Bariatric Surgery-Dining Options at Disney

[goofyjenny]

Hello, I just recently had bariatric surgery done last winter and I have restrictions on what I can and cannot eat, My Portion size is only 1 cup. This fall I will be going down to spend a week at OKW with my husband. We have always got the dining plan in the past but with the surgery I don't think that is the best choice for me. I understand that if my husband gets the meal plan I have to have the plan as well. I have a medical card saying I can order off kids Menu, but from what I am reading when you are in a adult dining plan you can't order off a kids menu. I would still like to use the dining plan for my husband but is there any suggestions or other options out there on how to make this work with my restrictions?????. (Like turning my meal tickets into snack credits???)

 

[aaarcher86]

Hello, I just recently had bariatric surgery done last winter and I have restrictions on what I can and cannot eat, My Portion size is only 1 cup. This fall I will be going down to spend a week at OKW with my husband. We have always got the dining plan in the past but with the surgery I don't think that is the best choice for me. I understand that if my husband gets the meal plan I have to have the plan as well. I have a medical card saying I can order off kids Menu, but from what I am reading when you are in a adult dining plan you can't order off a kids menu. I would still like to use the dining plan for my husband but is there any suggestions or other options out there on how to make this work with my restrictions?????. (Like turning my meal tickets into snack credits???)

Yes, you'd both need the plan. Honestly, it's just really not a good fit for someone with this surgery.

Even with a medical card you'll be charged the adult price for any buffets or AYCTE places. As far as being on the DDP and ordering off the kids menu - it's hit or miss. I've seen more success with it than not. It would be up to the establishment.

Being able to use a meal credit for snacks is not something your card would grant you either. People have had more success at their resort food court in doing this, but not at the parks. It seems to be getting phased out as well so I definitely wouldn't go in expecting to be able to do so.

I'd strongly suggest going OOP for your trip. Tell your husband to order whatever he wants - if you're sharing a bit or just getting something small you aren't going to spend $60 in food each day for yourself.

 

[sharonabe]

Of course there is one other way to use it.

You both have to get the DDP, but both of you don't have to use it. You could pay OOP for all your meals and use all the credits for your DH. This way you can do some signatures or just more TS meals. You would probably still end up with some extra QS meals, but not necessarily. It would take some extra planning to use all the credits.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you go to buffets or all you can eat family style (any fixed price restaurant) you will be paying the adult price regardless of how much you eat. If you are going to be doing a lot of those, I'd keep the DDP. If you are not, I'd keep the DDP only if you will not use the credits and your husband will use them all (you both do not have to use a dining credit). If you're going to be eating off children's menus at a la carte restaurants and using adult credits to pay, or you are going to trade in all your dining credits on snacks, don't get the DDP if you are paying for it, unless what you really want is the prepayment and the perceived convenience - because you will lose money no matter what your husband orders.

 

[MHSweb79]

You know, it's so hard to break even or get your money's worth on the dining plan even with everyone eating normally. So with someone who can only have 1-cup servings, I feel that you are really going to be throwing money away.

And if you say, "But we got free dining!" then you've paid full price for your room. Free dining is typically offered at the same time that you can get some pretty good room discounts, so the money you save there could pay for your DH's dining out of pocket.

Of course, as the PP said, if you plan on doing a lot of buffets, signatures and/ or character meals, the dining plan may work out for you. But otherwise, you really ought to run the numbers. If you like the idea of having your meals prepaid, I see that a lot of folks here buy Disney gift cards in advance and use those for meals.

Good luck, and congrats on your weight loss!

 

[patsal]

Just pay OOP for yourself and your DH. It really will be more cost effective and not cause you to do anything that could be harmful to your helath. I have had bariatric surgery, a meal plan does not fit this lifestyle. I come from a family of feeders and DH still tries to push food, with a meal plan it would never work but with everyone getting what they want when they want it it saves money and my sanity.

 

[goofyjenny]

Thank you guys for your insight.