Dining plan in connecting rooms

[Tarzan]

DH and I are taking our 4 children to WDW. He is booked in one room with one child and I am booked in a connecting room with the other three. We will have the dining plan and this is where I get confused. We have used the dining plan many times before but previously we have all been in one room. At TS locations one of us would hand over our card and sign for the credits. At CS locations one of us goes to order whilst the other stays with the stroller. If we have separate rooms does that mean we will both have to hand over our cards in TS locations? Will it be possible for me to line up at CS locations with just my card, or will we both have to line up and buy for ourselves and the children in our room?

 

[Tricia1972]

TS should be fairly easy because you'll all be there. Just pay with two cards.

I see where CS will be more of an issue. I think that generally most cashiers will be OK with you or your husband giving two cards to pay for your meals. The names on the card match (Joe Smith and Jane Smith) and most will be grateful that you don't have the whole herd in the line.

That being said, technically you could be required to be there to show your card at the time of purchase.

I would recommend dining at off times so you are never there when it's crazy busy.

 

[Tarzan]

Thanks for the quick reply. Although the oldest 3 children are very well behaved our youngest just isn't good at mealtimes. She doesn't eat much then wants to get down from the table as soon as she's finished. I didn't want to have to rush the older children to avoid a scene. I planned on leaving with DD when she'd finished and letting DH sign for the meal. Looks like we'll all be doing some speedy eating instead

 

[Tricia1972]

Could you put it that you and your DD are in one room and DH and the others are in the other room?

You could request separate bills and then pay for you and your DD when she is done - even at TS.

 

[Tarzan]

That is such a simple solution

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Freyja]

I hadn´t even thought of that problem. My family will also be in 2 connecting rooms, I had just assumed that we would still have all credits on 1 card. I guess it isn´t so then?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I hadn´t even thought of that problem. My family will also be in 2 connecting rooms, I had just assumed that we would still have all credits on 1 card. I guess it isn´t so then?

It's not a big deal. We have 4 kids and always have two rooms. At CS I always get in line and have both room cards and I pay while my husband and the children find a table and sit down. My oldest daughter will come and help me carry the food and show me where they are sitting. At TS you just hand them a KTTW card from each room. It's no problem whatsoever.

 

[Tarzan]

Well that's a relief. I wasn't looking forward to taking it in turns to go through the line at every counter service location. Thanks for the information

ETA Princess Tiffany, I just noticed we'll be there at the same time. My children are counting down the days and really excited.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Well that's a relief. I wasn't looking forward to taking it in turns to go through the line at every counter service location. Thanks for the information

ETA Princess Tiffany, I just noticed we'll be there at the same time. My children are counting down the days and really excited.

My children don't know - it's going to be a surprise! So, I'm counting down the days - I can hardly stand it!!!!

 

[hippiechicken]

Can you just use one card for all the credits, then when it runs out use the other?
So, you would take off 2 adult and 3 children credits off one card at a meal. Then when that card is out, use the other.

 

[Tricia1972]

Can you just use one card for all the credits, then when it runs out use the other?
So, you would take off 2 adult and 3 children credits off one card at a meal. Then when that card is out, use the other.

Some servers will allow this, and some will even encourage it. The problem is that it's against the rules, and not all servers will allow it. There have been quite a few reports of people who do this, and then get down to the end of their trip. They can't use the credits because the numbers on the cards don't match the number in the party.

Room 1 - Card 1 - 1 Adult/1 Child - 7 Nights - 7A/7C

Room 2 - Card 2 - 1 Adult/3 Child - 7 Nights - 7A/21C

Night 1 - LeCellier - Use Card 1
5A/3C - Card 1

Night 2 - Boma - Use Card 1 & Card 2
3A/0C - Card 1
7A/20C - Card 2

Night 3 - Coral Reef - Picky Server - Use Card 1 & Card 2
2A/0C - Card 1
6A/17C - Card 2
OOP - $7.59 - Child from Room 1 - Server wouldn't let you use more than the 3 Children Credits that were indicated on Card 2.


So technically you can try to do that and some places used to encourage you to do so. MANY have reported being stung later on in their vacation and came home very upset. They paid OOP for quite a few meals and left credits on the table.

 

[island cricket]

okay, i so wish i would have seen this thread before i left as it would have avoided much confusion. we too have 4 kids and had to have cx rooms with 2 cards. each room has to indicate an adult. thankfully we did all adult meals even though our youngest (9yrs) qualified for a child plan. we didn't want him to feel left out if he wanted to order from the adult menu.
definitely use 2 cards (1 from each room) when ordering. we didn't do that and it got confusing as to what was left on the cards. next time we know better. have fun, i miss being there!