Teppan Edo wants to charge me $22 for my food-allergic, 9 year old's meal!

[greenpea89]

OMG....it's my friend's kid.....the other family that is going with us.....seriously.

Reading up on every post I've ever written, huh?

So your friend's name is Cathi and also has a son with severe multiple allergies and she went on a 5 person family trip with you in 2007 and then used your DIS account username to post multiple times in both 2007 and 2012, really between 2007 and 2014, with the exact same issues that you have?

Look, I honestly don't care how old your son is (please read this in a gentle tone) but it's very difficult to change information once it's in Disney's records. If, your friend's son for some reason, maybe because they traveled with you, because he's similar in age, and has the exact same food issues, maybe even the same name as your son(?), is registered as part of your family and Disney believes he's an adult they may be charging you an adult price for his meal regardless of what they call it. You asked in your OP why it was so expensive and this may be why. Maybe you should check with Disney what age is on his record because they always know my children's' exact ages when I call to book our trips.

Also, no, I didn't have to read all of your posts. The information pops up multiple times over the years in your, or your friend's (?), posts so it's easy to find and an earlier poster on this thread posted the same information so I thought that might be the reason for the expensive special meal at Teppan Edo.

Also, you posted this earlier in this thread (I'm so confused.):

Thank you all for your responses! My son was born in 2004 which makes him 9 years old, so he is a child in the eyes of Disney.

 

[cathicool]

ok...last comment about the age of the kids on our trip....didn't want to offer up that it was a friend's kid. they are quite sensitive and have a hard time dealing with all his allergies. I assured them Disney is great and this is their first trip. since we have been to Disney a few times before, I was tasked with doing the reservations. I thought it easy just to say it was my child since I have dealt with this situation before. I figured it easier just to write my son instead of having to explain (long story short.....my first words in my first post is now totally out the window....).

so to all those who are confused.......

There is a kid on our trip who has a bunch of food allergies being charged $22 for a child's meal at a restaurant that is not doing anything out of the ordinary to accommodate him.

Can we address the original issue please instead of "attacking" me for trying to keep things as simple as possible? Thank you.

 

[roadtripper]

I think greenpea89 is being kind here. People could come to the disABILITIES for the first time, see your post about the upcharge for an allergic child's meal, and decide it's just not worth it to try to eat at WDW. That's not presenting an accurate picture of most peoples' experiences with eating at WDW with allergies.

 

[cathicool]

I think greenpea89 is being kind here. People could come to the disABILITIES for the first time, see your post about the upcharge for an allergic child's meal, and decide it's just not worth it to try to eat at WDW. That's not presenting an accurate picture of most peoples' experiences with eating at WDW with allergies.

OMG.....
BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!! THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS!!!

I identified the kid correctly on the ADRs and the Allergy forms. They know he is 9. He's never been to Disney before, neither has the family. I only identified him here as my child, as I didn't want to divulge the other families personal issues. but since you guys went nutso over this, I didn't want it to evolve into some other issue....which this clearly has.

Teppan Edo wants to charge $22 for a child's meal. That's the only thing that we should be discussing.

 

[sjs314]

Regardless of whose child it is or how old he is the main fact remains that Teppan Edo can't or won't bring in specific foods for the child's allergies (grass fed meats) and is Chargeing extra for a modified child's meal I personally would not risk his eating there at any cost.

The price of the meal would not be my major concern, the chance of his having an allergic reaction to eating the non-grass fed meats is the issue

 

[maxiesmom]

Regardless of whose child it is or how old he is the main fact remains that Teppan Edo can't or won't bring in specific foods for the child's allergies (grass fed meats) and is Chargeing extra for a modified child's meal I personally would not risk his eating there at any cost.

The price of the meal would not be my major concern, the chance of his having an allergic reaction to eating the non-grass fed meats is the issue

Agree. The upcharge is the lesser concern. The main one is the lack of concern or ignorance Teppan Edo has about those specific food allergies. I honestly think you need to find another restaurant that is more knowledgeable, and won't upcharge you for the meal.

 

[roadtripper]

Regardless of whose child it is or how old he is the main fact remains that Teppan Edo can't or won't bring in specific foods for the child's allergies (grass fed meats) and is Chargeing extra for a modified child's meal I personally would not risk his eating there at any cost.

The price of the meal would not be my major concern, the chance of his having an allergic reaction to eating the non-grass fed meats is the issue

Yes. Imagine how awful you'd feel if something were to go wrong after making all the plans for this other family and having convinced this other family that their son's complicated allergy needs will be met. I wouldn't want to take that chance. I'd say Sayonara Teppan Edo.

 

[cathicool]

Regardless of whose child it is or how old he is the main fact remains that Teppan Edo can't or won't bring in specific foods for the child's allergies (grass fed meats) and is Chargeing extra for a modified child's meal I personally would not risk his eating there at any cost.

The price of the meal would not be my major concern, the chance of his having an allergic reaction to eating the non-grass fed meats is the issue

Agree. The upcharge is the lesser concern. The main one is the lack of concern or ignorance Teppan Edo has about those specific food allergies. I honestly think you need to find another restaurant that is more knowledgeable, and won't upcharge you for the meal.

Yes. Imagine how awful you'd feel if something were to go wrong after making all the plans for this other family and having convinced this other family that their son's complicated allergy needs will be met. I wouldn't want to take that chance. I'd say Sayonara Teppan Edo.

THANK YOU. I really appreciate the constructive feedback. All I was looking for was a little advice and to check my own barometer. I hate to give up the experience there, but in reading your comments....I now realize it would be the right thing to do.

Any suggestions on a replacement restaurant in Epcot that has handled food allergies well recently? We have an ADR at Chefs de France already that day.

 

[Gracie09]

Some restaurants are better at allergies than others. Disney owned as opposed to those owned by other companies (and most of the world showcase restaurants are not Disney owned) are generally better at allergies. The cost of the meal aside, because I believe that is a secondary issue, there is no way I would eat here with a child with those allergies. Period. Yeah it's fun and the food is good but it's not worth it.

As for up charges, unless you are on the ddp up charges will occur in many places. I would expect if a restaurant is ordering special ingredients for your party like grasses beef there will be a significant up charge for the meal.

 

[mmmagique]

You really did make it seem as if it were your son. (and honestly, I believe it is)

Regardless, the restaurant gave you SO MANY red flags that make it quite clear they are incapable of dealing with severe allergies.

Whether they are charging you twenty two dollars or twenty two cents, I don't believe you should be taking those chances with his health. Take him someplace else (or have one of the older kids take him someplace nearby as kind of a fun "grown up" thing to do while the rest of you enjoy your meal at Teppan.

To answer another question you asked, no, I don't think you should sign him up for a dining plan to "get around" the charge. I doubt it will work anyway, and, I believe it's dangerous for you to take him there.

 

[mistysue]

We have never had a Disney restaurant get outside food for us. We have been told at various quick service locati OK n's that they could not accommodate us, and been recommended to visit another location. This has happened to us at 3 different locations across 2 trips. We have also been charged more for things they had on hand, even paying $9 for my 4 year old to have a "child's portion" of adult sorbet at the adult price. (We should have clarified, I assumed when they said child portion the price would be smaller too...oops)
I would just not go there and consider yourself lucky to get a heads up rather than need to deal with it while you are hungry and looking for food.

On average, Disney dining is far beyond what we find elsewhere and does an excellent job with allergies, but there are going to be exceptions. So just be glad you find out before you went.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm gong to close this now as the original question has been answered and it is digressing into other things.
From the ADA link I posted earlier:

5. What might a restaurant or other similar place of public accommodation need to do to accommodate an individual with celiac disease or other food allergies?

A: A restaurant may have to take some reasonable steps to accommodate individuals with disabilities where it does not result in a fundamental alteration of that restaurant's operations. By way of example only, this may include: 1) answering questions from diners about menu item ingredients, where the ingredients are known, or 2) omitting or substituting certain ingredients upon request if the restaurant normally does this for other customers.

6. What is a fundamental alteration?

A: A fundamental alteration is a modification that is so significant that it alters the essential nature of the good or services that a business offers. For example, a restaurant is not required to alter its menu or provide different foods to meet particular dietary needs.