dinning plan and gastric band

[rmdo92]

I know you can use a GAC (or asks) somy wife can order off the childens menu.

but if we are using the dinning plan does she have to have an adult dinning plan?

 

[bookwormde]

Everyone in the room has to have the same dining plan and I have never heard of allowing an adult to have a child's plan (not to mention the food choices are very limited). IF you and your wife have similar tastes WDW is very good about "plate sharinig" (except it does not work at show and buffets). I would suggest just doing a room only reservation (or QSDP), DDP does not save very much anymore.

bookwormde

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, anybody can order from a children's menu; there is no age restriction.

However, if you are on DDP and an adult orders from the children's menu you will still be charged an adult credit.

Disney does not have any problem with people sharing a meal at any Menu Service location.

At a buffet (or other all you can eat) location when paying out of pocket there have been many reports of people with gastric banding (or similar) only being charged a child's price. Basically this is something that may be done by the server or a manager.

But purchase price of DDP is based only on age.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The GAC has no part in this. GACs are used for accomodations in parks. They are not used in restaurants.

As the others have said, anybody can order off the kids menu without having to give a reason. I will say though that she'll likely get very tired of this as the offerings are not that great and with her goals with the band surgery, not really the best options. She can order appetizers or sides or share meals with you. This is totally aside from the DDP though.

At fixed price restaurants (buffets, character meals, shows), I would go in expecting to have to pay full adult price. The only reports I've read of people being charged less are people who basically don't eat anything at all and even then it's hit or miss since it's up to the discression of the manager.

The DDP is not for everybody. My family likes it a lot but we can't share meals easily (different people have different food allergies and special dietary needs) and some of our meals would have an up charge because of the nature of the meals (certain allergy foods cost more) but on the DDP they're just a single credit. It works well for us. For somebody who prefers appetizers or kids meals or can share meals regularly and won't want dessert (all of which it sounds like would be your wife's situation) I would advise against the DDP.

If you do still want the DDP, you can make it really work for you if you think about it. She can order an appetizer or side which you pay for OOP. Use 1 credit to pay for your meal and she can sample your dessert (I'm assuming she won't want a full one of her own with her diet goals and inability to eat much). This basically doubles your number of meals. For lunches, she can easily eat with a snack credit (thinks like egg rolls or fruit can be purchased with snack credits; take a look at the confirmed snack list on the DDP board) while you order a full lunch for yourself.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the other posters. To summarize:

1) GACs are used for attractions and are not used for restaurants.

2) At counter service restaurants, anyone can order from the children's menu. The options are often limited though. My MIL and my mom have ordered off the children's menu quite often.
(There are links to the menus from wdwinfo.com and from allearsnet.com in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread). You can also share meals. I often do that with DD; my MIL and FIL usually did that too.

3) At buffets and character meals, you will likely be paying the adult charge no matter how little you eat.

3) At full service restaurants where you order off the menu, you can order anything you want - including just eating a salad or appetizers.

4) The DDP is not a good 'bargain' for everyone and many people with special diet needs like yours have decided it didn't make economic sense for them.
Or you can possibly make the DDP work for you the way that clanmcculloch gave examples.