Child Under 3 on DDP--Questions about Buffets

[lilpooh108]

Our toddler will be 18 months when we go to WDW this December. She has severe allergy issues. It is difficult for adults to share food with her for this reason. I plan on ordering a grilled chicken kids meal from Sanaa daily when we're there, put the chicken & steamed veggies in baggies and letting her munch that for lunch (she eats every 2 - 3 hours, so this will feed her twice).

The prices are pretty expensive--$8.59 for a kid's meal. Because of the prices, I'm thinking of buying her a regular DDP even though she's technically free.

My question is this--we have a few character buffets/dinner buffets planned for the adults (who are on DDP). Will the buffet restaurants charge us for her buffet even though she is under 3 simply because she has a meal plan? Do they bill you per person, then run the DDP card? Or do they run the DDP card and just charge the number of people listed on the card?

Sanaa counts as a TS credit, so I don't want to get to the buffet to find out that she's already used her TS credit for the day.

(We're DVC members so upgrading tickets, etc is not an issue.) Thanks!

 

[Tricia1972]

They will not charge you. I'd mention it when I checked in and maybe even mention it again to the server that she's under 3. Though you'll end up with more child TS meals than adult TS meals that way.

 

[TDC Nala]

Though you'll end up with more child TS meals than adult TS meals that way.

I thought about that Tricia - but I think the OP intends to use all the kid's TS credits to buy a chicken meal at Sanaa every day (she should know that you probably can't do to go orders there though)

 

[Tricia1972]

Missed that part, I thought that they might be eating at Sanaa every day.

Though I'll fully admit, that I was just tacking on my standard TS credits disclaimer.

 

[lilpooh108]

I thought about that Tricia - but I think the OP intends to use all the kid's TS credits to buy a chicken meal at Sanaa every day (she should know that you probably can't do to go orders there though)

Yes, I told DH that he might have to "sit" and wait for it, then get them to pack it up to go (while holding the baby, to prove that he has one).

It won't be that bad I'm guessing...I've read that the views of the Giraffes from Sanaa are great

Thanks for everyone's help! I know this was a weird question . . .

 

[squirrel]

Did you check out the DisAbilities Board? There is some excellent information over there for allergies.

I haven't gone to WDW with a child under 3, but when I took my niece at almost 5 yrs the chef came out and took us through the buffet and told us what was safe to eat. The chef then would make corn or something that she wanted without butter.

I think the chef will come to your table too. I would check over at the DisAbilities Board as there will be someone that has had a child under 3 with allergies and they can tell you more.

There is also an e-mail address for special diets and they will send you a list of Counter Service places that can provide safe food for your daughter to eat. There is also a form that they can send via e-mail for you to fill out all your ADR's, then it will be sent to the chefs at each restaurant to make sure they have some foods she can eat.

 

[lilpooh108]

Did you check out the DisAbilities Board? There is some excellent information over there for allergies.

I haven't gone to WDW with a child under 3, but when I took my niece at almost 5 yrs the chef came out and took us through the buffet and told us what was safe to eat. The chef then would make corn or something that she wanted without butter.

I think the chef will come to your table too. I would check over at the DisAbilities Board as there will be someone that has had a child under 3 with allergies and they can tell you more.

There is also an e-mail address for special diets and they will send you a list of Counter Service places that can provide safe food for your daughter to eat. There is also a form that they can send via e-mail for you to fill out all your ADR's, then it will be sent to the chefs at each restaurant to make sure they have some foods she can eat.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea that there is a list of counter service restaurants w/allergy safe foods---in looking at all the CS menus, I got all stressed out (she can't have any trace of milk or egg, even milk protein on deli meats, etc)...this will help alot and I will definitely check out the other board! Thanks!

 

[7beasley]

Sorry to throw a monkey wrench into you plans....you can't get the DDP for a kid under 3 unless you are also buying them a park ticket which would be crazy since kids under3 can get into the parks for free.

We are taking our daughter in Sept who will be 2 years - 11 months old. She can EAT! We inquired about getting her the DDP because we figured it would save a couple of bucks vs buying her meals OOP but they saidno can do. She can eat off our plates at buffets and we can buy her off the menu too.

So long story short - you can't buy the DDP for an unticketed kid (kid under 3)

 

[TDC Nala]

you can't get the DDP for a kid under 3 unless you are also buying them a park ticket

The OP is on a DVC reservation and does not have to buy any tickets to get a dining plan - but she will have to register the child as 3 years old on the room reservation. This can be an issue with room capacity, but not with tickets.

 

[7beasley]

Wow - really? That is a great perk of DVC then!!! I did not realize that!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Yep - DVC members booking through DVC Member Services, no tickets for dining plan. Annual passholders booking a special ticketless package - no tickets for dining plan. Those who must book a regular package reservation have to consider tickets.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Honestly, if I were stressed about it, I'd call the restaurants ahead of time and just ask about it. However, I've found the restaurants at WDW to be extremely accomodating. I imagine it would not be difficult for them to steam up or grill up some veggies and chicken for you at most TS locations. And really, I'd be surprised if they charged you much, if anything, for it at all. Good luck!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

When we went in 2009 when my son was 2 1/2, I purposely booked almost all buffets for our TS meals, because they always let him have his own plate and eat off the buffet for free! A great perk of Disney for little kids IMO, since it seems like one day he would eat a ton, and then not want to eat at all the next day!

Also, they are GREAT about dealing with special diets! Just let them know ahead of time, and when you check in. The chefs came to the table multiple times to talk to my sister and point out to her what she could and couldn't eat from the buffets!