It's just not something I do.) I have a 23 month old and sometimes she eats more than me and sometimes she eats 2 bites for the whole day. I wouldn't risk a toddler's pickiness and purchase a dining plan anyway!

So it's okay for people to upgrade their 5 year olds to adult plans (per CMs that change kids ages ALL THE TIME even during free dining) but its not okay for my 2.75 yr old to be on the kids meals plan? No one questions those parents integrity.....

We stayed DVC when my son was 2 and I had him on the Quick Service Dining Plan with me.... Saved me a ton of money.

How did you go about doing this? Did you tell MS he was 3 or did you just say you wanted a meal plan for him?

I honestly doubt that the OP would discuss this with the child (who discusses the logistics of Disney dining with their kids at that age?), thus the child would never know that the OP stretched the truth. But honestly is there even a rule stating that a child under the age of 3 staying on DVC points can not be on the dining plan? Apparently not or someone would have quoted or linked it by this point in the discussion. So I honestly don't thinking "lying" is even an issue in this scenario.

I don't see a problem with this theory because it's not like we are talking about free dining or something...the OP will be paying for the plan for the child. It's more of a convenience thing for the OP.

I also would not bank on a toddler, who is known to be a healthy eater at home, to be picky or a nibbler at Disney. None of my kids are picky but DS is a nibbler but at Disney, the child ate everything we put in front of him (3TS meals per day and snacks) because he was more active than usual.

Thank you. And as I said before CMs increase kids ages so they are on the adult pans even during free dining, so if I'm paying for the meals what in the heck is the big deal? We've done many trips to DLR with him and all the kids and he is still a big eater.

I agree that it technically is lying.
However, I still am of the opinion that you will not save money by doing this.

Kids meals are not that expensive at ts... the value you get from the dining plan is really at the buffets... and if you aren't going to pay for those anyway I think in the long run you are going to have to look for ways to use the kid meals or risk the chance of losing them or there value.

Kids TS meal: $8.59
Kids CS meal: $5.00
Snack: $3.00
TOTAL: $16.59 + tax
Kids DDP: $11.99 (tax included)

Now if I didn't use all the credits than I get what you mean. But I have a few TS meals that wouldn't be a good value on the DDP for the adult meals, but the kids meals are still the same price. So I'd use the extra kids credits for those meals and pay for DH & my meals OOP.

 

[MSLRAC]

So it's okay for people to upgrade their 5 year olds to adult plans (per CMs that change kids ages ALL THE TIME even during free dining) but its not okay for my 2.75 yr old to be on the kids meals plan? No one questions those parents integrity.....

Exactly and like you, I've seen people say to upgrade a kid to 10 during free dining yet never once did anyone say "oh no, that's lying". Nope, instead they justify it by saying how poor the choices are on the kid's menus. There is no difference...if one is OK then by default so is the other.

The bottom line is that if someone on here figured this out then so has Disney. The Mouse is pretty dang busy savvy and this is one of few loopholes that can't be costing him money or he would have closed it by now.

 

[brymolmom]

I think those of us who think it is 'stretching' the rules do not think the 2.5 year old CAN'T get the dining plan...it's that the OP wants to buy him the dining plan but then get the buffets for free for him and not use the credits that are purchased for the 2.5 year old.

That is the sticky point or the point of 'stretching'.

As long as you're willing to pay for it and it will work out for you - I have no problem with a family buying the meal plan for a 2 year old. I do have a problem then using the generous perk that WDW offers 2 year olds to eat free at their buffets and not use the credits purchased for the 2 year old there and instead stockpile these credits for other uses.

That is the only point I'm uncomfortable with. IMO, if you buy the dining plan for a 2 year old, you intend to treat that child as if he/she was a 3 year old (and that's also how WDW sees it, as they will enter him into the system as 3 instead of 2) and spend the dining credits accordingly.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

What I am saying is this... you are saving $28 by your math. You already will most likely have more snacks than you know what to do with. And will probably have left overs that will go to waste or you will buy a bunch of stuff just to get rid of them. So in my opinion that is a loss of $21 worth of your savings. I'm also saying that you wouldn't get a dessert every meal for your 2 year old since everyone else will get one further dimenishing your savings.

Really I would use the money that you are paying for his meal plan ($84) and use it toward another TS meal that you want.

We have been with kids under 2 about 10 times. Our next trip will still include one. I would not buy him a meal plan .... there will be more food at any meal than your table will eat. Quiet honestly if I could I'd keep some of us off the meal plan from each room since there is always too much food. But alas you can't choose... since it's all or none.

 

[MSLRAC]

What I am saying is this... you are saving $28 by your math. You already will most likely have more snacks than you know what to do with. And will probably have left overs that will go to waste or you will buy a bunch of stuff just to get rid of them. So in my opinion that is a loss of $21 worth of your savings. I'm also saying that you wouldn't get a dessert every meal for your 2 year old since everyone else will get one further dimenishing your savings.

Really I would use the money that you are paying for his meal plan ($84) and use it toward another TS meal that you want.

We have been with kids under 2 about 10 times. Our next trip will still include one. I would not buy him a meal plan .... there will be more food at any meal than your table will eat. Quiet honestly if I could I'd keep some of us off the meal plan from each room since there is always too much food. But alas you can't choose... since it's all or none.

But just because your family has more food and snack credits than they can eat or deal with on the plan does mean that all families do. Thus you can not diminish the value of the plan for the OP because you do not know her families dynamics.

I most certainly have a 26 month old that could not go 8 days at Disney just by eating off of our plates. She would easily eat 3 TS meals a day (leaving nothing on her plate) and 2 snacks a day. (and no she is not overweight) So being able to have her on a plan would be of great value to our family whereas a toddler on the plan holds no value to your family.

I also don't see why it matters how the OP uses the credits. She is the one that will be paying for the credits thus they are hers to use as she see fits. If she had left out the part about the buffets, would there really be an issue at all with this scenario?

 

[patsal]

I guess my only thought is pick one and follow that. If you want to upgrade go ahead and do that, pay for the 2 yo to get a meal plan, BUT don't take advantage of under 3 eat free at buffets. It is one or the other not both. While it is nice that since you are DVC you won't need to pay for a ticket. Paying oop for a few of your child's needs will be less expensive in the long run than paying for the DDP but it really sounds like you have your mind made up and you want the best of both worlds.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'm also saying that you wouldn't get a dessert every meal for your 2 year old since everyone else will get one further dimenishing your savings.

Looking at kids meals, they nearly all come with desserts as part of the meal price with the exception of signatures and handful of other places. Kids meals are typically either "complete meals" or "Pick 1 appetizer, entree, dessert for x price".

I guess my only thought is pick one and follow that. If you want to upgrade go ahead and do that, pay for the 2 yo to get a meal plan, BUT don't take advantage of under 3 eat free at buffets. It is one or the other not both. While it is nice that since you are DVC you won't need to pay for a ticket. Paying oop for a few of your child's needs will be less expensive in the long run than paying for the DDP but it really sounds like you have your mind made up and you want the best of both worlds.

I actually don't have my mind made up. I haven't made my ADRs yet and don't know if I would use the extra credits. I may just go deluxe and keep him off the plan and split 3 kids meal and some appetizers amongst all the kids. I'm just looking at all my options.

 

[HolliePoppins]

I think those of us who think it is 'stretching' the rules do not think the 2.5 year old CAN'T get the dining plan...it's that the OP wants to buy him the dining plan but then get the buffets for free for him and not use the credits that are purchased for the 2.5 year old.

That is the sticky point or the point of 'stretching'.

As long as you're willing to pay for it and it will work out for you - I have no problem with a family buying the meal plan for a 2 year old. I do have a problem then using the generous perk that WDW offers 2 year olds to eat free at their buffets and not use the credits purchased for the 2 year old there and instead stockpile these credits for other uses.

That is the only point I'm uncomfortable with. IMO, if you buy the dining plan for a 2 year old, you intend to treat that child as if he/she was a 3 year old (and that's also how WDW sees it, as they will enter him into the system as 3 instead of 2) and spend the dining credits accordingly.

I agree. One or the other.

 

[robinb]

As long as the OP is willing to pay for the 2 year old, she should be fine. The ONLY possible problem I see is the maximum occupancy in the DVC villa she is renting. Unless they are renting a 2BR or larger, a family of 6 cannot fit in 1BR or smaller. A family of 5 plus a child under 3 can fit in a 1BR. OP, if you're renting a 1BR then you you will not be able to age-up your 2-year old.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

As long as the OP is willing to pay for the 2 year old, she should be fine. The ONLY possible problem I see is the maximum occupancy in the DVC villa she is renting. Unless they are renting a 2BR or larger, a family of 6 cannot fit in 1BR or smaller. A family of 5 plus a child under 3 can fit in a 1BR. OP, if you're renting a 1BR then you you will not be able to age-up your 2-year old.

Nope. We have a 2BR.

 

[robinb]

Nope. We have a 2BR.

THen you'll be fine . Just because you purchase the DDP you are NOT required to use it on a meal. My DD became a "Disney Adult" two years ago and we did the opposite of what you are planning. We used her credits for buffets and other fixed price meals, but she's a picky vegetarian so we often paid OOP for her to eat off the kid's menu and saved her credits to use later. We were only questioned once and that was in Morocco and they refused to make the kids cous-cous into a vegetarian dish for her and made us order an adult meal for her.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I don't see a problem with it either. In fact, The Mouse is probably making money off of you this way over if you don't pay for his dining plan.

I also don't see a problem with the check out process becasue as long as you are not trying to use more adult or kid credits than are on your card (ie. using a kid's credit for an adult or trying to pay for an extra person using your dining plan).

The only problem I could see you running into is this...and I am saying this becasue pre-DDP it happened to us...

We had a short trip to AKL and had dinner at Boma one night. Our travel agent made out ADRs for us and even though she booked the room reservation correctly siting Skye as 3, she booked the ADR telling them she was 2. We noticed it and told the waiter that she really was 3 but he said not to worry about it becasue for today, she was 2...and therefore FREE.

So the only thing I think you could end up with a problem on is if some wait staff sees that he is listed as 3 on your hotel reservation and assumes this to be correct. Then you might be questioned on it...but a quick show of a birth certificate should clear all that up.

 

[blessedby3]

I don't see a problem with it either. In fact, The Mouse is probably making money off of you this way over if you don't pay for his dining plan.

I also don't see a problem with the check out process becasue as long as you are not trying to use more adult or kid credits than are on your card (ie. using a kid's credit for an adult or trying to pay for an extra person using your dining plan).

The only problem I could see you running into is this...and I am saying this becasue pre-DDP it happened to us...

We had a short trip to AKL and had dinner at Boma one night. Our travel agent made out ADRs for us and even though she booked the room reservation correctly siting Skye as 3, she booked the ADR telling them she was 2. We noticed it and told the waiter that she really was 3 but he said not to worry about it becasue for today, she was 2...and therefore FREE.

So the only thing I think you could end up with a problem on is if some wait staff sees that he is listed as 3 on your hotel reservation and assumes this to be correct. Then you might be questioned on it...but a quick show of a birth certificate should clear all that up.

Thats what I was thinking. When we have a ts ressie, they always know how many adult and kids we have. I guess when booking, the cm is looking at our ressie and party.

 

[robinb]

I would just make all the meal reservations with his real age. They won't refuse to take one of your TS credits as long as you have the proper number of adults and children on your KTTW card.

 

[BMC423]

They only eat free at buffets and all you can eat meals. If they want to eat a CS meal you have to pay for them. If you are at a non-buffet TS meal then they either share off your plate or you pay for a meal for them.

my son will be 2 when we go, when I booked the trip I asked the agent about his meals and he said if its TS he can eat off your plate or you can buy him his own @ buffets there is no charge... From what I hear from other people that have used the DP before there is no problem having him eat off your plate also keep in mind you do get SC that can be used to buy him breakfast items. HTH

 

[Maus]

I don't thik there is any problem with what the op wants to do. Disney makes money on that, they sell a dining plan to someone that doesn't require one or eats free. The dininp plan is a great value also for Disney. If they would lose money on it they would not offer it anymore. IT DOES NOT HURT DISNEY.
Personaly I would have been happy if I would not have to put my three year old on the dining plan, but that is just personal choice. I do not think that there is anything moraly wrong with using the dining plan as the op wishes.

 

[emlutz23]

How many buffet meals would you do this? I guess my question would be what will you do with your child's extra TS meal credits if the rest of your party's credits are used up by the end of your vacation? A child TS credit can only be used for a child and not "transferred" for an adult in your party to use. Just curious!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

There is no problem with OP doing this.

And, the fact that the chld will not have a park ticket is a non-issue. They could stay at the DVC and not buy tickets for ANYONE and still get the dining plan (and just eat at resorts and DTD).

It makes no sense to say that a 2 yr old has to buy their meals OOP, while a 3 yr old can get the SAME food either OOP or on the DDP.

And, how OP pays for additional meals beyond what they want to use the DDP for (including buffets, where 2 yr old is free), this is separate from the DDP meals. No issue here.

Now, is it an effective plan? That's a different issue:
They don't ask for ages, or even adult/child breakdown for ADRs anymore, just the total in the party. So, this isn't an issue.

Also, at buffets, when server sees number of people on KTTW card, and sees it matches with number of people at table, server may just charge for 2 yr old, before OP can say something, and while I"m sure they'll fix it, it could be a minor anoyance.

If OP uses the credits up, OP will save money. If not, then OP won't. And, whether the money saved is worth the possibility of those minor anoyances,

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

How many buffet meals would you do this? I guess my question would be what will you do with your child's extra TS meal credits if the rest of your party's credits are used up by the end of your vacation? A child TS credit can only be used for a child and not "transferred" for an adult in your party to use. Just curious!

There were a couple of places we were going to pay OOP for anyways (ex. Beaches N Cream isn't a great use of a TS credit). So if we did 3 or 4 buffets and didn't use his credits, that would pay for 3 or 4 kids meals we'd order at Beaches N Cream anyways (we have 4 kids with the 2 yr old) and pay OOP for DH and I.

 

[disneymayz]

Quick and simple....... You say you will save $28-$30 then do it to save that. Use that savings to buy yourself/kids something.