Calling Disney Dining Experts

[christa112]

Having always used the DDP. I am actually contemplating paying OOP for our meals this time around. I was wondering if we go to a sit down restaurant (not buffet) can my 5 year old eat off of my DH and my plates. She is not a big eater and rarely eats an entire meal on her own.

TIA

Christa

 

[DisneyGrampa]

Having always used the DDP. I am actually contemplating paying OOP for our meals this time around. I was wondering if we go to a sit down restaurant (not buffet) can my 5 year old eat off of my DH and my plates. She is not a big eater and rarely eats an entire meal on her own.

TIA

Christa

I don't see any reason why not, if you're paying OOP. I'll bet that they will all supply you an extra plate, if you ask, at no charge. They may charge for an extra drink.

 

[Wants2Live@WDW]

We went with a sick family member, and they still wanted to charge her for her plate, even though she was pale and not eating...I think that it depends on the CM that is your server. I don't know what the official rule is, but I thought that I'd let you know what happened to us (as sort of a "worst case scenario").

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We haven't done the dining plan since they did away with the appetizer and tip and paying OOP works for us, we do have TIW.

There are some restarants that have a split plate charge but it is rarely charged and I have never heard of it charged for sharing with your small child.

You should have no problem sharing with your child, the only thing you may be charged for is your child's drink.

 

[DisneyGrampa]

We went with a sick family member, and they still wanted to charge her for her plate, even though she was pale and not eating...I think that it depends on the CM that is your server. I don't know what the official rule is, but I thought that I'd let you know what happened to us (as sort of a "worst case scenario").

Was that an adult or child?

 

[VAN]

If it's a buffet, you will have to pay.

If not, I think it depends. I've been to some restaurants where it says right on the menu if they charged a plate "fee" for sharing meals.

If in doubt, ask. If they want to charge you to share a plate, you might just want to order an appetizer for the little one and then you can all share.

 

[princesspiglet]

In all of our visits, I have never had a problem letting DD eat off of our plates at TS meals (not buffets). I always tell the server, "Her and I will be splitting this meal" and proceed to order. In most cases, they split up what I have ordered and bring out smaller portions on 2 seperate plates. There have only been a few times that I had to request a 2nd plate and do the splitting myself. And I have never been charged for a plate fee. Just make sure you tell your server what you are doing, and they will most likely comply and make it easy for you. If the server goes out of their way for me and splits the meal beforehand, I always tip extra.

 

[TDC Nala]

If the restaurant is a buffet, an all you can eat family style (like Ohana or Garden Grill or LTT), or a fixed price, fixed menu (like Akershus or CRT) then everyone at the table age 3 or over will be charged for the full meal whether they eat or not.

If it isn't, it's up to the restaurant. Most reports from most restaurants are that you can probably share with your child but you would probably need to order her a drink if she wants one.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD (now 10) and I have shared many meals at WDW and never paid a plate charge. My DM and I have also shared meals at WDW. Again no plate charge. This has been both off and on DDP. I don't think it'll be an issue with your 5 y/o. Of course I'm not talking about buffets or family style (and neither are you)

 

[Hazzard101]

If the restaurant is a buffet, an all you can eat family style (like Ohana or Garden Grill or LTT), or a fixed price, fixed menu (like Akershus or CRT) then everyone at the table age 3 or over will be charged for the full meal whether they eat or not.

If it isn't, it's up to the restaurant. Most reports from most restaurants are that you can probably share with your child but you would probably need to order her a drink if she wants one.

My DW and I went to Cape May and she wasn't feeling well. Our waiter brought her a drink and I ate the buffet and the cast member not only did not charge her for dinner he didn't even charge her for the drink. He got a great tip and a Big thank you as well. it all depends on the server.

 

[christa112]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am still trying to decide the cheaper route to DPP or not.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am still trying to decide the cheaper route to DPP or not.

In my opinion DDP is the way to go.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We've never done the DDP (but was with my parents last November when they did it, well we did do a version of the DDP during our first trip in '93 that included 3 TS meals a day, appetizer, entree, dessert, and tip [talk about a lot of food!]) and we eat two TS meals a day and still were under the cost of the DDP. I try not to eat meat as often as possible so that's usually the cheapest item on the menu, my bf usually likes the appetizers more than the entrees so he'll get an appetizer and a salad for dinner. Some of the more "signature" places will charge to share meals (although it really just depends who your server is). If you're planning on getting the most expensive meal at every TS place then the DDP is probably the way to go.

This is what I budget for two adults per day:

Breakfast - we don't eat breakfast at home so we usually sleep in and get to the parks about 10-11 a.m.

Lunch - we usually eat lunch about 12-1 p.m. We get our own meals (usually sandwiches) and a drink. I budget $30-$35 per meal with tip.

Snack - I budget $5-$10 per day (total for the both of us, we usually eat once snack a day and share it either in the afternoon or at night)

Dinner - I budget about $65 per meal with tip which is usually plenty of money (places like Ohana I budget a little more to include a tip). We also share some meals at the places where we know the portions are huge. Or we go to a buffet.

We both order whatever we want whenever we're at WDW. I don't even look at the prices so I couldn't tell you how much each individual meal costs I just took a ton of extra money one year (and brought a bunch back) and averaged out on the higher side how much each meal approx. costs to be able to budget for future years. He's not a big steak/lobster kind of person or a HUGE eater so that helps.

Per person I budget approx. $55-60 per day including tip. But keep in mind we eat two TS places a day and that the DDP does not include tip. Go to allearsnet.com and look at the menu's (and prices) and get an idea of what you'd want to order at the restaurant and go from there.