Dining Plan question

[unixadm]

We are set up for the free dining plan in September.

Here is the background:

We have annual passes so we figured we would go down to a value resort for a week with the $59/night special. When I called to book, the Disney rep suggested that we purchase a single day ticket for each of us, and we would get the free dining plan. I guess this is a loophole in their free dining deal.

We booked 7 nights in ASM and purchased a single day ticket for myself, my wife and my 4 year old (which we can save until after our AP's expire). My 2 1/2 year old didn't need a ticket.

I then realized that the 2 1/2 year old then would only be able to eat off of our plates and not get his own meal thoughout the trip. I called back and they allowed me to add a single day ticket for him for $48 and it added in another set of meals.

(BTW, total cost of 7 nights including meals was $830! What a deal!)

So now we will have 28 TS, 28 CS and 28 snacks.

Our 2 1/2 year old is a picky eater and does share meals with us or with our 4 year old many times. I didn't want to force that to happen for all of the meals, but I know it will happen for many of our meals.

I just want to make sure that we can then use the extra TS credits for the rest of us and maybe to book an extra Signature dinner.

According to this link http://www.touringplans.com/MYWDining.html

Since all meals are pooled, you can pay for the kid's meal separately, and use their points for an adult meal at a two-point signature restaurant instead.

So, can our 2 1/2 year old just eat off of our plates for several of the meals leaving his TS credits for other meals?

 

[Chuck S]

If you booked 7 nights @ $59 + tax and got "free dining" how is it your total is $830?

$59*7=$413 plus what 11% tax = $458 (or is tax 13%) at any rate, are 2 adult 1 day tickets + 1 Child ticket over $350? Or are you paying full price for the room to get the "free" dining? So your actual cost for the dining is more than $350?

 

[unixadm]

Because it was a package deal, the $59/night AP deal could not be used.

We purchased 2 Adult 1 day tickets and 2 child 1 day tickets (we purchased a 1 day ticket for our 2 1/2 year old so that he could get the meal plan).
$59.75 X 2
$48 X 2
Plus tax = $229.52

Actual total is $832.98 so the hotel with tax is $603.46

That comes to $86.21/night including tax, so I think the base price is $79 instead of $59.

Ended up paying about $360 more to get the tickets/meal plan verses just booking hotel at $59/night. I can use the tickets in the future or I may even be able to apply the $229.52 towards renewal of annual pass next year, so in reality, the meal plan cost me approx $130.

 

[Hannahsmom]

I thought there was a 2 day ticket minimum for the non-expire add on? You may want to call back and double check that.

 

[unixadm]

There is no non-expiring add on for a 1 day ticket because once it is used once, there is nothing left to expire or use in the future.

If you buy a 2 or more day pass (even one without the non-expiring add on), it is good forever until you use it the first time, then the timer for a gets activated. Since a 1 day ticket is expired once it is used once, there is no "timer" to be activated. Since we will not be using the tickets on this trip, they just stay on our room key.

I did double check that with 2 different CMs on the phone.

I do want to check and see if I can use them to trade in for the renewal of the annual pass next year.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

So, can our 2 1/2 year old just eat off of our plates for several of the meals leaving his TS credits for other meals?

If he wouldn't normally be charged a meal at that restaurant WITHOUT the dining plan (sharing off your plate I mean), then you don't HAVE to use the dining plan to pay for him at that meal and yes, that means his remaining TS credits can be used for other meals. I'm not sure if all meals (including buffets) are free for under 3 (but probably?) but if so, yes the TS credits can be used for other meals. You can even pay for children (or whomever) in your party to save TS credits for other meals if you like... so if it's free for him anyway- then that's the same as paying for him to save TS credits.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I thought you couldn't purchase the dining plan for children under 3.

Please don't think that I am being rude to you and your situation, but this is quite a way to scam Disney. For the price of a one day child's ticket ($48), you can get many free adult meals. Since the child is under 3, you don't even have to use the ticket.

If they want the dining plan to succeed, they need to fill in this loop hole of using child credits for adults. I realize it works great for people with young kids, but in the end everyone will end up haveing to pay a higher price for the plan.

 

[luv2playallday]

Do you have to buy the same tickets for everyone in your family? Can you buy a 10 day ticket for some, and a 1 or 2 day for others?

 

[angel's momma]

You have to buy the same ticket for everyone in the room, but then you can upgrade each one individually once you get there.

 

[unixadm]

I thought you couldn't purchase the dining plan for children under 3.

Please don't think that I am being rude to you and your situation, but this is quite a way to scam Disney. For the price of a one day child's ticket ($48), you can get many free adult meals. Since the child is under 3, you don't even have to use the ticket.

Originally, our 2 1/2 year old did not have at ticket, and our reservation confirmation showed 3 sets of meals.

I called back and taked to them. I told them that he is almost 3 and although there are times he does split a meal with his brother or eat off of our plates, there are many times he wants and eats his own meal. He also has food allergies (peanuts and eggs) so there are times that his brother gets something he can't eat (PB & J) and we have to order a separate meal for him.

I wanted the flexiblity to allow him to have his own meal if he wants. The CM was very accomodating, allowed us to purchase the ticket to get the extra set of meals. If they said no, then it would not have been a big deal....I would have paid for a childs meal when he ordered his own meal. They really aren't that expensive.

 

[Goobergal99]

What is with all this emphasis on scamming disney? I mean come on, you dont think they scam ppl with the price of food, lodging etc?? I love disney too but the most magical place on earth, doesnt magically make money, it takes it from unsuspecting visitors who are awed into emptying their wallets once the magical express traps them there.