can you pay OOP for kids meal and save their credit for them?

[dreamalittledream]

Not to beat a dead dining issue and I have read all about the Adult/ child credit pooled/ seperated debate and that is not what I am asking.


I have scheduled too many TS meals, mostly buffets b/c they work for our situation.
However, I would like to pay OOP for 1 kids meal for each child at one TS location. They may share 1 if portions are large (I have 1 5 yr old and 1 2 yr old) and save my 1 TS child credit to use for the more expensive character buffet later (the 2yr old would dine free at the buffet). I'll pay OOP for the 2 adult buffets but it will save me about 8.00-12.00. Is it worth the hassel? maybe not. but is it possible?

 

[bicker]

I doubt it is even worth paying for the Dining Plan for your two year old.

 

[dreamalittledream]

Sorry, it was late and I may not have been exactly clear. I am not getting the dining plan for the 2 yr old, just for the 5 yr old. But the 2 yr old can eat as much as her sister does some of the time.

So, I know there are times when I would get the 2 yr old her own meal or we will do buffets so she can eat as she pleases. Hence the reason I am over my count on TS meals. I would rather save the 5 yr old's credit for the 5 yr old to use at the Character meal since those are around 18.99, not 5.00 like a TS kids meal. Think it would work?

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Sorry, it was late and I may not have been exactly clear. I am not getting the dining plan for the 2 yr old, just for the 5 yr old. But the 2 yr old can eat as much as her sister does some of the time.

So, I know there are times when I would get the 2 yr old her own meal or we will do buffets so she can eat as she pleases. Hence the reason I am over my count on TS meals. I would rather save the 5 yr old's credit for the 5 yr old to use at the Character meal since those are around 18.99, not 5.00 like a TS kids meal. Think it would work?

Not sure. It may depend on your server; it may depend on what Disney does before you go!
If Disney does change the computers to show the servers children's entitlements vs. adult entitlements, which is the big drama on other threads, I really think that would work in your favor. They'd see in the system that you had a child entitlement and you were using it for a child. If it doesn't get changed, ? I really think there are a lot of parents like you, for whom a more clear and loophole-free system would really benefit! Then you'd be able to do what you want to do (which I think is fair and appropriate, btw) without any CMs being obliged to question you.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I guess we'll have to wait and see. I know I am going to be over on 1 child entitlement since we are doing an adult dinner at Le Cellar and sending the girls off with the Family to eat CS that night. So it won't be even anyway. I have 12 TS meals in 10 days, 2 days we are doing a Character bfast and a TS dinner.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

If you're not getting the DDP for the 2yo, your room card will have 2A 1C on it. Any TS that you do should allow you to pay OOP for anything that the 2yo orders, since it's obvious that only one child would be on the DDP.

When it comes to sharing a child's entrée between the kids, the policy is that at regular TS locations, the 2yo would be free to share off of anyone's plate, including her sister's. So if you feel that the portions are too large for DD5 to finish, your DD2 should be able to have some of that meal with no hassles. They certainly could share a meal and still only use 1 child TS credit.

I think that it gets a little stickier when diners with 2 children on the DDP have the kids sharing a meal (possibly saving that credit for an adult to use later?). Some servers may not allow that.

Another thing that you may not be able to do is to use any of your DD5's TS credits to pay for your DD2's meals (like the buffets and character meals). Again, this would be b/c your room key would show that there is only 1C on the plan.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I think that it gets a little stickier when diners with 2 children on the DDP have the kids sharing a meal (possibly saving that credit for an adult to use later?). Some servers may not allow that.

.

I see what you mean, I would want to avoid the "perception" that we are scamming since we are not.


also, I don't need to use the 5 yr old's credits for the 2 yr old at buffets since they do not charge for children until they are 3. This is part of the reason we are doing so many buffets, and the fact we like the characters!

Our other TS meals so far are Japan, Alfredo's, Primetime and possibly Tony's. We are going to Kona for Tonga toast but I'll be paying OOP. I may just pay OOP for all of us at Japan as well since the deserts and appy's don't appeal to me. I looked at the menu and Alfredo's was the only one I may pay for the kids meal if I can. If not, no biggie.

 

[bicker]

I would want to avoid the "perception" that we are scamming since we are not.

I would just pay OOP for your two year old in each case, then, and you'll have no problem.

 

[Wafflestoo]

Can I pay for my child’s meal and save his/her TS/CS credits for another day?
Yes, you can. You will be given a separate ticket with tax. You will need to tip for this ticket as it is not figured into what the server will be tipped from the dining plan.

I found this question and its answer on the sticky at the top of the Dining Plan Discussion Board.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I would just pay OOP for your two year old in each case, then, and you'll have no problem.

I still think you missed my question or I am still not being clear. I wanted to save the 5 yr old's credit so she (the 5 yr old) can use it later at the character buffet and pay for the 5.00 meal (for the 5 yr old) OOP.

The 2 yr old is not an issue, if she wants a 5.00 meal I will pay OOP since she is not on the plan and I don't need to pay anything for her at the buffet since she is under 3.

Wafflestoo ... thanks for the info in the sticky, I must have missed that.

 

[bicker]

Each person on the Dining Plan can use their credits in any order, for sure. However, do keep in mind that due to the current problems Disney is having with enforcement of the rules outlined in the Dining Plan brochure, some members have reported being unable to pay OOP for a child who was listed on their Dining Plan. For now, it is a hit-or-miss thing.

 

[dreamalittledream]

bicker gotcha, you hit it right on the head. All this speculation is just that. I'll have to wait and see what happens when we are there.

 

[iluvepcot]

anyone just have experience with this want to share?

 

[frayedend]

I keep reading these threads and I keep wondering this. If you tell the server that you are saving the child credit for a signature dinner or something, then how can they tell you no? They may wonder why you are not saving your own credits. You may just tell them that you are saving the child credit for exactly what you told us. They really have no reason to say no. Again it is all speculation because in your situation they may think you are trying to scam the system, even when you are not.

 

[JimMIA]

There is no question that what you want to do -- save your 5 year-old's credit to use for a character meal -- is clearly within the rules. I don't think you will have any problem at all.

The only actual report I have seen where this was an issue was one where they wanted to pay OOP for a child and use more than their allotted credits to treat adults not on the dining plan. In other words, their cards said 2A/1C and they wanted to use DDP for four adults at the same meal where they were paying OOP for the child. That situation was really much more about using more than the allotted credits than paying OOP for the kid's meal, I believe.

[ETA: I agree with the above poster that if the A/C credits are segregated, there should be no question whatsoever...which would be better for these types of situations.]

 

[COmomof2]

OP-I'm in the exact situation that you are...except I have boys! They are 5 and 2.5. We do not have the dining plan for our youngest.

I have 10 TS ADR's made for 7 nights worth of DDP. I plan to pay OOP for the 5 yr old at 50's PTC, Kona and perhaps LeCellier (meals at these places are about $5-6). I will then "save" his credit for use at Boma, Biergarten or Crystal Palace, where the kids meals average $10-12. It will save me a few bucks in the long run, considering I still have to pay OOP for DH and I at some restaurants along the way.

If a server won't do this, then so bit it. I'll just pay for him at the more expensive places, but since I'm not using his credit for an adult, I'm not doing anything against the "rules" of the DDP.

I didn't look at your ticker....when are you leaving? I'll be interested to know if you are successful with this. We don't leave until 9/23, so what I find probably won't help anyone since we're leaving at the tail end of the free dining promo.

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone out there!

 

[Uncleromulus]

The stated "rules" seem to suggest that the OP can do what is proposed---