Hoop-dee-doo with toddler using DDP

[parkbr]

Hello,

We're going to Disney World coming December and were wondering whether to include HDDR or not.
We're going for 13 nights with free dining offer, planning to do some buffets and Character dining, including CRT. There are 2 of us and 2.5 year old DD, who turns 3 in January.

Since we have 13 dining credits each person, we are thinking of using it either at the show or one of the signature dining - OOP may not be an option here because we might have some credits left over, if we share meals. Looking at HDDR, it seems like it is a good option for us. According to DDP, we can get Category 2 at 6:15 show or Category 1 at 8:30. I know 6:15 one is better in terms of timing, but we only are able to sit at Category 2. 8:30 is very late for dinner, but we can get Cat 1 seating.

At home (same time zone as Orlando), our normal dinner time starts anywhere between 6:30 - 7:15 and gets ready for bed around 8:30 and in bed by 9:00, DD falls asleep somewhere between 9:15 - 9:30. (later if we have grandparents over or weekends, etc)

Given our situation, which one do you recommend?
Please help!

 

[HopperFan]

Stick with your bed time routine!!!!

Nothing wrong with any of the seats at HDDR. I actually loved my Category 3 seats.

 

[Calee]

I wouldn't go so late with a toddler. I haven't been in years but I have heard that the Cat 2 seats are not bad.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree. Bedtime routine should be followed if possible.
We have always done Cat 1. But this trip we are doing 6:15 Cat 2. I am sure it will be fine.

 

[luvpooh]

I agree, stick to the earlier show. DS was same age as your DD when we went last year and we stuck to our routine as closely as possible, and it worked out very, very well. I don't think things would have ended well if we went to a dinner show that started when he was usually in bed. Granted, if you are out and about around bedtime, but not doing anything where you had a commitment, and could head out if things started to go south, I don't think it would be as much of a deal breaker. But to just be starting a 2(?) hr dinner show where you're more or less a captive audience, then have to deal with the transportation home afterwards, I'd be concerned.

That said, DS is not one to fall asleep anywhere if we were out and about (too nosy!). Not sure if your DD is the same or not.

Have fun whatever you do!

 

[parkbr]

Thank you so much!
We will go with 6:15 one!

Now my other questions are:
1. Can we share some TS meals and save points to pay for HDDR? Will we (3 of us) have enough food to share with 1 credit?
(we can have later lunch and snacks prior to dinner) or will Disney frowns upon sharing among 3? (worried because we are 3 ppl not 2)

2. Or shall we get Cat 1 at 6:15 and pay OOP?

Any advice? Thank you!

 

[Lisa F]

the only place you can't share is at an all you care to eat type of a place and via Napoli. That said unless your toddler eats nothing but goldfish crackers you may not find most TS places enough to share unless your husband has a very very small appetite. My ex did but we still always ordered 1 app, 1 entree, 1 dessert to share and were not sharing with a kid either (some men can't even consider sharing).

You can get Cat 1 at 6:15 and pay oop as well. that's what I'm doing.

 

[Hopefully]

Personally I too would get Cat 1 and pay OOP. I think it is worth it.
I also do not think most meals are big enough to satisfy 3 people.

 

[parkbr]

Thank you for your help! I need to re-visit my dining plan in that case!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

KIDS UNDER-3 EAT FREE "411":

1) TECHNICALLY, there is no such thing as a "kids-under-3-eat-free" policy.
. . . no where in ANY Disney brochure is this mentioned
. . . there is no such policy
2) But, when done per policy, they eat almost free.
3) And, based upon CM discretion, they can eat free.
4) The official rules:
. . . kids under three can eat off the adult's plate
. . . if they order anything, like milk, they are supposed to pay for it
. . . if they order any food, they are supposed to pay for it
. . . this is anywhere, including buffets
5) What really happens:
. . at buffets & AYCTE kids actually "eat buffet food free"
. . . . . . adults could get the food, instead and give it to the kid
. . . . . . the adult could claim it is their plate kid eats from
. . . . . . they might as well have a drink, for same reason
. . . . . . it's tough to determine it was theirs or their parents
. . . . . . thus, kids can have their own plate and beverage without charge
. . at non-buffet, servers can determine if they ordered food
. . . . . . it is easy to tell if they got a drink
. . . . . . the server usually charges for food ordered for the kid
. . . . . . the server usually let's the drink go, but not food
. . . . . . the server, at their own discretion, can charge for beverage
6) So, to wrap-up, in practical terms
. . . at non-buffets-Luau-HDDR, kids under-3 eat without charge ONLY from parent's plate
. . . at buffets & AYCTE, they can actually take food from the buffet table or separate plate
. . . at all meals, items are ordered for the child "might" be charged for them

7) Please remember to add your child to the table count.
. . . if there are four adults and a child, that needs an ADR for five people
. . . this is regardless whether the child is lap, stroller, highchair, or regular chair
. . . also, if the baby makes six people, the AUTOMATIC 18% GRATUITY is in effect
. . . no automatic gratuity at CRT-HDDR-LUAU-BBQ, as tips are already included in the meal price

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Personally I too would get Cat 1 and pay OOP.

DDP, when used for dinner shows, is arguably the WORST use of DDP credits/coupons . . . FAR better to pay OOP.

 

[parkbr]

DDP, when used for dinner shows, is arguably the WORST use of DDP credits/coupons . . . FAR better to pay OOP.

Thank you.
And yes, I know the rules for my DD's dining. Thank you for reminding. Thank you!