Anyone done DDP with kids 10 &11??

[backinoz]

Just wondering if there's anyone out the who's done the DDP with 2 kids who only just make it to the 'adult rate'? If so, do you feel it was worth it? If you had it free, would you have paid for it otherwise? (We'll have DD10 & DD11 when we go - We're all eaters who like a lot of variety in types of food if possible, and even DDs prefer healthier type food - wraps or burgers need to have more salad than burger IYKWIM).

Please tell me - Do you have to have the DDP for the entire length of your stay? If so, could we do (for e.g.) a 6 night/7 day package booking with DDP, and then another 6 nights RO? I know we'd have to use the dining credits during our first 7 days, but am I right in thinking we could use any 'left-over' park days during our 2nd stay?

Also, has there ever been free dining offered in January - I can't remember seeing it mentioned but thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks guys! I really do appreciate all help and the responses.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

Your meal credits are good until midnight on your check out date and the park passes are good for 14 days after first use. Hope this helps. If your children like to eat adult food I would go ahead and do the DDP especially if you have any characters meals planned (older kids like character meals too, at least this older kid does ) and plan to eat at least 1 TS meal a day. We always eat breakfast (snack), lunch (cs), and dinner (TS) everyday so it works out for our family. What ever you decide I hope you have a FUN trip.

 

[LillersMom]

We have bought DP for dds 9 and 11. It is worth it for us. Sometimes the 9 and 11 split a meal which no one has ever had a problem with. Sometimes each order their own. It has always saved us $.

 

[Tam1067]

I think it depends on the kid. My oldest was just 10 last year, and he loved being able to order steak and adult food. My middle son, unless he has a huge change in his eating habits, will not get his money's worth at 10, so when he's 10, we'll have to decide what to do. He likes plain pasta, grilled cheese, and peanut butter & jelly.

 

[gigi1313]

we've used the dining plan, both free and paid for, for our now 11 and 13 yos and definitely think it's a good deal... my kids are also good eaters (a kids' meal would not satisfy and they'd also be quite tired of the selection in no time) and ds who is typically picky is his most adventurous in WDW... i urge you to give it a try

 

[SmallWorld71]

If you plan on going to a lot of buffets/ fixed price meals (where they will be charged as adults anyway) or if they like adult food, then it is probably worth it. Otherwise, you may want to do OOP. My 12 year old eats as much as an adult so he's worth it. Not sure how the others will be.

 

[G's mommy]

You must have DDP for all members of your family and for the length of your stay. Only way around it is to do a split stay, check out and back in for the remainder of your vacation. I am doing DDP with my 11 year old DS this May, I think I have it figured out to get my money's worth. You will definitely come out ahead at buffets, character meals, and family-style dining as your kids will be charged as adults regardless of what they eat.

 

[agentpleakley]

DDP when DS was (10) and (11).

It all evened out in the end. Some days - he opted for a kids meal CS. But, honestly, I don't think most of the kids' meals would have been enough for him. We did decide to pay OOP for him at Le Cellier -- because he wanted to eat off the kids menu.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

My Dd did this when she turned 10 because she hated the kids meals. They are too small and limited in variety. We have done the dining plan and I feel 100% it is worth it because I never have to hear "I'm hungry" over and over after we had just eaten dinner ever again.