Can two people split a meal paid for with DXDP?

[trampslady]

It's been a while since I've purchased the dining plan. But, my mother will be joining us for part of our upcoming trip. If two of us have the dining plan, can the third person share a meal with us?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Technically, no. Dining plan entitlements can't be shared with persons not participating in the dining plan. Is somebody actually going to prevent you from sharing your food with your mother? I don't have any idea.

 

[lpereira]

The official word out of the brochure is no. Does it happen all the time with the full knowledge and consent of cast members- yep. No way to know in advance. Just be prepared to pay and be pleasantly surprised if the cast member lets you do it.
The dining plan also says that an 18% gratuity can be added to your bill for items purchased additional to the dining plan (ie alcoholic beverages or appetizer) when redeeming credits. But has anyone ever seen it happen?

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney's official word is that you cannot use your dining credits to provide meals for persons who are not on your reservation or your dining plan.

It would be likely that if your mother orders something nobody will say anything about her having a few bites from your plate. I don't think I would suggest you consider providing her with full meals this way though.

The dining plan also says that an 18% gratuity can be added to your bill for items purchased additional to the dining plan (ie alcoholic beverages or appetizer) when redeeming credits. But has anyone ever seen it happen?

That is because there is no such rule in regards to the dining plan, unless you are a party of six or more, or using a Tables in Wonderland membership to get a discount on those extra items.

 

[trampslady]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. To offer a bit more info, I had weight loss surgery back in December, so my eating is limited. But, we still enjoy the finer restaurants, and the dining plan almost always wins out when I do a little math. We also have the TIW card and would use it for additonal items if necessary.

But, we may just have her come along the entire short trip and do the dining plan for all three of us. My husband, I'm sure, will enjoy the extra food.

 

[lpereira]

Disney's official word is that you cannot use your dining credits to provide meals for persons who are not on your reservation or your dining plan.

It would be likely that if your mother orders something nobody will say anything about her having a few bites from your plate. I don't think I would suggest you consider providing her with full meals this way though.



That is because there is no such rule in regards to the dining plan, unless you are a party of six or more, or using a Tables in Wonderland membership to get a discount on those extra items.

Page 2 of the 2010 brochure (it's also the same for 2011):
e Gratuities are not included unless otherwise indicated. An
automatic 18% gratuity charge will be added to your bill for parties
of 6 or more. An automatic gratuity charge may also be added to
your bill for items you order that are not included in the Disney
Deluxe Dining Plan (e.g. alcoholic beverages).

Bolding and italics are mine. Your post proves my point Disney never does it. I read here a lot more than I post and generally find you to be a very knowledgeable person. So if you didn't know then I'm confident they never do it.

 

[TDC Nala]

It says they MAY add a gratuity if you order items off-plan.

This is so DDP guests are on notice that a gratuity may be added to extra items if the circumstances permit (that is, there are more than five in the party or a TIW card is being used), not just to your dining plan bill. Parties of five or less using TIW will get the gratuity on off-plan items but not their dining plan bill. It doesn't mean they will add a gratuity to off-plan items automatically for all parties on the plan, which they won't.

Gratuity discussion should take place on the Tipping Information Thread on the main board.