Tube Fed and Dessert Parties

[PurpleKomodo]

Anyone had any luck not having to pay (or not having to pay full price) for a child who is tube fed at a dessert party? We are hoping to go to the World of Color Dessert Party at California Adventure this summer and my youngest, who is 3, is 100% tube fed, so it seems silly to pay for food and drinks he won't consume. I don't mind paying something for the spot, but would kind of hate to have to pay full price. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[gap2368]

I would think you would have to call Disney about this

 

[DLgal]

Unfortunately, they will not make allowances for this, same as at buffets. Everyone has to pay. This party is as much about paying for a SEAT than the food.

 

[lanejudy]

I can't speak specifically to a dessert party at DL, but in the past at WDW reports have varied as to whether folks were successful in getting a fee removed or reduced for a tube-fed individual. WDW's stance is that you are paying for the experience and the food is secondary to that. Therefore the full fee is charged regardless of whether someone will eat or not. I can see their point that allowing exceptions opens the door to abuse, however I can also see the point of a family such as yourself. Unfortunately, I believe what Disney will tell you is that everyone must be listed on the reservation and paid, and you may speak with someone at the event to request a refund or adjustment for the individual. Good luck!

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Yeah. I totally get the "paying for a seat" piece, but technically he doesn't require a physical seat either as he will sit in his wheelchair. This is our first trip where he is over 3 so our first experience with navigating this. Our plan is to call ahead and if we don't get anywhere to ask at the event as well. We are okay either way and will do the event regardless. It is just a little different than a kid who is selective about foods or something. He doesn't eat anything at all by mouth.

 

[SueM in MN]

Unfortunately, I believe what Disney will tell you is that everyone must be listed on the reservation and paid, and you may speak with someone at the event to request a refund or adjustment for the individual. Good luck!

This!

At least for character dining and buffets at WDW, the staff at the venue have the ability to discount the charge if someone is not able to/cannot eat.
They may still charge a smaller ‘entertainment fee’, but anything about discounting would be done at the time.
The reason they don’t do it ahead of time is that people would lie to avoid the charge. (That has come up in previous discussions of the subject).
Everyone needs to be listed on the reservation for fire code/occupancy reasons, even if they won’t occupy a physical seat (babies get counted too, even if they will be held by the parents). I’m not positive how fire codes apply exactly assuming it’s an outdoor experience, but general occupancy will apply - if he‘s not listed on the reservation, they will assume you only need seats for that number of people, not that number plus 1 wheelchair space.

 

[mistysue]

There was nothing official about how this was handled- but in part because he was so tiny, my youngest (who is a selective eater) went to more than one WDW buffet between the ages of 3-5 where our server didn't charge us for him because he not only could pass for under 3 but refused to even touch the food. We never asked and always listed his real age. It worked in our favor that we also had allergies, so some of those "we won't charge for the youngest" times involved one kid getting barely anything and the other leaving hungry. Unfortunately we did pay full price for a family of 5 at a dessert party where 3 of us couldn't eat any of it. Those parties really are about the special space more than the desserts.

But it might be worth asking nicely, if it can be honest even throwing in that he's "just 3" and can't eat anything, and asking if there's possibly an entertainment fee for those who can't have the food. But I would plan to pay and let yourself be surprised if they are kind.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

There was nothing official about how this was handled- but in part because he was so tiny, my youngest (who is a selective eater) went to more than one WDW buffet between the ages of 3-5 where our server didn't charge us for him because he not only could pass for under 3 but refused to even touch the food. We never asked and always listed his real age. It worked in our favor that we also had allergies, so some of those "we won't charge for the youngest" times involved one kid getting barely anything and the other leaving hungry. Unfortunately we did pay full price for a family of 5 at a dessert party where 3 of us couldn't eat any of it. Those parties really are about the special space more than the desserts.

But it might be worth asking nicely, if it can be honest even throwing in that he's "just 3" and can't eat anything, and asking if there's possibly an entertainment fee for those who can't have the food. But I would plan to pay and let yourself be surprised if they are kind.

That was my plan to be honest. We included him at his real age on the reservation and pre-paid for him. Luckily (maybe) his disability is quite visible (he has a trach and uses a large power wheelchair) so no one is going to think we are trying to pull a fast one. We are prepared to pay for the experience, but was curious if anyone had any experience.

 

[mistysue]

That was my plan to be honest. We included him at his real age on the reservation and pre-paid for him. Luckily (maybe) his disability is quite visible (he has a trach and uses a large power wheelchair) so no one is going to think we are trying to pull a fast one. We are prepared to pay for the experience, but was curious if anyone had any experience.

I'm hoping they are kind. Either way it should be a great experience, it's so nice to get away from the crowd and still see some of these events.

 

[tinkerbelllacey]

Anyone had any luck not having to pay (or not having to pay full price) for a child who is tube fed at a dessert party? We are hoping to go to the World of Color Dessert Party at California Adventure this summer and my youngest, who is 3, is 100% tube fed, so it seems silly to pay for food and drinks he won't consume. I don't mind paying something for the spot, but would kind of hate to have to pay full price. Anyone have any experience with this?

Yes we have been to the dessert party in Disney World and did not have to pay for my daughter who is tube fed and also uses a wheelchair, when I booked ( I called) and they put her down as an infant. We also have never gotten charged at any buffets. She is 23 and we have been going to Disney since she was a baby and never have been charged and in fact everyone has always been kind. They even made her the princess of the day one time at CRT when they did that when we went for breakfast at opening. It was so magical!

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes we have been to the dessert party in Disney World and did not have to pay for my daughter who is tube fed and also uses a wheelchair, when I booked ( I called) and they put her down as an infant. We also have never gotten charged at any buffets. She is 23 and we have been going to Disney since she was a baby and never have been charged and in fact everyone has always been kind. They even made her the princess of the day one time at CRT when they did that when we went for breakfast at opening. It was so magical!

Thank you for posting.
Glad it worked out for you. The majority of postings I’ve seen have been told it could be done at the experience and were successful. Nice to hear someone was able to get it taken care of up front

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Yes we have been to the dessert party in Disney World and did not have to pay for my daughter who is tube fed and also uses a wheelchair, when I booked ( I called) and they put her down as an infant. We also have never gotten charged at any buffets. She is 23 and we have been going to Disney since she was a baby and never have been charged and in fact everyone has always been kind. They even made her the princess of the day one time at CRT when they did that when we went for breakfast at opening. It was so magical!

I believe we have talked before as our kids have the same diagnosis. On the day reservations opened, there was no option to call. It all had to be done online. So, we decided it would be better to be honest and book him at his age, but ask when we arrive.