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

[cathicool]

Long story short....

I have a 9 year old who has a gazillion food allergies. Teppan Edo doesn't want to do anything "special"- bring anything onsite that would be appropriate-to really accommodate my son. So I agreed to a tentative menu- a childs prtion of plain steamed rice, some vegetables and a combo of chicken and steak. My son can really only eat grass-fed products, but like I said, Teppan Edo won't provide this, so they will be serving my son the typical products that they have. (Unlike every other restaurant I have spoken with).

The last email I got- after they tried to convince me that the gluten free soy sauce would be ok for a kid with a soy allergy and sesame oil ok with a sesame allergy, and several other issues which have all seem to be "worked out" was that since they came up with this "special child meal" it will be $22 plus tax!

He cannot eat any dipping sauces, udon noodles or have a desert. We are talking strictly the entrée- which is a child's portion...... for $22.

I sent an email to Disney special diets complaining about this. I'm really upset. We are a party of 9- 2 families. We have been to Disney before, but the other family hasn't. We all love hibachi and they do such a great job at Teppan Edo- the chef entertainment is great and the food is so tasty. But I feel I am being overcharged for a disabled child.

Am I wrong? No other restaurant is charging a "surcharge" and like I said, all the other restaurants are going to have to get "something" offsite.

 

[okeydokey]

Since they are having to go through the effort to avoid contamination for the special meal and time to prepare it differently than the rest, I wouldn't quibble about the price. What is the regular price of a kids meal at the restaurant? I can't imagine it is much less than 22.

 

[cathicool]

Since they are having to go through the effort to avoid contamination for the special meal and time to prepare it differently than the rest, I wouldn't quibble about the price. What is the regular price of a kids meal at the restaurant? I can't imagine it is much less than 22.

kids meals at teppan edo according to www.wdwinfo.com:

Dinner (Updated: 01/14)
Entree/Main Course
Ebi - Large Shrimp with seasonal vegetables with Udon noodles and steamed rice. - $12.50
Tempura Combo - Shrimp and chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, steamed rice and dessert. - $9.50
Teriyaki Chicken - Grilled chicken and teriyaki sauce with seasonal vegetables, steamed rice and dessert. - $9.50
Tori - Chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, Udon noodles, and steamed rice. - $12.00


Not trying to be "funny", but you feel it is ok to be charged DOUBLE for .....what exactly?

 

[Gracie09]

Generally Disney owned restaurants are better at handling special food requests. I can understand why a restaurant wouldn't order grass fed beef when its not normally on its menu. There is often an up charge, even at disney owned restaurants for special items like gluten free and allergy free.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Allergy child mom here. We would not eat there. They seem unable to provide meat that is safe for your son, and not knowledgeable about his soy allergy. I would not risk putting my child at risk. If it's important to the rest of the group to eat there, plan a "special" time to have dinner with your child somewhere else. If you can be assured that the meal is indeed safe for your child, and everyone else is set on eating there, the cost would not be an issue for me. We just know we spend more money on food to keep him safe. Never compromise on what foods your child needs to stay safe and healthy.

 

[Gracie09]

kids meals at teppan edo according to www.wdwinfo.com:

Dinner (Updated: 01/14)
Entree/Main Course
Ebi - Large Shrimp with seasonal vegetables with Udon noodles and steamed rice. - $12.50
Tempura Combo - Shrimp and chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, steamed rice and dessert. - $9.50
Teriyaki Chicken - Grilled chicken and teriyaki sauce with seasonal vegetables, steamed rice and dessert. - $9.50
Tori - Chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, Udon noodles, and steamed rice. - $12.00


Not trying to be "funny", but you feel it is ok to be charged DOUBLE for .....what exactly?

Your information is a bit outdated

as of October 2013

Kids Menu - Ages 9 and under

Tori - chicken breast $13.00
Ebi - large shrimp $13.50
Yasai - fresh seasonal vegetables and udon noodles $9.00

if I remember dessert was a cookie or fruit cup. Not exactly something to write home about.

 

[Talking Hands]

Long story short....

I have a 9 year old who has a gazillion food allergies. Teppan Edo doesn't want to do anything "special"- bring anything onsite that would be appropriate-to really accommodate my son. So I agreed to a tentative menu- a childs prtion of plain steamed rice, some vegetables and a combo of chicken and steak. My son can really only eat grass-fed products, but like I said, Teppan Edo won't provide this, so they will be serving my son the typical products that they have. (Unlike every other restaurant I have spoken with).

The last email I got- after they tried to convince me that the gluten free soy sauce would be ok for a kid with a soy allergy and sesame oil ok with a sesame allergy, and several other issues which have all seem to be "worked out" was that since they came up with this "special child meal" it will be $22 plus tax!

He cannot eat any dipping sauces, udon noodles or have a desert. We are talking strictly the entrée- which is a child's portion...... for $22.

I sent an email to Disney special diets complaining about this. I'm really upset. We are a party of 9- 2 families. We have been to Disney before, but the other family hasn't. We all love hibachi and they do such a great job at Teppan Edo- the chef entertainment is great and the food is so tasty. But I feel I am being overcharged for a disabled child.

Am I wrong? No other restaurant is charging a "surcharge" and like I said, all the other restaurants are going to have to get "something" offsite.

Unless you are on the dining plan Disney does upcharge on allergy meals. We paid $14 for an allergy pizza at Pizzafari because that was all that I could have due to my dairy allergy. They would not do just the pizza base with only tomato sauce and some veggies. Was an Amy's gulten free, dairy free pizza. I don't need gluten free

I was actually warned off of the Japanese restaurant due to my allergies by a CM friend. He said they are not the best at cross contamination and I have dairy, mango, shellfish and cashew allergies. Mango and shellfish are anaphylactic.

 

[eliz603]

Allergy child mom here. We would not eat there. They seem unable to provide meat that is safe for your son, and not knowledgeable about his soy allergy. I would not risk putting my child at risk. If it's important to the rest of the group to eat there, plan a "special" time to have dinner with your child somewhere else. If you can be assured that the meal is indeed safe for your child, and everyone else is set on eating there, the cost would not be an issue for me. We just know we spend more money on food to keep him safe. Never compromise on what foods your child needs to stay safe and healthy.

This.

They can't meet your needs and they're totally ignorant about soy and sesame allergies. I personally wouldn't be comfortable in that situation.

If I was comfortable, I'd be annoyed with the price, but let's face it. We are constantly paying more for safe foods. Totally stinks, but that's the story. They are having to go through special accommodations, so I would expect some upcharge. Their price is high, but big picture, I'd do it if it was safe. But price plus their not understanding about allergies, I'd do what the PP suggested and either not go or have a special meal with him.

Have you tried to talk with them about the price?

 

[Schmeck]

Long story short....

I have a 9 year old who has a gazillion food allergies. Teppan Edo doesn't want to do anything "special"- bring anything onsite that would be appropriate-to really accommodate my son. So I agreed to a tentative menu- a childs prtion of plain steamed rice, some vegetables and a combo of chicken and steak. My son can really only eat grass-fed products, but like I said, Teppan Edo won't provide this, so they will be serving my son the typical products that they have. (Unlike every other restaurant I have spoken with).

The last email I got- after they tried to convince me that the gluten free soy sauce would be ok for a kid with a soy allergy and sesame oil ok with a sesame allergy, and several other issues which have all seem to be "worked out" was that since they came up with this "special child meal" it will be $22 plus tax!

He cannot eat any dipping sauces, udon noodles or have a desert. We are talking strictly the entrée- which is a child's portion...... for $22.

I sent an email to Disney special diets complaining about this. I'm really upset. We are a party of 9- 2 families. We have been to Disney before, but the other family hasn't. We all love hibachi and they do such a great job at Teppan Edo- the chef entertainment is great and the food is so tasty. But I feel I am being overcharged for a disabled child.

Am I wrong? No other restaurant is charging a "surcharge" and like I said, all the other restaurants are going to have to get "something" offsite.

Is Teppan Edo considered a "Disney' restaurant? I thought the World Showcase places were independent of a lot of Disney's control. At any restaurant they do not 'have' to purchase any products not listed on their menu. Expecting 'grass-fed' products is beyond their menu, and they do not have to provide that for you.

Now, if there are actual items on the menu that your child can eat, Teppan Edo can offer them in a way that would be safe. The thing is, those ingredients could come from multiple meals, and that would be making those meals not available. Now, if it was a basic ingredient (starch base) it should be charged as a single meal, but if it is a couple of costly/special ingredients, then yes, the safe meal would cost a lot more.

 

[MariDisney]

That sounds like the price for an adult. As you probably know, Disney "adults" are 10 years and up. Is it possible he's an adult on your reservation?

 

[SMD]

In 2006 OP's son was 4 1/2. In 2012 he was 9. Maybe they're charging the adult price because her son is 11 or 12 and is too old to order off the kids menu, which is 9 or under.

 

[BigAlsGal]

That stinks. Looks like you have 2 options. Don't go. Or go and pay their price.

 

[SueM in MN]

The a World Showcase restaurants are not a Disney operated, so may not work the same as WDW operated ones.

Per the ADA, restaurants are allowed to charge more if the ingredients cost more than the original menu item ingredients. The expectation is that in most cases, the needs would be able to be met by simple things, such as leaving out and ingredient or a sauce. There is no requirement that a restaurant get special ingredients, but if they do and if they cost more, the cost can be passed on yo the guest.
This is a link to one of the ADA FAQs about food allergies.
http://www.ada.gov/q&a_lesley_university.htm

I think for the original question about cost in this post, the simplest answer might be that chicken costs less than steak and there is apparently no steak kid's meal.

I agree with the posters who suggested letting the others in your group eat there and have someone else take the child somewhere else for that meal.

 

[smidgy]

since this isn't a character meal, couldn't they tkae the boy somewhere else FIRST (so he isn't hungry during dinner). maybe get him a counter service meal he can eat before dinner. than maybe they could purchase a dessert ofr something small for him to eat at teppan edo while everyone else is eating?

or maybe, after he had eaten elsewhere, he could just have a few snacks you brought in for him? I wonder if they allow that. would they charge just for his presence at the table (I know they do for charactermeals, )

I know they would charge the 18% gratuity. they would anyway with that large a group.

I just don't think he and one other person should have to miss the whole dining experience. if I were them I woul dbe willing to pay a small "surcharge" for him to see the "show" and bring in something for him to nibble on.. but not $22.

 

[cathicool]

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.

The emails from Teppan Edo specifically say he will be served a child's portion- so I do not think they plan on serving him an adult meal.

I copied the pricing info directly form WDW's site, so if the prices are wrong I am sorry, but I figured that would be the safest place to quote from.

Lastly, if Teppan Edo was truly doing something special or serving something out of the ordinary, I could concede an upcharge. But they are using the products they typically have- the things they have on hand for all their guests. I know the price differences between the allergy safe food(s) and conventional food is huge- I deal with it everyday. But they are not providing anything other than what they always have on hand. So why are they charging him so much more?

So do you think we should do the DDP to avoid the possible "surprise" surcharges for my son's meals?

 

[greenpea89]

Sorry, genuinely not trying to be confrontational just confused.

In this thread, which both quotes are pulled from, that you posted on September 12, 2012, you state, multiple times, that you have three children, two of them girls, and your son, who has severe multiple food allergies, is 9. That would make him 10 in February of 2014. Right? I think that's what's throwing people off.

Sorry for the weird quote I couldn't get it to copy from one thread to the other correctly.

I wrote this on 9-1-12.....
Really struggling with our ADR's and my son's 15 food allergies. Our last visit to WDW in 2009 went great--no real issues. This time around, we are getting really close to our arrival date and very few chefs have contacted us (yes, filled out all the forms and had a conversation with special diets). 3 restaurants out of 10 have contacted us, including one restaurant which told us to bring my childs food. Then they called me back and told us that they were serving something my child has an airborne allergy to, so we should "think about" another ADR.

Really bummed and worried about our upcoming trip......
__________________

and now today, 9-11-12.....I don't even want to go....and this is my daughter's birthday trip. She's turning 8 on Sunday.

So I have come to accept this is our last trip to disney. We leave in 2 days, I still don't have all of my 9 year old son's food worked out and most locations can't (won't?) accomodate him. So I am bringing food to a bunch of restaurants, but they won't heat any of it up and in 90 degree weather, I can't take the risk of not having a cooler full of ice to carry his food in, so his food will be cold when it is time to eat it. Try explaining to a 9 year old while your eating appetizers, dessert and all sorts of things, why he has cold, mushy french fries and cold hot dogs, that I had to make 3 hours ago before we left the villa. Or maybe he can just eat potato chips for dinner.

If this had been conveyed to me sooner, I would not have planned the trip. But to be into it now for airfare, park tickets, accomodations, etc....plus the disappointment of my other 2 kids would be a travesty.

I've got chefs calling me today, telling me they will try to look into this a "bit" more......I've been calling, emailing for weeks! I understand they are busy, really, I do. I know it takes alot of energy to feed just 1 child with food allergies--really, I do. But if you can't do it.....then I should've just been told that, instead it's been a "dance" or the infamous "I'll call you back".

I'm totally stressed out.....and I'm sure I will be, the whole "vacation". So sad......

yes, we do have a kitchen and I will be doing a Whole Foods run. But to have to go back to the villa for every meal would really be awful. I have 3 kids.....all our lives revolve around my DS with his allergies, high functioning autism, etc. My 2 girls probably don't even realize half of the accomodations that are made for him, but I do-- I try not to make it seem so lopsided.

My girls like to eat. My daughter is turning 8 while we are in disney. She requested seafood for dinner. She eats salmon, sushi, hummus out of the container. Definitely a foodie. We all are. We don't want to eat back in the villa every meal. Am I supposed to cook? Or do we do take out? so then our food is cold and soggy. Not being hostile, but sincerely aggravated that not only are they not able/willing to get food DS can eat, but they won't help me with food I bring- they can't reheat anything!

I'm sorry, it must sound like I am "whining"..."I don't wanna....."

But we eat seperately alot at home- DH works alot, seperate meals due to food allergies, etc. When we go on vacation, it's family time....not let me take DS back to the villa to eat and DH and my 2DD go eat at a restaurant.
We have a lot to be grateful for, I do understand that.

I'm a planner...and this is just not going according to plan.

[/B][/B][/B][/B]

 

[greenpea89]

Also, in another thread you posted the below quote on 9/24/2007 where you state that your son, who you also state elsewhere in the same time frame on several different threads, has severe allergies, and is 5 1/2. Which would make him 11 1/2 or 12 in February of 2014. Again, sorry, just really confused but if your son is 11 1/2 or 12 and/or that's what's in Disney's records they could still be charging you adult prices for his meal even though they describe it as a "children's meal".

hi!
we are a family of 5, inconnecting cat 5's- 7600 and 7602.

me- Cathi (37) and DH- Jeff (36), DD - Alassia 7.5, DS- Zachary 5.5, DD- Victoria 3yrs and 2 mos- better be potty trained by then!!!!!!

we are excited about the western since we have never been to any of the ports of call before (except CC of course).

we are trying to decide if we should fly the day before or fly the morning of the cruise. we live in NY (long island) and have always flown the morning of the cruise. but for some reason i am worried it may snow and i don't want to "miss the ship"!

 

[cathicool]

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?

 

[roadtripper]

Long story short....

I have a 9 year old who has a gazillion food allergies. Teppan Edo doesn't want to do anything "special"- bring anything onsite that would be appropriate-to really accommodate my son."


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


I can see why people are confused...

 

[maxiesmom]

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 why didn't you say that to start with? Why lie about it? It makes it hard for people to give accurate, honest advice when you are not honest to start with.