Child as adult on DDP

[lupp2217]

Thanks for the opinion PP, however, my child will be eating the adult meals, or if she so chooses, a kid's meal, using her adult meal entitlement. I am not looking to rob Disney of anything. I called and asked if I was able to do this, stating why. The CM was fabulous and did it no problem. I understood that I would also pay adult ticket price for her as well. I came on to share the good news only to see that someone has to assume the worst, and give his 2 cents about it. You are entitled to your opinion, but in this case you are dead wrong. Also, assuming you are morally better than us leaves me to wonder why? You don't know me at all, so please do not judge me!

To other posters, I was able to do it and the CM was fabulous and happy to do it. Thanks for the great advice! Now we won't be stuck filling up on uncrustables, grapes, and carrots on our trip!

 

[clanmcculloch]

lupp2217, I was responding to OP who clearly stated that she was going to upgrade her not quite 6yo to a 10yo during free dining and planned to pay for her child OOP at many restaurants so they could use the child's credits for adults. That breaks the rules as set out by Disney.

I'm sorry if you took my post as an attack on you. It wasn't. I even said I see nothing wrong with upgrading a child, especially since Disney encourages it. I generally assume that this is what most who are upgrading their kids will do and I've suggested it to many people myself.

I'm not sure why you think I'm considering myself morally better than anybody. I certainly don't. I did share my own personal set of morals but I'm not saying they're any better than anybody elses; just different that some. It does seem that you and I are on the same page though. I honestly wasn't trying to suggest otherwise so again, if you took my post as an attack on you in any way then I'm sorry.

 

[WrenNCuckoos]

Yes Disney allows people to list a child as an adult so that they can get an adult dining plan. But, that being said, then buying kids meals OOP so that you can use the adult credits later on IMO stretches the rule to just about the breaking point if not beyond (I think it's beyond but that's based on my understanding of the rules). You're listing your child as a 10yo. WDW is stating that your child is to be treated as the same age for the duration of the trip when they tell you that you have to purchase an adult ticket. You're basically saying that on a day to day basis you want to pick and choose your child's age. That's not how Disney's rules are written. Disney's rules state that your child remains the same age for the duration of your trip for billing purposes. If your child is 1 day shy of 3 years old on the first day of your trip then your child is free for the whole trip. You're stating with your reservation that your child is 10 on the first day of your trip. Paying for her as a child at fixed price restaurants is going against this rule. Paying OOP for kids meals is more just stretching Disney's good will though technically not breaking any rules I don't believe since anybody of any age is generally allowed to pay OOP for kids meals at restaurants that are not fixed price.

Can you get away with it? I'm sure you can. My own personal Jiminey Cricket wouldn't allow me to do it. I see nothing wrong with upgrading a child to 10 as long as you're being honest about it since it's something Disney encourages but I'd only do it if my child was actually going to eat adult meals.

I was the one who asked about this.

We're not planning to do it all of the time, if we do it at all, but only if there is a day that my son wants the kid meal instead of an adult one. This would likely happen at most 3 or 4 times in the 15 nights we are there. If it were every meal, I agree it would be wrong. He will not be happy eating kid meals most of the time, and would be awfully hungry if he did. The boy has a very good appetite.

We get 2 meals a day and therefore will likely be paying some meals OOP in any case. I'm just choosing to make those meals the child ones rather than adult ones. I'm not sure that's morally wrong. If the rules were against this, I wouldn't consider it. I also plan to use the DDP credits on the more expensive meals we're planning, thereby paying less OOP for all of us for any additional meals. Is that also morally wrong? In fact, I'll probably even go out of my way to buy snacks with good value and get some fresh fruit from the grocery store rather than spend snack credits on fruit at the parks.

 

[clanmcculloch]

There is a difference between your varying scenariod.

Ordering the most expensive snack options available using a snack credit follows the rules. Paying OOP for cheaper options and using credits for more expensive options follows the rules.

There is a rule that your child is the same age for the whole trip as he is on the first day of your trip. For most people, this actually is to the benefit of the customer. You're stating that your child is 10 on the first day of your trip. The way I interpret this rule is that anywhere you're paying by age, you should pay based on the child's stated age on the first day so that means at fixed price restaurants you should pay for your child as a 10 year old. If you choose to interpret the rule differently then that's entirely up to you. I stated the rule and my interpretation.

I did say that paying OOP for kids meals (where you actually order off a menu and pay for the food you order rather than a flat price based on age) to stretch the credits is not breaking the rules but IMO it's pushing Disney's good will in allowing the upgrade for such a small cost during free dining promotions. Each person is free to decide for themselves if it's ok or not. I'm not judging your decision. I'm just sharing a different opinion in what I thought was a respectful manner.

 

[maggiew]

We're calling my will be 6 year old an adult for Disney next year. We've got free DDP and are actually thinking of paying for him OOP whenever he wants a kid's meal and for buffets, since he is actually a child, and saving up those extra TS credits to go out by ourselves to a signature restaurant or two. We'll have grandparents there to babysit.

Is there any reason this won't work?

I think what the PP takes issue with is that you are claiming the child is an adult so that you can get the adult credits. However, when it comes time for a meal to be charged based on age (like at a buffet), you want to claim that he is a child. Personally I agree with the PP that this is overstepping the line.

In my personal opinion, I think its ok if someone wants to upgrade their child to a Disney adult to get the better options of adult meals because the kids meals are so bad. But then if you do that, I think you need to stick with that and use adult credits for the child. I think ordering kids food is ok if for a meal or two they want the chicken nuggets or pizza or whatever. But I think its wrong to then claim the child is "actually a child" afterall and so should only paid childs prices at the buffets. Then, to use those left over credits for a signature meal is pushing it.

However, from what I have read here on the DIS, you shouldn't have a problem doing this. Many have done what you have suggested.

One thing I have always wondered about this is what happens in 8 years when your "child" now turns 18 in the Disney system? Will they charge you the extra adult charge or can you turn back the child's age at that time? I just wonder because Disney does keep track of the children's ages in their system. I know because I was calling for some pricing for a Disney trip and when the agent asked me how many adults and how many children I said, "2 adults and 2 children" because in my mind that is what I have and I didn't think too much about my answer. But my DD turned 18 and the agent corrected me and said, "Oh, your daughter is now considered an adult and will have the supplemental adult charge on the room." I wonder what she would have said if I claimed she was really only 10, so please change her age in the system? I hadn't even really given names yet at that point, but since all of our past trips have been with the 4 of us, they just assumed who the party of 4 would be. I'm truly wondering about this and am not being snarky.

Maggie

 

[smitch425]

once you change them to an older age, you cannot change them back. So say you get the dining plan this time around and bump your child up to a "Disney adult", but then on your next trip you decide not to do a dining plan, you are stuck paying for an adult park ticket because in Disney's system they are still a "Disney adult".

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

once you change them to an older age, you cannot change them back. So say you get the dining plan this time around and bump your child up to a "Disney adult", but then on your next trip you decide not to do a dining plan, you are stuck paying for an adult park ticket because in Disney's system they are still a "Disney adult".

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Ages can be corrected on later trips. I remember one poster who's child didn't age in the Disney computer between trips so in 2006 their DD was 7 and when they went again in 2010 they still had her as 7 even though she was now 11. The CM never asked for her age and the poster didn't realize the error until she looked at her receipt where they only charged her DD as a child not disney adult. The point being, Disney computers aren't perfect and a CM can correct an age later on.

 

[WrenNCuckoos]

We're currently planning just a single buffet, so I didn't consider it a huge issue, but yes, I agree it's not right to do all buffets and pay OOP and just take the extra credits, so I likely won't do that at buffets. However, I will likely pay OOP for any time he chooses to buy off the kid menu, in exactly the same way I would choose to pay OOP for myself if I chose only to have an appetiser rather than an entree because that was all I wanted to eat. I also will pay OOP if I choose to buy a kid meal for myself at a counter service restaurant rather than an adult meal. I don't see that as cheating the system.

As far as Disney keeping him at his enhanced age, I'm not too concerned. I don't think we'll actually do a Disney trip annually or anything and if it comes down to it, I can prove his age at the time if necessary. In fact, unless we had airmiles hanging around like we did this time, I'd have to use his actual age for a future trip as we'd likely buy a package including airfare and he'd be unable to travel at the wrong age.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We're currently planning just a single buffet, so I didn't consider it a huge issue, but yes, I agree it's not right to do all buffets and pay OOP and just take the extra credits, so I likely won't do that at buffets. However, I will likely pay OOP for any time he chooses to buy off the kid menu, in exactly the same way I would choose to pay OOP for myself if I chose only to have an appetiser rather than an entree because that was all I wanted to eat. I also will pay OOP if I choose to buy a kid meal for myself at a counter service restaurant rather than an adult meal. I don't see that as cheating the system.

As far as Disney keeping him at his enhanced age, I'm not too concerned. I don't think we'll actually do a Disney trip annually or anything and if it comes down to it, I can prove his age at the time if necessary. In fact, unless we had airmiles hanging around like we did this time, I'd have to use his actual age for a future trip as we'd likely buy a package including airfare and he'd be unable to travel at the wrong age.

sounds like an excellent plan!

 

[divawife]

Why on earth should you be concerned about stretching Disney "good will" (an oxymoron btw) by paying OOP for a child's buffet (when you have upgraded his or her ticket by getting an "adult" DDP?) Are you kidding me? The whole family can have an additional TS if you pay OOP buffet child prices 3 times for an actual child. Since when is a 10 year old an adult when it comes to anything but DDP?
The only reason most people bother to go through the DDP child vs adult hoops is because Disney's child menus are so badly planned (same food over and over). From what I read on the boards most people simply wanted a more varied, tasty choices available, they might even be willimg to pay a little more for it. It is not because they are cackling gleefully about how they can get away with something. You also pay extra for the ticket for your under 10 year old adult. Disney looks out for Disney.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Why on earth should you be concerned about stretching Disney "good will" (an oxymoron btw) by paying OOP for a child's buffet (when you have upgraded his or her ticket by getting an "adult" DDP?) Are you kidding me? The whole family can have an additional TS if you pay OOP buffet child prices 3 times for an actual child. Since when is a 10 year old an adult when it comes to anything but DDP?
The only reason most people bother to go through the DDP child vs adult hoops is because Disney's child menus are so badly planned (same food over and over). From what I read on the boards most people simply wanted a more varied, tasty choices available, they might even be willimg to pay a little more for it. It is not because they are cackling gleefully about how they can get away with something. You also pay extra for the ticket for your under 10 year old adult. Disney looks out for Disney.

I don't get the fuss either. You should've seen the flames when I wanted to upgrade my 2.75 yr old to a 3 year old so he could get the DDP (staying DVC so tickets didn't matter). I got the same thing with the buffet issue. My 2 year old eats as much as my 9 year old so we'd be buying meals OOP for him otherwise.

 

[Diegosmom]

I think the only problem I see is that you are not suppose to use your childs credits (whether they are adult credits of kids credits) for someone else. Technically everyone is suppose to use there own credits. If everyone has 5TS credits and you pay out of pocket for you child on 4 of those TS meals. You arent suppose to take his/her left over TS and use all 4 for the parents to go to a signature meal. Now disney puts all the credits combined on your card so technically they dont know who used what credits. But the plan is intended that everyone uses there own credit.

But thanks for starting this thread. I am hoping to get Free Dining in Jan and I hadnt even considered upgrading DS (who will be almost 5) to an adult to get the adult dining. We will probably keep the quickservice dining and many of the places that we want to eat have horrible kids options.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think the only problem I see is that you are not suppose to use your childs credits (whether they are adult credits of kids credits) for someone else. Technically everyone is suppose to use there own credits. If everyone has 5TS credits and you pay out of pocket for you child on 4 of those TS meals. You arent suppose to take his/her left over TS and use all 4 for the parents to go to a signature meal. Now disney puts all the credits combined on your card so technically they dont know who used what credits. But the plan is intended that everyone uses there own credit.

Not true. They are assigned to the room and not the person. So if one person didn't want to use any credits at all, the others in the room are free to use them. (example: a 10 yr old with a feeding tube or on a very restrictive diet must have the dining plan if the rest of the family wants it, but doesn't have to use any of the credits)

 

[lupp2217]

If Disney was hurting due to all the transferring of credits amongst the people in each room, they would've done something about it. They leave it open because more people are willing to pay for the dining, or rack rate if free dining, therefore lining Disney's pockets. If this wasn't true, there would be more restrictions. The free dining brings in the numbers and fills the rooms, so they allow these things. It doesni't hurt them in the least, and keeps us coming back. I don't think paying OOP for some meals bothers them in the least and they don't feel "cheated" either. Of course, this is just my opinion and by reading this post some people have very strong ones that oppose this. So don't flame me, to each his own.

 

[divawife]

Disney bases the DDP on the room-if there were 2 real adults (you know -the kind who are over 18 who can drive, vote or eat more?) on the regular garden variety DDP and 1 of them decided to only have a appetizer at 2 TS they could use those 2 TS for an additional TS meal for both of them. How on earth is that different from paying OOP occasionally for your 8 year old fake adult (you know the kind who can't drive, vote or goes rogue insisting on pot roast instead of chickie nuggets again) and using those TS credits for a new experience for entire family?

 

[Diegosmom]

sorry guys I guess I was thinking adults couldn't use child credits. The Disney info implies each person has there own credits but it just says you can't use them for someone not on your reservations.

I was wrong, not the first time and pretty sure it wont be the last time.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

How on earth is that different from paying OOP occasionally for your 8 year old fake adult (you know the kind who can't drive, vote or goes rogue insisting on pot roast instead of chickie nuggets again) and using those TS credits for a new experience for entire family?

I have one of those rogue 9 year olds.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Why on earth should you be concerned about stretching Disney "good will" (an oxymoron btw) by paying OOP for a child's buffet (when you have upgraded his or her ticket by getting an "adult" DDP?) Are you kidding me? The whole family can have an additional TS if you pay OOP buffet child prices 3 times for an actual child. Since when is a 10 year old an adult when it comes to anything but DDP?
The only reason most people bother to go through the DDP child vs adult hoops is because Disney's child menus are so badly planned (same food over and over). From what I read on the boards most people simply wanted a more varied, tasty choices available, they might even be willimg to pay a little more for it. It is not because they are cackling gleefully about how they can get away with something. You also pay extra for the ticket for your under 10 year old adult. Disney looks out for Disney.

Paying OOP for a child's buffet when you've stated that the child is an adult is not a goodwill issue; it's actually against the rules. Yes you can get away with it but it is against the rules. OP has said that she wishes to follow the rules and will not do this. I think she was genuinely asking what are the rules in order to avoid violating them which is the right thing to do.

The goodwill IMO comes into play as a very personal decision type of thing. I do not judge anybody for making different decisions than I do and I do consider this to be a grey area since it's not breaking any rules. The goodwill is that Disney does allow people an extra amazing deal of being able to upgrade a child to an adult during free dining for the minimal cost of the difference between a child and adult ticket. The reason that the goodwill matters is that if too many people take advantage of a loophole, Disney does close it. They've shown this many times. Paying OOP for a couple kids' meals (not fixed price meals because this is LYING to Disney and against the rules) when you're going over your meal alotment isn't really taking advantage which is what OP is doing. They'd be paying for some meals OOP regardless. Intentionally upgrading a child knowing that the child will prefer kids meals most of the time and then paying OOP for the kids meals is taking advantage. If enough people do this, Disney will stop allowing people to upgrade like this. Taking advantage of their goodwill hurts all the people who are wanting this kind of upgrade for the reasons it's intended. Any time somebody exploits a loophole they end up hurting lots of people because that's what gets loopholes closed.

I guess I'm trying to say that my concern over the goodwill of Disney really isn't just about doing right by them. It's really just as much about respecting their intentions and not poking them in the eye because that results in this kind of generocity being recinded. You're right that Disney looks out for Disney. Don't poke Disney in the eye.

I do think you need to look up the definition of oxymoron because Disney goodwill is not one. If you think of Disney as some evil organization that is out to make everybody around them miserable then I'm not sure why you bother going to WDW (that's the only way it could be an oxymoron). Yes, Disney is a business but businesses are capable of goodwill. Allowing people to upgrade kids during free dining is goodwill. It costs people maybe $30 to upgrade kids but it costs Disney a heck of a lot more than that in the food consumed by that kid using adult credits. All the more reason to NOT poke them in the eye. This ability can be taken away at any time. Be respectful to the rules and to the amazing deal that they're allowing people to benefit from.

 

[divawife]

If you think of Disney as some evil organization that is out to make everybody around them miserable then I'm not sure why you bother going to WDW (that's the only way it could be an oxymoron)

Disney, last time I checked, is not a non-profit. They give you nothing without always thinking of the bottom line. This is not bad. This is not evil. Good will is not their goal-money is. This is business. I do not think business or making a profit is evil and I do not think Disney stock holders are sitting around cackling about how to make guests miserable. Good try though.

 

[divawife]

Paying OOP for a child's buffet when you've stated that the child is an adult is not a goodwill issue; it's actually against the rules. Yes you can get away with it but it is against the rules.

What rules? I have checked the DDP brochure.

Disney Dining Plan meals and snacks may not be redeemed
for cash in whole or in part, sold separately, transferred or
refunded.
Number of Meals During Your Package Stay
The Disney Dining Plan includes one (1) Quick-Service Meal, one (1)
Snack, and one (1) Table-Service Meal per person, per night of your
package stay for everyone in the party ages 3 and over.
Finding Disney Dining Plan Locations
-Over 100 select Quick-Service and Table-Service restaurants,
including our legendary Disney Character Dining, participate in the
Disney Dining Plan.
You can also find select Snack locations throughout the Walt Disney
World® Resort.
Using Your Meals
Use your meals and snacks in any order throughout your package
stay until your total is depleted.
All unused meals and snacks expire at midnight on your package
reservation checkout date.
Redeeming Your Meals
-Present your Key to the World card to the server or cashier at the
time a meal or snack is purchased and specify the number of
meals or snacks being redeemed for Guests ages 10+ on your
Disney Dining Plan and the number of meals or snacks being
redeemed for Guests ages 3-9 on your Disney Dining Plan.
-You may not redeem meals or snacks for any Guests who are not on
your Disney Dining Plan.