My dining dilemma

[Jennyfyar]

We have planned a trip in June for our daughter's high school graduation. In the group, me, my DH, DD1, turning 18 on the trip, her two best friends, and DD2 (14h, and her best friend. The girls friends are all paying for their own food. My original plan was the "Big girls" would have the dining plan. All their ADRs are made, they are thrilled. Their parents were on board with the "all inclusive" aspect of the plan. No worries of the girls running out of money, or spending more than expected. The rest of us would pay as we go. I do not expect to see much of the 14 year olds, and I was looking forward to a "relaxing" Disney trip with my DH, reminiscent of our honeymoon spent there many years ago.
We are staying seven nights at AKV Kidani, booked through renting points from a DVC member.
Here is where I just discovered my problem. All the guests in my party have to be on the same dining plan. Ackk!! Not in my plans! I'm not kidding myself, I didn't expect to cook in the villa, I will have bagels and snacks. But but I didn't plan on the dining plan. It's a lot of food and money. My husband and I will be fine, we will actually get to eat some new places that our kids wouldn't like.
It's the two 14 year olds I'm worried about. I cannot imagine them eating at a TS restaurant alone, not their personality. I could make them eat with us, but they will not be thrilled with this idea.
Any suggests or advice?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

So the two 14 year olds won't be touring the parks with you? What were your dining plans for the two 14 year olds before you realized they would have to get the DDP? I'm confused as to why having to have the dining plan suddenly becomes an issue for those two girls. Sit down with them and pick out restaurants that they would like and have them dine with you and your DH.

Remember too that all the meal credits are pooled on the room account. You and your DH could always book a signature restaurant that uses 2 TS credits and then let the girls tour a park on their own during that time and they could eat at a CS restaurant.

 

[Jennyfyar]

The fourteen year olds were planning on touring together, without mom and dad. Sleep late, lots of water park time, their own schedule. They are both pretty typical teenagers, chicken fingers and pizza eaters. They will have charging privileges, so they can eat where they want. Eating with mom and dad was not in their plans. They are entering high school and like to have their independence, when reasonable.
I have complied a list of restaurants where they will find plenty to eat. We already had two ADRs booked when we will all eat together, it is a family vacation after all. Haha! But I want all members to have fabulous time, and 14 is a hard age to please.
I didn't realize the credits all went into a pool. I could book DH and I a few dinner shows or signature restaurants. They could then have our CS for those meals.
Thanks!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Got it!

Yep, I think your best bet is book some signature meals for you and DH. Or you two can have 2 TS meals in a day and let the girls eat 2 CS meals. The pool of credits is a nice thing, but you'll also want to make sure the older girls know what their allotment of credits are so they don't accidentally use some of the other credits.

As much independence as your 14 yo thinks she wants, I'll bet she'll find the family meals enjoyable.

 

[sharonabe]

This will work great for you and DH. All the credits are pooled. So the 18 yrs olds each get 1TS and 1QS per night of stay. Now you and the 14 yr olds have the same, BUT you and DH use all the TS credits and the 14 yr olds use all the QS credits. That means you and DH have 2 TS per night and the 14 yr olds have 2 QS per night. The younger ones can still tour on the own and eat on their own without having to do TS.

 

[Iowajes]

Another comment, slight tangent. Since all of the credits are just in one pool, make sure the girls understand what their allotment is.

It seems there are often posts about nasty surprises when someone in a group uses all the snack credits the first day!

 

[JeanetteK]

You could also put the money you would have spent for the dining plan on separate Disney gift cards for each member in your party. They could still eat where they want to and whatever is left on the gift card at the end of your trip could be used in the shops or for snacks, too.