DDP for a special needs child?

[GLewis3366]

My family of 5 is going to Disney in February and are weighing if the DDP is right for us. Our daughter, 9, has a very limited diet and to be honest, getting the DDP wouldn't be worth it for her. Can we pay OOP for her when we do find something she can have? Or do we have to get the dining plan for every member of the party? Also, does anyone know if the restaurants will purée an item off the menu?

Thanks, Gwen

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I sent you a PM.

 

[GLewis3366]

You have a good idea but it may be a headache as far as the reservations and fastpasses we already have set. I'm wondering if they would let us book her as a child (she will actually be 10 by then) which would save a lot of the cost for us.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

DDP is an all or nothing. Everybody is on it or no one is on it. They will charge her full adult price even if she's not eating. (Even if she had a feeding tube and didn't eat anything, she'd have to be on the plan.) You can buy a la carte for her and someone else can use her credits, but that could be a bit more complicated and may not be worth it. I can guess the method that was PMed to you, but it definitely is also more complicated (and I do wonder if they are going to start cracking down on it). One thing that WDW usually does well is dealing with special or limited diets. If you pick TS reservations at a place where there are foods that are similar to something she eats, they should be able to modify menu items to fit her diet. CS is less flexible, but may be able to do minor modifications for some items. They just have fewer ingredients to work with and more things premade. (Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT is the CS where I've heard the best reports about being able to get foods modified.)

Personally, I've never found the DDP worth the cost and would only even consider it if I happened to be on a trip during a time they offered free DDP. I've heard from so many people that they didn't use all of their credits and missed the flexibility that a la carte brings (i.e. the dessert part of a TS meal credit can only be used for dessert).

Table service should be able to purée anything that is on their menu (or a modification of what's on their menu). They cannot purée food brought in by a guest. I would not generally expect CS places to be able to purée, but I've never travelled with anyone who needed foods puréed so may be wrong.

 

[bookwormde]

First DDP is not a good value anymore so I would not worry about it.

I have a child with a very limited diet also, so we would use it for character dining or just to work on public dining skills and tolerance.

Sooner or later someone is going to challenge WDW on the all or nothing when it comes to disabilities, on the basis that if they force group purchase then they must accommodate all nutritional needs, and WDW is not prepared to do that since it wanders into the medical arena.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Sooner or later someone is going to challenge WDW on the all or nothing when it comes to disabilities, on the basis that if they force group purchase then they must accommodate all nutritional needs, and WDW is not prepared to do that since it wanders into the medical arena.

yeah but that opens up a whole 'nother can of worms. people claiming they need exemptions for non medical reasons like when your perfectly normal 3 year old is on his 'I will only eat Peanut butter and jelly three meals a day' phases. or the adult who is 'picky'. or the family that would rather have an appetizer than desert.

We normally don't use the DP, but are getting it this next trip because in all honesty I just want the convenience. not being able to get an appetizer is fine by us. Might gain less weight that way. plus I will be abel to hit a few TS places we never tried before as we won't be worrying about exploding the credit card.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sooner or later someone is going to challenge WDW on the all or nothing when it comes to disabilities, on the basis that if they force group purchase then they must accommodate all nutritional needs, and WDW is not prepared to do that since it wanders into the medical arena.
__________________

I think any challenge would be shot down, group given that no Dining Plan purchase (or promotion) is required to stay on site.

 

[aaarcher86]

I think any challenge would be shot down, group given that no Dining Plan purchase (or promotion) is required to stay on site.

This entirely. There is no basis for the challenge.

 

[bookwormde]

This entirely. There is no basis for the challenge.

I do a lot of work in this area, and yes there is a basis, albeit not the most direct one, but any time you make someone with a disability purchase something to make a group eligible, it adds to the requirement to accommodate, otherwise the individual is excluded from the ability to participate with the group. Say a child who needs food pureed, due to an ADA covered disability, would be excluded from the value of the accommodation unless the commercial venture was willing to meet that need.

 

[disney david]

I do a lot of work in this area, and yes there is a basis, albeit not the most direct one, but any time you make someone with a disability purchase something to make a group eligible, it adds to the requirement to accommodate, otherwise the individual is excluded from the ability to participate with the group. Say a child who needs food pureed, due to an ADA covered disability, would be excluded from the value of the accommodation unless the commercial venture was willing to meet that need.

You so realize the Disney dining plan is basically a way to pre pay for your food. And your still be able to talk to the chef have food puréed and if you have allergies they will still work with you. So not sure why you think guest with disabilities should challenge it.

If you have a tube feed kid and want to Go to let's say chef Mickey ddp or not thy still getting charged for the meal as their entertainment.


So they make all guest buy the ddp for all their family or none not just guest with disabilities.


Isn't that equal treatment

 

[alizesmom]

You so realize the Disney dining plan is basically a way to pre pay for your food. And your still be able to talk to the chef have food puréed and if you have allergies they will still work with you. So not sure why you think guest with disabilities should challenge it. If you have a tube feed kid and want to Go to let's say chef Mickey ddp or not thy still getting charged for the meal as their entertainment. So they make all guest buy the ddp for all their family or none not just guest with disabilities. Isn't that equal treatment

It's not equal treatment at TS where no entertainment is offered. If WDW wants to offer my children's formulas I would accept that. Then I wouldn't have to cart it with me from home.

 

[Gracie09]

It's not equal treatment at TS where no entertainment is offered. If WDW wants to offer my children's formulas I would accept that. Then I wouldn't have to cart it with me from home.

I'm hard pressed to think of a table service meal where there are characters or entertainment but it's not family style or buffet. If its a restaurant where you order off the menu you can pay out of pocket for what your child eats or he or she doesn't eat. And then use the credit for a meal for someone else later on. They also provide alternate meals for those that have allergies or other eating issues. They will purée food off their menu but health and safety regulations don't allow them to purée food you bring in.
I have carted food and medical equipment for child and others it's part of the job of mom.

 

[disney david]

It's not equal treatment at TS where no entertainment is offered. If WDW wants to offer my children's formulas I would accept that. Then I wouldn't have to cart it with me from home.

.


Sorry it not Disney response ability to provide formula to you or your kid they only have to offer you what they serve to every other guest and if they can make changes then they will. It up to the restaurant manager Wheatear to charge or not for the kid it just with places that have entertainment they most of the time charge you. So their nothing wrong Disney doing they have a legal right to make money and offer the DDP The way they see fit just like other places do.

 

[rigs32]

Aren't there some TS places that are better equipped to meet special needs? I wouldn't think ALL places would have to be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions.

 

[aaarcher86]

I do a lot of work in this area, and yes there is a basis, albeit not the most direct one, but any time you make someone with a disability purchase something to make a group eligible, it adds to the requirement to accommodate, otherwise the individual is excluded from the ability to participate with the group. Say a child who needs food pureed, due to an ADA covered disability, would be excluded from the value of the accommodation unless the commercial venture was willing to meet that need.

The DDP isn't an accommodation. It's not needed or required. Having the DDP or not has no direct influence on the actual issue - the need for some kind of special food. There is zero discrimination in having a requirement for everyone for something that's entirely optional.

ADA requires equal access/accommodation to put things on the same level as a non disabled person. Not having the dining plan doesn't disqualify or force someone to order and receive food any differently at any establishment on property. Someone might want the DDP.... But if they don't like the restrictions they don't have to get it. Non disabled guests are held to the same standards.

 

[disney david]

The DDP isn't an accommodation. It's not needed or required. Having the DDP or not has no direct influence on the actual issue - the need for some kind of special food. There is zero discrimination in having a requirement for everyone for something that's entirely optional. ADA requires equal access/accommodation to put things on the same level as a non disabled person. Not having the dining plan doesn't disqualify or force someone to order and receive food any differently at any establishment on property. Someone might want the DDP.... But if they don't like the restrictions they don't have to get it. Non disabled guests are held to the same standards.

Thank you for the better explanation

 

[smidgy]

great explanation. so if someone, for example, was on a gluten free diet, they could explore the options, and then decide if purchasing the DDP was worth it for them..

I assume the same would hold true forvegetarians and vegans.

you are always free to purchase the meals out of pocket. you are not forced to purchase a dining plan that includes meals you can't eat.

 

[bookwormde]

The DDP isn't an accommodation. It's not needed or required. Having the DDP or not has no direct influence on the actual issue - the need for some kind of special food. There is zero discrimination in having a requirement for everyone for something that's entirely optional.

ADA requires equal access/accommodation to put things on the same level as a non disabled person. Not having the dining plan doesn't disqualify or force someone to order and receive food any differently at any establishment on property. Someone might want the DDP.... But if they don't like the restrictions they don't have to get it. Non disabled guests are held to the same standards.

First, yes there is some precedent that eating establishments must make reasonable accommodations to meet the dietary needs of individuals with disabilities related to those disabilities, when it is not part of a "package" there is quite a bit of latitude on it though since it is not practical for many smaller establishments to address the broad array of needs. Once it is wrapped up in an all inclusive package it is viewed more strictly say on an American flagged cruise line, otherwise it would have the effect of denying the broader accommodation. This all changed in 2009 when ADA included many disabilities related to the digestive system into disabilities in the law.

Yes it is not about proving "better" food, but the same level of food that the person can consume, so with a disability you are not going to get 4 star dining in a 2 star restaurant as part of the accommodation. Restaurants make a choice as to what they include on a menu based on demand of the majority, that is why the minority (with disabilities) have some protections albeit they are often very limited.

All I can tell you is to call your regional OCR office and read what I have outlined and you will find out that it is because it is required as part of a group "accommodation" that it becomes an issue. You do not have to use WDW just ask generically.

It takes years of experience to understand the intricacies of this area of law, and even then there are gray areas, and this is one of them that could be challenged.

It is funny in the OP's situation, that WDW's strongest defense is the DDP adds no value over al a cart, so they could argue that they should be held to the less strict standard (the group will not be incentivized to exclude the person with a disabilities from their plans which is likely the discriminatory impact that a judge would in the end rule on)

 

[bookwormde]

great explanation. so if someone, for example, was on a gluten free diet, they could explore the options, and then decide if purchasing the DDP was worth it for them..

I assume the same would hold true forvegetarians and vegans.

you are always free to purchase the meals out of pocket. you are not forced to purchase a dining plan that includes meals you can't eat.

Just a note, "choices" such as vegetarianism, are not covered by ADA only needs based on disabilities as defined by ADA.

Many might consider not offering these choices discriminatory, but there is no law that defines it as such.

 

[aaarcher86]

First, yes there is some precedent that eating establishments must make reasonable accommodations to meet the dietary needs of individuals with disabilities related to those disabilities, when it is not part of a "package" there is quite a bit of latitude on it though since it is not practical for many smaller establishments to address the broad array of needs. Once it is wrapped up in an all inclusive package it is viewed more strictly say on an American flagged cruise line, otherwise it would have the effect of denying the broader accommodation. This all changed in 2009 when ADA included many disabilities related to the digestive system into disabilities in the law. Yes it is not about proving "better" food, but the same level of food that the person can consume, so with a disability you are not going to get 4 star dining in a 2 star restaurant as part of the accommodation. Restaurants make a choice as to what they include on a menu based on demand of the majority, that is why the minority (with disabilities) have some protections albeit they are often very limited. All I can tell you is to call your regional OCR office and read what I have outlined and you will find out that it is because it is required as part of a group "accommodation" that it becomes an issue. You do not have to use WDW just ask generically. It takes years of experience to understand the intricacies of this area of law, and even then there are gray areas, and this is one of them that could be challenged. It is funny in the OP's situation, that WDW's strongest defense is the DDP adds no value over al a cart, so they could argue that they should be held to the less strict standard (the group will not be incentivized to exclude the person with a disabilities from their plans which is likely the discriminatory impact that a judge would in the end rule on)

The only thing we are disagreeing on is that the DDP is an accommodation. It's not. It's an optional add on. It's the same as the PH option on tickets. It's not an accommodation and it needs to be added for everyone, even people with disabilities that may not allow them to utilize it.

The ADA protections and accommodations apply to the establishment - the restaurant. The DDP being optional is why legally there is. toning that a court of law will or can do about it. There are zero restaurants that require someone to pay using the DDP and accept nothing else.