Child with eating issues

[zenjenn]

My niece is coming with us on a Disney trip in November. She is 4 years old but has a lot of physical issues, especially in regards to eating. She must have most of her food pureed and will only eat a few selective items solid due to a hyperactive gag reflex. She basically eats like an infant.

So a couple questions:

- If we book a meal for the rest of us - for example a character meal, do we have to pay full price for her because she's 4, or can we get a non-diner price or something for her since she will not be eating the food served? We'd still like her to enjoy the ambiance of these meals with the rest of the family but it seems ludicrous to pay full price for a meal for someone who does not eat.

- If not, will any of these restaurants accommodate her dietary needs in their kitchen if we call in advance? There's a special soup my stepsister makes for her in a blender. I would think many restaurants might have the ingredients on hand.

Thanks!

 

[hildarumpole]

Contact specialdiets@disneyworld.com. Let them know of your niece's dietary restrictions and requirements. They will email you a form to fill out with your ADRs and dietary info which is forwarded to the chefs at each restaurant. I've heard chefs will puree foods. The restaurants all have blenders, so it shouldn't be a big problem. The only thing to be concerned about is whether they have particular ingredients on hand. Special Diets usually includes chef contact info, so you might want to email or call them a few days before your trip to make sure they know what's required. Character meal restaurants generally charge the regular price, even if someone doesn't eat or eats very little, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I agree about contacting Special Diets. They'll know what can be done. I do know that while the kitchens can puree foods they cook, they cannot puree outside foods that you bring in. Depending on how wide her range is of foods she can eat pureed, there may be things she can eat at a lot of the restaurants anyway (that they would just puree before bring it out).

Character meals tend to charge anyway because Disney counts the fact that the characters there as an "experience" that you're paying for as much as you're paying for your meal. Sometimes an individual server will decide to not charge for a meal if no food has been eaten, however, that's the exception so you should expect to pay the full child price for her.

Also, if you get the DDP, she will have to be on it whether she eats anything in a restaurant or not. (You didn't mention it, but I wanted to bring that up as it's been discussed quite a bit recently) If you do use the DDP, her credits can be used by other people in the group.

 

[zenjenn]

Thanks for the e-mail addy. I'll keep that filed away.

If you do use the DDP, her credits can be used by other people in the group.

Oh! That's good to know! We were considering checking in early to hit on dates that qualify for free dining plans, and if those credits can be used even if she doesn't use them, that would be helpful for the group!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

But if she is the only one in the group under Age 10, her TS credits cannot be used by a person ten or older.

 

[zenjenn]

I think I have it figured out. Two Grand Gatherings and Princess Askerhaus Brunch will use up 6 of her 7 table service credits, all paid-for "experiences", and my sister can decide whether it is worth it to her to have the chef puree her foods in the kitchen or whether she wants to bring the food herself (I ASSUME they have no problem with a PAID child having outside food brought in for medical reasons!)

Her counter service and snacks can be used by the rest of us in the group even though we are booking as 3 separate groups. For example, meal or snack could be ordered at the counter or concession stand and put in front of one of my kids while she eats her pureed veggies.

Thanks all!