Not eating at a buffet

[issa]

I was wondering if any had done this and what were thier experiances.

We have called Disney Dining and asked and they also recommended it.


The situation -

My Daughter - will be 10 for our upcoming May trip. My husband and I LOVE Boma - its always a top priority to visit. She is VERY picky and usally she will eat from the kids station, which was fine at the previous child price. but with the curent price change /age limit - she will be considered an adult and be full price.

There was one occasion where she would eat nothing from the buffet - Our server brought her a personal pizza - childs buffet price( major kudos and HUGE tip - if your out there - THANK YOU)

but

I cannot fathom paying $25 for her to nibble on 2 chiken strips and maybe a handful of fries - thats all she would be willing to eat.

The Dining Cm we spoke to confirmed we *could* feed her before hand ( at the resort, she would get her fill) and then she could happily join us for Boma - writing in her journal. She would be thrilled with this option.

We would only pay for my husband and I (our 2 yr old will eat but will be free)

So - would this be very poor taste? Have any of you done this?

I am afraid with the current change in age limit, my husband and I will be forgoing some of our fav places. If she would actually eat - we would have no issue . If she was the child's price - we wouldn't mind if she only eats the chicken strips.

any thoughts

thanks

 

[oogieboogie]

I've been in the same situation. I wanted to eat at Boma but we knew that our DS4 wouldn't eat a thing there. So, when we were seated, we told the server that only three people would be eating (DH, Me, DS7) and DS would only need a drink. The server said that would be fine.

The entire time, DS4 was happily playing while we ate. At times I did give him a strawberry or 2 from my plate. The server didn't have a problem with this at all (we did ask her if it was OK first)

When you check in, just let the hostess know and then when you're seated, let the server know too so they're aware of the situation. I didn't have a problem at Boma and other places that we went to when we wanted to do this.

 

[n2mm]

I don't know the answer, but feel your pain. Our 11 year old grandson is the same way. During our July trip with him, we canceled our buffet meals because we too could not bring ourselves to pay adult prices to watch him eat some nuggets. We no longer dine at buffets when he travels with us. We now opt only for sit down or counter service.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was told that I would have to pay for my child even if she slept through the meal (the only ressie was for a late seating). So we didn't book. If you walk in the door, you have to pay the rate whether you eat like a bird, eat like a horse, or sleep while everyone else is eating.



Now while I can see Oogie Boogie having wonderful service in her situaton--I just don't see them allowing an 11 year old to share a plate. That isn't what they are designed for.

I would call the restaurant personally to verify what you have been told so there is not a problem. Speak to the manager if necessary.

While I don't have an ethical problem with it...I'd hate for your trip and dinner to be spoiled if it didn't work out the way you wanted.

 

[kirbsam]

I am not trying to be a snob or sound harsh, but for an extra 12 bucks a couple of times a trip, just go ahead and eat at your favorite buffets and don't worry about it. Just get her one less souvenir or something. I know money can be tight, but I really think there are choices to possibly save money if you want in other things if eating at your favorite resaurants is important to you.

 

[crisi]

I believe the dining CM is wrong. All members of your party CAN be charged at the buffet and Disney policy is to charge them. If your DD isn't, it will be at the discretion of the CM serving you or the restaurant manager. I wouldn't count on not getting charged. My DD ate all of four strawberries at Boma, and we paid for her.

I certainly don't have an ethical problem with it if the restaurant agrees to it, I'd just hate to see you believing you won't get charged and end up with $25 you didn't expect on the bill.

 

[polyfan]

We have gone into restaurants with our children asleep in our arms, at times being awake but putting their head down on the table or trying to curl up in a booth- we have never been charged for the child during those times. These things are bound to happen when you have children-- yes we could choose not to go in to the restaurant, but we had the ADR and we still needed to eat plus you never know if a child is going to wake up quickly and decide that they do want to eat. Everyone has always been understanding. My youngest does not eat much at all, and we have gone before and just stated that he was not going to be eating. No problems.

 

[erikthewise]

An alternative.

You could leave her at Simba's Cubhouse -- onsite child care/children's club at AKL. They will charge $10/hr, and they will very likely feed her a childs meal if she's there during certain hours. You can easily do Boma in 2 hr, you come out ahead and she's had a lot more fun than sitting there watching you eat. They are often flexible and may only charge you 1 hr if you're back within 75 min (no promises of course).

Call 407-WDW-DINE ahead for reservations at Simba's Cubhouse, and also to ask during what hours children are fed dinner.

 

[jann1033]

have never done this personally but i know some have posted about being charged an entertainment fee for character buffets when they went but didn't eat. don't see why this would be different. i might call dining again and ask for asupervisor to see if you get the same response but do not understand why at a buffet you would have to pay...i think something like ohana might be different since the food it brought for the table, rather than you going to get your food. if they don't eat why would they pay?