Can you buy a child's DDP for a 2 year old?

[amarberry]

I realize that we are tailoring this offer to fit our needs, but until Disney offers a way to feed 2 year olds on the dining plan, I feel that I have to do this. I do not feel that he should be charged admission to a park where he is not old enough to ride the majority of the attractions. HE does need to eat while we are there though. Yes, we could pay out of pocket, but this defeats the whole purpose of the dining plan in my opinion. We want to go on vacation and relax. Not worry about bringing a lot of extra cash along, not worry about having to figure out a tip, not have to deal with the hassle of paying with cash and our dining plan etc. I just want for it to be simp;e and easy.

I also cannot justify having my child eat off my plate the entire trip. I am on vacation, and therefore do not want to have to order child friendly fare my entire trip. I want to try some different things that I am sure my 2 year old will not like. Plus he is a good eater and needs his own plate. My 2 year old is very independent. He likes to have his own plate brought out, his own place setting so to speak. And I like that idea because I think it is teaching him how to act when dining out.

I do not feel like I am cheating Disney. We have several ADR's at buffets....at least 4 I think. HE will be charged 1 credit from his dining plan when we eat there. He otherwise would have been free. I am not intending to abuse my credits in any way. My sons credits will most definitely be used and eaten by him.

Beautifully stated! You articulated my exact thoughts regarding why we chose to purchase the dining plan for DD.

 

[bstnsprts]

My sister has called twice to try to do this for our neice and both times the cm has told me that if we bought a ticket we wouldn't be able to save it until a future trip because it would be activated when we checked into our room since the tickets are on our room keys. I didn't think that was correct but now she is worried about losing the money they paid for her ticket if we are wrong. Has anyone saved tickets on their room key before without the no expiration option?

Yes, we just did this. Back in December we purchased a package with the dining plan but already had tickets. So we did not use the package tickets in December. We just went back the beginning of May and used these tickets. They were one day without the no expiration, we upgraded them to annual passes. The one day, without the no expiration tickets do not activate until you use them.

 

[missmun52]

I did not know you could just buy a one day pass and upgrade at the parks. I was told that all had to be on the same plan and was just telling someone else.

I may consider doing this if it is indeed "safe" to do ( and if DH allows it his is a stick to the rules no matter what kind of guy). My son has dairy, milk and egg allergies. I either have to get my food without those things which I dont mind too much because i no longer cook with them for the most part but i would like to eat the food the way it is supposed to be prepared while i am on my vacation. I am eating at some buffets but i would have to pay for him in order to get his food prepared specially and it gets expensive paying for his meals.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I can understand the concern and confusion. It stems from our efforts to use offers that really don't suit us. The Dining Plan is supposed to be part of a package, accommodations, dining and admission. What a lot of folks are trying to do is comply with the letter of the offering, but not its spirit. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that that is actually okay. However, whenever guests do try to make the offerings "good for them" by making it meet their own personal specs, there is going to be much more confusion as compared to when guests assess whether the offering, as it is offered, is good for them or not. My advice: Don't count on anything they're not willing to guarantee you in writing. If you do get a CM to say that the admission can be used during some later trip, get them to put it on Disney letterhead and fax it to you.

ITA

Not all packages will work for all families.

Since there are so many 2 year olds that NEED the dining plan, maybe disney should require 2 year olds to purchase park passes.

I can only think of about 3 rides in each park that a 2 year old can't ride. They get to enjoy the parades, character greetings, shows and many rides.

I wonder how everyone would feel if 2 year olds were included in the dining plan, but required to have passes to enter the park?

 

[missmun52]

ITA

Not all packages will work for all families.

Since there are so many 2 year olds that NEED the dining plan, maybe disney should require 2 year olds to purchase park passes.

I can only think of about 3 rides in each park that a 2 year old can't ride. They get to enjoy the parades, character greetings, shows and many rides.

I wonder how everyone would feel if 2 year olds were included in the dining plan, but required to have passes to enter the park?

That would not make sence to me, my child is too small to do many things, i took him to the fair about 2 weeks ago and he was afraid when i took him on a baby ride that just spinned. He DOES need to eat though. You need need to eat and kids do not eat free as disney states, they must share an adults meal, thats not free to me. My child has food allergies and sharing with me is not that simple, also he is pickey and does not like most sea food; i love it. So if he were to share with me i could not order many things i love.

 

[disneyjunkie]

That would not make sence to me, my child is too small to do many things, i took him to the fair about 2 weeks ago and he was afraid when i took him on a baby ride that just spinned. He DOES need to eat though. You need need to eat and kids do not eat free as disney states, they must share an adults meal, thats not free to me. My child has food allergies and sharing with me is not that simple, also he is pickey and does not like most sea food; i love it. So if he were to share with me i could not order many things i love.

What about an older child that's afraid of the rides? What about older adults that won't ride?

We're trying to get my parents to join us on a disney trip. They will not do ANY rides. They might do a show or two. Parades are out.

They would just enjoy walking around the parks and watching their grandkids enjoy the magic.

Of course they have to eat while we're there. Should all people who can't/won't ride the rides but want the dining plan, be required to have passes to enter the park?

 

[missmun52]

What about an older child that's afraid of the rides? What about older adults that won't ride?

We're trying to get my parents to join us on a disney trip. They will not do ANY rides. They might do a show or two. Parades are out.

They would just enjoy walking around the parks and watching their grandkids enjoy the magic.

Of course they have to eat while we're there. Should all people who can't/won't ride the rides but want the dining plan, be required to have passes to enter the park?

If your an adult and dont want to go on rides then dont go. If you want to go to see you kids enjoy themselves then you have to pay, as most go for their kids anyway.

Most children that are older are not afraid to go on most rides except the thrill rides and more "adult" type rides. There may be a few ( never relly heard of it) but they would be a very, very small minority. So no these people i believe should pay. But for 0ne and two year olds who cant go into many shows because they are to loud and who if they were not taken disney would lose much more money because parent and siblings would not be able to go should be allowed on the plan. I mean if people are willing to say ok disney i dont want them to be "free" i want to pay 10.99 for them to eat i think you should be able to do this.

1 and 2 year olds do not eat alot so i do not think disney will lose, the only time it get more expensive for kids is at a buffet where they would otherwise eat free anyway. I want to pre pay for everything and not carry around money so i think they should allw it,

 

[disneyjunkie]

If your an adult and dont want to go on rides then dont go. If you want to go to see you kids enjoy themselves then you have to pay, as most go for their kids anyway.

Most children that are older are not afraid to go on most rides except the thrill rides and more "adult" type rides. There may be a few ( never relly heard of it) but they would be a very, very small minority. So no these people i believe should pay. But for 0ne and two year olds who cant go into many shows because they are to loud and who if they were not taken disney would lose much more money because parent and siblings would not be able to go should be allowed on the plan. I mean if people are willing to say ok disney i dont want them to be "free" i want to pay 10.99 for them to eat i think you should be able to do this.

1 and 2 year olds do not eat alot so i do not think disney will lose, the only time it get more expensive for kids is at a buffet where they would otherwise eat free anyway. I want to pre pay for everything and not carry around money so i think they should allw it,

I just think if you allow one group to purchase dining, but don't require them to have passes to enter the park, you have to do it for other groups.

What happens to the families with kids over 10 who aren't big eaters? Should they be allowed to pay adult prices for their kids to enter the parks, but the child's rate for meals?

I don't think it's possible to have the packages meet the needs of ALL families.

If the plan doesn't work for you, don't book it.

 

[missmun52]

I just think if you allow one group to purchase dining, but don't require them to have passes to enter the park, you have to do it for other groups.

What happens to the families with kids over 10 who aren't big eaters? Should they be allowed to pay adult prices for their kids to enter the parks, but the child's rate for meals?

I don't think it's possible to have the packages meet the needs of ALL families.

If the plan doesn't work for you, don't book it.

Are you kidding me, this is not just any group in my opinion these are babies. One and two year olds just begining to talk and walk but who have teeth and sence enough to know that they dont want any more yucky gerber baby food they want the real deal. Some of these babies can eat a good amount. I dont always but do buy kids meals for my son when we go out to resturants not fast food junk though) and we bring the left overs home. Little kids are generally pick eaters and perfer the childs menu. They should allow you to put them on the plan. Its not about buying tickets, they dont require them to have a ticket to get in the park, but they wont allow you to pay for them to be on the plan.

Kids meals are so cheap its really not a matter of paying for him OOP but i just want that added convience and since he is also allergic to milk, all dairy and eggs it makes it better for me personally. Also its easier to pay for things up front and know everthing is done and paid for.

These kids are not 10, you cannot compare a 1 and 2 year old to a 10 year old and the elderly.

We just have conflicting opinions, some will agree with you some with me. Lets leave it at that.

 

[bicker]

That would not make sence to me, my child is too small to do many things

My mother is too old and infirm to do many things. She pays full price. I think the point is that the offerings are what the offerings are. Those are the choices available.

this is not just any group in my opinion these are babies

Each of us get to make the rules within our own realm. Disney makes the rules for WDW.

 

[averysmom]

My son has been to Disney with us 3 times - 4 mos, 15 months and 3 weeks before his 3rd birthday. At 4 months he was just nursing - so no questions there. At 15 months he could probably eat more than me when we went to buffets, he ate off our plates. When we did any other meal, we ordered him something and paid for it. I also brought in food for him to eat (fruit, yogurt, crackers, cheese strings, etc.) When he was almost 3 he absolutely was eating more than me - we were on the dining plan and we worked it out that buying th one day park pass and then the 11.00 a day for the dp was still more money that having him eat at the buffets for FREE and buying him his own food elsewhere.

If I go to Perkins, I pay for his food.
If I go to Mc Donald's I pay for his food.
If I go to Morton's Steakhouse I pay for his food.
If I go to WDW I pay for his food.

If you want your 2 year old on the plan, buy the park pass.

Just MHO!

 

[RachaelRol]

My son has been to Disney with us 3 times - 4 mos, 15 months and 3 weeks before his 3rd birthday. At 4 months he was just nursing - so no questions there. At 15 months he could probably eat more than me when we went to buffets, he ate off our plates. When we did any other meal, we ordered him something and paid for it. I also brought in food for him to eat (fruit, yogurt, crackers, cheese strings, etc.) When he was almost 3 he absolutely was eating more than me - we were on the dining plan and we worked it out that buying th one day park pass and then the 11.00 a day for the dp was still more money that having him eat at the buffets for FREE and buying him his own food elsewhere.

If I go to Perkins, I pay for his food.
If I go to Mc Donald's I pay for his food.
If I go to Morton's Steakhouse I pay for his food.
If I go to WDW I pay for his food.

If you want your 2 year old on the plan, buy the park pass.

Just MHO!

 

[dawnball]

WMy only worry is that now when we try to get into the parks we will get hasseled about whether or not my son is 2 or 3. But I am taking his birth cert. just to be safe. I am not so sure the CM's at the gate even check your tickets that closely though..... Does anyone know what will happen when we upgrade? Will the tickets remain on our room key or will we be issued new seperate tickets?

The tickets will be on your room key. I wouldn't worry about any kind of hassle at the gate though. They wouldn't expect your toddler to have a key or ticket, so you just don't present one for him. My 2yrold was on the dining plan last fall and we never had any issues at the gate at all. I put my key in the gate, stick my fingers in the reader, light turns green, wheel the stroller and toddler through the gate and you're done.

 

[mytwotinks]

I can understand the concern and confusion. It stems from our efforts to use offers that really don't suit us. The Dining Plan is supposed to be part of a package, accommodations, dining and admission. What a lot of folks are trying to do is comply with the letter of the offering, but not its spirit. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that that is actually okay. However, whenever guests do try to make the offerings "good for them" by making it meet their own personal specs, there is going to be much more confusion as compared to when guests assess whether the offering, as it is offered, is good for them or not. My advice: Don't count on anything they're not willing to guarantee you in writing. If you do get a CM to say that the admission can be used during some later trip, get them to put it on Disney letterhead and fax it to you.

I have to agree with this. The offer for free food is for paying guests. They don't offer it to 2 yo's because they don't make money off of 2 yo's. I think if you want the free food, you should pay for a park pass for every day your 2 yo goes into the park. On the other hand, if Disney is going to let you get around it I guess that's up to them too! Have fun everybody!

 

[rsmithx]

So I know this is an old thread, but with the DDP being offered again it has come to have some relevence.

I will have an 18 month old who I was interested in putting on the dining plan.

I didn't want to be dishonest or anything, so I called up WDW and explained my hope.

The CM just told me to have everyone rezzy for 1 day base tickets, and then when we get there, we can upgrade 2 of the tickets to 9 day PH's and leave my DD's ticket as a 1 day base (which she won't even use, and has until she turns 18 to use).

By going this route you lose the advanced reservation discount, but for us the price difference between buying the 9 day PH advanced vs upgrading will only be about $7 per ticket (so $14 total). This means that the only cost to put my daughter on the DDP is the $14 plus the cost of 1 single day base pass.

The CM was VERY helpful, walked me through changing the dining plan, and she was the one that told me to do everything.

So those that feel this is dishonest or something, I don't know what to tell you, as the CM is the one who told me what to do.

 

[M2DD's]

I completely agree with everyone wanting to upgrade their children.If I would of known we could of done this last yr we would of. We went 1 mnth before my DD turned 3 and had a hard time sharing with her. She is a very picky eater and has milk allergies,which limited to what I ordered. We are going a year later and my DD will now be 4 and will have her own meals but,she hasn't grown to be 40 inches so she can not go on anymore rides this year than she could go on last yr and it is costing us 200+ to add her on with 10 day tickets(which is a different topic). We are also upgrading my other DD to age 10 so she can have more food (no flames please) there is not difference between upgrading a 2 year old to receive a plan as there is to upgrading a 10 yr old.As long as you are honest with the CM(which I was)you should be fine.It's hard when everyone got their own desseret and my other child is screaming her head off that she didn't get her own.
Laura

 

[bicker]

So those that feel this is dishonest or something, I don't know what to tell you, as the CM is the one who told me what to do.

I think there is a misunderstanding, as I don't recall anyone saying that.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you upgrade the child for the trip, you have upgraded the child for the entire trip.