DVC Members: Have You Ever Bought the DDP for an under 3 year old?

[KandiB47]

I've done the math and it appears that it will be a better value to get the DDP for DS, who will be 31-months-old, for our next trip. When I made my ressie, I asked if I could add DS to the DDP and the woman told me no. I recall another person saying that they did get the DDP for an under 3 year old. Has anybody successfully done this?


Edited to add: DVC Members do not need to buy packages or tickets to buy the DDP. The DDP is totally separate.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I've never done this, and I'm not sure why you'd want to. My DS2 will be the same age when we go down--we're planning on bringing/buying a lot of food he can eat, because he doesn't eat a whole lot of "real" table food just yet. YMMD, I remember DD4 ate much more "real" food at this age. But having a fridge in the room, we'll just have stuff he'll eat, then fill in around the edges from our plates, buffets (which will let a toddler eat free) and that sort of thing.

Some of our simple toddler foods include: banana, yogurt, applesauce (love those single-serve packs!), crackers with cheese or peanut butter, Cheerios or similar cereal. Basically, what he eats at home. Also, Super Wal-Mart sells single-serving containers of vegetables as well as diced fruit. I figure, bring a couple of these things along for meals, then fill in around the edges--my guy will be fine.

In answer to your actual question, they have your DS in the Disney computers, with his actual age. Since he's under 3, he doesn't require park tickets. If you want to add him to the DDP, you'll also need to purchase a park ticket for him.

 

[squirrlygirl]

On our last visit, DD was given her own plate and drink at buffets for free. At other sit-down meals, we asked for what we needed, shared some of ours, and got her her own drink. It was evenly split on whether we were charged extra or not. I shared my CS meals with her since they're too much food for me, anyway, especially when I knew I'd have a great sit-down meal later in the day!

I've also heard that you'd also need a park ticket. By the time you add in that cost, I doubt it's still a better deal.

 

[CarolMN]

You'll get more answers on the DDP Forum, so I'm moving the thread over there.

 

[KandiB47]

I've never done this, and I'm not sure why you'd want to. My DS2 will be the same age when we go down--we're planning on bringing/buying a lot of food he can eat, because he doesn't eat a whole lot of "real" table food just yet. YMMD, I remember DD4 ate much more "real" food at this age. But having a fridge in the room, we'll just have stuff he'll eat, then fill in around the edges from our plates, buffets (which will let a toddler eat free) and that sort of thing.

Some of our simple toddler foods include: banana, yogurt, applesauce (love those single-serve packs!), crackers with cheese or peanut butter, Cheerios or similar cereal. Basically, what he eats at home. Also, Super Wal-Mart sells single-serving containers of vegetables as well as diced fruit. I figure, bring a couple of these things along for meals, then fill in around the edges--my guy will be fine.

In answer to your actual question, they have your DS in the Disney computers, with his actual age. Since he's under 3, he doesn't require park tickets. If you want to add him to the DDP, you'll also need to purchase a park ticket for him.

Apparently my DS is different than yours. He eats table food.

 

[50 years Too!]

DVC members staying DVC do not have to purchase park tickets to get DDP.
Just call back again through DVC.

 

[jensen]

I was really torn about this on our last trip because DD was nearly 3 and we were ordering her own meals at restaurants by that time. But, it really worked out great. I usually shared my CS meal with her - ordering fruit instead of dessert and sometimes an extra side. We did a couple of buffets for TS and at those, she got her own plate with whatever food she wanted (for free). At our other TS meals, we would order her something off the kids menu - and we didn't have to order the "whole" meal. If she just wanted mac & cheese without the sides, it was like $5. All week, we only spent about $20 to feed her and she ate good.

 

[Cuddlemama]

We purchased the dining plan for our 2.5 year old daughter in Jan/Feb 2007. The $11 per day was well worth the decrease in irritation from trying to convince her to share when her siblings were getting meals. We do not do many character dinners, though, or we may have reconsidered since she would have been free there.

~L

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

See, now I know DD5 won't finish half of what she gets. Ditto for DD13, she'll get an adult meal because she has to, but won't eat half of it. OTOH, DS11 eats every meal like it's his last, I don't see a whole lot of sharing coming from him.

We also have a big issue with DS2 and spices--he can't even tolerate cinnamon, so he needs bland stuff. That's why I figure I'll bring along a yogurt cup or banana for him--then whatever else he eats, I'm not so concerned about nutrition.

We're also doing mostly buffets for sitdowns (using the DDE rather than the DDP--it's a better deal).

 

[n2mm]

IF we ever bought the ddp again (don't like the changes) we could certainly buy the DDP for our 2 1/2 year old grand daughter.

Shes a good eater
We don't do buffets
She does not need a ticket (not a dvc requirement)
She eats adult food (heck even her 8 month old sister eats adult food now)
It's a great deal for kids

Yes we are also DDE card holders and use to do a combo of both plans, but with the DDP 2008 changes, we choose not to use it during our January trip and used our DDE card exclusively. We are huge advocates of the DDP, but see no real value for us anymore since the tip is now gone along with the appetizer.

 

[NMW]

Yes, you can purchase the plan for your child. You just need to age him a year. I'm sure MS will let you do it. I have a BC stay (non DVC) in May with the Deluxe dining plan and my middle child will only be 9 1/2. I aged him a year and paid the adult ticket price and the adult meal plan price.

It's worth it for me. He likes adult food. Even though he's skinny, he can eat A LOT (more than me ) The kids portions while fine for my 6 year old daughter are tiny for him. Plus, last trip he had to watch his older brother eat all off the adult plan while he was on the kids (they were 10 and 8) and he was miserable.

If you think your child will be hungry than age him and pay the $11 a day. That way you have no worries about ordering something he can share. He'll get his own meal everywhere you eat.

 

[javaj]

We did this last October 2007, they listed DS as a 3 year old (he was 16 months old at time of travel). Our reasoning was a bit different though -- DS #2 is allergic to eggs, milk, and peanuts so we needed to order special meals for him wherever we went. This suggestion to add him to the dining plan was actually from chefs that I'd talked to regarding his allergy meals.

When making our November 2008 reservation, I was speaking to a supervisor (about a different issue), and she said that officially, she could not do that unless I said I would be purchasing a park pass for him separately. So I sent an email because I wanted an answer in writing about our special allergy circumstances, and here's what I was told:

"You do not need to purchase a Theme Park Ticket for Dylan until he is
actually 3 years old. We have to list him on the room reservation as a
3 year old so that you can purchase the Disney Dining Plan for him.

We appreciate your interest in the Disney Dining Plan. "

So with this email, I will call back and get him added as a 3 year old so we can purchase the dining plan for him.

Another thing to note is that occupancy matters -- i.e. if you have 2 adults, 2 children, and an under-3 year old staying in a studio or 1 BR with max occupancy of 4, then they will not be able to list the under-3 year old as a 3 year old. I don't think that issue applies to you either.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

I've done the math and it appears that it will be a better value to get the DDP for DS, who will be 31-months-old, for our next trip. When I made my ressie, I asked if I could add DS to the DDP and the woman told me no. I recall another person saying that they did get the DDP for an under 3 year old. Has anybody successfully done this?


Edited to add: DVC Members do not need to buy packages or tickets to buy the DDP. The DDP is totally separate.

I got the dining plan for my youngest last november he wasn't even 2 yet and I am plannng on getting it for him again in august he will be 2 1/2 i think it is well worth it the other children do not want to share there meals and I would have to buy him a meal and snack anyway and if your a DVC member your allowed to buy one for him.

 

[rdevine10]

For our Oct trip I changed my nearly 3 year old to being a 3 year old so I could purchase the DDP for her. On our ressies we all have 1 day base tickets. I will upgrade the rest of our party at the gate to what we want. Reasoning:

DD has allerigies. If we wanted her to have a speical meal last time to accommidate her allergies, we eitehr had to pay for her OOP or make one of our meals that way (which I love my DD, but when on vacation, Id like to eat what I want, I mean, its a vacation!).

I also already order her a meal when we go out currently.

Ill save her one day base ticket and use it on a future trip when she is over 3 and needs a ticket.