Exchangeable child and adult TS credits in the 2016 DxDP?

[hodad]

Can we use child table service credits to pay for adult table service meals under the deluxe dining plan in 2016?

 

[Faldred]

Deluxe dining does not have table service credits, it has deluxe meal credits, which are not separated by adult/child and are pooled on the reservation (just as snack credits are).

 

[TwinMom2010]

We went in May with the DxDP and Children's credits had to order off of the kids meal at the places we ate. You could not use a kids credit on an adult meal.

 

[Faldred]

We went in May with the DxDP and Children's credits had to order off of the kids meal at the places we ate. You could not use a kids credit on an adult meal.

Where was that at? That's not Disney policy but there are some reports of 3rd party restaurants applying the rules differently.

 

[sharonabe]

Where was that at? That's not Disney policy but there are some reports of 3rd party restaurants applying the rules differently.

Actually it is still Disney policy. The brochure still states that "kid's must order from a kid's menu where available." In practice, they don't always make you do it, and the credits are pooled, so it's an honor system. But if you have two adults and two kids sitting at the table, they can make the kids order off the kid's menu. Now, you can pay OOP for those kids' meals, and save the credits and use them for adult meals later, but on the DxDDP, I can't imagine needing to save credits.

 

[TwinMom2010]

We spent 5 days there so I can't remember every place we ate. But we have two severe food allergies so we had to speak with a manager or chef each time we sat down to eat, which is why we picked the Deluxe over regular, and each time they pointed out the kids order off of the kids menu. I know teppan edo was the strictest and wouldn't even let me exchange desert for a side (I was allergic to the desert) because I already had to change the soup due to allergens. Brown derby made a point to explain the kids menu, narcossee's didn't say much that I can remember but the kids were clearly given kids menus, akershus was different for us because the chef had to special prepare my son and I's food due to our allergies so we basically had whatever we wanted. At the quick service places we didn't even bother thinking about it because my kid with allergies wanted what they had on the kids allergy menu.
Also when we checked in at the yacht club they showed the kids and adult menus separate on the brochure/info sheet thing. When you get the receipt after ordering it pools them all but it would be financially foolish for them to allow kids to eat off of the adult menu because the kids DxDP is nearly 50% less than the adult DxDP and the adult menu items are certainly more expensive than the kids items. Now the buffet set up wouldn't mater.

 

[sharonabe]

but it would be financially foolish for them to allow kids to eat off of the adult menu because the kids DxDP is nearly 50% less than the adult DxDP and the adult menu items are certainly more expensive than the kids items.

While that is very true, they do allow kids to order off the adult menus at many places when using the DxDDP. It sounds like you didn't ask, but I bet if you had, they might have allowed it. If they see kids, they're going to bring you the kid's menu.

 

[TwinMom2010]

We did ask and stopped asking after the first couple no's. OP I would not purchase the DxDP with the intention of using all of the kids credits for adult meals. It may or may not work but if it doesn't you may have wasted money or have a hungry kid. Specifically I know teppan edo will say no I forget who else we specifically asked.

 

[sharonabe]

We did ask and stopped asking after the first couple no's. OP I would not purchase the DxDP with the intention of using all of the kids credits for adult meals. It may or may not work but if it doesn't you may have wasted money or have a hungry kid. Specifically I know teppan edo will say no I forget who else we specifically asked.

This makes me wonder if they have finally decided to put a stop to it. When it was freely done just about anywhere, some of us wondered when the bean counters would catch up, because they have to be losing money.

If they are going to enforce the "kids must order from the kid's menu," I wonder what will happen if you have two rooms with just one room on the plan (x adults,x children) with the intention of using all the credits for adults between the two rooms and paying OOP for any kids. Theoretically that should still work and would then be a money saver. So how long will it take the bean counters to catch this one?

 

[hodad]

Thanks for the comments, although it seems like I wasn't clear enough with my question.

Our kids will order off of the kids' menu, but we would like to pay for those meals out of pocket and instead save the kids' dining credits for grownups enjoying evening signature restaurants with friends after the kids have gone to bed. Is this possible in 2016? I know it will be in 2017, but I'm doing some late planning for an unexpected December trip and don't know how similar this year's plan and next year's plan are.

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks for the comments, although it seems like I wasn't clear enough with my question.

Our kids will order off of the kids' menu, but we would like to pay for those meals out of pocket and instead save the kids' dining credits for grownups enjoying evening signature restaurants with friends after the kids have gone to bed. Is this possible in 2016? I know it will be in 2017, but I'm doing some late planning for an unexpected December trip and don't know how similar this year's plan and next year's plan are.

There is no difference between 2017 and 2016. Both brochures have the same wording, so the year doesn't matter.

You SHOULD be able to do what you want to do. MANY others have reported doing just that throughout this year. BUT, many had also been reporting that their kids were allowed to order adult meals, and as you see from above, that may be changing. I would go expecting to do what you want, but be prepared for it not to happen just in case.