Need Advice with DDP and Lap Band Surgery.

[Goofymum]

I am planning my next trip for December with my best friend. She is getting the lapband surgery so we are trying to decide whether or not the dining plan would be a good option.

Would we be able to share meals with the dining plan? If so since we are on the same reservation, we would both have to get the dining plan so what would we do with the extra credits? Could you use them at signiture dining so we wouldn't waste the money on 2 dining plans. If we shared meals she would still be buying a drink out of pocket.

Would ordering off of the child's menu's be an option?

If anyone has had experience with the Dining Plan after Lap Band surgery Please share! Even if you didn't have the dining plan, what worked best for you?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tricia1972]

I haven't had Lap Band, but I went through the menus and figured what we'd eat paying OOP.

If you are splitting your meals, you are better off not buying two DDP's but rather paying OOP.

Look at Jiko for example.

Fillet - $37.00
Dessert - $6.00
Beverage - 2.19

Let's assume you share your CS meals too (They're plenty big to share, especially when you add fries, etc)

Burger/Sandwich $7.00
Beverage $2.09
Dessert - $3.50 (these are pretty gross with the exception of a VERY few and you'd be better off skipping this)

You'll have an extra CS to share, so let's get some breakfast at POP
Waffle Platter - $5.69
Coffee - $2.25
Coffee - $2.25

We'll get two waters for snacks, I can't imagine with Lap Band surgery you'd want to munch with three big meals
$5.00

Total OOP - ordering the most expensive item at your Signature Location is $73.47 (pre tax) - $78.25 with Tax.

DDP Cost for two is $75.98 per day.

So you'd be close, but you'd have to carefully pick your signature locations and make sure that you never ever go below about $37.00 per day for your Entree at dinner.

I think that especially considering the surgery, it'd be a lot less pressure to just order what you want when you want and be assured that you are breaking even either way (and probably coming out a little ahead by paying OOP)

California Grill - $36.00 most expensive/$31 on average
Narcoosee's - $58 most expensive/$34 on average
Artist's Point - $36 most expensive/$31 on average

 

[TisBit]

Not familiar with the surgery and its ramifications...but DDP is really a lot of food. I don't think people really pay attention to the fact that there is a lot of food involved and I don't think you would necessarily save money if you are looking at doing kids meals/sharing meals. Your best bet is to pay OOP and do kids/shared meals....you won't feel that you NEED to use your credits or that you are letting things go to waste.

 

[LisaInNc]

I had gastric bypass almost a year ago which is more severe than the lapband. On my last trip to WDW I was at the point where I was eating normally but much smaller portions. My 7 year old usually eats more than I do. Take that into consideration. The childrens meals are not the most appetizing so she might not be into that. That is what I planned to do until I got a good look at them, no way!

The DDP is way to much food for an average adult forget someone with a restricted stomach.

I have been able to pay childrens prices at the buffets and at table service places I usually end up ordering an adult entree and sharaing it with my 7 year old. I have a card from my DR and I have only been asked to show it at Sea World and once at IHOP any other place if I order a childs portion they just serve it to me and Disney will be the same except for buffets. I contacted each restaurant before I went to make sure they knew about my dietary restrictions.

You will most likely be able to share I would go and look at the menus ahead of time and get an idea of what you want to eat so you agree. If you think that the portions won't be enough for you to comfortably share with her, that is where adding on an extra side or appetizer might help.

I honestly think that you will do better to pay out of pocket because even with doing a lot of signature restaurants it's still going to be too much food for her to eat.

I believe she should not be drinking carbonation, at least I am not allowed to have it so most of the drinks that come with the DP are out anyway.

I wish her luck with her surgery and you both with your trip. I have lost 110 pounds and I am wearing aize 2 jeans right now, it's amazing what that surgery has done for my life and it was no easy and the sacrifices are always there and one of them is that I only get a bite or two of a Mickey bar but that seems worth it to me!

 

[LSchrow]

i agree with the PP's: DDP would just be too much food.
and even if you shared (only at non-buffet meals, of course ), using the majority of your credits for signature dining would probably cost you more than OOP would, and it's questionable whether or not she would want an entire CS (entree, beverage, dessert) & snack everyday.
as much as i like the DDP & find it can be a good savings for many, i think you both might enjoy the trip more withou it.
have a great time

btw, congratulations, lisa ~ that's wonderful



laurie s

 

[Goofymum]

I had gastric bypass almost a year ago which is more severe than the lapband. On my last trip to WDW I was at the point where I was eating normally but much smaller portions. My 7 year old usually eats more than I do. Take that into consideration. The childrens meals are not the most appetizing so she might not be into that. That is what I planned to do until I got a good look at them, no way!

The DDP is way to much food for an average adult forget someone with a restricted stomach.

I have been able to pay childrens prices at the buffets and at table service places I usually end up ordering an adult entree and sharaing it with my 7 year old. I have a card from my DR and I have only been asked to show it at Sea World and once at IHOP any other place if I order a childs portion they just serve it to me and Disney will be the same except for buffets. I contacted each restaurant before I went to make sure they knew about my dietary restrictions.

You will most likely be able to share I would go and look at the menus ahead of time and get an idea of what you want to eat so you agree. If you think that the portions won't be enough for you to comfortably share with her, that is where adding on an extra side or appetizer might help.

I honestly think that you will do better to pay out of pocket because even with doing a lot of signature restaurants it's still going to be too much food for her to eat.

I believe she should not be drinking carbonation, at least I am not allowed to have it so most of the drinks that come with the DP are out anyway.

I wish her luck with her surgery and you both with your trip. I have lost 110 pounds and I am wearing aize 2 jeans right now, it's amazing what that surgery has done for my life and it was no easy and the sacrifices are always there and one of them is that I only get a bite or two of a Mickey bar but that seems worth it to me!

Congrats to you on your surgery! Sounds like you are doing great! I am not quite sure yet if she will have the surgery before we go or not. It looks like the best way to go would be out of pocket if she does though. Thanks to everyone for the info!

 

[lisamomof3]

Just thought I'd tell you my story. I had lap-band surgery on Nov. 5, 2007. We will be going to WDW Sat bf T-Giving to Sat after 2008. There will be six of us. (me, dh, 3dd, and 1 niece.) Anyway, we have chosen to get the dining plan for all of us. Granted we have more people to share etc., but we liked having everything paid for in advance and being able to eat at restaraunts we probably wouldn't choose. (i.e. Hoop. ) I plan on sharing all my meals with one of the kids except when we go to buffets.

I can't drink anything while I'm eating a meal, and pop is a definate NO. So I don't even have to worry about ordering a drink. I wonderd how it would be when we get there and worried about the same things. But deciced to go ahead and get the plan.

After almost 4 mos with the band I am so glad I did it. I've lost about 50lbs since surgery and almost 70 since I started this whole process in Sept. I will definately be 100 lbs gone by the time we go! It will make my walk around the parks so much easier. Also, with the band, as she loses weight, her band will need to be adjusted. So she may be at a point when you go where she isn't really restricted and can eat a little more than normal.

If she has any other questions about the lap-band, pm me and I'd love to answer any I can.

 

[LSchrow]

wow!
just need to add a for lisamomof3
that is wonderful ~ congratulations (& wishing you continued success)