Paying for someone else's meal with the DDP?

[MrsM]

We're considering using the DDP for the first time on our next Disney trip. My mother is coming with us, but staying in her own room. If we purchase the dining plan, could we use one of our table service credits to pay for her meal if we wanted? Or can we only use it for the people in our room? I don't see why Disney would care if we used it for her, since we are just using the meals we've already paid for, but I wasn't sure how that worked.

 

[angelmav]

Personally I dont see why the 'should' care but they do. They have expressly changed their literature to reflect that. the DDP is considered part of the package and only those members (registered guests to that room on that plan) are elidgeable to make use of its benefits.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news.

Now if she is staying at the same resort, why not just get her the plan too, I believe that if you link the reservations they can put all the credits on one card.

 

[JimMIA]

Disney cares because DDP is part of a package which includes a certain room rate, plus purchase of at least a one-day base park ticket.

You can't get DDP without those other requirements, and it is not transferrable to people not on the plan. People can't stay in discounted rooms or offsite and take advantage of Disney's promotion -- which is primarily a promotion to fill beds at a certain price, not a restaurant promotion.

It's always been thus, but as usual, Disney was quite sloppy about their implementation until they saw how many people abused the laxity of their systems. They've now tightened up their enforcement, but it's nothing new.

 

[canwegosoon]

For TS just pay OOP...she can share your appitizers and dessert and just order something light for herself

 

[The Sweetness]

I **wish*** that I could treat a gust on my DDp (since we are eating together for that meal) but unfortunately we cannot. This issue of being brought 2 seperate bills will make my guest uncomforatble, esp since she knows that we are usually on such a tight budget. But on her birthday (actually the day before AND on her b/day, Ive insisted that she allow us to treat her to a couple of very special birthday dinners) What is going to happen, is that my DD15 will ask my guest to join her and DD2 in the shop, or to have a look around the Poly (on her b.day when we dine at 'Ohana) while DH and I settle the 2 bills (ours and hers, so to speak, unless one of us orders a cocktail (Im thinking Lapu Lapu ) She'd feel really bad seeing me pay for our dinner using credits, than hers with my bank card or cash. But she won't see a thing

 

[sgtdisney]

I have a question kind of along the same lines, but different. We are meeting someone in Orlando when we go and they will be joining us for a couple of meals. They will not be on the dining plan and I don't want to use the dining plan credits to pay for their meals. How does Disney handle this? Do you tell the server up front that there are x amount of people on the dining plan and 1 who is not and they bring seperate checks, or how does that work, when you are in a TS environment?

 

[The Sweetness]

I imagine I will get 1 bill for the 3 DDp credits, and another (pos with the 18% auto added in (which i hate )for what my guest orders, our cocktails if any and my 2y old's milk and kiddos meal if I order

 

[Warmwinds]

We often treat people who would protest, so it is very simple...either my husband or I will get up on the pretense of going to the rest room, find our waiter, hand him our credit card, and say to just take care of it...he will be able to charge the card for the meal that is not on the DDP, not sure why it would be difficult. When the "done deal" slip is brought to sign and they protest, just say "no, you are our guest and we wanted to do this" or "happy birthday" or whatever...

 

[The Sweetness]

My girlfriend knows my intention of pampering her on those 2 days. She just feels guilty about the $. She'll live, and enjoy her b/day for a change

 

[JimMIA]

I have a question kind of along the same lines, but different. We are meeting someone in Orlando when we go and they will be joining us for a couple of meals. They will not be on the dining plan and I don't want to use the dining plan credits to pay for their meals.

Good thing, because the CM's won't let you anyway. Treating on DDP is not allowed.

How does Disney handle this? Do you tell the server up front that there are x amount of people on the dining plan and 1 who is not and they bring seperate checks, or how does that work, when you are in a TS environment?

Yes, that's exactly how it works. The server is going to prepare two bills. Some of the suggestions above about how to ensure that YOU get the bill are excellent.

 

[2forMe]

Well last year (Feb/March) when I had the dining plan there was no problem using the plan for adults not staying at Disney etc. We ate at the restaurant at the Yacht club and had 5 adults and 1 child all using the TS credits that were only for 2 Adults and 1 child.. no one ever questioned us about our credits.. ever.
It would also be quite easy when eating at a CS since you go and get the meals yourself
I see no problem with this as it is my money/credits and I should be allowed to use it how I wish

 

[JimMIA]

Well last year (Feb/March) when I had the dining plan there was no problem using the plan for adults not staying at Disney etc. We ate at the restaurant at the Yacht club and had 5 adults and 1 child all using the TS credits that were only for 2 Adults and 1 child.. no one ever questioned us about our credits.. ever.
It would also be quite easy when eating at a CS since you go and get the meals yourself
I see no problem with this as it is my money/credits and I should be allowed to use it how I wish

And you are more than welcome to try that again this year. In fact, Yachtsman would be the perfect venue to try it...

 

[dfarner]

Well last year (Feb/March) when I had the dining plan there was no problem using the plan for adults not staying at Disney etc. We ate at the restaurant at the Yacht club and had 5 adults and 1 child all using the TS credits that were only for 2 Adults and 1 child.. no one ever questioned us about our credits.. ever.
It would also be quite easy when eating at a CS since you go and get the meals yourself
I see no problem with this as it is my money/credits and I should be allowed to use it how I wish

We also used TS credits for guests last September, at Concourse Steakhouse, with no problem. Is this a new implementation this year?

 

[JimMIA]

We also used TS credits for guests last September, at Concourse Steakhouse, with no problem. Is this a new implementation this year?

Yes. There have been several exhaustive threads on the changes. Treating is over, as is using kids credits for adults.

 

[aubriee]

Well last year (Feb/March) when I had the dining plan there was no problem using the plan for adults not staying at Disney etc. We ate at the restaurant at the Yacht club and had 5 adults and 1 child all using the TS credits that were only for 2 Adults and 1 child.. no one ever questioned us about our credits.. ever.
It would also be quite easy when eating at a CS since you go and get the meals yourself
I see no problem with this as it is my money/credits and I should be allowed to use it how I wish

Yes. There have been several exhaustive threads on the changes. Treating is over, as is using kids credits for adults.

It's been reported that effective Jan '07 you can not order more meals than people listed on your card. In other words if your card says 2 adults and 1 child then you can not order more than 2 adult and 1 child's meal at a time. Once the meal comes you can share those 2 adult meals and 1 child meal with whoever you want, but you can not order say three adult meals at a time if your card only has 2 adults listed. Also once the adult credits are gone, you can not then use any leftover child credits to buy an adult meal. Supposedly at this time you get two receipts every time you eat: one showing adult credits left and one showing child credits left.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry everyone, but this is an "only Disney can answer" question.