Character Dining with noneater ?

[roserae]

I understand that at the character meals everyone pays for a meal. Do they make exceptions for people who will not eat the food? We are going to WDW with a 7 year old with Down Syndrome. He will not eat any food that does not come from home, so his mom will be bringing his meals (hotdog and chips) to any restaurants that we go to. Can we get put on his GAC card that he will not eat the food? That sounds a little strange to me. His mom is a single parent and I am trying to lessen the cost of the trip for her. Her son will LOVE the character meals, so I hate to miss them. Just wondering what, if any, options there are. Thanks.

Stacy

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
I know people have posted about paying an "entertainment fee" (which was less than the whole amount for the meal) for someone who would not be eating. maybe someone with experience with that will post. I think the idea is that even if the person with a disability is not eating, they are still getting some value from the character interaction. I know in our case, we have had servers charge DD the child fee, even though she is older because she ate very little and most of what she ate was from the child's buffet.
I don't think it would be something they would add to a GAC. They kind of try to keep them short so that the CMs can easily find the pertinent information.

 

[sadeeyore]

Hi Stacy
don't know of any different pricing but would be very interested. Have never done a character meal but were thinking of doing one on next visit. My DS7 has autism and doesn't eat out anywhere other than Mcdonalds. He certainly won't want even to try any of the food - he would get really upset if we tried to get him to taste the food.
I think it would be a good idea if they charged a smaller amount for ticket if a child is a true rigid eater.

 

[s&k'smom]

Hi, I know that at the Cape May Cafe buffett (dinner-no charectors) they didn't charge me for DS as he doesn't eat in restaurants. Actually they had charged me and when I explained the situation the CM was great and took it right off. My only guess would be to contact the PS line and speak with the CM. I don't know what they can do but it wouldn't hurt. You may be surprised.

 

[Earstou]

If WDW won't make an exception, you might try the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill at 3 pm. It's $6.99 and has Mickey and friends, so would be less expensive than a meal.
I haven't been to the social, but did have dinner there in June, and we all really enjoyed it! Plus, the restaurant revolves!

 

[leise]

We took my ds aged 4 who has ASD to the Crystal Palace when we went in Jan 2003. It was without doubt the highlight of our holiday. He also was no way going to eat any of the food, in fact he ate nothing but fries for two weeks. We asked the waitress who seated us if there was any chance they could make him a plate of chips (fries) , and they did, no problem. We did pay for him though, but it was worth it to see him bouncing with Tigger, holding his hands and laughing. At the start of the holiday he had been terrified of characters, but we built up his confidence by only taking him to see his favourites, at a distance, and he saw the Pooh crowd through the window of the Crystal Palace and wanted to go in and see them, much to our surprise. So we made a reservation and it was great. I'm sure they must do some sort of cheaper price for non-eaters.

 

[Carrieberry]

Actually I was over looking at the menus on Deb's site and I noticed that at Liberty Tree Tavern at MK it says "$5 entertainment fee for non-eaters". If they do it there, it is possible they do it at all the character meals. I would inquire with WDW dining to find out.