Are TS credits pooled, or individual?

[mrg013]

I've been searching and searching through threads on here, and I can't really find a clear-cut answer. We have a family of four on the dining plan. Everyone is considered an adult- our younger son is 12. Are the table service credits pooled for our entire reservation (6 nights x 4 guests= 24 meals), or is it more like DH= 4 credits, DW= 4 credits, etc? Our younger son doesn't eat that much, and it would be great if we could pay for some of his meals out of pocket, and then save those credits for later meals that would normally be out of pocket for all four.

 

[kcashner]

Pooled--you will have 24 TS, 24 CS and 24 snacks which can be accessed from any/all of the KTTW cards. My understanding is that you can request not to have the credits placed on the "junior's" cards if you wish (same as you can ask that they not have charging on their cards). Can't verify this as we kept them on all cards...but it was offered at check in.

Any one can use any credit at any time.

Since each member of your party is an adult, you should have no problem sharing at meals where you order off a menu. The problem comes when one person is a child and you attempt to not order a meal for the child. You have 4 adults on the card, you choose to order 3 adult meals--no problem. We always had way too much food when we ordered the same number of meals that we had people.

 

[mrg013]

Yeah, it's kind of confusing. I basically for some meals want to order 3 meals with the full appetizer, entree, dessert for the three of us, and then order if possible either a kid's meal or just and entree for our younger son and pay out of pocket for that, even though he's on the meal plan. We would save some of his credits for "extra" meals (like a breakfast buffet) that we would otherwise have been paying out of pocket for.

 

[lazydazy8]

You guys rock. I'm learning more every day.

I felt like I was pretty well versed in the ways of the Mouse, but I am a mere kindergartener compared to most of you!

Thanks for the hints on the food plan.

 

[kcashner]

There really should be no problem paying OOP for your 12 year old even though he is on the plan...whether you order a kid meal, an adult entree, or just a beverage. Just make your intentions clear to the server. The only problem comes up when someone has a child they try to not order for...because under the current system they can later use that credit which was purchased at the child's price for an adult meal. That's what WDW is trying to prevent. Since you are all adults, there is no rule that says everyone must order.

At age 50, I was able to order an OOP kid's meal for myself--there is no age limit on who can orde a kid meal at WDW. However, children (9 and under) on the DDP must order off the kid's menu if one is available.

 

[mrg013]

Thanks for the help- I'm glad that it will most likely work. It just seems like such a waste to get so much food for our 12 year old at every meal, but since he's on the DDP with us, it would be great to take some of "his" credits and use them for all of us at some buffet meals where you don't necessarily have to get so much food, only to go to waste.

Lazydazy- The complexity of everything Disney amazes me too! You think you understand everything, and then all of a sudden you find something else out and have more questions about it. That's why I love the DIS!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Thanks for the help- I'm glad that it will most likely work. It just seems like such a waste to get so much food for our 12 year old at every meal, but since he's on the DDP with us, it would be great to take some of "his" credits and use them for all of us at some buffet meals where you don't necessarily have to get so much food, only to go to waste.

Lazydazy- The complexity of everything Disney amazes me too! You think you understand everything, and then all of a sudden you find something else out and have more questions about it. That's why I love the DIS!

Do keep in mind though that there is most definitely no meal sharing between adults at buffets; you will all have to use credits (or pay OOP) for those. Entree establishments you will likely be able to share without any problem.

 

[bicker]

Also keep in mind that this aspect of the Dining Plan is subject to change without notice.

 

[mrg013]

We're not planning on sharing meals. I just wanted to know if we can share the credits for the meals between the four of us. For some meals, where I know my younger son will be eating off of the kid's menu, and won't want an appetizer or dessert, it makes no sense to use one of his table service credits. There I would just pay for his meal out of pocket. By saving a few of his credits, we could have enough leftover for the four of us to all have another table service meal at a breakfast buffet. I was just wondering how the credits are set up, and if our names are each attached to a certain number of credits, or if they are there for the group to use however we please.

 

[bicker]

As long as you're not planning on using child meal entitlements for adult meals, you shouldn't have much to worry about, regardless of how they change enforcement going forward. Have a great time!

 

[jnshakun]

We're not planning on sharing meals. I just wanted to know if we can share the credits for the meals between the four of us. For some meals, where I know my younger son will be eating off of the kid's menu, and won't want an appetizer or dessert, it makes no sense to use one of his table service credits. There I would just pay for his meal out of pocket. By saving a few of his credits, we could have enough leftover for the four of us to all have another table service meal at a breakfast buffet. I was just wondering how the credits are set up, and if our names are each attached to a certain number of credits, or if they are there for the group to use however we please.

I wondered the same. Let's say you want to save some credits for some reason and you have half your family use TS credits and the other half pay OOP. Do you have to ask for separate bills? Is this even allowed?

While I'm jumping on the bandwagon.............

In any event that you pay for extras (drinks, etc.) OOP, do you just tip on that amount?

Last, If my kids go to a restaurant with my in-law's, who will have their own DP credits, how can I use our credits to cover the kids? I'm not clear on what physical thing (card?) we'll be carrying that keeps track of credits.

Thanks.........the particulars of the DP seem a little confusing!

 

[bicker]

If you order add-ons, you add a gratuity to the amount you pay for the add-on.

For your kids, you either have to be with them, to use their Dining Plan credits for them, or you have to all their room keys to be used for Dining Plan charges on your account (which many guests feel is moderately dangerous, since children are more likely to lose room keys, though, of course, you can have your in-laws hold the children's room keys).

The particulars of the Dining Plan aren't complicated -- rather it is the complicated circumstances that people ask about which are complicated, and the Dining Plan has to then be interpreted to address the complicated circumstances. DIS policy is to leave such interpretations strictly up to Disney, and not discuss them here on the boards. Sorry.

 

[jnshakun]

I guess I should at least say thanks for clarifying the bit about tipping and for letting me know about credits being on the room key. Maybe after reading these boards, where everything is overanalyzed, I'm making the DP seem more complicated than it actually is.......................I just want to be sure I'm in the know.