Children and DDP

[CelestriaSky]

We're heading out on our first Disney vacation at the end of this month and we'll be using free dining. I read in the book the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006" that to make the most of the plan, I should purchase my ds's (3 yo) meal outright and then use his table credits at other places. Just wondering if there is a distinction between child credits and adult credits on the dining plan because if there is, than that really wouldn't make sense I guess.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Just when you thought it was safe...

 

[wdwobsessed]

I think we all need to remember that new posters may not be privy to all that has gone on here.

To the OP: You are not supposed to use C credits for A meals and that seems to be the official word. Right now they have no way of preventing this but it looks like it's in the works.

I just hope this does not start another fight as I made an honest reply with no suggestions on how to proceed.

WDWO

 

[CelestriaSky]

OH NO! If this is something that people fight about, I didn't mean to start anything. I guess I'm not quite 'in the know' yet so to speak. We've never been to Disney so obviously I've never used the dining plan. I was just asking for some clarification on what the book said. I guess I (stupidly) assumed that if it was talked about in the book, then it wasn't wrong to do, simply making the most of what you had.

Once again, I'm sorry.

 

[laceemouse]

Personally I am surprised that Disney did not have a way to keep track of Adult versus Kid credits from the start. Did they not think that people would use the Kid credits for adult meals, either innocently or otherwise? How could Disney be that dumb??? I think the plan seems pricey, we have 4 kids, three of whom we would have to pay the adult rate for, so I would hate to pay for the plan and then have to spend ANY out of pocket on top of that. Also, 2 TS meals a day would be WAY too much food for us!!! You did not know of the controversy, no harm done! We have decided the plan is not worth the $$$ for our family!

 

[Windy City Heather]

It is a very hot topic on the boards.

If you read all the Disney Dining Plan paper work it does not state child's credits or adult credits. It shows that you have X credits per night of your stay to use as you see fit. At this point, it does seem to be allowed but I have read (and have been reading for many, many months that Disney is about to clarify this and not allow it).

I will tell you that for my up coming trip next month I ran the numbers. I know where we are eating and I am quite sure I know exactly what my family will get to eat. We are staying for 5 nights, 2 adults and 1 child. The difference is $20.00. The $20.00 is not worth the hassle of going "o.k. we the adults will use the dining plan but here is my credit card to pay out of pocket for my 4 year old".

I also find it interesting to know that it is now talked about in a guide book!

 

[DisneyMom5]

We're heading out on our first Disney vacation at the end of this month and we'll be using free dining. I read in the book the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006" that to make the most of the plan, I should purchase my ds's (3 yo) meal outright and then use his table credits at other places. Just wondering if there is a distinction between child credits and adult credits on the dining plan because if there is, than that really wouldn't make sense I guess.

We did not have to pay for the ddp as we got it on the free dining sale. That being said, we ate 1 TS meal a day, and shared a lot of CS meals (because portions are big.) We ended up with extra CS and many extra snacks when we left.
[For example: 3 of us had adult credits. my dd11 only wanted a kid portion at most CS meals, so I would get an adult meal with her credit and split it between 2 kids, and use one of their credits for her. This was just to get some variety, not to end run the system.]

Even though we never paid out of pocket, and never used children's CS credits to get adult meals, we were full all of the time, so that we didn't use our snack credits most days. It is a lot of food (which, with all my kids, I DO NOT see as a bad thing! LOL). I guess what I am saying is that I never felt the need to "get the most for my money" and wouldn't have done anything different even if we had paid for the plan.

All this talk of "maximizing" the plan suggests that the plan is not a good deal to begin with. IF you plan on doing a lot of sit down meals, it is a GREAT deal. Even if some of your sit downs are less than your per day price, some of them will be more. It all comes out in the wash.

The only time you MIGHT need more credits is if you want to go to a 2 credit meal, but we never felt the need or desire to do so.

Happy dining!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Celestriasky:
Nothing to be sorry about.
Unfortunately, this topic (along with several others) has become a very hot issue. Please have a look at our sticky " Information on using the DDP".
Thread now closed.