Deluxe DDP Credits Split

[DrummerAlly]

I'm booking a trip for 3 adults and 3 children (ages 6, 4, and infant) with two separate rooms at CBR. We want the dining plan, but I realized that if I put 1 adult and 2 kids in one room and purchase the deluxe dining plan for that reservation and then other two adults and infant in the next room with no dining, that I'll end up with a similar amount of credits to split among my party for approximately $400 less than purchasing the standard DDP for everybody.

1. Am I missing something? This will work right? By my estimate, I end up with a similar number of credits, minus a few snacks, minus two mugs, but plus alcohol.
2. Are servers really not going to give us any hassle about adults using "child" credits at a restaurant?
3. Why in the world does WDW allow this loop hole?

 

[DisneyJoe]

The 2 adults in the second room will not have the ability to use any dining credits while on their own - the adult or children in room 1 will always need to be around to purchase the meals or even snacks.

I believe only the adult in room 1 will be able to purchase alcohol.

 

[larryz]

I'm pretty sure the servers have been trained to not allow adults to use children's credits.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I'm pretty sure the servers have been trained to not allow adults to use children's credits.

Adult/child credits are pooled and are interchangeable.

 

[DrummerAlly]

I'm pretty sure the servers have been trained to not allow adults to use children's credits.

Yikes, is that new? Can anyone second this?

 

[DrummerAlly]

The 2 adults in the second room will not have the ability to use any dining credits while on their own - the adult or children in room 1 will always need to be around to purchase the meals or even snacks.

I believe only the adult in room 1 will be able to purchase alcohol.

That works for us since I don't think we'll be separate much, thank you!

 

[cjlyon]

I thought only at quick service the credits are interchangeable. I thought table service kids credits are required to get kids menu items. I could be wrong.

 

[DrummerAlly]

I thought only at quick service the credits are interchangeable. I thought table service kids credits are required to get kids menu items. I could be wrong.

I believe this is true for the regular dining plan, but since the deluxe dining plan only has one type of credit, this doesn't apply.

 

[cjlyon]

but your paying a lower price for the child credits I cant imagine Disney would let adults use child credits at table service restaurants

 

[DrummerAlly]

but your paying a lower price for the child credits I cant imagine Disney would let adults use child credits at table service restaurants

Yeah, I know. From what I've read, and @DisneyJoe seems to have verified, the credits are all pooled together in the system. It's been a while since I've gone, but I believe this has been a loophole for a while. Not sure why they haven't fixed this yet, but if they haven't, I'd like to take advantage of it.

 

[DisAl]

Adult/child credits are pooled and are interchangeable.

I don't think they will allow the use of a child credit for an adult at a buffet.
At a non-buffet the adult could probably order from the children's menu.

 

[Andrew Appleby]

My understanding is that QS dining plan is a pooled amount of credits (adult and child) but table service has separate credits and children can only order off the children's menu. If that wasn't the case I'm sure Disney would be on it in a flash to close that loophole.

 

[DisneyJoe]

- on the Deluxe plan, there is no difference between Table Service and Quick Service credits - Deluxe plan credits can be used for either
- a server cannot look at your account and see different adult or child credits (and neither can you, since you can now see the credits on the MDE app) - all you see is a total - therefore, an adult can use a credit to order a table service meal even if you think the credit should be a child credit.
- even on the dining plans that do have different TS and QS credits, they still are not differentiated by adult/child
- HOWEVER - they do enforce the rule that a child needs to order from the children's menu - using the pooled credits - that is how they work to keep a check on things.

Many articles have been written on this.

 

[larryz]

- on the Deluxe plan, there is no difference between Table Service and Quick Service credits - Deluxe plan credits can be used for either
- a server cannot look at your account and see different adult or child credits (and neither can you, since you can now see the credits on the MDE app) - all you see is a total - therefore, an adult can use a credit to order a table service meal even if you think the credit should be a child credit.
- even on the dining plans that do have different TS and QS credits, they still are not differentiated by adult/child
- HOWEVER - they do enforce the rule that a child needs to order from the children's menu - using the pooled credits - that is how they work to keep a check on things.

Many articles have been written on this.

Well, that's a heck of a loophole, but since it's the Deluxe plan, I guess they're still making money on it. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[slappy magoo]

- on the Deluxe plan, there is no difference between Table Service and Quick Service credits - Deluxe plan credits can be used for either
- a server cannot look at your account and see different adult or child credits (and neither can you, since you can now see the credits on the MDE app) - all you see is a total - therefore, an adult can use a credit to order a table service meal even if you think the credit should be a child credit.
- even on the dining plans that do have different TS and QS credits, they still are not differentiated by adult/child
- HOWEVER - they do enforce the rule that a child needs to order from the children's menu - using the pooled credits - that is how they work to keep a check on things.

Many articles have been written on this.

You're right on pretty much everything, but I will add that based on our personal experiences on the deluxe plan, with our family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 children - servers will not make a stink if a child wants to try something on the adult menu. We've also used some loopholes like the adults using 4 credits at a Signature meal and paying for much smaller/inexpensive kids meals at those restaurants out of pocket, like going to Cali Grill when the kids only want a flatbread or a kids' entree and are happy sharing our appetizers and desserts. Things like that. But that's not quite what the OP has in mind, I know.

But I also know that there is no issue if someone on the dining plan wants to use credits to pay for someone else who isn't on the dining plan. But would they let an adult use a credit that's meant to be used for a child, even if there is no distinction as to it being an adult meal credit or kids meal credit?

To the OP I guess I'd say if you really want to try gaming the system like that, no one can stop you from trying but I wouldn't necessarily count on it working and plan accordingly.

 

[nickys]

You're right on pretty much everything, but I will add that based on our personal experiences on the deluxe plan, with our family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 children - servers will not make a stink if a child wants to try something on the adult menu. We've also used some loopholes like the adults using 4 credits at a Signature meal and paying for much smaller/inexpensive kids meals at those restaurants out of pocket, like going to Cali Grill when the kids only want a flatbread or a kids' entree and are happy sharing our appetizers and desserts. Things like that. But that's not quite what the OP has in mind, I know.

But I also know that there is no issue if someone on the dining plan wants to use credits to pay for someone else who isn't on the dining plan. But would they let an adult use a credit that's meant to be used for a child, even if there is no distinction as to it being an adult meal credit or kids meal credit?

To the OP I guess I'd say if you really want to try gaming the system like that, no one can stop you from trying but I wouldn't necessarily count on it working and plan accordingly.

On the deluxe plan, there is no such thing as “a credit that is meant to be a child credit”. They are just credits. You and the servers just see a total number of credits, not two separate totals, as @DisneyJoe said.

And it is fine to pay OOP for some meals if that is better value. Except at BOG where you cannot split the check like that.

 

[slappy magoo]

On the deluxe plan, there is no such thing as “a credit that is meant to be a child credit”. They are just credits. You and the servers just see a total number of credits, not two separate totals, as @DisneyJoe said.

And it is fine to pay OOP for some meals if that is better value. Except at BOG where you cannot split the check like that.

You're right, the server will just see credits. You (or the OP) will probably not have a problem. But if the restaurant is aware only 3 people are on the dining plan (and it's 1 adult and 2 children) but you want to use those pooled credits for 3 adults and 3 children, management might give you a bit of the stink eye depending on how you try to use the credits, especially if you try to use them by, say, letting the adults use the dining credits and pay for the kids OOP.

All I'm suggesting to the OP is, budget like it's not going to work. As the old Mel Brooks song goes, hope for the best, expect the worst.

 

[nickys]

You're right, the server will just see credits. You (or the OP) will probably not have a problem. But if the restaurant is aware only 3 people are on the dining plan (and it's 1 adult and 2 children) but you want to use those pooled credits for 3 adults and 3 children, management might give you a bit of the stink eye depending on how you try to use the credits, especially if you try to use them by, say, letting the adults use the dining credits and pay for the kids OOP.

All I'm suggesting to the OP is, budget like it's not going to work. As the old Mel Brooks song goes, hope for the best, expect the worst.

People have been using the Deluxe plan like this for some time, and I have yet to see reports from anyone who was not allowed to use the credits this way. It’s a well known procedure, even amongst some TAs who have recommended it to clients.

 

[DrummerAlly]

You're right, the server will just see credits. You (or the OP) will probably not have a problem. But if the restaurant is aware only 3 people are on the dining plan (and it's 1 adult and 2 children) but you want to use those pooled credits for 3 adults and 3 children, management might give you a bit of the stink eye depending on how you try to use the credits, especially if you try to use them by, say, letting the adults use the dining credits and pay for the kids OOP.

All I'm suggesting to the OP is, budget like it's not going to work. As the old Mel Brooks song goes, hope for the best, expect the worst.

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the extra check. I get what you're saying @slappy magoo , I wouldn't attempt it if I wasn't able to handle the possibility that the day before my arrival disney decides that they're going to put their foot down on this loop hole. I get it.

I think we'll almost always be dining together as a group of 6 (3 adults, 2 children and one infant), so it shouldn't be too egregious. I feel guilty for doing this but at the same time it seems within the rules... or at the very least... like Disney just doesn't care about it.

 

[Tom P.]

Let me provide the other perspective that will annoy everyone.

The cost of the deluxe dining plan is significantly less for children than it is for adults. We're not talking about $5 here. For the 2019 regular season, the deluxe plan is $76.26 less for a child than for an adult.

For that significantly less money, the plan comes with the explicit statement that "Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available." Here is, for example, the official deluxe dining plan web site where that is stated:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disney-deluxe-dining-plan/

When you are on the deluxe plan, it is true that there is no difference between table service and quick service credits. It is also true that credits get lumped together into a pool, so a server (or anyone else) cannot really tell what is an "adult" credit or what is a "child" credit. But, none-the-less, it is very clearly stated that children are supposed to order from the children's menu.

What's my point? Well, even though Disney's system has a loophole that will allow you to interchange these credits however you want, the fact remains that if you pay for a child and then use the credits for an adult to eat -- or even if you let the child order from the more expensive adult menu -- then you are violating the terms of the dining plan and, let's be honest, cheating Disney by paying less than you should.

Some people might be fine with that, and I'm not here to argue about value and moral judgments. But I think everyone should at least be aware that's what they're doing so they can make an informed decision as to whether or not to do it.