Tube fed child and buffets

[sunleigh]

What experience have other families had with this in Disney? Does Disney make you pay for the disabled completely tube fed child at buffets? My daughter will be traveling to Disney for her wish trip in January and while making reservations this question came to mind wondering if I should get a doctors note to take along.
Thanks so much for any info

Leigh

 

[alizesmom]

It's at the discretion of the restaurant but I find that we usually paid for buffets for our tubies especially if there is entertainment or characters.

 

[tinkerbelllacey]

My DD is 15 and tube fed. We go to Disney every year and never have been charged at buffets. This includes Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table (she was even chosen to be princess of the day here), 1900 Park Fare, Boma, Biergarten, Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall, The Crystal Palace, Ohana and Cape May Café.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Officially WDW does not give discounts for people who don't eat because most buffets include characters & other entertainment. The money is considered an "entertainment fee" in those cases. That said, plenty of people have said that when they were actually at the restaurant they were charged either a reduced rate or nothing for party members who are 100% tube fed. There's really no way to know for sure what the restaurant will decide ahead of time because it's ultimately at their discretion. I would plan to pay and be pleasantly surprised if it turns out otherwise.

 

[SueM in MN]

Officially WDW does not give discounts for people who don't eat because most buffets include characters & other entertainment. The money is considered an "entertainment fee" in those cases. That said, plenty of people have said that when they were actually at the restaurant they were charged either a reduced rate or nothing for party members who are 100% tube fed. There's really no way to know for sure what the restaurant will decide ahead of time because it's ultimately at their discretion. I would plan to pay and be pleasantly surprised if it turns out otherwise.

This

It is up to the discretion of the server/manager and will either be charged or not at the time of the meal.

Reports have varied from not being charged at all, to being charged full price to bring charged a smaller 'entertainment fee'.

So, I would plan on being charged and be pleasantly surprised if not charged.

 

[sunleigh]

thanks for the replies!! I only am scheduling this one buffet due to this reason, but so worth paying for her to see my other children at ohana they love stitch!!

 

[SchneiderFam]

It has been our experience with our son that they haven't charged us for buffets/family style meals. We've done them many times and the only one that even questioned us was Cape May Café for a breakfast. My son is pretty obviously disabled, so maybe that stops the question before it starts, but again we've never had an issue with it. They usually ring him in as "infant".

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There are many threads already on this topic if you need more information.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3131123&highlight=buffets

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2152754&highlight=buffet

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3029729&highlight=buffet

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) This answer you will not like.
2) Each buffet/AYCTE eatery decides the policy on its own.
3) Once the manager decides, there is no appeal to anyone.
4) In almost all cases, the regular price is paid, even if not eating.
. . . example: for guests with feeding tubes
. . . example: for guest with gastric bypass surgery
. . . example: for guests with eating disorders and conditions reducing food consumption
5) I know of two that reduce the price to an "entertainment value", but not free.
6) Doctor excuses make no difference - at all.
7) For budgeting purposes, plan upon paying full price for the child.

 

[Turbanator]

Yes it varies from place to place, some will do it free or cheaper but some will charge the same.