Adult dining plan for child???

[Ladybugsy]

I switched my dd(8) to the FDP last week. I explained that if my dd had to watch us all eating cakes and fabulous desserts and she had to eat applesauce and jello for 2 weeks, then that would not be much of a vacation for her. She's not picky, loves to try new things, and I really didn't want to eat chicken nuggets and mac and cheese for 2 weeks, as I would have let her have my food. He told me that he would be happy to do it, and that for the record, they put into the computer whatever you tell them to. I never lied, and never deceived him in any way. He told me others are doing the same thing. I would call until I found a CM who knew how to do it, (it did take a while), and be honest. Tell them that you are more than willing to pay for an adult ticket.

I'm just happy my princess will be happy.

 

[brymolmom]

I agree...you never lied or deceived the CM....you asked him to lie for you - you didn't actually have to enter in the place where it says Child's AGE: ___ - he had to do that, and you did request that he lie for you when you asked him to put a 10 in a place that really should be something else.

I'm not denying that the CM shouldn't encourage/allow this to happen if you're being honest with him. But a lie is still taking place - it's just you asking him to do the lying instead of it being you personally. The CM does not have a way to enter in 'A 7 year old paying as a 10 year old' - so he really has to enter in such a way indicating 'this is a 10 year old person' - which, is not the truth.

 

[Ladybugsy]

I agree...you never lied or deceived the CM....you asked him to lie for you - you didn't actually have to enter in the place where it says Child's AGE: ___ - he had to do that, and you did request that he lie for you when you asked him to put a 10 in a place that really should be something else.

I'm not denying that the CM shouldn't encourage/allow this to happen if you're being honest with him. But a lie is still taking place - it's just you asking him to do the lying instead of it being you personally. The CM does not have a way to enter in 'A 7 year old paying as a 10 year old' - so he really has to enter in such a way indicating 'this is a 10 year old person' - which, is not the truth.

When they ask their supervisor, and the supervisor allows it...then I don't see the problem. They're more interested in the bottom line anyway. We are paying adult prices for a child. I would think they would encourage anyone who wanted to do so. And I simply asked if it was allowed, not if the CM would lie for me.

 

[brymolmom]

I would agree...if you were PAYING....remember - this is FREE dining, so you are not paying for that adult dining plan for your child - it is free. All you are doing is paying a minimal amount to get an adult ticket. Some people are only getting one day of passes - so it amounts to a VERY little amount to get hundreds of dollars of extra food for free. I highly doubt Disney would encourage that or want everyone to do it.

However, if Disney DID want everyone to do it - then I would agree with it. Have them charge everyone $20 or so extra and then give everyone during free dining the adult plan, regardless of age. That would be a fair solution, but obviously - they wouldn't want to do it.

 

[Ladybugsy]

It isn't *really* free. Reality is, if it bothered them, they'd put a stop to it. Just like pooling children's credits...they stopped doing it. If they came out and said, "this is not allowed", then I would have it changed back. My daughter will proudly tell everyone who asks just how old she is whether or not she gets the adult plan. I would never encourage her or anyone else to lie. I also would never try to cheat the system. It's a simple yes or no question...is it allowed? In my case.....it was.

 

[Colleen27]

I wish Disney had better choices for the kids but they can't seem to win for losing. People moaned the kids meals were unhealthy, Disney made an effort to make them healthier and now kids don't like them. That being said there does seem to be a lot a repetition in the kids meals for both CS and TS.

Kids' tastes are usually pretty repetitive, though. Disney is trying to appeal to the masses, and most 3-9 year old kids aren't very adventurous when it comes to trying new foods. I think this is the sort of thing that ends up being a bigger deal on a message board like this one, full of Disney nuts and travelling families who expose their children to different cuisines from an early age, than it is for the population in general.

 

[Lorikr65]

It isn't *really* free. Reality is, if it bothered them, they'd put a stop to it. Just like pooling children's credits...they stopped doing it. If they came out and said, "this is not allowed", then I would have it changed back. My daughter will proudly tell everyone who asks just how old she is whether or not she gets the adult plan. I would never encourage her or anyone else to lie. I also would never try to cheat the system. It's a simple yes or no question...is it allowed? In my case.....it was.

I totally agree with you. When I started this thread I wasn't thinking about cheating the system. I thought I would pay more money for tickets so my son would have more of a choice. I mean really, it's not like I'm going to have any appetizer, entree and desert every night. Should I order it just to take a bite so I'm entitled to what I paid for in my package - I bought a package with hotel and tickets, disney decided to include the free dining so it is actually included in my package. We could split hairs here all day long!!

I don't think we are trying to "cheat the system". I think we are trying to satisfy our children's likes and dislikes. I should have known the holier than thou-ers would come out!! Don't they always!!

 

[Katiebell]

I totally agree with you. When I started this thread I wasn't thinking about cheating the system. I thought I would pay more money for tickets so my son would have more of a choice. I mean really, it's not like I'm going to have any appetizer, entree and desert every night. Should I order it just to take a bite so I'm entitled to what I paid for in my package - I bought a package with hotel and tickets, disney decided to include the free dining so it is actually included in my package. We could split hairs here all day long!!

I don't think we are trying to "cheat the system". I think we are trying to satisfy our children's likes and dislikes. I should have known the holier than thou-ers would come out!! Don't they always!!

Your original post asked if anyone had thought of doing this, and said that you called Disney, the CM put you on hold (supposedly to check with a supervisor, but no way to know if they did), and came back and told you, no you can't. Other people have said that they were able to do this.

I explained why I am surprised that Disney would allow it during free dining. I did not say you were "cheating the system", and I don't feel I'm "holier than thou" I just said that financially for Disney, it doesn't make sense to allow it -- and if you do the math, it doesn't make sense . If a lot of families do this, it will cost Disney buckets of money. But maybe they have so many buckets of money that they honestly don't care.

When guests were using kids' TS credits for adult meals -- based on advice that was given in guide books, online, and reportedly even by CM's -- Disney cared. It ended up costing them so much money that they revamped their computer system to prevent it.

The same thing is happening with CS meals, but so far there is minimal enforcement, and Disney isn't shelling out the cost for another programming change. So while it might not be what Disney intends for people to do with CS credits, so far they don't care enough to spend the money to make sure it can't happen.

Disney has told several posters in emails that 2 adults can't share one TS meal on the dining plan -- however, it seems that most CM's at most restaurants override that policy, because a lot of people share meals and it hasn't been a problem.

So, if "aging" your kids to get adult dining credits for them during free dining becomes a big enough issue for Disney, they will stop it from happening. Right now, it's a little ambiguous, since there is nothing in writing, and especially since so many CM's are telling people it's just fine. But if I opened up a thread asking for opinions on a topic that might be a bit uncertain, or even controversial...I wouldn't be too surprised if I got opinions from both sides of the fence

 

[Ladybugsy]

Your original post asked if anyone had thought of doing this, and said that you called Disney, the CM put you on hold (supposedly to check with a supervisor, but no way to know if they did), and came back and told you, no you can't. Other people have said that they were able to do this.

I explained why I am surprised that Disney would allow it during free dining. I did not say you were "cheating the system", and I don't feel I'm "holier than thou" I just said that financially for Disney, it doesn't make sense to allow it -- and if you do the math, it doesn't make sense . If a lot of families do this, it will cost Disney buckets of money. But maybe they have so many buckets of money that they honestly don't care.

When guests were using kids' TS credits for adult meals -- based on advice that was given in guide books, online, and reportedly even by CM's -- Disney cared. It ended up costing them so much money that they revamped their computer system to prevent it.

The same thing is happening with CS meals, but so far there is minimal enforcement, and Disney isn't shelling out the cost for another programming change. So while it might not be what Disney intends for people to do with CS credits, so far they don't care enough to spend the money to make sure it can't happen.

Disney has told several posters in emails that 2 adults can't share one TS meal on the dining plan -- however, it seems that most CM's at most restaurants override that policy, because a lot of people share meals and it hasn't been a problem.

So, if "aging" your kids to get adult dining credits for them during free dining becomes a big enough issue for Disney, they will stop it from happening. Right now, it's a little ambiguous, since there is nothing in writing, and especially since so many CM's are telling people it's just fine. But if I opened up a thread asking for opinions on a topic that might be a bit uncertain, or even controversial...I wouldn't be too surprised if I got opinions from both sides of the fence

I don't think she was aiming that at you, Katie bell, your post was well thought out and not at all "holier than thou". Your posts are always logical and discerning. I enjoy them!

 

[Lorikr65]

I don't think she was aiming that at you, Katie bell, your post was well thought out and not at all "holier than thou". Your posts are always logical and discerning. I enjoy them!

Correct, I did not mean Katie bell.

 

[brymolmom]

Then....let's see - to whom might you refer? Don't worry - I never get offended by being called holy.

Ok - seriously here - I'll admit to being a stickler on points such as this and I was only trying to present that side of it to the OP - just in case she hadn't thought of it from that viewpoint and since she seemed like she was trying to determine what was right for her. But really, I'm a stickler for myself and my family...anyone else can obviously take whatever stance they feel is right for them.

That's a nice/and troublesome thing about message boards - SO many different opinions.

I think the one thing we can ALL agree on is that Free Dining Rocks!

 

[Lorikr65]

Then....let's see - to whom might you refer? Don't worry - I never get offended by being called holy.

Ok - seriously here - I'll admit to being a stickler on points such as this and I was only trying to present that side of it to the OP - just in case she hadn't thought of it from that viewpoint and since she seemed like she was trying to determine what was right for her. But really, I'm a stickler for myself and my family...anyone else can obviously take whatever stance they feel is right for them.

That's a nice/and troublesome thing about message boards - SO many different opinions.

I think the one thing we can ALL agree on is that Free Dining Rocks!

I'm glad you took it in fun!! I actually starting laughing when I saw it was from you!!! I really am not trying to get what I can - the idea came to me the other day and, as you stated, I didn't see it from that viewpoint (and am still leaning towards my side!! )

I will not do it unless reservations says I can. I don't want to have to prove anything each time go for a meal. Too much trouble for vacation!

Thanks everyone - glad it stayed civil!! Free dining does Rock!! Lori

 

[Longsx3]

My only opinion on this is if a guest wants to change a childs age and pay the adult ticket price during the free dinning period then they should not be allowed to change again later.