ADR/DDP/Dietary restriction questions

[Dragonfly_34]

We are going to WDW in October so I'm starting to plan our ADRs since our 180 days will be later this month. My mom is going to meet us at there for a few days but will be staying in a separate room and will not be purchasing the dining plan. I was planning on including her in the headcount for the ADRs but didn't know if I could do that since our DDP is linked to our reservation. Does it matter that we’ll be on the DDP and she will be paying separately? If I can include her, do we just let the waitstaff know at the beginning of the meal that we are on the DDP and she's not? Also, she has congestive heart failure and needs to avoid salt as much as possible. Should I indicate that when I make the ADRs or should we mention it to the waitstaff at the restaurant? Will that be treated as a food allergy/dietary restriction? How will that be handled at a buffet? Would they be able to fix her something separately? If for some reason my mom’s plans change and she’s unable to make the trip (she’s in her late 70’s and has two separate heart conditions), would I need to call back in and revise my ADRs or leave it as the same number? Without her, we are a family of five and we’d still need a table that would fit 6 people, so I don’t think it would change anything but didn’t know what the protocol was.

Thanks in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

Does it matter that we’ll be on the DDP and she will be paying separately?[ If I can include her, do we just let the waitstaff know at the beginning of the meal that we are on the DDP and she's not?

I don't think it matters whether she's on the DDP or not when you're making ADRs (except perhaps at the pre-pay places if you were thinking of using DDP credits to pre-pay). I would make sure to include her in your ADRs. Yes, when server comes by, make sure to let him/her know who is on the DDP and who is not.

Also, she has congestive heart failure and needs to avoid salt as much as possible. Should I indicate that when I make the ADRs or should we mention it to the waitstaff at the restaurant? Will that be treated as a food allergy/dietary restriction? How will that be handled at a buffet? Would they be able to fix her something separately?

I think for this one you might have to call the special dietary request department (SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com or (407) 824-5967). There was no "low salt" option on the set of choices when you make an ADR online (milk, corn, peanuts, fish, shellfish, egg, wheat(gluten), soy, tree nut, and other). It might fit in other "other", but that's pretty vague. Even if you've already noted it on your ADR, I would still mention it to your server and the host/ess at check-in. They'll have a chef come out talk with you about which items she should not eat and how they can help accommodate her. I don't know how low salt diets are handled opposed to allergies, so I don't know the specifics of what they'll do.

If for some reason my mom’s plans change and she’s unable to make the trip (she’s in her late 70’s and has two separate heart conditions), would I need to call back in and revise my ADRs or leave it as the same number? Without her, we are a family of five and we’d still need a table that would fit 6 people, so I don’t think it would change anything but didn't know what the protocol was.

I don't know about parties of 5, but some restaurants do have tables for odd numbered parties. So just because a party of 5 is typically seated at a table for 6, doesn't mean that is always the case. If you know she is not going to join you, you can try to change the ADR's party size. However, as long as some of you show up for the ADR, you won't be charged the no show penalty for those that do not show up. The big caveat, is I don't know how the pre-paid places (like CRT) work if someone doesn't show up...you might be charged for them regardless.