Under 3 - Disney Dining Plan

[johnf0614]

I just exchanged into Wilderness Lodge from HGVC via RCI. I'm purchasing my park tickets separately, as I get a really good discount from my employer. I'd like to purchase the Dining Plan as well... Is it possible to purchase the Dining Plan for my son who will be 2 1/2 by then? He's a big eater now, and just feel it would be easier if I got the dining plan for him as well, but I know its specifically for 3 and over...

 

[cheezNE1]

Well, you can always tell them your child is 3 when you check in. I usually tell them mine is under 3...

 

[johnf0614]

Well, you can always tell them your child is 3 when you check in. I usually tell them mine is under 3...

Haha, I know... I have a bit of an odd scenario, where I'm looking to give Disney money! Not save some! haha

 

[vicki_c]

DVC members can purchase the DDP w/o buying tickets. I do not know the mechanics of doing that when you have an RCI reservation. You will have to call the DVC/RCI contact info to find out. It has to be paid for in advance, and must be added at least 48 hours before your arrival, so you can't add it at check-in.

For your under 3 son, you will have to tell them he is 3 to get the DDP. In most cases (non DVC reservations), you have to purchase a ticket when you upgrade the child's age for the DDP, but I guess since DVC rentals don't need to purchase tix at all - that wouldn't apply.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Well, you can always tell them your child is 3 when you check in. I usually tell them mine is under 3...

For real?

 

[Mom B]

Are you going to be doing the 'regular' dining plan or the deluxe? We're looking at our January trip with our 2-1/2 yr old DGD and thinking that if we 4 adults get the deluxe dining plan, we'll each have 3 meal credits per day. However, most days we'll be doing 2 table service meals and probably just eating a quick breakfast (poptarts, cereal, whatever) in the room each morning. So we figure we will have plenty "extra" credits to order the little one's meals (on the deluxe plan you can use the credits for table service, counter service, OR kid's meals, I believe) when we order from the kid's menu. Besides that, I understand that under 3 can share (or have their own plate) at any of the buffets and we are planning to do a number of those. Doing it this way, I figure we should have a few credits left over (even if grandpa and I do one 'signature' meal that will use 2 credits each)...we may have to go out for breakfast once in a while to break even! And then you get the snacks each day as well...So if the math would work out okay in your case, you may want to look at it as one option...(unless someone tells me I've got it all figured wrong, we've only done the DDP once before...)

 

[vicki_c]

MomB - you might want to check your plan on the Dining boards (there's a subforum for the DDP) - I'm just not sure how actually using one of your credits for the child not on the DDP will work. You cannot use more credits than you have people on the DDP at your table, so if you only you and your husband are on the DDP, the server will only let you use 2 credits for the table (at a 1 credit place for example). With a little one under 3, I'm not sure that would be any different, but that is the rule.

Anyway, you might want to ask over there if that will work - there are great DDP experts over there.

Eating from your plates or eating @ buffets for free will be no problem, though.

 

[Audray]

As far as I know kids under 3 don't pay admission to the parks. We traveled last year with our 1 year old, and I can't recall whether or not she had a KTTW card. I know that she didn't need one.

Our DxDDP was on those cards for the rest of us. You might run into an issue getting a KTTW card without park passes on it; but with a dining plan. If they cross reference, they might want you to buy park passes.

 

[vicki_c]

As far as I know kids under 3 don't pay admission to the parks. We traveled last year with our 1 year old, and I can't recall whether or not she had a KTTW card. I know that she didn't need one.

Our DxDDP was on those cards for the rest of us. You might run into an issue getting a KTTW card without park passes on it; but with a dining plan. If they cross reference, they might want you to buy park passes.

Correct - under 3 do not pay admission - UNLESS you are upgrading their age to 3 or older for the purpose of getting them the DDP. In that case, in a NORMAL Disney reservation package, you would have to purchase them tickets as well - the same as everyone else on your package. Under 3 do not get a KTTW card unless you are doing that - saying they are 3, then they would also have a KTTW card with park admissions on it.

If you are doing a ticketless package - DVC or AP member - then purchasing tickets for the child would not come into play and you can just say the child is 3 for DDP purposes only and you do not have to purchase them a ticket as well.

 

[johnf0614]

Ok, silly question... What does KTTW stand for?

 

[vicki_c]

Ok, silly question... What does KTTW stand for?

Sorry - Key to the World card - resort room key card, which also contains your tickets and dining credits. And ability to charge things back to the room if you choose to connect a credit card with it.

 

[johnf0614]

Sorry - Key to the World card - resort room key card, which also contains your tickets and dining credits. And ability to charge things back to the room if you choose to connect a credit card with it.

Ahh thats right! Thank you!

 

[Audray]

Not sure if this helps, but we did a ton of character meals last time - most of which were buffets. I am pretty sure that kids under three eat free at them anyway.

 

[RRB]

I just exchanged into Wilderness Lodge from HGVC via RCI.

Would you explain what that means please?

Thanks

 

[johnf0614]

Would you explain what that means please?

Thanks

I am a Hilton Grand Vacation Club Owner... I'm allowed to exchange trips into any RCI eligible Property, which Disney is now a part of. So in essence I have exchanged into DVC via RCI, via HGVC.

 

[RRB]

Got it!

 

[LittleSeacow]

We just got back and we have an almost 1 and 1/2 year old. My husband and I had the dining plan. When we did buffets she was allowed to eat whatever she wanted for free. When we ate at sit downs or at counter service, we looked for things she could eat off our plate. If we felt she needed a meal, we ordered a kids meal, which is around 9 dollars. I suggest just paying out of pocket for the meals you need to buy for the child, I bet it would be cheaper.

 

[Dean]

I think one of the issues for such situations is that for the younger kids is that people tend to use the kids credits directed at adults. Of course the current cut off is arbitrary but it does match up with admission requirements.