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

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

As the mom of a very tiny 9 year old who will one day be a very tiny 10 year old I can tell you I would probably do it. I know, I know. I am evil and dishonest and will burn in the eternal flames of hell.

Not long ago there was another post from someone who had a child turning 10 right before the trip and she was kind of lamenting about paying the adult price to the CM booking her trip. The CM asked "How old is your child NOW?" and went ahead and booked the child as 9 for the trip. Sounds to me like the gray area of "age at time of booking" vs. "age at time of travel" is being capitalized on by the CMs.

I don't think paying the child's price for child's meals is all that evil, but that's just me.

 

[ptrbryant]

though I'm still leaning towards cancelling the plan...really, if it's still bothering me, that should tell me something! One question: Can I just cancel the DP at check-in at the DVC property we're staying at since room rate isn't affected by it? I really hate to bother the DVC owner again to make another call, esp. since it's overseas for her.

I appreciate all the input!

Karla B.

 

[Lewisc]

The only grey area might be if the child has a birthday during your trip, although I'm pretty sure the official rule is age at the time your vacation begins. Some people book their trip a year or more in advance. The age at booking is irrelevant.

Some parents are honest and some parents want to keep paying child rates for theme park tickets, meals, movie tickets and the like for months and some times years past the date in which they are entitled to the discount.

Disney, and most other companies, rely on the honesty and integrity of their customers.

As the mom of a very tiny 9 year old who will one day be a very tiny 10 year old I can tell you I would probably do it. I know, I know. I am evil and dishonest and will burn in the eternal flames of hell.

Not long ago there was another post from someone who had a child turning 10 right before the trip and she was kind of lamenting about paying the adult price to the CM booking her trip. The CM asked "How old is your child NOW?" and went ahead and booked the child as 9 for the trip. Sounds to me like the gray area of "age at time of booking" vs. "age at time of travel" is being capitalized on by the CMs.

I don't think paying the child's price for child's meals is all that evil, but that's just me.

 

[Lewisc]

If you're planning on using your TS credits at buffets, character meals and dinner shows (HDD) you might as well keep the plan since your child will be paying the adult prices.

though I'm still leaning towards cancelling the plan...really, if it's still bothering me, that should tell me something! One question: Can I just cancel the DP at check-in at the DVC property we're staying at since room rate isn't affected by it? I really hate to bother the DVC owner again to make another call, esp. since it's overseas for her.

I appreciate all the input!

Karla B.

 

[indigoxtreme]

As the above poster saiud, if you plan on doing character meals, buffets and all you can eat places (Whispering Canyon) keep the plan as it is cost worthy to you any way since you will be paying the adult price. Since you will be paying the adult price you could also share the other regular sitdown meals and have breakfast then as well. I think in the long run you will still save money even if you are just getting regualr table meals.

But as others have posted you were very upfront with it and the owner was upfront with it to Disney, since it is just a 2 month and no 6 month difference I think you should enjoy the Pixie dust as said. She you child just turned 10 I believe the CM Manager agreed to this. Go and enjoy knowing that next time she will be an adult price or hopefully by then they will have the Junior price.

 

[curlz2tite]

Your ds was 9 years old when the ressie was made,so go with it.
I have no problem at all with you getting the childs rate.

The real cheaters are the ones that use the childs credits for adult meals. that is what gets me.

You should go & enjoy. Untill Disney comes up with a plan that works better, I can tell you I would be doing the same thing as you.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Am I missing something here? I thought you could only get the dining plan if booking a package. Therefore the dining plan would correspond with the hopper passes: adult pass = adult dining plan. If not, after witnessing a CM at MK practically YELL the question about how old a child was, there is no way I'd ever try and pass off a 10-year old as a minor.

 

[beattyfamily]

Am I missing something here? I thought you could only get the dining plan if booking a package. Therefore the dining plan would correspond with the hopper passes: adult pass = adult dining plan. If not, after witnessing a CM at MK practically YELL the question about how old a child was, there is no way I'd ever try and pass off a 10-year old as a minor.

In this thread we are discussing getting the dining plan with a DVC reservation. For all DVC reservations starting April 1, DVCer can buy the dining plan regarless of whether or not they have park passes.

 

[DisneyDotty]

OP--You are an honest person. You put forth the information and the CM agreed to your request. To me, that would be end of discussion. Go and enjoy. Your 10 y.o. will be choosing from the children's menu and paid children's price--what's the problem?
And BTW, when we went last year my DD11 (who we paid adult for) would sometimes request food off the kids' menu 'cause she didn't like the adult menu. So our ordering kids at adult prices nullifies any "advantage" you feel you're taking of Disney!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

If your child is only going to use the TS credits for plated children's meals, then I would keep the plan. If you are going to buffets...he is 10 whether he eats a lot or not. It doesn't matter what I think (unless you want to take me with you??), but you are obviously having a problem with it.

 

[mamacass]

I'm confused about one thing - why would they ask your child's age at each restaurant? Once you purchase the dining plan isn't all that information on your DP card?

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm confused about one thing - why would they ask your child's age at each restaurant? Once you purchase the dining plan isn't all that information on your DP card?

Well, when I was on the free dining last year and had my 5 and 9 year old the waiters and waitresses only asked if I was using the dining plan and then asked "an adult and 2 children?" Then I'd tell them my plans like if I was going to have the girls share or if I was going to pay anything OOP. I think they are only asking so they know how to do the bill.

They didn't specifically ask their ages. Although, when I'm not on the dining plan, waiters have asked my kids ages, especially at buffets.

 

[jim and meesie]

Honestly, if Disney really thought that 10 year old ate like Adults the cutoff age would probably be more like 7 for the adult plan to allow for all of the negotiation.

When something like this is developed by the marketing powers that be they know that many people are going to try and push their kids into the child category for a huge variety of reasons ranging from, he doesn't eat much, he doesn't look that old, he only likes kids menu food to the plain and simple it's only worth the lower amount.

The more important issue is that people still have ethical dilemas about "rules". I am a person who does play by the rules, to me things are black and white, right or wrong, it's just the way I am. I try not to judge others however the constant negotiation about everything in life by every segment of society drives me crazy!!!! We all have to live with our own decisions.

 

[pbharris4]

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?

I sooo agree! It would put the whole debate out to pasture! We should flood MS with that suggestion! Or send many emails from everyone on the boards. I really think that the age group of 10-14 should be considered juniors.

Forgot to add this: When I called to book the DP..all they asked was how many adults and children. Never asked children's ages. But knowing that my DD will be 10 a few months before our trip and would be an "adult" I told her. Then she said "So 2 Adults, 1 Jr. and 1 child." So I chime in that isn't she an adult at 10 and she said technically "Yes." Don't even know why she brought up Junior. 10+ plus has to pay for Adult tickets as well.

 

[Lewisc]

There is no such thing as a child credit so people who "bank" credits paid for at the child rate to be used by adults to purchase adult meals aren't cheating.

The age for a child getting a child's rate for passes or the meal plan is the age when they checkin.

You seem to have it backward, you're calling the guest who follows the rule a cheater and you have no problem with the breaking the rule.

Your ds was 9 years old when the ressie was made,so go with it.
I have no problem at all with you getting the childs rate.

The real cheaters are the ones that use the childs credits for adult meals. that is what gets me.

You should go & enjoy. Untill Disney comes up with a plan that works better, I can tell you I would be doing the same thing as you.

 

[rpbert1]

don`t see a problem here, you where up front with them and said your son was 10, its not as if you said he was 9 ,so it was there decision to allow it.
go for it and have agreat time ,OH! and stop worrying about it

 

[TriMom]

ptrbryant,

I agree that since Disney "Officially" OK'd it, then you are not breaking any rules. You should enjoy it. However, if you are going to loose any sleep over this then cancel. You need to feel good about your decisions.

If you are going to cancel, you can call MS yourself, without going through the DVC member. You will need your confirmation letter which should have the phone #, and your reservation #. (There was a thread on the DVC board about renters being able to make Dinning Plan additions, changes themselves)

HTH

 

[ptrbryant]

I knew I could count on the disboard for thoughtful opinions!

Karla B.

 

[Lizzybee]

We struggle with this dilemma at just about every restaurant. My DS11 is very small for his age (if Disney went by pants size - 8 slim - my son would still have child tickets), we actually had to convince a CM my son should have an "adult" ticket entering Epcot. When we go to restaurants he usually wants to order of adult menus because he likes the choices better and he wants everyone to know he's "older". When can't find anything on the adult menu he gets worried if the kids menu says 10 and under or 9 and under, but servers never have a problem letting him order from the kids menu. Since they always give him a kids menu (unless he tells them first he wants an adult menu) I figure that is "implied consent" to let him order from the kids menu. Even when he gets an adult meal, they usually give him a kids size drink and he promptly rolls his eyes. It does get to be a sticky tricky situation but I figure as long as I'm honest with my servers then we are doing the "right thing" and not cheating anyone. Last time we went to WDW we had the free dining plan and he was in HEAVEN because based on the ressies he was an "adult" and they gave him adult menus and he ate Salmon at every TS meal. One way we have avoided the "adult" issue at restaurants is by having him order off the appetizer menu...no age restrictions on coconut shrimp appetizers! Then we share a side/veggie/fries with him.
To the OP, do what feels right to you and no one else can determine that but you. You aren't doing anything "wrong" because you have been honest but if it makes you uncomfortable, it will ruin your dining experiences and it isn't worth it. Good luck, relax and have a total blast

 

[pedro2112]

There is no such thing as a child credit so people who "bank" credits paid for at the child rate to be used by adults to purchase adult meals aren't cheating.

The age for a child getting a child's rate for passes or the meal plan is the age when they checkin.

You seem to have it backward, you're calling the guest who follows the rule a cheater and you have no problem with the breaking the rule.

Exactly.