Oddest Dining Question

[LovetheVillians]

We will be at Disney in November and there will be 10 of us dining. Eight adults, one child, and one baby. The best way for everyone to find something they like is buffets. My group is fine with that.

We have various ADR's at O'hana's for dinner, Akershus & Tusker House for breakfast, Crystal Palace for lunch, and the Hoop Dee Doo for dinner.

If we eat buffets at other places, I usually ask the manager and am only charged a child's price for the buffet, for myself. I have had stomach surgery and can only eat 3-5 ounces per meal. LOL, Golden Corral has even let me weigh it and pay per pound.

Most of the time I don't order myself a plate when dining out, I get a spoonful or two off of my husband's plate or my daughter's plate.

Would it be out of line to explain and ask the manager at any of our meals if I would be able to pay a child's price for my meal? It's not a problem if they say no. I just hate paying $40 for 4 bites of food. Yes, I know it is about the experience.

 

[baler31]

Sorry, I do understand what you are saying but other posters have reported even ill children with feeding tubes being required to pay full price. You are paying for the experience and characters as you mentioned.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

It wouldn't hurt to ask with your situation.


Good Luck & have a Magical Vacation

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[magicaldisney]

No one in my family ever eats enough at buffets for the cost. The question is, who determines what is enough to justify the cost? We might say we don't eat enough, but the person sitting next to us might eat even less and say we eat more than enough to justify the cost. If I am on a diet and choose to eat just a few bites of everything than that is what I am choosing to do. As the PP stated, you are paying for the experience and the services provided with that experience.

 

[maxiesmom]

From what I understand Disney will not charge an adult a child's price at a buffet for any reason. Even medical. In fact even if you don't eat at all you will still be charged full price. They have no way to monitor how much or how little any guest eats.

Really, how many of us eat our money's worth at a buffet? While you can always ask, you should plan on paying full price.

 

[shellybaxter]

I haven't been to Disney since I had my surgery but i understand what you mean. I actually do eat out a lot. I always pay full price. I still order an app, an entree and a dessert (I'm lucky I can still tolerate sugar for a few bites) most of the time. I just leave most of the food on the plate. I still enjoy eating - I just eat a lot less. I don't like buffets because they are too tempting. I've heard that Disney does not discount. Unfortunately for you, buffets are best for the rest of your family, because sharing with your husband would probably be your best bet otherwise.

 

[LovetheVillians]

Thanks for the replies everyone. As I said, we know it is about the experience. You never know unless you ask, so thanks for letting me know Disney's stance on this.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Would it be out of line to explain and ask the manager at any of our meals if I would be able to pay a child's price for my meal? It's not a problem if they say no. I just hate paying $40 for 4 bites of food. Yes, I know it is about the experience.

You can certainly ask. There's nothing wrong with asking politely. But as the PP's mentioned, Disney's policy is to charge full price. This is especially true at character meals where it's definitely about the experience and not just the food. You might luck out and find a sympathetic manager. Just don't count on it.

 

[TDC Nala]

They will not allow you to pay a child's price. Especially not at a character meal, where the price covers more than just the food.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Most of the time I don't order myself a plate when dining out, I get a spoonful or two off of my husband's plate or my daughter's plate.....

Even if you only eat a spoonful off your husband's plate or your daughter's plate, you'll pay full price. There is no sharing at buffets.

 

[staceywj]

I'm in the same situation and based upon what I read I do not think Disney would discount it. I also called and the CM told me if I ever ordered from a children's menu I would be charged as an adult. Even though I eat less than my 4 year old...lol.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm in the same situation and based upon what I read I do not think Disney would discount it. I also called and the CM told me if I ever ordered from a children's menu I would be charged as an adult. Even though I eat less than my 4 year old...lol.

As long as you are not eating at a buffet, or a family style restaurant, you can order from the child's menu. Oh, and as long as you are not trying to pay for it with an adult dining credit too.

How many of us book the buffets at WDW intending to eat our money's worth in food? Not many of us, I would guess. So it would be unfair to discount one person because they don't eat their money's worth and not another.