DDP and 'special needs' when it comes to eating

[goofieslonglostsis]

Just me being curious about others experiences when it comes to DDP and any healthproblems related to eating. I know all about what can be done when it comes to allergies, been reading multiple "do not eat at all..."-threads over the years, but wondering about a bit different subject.

As far as I know, I don't have any foodallergies. I don't do well on dairy products (mostly 'full' ones, for instance can handle a cookie eventhough there is some milk in it, but can not handle a glass of milk itself), but been familiar with that so much I know how to go about with it. Am being tested for lactointolerance next week, but let's assume that will come back negative.

My problems with eating are that I have too many moments of not eating, eating way too little etc. It's getting the medical attention it needs, might very well end up with a feeding tube, but for our WDW trip I'll have to deal with the status quo so to say.

We've got the DDP thrown in for free as part of our combined %-of-resort package, otherwise wouldn't have booked it with my current problems. I have no problems with ordering something when feeling like it and being able to eat and maybe eating a bite or 5 of it and being done. I'm not one of those "must get the ultimate worth out of my points"-folks, I guess.

If I end up using half of our credits that way, it'll be a little miracle. So I was poundering if any leeway perhaps is possible. I know the standard answer is 'no', and am fine with that. It's great if it turns into a 'yes' but not throwing a tantrum if it doesn't. What if I feel like eating something that is on the appetizers list instead of an entree and dessert? I've found my body has it a bit easier on keeping the nutrition down if it's something I crave, rather than something I don't crave. If I explain the cause behind it, is there any chance some restaurants might be OK with doing this exchange on the DDP? I know in practice a lot -if not all- will be depending on the CM's on duty and I will have to see as we go along. I will not let a 'no' stand in my way, I'ld rather have to pay for something I can keep down than eat something for free I might not, ehm, do well on.

Long story short; I'm curious as to others experiences with this.

Last trip already was dealing with this problem but milder. We were OOP then and at CRT only ordered an appetizer. Didn't even explain, just said I'ld feel like skipping entree. Was very much surprised the CM decided to bring me an appetizer twice as large as the original and told me to enjoy.

 

[Schmeck]

We just got back using the free dining QS plan. I found the CMs to be pretty rigid, mainly because the computers are set to expect certain things to be entered in order for it to work properly. There is a way to over-ride the process, but it takes a knowledgeable CM, and certain available things on the touchscreen. There are also thousands of people down there on free dining, and it seemed very overwhelming to most guests.

My advice would be to find a CM that has a lot of experience at the register - and stick with that CM as much as possible. Of course, that means eating at fewer places at each park, but even if you can find that one special CM at your resort, that can help a lot!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Thanks Schmeck! I'm honestly not concearned about CS actually. That'll offer more than enough choices and it's easy to go to another CS at the park we're at or go to DTD when at the resort (staying at SSR) if I feel like something specific. So many options, something will be avail on the DDP somewhere.

It's more the TS I'm thinking about. Want to do those as much as possible -also to give my mom the option, if I don't go, she won't- and as we all know those are hardly walk-up at the free dining times. Tried to book as much of those to my quirks as possible, but I never know what day I have until it hits me at that minute. For those the buffets are the easiest, but we've also got quite a few regular TS planned.

One of the strategies I used for this trip is to book 2 TS on a couple of days, giving me the option of seeing on the day itself what food I'm in the mood for and if I can make lunch or dinner. Not the nicest way when thinking about taking up more ADR's, so I'm set on cancelling as soon as we know what can be cancelled but also would like to give me a tad bit playing room.

 

[crisi]

The DDP is fairly rigid. You have the option of not buying it and eating off the menu, paying as you go, but once you buy the plan, you are pretty stuck with it as its laid out. You might find a CM who can sub an appitizer for an entree, but I wouldn't count on that being the case.

I'm gluten intolerant myself, so I understand the whole "ugh, don't want to eat much today" thing. We don't get the DDP because it doesn't permit the flexibility we want.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I don;t know your money situation so this might not be best for you, but you could order an appitizer and pay OOP and then save you TS credit for another person in your group or for yourself later. I'm not sure if your traveling with someone, but lets say 2 of you go to lunch and you don;t feel like eating much, you could pay OOP for an app and the otehr person use a credit. Later on if your partner wants dinner at a TS and your not hungery still, they can use your credit and get dinner and you could get anotehr app. I know of a person who had gastic bypass and thats what her and husband do and it works for them. Like I said it might not be what you are wanting to do, but I just thought I'd put it out there.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I don;t know your money situation so this might not be best for you, but you could order an appitizer and pay OOP and then save you TS credit for another person in your group or for yourself later. I'm not sure if your traveling with someone, but lets say 2 of you go to lunch and you don;t feel like eating much, you could pay OOP for an app and the otehr person use a credit. Later on if your partner wants dinner at a TS and your not hungery still, they can use your credit and get dinner and you could get anotehr app. I know of a person who had gastic bypass and thats what her and husband do and it works for them. Like I said it might not be what you are wanting to do, but I just thought I'd put it out there.

Money is not something I'll let decide what I eat. I'm happy enough to eat, if it costs $, so be it. Eating trumps anything else.

Saving credits will not be a 'good' thing for us. We'll have 21 of each credit for both of us, so basically 42 times all. For mom that is way too much. For me back in the days of eating like nuts that 21 were already way too much. Can you imagine how much would be left if we went into this thinking about needing to safe. Think we can feed a whole family for a week during their WDW-trip. We'll have more than enough credits left for our 'normal' way of eating, add multiple extra because I will have days of no eating and the need to safe is not there. It's nice to take an extra snack or so home , but I'm pretty sure we'll have enough snackcredits for that.

We never would've booked the DDP, it's too much for us and thus not worth it. But hey, we got it thrown in for 'free' with the bargain price for SSR. Compared the price for a 2BR with 2 rooms at a mod and when I found it was hardly any $ difference it was a no brainer. Apart from anything I'll order OOP (and would've done so anyway) whatever we will be eating will be cheaper this way than paying for that same food OOP. Combine that with a lot more room, a full kitchen, washer/dryer and jacuzzi and we were sold. And got smacked with the DDP.

Really do appreciate you posting it though, might be a great way to go for some others!

 

[peemagg]

Probably if you make it clear to the Cm that you want the appetizer to be your entre' there won't be an issue.

 

[MariDisney]

Wondering if there may be a better promotion going on (% off room only maybe) that would be a better deal for you than the free dining plan. I have no idea if this is the case, but it might be worthwhile to have a look.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Mari, there are no better deals out there. I'm Dutch. Let's dust off that old prejudice of the Dutch being cheap; I am when it comes to saving $$$ and using them as spending money.

We're booked under the UK offer consisting a very steep discount on SSR and OKW plus free dining thrown in. The price mentioned for those 2 mod rooms when doing my comparing was for those rooms after the 40% discount I had a PIN for. Not even renting DCV points will come close to the bargain we booked.



Peemag; any experience with that? As said; I'm going in each and every time expecting a no. If it's a yes, it's great. If not; that's OK also.

 

[dclfun]

Well, we have asked, numerous times, if a member of our party could have an app vs. the entree and were told "no" each time. There is NO flexibility at all with the DDP regardless of special needs. Even those on tube feeding who don't eat anything by mouth must pay, unless they are left off the ressie until they arrive. What you might want to do is book some of the signature, 2- TS credit meals. This way if you only want an appy and pay for it OOP, you aren't losing a credit that your Mom will never use. I'm with you- we've never looked at the DDP as "eat as much as you can, eat the most expensive things at the most expensive places" either. I don't know what kind of food you tend to do best with, but I'd recommend Artist Point or Citricos for something really fresh and light.---Kathy

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Well, we have asked, numerous times, if a member of our party could have an app vs. the entree and were told "no" each time. There is NO flexibility at all with the DDP regardless of special needs. Even those on tube feeding who don't eat anything by mouth must pay, unless they are left off the ressie until they arrive. What you might want to do is book some of the signature, 2- TS credit meals. This way if you only want an appy and pay for it OOP, you aren't losing a credit that your Mom will never use. I'm with you- we've never looked at the DDP as "eat as much as you can, eat the most expensive things at the most expensive places" either. I don't know what kind of food you tend to do best with, but I'd recommend Artist Point or Citricos for something really fresh and light.---Kathy

Already expected this experience, so it's no surprise at all. Actually have been thinking about perhaps changing to a couple of signatures. Could be nice for mom (would hate to miss Flying Fish myself though on that account) and no way she would normally do them. Also learned on the restaurant board ADR's for them are a bit easier to come by with flexibility. We'll see.

What I do best with; who knows? Nobody really seems to at this moment. I know to stay away from the biggest dairy products (which I've found means a lot of saying 'no cheese, please' at WDW) but other than that it can change daily or even hourly. I have many salt craving moments, but that should be no prob. at all. I'm very used to no salt or lo salt and thus find things (too) salty easily when eating out so that will come in handy. One day veggies will work great another day and that same veggie and my body are having a good old war. Tend to do best with foods that don't have much fat/grease in them but at other moments crave them and do perfect with them. It'll basically be a 'see what today brings, and go with that flow'-thing.


Oh well, can't complain. At least it's finally getting the medical attention needed and it will be dealt with accordingly. I'm going to WDW, will be in an overflow of food options, am about a neighbour of Goofies candystore, what more could I want?

 

[clanmcculloch]

You might find that you're better off booking extra TS meals and sharing with your mom instead of getting a meal for yourself. Also, try using some credits for "experiences" such as dinner shows (HDDR, SoA) so you feel like you're getting more than just food for those credits. At all you can eat restaurants, you'll use a credit regardless of what you eat so don't even think about how much or how little you eat or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Put a note on your ADRs regarding your food issues. I've found that if a chef comes out to discuss our needs that whatever they make for us is considered the entree for the DDP.

 

[dclfun]

I forgot to mention Flying Fish- it's also a 2 TS location and has really "good" food. Perhaps you could describe what you want and ask for it, even if it's not on the menu. We were once at FF and the large family next to us had some folks that weren't really happy with the options. They were given choices from ESPN also, including chicken strips for their child that was not on the FF menu. I'm not sure,but I'd think perhaps you could also get something from Cat Cora's restaurant too or Big River Grille as those places are near on the BW. I know when we dined at Ohana's with my son who is on a renal diet the chef got him a filet which was on the menu at Kona and fixed it in a way that he could have it, so I'm thinking that restaurants under one roof or in the same general location can "share" if necessary.---Kathy

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Appreciate you thinking along, Kathy.

Actually sounds pretty logical that those restaurants with multiple 'around' them will have more leeway to accomodate a need. Silly I never thought about that one. Also remembered our dates also overlap the Food&Wine festival, which will allow me to use snack credits for small bites so I can really tune a meal if need be or wanted.

Had a look round on the signature menus, knowing they can change daily. When checking them out, I found many of them having a wider range of products and types of nutrition on them than some of the regular TS we've got lined up. That in and of itself will also give me more room to play with.

Which resulted in me making a couple of ADR's for signature restaurants, including the by you mentioned Flying Fish. I'm a real fish kinda girl, having it pumped in from day 1 (living in fishing community, family of fishermen and fishtraders, my daycare being coming along to dads work and eating all the fish I'ld have my hart set on as a 2 year old ). Fish also hits more right days with me, so a wide range of fish options will be a real . By now I'm actually excited to try out a couple of signatures whereas before it was more like worried about what I'ld be not eating, the regular old battle.

And really need to remember to be more 'vocal'. Tend to think way to much in the line of "don't want to be a bother, it's not like I've got allergies I can not tend to myself" and need to start realising it's OK to speak up if I do have a bad day and see what perhaps could be done.

 

[robinb]

And really need to remember to be more 'vocal'. Tend to think way to much in the line of "don't want to be a bother, it's not like I've got allergies I can not tend to myself" and need to start realising it's OK to speak up if I do have a bad day and see what perhaps could be done.

Yup. My DD is a vegetarian who doesn't like vegetables and the various chefs worked with us on our last trip without hesitation. If the server gives you problems just ask for the chef to make adjustments to the meals for you.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Yup. My DD is a vegetarian who doesn't like vegetables

Now, that IS an interesting combo! Is she "just" a vegetarian or also pescatarian? Sounds like you get some interesting cooking going on at home.

 

[robinb]

Now, that IS an interesting combo! Is she "just" a vegetarian or also pescatarian? Sounds like you get some interesting cooking going on at home.

Nope ... no fish except Lox. I call her a "carbitarian" because she eats a lot of carbs. She also eats tofu, eggs, PB & beans so she gets her protein in.

My point was that the chefs were willing to work with my DD's preferences so they should be able to work with yours too. For instance instead of asking for an appetizer as your entree you can ask for an entree sized appetizer. You don't really care how much something costs since it's covered on the DDP and you don't seem to care if you leave food behind. You are working within the rules of the DDP but also with what works for you and your body.

What about buffets? Is there enough variety that you usually find something to eat on one?