Hi Kerri!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Thank you for sending in this question. When you have a
Disney Dining Plan, you will be allocated your total amount of credits at check-in (if you use online check-in, this will be from 7.00am on your arrival day) and you may use your credits in any way you choose, maybe using more on one day and less on another. This means that if you want to be flexible in how you use your credits, you can! For example, if you want to pay out of pocket for your 10-year-old, while the rest of your party uses dining credits, you can do so! Just advise your server how you wish to split the payment, between using cash and using your dining plan.
The restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort are very accommodating, and want everyone to have an enjoyable dining experience, so if your child wishes to choose from the Kids' Menu they will usually be happy to allow this. The only exception would be if you wanted to use a Disney Dining Plan for everyone, your 10-year-old would be required to choose from the adult menu. However, it is always worth discussing any special requirements with your server.
You can keep a check on your dining plan credit balance on your
My Disney Experience app, or by asking your server at any restaurant, and you can continue using your dining plan until midnight on your day of departure. If you find you still have some Table-Service and/or Quick-Service entitlements left at the end of your stay, I would suggest visiting your Quick-Service location, or retail location within your Disney Resort hotel and ask if they will convert each credit to 3 Snack credits. You could pick up a few items for your journey home, or to take home as gifts! Unfortunately, there is currently not a precise list of locations where you can convert dining credits to snacks, but it's always worth asking as it is down to the discretion of each individual facility.
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions. We will be happy to help you plan your magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, and keep your eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for all the latest official news and updates on any events that may be happening during your stay.
Sue