Reservation for buffet and parents on strict diet-help

[SoonerSarah]

It was reccomended that I ask the question here...

We have a reservation for a Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palace for one morning. I realize it is a buffet. Reservation was made a long time ago. We will be there in just about 2 weeks.

My parents are on a very strict and new diet. I'm not sure I completely understand all of it, but they have 5 liquid meals a day and then one meal that I believe is 6 ounces of lean protein and 3 cups of veggies.

The reservation is for our entire party, which is the 5 of us, MIL & FIL, my two parents, and BIL. Pretty much the entire reason that everyone else is coming is because of my daughters. So of course my parents don't want to miss out on the experience of the character experience, but they won't be eating anything. My Mom was hoping that they would be able to order a coffee and a tea and that be it, but I'm assuming that being it is a buffett, they don't allow that and you either pay or you don't come in.

Correct? Can anyone tell me? I do plan to call, but of course I had to ask here first.

 

[aubriee]

I would think that your parents would be charged. Number one they would get to enjoy the characters just like everyone else there and number two there is no way for Disney to monitor if they ate anything or not. They couldn't order just a tea and coffe as there is no price for those since beverages are included in the price of the buffet.

 

[Bete]

with the previous poster. If you don't want to pay for them not eating they may have to skip that character greeting. There will be other opportunities to see your daughters at meet and greets. You can easily downsize your reservation.

Not sure about the eating based on their diet, but if they can have their main meal at this time then the chef could prepare something for them that's special to meet their needs; I believe. You set this up ahead of time. The chef will also escort them through the buffet to find items that are hopefully acceptable as another option. You may have to ask a lot of questions about all of this to work out.

There are a few places not too far from the Crystal Palace where they can get drinks only. Of course, they would have to skip the experience at Crystal Palace. You could then meet them after your meal. Of course, they will have to wait for you. Casey's Corner is nearby and they have entertainment with a piano player. It's an outside setting. They would enjoy this while you were eating.

The only other thing I can think of if they really want to see your daughters in action is to buy a few drinks ahead of time and be in the waiting area of Crystal Palace. There are some tables close by that would work for them to see your daughters without really going in. It's hard to say if Disney would allow this or not, but you could try. Also, this probably wouldn't work for the entire meal, but who knows. Maybe, in this case if they had doctor note's (on a script) about the situation the establishment might be a little more understanding about it and let them be in the waiting area the whole time. Personally, I think this is a lot of drama; I'm sorry. I think it's best if they went their separate way for this meal if you can't make it work out and if you really don't want to budge on this matter. Let your daughters enjoy the experience and not wonder why one set of grandparents is not at the same table, but nearby instead. If it's that important to be there I would bite the bullet and have a $30 coffee or tea. It just depends how important it is to be there or not. I don't want to start friction, but make the trip enjoyable for everyone without hassles.

My last point is you can cancel this reservation; so, no one has to feel out of place. There are plenty of opportunities for interaction throughout the parks to meet characters. Check to see if you can get into Tony's instead. There are cancellations all the time everywhere.

 

[SueM in MN]

They are pretty much going to have to pay if they go into the restaurant. We were just there in October and there are no tables or other places where they could sit and watch without eating, so that would not work.
The only decrease in cost I have heard about was for people who were totally tube fed and could not eat. Some had to pay the total cost and some an "Entertainment Fee" which was a little bit less. That is something that would not be authorized ahead of time - the server would need to authorize it afte noting that the person can't eat.

If they do decide to go, they need to look at it as paying for a character experience rather than a meal that they won't be eating. There are not a lot of breakfast buffet items that would meet their diet. If you could change to lunch or supper, there would be a lot more options available. They usually have beef. Chicken and fish which they could get without any sauces. There would also be salad, so they could easily get their 3 cups of vegetables and lean protien without any special preparation.

 

[SoonerSarah]

Well I just got off the phone with WDW and it was not a good experience.

She did confirm that they would have to pay to enter, and then I told her about diet and she kept going on about how it would be fine for them to eat there because there are fresh fruits, I repeatedly told her that they are unable to eat fruit and she didn't't seem to grasp the concept that a fruit is different than a veggie. And when I asked her about protein, she said that the chef will not take special food requests, and that we can't find out what proteins are on the buffet until after everyone pays and gets in there. She had a slight attitude with me and was very not pleased when I asked her to look for any reservations for lunch and dinner for our days for character meals. She kept bringing up breakfasts, and then she got into the whole fresh fruit ordeal after which I finally told her that they are NOT allowed to eat fruits and only allowed veggies, which she had just told me that no veggies are served at breakfast.

I also said that I was recently told that the buffet price had increased from $20.99 to $22.99 and asked if that was true and she said that no, the buffet price is now $28.75 and the kid price has gone up $4.

So now we are thinking about cancelling the whole reservation. I'm rather disappointed because this is the only character meal (actually the only reservation at all) that we have.

 

[Bete]

and do your own searches for your lunch or dinner reservations for Crystal Palace which might be a better fit and then you can call and cancel breakfast . At breakfast there may very well not be many veggies. Haven't been there for breakfast, but if they do made to order omelettes there will be raw veggies like tomatoes, onions, and peppers available. Also, I haven't seen too many breakfasts without potatoes offered.

I know the chefs have cooked special orders for those who are kosher eating; this has been mentioned before on these boards.

You may have to try a few CMs before you get to one that will dig in deeper for you. You will have to be quite persistent.

Personally, I said it before and I'll say it again--there's too much drama, here. If you can't feel reassured their needs will be met I would not chance it. Life is too short. If you want this experience bad enough you will find a way to make it work. A $30 cup of coffee may be worth it and maybe it's not worth it; you need to decide how bad you want to go for it.

 

[livndisney]

Well I just got off the phone with WDW and it was not a good experience.

She did confirm that they would have to pay to enter, and then I told her about diet and she kept going on about how it would be fine for them to eat there because there are fresh fruits, I repeatedly told her that they are unable to eat fruit and she didn't't seem to grasp the concept that a fruit is different than a veggie. And when I asked her about protein, she said that the chef will not take special food requests, and that we can't find out what proteins are on the buffet until after everyone pays and gets in there. She had a slight attitude with me and was very not pleased when I asked her to look for any reservations for lunch and dinner for our days for character meals. She kept bringing up breakfasts, and then she got into the whole fresh fruit ordeal after which I finally told her that they are NOT allowed to eat fruits and only allowed veggies, which she had just told me that no veggies are served at breakfast.

I also said that I was recently told that the buffet price had increased from $20.99 to $22.99 and asked if that was true and she said that no, the buffet price is now $28.75 and the kid price has gone up $4.

So now we are thinking about cancelling the whole reservation. I'm rather disappointed because this is the only character meal (actually the only reservation at all) that we have.

I am sorry you had a bad time on the phone.
The rep was not correct in saying the Chefs will not prepare special requests(to a point). You can contact special diets to ask for dietary requests. They cannot assist you in the not paying part. As Sue said if the person is not tube fed, they will be charged at a buffet.

You can check the menu's on All ears to find out what is usually served at each meal. She was correct in saying it is not possible to know what is there until you arrive as items do change.

If you have not already, you may want to look at the menu's at Allears to see if another meal would work better for you. (Keeping in mind everyone pays at a Buffet even if you don't eat). Then you can look online for ADR's. You can also note dietary requirements on the Adr.


If it is the character experience you are looking for-the Pooh characters appear in AK and in Epcot. So your parents could see your children with the characters and not have to pay for a meal.

 

[SoonerSarah]

We unfortunately are not going to Epcot for this trip. Stubborn DH insists that he hated it 15 years ago when he went, and that it will be as horrible today. We plant to take a trip again in 4 years and hopefully we will be able to be there for more than 4 days.

I will say that i'm rather frustrated with my parents on this. They are usually very go with the flow types, and the trip has been planned for more than 6 months. This diet is seriously drastic and to start it a month before a major trip like this.

I will leave it up to them as to if they want to come in with us or not.

 

[ratlenhum]

They probably make you pay because whatever 2 seats they are sitting in could be used by paying people.

 

[livndisney]

We unfortunately are not going to Epcot for this trip. Stubborn DH insists that he hated it 15 years ago when he went, and that it will be as horrible today. We plant to take a trip again in 4 years and hopefully we will be able to be there for more than 4 days.

I will say that i'm rather frustrated with my parents on this. They are usually very go with the flow types, and the trip has been planned for more than 6 months. This diet is seriously drastic and to start it a month before a major trip like this.

I will leave it up to them as to if they want to come in with us or not.

I have also seen the Pooh Characters outside the Pooh ride in MK. When you arrive at MK you can ask at Guest Services where/when they are appearing that day in MK. Perhaps you can all see them that way.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For SoonerSarah- Did you call the Disney Reservations Center (407-WDW-DINE) or Central Reservations (407-W-DISNEY)? If yes, all you got was a call center and someone who may be several states away and only know how to make reservations.

You will find that just about all of the Chefs will go out of their way to assist people with dietary problems. I find that Disney likes to hire people who really do not care for dull routine and in their Culinary Academy make sure that the Chefs understand dietary problems.

And, who knows, but by the time of the trip they may decide they cannot stand the diet they are on and have gone back to "normal" eating.

 

[dclfun]

I can understand your frustration at their starting a very restricted diet right before your long-planned vacation. It sounds like this will impact the rest of your trip if you have any other table-service meals planned as they will not be eating then either. Personally you have done your legwork and they now have the answer. They can either pay to sit and watch your children or not join you for breakfast. Ressies at CP can be hard to get and I'd not cancel something you've been looking forward to. You shouldn't have to scramble over a diet that sounds like a choice vs. a necessity.---Kathy

 

[brat]

I know diets can be hard to work around. I know it is pricey but if there is nothing they can eat at the buffet which may or may not be, have them bring their shakes with to drink.

We will not be doing the buffets because we have to many food issues to try it.

Your parents diet sounds like the same one my BIL is on.We ended up bringing bagged fresh veggies with us to restuarants for him to eat raw.I know from another parent of a PKU kid that Disney fixed PKU low protein foods just for her.If you can get their Dr. & nutritionist to talk with Disney to explain their exact needs and why they need this diet you might get better results.

Good luck

 

[brandip22]

Sounds like they are on Medifast- I am as well and I just pay for the meal. There will be proteins and veggies for them to eat that one meal. Just think of it as paying for the experience.

 

[carrie1626]

We unfortunately are not going to Epcot for this trip. Stubborn DH insists that he hated it 15 years ago when he went, and that it will be as horrible today. We plant to take a trip again in 4 years and hopefully we will be able to be there for more than 4 days.

I will say that i'm rather frustrated with my parents on this. They are usually very go with the flow types, and the trip has been planned for more than 6 months. This diet is seriously drastic and to start it a month before a major trip like this.

I will leave it up to them as to if they want to come in with us or not.

Breath Tell yourself "my parents have made the decision for themselves to go on this diet".


I would plan on a sit-down or a dual phone conversation stating that it will be up to them to plan their meals. And you are not going to let their diet interrupt your vacation. Let them know, if they wish to sit down with you, they may have to pay $, even if they don't eat. It's their choice

 

[SoonerSarah]

I just think my Mom wasn't really thinking about the trip when she decided to start doing this. She has been under severe amounts of stress because of several different situations and my family is really the only part of her life that isn't stressful at this point.

 

[Bete]

I just think my Mom wasn't really thinking about the trip when she decided to start doing this. She has been under severe amounts of stress because of several different situations and my family is really the only part of her life that isn't stressful at this point.

This might be the best solution all the way around. They can enjoy their trip more without the restictions of the diet. They could still be careful on how they eat and portion their meals and such on the trip. This would make it nicer for everyone. When you think about it it won't be too enjoyable for them to be looking at everyone enjoying everything to eat and they can't partake. Another consideration with anything new like this is the possibility of mood swings. You don't need any of these issues when you take a trip like this one.

I'm not their doctor, but I certainly would think they could delay this diet until the trip is done. If there's something more here then maybe there are other considerations, but I really feel from everything you have stated that this would be the best solution.

It sounds like it's a little bit of a hardship to pay for a meal they really can't enjoy. You may not want to be separated from them, either; so, I go back to saying it's just better to delay this diet until the trip is over.

 

[I Love Pluto]

As I'm reading, I'm putting myself in your Mom's shoes. I would rather pay for a meal, even if I had to only eat one or two things with a glass of water, than to miss out on an enjoyable character breakfast with my family.

Be totally thankful for each day to be ABLE to celebrate with family. Please make the best of it. It's better to be inconvenienced a bit and receive SOME enjoyment, than to not be here at all.

 

[Bete]

As I'm reading, I'm putting myself in your Mom's shoes. I would rather pay for a meal, even if I had to only eat one or two things with a glass of water, than to miss out on an enjoyable character breakfast with my family.

Be totally thankful for each day to be ABLE to celebrate with family. Please make the best of it. It's better to be inconvenienced a bit and receive SOME enjoyment, than to not be here at all.

I think everyone's letting the buck $$ get in the way of enjoying your time with the kids and your parents. Save in other ways before the trip to make this happen even if you pay for it all yourself.

 

[SoonerSarah]

I think everyone's letting the buck $$ get in the way of enjoying your time with the kids and your parents. Save in other ways before the trip to make this happen even if you pay for it all yourself.

Thank you for all of your assumptions about my family. Yes, I do care for my parents more than I do for money. And no, one character breakfast is not going to get in the way of any relationships. We don't generally just spend money for nothing in return, especially not $70 for a food buffet where no food will be eaten, and they wouldn't be comfortable with us paying for their breakfast either. You are more than welcome to tell me just how I should find the additional money to pay for all of this (the higher buffet prices and my parents buffet), and what ways I can cut back.


We decided to cancel the breakfast. The kids don't know about it, FIL and BIL didn't care about it and were just along for the ride. MIL and I weren't happy about the price hike and are fine with just not going. We have more time free now for the park and will enjoy ourselves in other ways.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.