Dining plan for two-year-olds

[ellynsoh]

Hi. We asked for the dining plan for the two adults in our party, but the cm said we could purchase the plan for the two-year-old triplets if we wanted to. I know they can eat for free at a buffet, but I'm weighing the pros and cons of purchasing it for counter service and snacks, even if our table service is a buffet. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[beattyfamily]

One con is having to buy at least a one-day ticket for each of them on top of the daily dining plan price.

I guess it depends on how much you think they will really eat and how many buffets (all you can eat places) you've scheduled.

Good luck deciding.

 

[Avonlady1001]

We went last Sept w/ the free dining. My DD was 2 1/2. I bought a 7-day tkt to get free dining for her, and made all reservations saying there was a 3y/o in party. We saved the tkt cause she didn't need it to get in the parks, and we knew we'd use it in the future and it was a good investment cause prices go up up up!!'

I guess it depends on how much your 2yr old eats. For us it was worth it, I wouldn't have paid for the dining plan for her though. She didn't eat nearly enough.

 

[ellynsoh]

Thanks for the replies. We won't have to purchase tickets for the liitle ones since we are Disney Vacation Club, but those were good points for others.

 

[Princess Roo]

I was told when I booked my last (DVC points) ressie that you *couldn't* purchase if they were under 3. (I mean, I know you can lie about the age, but I told them DS was 2 and the CM said I couldn't buy DDP for him.) But if I was told incorrectly and you actually are allowed, couldn't you buy it for just one or two of them and share the credits? My DS was a pretty big eater for a 2yo and he could never finish the children's TS meals himself.

 

[KigerKat]

This is straight from the 2008 DDP brochure:

The Disney Dining Plan includes one (1) Quick Service Meal, one (1) Snack, and one (1) Table Service Meal per person, per night of your package stay for everyone in the party ages 3 and over.

The Disney Dining Plan is unavailable for Guests under the age of 3, but they may share from an adult plate at no charge or purchase a meal from the menu. Guests ages 3-9 must
order from a children’s menu where available.

So, you shouldn't have to buy it for your triplet 2 year olds!

 

[Avonlady1001]

I was told when I booked my last (DVC points) ressie that you *couldn't* purchase if they were under 3. (I mean, I know you can lie about the age, but I told them DS was 2 and the CM said I couldn't buy DDP for him.) But if I was told incorrectly and you actually are allowed, couldn't you buy it for just one or two of them and share the credits? My DS was a pretty big eater for a 2yo and he could never finish the children's TS meals himself.

When I booked my trip, I asked if the Disney res agt if I could buy it for my 2y/o. I was told that as long as I bought a 1 day base tkt for her, that I could - acting as if she was a 3y/o. When I made all ressies, I included a "3y/o". I didn't break any rules. I followed everything - even bought a 7 day park hopper for her for the future, instead of the required 1 day base. It was my idea & I asked about doing it, they probably can't tell offer that option, but if you are willing to pay for it, they aren't going to tell you no.

You don't HAVE to buy for anyone under 3, but by all means, if you want to, go ahead. More $$ for them. If you want to, book it for one 3y/o, buy one base tkt, and add it on. Then they can share.

Some people here might consider it wrong, but you're paying for it, not scamming anything., not getting anything for free (it's not like the kids are 3 and you're saying they're 2 so you DON'T have to pay)..and 2 2y/os prob won't eat as much as, say, a 9y/o on the dining plan, so you win & Disney wins.

 

[dvcdisney]

As you mentioned, for buffets they would just be able to eat for free. But for those that are not and CS restaurants, I would get a few things that they could share OOP. However, if they are big eaters and you think that they would EACH be able to eat a child's meal, you can get the child's DDP for them.

When my daughter was still 2, we usually shared our meals with her for counter service and table service, she didn't eat that much. Now that's she's 3, we get the child's DDP for her but we find that since she doesn't like the child's menu, we end up going to buffets and cs with no child's menu so that she can eat off the adult's menu.

I know that they stipulate that you cannot get a DDP for anyone under 3, but I don't see a problem with the upgrade. We have been getting the adult DDP for my son since he was 6 since neither of my children eat "typical" children's food. They love the buffets so they don't have to order from the kid's menu. We also choose places like Le Cellier where they can get a steak or Coral Reef where they can get the Mahi Mahi.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I can get the Adult DDP for my 6 year old, you should be able to get the kid's DDP for your 2 year olds. I believe, they just change the age at reservation and make a note on it saying that for the sake of the DDP, my son is 10.

 

[ellynsoh]

The funny thing is, the Disney Vacation Club cast member was the one who suggested we buy the dining plan for the two-year-olds, even though we didn't have to. If one child was on the plan, she said all three would have to be. They are not big eaters, so $30/day for all three was not a good idea. I think the boy triplet, who is bigger than his sisters and looks older, wil have an "early birthday" wink wink. That way, no one will question is he is really still two.
Thanks for all your thoughtful replies!