DDP and date nights

[sukhakuli]

I'm curious how this would work. Right now we have the regular dining plan, and dh and I are thinking about dumping the kids off at something like the Neverland Club and going out to dinner just the 2 of us. I'd probably choose a 2 credit meal.

So, that means that the kids would have 2 table service credits more than we have.

Am I right in thinking that we can have a TS meal, and use their DDP credits, but pay OOP for a meal for dh and I?

I'm unclear if you can convert the TS credits to CS, can you?

 

[Reddy]

kids are kid meal age right??
TS can be change for CS but you don't get your money worth to do that - that is the only exchange that they will do anytime.
I did get to exchange CS for 3 snacks on my last day at my resort but only because it was the last day (which isn't getting my money's worth either)

my kids get adult meals so for us it doesn't matter.
you would have to tell the waiter that the kids are DDP while the adults are OOP if you do the TS - main thing is to ask, expect a no then you are happy either way

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, they will allow you to pay for the kids with credits while you pay cash for the adults. Make sure you tell your server which meals will be paid with DDP and which won't.

 

[WTP]

I think that using your DDP for a 2 credit meal would not be a good use of the credits. Because the kids would each have 2 credits more than each of you, then you would have to pay OOP for yourselves twice while the kids are each eating their 1 credit meals. Check the menus for where you plan to go, but the signature entrees are not quite twice the price of regular TS. I think you would be better of financially to just pay for your signature meal. I bet you could even order an appetizer or two and still not approach the cost of paying OOP for 2 adult TS meals. So check the menus!

 

[Dean]

I'm curious how this would work. Right now we have the regular dining plan, and dh and I are thinking about dumping the kids off at something like the Neverland Club and going out to dinner just the 2 of us. I'd probably choose a 2 credit meal.

So, that means that the kids would have 2 table service credits more than we have.

Am I right in thinking that we can have a TS meal, and use their DDP credits, but pay OOP for a meal for dh and I?

I'm unclear if you can convert the TS credits to CS, can you?

I know some have been able to use TS for CS but as noted, you'd be limited to kids meals there as well. IMO, your best option, is to just book the extra TS and then either share a meal or 2 along (? with appy). If sharing doesn't work, you essentially want to use your TS credits for the ones with the best value and pay OOP for the lowest prices meals. We do this all the time and will again in a couple of months. My wife always drinks water and we aren't into desserts so using one TS credit often works better. That way we can get 3 meals most days (sometimes snacks for danish also) and have meals early on arrival and later on departure days. Look through the menus of your ADR's and get an idea of what your better choices would be to pay OOP because the best choices may be before your date night. It's entirely possible, if not likely, that the best meal to do so IS the signature restaurant. You tend to get a lower value at signatures (exceptions) and one meal solves your problem because it's 2 credits. Enjoy.

 

[Nadjalu]

Thought I would mention that not all places will let you use a TS for a CS meal.

There are reports that this only happens during free dining. (as it is harder to get into TS places).
And at the resort CS places.

Just be aware this may not be an option.

 

[Dean]

Thought I would mention that not all places will let you use a TS for a CS meal.

There are reports that this only happens during free dining. (as it is harder to get into TS places).
And at the resort CS places.

Just be aware this may not be an option.

Same for using a CS credit for 3 snacks, likely the same places.

 

[sukhakuli]

Thanks for the info.

We're going during free dining for most of the trip, so I am not overly worried about maximizing the monetary benefit of the dining plan. Dh and I want to go out to a nice meal at the California Grill or Citricos as we almost never go out.

Is it possible when going out to a TS dinner that dh and I could share a meal and only use one credit between us? Obviously that wouldn't work at buffets. We're light eaters, in general.

 

[Nadjalu]

It is possible, but you may have to order an appetizer to supplement the meal. Most signature dishes are not "share" friendly. What I mean is it isn't usually a big portion, it is about right. So if you share both of you would probably be hungry and need something else.

But you could do it, have DH order and use the credit for the meal and you order the appy as your entree. And then when it comes share.

Be aware that some places to charge a "plate sharing" charge. I am not sure of those restauarnts but they are out there.

I would go on to say that there are a few places that are 1 TS credit that are as romantic (more IMO) than the signatures. That may be a way to go.

San Angel Inn in Epcot - just look at the menu as it is not tex mex style we are used to here in the states. It is traditional dishes. But very good. And so romantic!!
Tony's in MK - pretty good food and the romance of the place is so sweet.

 

[Dean]

Is it possible when going out to a TS dinner that dh and I could share a meal and only use one credit between us? Obviously that wouldn't work at buffets. We're light eaters, in general.

We are light eaters also and we share all the time. Disney is good about this. We also find we don't need all the desserts. There are a few places that have appy type options on the dessert menu (cheese tray, fruit) so this can be good for any meal. We often pay OOP for soup or salad or even just extra sides. It's very likely your best bet to do this is your date night as the signatures can be a lower value. I'd suggest you spend some time with the menus then when you start your time at Disney, just pay attention to days you don't want an extra dessert or want to order a meal that's generally cheaper that the rest you'll get.

 

[sukhakuli]

OK, so if we can share a meal, and only use one credit instead of 2, then that fixes the "date night" problem easy. Dh and I can go to our signature meal, and then later when we eat with the kids we will just share a meal. We also have a full kitchen in the cabins, so we'll be fine. Dh and I typically only eat one meal a day anyway, so eating more than that is going to seem a like a lot!

We're going to be there for nearly 2 weeks, so there will be lots of eating out with the kids. Dh always wanted to eat at the CG, so I think we're doing that for our date night.

Right now the long list is the San Angel, Coral Reef, Le Chef de France, Crystal Palace, CRT, Tony's, CG, Liberty Tree, Brown Derby, Yachtsman, Ohana's, Beaches and Cream (kitchen sink, will probably be OOP), and perhaps Boma and 1900 Park Fare. I need to pare down a bit. And since we have FD for most of the trip, I'm fine with paying OOP for some meals, as well. We're not on a tight budget (but why spend extra, right?).

 

[Dean]

OK, so if we can share a meal, and only use one credit instead of 2, then that fixes the "date night" problem easy. Dh and I can go to our signature meal, and then later when we eat with the kids we will just share a meal. We also have a full kitchen in the cabins, so we'll be fine. Dh and I typically only eat one meal a day anyway, so eating more than that is going to seem a like a lot!

We're going to be there for nearly 2 weeks, so there will be lots of eating out with the kids. Dh always wanted to eat at the CG, so I think we're doing that for our date night.

Right now the long list is the San Angel, Coral Reef, Le Chef de France, Crystal Palace, CRT, Tony's, CG, Liberty Tree, Brown Derby, Yachtsman, Ohana's, Beaches and Cream (kitchen sink, will probably be OOP), and perhaps Boma and 1900 Park Fare. I need to pare down a bit. And since we have FD for most of the trip, I'm fine with paying OOP for some meals, as well. We're not on a tight budget (but why spend extra, right?).

B&C is a good option for OOP anyway

 

[WTP]

OK, so if we can share a meal, and only use one credit instead of 2, then that fixes the "date night" problem easy. Dh and I can go to our signature meal, and then later when we eat with the kids we will just share a meal.

Just keep in mind that you will have to share twice. If you each order a meal on your date night, you will each spend 2 of your credits. Then when you eat those 1 credit meals with the kids, you will need to spend only 1 credit total at 2 places.