the only exception to that was last year during Free Dining...there were not enough table service tables available for all diners with the Dining Plan, so WDW did allow table service credits to be used at counter service restaurants. But only during Free Dining time, not any other time of the year.
If you are not getting free dining, and you are anticipating using TS credits for CS, you would have to reevaluate whether or not the dining plan was a good value for your party.
Which may be one reason why such an exchange has only been permitted during the free dining period. Even then, they gave extra items to people making the switch (a snack and/or a lanyard, I believe)
May 2007 they converted a few TS credits to CS credits for my MIL and auntIL (they skipped some meals we had scheduled with us). It was no problem. They had it done at our hotel lobby. This was a year ago, don't know if they will still do that. But I don't see why NOT...it's more money in their pocket - CS meals are cheaper and they can hopefully squeeze one more family into a TS restaurant.
I believe it was 2006 Free Dining when they overbooked so drastically that Disney Dining actually had a policy of exchanging TS for CS + some trinkets to even it out somewhat. However, I think that was more riot control than benevolence.
Since then, I've always heard that you could NOT swap TS for CS (although it makes no sense). Obviously, if you're on Deluxe DDP, you use your meal credits whereever you want.
However, as Carmiedog's experience last year shows, you never know until you ask. Disney is nothing if not inconsistent.
To be more accurate, I guess I should add that NOT allowing TS/CS swaps does make sense from Disney Dining's point of view. Their pricing models are based on some assumptions about underuse of credits, so if they permit swaps it hurts their profit.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts.
Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.