Is this cheating?

[werfamily]

We are a family of 5, with kids ages 4, 9 and 12. The 12 year old much prefers to eat off of kid’s menus, while the 9 year old is more adventurous, and likes to try things from the adult menus. Would it be okay to just switch the meals of the 9 and 12 year old? I really want to follow the rules here, because I know what happens when too many people abuse the system.

Off hand, I think this would be fine, but then again, I also thought it would be fine to use extra dining credits (that would otherwise go to waste) for friends who did not have the dining plan – and according to what I’ve read here, you can’t do that. Either way it seems like we are just using what we paid for, but again I wanted to check with all the experts out there. Thanks!

 

[crossfamily]

I actually did it last year with my then ds9.. I even came right out and said something to the waitress and she said it was no problem at all as long as the people were there and the right amount of credits came off. Its not a big deal to share food if you are all on the dining plan we did it our entire trip last year..

 

[werfamily]

Thanks for the benefit of your experience...now I just thought of a related question.

If all of our kids want to eat from the kids menu for one meal, can we still use the kids credits that we have to pay for it - assuming that at a different time they might want to try something off of the adult menu? In other words, at each meal can we only use 3 adult credits and 2 kid credits, or is it flexible? Does it make a difference if it is TS vs. CS?

 

[Vacation Lover]

Not a Disney expert, but I think the way it works is you can only use credits for the number of adults/children in your party. So if you've only got 2 on the childrens plan, you can't use more than 2 kids credits at a time. However, I think at a CS restaurant, you can place your order for 2 kids meals, then get right back in line and place one more order. Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[2forMe]

I do not see hwo that would be a problem.. you are not changing the type and total of any credits.. just changing who is eating what.. no biggie. Do not worry

 

[septbaby]

can we only use 3 adult credits and 2 kid credits, or is it flexible? Does it make a difference if it is TS vs. CS?

If you only have 2Child credits on your plan you are only supposed to use a max of 2 at a time. Adults are allowed to order off the children's menu. What I would suggest is to be sure there isn't an entree, etc. from the adult menu that any of the children will eat. They will also do some specialization for you. I'd suggest having a buffet or two in your line up, that way its a non issue and everyone is free to eat any item on the buffet.

 

[crossfamily]

Thanks for the benefit of your experience...now I just thought of a related question.

If all of our kids want to eat from the kids menu for one meal, can we still use the kids credits that we have to pay for it - assuming that at a different time they might want to try something off of the adult menu? In other words, at each meal can we only use 3 adult credits and 2 kid credits, or is it flexible? Does it make a difference if it is TS vs. CS?

Be honest and ask your server. It has always benefited me by doing so.. Like one person also said on counter service just get in line twice..

 

[JimMIA]

I don't think you are going to be able to order more than 3 Adult TS meals or 2 Kids TS meals at one setting.

The computer systems, as I understand it, will no longer let the CM ring up orders that exceed the number of people in each category on your card. CMs have posted here that they have been threatened with discipline up to, and including, termination if they try to bypass the new enforcement mechanisms which were instituted in January of 2007. You will see a different DDP this year than you saw in previous years in this regard.

If you order 3A and 2C, I don't think anyone is going to come to your table and police who eats what from which plate.

 

[crossfamily]

I don't think you are going to be able to order more than 3 Adult TS meals or 2 Kids TS meals at one setting.

The computer systems, as I understand it, will no longer let the CM ring up orders that exceed the number of people in each category on your card. CMs have posted here that they have been threatened with discipline up to, and including, termination if they try to bypass the new enforcement mechanisms which were instituted in January of 2007. You will see a different DDP this year than you saw in previous years in this regard.

If you order 3A and 2C, I don't think anyone is going to come to your table and police who eats what from which plate.

I agree with you on that one.. Just order a bunch of food and share it all.. Works for us..

 

[septbaby]

They can order 3 childrens and 2 adult meals as adults can order off the children's menu. However, its not the most efficient use of credits $$ wise. They could all order off the children's menu, the CM would still ring up 3A TS and 2C TS from their plan, ouch in terms of value.

Now, they cannot go the other way and have the children order from the adult menu and be charged a child credit for the meal.

 

[lynninpa]

We are a family of 5, with kids ages 4, 9 and 12. The 12 year old much prefers to eat off of kid’s menus, while the 9 year old is more adventurous, and likes to try things from the adult menus. Would it be okay to just switch the meals of the 9 and 12 year old?

Of course this is cheating! How horrible to even ask! Only kidding! There is absolutely nothing wrong with switching plates!

 

[werfamily]

Thanks again for all the feedback! I feel better about switching around the kids meals now...we'll just stick with 3 adult and 2 kids choices at each meal, and not worry about who eats what!

 

[Vacation Lover]

Another option is to pay for the third childs meal OOP and save the adult credit for another time.

 

[Tink3Belle]

I would switch them - Its the same different you are not getting any more.

 

[thunderbird1]

Another option is to pay for the third childs meal OOP and save the adult credit for another time.

This is always an option, and one that many people have used to gain extra credits, but it can quickly become complicated trying to figure out when to use credits, when to pay OOP, when to use your saved credits, how much you'll have to pay OOP to do so, and how you'll manage to fit an extra TS meal worth of food into your bloated stomachs.

For us, since we typically eat every TS meal together, we just decided it was easiest to each use one credit at every meal, and not have to hassle with trying to figure out who was hungry enough for a full credit and who wasn't, and how many leftover credits we had and when and where to use them. We always traded/shared/passed around various items, and trust me, no one will care or even notice who eats what once it's been delivered to the table, except maybe at WCC if you try to share the skillet with non-skillet'ers.

Have a great trip, and enjoy the DDP!

 

[bsusanmb]

Has something changed with the DDP? In December we couldn't get any table service ressies and had extra meals we wouldn't be able to use. We took my sister and her husband and used 4 of our table services at one time and there wasn't a problem. If it has changed, I don't know what the reasoning is. You pay for the DDP and have x number of meals, You should be able to choose how to use those credits for pity's sake!

 

[werfamily]

Has something changed with the DDP? In December we couldn't get any table service ressies and had extra meals we wouldn't be able to use. We took my sister and her husband and used 4 of our table services at one time and there wasn't a problem. If it has changed, I don't know what the reasoning is. You pay for the DDP and have x number of meals, You should be able to choose how to use those credits for pity's sake!

From what I've read, here and elsewhere, there has been a new system in place since Jan '07 where the server can swipe your card and see how many adults and kids are on the DDP. They are only supposed to serve that many meals at any given time. I agree that it doesn't make sense, since you pay for the meals, you should get them, no matter how you want to use them.

I guess from Disney's perspective, the way they make money off of this is for guests to leave at the end of their vacations having not used up all their meals. So by tightening up on the rules, they are more likely to achieve this.

 

[bsusanmb]

You had to know it was too good to be true....to me the DDP was a bargain. I read on these boards that next year tips will not be included and no appetizer. It just makes me crazy that you have to abide by rules that make no sense...for me, the DDP is just prepaying for my meals. Now Disney decides when and how we eat! Yikes

 

[otoole]

I have a friend that just returned and when she asked how many adult CS credits she had and kids CS credits left over she was told by a CM that there is no difference in the computer. Yes you can only purchase at one time what is listed on your card but over the course of the day it doesn't matter it would seem. I am just coveying info. no daggers please.

 

[honeymo78]

Nothing has actually changed other than enforcement. DDP is meant to provide meals for the people who have purchased the package (not your friends, neighbors or anyone else). Adult prices feed adults, child prices feed children. I'm not sure how any of that is confusing or other than what should be expected.