Highly specialized diet and character dining

[ebenmax]

I am currently struggling with a chronic health problem and need to eat all organic food due to chemical sensitivities. I realize that organic is difficult to find at Disney and I have adapted by cooking most of my own meals. However, my family wants to do two character meals and two buffets while we visit in December. I do not want to sit outside and wait for them during their meal. How should I go about being included yet not eating or being charged for the meals?
Thanks so much for any advice!!
Ellen

 

[Allison]

There really isnt a way to do that. If you are at the table, you will be charged for a meal.

 

[wilkeliza]

Unfortunatly if you go you'll be charged. They are pretty strict about that. I don't think organic only is apart of the dietary accommodations Disney offers either. There have been a few managers who have made exceptions and not charged non-eaters but that is rare and is usually for tube fed individuals. However it is so rare that even those here who have children with extreme medical conditions who can't physically eat have reported being charged in full.

Also note it is not just character meals but also all you care to eat, prepaid meals, buffets, and dinner shows where you'll be charged.

 

[ebenmax]

Wow! Do you think I could bring a letter from my doctor?

 

[Allison]

That won't make a difference. Don't bother.

There are too many reasons that people don't want to eat at the buffets that would make it too difficult for Disney to try and manage and determine what is reasonable and what isn't.

 

[Talby]

I would try calling directly, explain the situation, and offer to fax (or mail) documentation from your doctor. I understand they are strict, but I would hate for you to miss out on that time with your family and feel like it's worth a shot. Wishing you luck with it!!

 

[Allison]

The people on the phone many times no nothing about how,the parks actually function. Disney can't ask to see medical documentation for legal reasons and they won't look at it. This question has been asked many times over the years on this board for everything from people who have had surgery and can only eat a small amount to those who actually physically can't eat. Sorry.

 

[wilkeliza]

Disney doesn't make a habit of reading doctor's notes. It puts them in a very fine line situation and straddles hippa laws that just aren't worth it.

At character meals and dinner shows you aren't just paying for the food. You are paying for the experience and not having to wait in line to meet the characters.

 

[Talby]

Well, shoot. Thanks for informing the uninformed (me!) The HIPAA factor makes sense, and I can only imagine the myriad of reasons people would be physically able to attend yet physically incapable of eating. Sorry to the OP!

 

[famy27]

I agree that they will charge you. A good portion of what you're paying for is the experience. I know this isn't the same situation, but I have to pay $50+ for my 10 year old to eat at these meals. The chances that's she'll eat $50 of food?0.0%. My DH might be able to get his money's worth, but I never do, and DD eats even less than I do. And it's not like we can take leftovers. I tried to find a character meal where you can order what you choose off the menu, but that just doesn't exist, as Disney doesn't want people to share one appetizer for a table of 5 and lose revenue for the coveted character meals.

Most of these character meals aren't ones where I really go for the food. I just view it as a way to meet characters in a fun environment without having to wait in line. If you look at it that way, you might feel slightly better about going, even if you can't eat (although it is still irritating to pay for something you can't/won't use)

All that being said, I think Garden Grill does have organic food (some of it grown on premises), so that might be an option. It's one of our favorite character meals. My DDs love the revolving restaurant, and Chip and Dale are always a hit.

 

[ebenmax]

Am I able to request an organic meal ahead of time instead of the buffet? I know they are VERY accommodating with food intolerances, as chefs have come out and spoken with me in the past (when I only needed GF meals) and prepared individual meals for me.
I wonder if given enough notice, they can do this. I know some of the restaurants do have limited organic options. Has anyone had success with this at buffets?

 

[wilkeliza]

Buffets are a little harder. If there is anything organic on the buffet they will let you know. If they have organic ingredients they could put something together. The hard thing will be if they have something they can make. Perhaps dealing with specialty dinning they could figure something out but I haven't heard of organic only being offered. Also if they do make something special you only get the one plate so no seconds (or at least that's how kosher is handled since it comes from a central kitchen and is packaged and sent to the restraunts).

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The Disney website, organic is not listed on their special diets page.

It looks like the best thing to do would be to call

 

[ebenmax]

Thanks for all your suggestions!
Who or where do I need to call?? I have emailed special diets in the past but never called.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I can only imagine the myriad of reasons people would be physically able to attend yet physically incapable of eating.

1) There all sorts of reasons people want buffet/AYCTE discounts or non-charges. *
. . . bariatric surgery and small stomach capacity
. . . picky eaters
. . . medical or psychological sensitivities
2) But, Disney does not discount.
3) However, I have personally seen 2-3 times where kids with stomach tubes were not charged . . . but not very often.
4) Besides, one has to pay for the entertainment value.

* One has to remember that WDW is a mass-market venue. They try to cater to common issues/problems, but cannot accommodate everyone, nor should they have to. One can order ahead for Kosher meals (since it must be prepared off-site, as Disney has no kitchen on-property that keeps Kosher), but other specials, like the referenced organic is too tough . . . 1) what do they order?, 2) how much volume do they order for one person and how much waste is permissible?, 3) how much should they charge for higher-priced organic ingredients?, 4) what is the person's EXACT definition of "organic", because it has different meanings to different people (including the government)?

 

[HarleenQ]

I'm not sure organic is considered a 'special diet' in a normal sense, if that makes sense. I understand for you personally it's for medical reasons.

Email special diets and they'll get back to you. I think they'll work with you if they can, but they won't be as accommodating. Organic would have to be something they've purchased that way vs just a meal they can make without or with certain ingredients. I can't see them opting to go organic (more expensive) when given a cheaper option.

I think you'll either need to look at it as an additional expense for the experience or allow them to go in without you. It stinks to be put in that position, but I'm sure you can imagine the mass amounts of people that also have a reason to not eat or eat very little - the waived charges would be massive.

 

[Baklava]

I think I'd ask about Garden Grill first. My understanding is that they grow a fair bit of their own produce and some of it might be organic. Not at all a sure thing, but certainly worth a shot.