Non-eater at buffets: what do they pay?

[hockeybabe]

I was always under the impression that we paid whether the child ate or not. We also have a very picky 11 YO. Our last trip we had a meal at Biergarten, and I fed my son before we went, as I knew he wouldn't eat anything there, but I was prepared to pay full price for him. We were a party of eight, and my SIL checked us in. When she did, she told them my DS wouldn't be eating, and then told the server again when we were seated, and they were totally fine with it and didn't charge for him. I never would have even asked, but it doesn't hurt to try. He also loves the show and the atmosphere, and didn't mind at all that we were all eating and he wasn't. Maybe they made an exception because we were a large party? Good luck!

Well, maybe we will give it a shot! I have never had the intention of being dishonest about the situation, if I don't pay for her, she WILL NOT eat, she may want to have a milkshake, though, but you pay for those over and beyond the buffet price anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story!

 

[hockeybabe]

Last year I went to Crystal Palace with my parents, my adult sister, teenage sister, her friend and my niece and nephew who were under 2. My adult sister does not eat in restaurants. Ever. That is another story for another time. Regardless, she knew she would not be eating, and had asked in advance about the issue. She was not charged and it was basically a non-issue with the waitress.

Well, maybe there is hope yet!

 

[eeyore45]

We ate at Hollywood and Vine, FDP - dd was not in a good mood, and refused to eat, the CM and I talked, and I tried to tempt dd with a plate of this and that (not a lot, a nibble) DD would not eat (10 years) The CM did not charge us! (we paid for the ddp, and I fully expected to have a credit deducted - but the CM didnt feel we should pay since she didnt eat!)

 

[Nienor]

Maybe you can talk to her about a buffet being a good time to try new foods. I've had some luck with my picky 7 year old at buffets. I tell him that he can try small portions of new foods and he might like them. If he doesn't, then he can go back to his standard foods. He's discovered several new foods that he does like this way.

**disclaimer** Make sure the acceptable and new foods of course are never touching each other on the plate.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

**disclaimer** Make sure the acceptable and new foods of course are never touching each other on the plate.

That is so true!

 

[crisi]

I would plan on paying for any buffet you take your non-eater to. I think charging is - to an extent - left to the discretion of the waiter. Some will charge regardless, some will take pity on you and not charge. The problem is, you can't plan to not be charged.

 

[smartestnumber5]

I thought I read that WDW did away with the $5.00 entertainment fee option and that everyone paid full price now . (except 2 y/o and under eat free, of course) I know when we were at Crystal Palace this past Sept there was a family trying to say the two kids had already eaten and only the parents were paying. This did not go over and they were told all had to pay. The only reason we noticed was that we were sitting next to them and heard the argument. They did finally agree to pay for both kids.

Hmm this is depressing news for me. I have an ADR at Crystal Palace for breakfast for our next trip and was planning for just me to eat and GF to keep me company. She doesn't like breakfast food and usually isn't hungry for breakfast, so if she can't sit in the restaurant with me without having to pay I'll never get to eat at a breakfast buffet.

We're using the DDP and she's going to use the credit we were planning for her not to use at breakfast at Captn Jacks that night for lobster. Me being a vegetarian, I have little interest in a seafood restaurant, so I was just going to have dessert there.

I might need to do some quick ADR changing

ETA: Or I suppose I could make her wait outside for me and try to eat really, really quickly!

 

[Aquagirl]

I would ask at the restaurant in advance – but frankly, that musical diners option could tend to look very suspicious. I mean, what’s to stop a party of relatives who look similar from dressing alike, then have two or three people go in and eat while one or two others ‘entertain the kids in the lounge’; then Reggie leaves the dining area to take his turn watching the kids while Archie, who was on the first babysitting shift, goes into the restaurant and eats all HE can? Then Betty, who was dining with Ralph, goes out to check on the kids and Veronica, who was kid-watching with Reggie, takes Betty’s place at the table? Note that this does not apply to either the OP, the poster above (# 18), or likely anyone here – but it’s possible.

The problem with non-eaters at a buffet is, unless someone on staff is watching them the entire time, there’s no way to be sure that persons who don’t pay for any food, don’t eat it.

I would say, aside from checking with the restaurants in advance (and making note of names), be prepared to pay full price for all diners, and be pleasantly surprised, and grateful, if you don’t get charged.

I do not know much about it, but doesn't AKL have a kids club? Could you make a reservation for them there while you are enjoying dinner?

 

[Microcell]

Having bad "We will all have water" flashbacks of my step mother in every single restaurant we went to while I lived with her (thankfully she was so cheap it was only four places in two years). I might be sensitive, but I really think that unless she is a laid back kid who really won't care that you all eat in front of her, then I would probably skip it if you don't want to pay for her.

Have a garage sale or bake sale and raise the money to pay for her, maybe that will take the sting out of it for you!

Of course, because of aforementioned flashback, I never turn down my kids with whatever drink they want when we go out. So I am slightly subjective about it. My stepmother ruined me on so many levels, that is just one of them!

Do what is best for you, I just wanted to point out that it seems kind of not vacationy.

Before I get flamed about the water only stuff, I know lots of people do that! It would'nt have been so bad if ole no wire hangers stepmom was not a horrible evil person. I could have dealt with it if it was kind. It just made me an all in or all out kind of person.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do not know much about it, but doesn't AKL have a kids club? Could you make a reservation for them there while you are enjoying dinner?

Yes, they do - and that's a great idea!

 

[septbaby]

I might need to do some quick ADR changing

ETA: Or I suppose I could make her wait outside for me and try to eat really, really quickly!

Or get a really early ADR and let her sleep in or workout, etc. If its not too early she could make a spa appointment while you eat. A little alone time never hurt anyone, even on a romantic/fun vacation. I do it all the time, I golf they don't. They sleep, read, lounge by the pool, go to the spa, etc. I usually only do this one per trip, but it seems to work.

I'm another breakfast loving vegetarian, so I feel your pain! Fortunately, my family also loves breakfast so we'll all enjoy Chef Mickey's together.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Or get a really early ADR and let her sleep in or workout, etc. If its not too early she could make a spa appointment while you eat. A little alone time never hurt anyone, even on a romantic/fun vacation. I do it all the time, I golf they don't. They sleep, read, lounge by the pool, go to the spa, etc. I usually only do this one per trip, but it seems to work.

I'm another breakfast loving vegetarian, so I feel your pain! Fortunately, my family also loves breakfast so we'll all enjoy Chef Mickey's together.

That's a great suggestion! Although it won't work with a child, (as in the OP) this is great for adults who sometimes aren't breakfast people.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

We ate at Ohana for dinner in dec and my dd didn't want to but since they were going to charge us anyway our waitress had them make her a chicken strip meal to go.

 

[Lewisc]

The normal policy is to charge every guest. Disney doesn't charge extra if a guest makes multiple trips through the buffet line nor do they offer a reduced price if an 11 year old just has some mac & cheese.

It's possible a server might not charge if a person literally doesn't eat anything but you can't count on that.

You have to decide if your entire family, in aggregate will "get you monies worth".