Verifying age for adult meals on dining plan

[rotlex]

Just thinking about something for our upcoming August trip. (Free dining plan bounce back from last year).

When I booked the trip last September, I noted that our daughter would be 10 at the time of next vacation. Am I right that at 10, she should now be able to get the regular "adult" meals at counter service as well as sit down, and not have to pick from the kids menu any longer? I know the ticket cost was a bit more, and I'm hoping, without having to call Disney back, that she now gets the adult meals?

Thanks

 

[Faldred]

You are correct. At age 10, a child is treated as an adult for dining plan purposes.

(Technically, ages 10-17 are "juniors", but are treated as "adults" for ticketing and dining plan. The "junior" distinction is used only for resort room occupancy, specifically fees for extra adults in the room.)

 

[SaraMar1]

My niece went and she looks 12 even though she's just 9. They didn't ask her age and passed her through.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes, at age 10 they are considered Disney adults with the dining plan and can order just as an adult would. As long as you said that your daughter will be 10 at the time of your visit, she will get the adult meals.

The difference in price is quite large from the adult DDP to the childs plan, about $34 per day in 2011, and $37/day in 2012

Dan

 

[TDC Nala]

If she is registered at the resort as 10 years old she will be listed on your key card as an adult for dining and will be allotted the adult dining credits.

 

[mwatson011]

The difference in price is quite large from the adult DDP to the childs plan, about $34 per day in 2011, and $37/day in 2012

Dan

Yes, but that is one of the benefits of "free dining". You don't pay that difference. You buy an adult park ticket and you are entitled to adult meal credits. So, to upgrade a child under 10 to "adult", the cost is around $25 when you have "free dining". Otherwise, as pp stated, the price OOP of the adult vs. child dining plan is pretty significant.

We just upgraded our 2 DDs to "adult" because we are using the QSDP and after looking at all of the menus, we don't think chicken drumsticks, nuggets or pb&j is not going to cut it for the length of our trip.

 

[rotlex]

Cool, and thanks all. Since it is free dining anyway, I was really hoping this was the case. She can eat with the best of them, and the kids meals for the past few years have well, left a bit to be desired!

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes, but that is one of the benefits of "free dining". You don't pay that difference. You buy an adult park ticket and you are entitled to adult meal credits. So, to upgrade a child under 10 to "adult", the cost is around $25 when you have "free dining". Otherwise, as pp stated, the price OOP of the adult vs. child dining plan is pretty significant.

We just upgraded our 2 DDs to "adult" because we are using the QSDP and after looking at all of the menus, we don't think chicken drumsticks, nuggets or pb&j is not going to cut it for the length of our trip.

Yep , I did know this, but was just pointing out the difference in price for the DDP. (if paying full price).

Dan

 

[DJFan88]

Cool, and thanks all. Since it is free dining anyway, I was really hoping this was the case. She can eat with the best of them, and the kids meals for the past few years have well, left a bit to be desired!

Last year, my son was 10 too and it automatically gets put in that way since they have your room reservation. I have to tell you, he loved it! The variety of foods that he was now able to choose from was great for him. He is a little picky however, so don't forget that they can feel free to order like an adult would too, based on preferences --- w/out sauce, can I get American cheese instead of ...., fries instead whatever. You get the picture. Now when I look at the menus to see if there's something for everyone, I take that into consideration, can he modify it. Once he got the hang of that, it was smooth sailing.