DDP - sharing a meal?

[Disney_dreamer]

I am seriously debating the regular dining plan for our upcoming January trip. Here is my problem.... DD will just be 10 (miss that free admission by 6 days- oh well!). I understand that I will have to purchase the adult meal plan for her.... but I am pretty sure she would never be able to eat an entire adult meal.

What I could see wanting to do is split an adult meal, either with me, or her younger brother.

I know that every person in your party must be on the plan, but, when you are at a restuarant, would they allow you to share a meal and then "save" a table service credit? I could see a lot of use in doing this, we would definitely use up extra TS credits at character breakfasts. So, say for example, DH and myself use 2 credits, DD and DS split an adult meal - would we be allowed to save one child TS credit?

I guess another thought I have - if we go out to eat and I am not particularly hungry, can I just order soup and salad, pay for it out of pocket, and "save" my TS credit? I'm thinking probably not, but I am wondering, does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tricia1972]

Yes, you can do exactly that.

 

[Disney_dreamer]

Yes, you can do exactly that.

Good to know - thanks!

 

[Lovemydog]

Yes, you can do exactly that.

Is this definitely true? This makes or breaks us buying the dining plan--we have a tiny 11-year-old who can't even eat a whole child's meal, let alone an adult meal! But I read in the FAQ sticky that Disney responded to a direct question that meal sharing is never allowed--even if it is not a buffet or other price fixe type meal.

 

[klynn]

I have never had a problem sharing a ts meal with my DD11. We've shared meals on the DDP and paying OOP.

 

[Tricia1972]

Is this definitely true? This makes or breaks us buying the dining plan--we have a tiny 11-year-old who can't even eat a whole child's meal, let alone an adult meal! But I read in the FAQ sticky that Disney responded to a direct question that meal sharing is never allowed--even if it is not a buffet or other price fixe type meal.

We have many reports of adult guests coming back who have had never had problems sharing their meals on the DDP.

 

[Lovemydog]

Great--thanks!

 

[septbaby]

I have not tried to share a TS meal on the DP such that we didn't use a credit per person. It seems like a restaurant by restaurant call so to me it seems like a high risk to base your purchase of the DP on sharing TS meals. I thing the DP is a good deal and sharing could make it a better deal. But if it doesn't add enough value with everyone using a TS credit at each meal (no problem sharing CS meals) then I'd think twice about buying it.

Everyone will pay at a buffet or all you care to eat meal, so you won't be able to share at any of those.

It seems like a bad idea for Disney to allow this, but lucky for us guests if they do. Why do I think this is a bad idea for Disney?: A Couple choosing 3 meals:

1- 1900 Park Fare Dinner (2TS)
2 -Shared Lunch at Prime Time (1TS)
3- Shared Breakfast at Kona(1TS)

Disney has used 3 ADR time slots and collected just 4 "payments" for a couple that should have netted them 6 payments. So they will have to use up another ADR to allow this couple to use the extra 2TS credits.

Our Mod reports that sharing is happening so it is true. Perhaps I'm pessimistic that it might not be the case everywhere or may start to be not allowed. It you need to do this of course go for it, I just wouldn't decide to buy the DP if this is the only way it works for your family.

By the way, I am a big fan of the DP!

In the case of the family with the light eating 10yr, buy the 10yo a $7 kids meal OOP and save the credit. Do this twice and you'll have enough extra TS credits to put the kids in a kids club for a few hours while you parents get a date night!

 

[Disney_dreamer]

[/quote]In the case of the family with the light eating 10yr, buy the 10yo a $7 kids meal OOP and save the credit. Do this twice and you'll have enough extra TS credits to put the kids in a kids club for a few hours while you parents get a date night![/quote]

Thanks - I think that is a good idea.... We are definitely planning a "date night" halfway through our 7 night trip.

I am assuming you mean use the extra TS credits for signature dining... TS credits can't be used for the kids' clubs, correct?

 

[septbaby]

Yes, those credits could be used to give each of you 2TS for a Signature meal.

Kids Clubs have a rate structure that includes a meal so TS credits aren't useful there.

 

[aubriee]

I am seriously debating the regular dining plan for our upcoming January trip. Here is my problem.... DD will just be 10 (miss that free admission by 6 days- oh well!). I understand that I will have to purchase the adult meal plan for her.... but I am pretty sure she would never be able to eat an entire adult meal. :

Every one gave you good advice about being able to share meals (as long as they are not at all you can eat restaurants). I have shared meals with both my mom and my D-I-L while on the DDP, with no problem. I have also paid OOP for just an appetizer, while everyone else ordered their own meal. It just depends on what I am in the mood for at the time. It has never been a problem.

My question is why would you think that your daughter would get free admission if she was still 9 y/o? If a child is three-nine years old, they pay. They just pay for a child's park ticket and for a child's DDP. But they are definitely not getting in for free. With the new promotion Disney is offering people can get into the parks free on their birthday, but just for that one day, not the whole trip. Is that what you meant?

 

[Disney_dreamer]

My question is why would you think that your daughter would get free admission if she was still 9 y/o? If a child is three-nine years old, they pay. They just pay for a child's park ticket and for a child's DDP. But they are definitely not getting in for free. With the new promotion Disney is offering people can get into the parks free on their birthday, but just for that one day, not the whole trip. Is that what you meant?

Yes- I am talking about free admission on her birthday DAY only, and since we have park hoppers, she is missing out on the gift card!
I planned our January trip in August to celebrate her 10th birthday. I chose the MLK week because my kids also have Friday off and will only miss 3 days of school. I just thought it was funny when Disney came out with the whole "what will you celebrate" campaign... and we were just missing it by a few days--- oh well! But it is obvious that disney can only offer the free admission for actual birthdays.

 

[Parksfamily5]

I chose the MLK week because my kids also have Friday off and will only miss 3 days of school. .

We are going the same time for the same reason.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

oooh, good to know! Thanks


My 3 yo and 5 yo ALWAYS share a kid meal in restaurant when we go out to eat at home and there is always food left over! We've made up a bit of a plan to allow sharing for our CS meals..... will have to see if sharing TS would be worthwhile? Mind you, I think all of our TS are buffets, so never mind!