Assistance with buffets?

[BravePrincessMerida]

Hi guys,

I’ve come back from my September trip (first time renting an ECV - lifesaver!) and am planning my next trip to Disney World. Trouble is, I’ll be going with my sister-in-law, also in a wheelchair, and I’m scared of doing an ADR for a buffet because I don’t know how we’ll manage. Will cast members help us walk around the buffet and carry our plates? It’s her first time and I’d love to take her to Tusker House.

TIA!

 

[Staren]

In my experience they will help if asked, but I don’t think this is something that CMs are trained to offer. I would also keep in mind that the average CM will not have training or experience doing this if they are willing so you will likely need to guide them on how to help you. Personally, I generally find this kind of assistance more trouble than it’s worth and it’s easier just to manage my own plate. I have a fair bit of practice at this though.

 

[BravePrincessMerida]

Thanks for the insight. I don’t have any experience, unfortunately, as hubby is usually my runner. My mouth is stronger than my legs so as long as they’ll help if asked and I need to direct them, I’ll be good.

 

[mamabunny]

You may get lucky, and find a CM who will help, but don't count on it; you both need to be prepared to take care of yourselves entirely, and consider any help offered by a CM as "pixie dust".

You may both want to consider taking along a lap tray, or even a piece of foam core about the size of a cafeteria tray to hold your food while you move through the line.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for asking this question-I always wondered about this also. Since almost all my trips are solo, and I can't manage myself, I guess buffets are out for me.

 

[Staren]

It’s a judgment call for me. The easiest buffet I did was Crystal Palace. Probably followed by 1900 Park Fair. The most difficult was Cape May. The actual buffet is kind of tight there. Tusker House is well set up, but a bit of a haul back to the table. I haven’t done the others yet.

The way I tend to manage it is to slide my plate along the front of the buffet, then put it in my lap when heading back to the table. The only time I was offered help and accepted was at Pacos Bills. That was because of how busy it was and how far back you have to reach at the toppings bar.

 

[Evita_W]

Actually I know several CMs, the official rule is they are SUPPOSED to OFFER help to those who are disabled at all food locations, counter and table service when necessary and that definitely includes carrying plates through the buffet and back to your table. You should NEVER have to request assistance if the CMs are doing their job properly. Sadly some are not trained properly or don't think it is that big of a deal, so you may have to ask, but the assistance should not be considered pixie dust as it is a reasonable accommodation request.

But also keep in mind if you have ANY food allergies, the buffets are now supposed to bring you an allergy menu, then your server asks what you want and a plate is prepared in the kitchen and brought to you. Not all buffets follow this rule with allergies, but they are supposed to and you should be able to ask them to do so.

 

[Staren]

In my experience an actual offer of help is pretty rare. And I travel solo in an obviously personal manual ultralight wheelchair, what most people without experience would think of as a permanent wheelchair. If a CM isn’t offering assistance to me, they probably aren’t offering it to anyone.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's probably not a matter of lack of training, but that it's not productive to assign one (or more, because it's possible to have multiple wheelchair guests at one time) CM/s on duty solely to assist these guests.

 

[mamabunny]

Actually I know several CMs, the official rule is they are SUPPOSED to OFFER help to those who are disabled at all food locations, counter and table service when necessary and that definitely includes carrying plates through the buffet and back to your table. You should NEVER have to request assistance if the CMs are doing their job properly. Sadly some are not trained properly or don't think it is that big of a deal, so you may have to ask, but the assistance should not be considered pixie dust as it is a reasonable accommodation request.

But also keep in mind if you have ANY food allergies, the buffets are now supposed to bring you an allergy menu, then your server asks what you want and a plate is prepared in the kitchen and brought to you. Not all buffets follow this rule with allergies, but they are supposed to and you should be able to ask them to do so.

I don't doubt for a moment that the CMs you know are correct - but I also know that my experiences match @Staren's much more closely than what you describe. Just like we hear conflicting reports of how much assistance some Guests get when they are getting in and out of ride vehicles; I have never personally gotten that kind of assistance, or seen it being given to anyone else. I *have* however, seen CMs stand and watch someone obviously struggle with entering and/or exiting a ride vehicle, and never move to help in any way. I have been told *both* that CMs are supposed to help, and offer a "helping hand" when it appears the Guest needs it, and I have also been told that CMs are trained to not touch a Guest unless it's a clear medical/life threatening emergency. So... you do the math LOL because it makes my head hurt!

I never want to be the person who set the expectation of a certain level of service at WDW, and then have another Guest feel like their trip was "ruined" because they didn't get the exact same treatment that I got; that's why I'm always going to err on the conservative side when advising a Guest such as the OP.

 

[Lilsia]

I don't doubt for a moment that the CMs you know are correct - but I also know that my experiences match @Staren's much more closely than what you describe. Just like we hear conflicting reports of how much assistance some Guests get when they are getting in and out of ride vehicles; I have never personally gotten that kind of assistance, or seen it being given to anyone else. I *have* however, seen CMs stand and watch someone obviously struggle with entering and/or exiting a ride vehicle, and never move to help in any way. I have been told *both* that CMs are supposed to help, and offer a "helping hand" when it appears the Guest needs it, and I have also been told that CMs are trained to not touch a Guest unless it's a clear medical/life threatening emergency. So... you do the math LOL because it makes my head hurt!

I never want to be the person who set the expectation of a certain level of service at WDW, and then have another Guest feel like their trip was "ruined" because they didn't get the exact same treatment that I got; that's why I'm always going to err on the conservative side when advising a Guest such as the OP.

I can see why cast members don't rush in to help someone in and out of a ride. With how people are now with making a fuss and suing over nothing, you have to wonder if some of these are set ups to get the cast member to touch them "inappropriately" to have a lawsuit. Some people just don't care if they ruin someone's life with their lies. But helping someone carry their tray is a different matter. I can't imagine that a cast member wouldn't do that for anyone that asked.

 

[kaytieeldr]

for anyone that asked.

I think this is key. CMs will help if asked, but likely don't want to risk offending anyone by offering help - as if the guest can't do ____ themselves.