Dining plan and reservation question

[ThreeBeans]

Ok, this is a little complicated, (I think) but bear with me.

My husband, I, and our three small children are headed to Disney next spring. We would like to stay in a moderate resort.

The only moderate situation we can afford that will accomodate all 5 of us is the PO:R resort with the two doubles and the trundle.

DH and I are seriously underenthused about sleeping on a double for a week for a variety of reasons.

My parents are now talking about coming too. Coronado Springs has queen beds in the resort rooms. We could reserve 1 room for our parents and one of our kids, and the other room for me, DH, and our other two kids. That way, we'd meet room occupancy requirements and still get queen sized beds. Follow so far?

Anyhow, my question is: How difficult is it to make dining reservations when not all of your party is in the same room, BUT you do not want to include everyone from the second room?

Since my son will technically be on a different reservation, will it be difficult to reserve a table for my room (DH, me, two kids) plus 1 person from another (my third child, but NOT my parents.)

Thanks for any insight

 

[Steve@BWV]

This should be no problem as dining reservations are not directly tied to room reservations or room occupancy. You can make reservations for any number, either more or less than what is listed on the room.

I could not imagine spending a week on a double bed. Also, Disney really should address the needs of a family of 5 better.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Thank you Steve!

I am average sized although tallish, and DH is BIG (6 feet, almost 300 pounds). He also needs a PAP at night to breathe. I don't think we could do it. We were thinking about bringing sleeping bags for the two Littles so we could each have a double bed, but that does seem unfair to the Littles, not to mention a giant pain.

I think given the price of the moderate resorts that no room should have anything smaller than a queen in it. Doubles are for cheap motels. MAYBE the 'value' resorts. Not when you're paying almost 200 a night. Crazy talk!

 

[Steve@BWV]

I agree that all moderate and Disney values should have queens. I was shocked to learn they actually used doubles. For the prices the get this should be expected. Before we had kids the wife and I always requested a king room. We how have two kids and when we are forced to use two double we each take a kid but this is not a great solution. Those kids use the whole bed themselves.


BTW, for our august trip we have dining reservations for 2 people up to 10 people linked to our room reservation for 4.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Bed sharing with older kids is like trying to sleep with a herd of angry porcupines. Not at all the best option.

Here's another question. My six year old eats like an adult. I don't see him being satiated with the typical child's menu fare. Can you upgrade a child to an adult DDP?

 

[Steve@BWV]

Yes, you can upgrade for a fee. I am not sure what that fee, I am sure someone here knows.

Here is a thread about it.

I figure it is better to supplement with cash when he wants something extra. The CS meals can be used for adult meals where there is no kids menu and the TS provides them an appetizer that the adults don't get. But many enjoy the freedom the dining plan provides. If my son was not a light eater I may look at the upgrade differently.

Good luck!

 

[plutolovr]

Yes, you can upgrade your child to adult, but you must also get him an adult park ticket.

Also, if the 5 of you go out to dinner without your parents, make sure you have your child's KTTW card (the one staying with your parents) with you. You will need it for his dining credits. You won't be able to use your card to pay for his dining.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Ack! I don't want to pay for an adult park ticket! LOL. I think I'll let him eat half my food. It'll happen anyway

 

[squirrel]

If you plan to put one child in your parent's room, they need to be on the DDP also or you will have to pay out of pocket for that child. Everyone in the room must have the same dining plan or no dining plan.

Credits are grouped by room, so the child in your parents room will share credits with them. You will need his/her KTTW card to pay for meals. It will make it a bit harder to keep track of.

Does the All Star Music suites have Queen sized beds? Maybe that would work better for your family.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Ok, this is a little complicated, (I think) but bear with me.

My husband, I, and our three small children are headed to Disney next spring. We would like to stay in a moderate resort.

The only moderate situation we can afford that will accomodate all 5 of us is the PO:R resort with the two doubles and the trundle.

DH and I are seriously underenthused about sleeping on a double for a week for a variety of reasons.

My parents are now talking about coming too. Coronado Springs has queen beds in the resort rooms. We could reserve 1 room for our parents and one of our kids, and the other room for me, DH, and our other two kids. That way, we'd meet room occupancy requirements and still get queen sized beds. Follow so far?

Anyhow, my question is: How difficult is it to make dining reservations when not all of your party is in the same room, BUT you do not want to include everyone from the second room?

Since my son will technically be on a different reservation, will it be difficult to reserve a table for my room (DH, me, two kids) plus 1 person from another (my third child, but NOT my parents.)

Thanks for any insight

Super easy!

I did the same thing a couple of years ago. I have 3 children and my mother came along too. We got 2 rooms, one for mom and 2 kids and the other for DH, me and 1 child. I had ADRS for all of our meals, some for 6 and some for 3. On our Epcot day, DH and I and DD went to Mexico, while the others ate at Italy at the same time. The three of them also were not too interested in the character meals, so I brought my DD and hubby, while the other slept in a bit and went to the Wave at the resort...then we would meet for lunch or dinner etc... When you call to reserve, even though there are only 3 with your booking #, you can still make ADRS for 6 or 12 or however many you want. Just make sure everyone in the party has their room key with them at dining. The waited will charge each room individually.

Good luck!