Do any buffets accommodate for bariatric patients?

[todzwife]

For those who can't eat more than 1/2 c of food but want to do a character meal, is there a better option than the buffets? Or is there a discounted price for bariatric patients?

 

[dcraythorn]

When I was in Disney World, i was told no, that Disney used to, but not anymore.

 

[wilkeliza]

No discount for any buffet or family style meal. There is the Chip and Dale smores and movie at Fort Wilderness for free if you want some character interaction.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Following.

I've heard the answer is no but I'd love for someone to prove me wrong...

 

[wilkeliza]

Following.

I've heard the answer is no but I'd love for someone to prove me wrong...

A few people have reported that managers have given them discounts but that is not the norm.

They even charge for children who are tube fed at most places. It is only a manager who can over ride the charge and most won't do it as the food charge also pays for the entertainment.


Also just realized this is Disneyland so Fort Wilderness won't help.

 

[dashofsunshine]

A few people have reported that managers have given them discounts but that is not the norm.

They even charge for children who are tube fed at most places. It is only a manager who can over ride the charge and most won't do it as the food charge also pays for the entertainment.


Also just realized this is Disneyland so Fort Wilderness won't help.

I figured that's what I've been told. We didn't try last trip because I'd read everywhere that any kind of discount for WLS patients was a no-go across the board with Disney, even with the bariatric cards that some surgeons give out. Oh well!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Reason being is that a character meal is also an experience along with a meal.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Reason being is that a character meal is also an experience along with a meal.

Totally get that! But $50 for an experience and 1/2 cup of food seems steep. Lol. It's sad, I'd be happy to pay what's fair, but my stomach physically holds less than a toddlers.

 

[wilkeliza]

Totally get that! But $50 for an experience and 1/2 cup of food seems steep. Lol. It's sad, I'd be happy to pay what's fair, but my stomach physically holds less than a toddlers.

Part of it is the fact if they do it for one group they have to do it for everyone. It would get tricky if everyone said I don't eat a lot so I shouldn't have to pay the full amount surgery or not. I would dread if Disney went to the "per plate" pricing that some buffets have. Basically Disney prices it so those who can't really eat make up for the people who come in and eat a ton. It is easier to charge everyone the same price then it is to charge everyone based on what they eat.

 

[MillauFr]

Totally get that! But $50 for an experience and 1/2 cup of food seems steep. Lol. It's sad, I'd be happy to pay what's fair, but my stomach physically holds less than a toddlers.

But aren't you paying $5 for the food and $45 for the characters?

 

[dtnrhi]

They even charge for children who are tube fed at most places.

Can confirm.

 

[Geemo]

I book a character meal mainly for the character interaction.

Not really fond of the food at any of the locations.
A couple of my DGS's will eat enough to make it worth the cost. My DGD on the other hand will only have a few pieces of fruit and a waffle and she's done.

I can see why Disney doesn't make exceptions, it could be a nightmare for them.
If they did, I'm sure some people would find a way to abuse it. Just as some did for the old GAC system.
Although I do feel if someone physically has a feeding tube that should be an exception.

A character meal is expensive but you can get time with several all in one place in a short amount of time.

If character meals aren't possible for one reason or another at least you can see the characters elsewhere in the parks.
Of all the characters we have seen, the penguin and Rafiki are the only ones we have never seen roaming the parks.

Geemo

 

[MommyJKM]

Um, it's a CHOICE to get weight loss surgery. Why would Disney accommodate that in their pricing? It's like me saying "I'm not very hungry can I have a discount?"
We have had a character meal at Storyteller Cafe with a friend who has Cerebral Palsy and had a GI tube and they charged us the kids price when I asked. I think a legitimate medical condition they will make concessions.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Lol, oh geez, here we go thank you all for the kind information! I'm sure the OP appreciates it as well

 

[3Gsandme]

It's just going to be easier for Disney to say "You show up, you pay" than arguing with people over who has a legitimate need for a price reduction. Additionally, would you REALLY want the server hoovering over you to make absolutely sure you only ate the .5 c of food you claimed you would? What if you ate .5 c plus a tablespoon. Do they adjust the rate? It's just too difficult.

 

[VandVsmama]

Regardless of how much food one eats at the character meals, overall I would say that the price that you pay is really not worth it if you just look at it from a food perspective. I mean consider this...at Goofy's Kitchen 3 years ago, I paid $20-something dollars for my 4 year old to eat 4 chicken nuggets and a little bit of juice. If I don't want to pay that amount of $$, then I skip the character meal and we see the characters at regular meet & greets inside the parks.

You are paying for the character interaction.

 

[MillauFr]

You are paying for the character interaction.

Exactly. And the character interaction and restaurant theme was excellent when we were at Ohana. Got great pictures of all the characters in a short time. Plus it was a very efficient use of my precious vacation time at Disney since I got to overlap eating with character pictures.