DDP for a ten-year-old??

[Keara'sMom]

Hi,
We're renting DVC points for a Jan. stay at AKV. Our renter asked if we'd like the DDP, and I wasn't sure what to say. My dh and I love good food and tend to eat at some of the nicer restaurants when staying at WDW (we particularly like Jiko!). I think, in that case, that the DDP would be good for us. The only hitch is that we have a dd10, and she typically eats from kids' menus and frankly doesn't eat that much!

My question, then, is...do we have to purchase the DDP for all three of us? IF so, what have others experienced with kids over 9 who still like kids' menus?

Thanks!!!
Leslie

 

[n2mm]

It's all or nothing when it comes to the DDP. When our grandson became a Disney adult, he ordered larger kids meals, or a combo of adult meals with kid friendly side items, like filet and french fries.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, you have to buy for everyone in the room.

The DDP isn't always worth it for some families based on their eating habits or the ages of their kids. IMHO, it's not worth it with kids over 9 who still like to eat off the kid's menus (unless it's the free dining plan). Also, now that the dining plan is going up and no appetizer, it's even less a deal for a picky 10 year old eater.

I decided not to do the dining plan the year my DD turned 10 for that very reason.

 

[FanOfPixar]

You may want to check out my food report with my cousin who was an "adult" for the first time on the disney plan. See my signature for the link. It did work out for us most of the time.

 

[Keara'sMom]

Thanks, everyone!
FanofPixar, Did you feel that you truly saved money on this plan? That's the whole reason behind buying it, as far as I'm concerned. Did Stitch order from the kids menu or the adult menu?

 

[MAKmom]

I have an 11 year old DD. We are using the DDP for the first time this trip. I told her she can do what ever she wants with the CS meals. BUT I want her to order off the adult menu for our TS meals. I figure this is a good chance for her to try some new food. She eats everything at home.

 

[kd2226]

We did the DDP in when the kids were 8 and 5 - and it was incredibly good value.
However, when we go next year, our eldest will be 10 and we know that there is no way we would get our moneys worth with paying the adult price for her (she is a tiny little thing and does not have a large appetite at all). So we decided to not get it this time. Then I read about the changes for 2008 -gratuity not included and less food, and that just reinforced our decision.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

What we did last time, and will hopefully be able to do this time is that for our DD10 at TS with a menu she ordered from the kids menu and we paid OOP - then had extra credits left for another meal. Worst case scenario we will order and shar 3 TS between the four of us. We are never able to finish that much food anyway, ordering four meals will just be a complete waste of food. At buffets, crt etc she is an adult. Last time it was free dining, this time we are paying.

 

[FanOfPixar]

Thanks, everyone!
FanofPixar, Did you feel that you truly saved money on this plan? That's the whole reason behind buying it, as far as I'm concerned. Did Stitch order from the kids menu or the adult menu?

I think we did save money. I still need to do the final tally. The only time Stitch ate off the child's menu was at Chef Mickey's when he got a couple of items from the children's part of the buffet. We really do the Dining plan because of the convenience of it.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think it would be difficult to save money on the dining plan in your case since you have a ten year old that doesn't eat adult portions, and you have a preference for 2 credit table service restaurants like Jiko.

It might work if you are prepared to use counter service credits only on certain days, and pay OOP for some meals (assuming you plan to eat 3 meals a day) or eat in the villa.

Or, look into using the deluxe plan.

 

[pigby]

It's all or nothing when it comes to the DDP. When our grandson became a Disney adult, he ordered larger kids meals, or a combo of adult meals with kid friendly side items, like filet and french fries.

This is interesting as my DD is very unadventurous and although an adult on DDP, would mostly prefer to eat from the kid's menu. This isn't a huge problem - at least she gets to eat what she likes even though an TS would be used for her. I wondered if Disney would do 'a larger kids meal' on request if you did this - it would certainly keep her a little fuller.

 

[thunderbird1]

Our dd was 10 on our last trip, and did just fine with the adult menus. I don't think she ever ordered off the kids' menus. Granted, we did get the DDP for free so I wasn't too concerned about what she ate or didn't eat. Oddly, she did fine on the entrees, but it was usually the dessert that got her. I thought she'd be all excited about getting chocolate cake and creme brulee, but all she wanted were her brother's make your own sundaes.

But if you like the 2 credit signature restaurants, there is another option. You and your dh can use her credits (since they will be adult credits) and pay OOP for kids' meals for her. For example, if you're there 6 nights, that's 18 adult TS credits. You could do a 1 credit meal each night of your stay for each of you (3x6=18). Or, you could do 3 signature meals (3x2x2=12) plus 3 1 credit meals (3x2=6) for you and your dh, and pay OOP for kids' meals for your dd at each of those restaurants.

Of course, this won't work at buffets, where she'll have to pay the adult price or use an adult credit. But it is a way to use the DDP for some signature meals without wasting adult credits on a child who doesn't yet have the appetite or appreciation for the fancier foods.

 

[Keara'sMom]

Hmmmmm.....

Thanks to all of you for replying. I think my dh and I need to talk things over and then decide what will work best for our family. I like the idea of using dd's TS credits for our signature dining (dd loves the salmon off of the kids menu at Jiko!).

Thanks again!
Leslie

 

[angelmav]

But if you like the 2 credit signature restaurants, there is another option. You and your dh can use her credits (since they will be adult credits) and pay OOP for kids' meals for her. For example, if you're there 6 nights, that's 18 adult TS credits. You could do a 1 credit meal each night of your stay for each of you (3x6=18). Or, you could do 3 signature meals (3x2x2=12) plus 3 1 credit meals (3x2=6) for you and your dh, and pay OOP for kids' meals for your dd at each of those restaurants.

Of course, this won't work at buffets, where she'll have to pay the adult price or use an adult credit. But it is a way to use the DDP for some signature meals without wasting adult credits on a child who doesn't yet have the appetite or appreciation for the fancier foods.

This wont work as Disney has closed this loophole with the credits. Credits are no longer pooled and all diners participating in the plan are required to use their credits. Also, it is no longer an option to 'give' credits to those not on the plan.

 

[beattyfamily]

This wont work as Disney has closed this loophole with the credits. Credits are no longer pooled and all diners participating in the plan are required to use their credits. Also, it is no longer an option to 'give' credits to those not on the plan.

Really? If 4 adults are on the plan and and dining together, and only 2 want to use their credits and the other 2 don't, they can't pay for their meals OOP?? All four guests MUST use dining credits? I didn't know they made this change.

I did know about the change that they no longer will let adults use child credits which is a good change, IMHO.

 

[THERESA522]

This wont work as Disney has closed this loophole with the credits. Credits are no longer pooled and all diners participating in the plan are required to use their credits. Also, it is no longer an option to 'give' credits to those not on the plan.

I can't imagine this is correct. What does it mean that "all diners are required to use their credits?" So if I'm travelling with my dh & 2 kids, then they need to have individual kttw cards and I have to give all 4 kttw cards to my server? And the credits aren't pooled? How does that work for 2 ts places?

 

[THERESA522]

Tracking Your Meals
Your meal usage will be tracked electronically to your package reservation. Each time you redeem meals or snacks from your Disney Dining Plan, your server or cashier will provide you with a receipt showing your remaining balance for that portion of your Disney Dining Plan.

For example, if your party with 2 Guests ages 10+ and 2 Guests ages 3-9 started with a total of 20 Quick Service meals (10 for Guests ages 10+ and 10 for Guests ages 3-9) and everyone in your party used 1 Quick Service meal, your paid receipt from the cashier would indicate a balance of 16 Quick Service meals (8 for Guests ages 10+ and 8 for Guests ages 3-9) for the remainder of your package stay.

The above was copied from the 2008 dining plan brochure - I believe it indicates in the 2nd paragraph that the credits are STILL POOLED.

 

[beattyfamily]

Tracking Your Meals
Your meal usage will be tracked electronically to your package reservation. Each time you redeem meals or snacks from your Disney Dining Plan, your server or cashier will provide you with a receipt showing your remaining balance for that portion of your Disney Dining Plan.

For example, if your party with 2 Guests ages 10+ and 2 Guests ages 3-9 started with a total of 20 Quick Service meals (10 for Guests ages 10+ and 10 for Guests ages 3-9) and everyone in your party used 1 Quick Service meal, your paid receipt from the cashier would indicate a balance of 16 Quick Service meals (8 for Guests ages 10+ and 8 for Guests ages 3-9) for the remainder of your package stay.

The above was copied from the 2008 dining plan brochure - I believe it indicates in the 2nd paragraph that the credits are STILL POOLED.

Right. The only change is that adults cannot use kid's meal credits any longer.

 

[THERESA522]

Right. The only change is that adults cannot use kid's meal credits any longer.

I know there was a lot of talk last year about families using kids counter service credits for an adult counter service. Is that what you mean? Did Disney finally fix it?

 

[beattyfamily]

I know there was a lot of talk last year about families using kids counter service credits for an adult counter service. Is that what you mean? Did Disney finally fix it?

Yes, they did. They fixed it this year.