Dining and WLS

[my3squeals]

I am very hesitant to post this here, but it was suggested on the dining thread that I ask here although I don't consider this a disability. Please don't flame if I have posted this in the wrong place..... I had gastric bypass last year and I like others eat very small portions. There seems to be conflicting reports about being able to pay the child's price at buffett and family style meals while at WDW. I do have a card from my doctor stating I have had the surgery that I could show the CM. Does anyone know if this is the case? Especially most recently?? Also, if so, does it need to be noted onthe the ADR's ahead of time or any certain etiquette on this subject? Most threads I had searched regarding this were a couple of years old.

TIA

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have read things on and off here about that always seem to have conflicting information. This is a recent thread that I saw -- and while it really has to do with the Dining Plan specifically, there is some other information in there that may be helpful to you as to how some of the places handle this situation.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2374275

ETA: Not sure what search terms you used, but try searching on the Disney Restaurant Boards with "Lap Band" -- I was able to find some thread that seem to be more recent.

 

[my3squeals]

I have read things on and off here about that always seem to have conflicting information. This is a recent thread that I saw -- and while it really has to do with the Dining Plan specifically, there is some other information in there that may be helpful to you as to how some of the places handle this situation.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2374275

ETA: Not sure what search terms you used, but try searching on the Disney Restaurant Boards with "Lap Band" -- I was able to find some thread that seem to be more recent.

Thanks, I have tried both searches for Lapband and had also come across the thread above, but nothing seemed very accurate or recent. Most of it was very piecey and based on experiences dated 2008 or prior. Alot can change in the world of disney in 2 years!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Yep! There were some posts from the end of 2009, but I think that the overall consensus is that there is really no way to know! And what one person experienced may be completely different for someone else an hour later!

It does seem that you can order off of the Children's Menu in a non buffet/all you can eat restaurant. Of course, having seen the the children's menus with my kids I am not sure you would want to! They seem to be carb heavy and without much variety. A few restaurants do have some good choices.

And it seems that you should expect to pay full price at the buffets or all you can eat, but at least ask the server and/or manager if they would be able to charge the child price, and have your card ready to show. The worst that will happen is they will say no.

I am not sure that you need to mention this with the ADR-- unless you think that the restaurant will need to do anything special with regards to the food, like I read one thread where they asked for a dessert substitution ahead of time at an all you can eat since the one choice they had wouldn't work with a band. If you think you can just order what is on the menu with basic changes to cooking method or sauces, or an appetizer, or share with a family member then you probably don't need to tell them ahead of time. But if you are calling to make your ADR's you can just mention it to the CM and see what they say.

Heck, I am just a pain in the rear orderer and always am asking for things left off, things put on the side, substitutions etc... You will probably be easier to please than I am!

Hopefully someone that has done this recently will come by and give you more specific answers. Congratulations on your loss and lifestyle changes

 

[SueM in MN]

You are very welcome to post this question here and, in fact, are not the first to ask.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty much as lovetoscrap wrote - kind of inconsistent.
Some people showed their card from the doctor and were able to be charged a child’s price. Others were allowed to order from the children’s menu and pay the child’s price that way.
For buffets and all you can eat situations, be prepared to pay full price. You can show your server the card and see if they will give you a discount.
I think one of the problems on the boards is that people have asked a lot of questions ahead of time, but not that many have posted their actual experiences after their trips.
WDW will not give you a discount ahead of time because there are (sadly ) people who will lie about things to get a discount. That doesn’t mean they won’t give a discount after you are there -it’s just that it is easier to give a discount at the time you are being charged than promise one ahead of time.

 

[snorris49]

I have heard what many of the others have posted. A lot of inconsistencies. It seems like it depends on the case and a lot of other factors.

I know I have Crohn's and I cannot eat that large of portions. One of the great things about WDW is that if you eat in a lot of table service restaurants, they do have reasonable portion sizes. I don't necessarily eat at a lot of buffets either. And I had good luck with getting to go boxes if I didn't finish my food and wanted to take it back to the hotel room. I just simply explained my situation, and it seemed to work out ok. I also tried to eat some counter service and order kid's portions or share them with other family members. That seems to work out well. I also brought snacks that I could eat that were small portioned.

Hope that helps. Good luck, and you'll have to let everyone know how your experience is.

 

[my3squeals]

I will most definitely post back my experiences although we aren't going until September. Obviously if it is the coveted Free Dining, then it is a no brainer.....It really doesn't matter. We have always had the DDP in the past even if we paid OOP for it, but this year, not sure it is the best plan for us. Especially if knowing that at a buffett meal I would only be charged the childs price. I contemplated calling, but then again that really guarantees nothing, and even if told one thing by phone, I know Disney well enough to know if can mean absolutely nothing by the time you arrive. It's alot to think about and the best thing to do is price it out and see which way is the best. I know TS restuarants with menus it will not be an issue because DD and I can most easily share. You are right about CS meals though, children's choices are pitiful at WDW. There is no way I eat $42 worth of food in a day LOL probably not in 3 days. And I know with Buffetts we are paying more for the character interaction and experience than for the food. It just seems like such a waste. Thanks everyone! This is the first time I have ventured over to this board.

 

[clanmcculloch]

What I've read recommended is rather than ordering a child's meal is to order something a la carte at CS locations (it's not on the menu as an option but it is definitely possible and you're charged less than for the full meal) and at TS locations to order an appetizer or side dish rather than a meal. If you're on a dining plan then splitting meals is a great option. The only places that I haven't read of good options is at all you can eat places or flat priced places (CRT, HDDR, etc). The reason that most if not all times you'll have to pay full adult price at these locations is that you're paying for the experience as much if not more than the food. Some groups who have a person who can't eat anything by mouth have reported that they weren't charged for that person though even that's hit or miss. While it's smart to ask if anything can be done about the price, I would go expecting to have to pay full price. While we know that you are honest, there are plenty of people who would lie to get a discount and then eat normal amounts. Servers simply can't police this sort of thing. You may find the occasional manager or server who will discount your meal but if you don't think you'll be comfortable paying full price then I wouldn't make the ADR in the first place because you may end up upset. If you're using the DDP then it just makes sense to use the credits that are intended as yours.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Hopefully you will be able to get Free Dining in Sept ( I really hope so because I plan to go then if they have Free Dining!).

But one thing to think about with paying for the Dining Plan is that you could use your credits to go to some Signature Restaurants, Dinner Shows or some extra TS meals (where you will probably find better Child Menu or App options for you). You can pay OOP for you and then let your TS credits be used for those extra meals, and you can use your CS credits for everyone to be able to have a full breakfast each day, and use the snack credits for something smaller for you.

Just something else to consider. And keep your fingers crossed for Free Dining!

 

[my3squeals]

Hopefully you will be able to get Free Dining in Sept ( I really hope so because I plan to go then if they have Free Dining!).

But one thing to think about with paying for the Dining Plan is that you could use your credits to go to some Signature Restaurants, Dinner Shows or some extra TS meals (where you will probably find better Child Menu or App options for you). You can pay OOP for you and then let your TS credits be used for those extra meals, and you can use your CS credits for everyone to be able to have a full breakfast each day, and use the snack credits for something smaller for you.

Just something else to consider. And keep your fingers crossed for Free Dining!

This is most likely the route we will take. Going ahead with the DDP and if I get to pay OOP once there for a child's meal then all the better, if not then I am covered. If we end up with "extra" credits that's just one more TS meal for the all of us!