Does my 11 yr old DD have to pay adult prices at buffets?

[TDC Nala]

I love "eat like a bird" - birds apparently eat a few times their weight in food every day - they need the energy to fly. Not sure where that came from but it's certainly widely used.

La Cellier, TS in China, Spoodles, Park Fare and Coral Reef.

Of these, only Park Fare is a buffet. I think families with light-eating children should not count on being able to bring outside food into a buffet for the kid without being charged.

 

[jcwishes]

We wiil be paying for our oldest dd as an adult for the first time this trip. She does not eat much but she does like quality food so the TS meals will be worth it.

For what it's worth we have never been asked about a child's age. We have 2 children who are very petite and one who is taller. We have always had the dining plan.

I'm not saying that anyone should lie about their child's age, clearly that is wrong. I just see posts on the boards about children being asked their ages and it has never happened to us.

Also, WDW is very good to children with Autism as they should be. They are also very accomodating to people with food allergies.

 

[lor]

Well we arn't going to do the dining plan, and I think we will just do table service instead of buffets, and that way our daughter can order what ever she wants, off the adult menu or the kids menu,from what I have read should not be a problem.

Lauren

 

[TroyE]

Surprising, but it seems like a great budgeting tip.

That really surprises me - in a good way. I'm amazed that worked out for you.

 

[Tricia1972]

Surprising, but it seems like a great budgeting tip.

It's a great tip if they let you do it, but it could be a nasty surprise for someone counting on it who isn't allowed to do it.

We had a poster a while back who wanted to bring food from Sunshine Seasons up to Garden Grill. Nothing on the adult menu appealed to him at Garden Grill. He called the restaurant directly and was flat out told NO that he couldn't do that. If he dined there he'd have to pay.

If anyone anticipates trying this for a budgeting tip, please call the restaurant directly before doing this to inquire about policy. I'd hate for someone to have a disappointing evening because they purchased alternate food and then had a confrontation at the restaurant.

 

[twotoohappy]

We've done the character meals
at the Swan. They give you a choice
of either the buffet or you can buy
a plated meal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We have the same problem, a tiny teen vegetarian and an 11 year old that eats like a bird.

Cause even though DD is 14 she eats like a bird.

When I took my then 12 year old niece a couple of years ago, we did the dining plan and did the character meals but it killed me because she ate like a bird.

Well, phooey! TDC Nala beat me to it! But, since I was ready to respond... the typical bird eats half its weight every day. We're pretty sure those people mentioned, who eat like birds, actually don't

 

[TDC Nala]

Well, phooey! TDC Nala beat me to it! But, since I was ready to respond... the typical bird eats half its weight every day. We're pretty sure those people mentioned, who eat like birds, actually don't

Only half its weight?

 

[bkfree]

.
One other buffet , but I cannot remember which .

And actually there were a few from trip one that my Mom brain doesn't remember which one.

I do think that his special needs did play into it, which is a great concession that Disney makes.

I also did not ask up front or make it obvious in anyway.
I kept his food in our backpack,then when seated and the CM came to take our order or drink orders for the buffet, I told then that he was autistic and because of his dietary SID, I had brought his food. They were fine with it done this way. I think because we were discreet was also in our favor.

I again, am happy we are past that. But I never aquate the quantity my children eat at a buffet with price. It will be a long time before that evens out and I don't think I ever eat the equivilant to the cost of my adult price either. But, one thing the buffet does do , is it allows my kids to try out lots new things and this has lead to new things they will eat. The buffet is one of the few places that allows them to do this to their hearts content and not have to be worried about being stuck with a choice. So I do not mind paying the amount even if they truly eat a small amount in the end.