Do we need dining plan for 4YO who barely eats anything?

[CSJLJJK7]

I am in the process of planning our trip this coming June. I have made all of our ADR's, but I am wondering if I should even bother buying the dining plan for our 4YO. We usually feed her off of everyone elses plates, its an act of congress to get anything down her throat. Anyone done this before? Where servers pleasant about it? Thanks.

 

[Berkshires96]

Unfortunately you have to buy the DP for everyone or no one in the room, not just select people. As far as sharing with a child, we did this at almost every meal (except buffets) for our daughter and there was NO problem. Later in the trip we just used 1 Adult credit between hubby and myself and then she used up her remaining kids meals at the extra TS restaurants. This way we didn't have WAY to much food and were able to try some extra places. The extra CS, we used for kids breakfasts at our resort.

 

[aes74]

Yes, there isn't a choice here. So just know that those of us in the same boat (my three year old eats like a bird) are all sympathizing with you. We know how it feels!

 

[bellarella]

Yup, no choice.

However you would be paying full child's price for any buffets anyway, so you will come out ahead there. Also at TS and CS places you can share meals, so you could save up her credits and use them to buy child's breakfasts which should also satisfy adults (for CS -- for TS you're probably best off sticking to character meals where she would enjoy the entertainment and could graze however she likes).

 

[CSJLJJK7]

Thanks guys, does anyone know if this applies to DVC members as well? Weare buying park passes prior to leaving and staying on DVC points, so how will anyone know how many kids we have with us. Taking seven kids to McDonalds is expensive, so I am sure you can imagine how much a trip to Disney would cost.

 

[FogliaFamily]

The other thing that doesn't make me feel too bad about buying for the little eaters is that it's only $11.00 per day. By the time you buy ice cream or any snack and a counter service for her, you're close. We do the DP for all of us 4, 6 and 8. Have fun!

 

[Bell30012]

It was just my four-year-old and I... after I figured out that she wasn't going to eat a kids meal anywhere... I would use two snack creds for breakfast (donuts or cereal or something), then for lunch I would buy one CS and share... remember to get the desert! Then we did TS for dinner and used the other CS creds to get a late evening meal... sharing worked and no one once said I had to buy a kids menu since I was only buying one meal.

 

[The Sweetness]

Next time (if you DDp again) just be prepared to live by the rules that are now being enforced and order a kids meal, with the kids CS credits, unless you choose a CS with no kids option

 

[Bell30012]

I'll be sure to use restaurants that don't offer the child meal...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Bell30012: Enforcement of use of the Dining Plan has changed. It doesn't appear that you violated anything, but next time you go Adult credits and Child credits will be rung in on separate keys. As long as you order ONLY ONE meal at each location, and don't attempt to order an Adult meal with a Child credit, you should have no problem (naturally, this does not hold true at locations that don't have kids' menus, but that's only a few counter service places - the only table service locations that don't have them are not, as far as I know, participating in the DDP anyway).

CSJLJJK7: The member from whom you are renting the points will have to make the arrangements for you in advance - even though you pay for the DDP when you check in. That person has to reserve the DDP for every person in your party, or none of you.

 

[CSJLJJK7]

We are not renting points, we have been DVC since 2000.

 

[aes74]

We are not renting points, we have been DVC since 2000.

Then they know exactly how many are in your family, their ages, and expect you to have all of them covered. They have all your information since you are members. The only way to get out of it is to basically fib and tell them your youngest will not be taking the trip with you. They have really tightened ship on the dining plan. Pretty much all loopholes have been closed, and from what I understand the dining CMs have been threatened their jobs if anything looks not on the up and up.

I know it sucks, but my advice would be to look at the big picture: you're at Disney! You get to stay in a DVC resort! You are still saving money with the dining plan and you get the opportunity to go to all those great restaurants and see the joy on your kids' faces. Trust me, we are doing the same thing at the end of March and I have to put out the bucks for the baby who maybe eats three bites of her food. I just decided to let it go and be grateful we can afford to go. C'est la vie!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Thanks guys, does anyone know if this applies to DVC members as well? Weare buying park passes prior to leaving and staying on DVC points, so how will anyone know how many kids we have with us. Taking seven kids to McDonalds is expensive, so I am sure you can imagine how much a trip to Disney would cost.

LOL... of course it's expensive, that's why most people stop short of having seven! Set a good example for those 7 kids and play by the rules. Every member of your party ages 3 and up must be on the DP if you choose to purchase it.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks guys, does anyone know if this applies to DVC members as well? Weare buying park passes prior to leaving and staying on DVC points, so how will anyone know how many kids we have with us. Taking seven kids to McDonalds is expensive, so I am sure you can imagine how much a trip to Disney would cost.

When you add the DDP to your reservation, member services will apply it to all on your reservation. When you make your reservation, they usually ask how many people are staying and their names. So they know the information when you again call them and add the DDP. Believe me, paying $11 a day for a kid to eat 2 meals and 1 snack is an excellent deal. We are actually considering upping my grand daughter's age on her next trip just so we are allowed to buy her the DDP. She's 2 1/2 and eats like a horse. We have found sharing with her does not work well as the adult food is too fancy, rich and spicey for her. She would be the only child on the plan as there are 7 adults.

 

[Brian Noble]

Yep, the only way to do this is to leave one person off the reservation entirely---which means one less KTTW card. Not good if you plan on any EMHs while you are there.

 

[BrerMama]

It's Florida law that they have to have the names of everyone in the room, so they will know how many children you have. The child's plan is pretty affordable. I would just pay it.

 

[aes74]

P.S. ---
I think it rocks that you have 7 kids!! I hope you have a great vacation and a fabulous time!! Good luck!!

 

[CSJLJJK7]

P.S. ---
I think it rocks that you have 7 kids!! I hope you have a great vacation and a fabulous time!! Good luck!!

Thanks aes74, we have never done the dining plan before and prior to this post I did not even know that you were required to purchase the dining plan for all members of your party. I am very nervous about trying it, I don't mind the planning and making the ADR's we have always done that, heck for me its half the fun. I am really just worried about tracking the number of credits everyone has as the days pass, and using them wisely. When should I pay cash for for TS, as we will not have enough credits for all of the TS meals I have planned. BTW your princesses's are very cute. Why is it the first time any child gets a cupcake they immediately smear the icing all over their faces?

 

[aes74]

Thanks aes74, we have never done the dining plan before and prior to this post I did not even know that you were required to purchase the dining plan for all members of your party. I am very nervous about trying it, I don't mind the planning and making the ADR's we have always done that, heck for me its half the fun. I am really just worried about tracking the number of credits everyone has as the days pass, and using them wisely. When should I pay cash for for TS, as we will not have enough credits for all of the TS meals I have planned. BTW your princesses's are very cute. Why is it the first time any child gets a cupcake they immediately smear the icing all over their faces?

Thanks! I would definitely hang out on this board. I learned pretty much everything about the DDP here, all those endless questions and worries. And the first time you go, it's definitely a "learn on the job" experience. But I did think it was worth it over all. Check out the restaurant reviews also to help figure out where to go. It's not so bad!

 

[n2mm]

I keep a print out with me and note on it after using credits. Plus you can stop at the front desk as much as you need to to get a print of our how many credits you have left and where and when you used them. I too think the DDP is a great tool. I am helping my DIL plan a trip and she makes your group look small. She has 10 kids (all adopted), plus is taking her mom and neice. So 3 adults and 11 kids with one of them special needs. She and husband went with us once 7 years ago before any kids, so she is trying to make this a great trip for the group. My advice to you and her is to make those dining reservations at the 180 mark.