Lurker who has read it all...

[JULIE21]

but I can't seem to find this answer anywhere. I listen to the podcast and read the boards but not big on posting...but need help
I have a reservation at 8:30 10/8 at Cape May because me and hubby love crab legs but my kids will NEVER make it without eating before then. My plan is to feed them at their normal feeding times(my Ds6 is not pleasant hungry)can they sit at the table without being charged for buffet while me and hubby eat

 

[skier_pete]

Hmmm. that is an excellent question...unfortunately I can't answer it for certain. In all my years of doing this I've never seen that one asked before.

I would recommend you change your thread title to the actual question, though...get more people to read it that might know the answer. Something like: "Can kids sit at table during buffet without eating/paying?"

 

[TravelAgentJen]

I'm planning on doing something similar. My husband does not eat seafood or meat and we do not want to pay this buffet price for salad. So since it's my birthday he's going to eat at Q before we go here and he can keep me company eating crab legs. I was actually wondering if he could bring a takeout box in to the restaurant and eat from that? But I just assumed that they can't tell you that you have to buy and eat just because you're at the table with somebody else or your family or whatever. As long as somebody if paying for something and the person or people who are not paying are not eating, I don't see how they can say no. I'll be looking to see if someone with first hand knowledge answers this thread!http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/rolleye11.gif

 

[Pakey]

I have never personally tried this but I've seen many posts on here where this is not possible. If you sit at the table, you will be charged.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

if you sit there... you'll be charged

try getting a ressie for captain's grille at a better time!! shouldn't be hard and it's a nice quiet restaurant!! the crab legs dinner is very big, nice and fresh... and to me... preferred over cape may!

 

[HunnyJar]

but I can't seem to find this answer anywhere. I listen to the podcast and read the boards but not big on posting...but need help
I have a reservation at 8:30 10/8 at Cape May because me and hubby love crab legs but my kids will NEVER make it without eating before then. My plan is to feed them at their normal feeding times(my Ds6 is not pleasant hungry)can they sit at the table without being charged for buffet while me and hubby eat

As PPs have stated, you will be charged. My husband and I went to one of the buffets while I was suffering from a massive headache. I couldn't eat anything at all. The server noticed I wasn't eating and pointed it out but we were still charged as if I did eat something. I guess the reason is that they cannot be sure that the people sitting there will not eventually get up to get something to eat. You could always call Cape May and see if they might be able to help, but chances are you will be charged regardless.

 

[havoc315]

At buffets, you are basically charged for admission. This is especially true as most of the buffets (though no Cape May) are character meals. But it goes for all the buffets.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, but barring some sort of doctor's note, I would expect to be charged.

 

[RMulieri]

If you are at the table you are charged.They MAY not, but that will be the discretion of the server /mgr on duty and can not be relied upon as an absolute.I would plan on having to pay.

 

[POOHsie]

I agree with other posters. There is no time for servers to watch and see who is eating and who is not, in an operation that large. They charge everyone, even children 3 and over.

DD and I ate at Captain's Grille at YC. DD had the Snow Crab Legs and she was forcing herself to finish her plate. I had the steak, and it was very good. They have a kids menu, too. Here's a link: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=12

 

[tinka-belle]

WDW describes their buffets as "all you care to eat". If all you care to eat is a salad or just a drink (or nothing) you will still be charged.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

From what I've read, I believe they will be charged. I've even read accounts of posters being charged for a sleeping child at an all you can eat (but on the flip side, I've also heard of those who said a CM gave them a break and didn't charge for a child who wasn't feeling well).

 

[LindaBabe]

If you REALLY want to eat there, why not book the kids into the Sandcastle club for a couple hours?

 

[Dizneydaz]

Too hard from them to monitor and you know that if people found out someone could just sit there and not eat (but secretly eat) they would. I'm not saying that's what you are planning, just that it would open the door for those who like to find ways to cheat. It's my understanding that every one seated is charged.

I've never known any buffet who would let someone in who said they weren't going to eat-Souplantation, Sweet Tomatoes, Vegas Buffets, Disney, etc.

I like the idea of the kids doing something else or if that won't work how about just giving them a snack around 6 and then they could eat with you at 8:30. If your kids are 9, or under, it's just over $20. Now depending on how many kids you have and their ages it might be better to try the Sandcastle club. I think the kids would like it too.

Also, I know that even if my DD ate a few hours before we sat down for dinner there is no way she wouldn't want to have more food while we ate. You know, a taste of this, a taste of that, etc. If I told her no, it wouldn't be pretty.

 

[TravelAgentJen]

I called Cape May Cafe this evening and spoke to the manager and she said that you could come and not be charged for dinner but the breakfast you would be charged because it involves characters. Everybody through the door at a character meal has to pay. So I guess that's probably the case in all WDW. If the meals involve characters or special experiences you will have to pay even if you don't eat but going to a buffet or table service regular meal if you don't want to participate in the eating+drinking you don't have to pay. So, to the original question I think your kids will be fine sitting with you while you eat maybe let them play a game and bring a snack for them.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/upsidedown.gif

 

[vinotinto]

Even if the OP does not get charged, wouldn't the kids get a little antsy sitting at the table waiting for the parents to eat? It's not like it's a character meal where they are paying attention to the characters. Or a regular sit-down place where even if they ate in advance, they could still order dessert. I mean, there will (hopefully) be good conversations about the day and what they are doing the next day, but I think it would be extremely weird if I were sitting in a restaurant and my kids were not eating too.

I think I would get the kids a good snack at about 5:00 - 5:30 pm, something with a little protein, and then have them eat dinner with us.

 

[RMulieri]

I called Cape May Cafe this evening and spoke to the manager and she said that you could come and not be charged for dinner but the breakfast you would be charged because it involves characters. Everybody through the door at a character meal has to pay. So I guess that's probably the case in all WDW. If the meals involve characters or special experiences you will have to pay even if you don't eat but going to a buffet or table service regular meal if you don't want to participate in the eating+drinking you don't have to pay. So, to the original question I think your kids will be fine sitting with you while you eat maybe let them play a game and bring a snack for them.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/upsidedown.gif

again....that may or may not be true..They charged us at LTT ( which is NOT a character meal anymore) for our niece that was not eating.They also charged at BOMA when she didn't eat..You can not count on that being the case.

 

[skier_pete]

I called Cape May Cafe this evening and spoke to the manager and she said that you could come and not be charged for dinner but the breakfast you would be charged because it involves characters. Everybody through the door at a character meal has to pay. So I guess that's probably the case in all WDW. If the meals involve characters or special experiences you will have to pay even if you don't eat but going to a buffet or table service regular meal if you don't want to participate in the eating+drinking you don't have to pay. So, to the original question I think your kids will be fine sitting with you while you eat maybe let them play a game and bring a snack for them.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/upsidedown.gif

Can you provide the OP (in a PM perhaps) the name of the manager you spoke with? This would give her some ammo to say "My agent spoke with so-and-so, and said we could come in and not be charged."

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

Sandcastle Club, like another poster mentioned, is a great alternative. They open around 4:30 or 5 and I think there is a two hour minimum. It's around $11 per hour per child and that includes their meal. We use it very often as my dd (6) loooooooves it!

 

[Hopefully]

I'm planning on doing something similar. My husband does not eat seafood or meat and we do not want to pay this buffet price for salad. So since it's my birthday he's going to eat at Q before we go here and he can keep me company eating crab legs. I was actually wondering if he could bring a takeout box in to the restaurant and eat from that? But I just assumed that they can't tell you that you have to buy and eat just because you're at the table with somebody else or your family or whatever. As long as somebody if paying for something and the person or people who are not paying are not eating, I don't see how they can say no. I'll be looking to see if someone with first hand knowledge answers this thread!http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/rolleye11.gif

Others have already posted their experiences. But the bottom line is, yes they can tell you that you will be charged whether you eat or not. This is true at any buffet anywhere, not just at Disney.

 

[TravelAgentJen]

Can you provide the OP (in a PM perhaps) the name of the manager you spoke with? This would give her some ammo to say "My agent spoke with so-and-so, and said we could come in and not be charged."

I spoke with a manager named Kirsten.