GT fed Kids and Disney

[stich1fan]

Hello All,

I have a GT fed child who just turned 3 years old. We are DVC members and travel to Disney alot. I called guest services and was told as long as I had a note from my childs doctor she would not have to pay for dining, since she does not eat orally. They removed her from our disney ressie so my husband and I could get the dining plan and we were told to add her once we arrived at the hotel.

I called disney dining to make some reservations and was told we would have to pay for her at all buffets. Another person at the hotel told us we could charge her meal to the room and see the hotel concierge desk and they might refund us.

All of the different responces frustrated me and I was told there was no policy for this type of disability. So I called Disney Guest Communications Dept and told them I want to speak with someone about creating a policy that would be across the board and make gt kids a dining exception. They understood and told me a file is being created and someone will call me.

So I am asking all GT parents or friends of a gt child/adult to email Disney Guest Communications Dept and second this request.

Their email address is:
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[dclfun]

This issue has come up here in the past. The usual recommendation is to do just what you did- remove the tube-fed guest from the ressie before adding the DDP, and then add them at the resort. What worries me about this is using DME as each guest has to be listed to take the transportation. Since I haven't had this personal issue, I'm not sure how it is addressed. There is no reason your child should be charged at a buffet if she is not eating. The only time there IS a charge is for a dinner show, where an "entertainment" fee is charged for the show itself, but not for the meal.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I think this is a good idea since it does come up often.

I don't know what the legality of requiring a doctor's note would be, but there are situations where people do need to provide proof for something that would actually be an item of 'value' that others would want - such as a discount on tickets provided for the National Park System.
I think this would be a situation where proof would be needed - it's not hard to find posts where parents of small children are complaining about having to pay for their non-disabled 3 - 5 year old who eats very little. Without proof, I do think many people would claim a need and those who actually need the assistance would have a hard time getting it.

 

[jmartinez1895]

At the character buffets people have posted that hey have been told that they charge is for the entertainment factor, but to me that does not seem fair because they pay the same price not a reduce rate to compensate for the lack of food.

 

[SueM in MN]

At the character buffets people have posted that hey have been told that they charge is for the entertainment factor, but to me that does not seem fair because they pay the same price not a reduce rate to compensate for the lack of food.

There has been an inconsistency, because some people were charged the entire charge with a person who is tube fed/can not eat. Others were charged a lesser amount, as an entertainment fee.

 

[Tracyee]

I sent an email. We are in the same situation with a 12 year profoundly disabled son. I have no problem with paying for my 3 year old who doesn't eat much or even for me (gastric bypass surgery) but for him to not consume one bite, it makes it tough since we are a family of 5.

Hopefully they will establish some sort of standard policy - an entertainment fee is fine by me for the character interaction/shows.

 

[lakohls]

I just sent an email as well. Seriously disabled DS13 that is now 100% g-tub fed and we have a trip planned for Nov 2011. Last trip he was still able to eat a little (puddings/yogurts) and we our younger son was only 18 mths at the time so between them they ate enough to make DDP worth it.

Unfortunately this trip it is not the case.

So if an arrangement is not made for DS13, it seems that we will not get DDP to throw away $312 worth of meals that we can't possibly consume between the rest of us (myself, DH, DD10, DD8, & DS3).

I am contemplating getting the AP & TIW instead, but that may end up at a breakeven point that way as well.

Any updates or thoughts?

ps - I just love all the different little !

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do just want to point out that a dining plan isn't right for everyone. This isn't necessarily a medical or disability issue - it comes up on the Dining Plan subforum frequently.

Many people find that using the menus here on the DIS and other unofficial sites and prepaying for gift cards to use for food, instead of adding any dining plan, makes more financial sense. Then you're NOT paying for food someone in your party can't or won't eat.

 

[SueM in MN]

I do just want to point out that a dining plan isn't right for everyone. This isn't necessarily a medical or disability issue - it comes up on the Dining Plan subforum frequently.

Many people find that using the menus here on the DIS and other unofficial sites and prepaying for gift cards to use for food, instead of adding any dining plan, makes more financial sense. Then you're NOT paying for food someone in your party can't or won't eat.

I totally agree with that. We have never done the Dining Plan because it would make no economic sense for us.
Even if we just look at my DH and I and leave our DD out of the picture, we would spend less off the dining plan than we would spend on the Dining Plan.

 

[lakohls]

I agree DDP may not make sense for everyone, and perhaps not for us our next trip either. I am currently in process of reviewing our dining plans & consulting allears for menus/pricing etc to make an informed decision. However, it seemed prudent to ask if there are any updates to this topic to have all the info necessary for an informed decision. I always tell my kids it never hurts to ask questions.

If Disney responds to the message I sent them (within 12 days per the automated response system) I will post the answer.

 

[alizesmom]

I actually spoke with a customer relations spokeswoman on this issue. What she told us was that we had to buy the DDP for all (even though we have 2 kids that are totally g-tube). However, she also said we could use the kids' credits as long as we ate from the kid's menu when available. You still have to use the credits for the kids for any buffet since there is no way to monitor who is eating there. Buffets are often served at the character meals for what it's worth. Karen

 

[lakohls]

Here is my promised follow-up:

Per the previous suggestion I had sent an email to:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

regarding our situation. Just today, an executive rep called me at home to go over our options. Bottom line, we will not have to purchase DDP for g-tube fed child and we will be able to use Magical Express our next trip.

I strongly suggest other folks in this or similar situations contact the offices, our rep was extremely understanding & accommodating of the situation. He explained, which I'm sure we all understand, that Disney systems are setup to handle 98% of all the typical situation. However, they also want to make sure that all guests have a magical experience - and they have just proved it to me again today.