New twist on the Dining Plan 10 y.o. moral dilemma!

[ptrbryant]

I'd posted about this situation mid-way through it and here's the update. I'd really appreciate sincere opinions as to what you would do in my situation:

We're renting DVC points in May and I recently found out that now even DVC renters can be eligible for the DP. When I was making some ADRs, the CM kept pushing the DP to me. I explained that if it were just DH and myself, I'd do it without hesitation. But, our DS9 will turn 10 two months before our trip and is a very light, picky eater. Since the DP has to be set-up through DVC Guest Services by the DVC owner, she said I should explain the situation to the person we're renting points from, have her explain it to the GS person and they'll probably let us put DS down under the children's DP. I actually debated this with her for about 2-3 minutes. I pointed out that if that were the case, every parent of a 10 year old would insist on it. The CM firmly kept saying,"Just ask! It's important that you at least ask."

Okay. I described this situation as above to the truly helpful person we're renting points from and even said that if she felt awkward about it, please don't bother asking. She later replied that she went ahead and asked. At first the CM said no, then told her to wait while she checked with someone else, came back on the phone and said it would be fine to put us on the Dining Plan as 2 Adults and 1 Child. That's where we stand now.

The more I think about it, I think I'm getting more uncomfortable. I guess some would see it as we lucked out with the CMs and got a deal...similar to getting a surprise upgrade at a WDW hotel that you didn't pay for. On the other hand, what about the other parents of 10 year olds stuck paying the Adult DP rate? Are the CMs going to ask me how old DS is at each restaurant we go to? I try to be an honest person, so rather than lying, feel like I'd end up having to explain the whole thing at each restaurant! Usually, my conscience is very good at letting me know what's right. It's just the gray line/ pixie dust that sometimes happens at WDW (i.e. as I mentioned, free room level upgrades, etc.) has me confused!

So, here's a big What Would You Do?????

Karla B.

 

[beattyfamily]

That's tough.

My older DD is turning 10 this June and we're going to WDW October. I'm debating whether to do the dining plan because she will be charged as an adult. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I also have the DDE card so I could get 20% off meals.

I would worry the whole trip that each waitress will ask my child's age when we're seated and I would not lie in front of my girls. My DH wouldn't let me even if I wanted to so I think I'd just bite the bullet and pay the adult price for my 10 year old or not buy the dining plan.

Good luck.

 

[bribren]

I just took an 11 year old and used the plan. I simply did not pay for the child. I don't know if they match up the plan with the reservation info. We ordered al a cart for him and avoided buffets. I used one of my adult meals for him at Rose and Crown. Once you have the total meals, you can divy them up however you want. Id use them at the $$ places, ad pay for the cheaper fare.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I wouldn't have asked. I think you know what is right because you are struggling with this. Honest people are like that.

It is a shame that Disney has the rule that everyone on the reservation HAS to be on the dining plan. The obvious solution would have been to have you and your husband on it and pay OOP for your son since he is a light eater.

However Disney didn't give you that option. Since Disney has already booked it, it was their option and choice. These are their rules and they had the option to say "no". That was not up to you, it was up to them.

I don't believe an explanation is necessary each time you eat. It will just confuse your server. I don't think it is that much of a stretch to compare this will upgrades in hotels. Their choice to do it, your choice to take it.

If it is bothering you that much, you can always cancel the plan altogether. Again, your choice. I would support you either way.

 

[married@wdw]

Here's my way of looking at it. The CMs would have had to go to a manager to ask and that manager OK'd it. It's not like you're trying to cheat Disney -- they've allowed it and you're only off by two months on the 9-year-old thing. If you know if your heart that you're going to use those child credits to order adult items, then I think there's a moral dilemna. But if you're child really will be eating mostly off the kids menus, I don't think you have an issue at all. Think of it this way -- your child is paying child prices to eat child meals. MANY people are getting child credits for children under age 10 and using those credits for adult meals -- THAT is a moral dilemna.

I think you're absolutely in the clear and you should go and have a good time!

A waiter or waitress would have no idea if you have adult or child credits, so that's not an issue.

 

[iwannabeinwdw]

I think the reason that Disney allows this, is that if you have a child on the plan, they must order from the child's menu if there is one. No loss to them. I don't think there is a moral dilemma here, if he only eats like a smaller child then he should be charged like one.

 

[married@wdw]

I just took an 11 year old and used the plan. I simply did not pay for the child. I don't know if they match up the plan with the reservation info.

I believe this is against the rules of the plan. Everyone on the reservation needs to be on the plan. Was the 11-year-old on the reservation? If so, then it was a CM error that you were not paying for him on the dining plan. If not, then -- whether you realize it or not -- you cheated the plan. It's a lousy situation though and I think they should change it so that all adults (maybe over age 16?) in a room must be on the plan. That would absolutely solve a lot of the issues many are having.

 

[roadtripper]

As a DVCer who rents points, you have given me something to think about. How should I know how old someone is if I am renting to them? If I book a reservation for someone, and they tell me there are two kids on the Dining plan, that's what I will tell Member Services. I don't want to be the Dining plan police. Hmmmm-- I will be interested to see how Member Services handles this.

 

[Anewman]

Instead of putting a ADULT(10 or above) on the plan as a child, I would rather not put that person on the plan at all. In this case "I would" make the reservation for 2 and pay out of pocket for the 10 year old, and share the apps and dessert with him. Disney does not do room checks and you would not be exceeding the room occupancy limits.

I am confident that MS put your 10 year old down as a 9 year old, I doubt that they can put him down as a 10 year old and reduce the rate. Which some may feel that even though somebody allowed it, it is really not allowed by DISNEY.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

You were truthful about your child's age. The person you rented the points from said that she asked the CM and they gave you the dining plan at a child's rate. Don't feel guilty. It is like getting a free room upgrade. Would you feel guilty about that even though others pay for an upgraded room?

As long as you were honest and the person you rented the points from told the truth to the CM, don't worry about it. You got some pixie dust sprinkled on you.

I have a 10 year old child and plan on getting the meal plan for her this summer. I do not feel bad that you were able to get it on a discount so you should not either. Enjoy your trip.

 

[fuji]

Hi, When my family and I went we had two kids on the dining plan and my son(10) would order from the kids or the adults menus,(we paid full price for him just sometimes he wasn't very hungry) we were never asked his age. Also , if I remember correctly, the dinner credits are all group together and do not distinquish between adults and kids.

 

[ptrbryant]

DS would definately be eating off the Child's menus...at most sit-down restaurants, there isn't much on the Adult menus he'd even eat. For CS, at some places, we'd probably pay out of pocket for him to have chicken tenders, etc. since they seem to have been taken off the children's cs menus since our last trip. At buffets, he'd eat from the children's selections. But, of course, the buffets are where there's a huge price difference between children and adults.

I appreciate the opinions...actually, I'm leaning towards canceling the DP for all of us since it's bothering me so much!

Karla B.

 

[siestakeys04]

If you already have a feeling that you should not do it then don't. I would hate for you to have that on your mind the whole trip, and not enjoy yourself.
So follow your heart it never leads you wrong. You would rather have a clear conscious than a cheap meal.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I think of myself as an honest person and see no problem with this. If I knew my 10 yo would order from the child's menu anyway, there really is no cheating.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Instead of putting a ADULT(10 or above) on the plan as a child, I would rather not put that person on the plan at all. In this case "I would" make the reservation for 2 and pay out of pocket for the 10 year old, and share the apps and dessert with him. Disney does not do room checks and you would not be exceeding the room occupancy limits.

Ah, but then you'd be cheating Disney and most likely the ten-year-old. If you don't put the child on the reservation, you can't get her/him a room key card and therefore he/she can't ride any attractions during EMH.

To the OP: Given that you've done everything possible to be ethical, if I were you I'd delete the original post (so nobody in the future can say "But this person was allowed to ____ ...") and enjoy the 'upgrade'.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

As I've posted many times...this is my biggest problem with the meal plan. Why don't they just come up with a Junior rate somewhere between Child and Adult so everyone won't have to go through all the anxiety over whether or not to get the plan because they have 'tweeners that still eat like children? To the OP -- you were honest upfront...it's was Disney that suggested it, and Disney that okay'd it. I'd keep the plan just as it is and not worry about it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I really wish Disney gave us the option of buying a childs dining plan, even if that child was 12 or 13. Then, they would have the credits spelled out in the computer....3 adults, 1 child total of 4 on plan. My dd eats like a bird. I'll be paying $38 a day for her to eat off the childrens table at all buffets. But, if she had a childs plan, paid at $12 a day, she could eat only childrens stuff. Come on...we all know that there were/are those people who are paying the children's price at the character meals, for their 7 y/o kids, but those kids are eating off the adults area. I have no issue with that...I wish my dd would eat like that. I just wish they gave us a third option...maybe a jr. price of $20 a day, for those from age 10-15.
As far as your situation.....they don't track the credits by adult/child. So, I would just go ahead and have your child eat as though they really were the age of a 'child'. You asked, you got a break!! We may find that Disney tries to track this differently in the future.

 

[MissMichelle]

I say enjoy the pixie dust! I agree with most posters here...You didn't "Lie" and put that your DS was 9 on the ressie...You asked and you were granted from a CM the child's plan...I don't doubt there are people out there that DO lie and cheat the system..THAT would be immoral.
Try to have a great time and relax! It is vacation and shouldn't be this stressful! LOL

 

[Lewisc]

I think the reason that Disney allows this, is that if you have a child on the plan, they must order from the child's menu if there is one. No loss to them. I don't think there is a moral dilemma here, if he only eats like a smaller child then he should be charged like one.

Except pricing is based on age and not on consumption. Your point would have some validity at CS meals but certainly not at buffets, character meals or dinner shows. Disney doesn't charge extra for guests who eat lots of food and they generally don't offer discounts for guests who don't eat much.

I wouldn't have even asked. The moral dilemma goes from the OP knowing she's paying less than she should and is questioning if the CM really has the authority to make the exception. Some restaurants may cut some slack if a person eats next to nothing but I don't think the CM at reservations is allowed to make a blanket exception.

The meal plan is priced based on some family members getting more than their monies worth and some less.

 

[missmdr]

I don't really have any advice - it's all what you feel comfortable with. If it makes you feel any better, we leave on Sunday and we have a 10 year old, who just turned 2 months ago (Novemeber) and we had to purchase an adult dining plan for him. It was hard to swallow for sure. He's a little guy - probably won't eat enough to justify the cost, but what am I to do? Hoping he will surprise me!