DxDDP and kid who is big for his age

[Lisa F]

My kiddo will be 8.5 when we go to Disney but he is as big as most 9 or 10 year olds even now. I know in many places they will allow kids to order off the adult menu but will they even ask how old he is or not care? I'm just wondering if this may end up being a "thing" with him looking older than he is and mostly ordering off the kids menu (I know adults CAN order but just wondering if they will assume he is an adult due to size and no kid TS on the account?) Not that I am expecting it but the best scenario for him would be ordering an adult appetizer and an adult portion of things on the kid menu for the most part - but I have done my calculations based on no app for him and kid menu items.

I don't want every meal to be awkward. What should I say when we sit down? "we are on the deluxe DDP, what can we order?" should I explain that my kiddo is a disney kid? should i just try to order what he wants and see how it goes and let them tell me "no you have to order a kid appetizer"?

Our TS where this will matter are:
CA Grill - (he'd be more inclined to order off kid menu anyway but not sure if he will enjoy any of the sides - wondering if i could get him some plain pasta or a small side of mac and cheese with his steak, but really more interested in potentially trying a second app here because oink oink)
Yak and Yeti (not disney owned so expecting him to order from kid menu, he'll take 2-3 gogurts happily and I can share my food with him if he is still hungry, but wondering if any of the apps for 2 would be in play?)
Sci Fi (have seen reports of this specific restaurant letting kids order off adult menu so will try to get two real apps there but honestly my plan had been to give him my "dessert" as a shake, it is way too much food otherwise)
Coral Reef w/CP package (this I assume they will be a stickler because of the package status will be tied to his ticket media? I would NOT mind having the extra adult app here)

all of the rest are buffet/AYCTE so it won't matter one bit.

I am also doing Narcoossees but paying for him OOP and me on plan so that doesn't matter.

 

[babesboo99]

I would like to know the answer to that one as well. My DS will be 9 when we go in the Fall and we are also on the DxDDP and he is a big eater some times other times he might just want to order off the kids menu.

 

[Nancyg56]

The meals will not be awkward. Ask the server if he can irder off of the adult menu. My little girls were 5 and 6 and ordered adult meals when they wanted them. Not one issue.

 

[wdwrule]

The meals will not be awkward. Ask the server if he can irder off of the adult menu. My little girls were 5 and 6 and ordered adult meals when they wanted them. Not one issue.

I'm confused. I've always upgraded my kids (at the time 7 and 9) to adults on the regular dining plan....not for quantity but for variety selection. Every time we've done this we had free dining and their upgrade cost was minimal. Is this only for deluxe dining plan that kids can order off adult menu for their meal but still pay kid cost of plan?

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm confused. I've always upgraded my kids (at the time 7 and 9) to adults on the regular dining plan....not for quantity but for variety selection. Every time we've done this we had free dining and their upgrade cost was minimal. Is this only for deluxe dining plan that kids can order off adult menu for their meal but still pay kid cost of plan?

Yes, on the DxDDP all credits are pooled, there is no distinction between adult and child credits. THe plan provisions do state that children are required to order from the childrens bmenu, but that seems to be wiggle room allowed. Many restaurants allow the child to order off of the adult menu. Some do not.

 

[StuckInKS]

If you are on deluxe, they will not care how old he is and will let everyone order whatever they want. We are here on DxDDP now and have had our kids split adult meals at Sci-Fi and Yachtsman's (our only non-buffet/family style dinners so far) to save credits. The first time we tried it, she said it doesn't matter since we are on deluxe and that we could even order 8 adult meals if we wanted to. The second time it was actually the waitresses recommendation that we have the kids split adult meals to save on credits and they even split the meals up for us onto individual plates (both entrees and sides). We are switching to QSDP on Saturday and I'm really going to miss the freedom of the DxDDP.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you are on deluxe, they will not care how old he is and will let everyone order whatever they want. We are here on DxDDP now and have had our kids split adult meals at Sci-Fi and Yachtsman's (our only non-buffet/family style dinners so far) to save credits. The first time we tried it, she said it doesn't matter since we are on deluxe and that we could even order 8 adult meals if we wanted to. The second time it was actually the waitresses recommendation that we have the kids split adult meals to save on credits and they even split the meals up for us onto individual plates (both entrees and sides). We are switching to QSDP on Saturday and I'm really going to miss the freedom of the DxDDP.

This holds true at MOST, not ALL Disney restaurants. I read California Grill will not allow kids to order on adult menu, but I have had no personal experience. I would bet a buck that non Disney owned restaurants will hold you to the plan provisions because that is how they will be reimbursed by Disney. It is best to be prepared for the worst and to enjoy the best.

 

[chicagodisfan]

I wonder if they will even ask how old he is since all the credits are pooled. I don't think it will be an issue and it definitely won't be awkward. When you sit down the servers will ask you right away if you are on a dining plan and just tell them you are on the deluxe plan and they will go over the plan with you. You can ask to make sure that he can order off the adult menu. In our experience, the servers were great about helping us maximize the plan, and encouraged the kids to order off the adult menu or get adult sized portions of the kids meals even at the non-Disney owned restaurants in the World Showcase. I think you should even be fine with the CP package at Coral Reef. Our server at Brown Derby wasn't sure about it when we were on the Fantasmic package, but I think she was new. We were on the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose too and we ordered adult apps and adult sized meals for the kids at the servers urging.

 

[Shellyb84]

If you are on deluxe, they will not care how old he is and will let everyone order whatever they want. We are here on DxDDP now and have had our kids split adult meals at Sci-Fi and Yachtsman's (our only non-buffet/family style dinners so far) to save credits. The first time we tried it, she said it doesn't matter since we are on deluxe and that we could even order 8 adult meals if we wanted to. The second time it was actually the waitresses recommendation that we have the kids split adult meals to save on credits and they even split the meals up for us onto individual plates (both entrees and sides). We are switching to QSDP on Saturday and I'm really going to miss the freedom of the DxDDP.

This is not true of all restaurants. Cali Grill and Jiko would not let DD order off the adults menu. The server at Le Cellier actually did suggest she could order off the adult menu. Disney's "official" policy is that kids must order off the children's menu, but they leave it up to the discretion of the individual restaurants whether they choose to enforce it or not.

 

[Lisa F]

I think that the ones that do it do it because it makes their servers more tips. Think about it - if you are a server and you know you can get away with jacking up the price of a meal, wouldn't you do it? The customer feels like they get more value and you get a higher tip. If disney allows it why not? it's a win all around and believe me they are not losing money on this plan. I think I will just say we're on the deluxe plan and ask what we can get. for Sci Fi I was planning to get two shakes wtih my adult meal, one for the beverage and one for the dessert, and give one to the kiddo. I think if I can get both a shake and dessert i just might explode!