3y/o, buffets and eating issues

[crisi]

I find this topic very important. How can Disney think to charge a child of three a buffet price. I had this happen at Ohanas. The waitress did not know my daughter was two. So she charged me 11.00 for three minute pieces of bread and a leaf from my salad. I said even if my daughter was three I would never pay you that kind of money for what she ate. She will be two for many years. Any child under five with a paying adult should be free!!!!This is Disney's way of taking advantage of families!!!! Disney should be in everyones reach not just the wealthy or those of us who have to save for years just to be able to go.

No one can take advantage of you without your permission.

Why should Disney be within everyone's reach? Is this part of the Bill of Rights I wasn't taught in school? What else should be in everyone's reach - 4,000 square foot homes with stainless steel appliances? Two BMWs in every garage? Our society doesn't work like that. We are a capitalist free market and Disney is a for profit business. Or maybe you missed that and you thought you were living in Communist China. (I hear the amusement parks there are really good).

 

[Harmony]

Okay, that's enough.

I originally posted this question 'cause we (me and my son) were having a bad eating day and the WDW buffet thought did cross my mind. I posted 'cause I wanted to see if there were others out there who were in my situation. I'm glad to report that there are others who understand where I'm coming from.

However, in posting...I never wanted someone to get angry or be sarcastic in their respones. (communist china...give me a break) That wasn't what this thread was supposed to be about and shame on those that took it to a lower level.

Today, thank God, has been a good eating day for us and I can, once again, see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I want to thank all those who responded with "real" tips and advice! As for the rest of you...well, honestly...if you were going to be so negative to others, why bother responding?

Oh and just for the record...I'm going to look into the entertainment fee. I think that's pretty fair. After all, my son LOVES the characters!

And if not, we will still go to character meals and yes, I'll still pay full price for a piece of bread if that is what Disney policies say. And yes, I knew all along that I had a choice...I never doubted that a bit. I was posting 'cause I wanted other's advice and opinions...and to find other parents who are in the same boat.

 

[ducklite]

I find this topic very important. How can Disney think to charge a child of three a buffet price. I had this happen at Ohanas. The waitress did not know my daughter was two. So she charged me 11.00 for three minute pieces of bread and a leaf from my salad. I said even if my daughter was three I would never pay you that kind of money for what she ate. She will be two for many years. Any child under five with a paying adult should be free!!!!This is Disney's way of taking advantage of families!!!! Disney should be in everyones reach not just the wealthy or those of us who have to save for years just to be able to go.

Some children under five eat like the world is ending. Others barely eat. But that's jsut the way it is, and teaching your children to learn by your example might backfire on you in the future.

And as a stockholder, your reasoning is appalling. Disney is NOT a charity. It's a corporation that must make a profit for it's investors. They give away a LOT of tickets to various charities, and I have no problem with this. What I do have a problem with is "making it affordable for everyone", because it's simply not possible or realistic. It's just the way it goes.

I'm blessed that through a lot of hard work, including years of working two jobs, and putting my husband through graduate school we now have a comfortable life. We also moved four+ hours away from our families in order to find better jobs. It can be done, but many people aren't willing to work that hard to get a better life, and frankly, that's just their problem.

Anne

 

[SandrainNC]

Today, thank God, has been a good eating day for us and I can, once again, see the light at the end of the tunnel.

That is great Harmony!!!


Sandra

 

[Harmony]

Thanks Sandra! It always feels so great to have a good eating day! LOL

 

[janets]

one of whom has not met a meal that he didn't like, the other the exact opposite.

While I wish my older son could be a bit more restrained in what he consumes, I find my little guy more of a challenge. Some days he eats. Some days he doesn't. I am truly thankful that this is not from any sensory or oral issues (Harmony, my MIL has a friend whose grandson suffers from oral issues and I hear third hand how hard this is on his parents) but I know the frustration of wondering how he can stay alive when he doesn't eat enough for a bird.

He is still under 3 so our recent trip found me in the driver's seat regarding food. At the buffets we went to, he did not cost me (and he only ate "well" at one of them). At the regular menu restaurants, where most people might have their child eat off their plate, mine will not stand for that. While he may not eat, he wants his own meal. So I paid the children's meal price for him to eat 2 or 3 bites. Did I resent it? No more or less than if we had been at home at TGIFriday's or the local diner. I'm used to it by now. I try to get away with sharing with him; I'm not always successful.

However, the look on his face when he saw the characters at LTT, or did the hula hoop contest at O'Hana's, pretty much was worth the price.

Harmony, I wish you continued success with your son's health issues. As you said, a year is a lifetime and I hope that when you next go to WDW, you find that he's doing so much better you'll wonder what you were worried about. And I would suggest giving a call to see what other options you have at the character meals. I believe WDW is one of the most wonderful places to take special needs kids. They truly believe in making each child's experience the best it can be. The chefs are wonderful about discussing food ingredients and preparation, they will make items for special order, the CMs are willing to do many things to help you give your child the best experience at each park. You'll never know unless you inquire. Try guest relations and see what they have to say.

Wishing you continued good luck and success for ds.

 

[ratfam]

Harmony, as someone who has been there, I just wanted to tell you to hang in there and remain optimistic, you might be pleasantly surprised by how much progress you can make in a year. My ds, now 7, has had two lengthy courses of therapy (PT and OT, including focus on sensory issues to deal with his sensory integration disorder) and I can tell you that although he isn't necessarily a hearty eater today he does just fine and accepts a decent variety of textures and tastes. The progress was particularly dramatic between the ages of 2 and 4, when we were able to get the retching much better under control and get him to open up more, hopefully you will reach a point where you start to make faster progress. We first visited Disney when he was two and were worried about the fact that he only ate the same five or so things the whole time we were there, our pediatrician reinforced that the few days weren't going to hurt him. Bring a backup stash of things that you know he will accept (hopefully there is something!) as an insurance policy. Good luck!

 

[Harmony]

ratfam...

Thank you so much for your post! Amazingly, I did receive many PM's from other parents who offered encouragement and that felt so great! I'll get those PM's out and read them during the difficult eating days. lol

Our pulmo does say that he sees these sort of eating issues get better by the age of 3 so we are really hoping to see huge improvements in the next year.

There are still days when I "argue" with him over food but since we've been back, I can see a difference in his approach to eating. (maybe it was the Disney magic after all ) I hesitate to say this for fear of jinxing myself but I think it's getting better. *knock on wood* lol

I know it's only been a few days but I did notice that he is being 'more open' to different things. Usually, I present every type of food to him...even though I know he won't eat it, I do allow him to play with it. (yes, it's messy) Lately, more and more of the foods have been reaching his mouth. Don't get me wrong, he won't sit there and eat a full meal but at least he is being more open to different foods and that's a huge thing!

Yes we also did the whole gag/throwing up thing! Ugh, so frustrating. He still gags every now and then but he doesn't throw up as often so we are very glad about that! lol

Anyway...just wanted to say thanks for responding and it truly does help to know that other parents have been through it and gotten out of it okay!

 

[crisi]

Harmony, one of my girlfriends goes through this with her nephew (who she is a second mother to). He is a little older and his eating issues have affected growth and development. They started to put nutrition powders into the few things he will eat (he will drink milk, so it goes in there - just a little bit so not to change taste or texture. He'll eat spaghetti sauce, so it goes in there.

 

[Harmony]

My son is followed by an OT, nutritionist, soon a speech therapist 'cause we want to make sure he stays 'on target'...(which he has, thank God! ). And of course his pedi.

I have asked about the powder, Duocal. Our pedi did prescribe it but cautioned me against using too much of it 'cause he doesn't want my son to be overweight. I had to laugh at that one 'cause I seriously doubt that's going to be a problem! lol

Since my son's growing and gaining is on target, they haven't pushed for the powder. I was the one that brought it up to them and they all say that it wouldn't hurt but if I choose not to use it, then it will be fine too.

It's actually waiting for me at Walgreens and I'm wondering if I should use it or not. I heard that there aren't any side-effects. How does your friend's nephew do on it? (as far as side effects go)

I also read that it dissolves in water and doesn't change the taste of drink or food so you can pretty much use it in anything. And since my son likes to drink water (yeah, go figure, the one drink w/o tons of calories...lol) I'm thinking that I'll just use it cautiously and put it in his water every now and then.

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure if that is what he is using or not. They feel better about it....and he does seem to be gaining weight. For him, it really was a matter of not getting adequate nutrition, his list of foods he would eat was almost nothing and what he will eat he doesn't eat much of.

I don't know if his issues are sensory, or if they are about control - not my business, so I haven't asked too much. I sort of suspect that in his case, its the second issue - my girlfriend is sane, but the rest of the family is pretty dysfunctional and I think this is just his way of control.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I find this topic very important. How can Disney think to charge a child of three a buffet price. I had this happen at Ohanas. The waitress did not know my daughter was two. So she charged me 11.00 for three minute pieces of bread and a leaf from my salad. I said even if my daughter was three I would never pay you that kind of money for what she ate. She will be two for many years. Any child under five with a paying adult should be free!!!!This is Disney's way of taking advantage of families!!!! Disney should be in everyones reach not just the wealthy or those of us who have to save for years just to be able to go.

TnK, That's the problem with buffets. It's the same way at any buffet restaurant in the country. Everyone (within an age group) pays the same price, whether they eat six heaping plates of food or just a small salad. They are a bargain for big eaters, and a rip-off for small eaters.

I've looked at Ohana's menu. I know I'm not going to eat anywhere near $25 worth of food there. Neither will dh, nor will dd7 eat $11 worth. But you know what? We're going to eat there anyway. We'll probably buy a few overpriced T-shirts, stuffed animals and glowsticks during our trip, too. It's DisneyWorld, everything is expensive. It's the price you pay for the magic, and the convenience. If you think it's too expensive, an alternative to lying about your child's age (which is stealing BTW) is to eat offsite, or have groceries delivered and bring picnic meals to the parks. A lot of people do it that way, and they think that those of us who would pay $25 for an adults meal are the "wealthy" ones.

Harmony, I don't have any words of wisdom for you, but I'm glad to hear your son had a good eating day this week. While neither of my kids have oral issues, my 2yo does seem to live on milk alone. It gets frustrating paying $4.99 for a kids meal for her at Red Robin and have her leave it untouched. I can imagine the feeling will be multiplied if/when she's still eating like this once she has to pay for meals at DW. If I were you, I might try to stick to non-buffet meals where your son can eat just a bit off your plate without being charged, or where you can order him just a side of something he likes, or even a kids meal (most of which seem to be far less than $11). Bringing your own food and/or paying the entertainment fee only are good ideas, too. Good luck to you.

 

[Brina]

IDisney should be in everyones reach not just the wealthy or those of us who have to save for years just to be able to go.

Disney is a for-profit corporation, not a charity. They either charge what they do, or they cut expenses. To cut expenses, you cut services. Shareholders in the corporation would be very upset if Disney stopped making money.