Medical issues and dining

[mom2smjn]

I have a problem...my mom and dad are traveling with us this trip(1st time for them!) and I want it to be special. They want to do lots of Character meals and experience many of the awesome themed restaurants....my problem is my mom has gastro pareisis(paralyzed stomach) and cannot eat most foods. When we go out to eat at home she will usually get just a side of mashed potatoes, applesause, milkshake or the like. It is a horrible illness. Many people actually starve to death from it. She had a new experimental surgery which is letting her eat soft foods-previously she could only have liquids! But now she is concerned that she will not be allowed to join us for these buffets if she is not eating OR that she will be paying $$$$ to sit there with some applesauce. I do not want to cause her embarrasment or make her feel weird...I was wondering if there is a way to arrange something ahead when we make our PS so she does not feel odd.....does anyone know?

Thanks so much

 

[Laura]

I don't know anything about your mother's disease, but as a vegetarian I know that all I have to do to make sure I get a good meal at a sit-down restaurant is to call the restaurant ahead and tell them the story. I've heard many vegetarians get special meals made that aren't even on the menu. So with that knowledge, I believe you shouldn't run into any trouble if you plan ahead a little. They might be able to -- literally -- whip something up for her if she'd like.

Anyway, I don't know what your normal procedure would be for trying a new restaurant at home, but I would definitely call ahead and ask about the restaurants you want to go to and tell them your mother's tale. Maybe even bring a letter from her doctor with you on your trip just in case you run into any confusion.

Hopefully someone else can be of more use. But I really doubt that your mother will have to be made to sit outside while the rest of you are eating your buffet dinner!

 

[n2mm]

I have heard so many wonderful stories about how dining has been very accommodating to special needs. Call and please let us know how it works out.

My co-workers family recently visited WDW for the first time with a child who is allergic to most foods and can only eat special food prepared by them. Because they wanted to eat at several special restraurants, they were able to bring their son's special meal and it was given to the chef who severed it to him (removed from it's container and placed on the regular restraurant plate) along with the other family' members entrees. This way the other child in the family was able to experience a great dining experience too. I have heard so many wonderful stories how the staff and chefs at the restaurants will go out of their way to make dining with them special. They often call your home prior to your departure to double check requirements and issues so that everything is as planned. Good Luck!

 

[RamseyTrio]

Hi - Disney will do ANYTHING to accomodate people's special needs so definitely call the restaurants ahead of time and let them know. They'll tell you what they can do for your mom.

You won't have any problems with any themed restaurants since they'll charge you based on what you order and most have access to foods that aren't even listed on their menus. You could even bring stuff in for her from another place if you need to. We've done that for my picky DS and everyone is fine about it (we just tip as if we got the food from the waitress serving us).

I'm not sure what the policy is with character meals since they charge per person. I *thought* I saw something written down somewhere that they charge a small fee for anyone who isn't eating but I can't say where it was that I got that info or if it's true.

 

[Kermit]

We've never done it, but apparently they'll charge a $5 entertainment fee at the character meals for people who don't eat. I think that might be a good option for you. You could call ahead and see if maybe they'd let you bring in a container of applesauce or something else she could eat and only pay the $5. I'm sure they'd also be willing to provide food she could eat, too, but it sounds like she's limited by both what she eats and the quantity, so it would cost a lot for her to eat not very much food.