Dining Plan question for 2/3 y.o.

[ddsmommy]

We leave in two days for WDW. My son will turn three while we are there. We will be on the dining plan and this was purchased for each family for every day of our stay. However, am I required to use my son's vouchers while he is still two, when we have our ADR's for a family of four?

We have the one snack/one QS/one ST plan and since he will be two the first few days, I was planning to have him eat from the adults plates (as is allowed for two and under).

However, all of our ADR's have him listed as 3, as it didn't allow me to book it half/half. I tried to call and explain that for the first few reservations, I would like him listed as his actual age in order that we may use a couple of the meal vouchers in place of snacks for my husband who has Type I diabetes. I am bringing my 2 y.o.'s birth certificate, but will they have a problem with this at the ADR restaurants early in the week when the reservations list him as age 3?

The reservationist I spoke with on the phone was very confused and was like, "you paid for them, why not use them"? Yes, I would like to use them later in the week for meals for my husband who is a Type I diabetic instead of snacks! Anyway, she didn't list his actual age as requested on our first few reservations and I just don't want a hassle while I am there about his real age.

So for you veterans - is it going to be a problem/hassle for me? Thanks for bearing with this long question

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

He's listed as 3 on your reservation and he has the dining plan? Because you can't get the DDP for a 2 year old.

You purchased a ticket for him? You don't need a ticket for him since he's 2 when he starts the trip.

 

[Faldred]

Okay... a few things to note...

1) You can always order fewer meals than you have guests at the table, except for "admission" restaurants (buffets, dinner shows, CRT, etc.)

2) You can mix-and-match DDP and OOP (out of pocket) at the same meal. Even if you order a meal for each person, you don't have to use a DDP credit for each meal.

3) The credits belong to the room, not the individual, so saving credits to use later will work. Note that child credits must be used for kid's meals only (except at the limited counter service locations that don't have a kid's menu).

4) However, you can only order a number of meals at a time equal to the number of people listed on your cards, and furthermore, they are broken down by adult/child, so you'd only be able to use DDP to order 2 adult and 2 child meals at any given time.

5) Here's the biggie -- since your child will be 2 at the time of check-in, he can be treated as 2 for the length of the stay. That means you do not need to buy him park tickets or the DDP, even though he turns 3 mid-trip. I can't imagine, with the price of park tickets, that paying OOP would cost more than tickets + DDP, especially since an under-3 child is free at all "admission" meals. Your resort cards would show 2 adults, 1 child, and 1 infant, so there would be no problems even if he's listed as 3 on a reservation (or he announces to the world that he's 3).

 

[vicki_c]

Following up on Faldred's good answer, if it were me, I would call and explain that your child will be 2 when you check-in, but that he is listed as 3 on your reservation, and remove the tickets and DDP for him.

Even given your plan to use some of his credits to get snacks for your husband, you really will come out cheaper if you just remove the DDP and tix for your child.

 

[ddsmommy]

THANK YOU everyone! I booked the vacation online myself and listed him as three because he would be on our return. There wasn't an option to list him as two upon arrival and three upon departure. I had no idea that he would be free for the tickets the entire duration.

I called today and had no problems getting reimbursed over $300! My husband will be thrilled when he gets home from work to that news!

Again, many thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

THANK YOU everyone! I booked the vacation online myself and listed him as three because he would be on our return. There wasn't an option to list him as two upon arrival and three upon departure. I had no idea that he would be free for the tickets the entire duration.

I called today and had no problems getting reimbursed over $300! My husband will be thrilled when he gets home from work to that news!

Again, many thanks!

No problem!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Umm... Now that you listed him as 2, I hope you realize that you will have to pay OOP for all his meals (and will not have any "extra meals" for your husband). There is no meal plan credits for children 0-2 in age.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Umm... Now that you listed him as 2, I hope you realize that you will have to pay OOP for all his meals (and will not have any "extra meals" for your husband). There is no meal plan credits for children 0-2 in age.

OP stated that the 2yr old would be sharing off plates anyways.

 

[gigi1313]

Umm... Now that you listed him as 2, I hope you realize that you will have to pay OOP for all his meals (and will not have any "extra meals" for your husband). There is no meal plan credits for children 0-2 in age.

i'm sure the $300 saved will cover those extra snacks and meals!

however, OP, what you could have done is kept him as 3yo and save his ticket for a future trip... however, we have found that when we don't have even number of leftover tickets, it eventually gets confusing and annoying! LOL!