Gastric Surgery buffet exceptions

[grinnellgirl]

Does anyone know if Disney has any exceptions on buffet pricing? DH had gastric sleeve surgery therefore can only eat a very small meal. It seems crazy to pay an adult price when he can't physically eat an adult portion. Some restaurants in general will accommodate gastric patients by allowing them to order off of the children's menu. Does anyone have any experience with this? We have not made reservations for any dining that does not offer a la cart but am curious if we are missing out. TIA!

 

[Faldred]

No. There's no way they can control this. You're going for the character experience (for most buffets) and the food is an included incidental.

You absolutely should be able to order off the kid's menu at ala carte restaurants, though.

(And I say this as someone who's getting his own sleeve operation in less than 2 weeks.)

 

[kniquy]

I don't believe they provide any exceptions. From what i have heard your best bet is to do a breakfast so it would cost less. Other option is to not choose buffets so that he can order just a small amount of food.

 

[supersnoop]

Anyone can order and eat off of the kids menu. Buffets are fixed price based on age, period. You’re usually paying for the experience since most include characters.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Yes, priced according to age not consumption. If you pick or gorge does not matter. One price per age

If you do attend, consider it an entertainment fee

 

[grinnellgirl]

No. There's no way they can control this. You're going for the character experience (for most buffets) and the food is an included incidental.

You absolutely should be able to order off the kid's menu at ala carte restaurants, though.

(And I say this as someone who's getting his own sleeve operation in less than 2 weeks.)

i see your point and i was thinking through that as well, which is why we have stayed away (and our kids aren't into characters anymore so was thinking something more like Tusker House, which I have heard is very good.)

Good luck with your surgery!! It has been very beneficial for him!

 

[grinnellgirl]

I don't believe they provide any exceptions. From what i have heard your best bet is to do a breakfast so it would cost less. Other option is to not choose buffets so that he can order just a small amount of food.

Thank you - that was my understanding but i thought it wouldn't hurt to ask!

 

[grinnellgirl]

Anyone can order and eat off of the kids menu. Buffets are fixed price based on age, period. You’re usually paying for the experience since most include characters.

Thank you - figured as much but doesn't hurt to ask. Less concern about characters but i want to try Tucker House but it's so not worth the cost with him barely eating!

 

[grinnellgirl]

Yes, priced according to age not consumption. If you pick or gorge does not matter. One price per age

If you do attend, consider it an entertainment fee

Agree - entertainment fee is the best way to look at it! Thanks!

 

[StarGirl11]

Hey fellow sleever here. I had surgery three years ago and I've honestly never tried to get an exception at a buffet, any buffet not just Disney. I've come to except that its a flat rate thing and I still enjoy them even if I'm not eating maybe to the price.

 

[RangerPooh]

I was sleeved 2.5 years ago and only once did I ever ask for a reduced price at a Disney buffet. While I did receive it, I most likely wouldn't ask again. We rarely eat at buffets because the food quality isn't there. Instead I share either share with someone or order an appetizer. No one has ever made an issue of my sharing. There have been times where one of my daughters has ordered a kids meal for me and I an adult meal for her. Again, no issues. We are planning to eat at a few buffets during our upcoming trip but I intend to pay full price. I'll eat a small mount as I know my limit, and I'll enjoy the character interaction which is really what I'm paying for.

PS- if you go back a few pages you'll see this question raised regarding Crystal Palace.

 

[Karebear]

My son who is 13 eats little..a McDonalds happy meal fills him up. I hate paying adult prices for him but my kids love TH. I got a late breakfast reservation and paid the breakfast price. However, they changed to lunch while we were there and so we got that too. Maybe try it that way!

 

[olliesmom]

Thank you - figured as much but doesn't hurt to ask. Less concern about characters but i want to try Tucker House but it's so not worth the cost with him barely eating!

If you want to try similar food without the buffet cost, Sanaa is a bit different but still amazing! We actually preferred it over Tusker House and it's pretty reasonably priced for Disney.

 

[heather13]

We went six months after my mother's surgery last trip. And agree with posters - we couldn't get a discount at the buffet but no problem at all ordering off the kid's menu for all other restaurants. Most of the time my mother and I just shared something. So many meals are huge and it was just easier that way. A few times we even shared with my 4yo (now 9). We found that it was totally acceptable to share.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

No. There's no way they can control this

I don't believe they provide any exceptions.

1) As mentioned above, both of these statements are correct.
2) No exception for Gastric Surgery (ring or other).
3) ANYONE could claim the surgery, and get the little card saying so.
4) How could Disney monitor lots of people as to how much they loaded onto a plate or how many trips to the buffet they took.
5) Taking the word of a guest and trusting their honesty is not usually such a good thing.
6) Besides, as mentioned, you are paying for the characters, not the food - food at character meals is not what one could claim as "Good Eats". (Sorry Alton for the pun.)

NOTE:
Only managers can make a change to price exceptions.
The only exceptions I have seen for pricing have been made by managers for kids with feeding tubes.
They usually do not even alter pricing for kids who are "picky eaters, whether by choice or due to medicial issues (such as autism).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

1) As mentioned above, both of these statements are correct.
2) No exception for Gastric Surgery (ring or other).
3) ANYONE could claim the surgery, and get the little card saying so.
4) How could Disney monitor lots of people as to how much they loaded onto a plate or how many trips to the buffet they took.
5) Taking the word of a guest and trusting their honesty is not usually such a good thing.
6) Besides, as mentioned, you are paying for the characters, not the food - food at character meals is not what one could claim as "Good Eats". (Sorry Alton for the pun.)

NOTE:
Only managers can make a change to price exceptions.
The only exceptions I have seen for pricing have been made by managers for kids with feeding tubes.
They usually do not even alter pricing for kids who are "picky eaters, whether by choice or due to medicial issues (such as autism).

how are you doing now? any updates? seems like you are on more again

 

[TheRustyScupper]

how are you doing now? any updates? seems like you are on more again

1) Yep, I on DIZ more, again.
2) I am ambulatory, and frequently out of my wheelchair. *
3) Thanks for inquiring.

* The broken ankle is healed. The two broken discs cannot have corrective surgery. But, I am walking (usually up to 50-feet at one stretch). The only glitch, is that I use so much Oxycontin, that a buddy of mine bought me a PEZ dispenser. (And, they say zoned-put Zombies are only on Cable TV and in the Movies.)

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that it never hurts to ask. My DDIL has GBP years ago and her appetite is very small. WE do choose buffet and Character meals but we go in knowing that she is just going to nibble. Its fine with us because we know that for her, she is eating her fill, just as the rest of us do. Her amount is less than average, my son in law has more! LOL! It evens out I guess. We do share at many TS restaurants though. The portions are large enough in many places to accomodate two, and the chef will often plate the meals in the kitchen for us. I offer this suggestion as an alternative to ordering off of the kids menu.

1) Yep, I on DIZ more, again.
2) I am ambulatory, and frequently out of my wheelchair. *
3) Thanks for inquiring.

* The broken ankle is healed. The two broken discs cannot have corrective surgery. But, I am walking (usually up to 50-feet at one stretch). The only glitch, is that I use so much Oxycontin, that a buddy of mine bought me a PEZ dispenser. (And, they say zoned-put Zombies are only on Cable TV and in the Movies.)

I am glad to see you too!

 

[Hopefully]

1) Yep, I on DIZ more, again.
2) I am ambulatory, and frequently out of my wheelchair. *
3) Thanks for inquiring.

* The broken ankle is healed. The two broken discs cannot have corrective surgery. But, I am walking (usually up to 50-feet at one stretch). The only glitch, is that I use so much Oxycontin, that a buddy of mine bought me a PEZ dispenser. (And, they say zoned-put Zombies are only on Cable TV and in the Movies.)

I too am glad to see you Rusty.
I have degenerative arthritis in my back. I understand back pain. I hope there is something to help you continue to heal.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Another shout-out to Rusty and a hope that he continues to heal.

OP, frankly, I think that your husband should do something else while the rest of the family eats at buffets. I'm going home today from a trip where one family member who doesn't eat much did exactly that.

If someone's appetite--for any reason at all--isn't large enough to make a buffet price worthwhile, they should just skip it. With Disney transportation and everyone having cell phones, it's easy to meet up afterwards.