Paying OOP and with 2 yr old

[turningleaf]

This is probably a silly question so please bear with me. I've been reading the boards too much and I have information overload.

If we're NOT on the Dining Plan and make ADR's, can we order anything on the menu and not be constrained to one app/main/dessert per person? What I mean is, can we share appetizers, main courses, desserts? Can we have just appetizers if that's all we wanted to eat?

And our two year old - she doesn't have to order anything right? She can just eat off our plates?

 

[Colston69]

If you're not on the DDP then you can order what you want. The dining plan is a pre-paid deal that is supposed to save you money, compared to eating at the same places on your own. Whether it does or not is open for debate.

Keep in mind that you are paying the menu price for what you order, without the DDP. As far as sharing, that would probably depend on the restaurant. If it is low-level sharing I wouldn't see a problem, though you never know.

And, if you want a meal of appetizers, go for it. A fine way to dine, if you ask me.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Actually you can do both on the DDP and OOP.

BUT, when your on the DDP and you order a meal for a child (2 & under) make sure the waitstaff knows that you will paying OOP for the child. Also you can order more or less and will pay OOP for the extras and just forgo what you don't order. You can also order 1 meal and share it and only be charged for 1 TS. Of course, this doesn't apply at buffet meals

At least this was what I was told when I asked because I had had Gastric-bypass.

 

[MMrules]

If your child is under 3 they can eat off your plates. However if you do any buffets you can get them their own plates of food and not be charged. We did a lot of buffets this last trip because my son was 2.9 and were not charged for any of his meals. Double check your receipts though to make sure they don't charge for your little one!

 

[Mississippianna]

If we're NOT on the Dining Plan and make ADR's, can we order anything on the menu and not be constrained to one app/main/dessert per person? What I mean is, can we share appetizers, main courses, desserts? Can we have just appetizers if that's all we wanted to eat?

And our two year old - she doesn't have to order anything right? She can just eat off our plates?

Yes. It's just like a restaurant in the real world. Order whatever you want from the menu. Share, eat just appys, do what you you like.

Your child can eat off your plates. She eats for free at the buffets as well. You can order off the child menu a la carte as well. Meaning, all the places have these 3 course children's menu items, but you can order just the fruit cup or just the bowl of macaroni and cheese. You don't have to buy the whole combo meal. Just ask.

 

[kpgriswold]

As other pps said, if you NOT on the DDP, you ahve no restrictions about ordering what you want, just like a regular restaurant.

I, for one, think a person should just order all desserts.

 

[Tara922c]

If your child is under 3 they can eat off your plates. However if you do any buffets you can get them their own plates of food and not be charged. We did a lot of buffets this last trip because my son was 2.9 and were not charged for any of his meals. Double check your receipts though to make sure they don't charge for your little one!

My dd will be a week shy of 3 when we go. Do we need to make sure at every buffet we tell the server she is 2? She is tiny tiny tiny for her age, so I doubt anyone would question her age. We are on the DDP and I don't want to lose a credit.

 

[Emiems20]

I would make sure to check each resturants sharring policies. While sharing with your child will most likely be no big deal some resturants will charge you an extra plate fee if you are sharing. However ordering apps. only is just fine. I generally have no problem when I go to WDW and I do not eat a lot. Back before they had the dinning plan I would order off the kids menu and I was 18. No one ever said anything to me nor did they charge us extra.

 

[turningleaf]

Thanks for all your replies! DD2 is not a big eater yet, so I think she'll be eating off our plates. It's nice to have the child menu option but it may be too much for her.

Good point that at ala carte we might be charged for extra plate, I'll make sure to ask.

We do have some buffets as our ADR's, mostly because I'm afraid that waiting times are beyond our control and slow service will make DD antsy.

But we're paying OOP, and buffets can get expensive, and we don't usually eat that much at home. I'm forseeing after two days we'll want to slow down.

And, Jenn, I didn't know you could share one TS credit, I wonder if that is true or was a special consideration to you at that time?

Thanks for all this info folks!