Upgrading child's DP to adult question

[jenfur]

My 8 year old does not like the children's menu and I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade the dining plan without upgrading the ticket price.

 

[lyzziesmom]

No.

 

[Stellaluna]

Back when we were going before DS1's 10th birthday I was told that in order to 'upgrade' him to the adult dining plan I would have to purchase an adult ticket for him. I think that really is the only way. We're going after his birthday now (yay free dining!) so it's really not an issue.

 

[nicknamy1996]

I think it would be about $25/night to do if if you could (without having to upgrade the ticket too). Why not just get the two full adult meals, appetizers, desserts at the TS meals plus one kids meal and split it all three ways.

At CS meals you could skip the kids meal (or add it since it's free...) if nothing other than for the drink, dessert, etc... And pay for a CS meal out of pocket and still come out ahead.

The snacks remain the same.

Do you think you could do this and add a "burger and fries" to CS and a cheap entree or appetizer to TS and be somewhere around/under the $25?

 

[lyzziesmom]

The adult DDP is around $40 per day and the kids DDP is around $11 per day, which would be a difference close to $30 more per day. Also the DDP is tied to each individual's ticket, so the only way to get an adult DDP would be to purchase an adult ticket, which would be a monumental waste of money. Each restaurant has slightly different children's menus, just check the menus on AllEarsNet.com and I'm sure you will find something he will like.

I also have a very picky eater (and I am one myself) and we can always find SOMETHING to eat, even if my DD lives on fries, cake and jello for the week. It might not be very nutritious, but it gets her through the day, it doesn't cost me a ton of extra money, and hey -- it's vacation. I figure the nutrition all evens out in the end.

 

[powellrj]

if you stick with lots of buffets and use the snack credits, it will still be cheaper to keep him as a child even if you have to pay OOP for a few items here and there at TS and CS resturants.

 

[jenfur]

Thanks for the answers. You guys are right, we usually do a lot of buffets and character meals. The CS may be a little trickier, but the child's plan will pay for the dessert and drink and $7-$12 is a lot better than the cost of upgrading everything else. Even if we have to upgrade a TS, I still think it woud be cheaper.

 

[LizinSTL]

Thanks for the answers. You guys are right, we usually do a lot of buffets and character meals. The CS may be a little trickier, but the child's plan will pay for the dessert and drink and $7-$12 is a lot better than the cost of upgrading everything else. Even if we have to upgrade a TS, I still think it woud be cheaper.

I think you are right. Buy kid's breakfast combos ( they have nearly as much food as an adult combo- especially the pancake platters!) to share at the resort before heading out for the day and then share your lunch combo with your child when you are touring at the theme parks. You'll stretch your CS credits that way too!

 

[Ladybugsy]

I updated my dd (8) to the adult plan during free dining. I called and told CRO exactly what I wanted to do, they changed it in the computer, charged me for her adult ticket, which was 11.00 since I only had one day one park tickets. If you did one day base tickets with your package, you could upgrade your ticket on arrival to any ticket you wanted.

Just a suggestion.

 

[zddPaul]

I updated my dd (8) to the adult plan during free dining. I called and told CRO exactly what I wanted to do, they changed it in the computer, charged me for her adult ticket, which was 11.00 since I only had one day one park tickets. If you did one day base tickets with your package, you could upgrade your ticket on arrival to any ticket you wanted.

Just a suggestion.

I had a similar thought. As a matter of fact I think a lot of people could save a bunch of money by simply getting the package with the minimum 1 day park ticket (non-hopper, no water parks) and then buying regular non-expiring tickets. The 10 day non-expiring park hopper tickets are a very good deal, and you might get 2 or more trips out of them. Of course you have to pay for them up front but if you know you will be back they might be worth the investment. The difference in price for a package with 5 day hoppers and a package with just a single day non-hopper is massive.

I haven't done the math but in jenfur's case it might make sense to get a package for the 8 year old as an adult and then child park tickets seperately.