New to DDP and have a complicated situaion

[cheesemouse]

Hi everyone - We've been to WDW many times but have never used the DDP but are considering it now. But, we have a few complicating factors that I just can't sort out. In our family is me, DH, DS(4) and DS(2). DH will be at a conference for 3 of the 7 mornings that we are there. So for those mornings the kids and I will be out and about on our own. Also, since DS is 2, he doesn't get a park ticket or qualify for the DDP but will for sure want and need his own meals.

Soooo...here are my specific questions:

1) There will be two TS breakfasts that we do without DH. Can I then use those "extra" TS credits for my DS(2) when we dine at non-buffet TS restaurant for dinner? Or is that not allowed because they are adult TS credits? Or, what I think is true, is that it's not allowed because we can't use 3 TS credits at one meal when there are only 2 adults on the room reservation, correct???

2) If what I think will happen is correct, we will have an uneven number of child TS and adult TS credits for our last meal. Can we have them use 1 adult TS and 1 child TS credit and then bill us OOP for the other adult and child meals all in the same meal? If so, can we do this at any point during our stay? I ask, because our last TS meal will be at Le Cellier and that's obviously one of the pricier restaurants and I want to use DDP for that as opposed to our lunch at Liberty Tree or a breakfast or something.


3) Even though DS(2) isn't on the DDP, would I be able to use 2 child CS credits in one purchase? Basically using up one of my DS(4)'s credits. My guess is no. I'm just trying to avoid have to do DDP AND pay OOP for every meal transaction.

Thanks. I'm trying to sort all of this out to decide if it's even worth it to get the DDP and on top of that, if it's going to be too much of a hassle to sort out the various credits and which to use at each meal during the trip.

 

[cheesemouse]

Oh yeah, and one MORE thing:

-we'll be there for 7 nights, but I don't think we're going to do 7 TS meals. Can we use our TS credits for CS meals? I can't see a reason why not, as it's a big price break in disney's favor, but I just wasn't sure.

Thanks!

 

[catne]

QUOTE=cheesemouse;37954510]Hi everyone - We've been to WDW many times but have never used the DDP but are considering it now. But, we have a few complicating factors that I just can't sort out. In our family is me, DH, DS(4) and DS(2). DH will be at a conference for 3 of the 7 mornings that we are there. So for those mornings the kids and I will be out and about on our own. Also, since DS is 2, he doesn't get a park ticket or qualify for the DDP but will for sure want and need his own meals.

Soooo...here are my specific questions:

1) There will be two TS breakfasts that we do without DH. Can I then use those "extra" TS credits for my DS(2) when we dine at non-buffet TS restaurant for dinner? Or is that not allowed because they are adult TS credits? Or, what I think is true, is that it's not allowed because we can't use 3 TS credits at one meal when there are only 2 adults on the room reservation, correct???No, they won't let you get 2 adult TS meals when there's only one adult present. However, have to say the non-buffet adult table service meals are very large -- we find them big enough to split between two good-sized adults so you may want to see those meals before deciding 2 yr old needs a separate meal.

2) If what I think will happen is correct, we will have an uneven number of child TS and adult TS credits for our last meal. Can we have them use 1 adult TS and 1 child TS credit and then bill us OOP for the other adult and child meals all in the same meal? If so, can we do this at any point during our stay? I ask, because our last TS meal will be at Le Cellier and that's obviously one of the pricier restaurants and I want to use DDP for that as opposed to our lunch at Liberty Tree or a breakfast or something.you can always pay OOP for any & all people on the ticket. And sure, choose the cheaper meals to pay OOP for, good planning


3) Even though DS(2) isn't on the DDP, would I be able to use 2 child CS credits in one purchase? Basically using up one of my DS(4)'s credits. My guess is no. I'm just trying to avoid have to do DDP AND pay OOP for every meal transaction.in general, no, they won't let you use more credits than are on the card...in your case, your card will say "2 A 1 C" so they would not be able to ring up 2 child meals. You'll be paying OOP at every Table service anyway, since tip is not included.

Thanks. I'm trying to sort all of this out to decide if it's even worth it to get the DDP and on top of that, if it's going to be too much of a hassle to sort out the various credits and which to use at each meal during the trip.[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, and one MORE thing:

-we'll be there for 7 nights, but I don't think we're going to do 7 TS meals. Can we use our TS credits for CS meals? I can't see a reason why not, as it's a big price break in disney's favor, but I just wasn't sure.

Thanks!

Technically, the credits on the regular Dining Plan are not interchangeable (on the Deluxe plan they are -- all credits are meal credits on Deluxe & can be used at either.) But on the regular dining plan, they do designate Table Service and Quick Service credits.The answer on being allowed to trade down is a qualified "maybe" If you're there during the major Free Dining promotion (August-September) it should not be an issue anywhere based on previous years - they have allowed exchanges freely the last 3 years. At other times of year, you'll have best results trying this at your resort counter service place. People have reported the most success at their resort, although some report being allowed to do it elsewhere, like Downtown Disney's counter service places. I have been in line behind people who were being told "no" in the parks during May & January (specific places I remember hearing people turned down were Flametree BBQ in Animal Kingdom, Cosmic Ray's in Magic Kingdom & Sunshine Seasons in Epcot.) But during Aug-Sept Free Dining they actually had signs up telling people they could be traded.

 

[cheesemouse]

Thanks for the info. Pretty much as I thought. But, we are going to be there in Feb. during the free dining period (we're just not getting the FD because we took the room discount instead). So, maybe we could swap out the TS credits. Hmmm.. will have to study the prices and details a little further.

Thanks!

 

[squirrel]

You can use up the extra TS credits by doing a 2TS meal. Every year I pick one 2TS credit meal. I'm doing HDDR again this year. Tips are included in the dinner shows and CRT.

Depending on how much your 4 yr old eats, he may have leftovers at the TS meals. Most of the TS meals I found were large enough that I would be able to share with a toddler (as long as it was something they could eat). You may not have to purchase extra food for the 2 yr old.

With the extra 2TS credits you could do one more meal. You would only pay out of pocket for the kids, or one if you did a buffet/family style meal.