Paying OOP for kids on the free dining plan.

[momtotwinglesx4]

Ok, so we're going for the free dining in September; my family of 2 adults and 4 kids along with my brother's family of 2 adults and 2 kids (though one of his kids is an 11 y/o "adult" ).

I made our ADR's months ago, and included a few signature restaurants that require 2TS credits, based on tips on "Mousesavers" suggesting that child's meals could be paid for OOP and then use their credits for the adult meals.

So now I come on here as see all the hullaballoo about doing this.

From the many threads I've sifted thru, I've gathered the following:

Disneys new brochure says you're not supposed to do this.

Disney is still pooling adult/child credits.

Many people here think you should not do it, even if it is a loophole.

Others think it's ok to do it.



Mousesavers still has this tip listed however. So here's what I want to know:

Are the restaurants still *allowing* people to pay OOP for their kid's meals when on the dining plan? (Thereby saving their credit to use later, yes--for an adult meal!)

I do not care if YOU think it's right or wrong; I am not interested in your opinions or theories, nor am I interested in what some CM told you over the phone or by email; I've read enough of the debates.

ALL I want to know if it is still ALLOWED at the restaurants, so I can leave my ADR's as they are, or if it is NOT ALLOWED at the restaurants, so I can change my ADR's accordingly.

People who've been there recently and have done this, thanks for your help!

Sue

 

[Lewisc]

Sue it is no longer a matter of opinion, IT IS WRONG. Prior to the brochure change it was a matter of discussion and opinion. You're asking if you can get away with cheating.

Disney just changed the brochure. Several posters have indicated credits will be separated before the end of the year.

You really won't know until you get to WDW what enforcement policy will be utilized. I'm sure Disney is monitoring the situation. I'm sure they at least have aggregate statistics indicating how many child credits are being use to obtain adult meals. The more guests cheat the more likely Disney is to put in interim rules prior to the credits being separated.

The free dining package is worth around $125 for your family. I understand you were hoping to use child credits to buy adult credits. It's no longer allowed. It's a shame some posters are trying to find out if they'll get caught.

YOU REALLY WON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU GET TO WDW. You know it's not allowed, we're pretty sure it won't be possible to do it in the future, you're question really can't be answered. What is the magic date in which it will be difficult or impossible to cheat?

I do not care if YOU think it's right or wrong; I am not interested in your opinions or theories, nor am I interested in what some CM told you over the phone or by email; I've read enough of the debates.



Sue

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

No, my question CAN be answered, but only by someone who has been there recently and done it.

Thanks for sharing your OPINION, but again, I'm only asking if DISNEY is ALLOWING it do be done at THEIR restaurants AT THIS TIME.

Sue

Edited to add: Please feel free to PM me if you'd rather not answer on this board. Thanks!

 

[frayedend]

Sue it is no longer a matter of opinion, IT IS WRONG. Prior to the brochure change it was a matter of discussion and opinion. You're asking if you can get away with cheating.

Disney just changed the brochure. Several posters have indicated credits will be separated before the end of the year.

You really won't know until you get to WDW what enforcement policy will be utilized. I'm sure Disney is monitoring the situation. I'm sure they at least have aggregate statistics indicating how many child credits are being use to obtain adult meals. The more guests cheat the more likely Disney is to put in interim rules prior to the credits being separated.

The free dining package is worth around $125 for your family. I understand you were hoping to use child credits to buy adult credits. It's no longer allowed. It's a shame some posters are trying to find out if they'll get caught.

YOU REALLY WON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU GET TO WDW. You know it's not allowed, we're pretty sure it won't be possible to do it in the future, you're question really can't be answered. What is the magic date in which it will be difficult or impossible to cheat?

Wow, I guess you won't be getting an answer anyway. I think there are too many Disney stockholders on the board that are afraid you may steal from them. Funny that Mousesavers still tells you to do this, also it tells you to share, and it tells you to treat a guest.

Here's an idea. If the server says you can't do that, then tell the server that "these aren't my children and I can't treat guests on the DDP so I have to pay OOP for them".

 

[msmayor]

No, my question CAN be answered, but only by someone who has been there recently and done it.

Thanks for sharing your OPINION, but again, I'm only asking if DISNEY is ALLOWING it do be done at THEIR restaurants AT THIS TIME.

Sue

Just because someone was there today , yesterday , or last week and says they were able to accomplish what you hope to do does NOT mean that tomorrow you can do it.

Your questions cannot be answered with absolute certainty until you, yourself, attempt to use child credits for adult credits.

 

[magicmouse2]

I believe the OP is asking NOT so she can see if she can get away with it, but instead to change her reservations to book less 2 TS credit restuarants, if she has to use 2 child credits and not be able to pay out of pocket for the kids. If CMs are saying this can still be done, others who dont use the Disboards will be doing this, as will those who read Mousesavers. I think the OP is well aware of opinion, she just wanted facts. I personally wouldnt like to try it and be told no so I only booked 1 2TS restaurant.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

Just because someone was there today , yesterday , or last week and says they were able to accomplish what you hope to do does NOT mean that tomorrow you can do it.

Your questions cannot be answered with absolute certainty until you, yourself, attempt to use child credits for adult credits.

Yes, I do realize this. However I want to keep abreast of the situation so I can change my ADR's before we leave (9/5) if necessary.

 

[Pedler]

Sue it is no longer a matter of opinion, IT IS WRONG. Prior to the brochure change it was a matter of discussion and opinion. You're asking if you can get away with cheating.

Disney just changed the brochure. Several posters have indicated credits will be separated before the end of the year.

You really won't know until you get to WDW what enforcement policy will be utilized. I'm sure Disney is monitoring the situation. I'm sure they at least have aggregate statistics indicating how many child credits are being use to obtain adult meals. The more guests cheat the more likely Disney is to put in interim rules prior to the credits being separated.

The free dining package is worth around $125 for your family. I understand you were hoping to use child credits to buy adult credits. It's no longer allowed. It's a shame some posters are trying to find out if they'll get caught.

YOU REALLY WON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU GET TO WDW. You know it's not allowed, we're pretty sure it won't be possible to do it in the future, you're question really can't be answered. What is the magic date in which it will be difficult or impossible to cheat?

LewisC,

I don't think she was asking if it is right or wrong. She mentioned the brochures changed wording so she clearly knows it is against Disneys rules. I think she was asking if the enforcement mechanism is still lax enough so she can knowingly break the rules and get away with it. You have to appreciate that at least she is upfront about knowing the rules and wanting to break them for her own financial benefit.

Sue you will definitely need some first hand reports from people violating the rules as it appears the enforcement situation is fluid at this time.

 

[Frantasmic]

You should be able to pay OOP for any meal you wish. Just tell your server your intentions prior to ordering.

"I'm paying for these meals OOP." And that is it.

An easier method, however, one that certainly WILL work is to find your cheapest meal and pay for everyone OOP.

 

[Lewisc]

Her question is really will she be able to bank child credits in September. None of us knows the date Disney will be taking actions to enforce the plan provisions.

Disney may actually be seperating credits or at least not let famlies just pay out of pocket for kids meals at character restaurants where sharing isn't permitted.

I'd plan on following the rules but if she wants to cheat check a few days before her trip.

Wow, I guess you won't be getting an answer anyway. I think there are too many Disney stockholders on the board that are afraid you may steal from them. Funny that Mousesavers still tells you to do this, also it tells you to share, and it tells you to treat a guest.

Here's an idea. If the server says you can't do that, then tell the server that "these aren't my children and I can't treat guests on the DDP so I have to pay OOP for them".

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes, I do realize this. However I want to keep abreast of the situation so I can change my ADR's before we leave (9/5) if necessary.

Just change your ADRs now to match what the brochure says and you will not have a problem when you get there.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

I'd plan on following the rules but if she wants to cheat check a few days before her trip.

Call it what you want; I don't care, as that's merely your OPINION. If Disney *allows* it, I plan to take advantage of it. How is that a difficult concept?

 

[Frantasmic]

Disney either allows it or not. *allows* is a different area all together.

I went last year during Thanksgiving. I read all of Mousesavers and everything. Bicker and Lewis were here then, espousing the same rhetoric that they do now. And to tell you the truth, I was more in the *allows* camp then. I tried to figure out how to maximize, I had a 5 year old kid and I was going to go to town.

Once I got there, and realized how much trouble it was to determine whose dinner was who and how much food there was and what not. It just wasn't worth it to me. I ended up paying for whole meals because I extended my TS credit. But, I still had a great time and it was just a matter of determining which buffet/dinner was the cheapest and paying for that OOP for the entire party and then using the credits as Disney somewhat clearly intends. With the change in the brochure, their intent, even if their actions, aren't as nebulous as before, but apparently nebulous enough that we have to use asterisks or air quotes regarding actions.

Your plan of attack probably will work until they distinctly separate adult and child credits. But, if they do that change in August, your plan is messed up. So, as others have said, there is no way to definitively answer, even from people who just returned, whether your plan can work.

 

[Pedler]

Call it what you want; I don't care, as that's merely your OPINION. If Disney *allows* it, I plan to take advantage of it. How is that a difficult concept?

Actually it isn't an opinion it is a fact. The rules do not allow you to use child entitlements for adult meals. Your question is regarding the enforcement mechanism of the rules and can you get away with it. If you feel it is *allowed* and you are not knowing break the rules then simply explain to your server your intention to pay OOP for your kids so you can use the credits for adult meals later on. If it is *allowed* then you shouldn't have a problem. Of course I don't think you are asking if it is allowed. You are asking can you get away with it. Big difference.

 

[Lewisc]

Call it what you want; I don't care, as that's merely your OPINION. If Disney *allows* it, I plan to take advantage of it. How is that a difficult concept?

It's no longer an opinion, the recent brochure makes it fact. You're not asking if Disney allows it, you're asking if they have a procedure to stop you from breaking the rules. BIG DIFFERENCE.

I don't think you'll have a real answer until a week or so before your trip. None of use know the actual date Disney will be starting to take measures to enforce plan provisions.

The number of guests that continue to cheat between now and the time of your trip will partially determine how fast Disney takes action.

 

[JimMIA]

I'll try to answer your question based on what I know for a fact.

Mousesavers still has this tip listed however.

Neither Mousesavers nor the DIS is the authority on this, or any other question. Both can be, and frequently are, wrong.

Are the restaurants still *allowing* people to pay OOP for their kid's meals when on the dining plan?

Yes. That is, and always has been, permitted.

(Thereby saving their credit to use later, yes--for an adult meal!)

I can tell you what they are doing right now, Whether you are successful in getting away with doing that depends on specifically what you try, and how quickly they fix the holes in their system. Here's what they are currently doing:

• On checkin, you will have to physically produce each member of your party. The adults in our party in May had to provide photo ID matching the names on the ressie. That prevents phantom guests.
• They are changing their computer system to segregate child and adult credits, Will that be days, weeks, months...who knows? Once they accomplish that, you will not be able to purchase an adult meal with a child credit.
• When adult meals are ordered, the check the MYW caed to ensure that the guest is not ordering more adult meals than shown on the card.

I assure you I am not privy to ALL of the new measures Disney has instituted to stop what you want to do.

Without being judgemental, the best advice I can give you is to plan on using the DDP within the rules. If you are going to try to go outside the rules, the prudent visitor would have a Plan B.

Personally, I'm a little amused by people who try to work the system when there are simplier, legal, guaranteed alternatives. I'm amazed people go to all this trouble with TSs when they could just eat a "heavy" CS like Cosmic Ray's Ribs & Chicken for their big meal one day! Why bother with all the silliness?

 

[Lewisc]

Assuming you don't have transportation issues, a CS meal at Pepper Market is a very good TS meal replacement.

Personally, I'm a little amused by people who try to work the system when there are simplier, legal, guaranteed alternatives. I'm amazed people go to all this trouble with TSs when they could just eat a "heavy" CS like Cosmic Ray's Ribs & Chicken for their big meal one day! Why bother with all the silliness?

 

[Denise Thies]

I would change them in case. You don't want to be left with no where to eat.

 

[JimMIA]

To OP -

Just so you don't misunderstand my response above, it really was not responsive to your primary question. Your main question really had two parts -- are people getting away with this now? And, will I be able to get away with it in September?

The answer to the question today is yes, some are undoubtedly getting away with it despite Disney's attempts to prevent cheating. But probably far fewer than prior to their recent increase in enforcement.

Will you be able to get away with it in September? I personally doubt that. If they don't have the computer issues fixed, I think they'll find some other way of preventing abuse.

That's just my opinion, but I see them working on a problem they've ignored until the last month or so, and they're pretty good at running their business.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Your plan of attack probably will work until they distinctly separate adult and child credits. But, if they do that change in August, your plan is messed up. So, as others have said, there is no way to definitively answer, even from people who just returned, whether your plan can work.

I agree with this, and the answer to your questions is likely to change several times in the coming months. How many times....who knows? Will it not change.....that's possible.

As for paying for kids meals OOP at a TS location (not including character meals or signature locations that require all diners to use credits), there is no way Disney will prohibit you from doing this. In fact, the flexibility to be able to use the credits when you want is a cornerstone of their brochure. People aren't going to want to use a child's TS credit for chicken fingers at Le Cellier when the same credit can be used for a much more expensive character meal at Chef Mickey's. So you should not be told you can't pay OOP for any member of your party, and you can explain what you are saving the credits for if anyone gives you trouble.

As to how you will later utilize those "saved" TS credits is anybody's guess. If Disney doesn't change the enforcement mechanism you will likely be able to use them wherever and for whomever you like. If they have adult and child credits seperated by then (if they do it at all) then your use of those credits will be limited to a child.

I were you.....I'd have some backup plans in place in case you can't use the credits outside of the parameters of the plans intentions.