Tube Feeding and the DDP

[SchneiderFam]

We are planning a trip in May with another family through our DVC. They are very interested in getting the Disney Dining Plan. We haven't gotten the DDP (among other reasons) in a long time because of the requirement to include everyone on the reservation on the Plan. I have a disabled son who is exclusively tube fed. Nothing by mouth at all. When this has come up in the past, I have just not registered him in the room, but with the new FP+/MDE, that doesn't really seem like a solution.

I emailed DVC directly to confirm the policy and see if there was an exception for the disabled. The policy was confirmed and that we would need to pay for my son on the DDP and that "Others in the room could use the entitlements". I thought that was rather crazy. I am not sure how much food Disney expects us to eat.

My question is this, I am thinking about taking my question/complaint up the chain of command. It strikes me as somehow unfair that my traveling party would be penalized because we have a disabled person in it. Has anyone had any luck getting around this? In an official way? I am thinking maybe I can booked him at a younger age, but I would prefer for things to be on the up and up.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[nikkislaght]

having no experience of having a loved one using a feeding tube at the parks.. but have experienced using a feeding tube with a young man I used to care for.. I Would call and talk to someone about your son and why you are asking that they not charge you for him..
Im thinking that if its a character meal ,, they would use the fact that he will interact with the characters as part of the reason for charging for him.. ???

Hope you can find a solution.. it would seem to me that it would be hard to swallow (no pun intended) to pay for him when he doesnt eat..

Have a great trip

 

[SueM in MN]

The Disney Dining Plan doesn't make economic sense for some families, weighing the cost against what they would use. We've looked at it for our family and it is less expensive just to pay for what we eat (my daughter who is disabled eats very little).

There are many people who are in a situation like yours, with someone who doesn't eat at all, people with picky eaters who might not get much benefit out of the dining plan, people who had gastric bypass and can only eat very small portions at a time. Even people with small children make the point that they are paying for more than their children will eat.
And then, unfortunately, there are a number of people who would lie to get someone in their group not charged for.
It would be difficult for Disney to work around all those things, basically it's just up to people to decide for themselves whether the Dining Plan is worth the cost.

You can certainly try writing to Disney, but I expect the answer will be basically what I wrote here.

There is contact information in a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link n my signature.

 

[lanejudy]

You may certainly call and ask about it. This topic comes up fairly often, and I have not read any reports of people being allowed to waive the dining plan for 1 member of the party for any reason. WDW stands by their offer that anyone in the room may use the credits. If you plan any signature dining, those require 2 entitlements per guest, so that may be a way to use them up. If you plan any character meals or dinner shows, those typically will charge every person at the table whether they eat or not, as it's considered entertainment. I have heard of people paying out-of-pocket occasionally getting the regular buffet price reduced for a family member who cannot eat, but it's considered pixie-dust and shouldn't be expected.

I'd honestly re-evaluate whether you need/want the dining plan. Depending on your meal choices, it may not save you any money and could cost more than paying out-of-pocket. If you like the convenience factor of having it pre-paid, put that amount on a gift card to use for your meals. Just because the other family is doing the DDP doesn't mean your family must unless you are sharing a room.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Mrsjvb]

the policy is the policy and they do not make exceptions(otherwise everyone would play the 'picky eater' card to avoid paying for it).

besides for character dining, you are paying for the interaction, not the food.

if you crunch numbers and decide its a good deal you can opt to use the extra credits for 2 credit TS venues. and you can never have too many mickey rice krispie treats or caramel apples to take back home via snack credit

for us we decided a long time ago it was never a good deal eve with any free dining promo as we always make out using our military discount on room only

 

[Allison]

I will weigh in and agree with others that though I have seen this scenario discussed, I have never heard of an exception being made.

 

[DisneyOma]

We are planning a trip in May with another family through our DVC. They are very interested in getting the Disney Dining Plan. We haven't gotten the DDP (among other reasons) in a long time because of the requirement to include everyone on the reservation on the Plan. I have a disabled son who is exclusively tube fed. Nothing by mouth at all. When this has come up in the past, I have just not registered him in the room, but with the new FP+/MDE, that doesn't really seem like a solution.

I emailed DVC directly to confirm the policy and see if there was an exception for the disabled. The policy was confirmed and that we would need to pay for my son on the DDP and that "Others in the room could use the entitlements". I thought that was rather crazy. I am not sure how much food Disney expects us to eat.

My question is this, I am thinking about taking my question/complaint up the chain of command. It strikes me as somehow unfair that my traveling party would be penalized because we have a disabled person in it. Has anyone had any luck getting around this? In an official way? I am thinking maybe I can booked him at a younger age, but I would prefer for things to be on the up and up.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

First, you are not being penalized in any way by having a disabled person in your traveling group. You are being offered the same products/services as anyone else. WDW is not withholding anything from you, so claims of it being unfair will not help your cause. Disney knows disability laws quite well, and has a nice stable of attorneys at hand. You need to figure out if the plan is beneficial for you or not.

On the dining plan (and you don't state which one so I'm guessing it's the standard one) you get one counter service, one sitdown, and one snack, along with a mug for each person. That covers two meals and a Mickey bar for each person, so you'd have one more meal each day to pay for out of pocket. Would it save you money to have the dining plan?

 

[aaarcher86]

It's not possible to do in the system. Just like ticketing with the packages. It's all or nothing.

Since they aren't forcing the DDP you aren't being penalized. It's just an additional offering that you can choose to use or not. It doesn't make sense for everyone. Lots of people have been in the same position.

Since you get all the credits upfront you could use them for an additional meal at some point - another way you aren't being penalized.

 

[LilyWDW]

Here is the thing. The dining plan is not required to be purchased in order to dine at Disney. It doesn't work for everyone and you can eat perfectly well for the same or less then the dining plan. So in no way, shape, or form is anyone being penalized in this case. You will have to decide if the plan will work for you as Disney's rules state. I have been here awhile and I have never heard of Disney waving the requirement.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It strikes me as somehow unfair that my traveling party would be penalized because we have a disabled person in it. Has anyone had any luck getting around this? In an official way?

1) There are no exceptions to the rules.
. . . of course, the only mandatory charge locations are buffets, AYCTE's, and dinner shows
. . . once in a while, and individual restaurant manager will let the kid not be charged, but not often
. . . but making everyone in the room buy DDP is not an option
2) It is not a penalty to make everyone be on the DDP when one can't eat.
3) restaurant CM's and reservation agents are not Restaurant Police.
. . . they can't watch everyone
. . , how do they know the kid can't take anything by mouth? (Doctor notes are not permitted to be given to CM's.)
. . . how can they know that nothing was eaten by the kid?
4) If they make an exception, they open the flood gates.
. . . kids on feeding tubes
. . . kids that are just picky
. . . adults with gastric-by-pass surgery
5) As mentioned above, maybe the best thing is to not buy DDP (in most cases, it is a financial loser, anyway).

 

[OurBigTrip]

I don't agree that your family is being penalized at all, as the DDP isn't required. We don't use DDP because it's never made financial sense for us. If it doesn't make financial sense for you, then don't use it. Why it doesn't make financial sense is irrelevant.

 

[seashoreCM]

When you go into a restaurant that charges two meal credits for one meal, do guests have the choice of ordiering and be charged for a 2 credit entree, for a one credit entree, or share an entree with another family member?

 

[aaarcher86]

When you go into a restaurant that charges two meal credits for one meal, do guests have the choice of ordiering and be charged for a 2 credit entree, for a one credit entree, or share an entree with another family member?

I'm not really clear on what you're asking.

Can guests share entrees at 2 credit restaurants? Yes.

 

[lanejudy]

When you go into a restaurant that charges two meal credits for one meal, do guests have the choice of ordiering and be charged for a 2 credit entree, for a one credit entree, or share an entree with another family member?

If you are "paying" with the DDP at that meal, it will "cost" 2 TS credits. There is no option to order a 1-credit meal. If you are paying OOP, you pay the cost of the specific entree(s) ordered.

I'm not sure how the restaurants handle requests for 2 guests to share a meal when using the DDP. I was under the impression it wasn't allowed, but there may have been some changes more recently so they might. I suggest you ask at the restaurant. Sharing is allowed when paying OOP.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Mrsjvb]

When you go into a restaurant that charges two meal credits for one meal, do guests have the choice of ordiering and be charged for a 2 credit entree, for a one credit entree, or share an entree with another family member?

there are no one credit options at 2 credit TS locations. you could order nothing but coffee and dessert and still be charged 2 credits

 

[Bete]

Bottom line is you can still enjoy the same restaurants and do it out of pocket. In many cases you may find yourself saving money depending on appetites.

With character dining Disney has always felt you are buying into the experience and not just the eating; so, they feel justified to charge. The other restaurants have theming and you buy into that concept to a degree, too.

If you are charging the family member for sharing your DVC then you would have extra funds to buy the dining plan for your child. If you are not charging them then I would think you need to talk about your situation with them if they insist on the dining plan. Maybe, they would share the cost of the dining plan to include your child. It might be worth it to them. You can always do carry out for the meal your child can't eat. If this gets to be a real issue then your guest family member(s) can get their own resort accommodations and then it wouldn't interfere with your situation.

Others have tried before you for the same reasoning and I've never heard of an exception to the dining plan.

Honestly, I wouldn't sweat it. So, you pay a little more; so, your guests can really enjoy Disney. What's family for if we can't bend a little to have a more enjoyable time together.

 

[Dis703]

You are always welcome to write about your concerns, but I wouldn't get my hopes up that they would make any sort of exception. As others have mentioned the dining plan has always required everyone on the reservation to be part of it, which for some people makes the DDP a less than ideal option.

That is the case for our family where our children have so many food allergies there are very few QS locations they can dine at and very few snacks they would be able to eat.

Even without those allergies though with the way DH and I tend to eat, we generally wouldn't benefit from the DDP anyhow. I agree with others that I wouldn't worry about not having it and just pay OOP for your meals.

 

[SonicGuy]

We have 2 special needs kiddos and I got quite upset our first trip after my youngest feeding tube was put in. I also found it "unfair" to have to pay for the DDP for her. The kind folks on here helped calm me down. I will say that both times we have taken her - we were not charged any credits or $$$ for her. We just had her credits to use for others in our group. Cant guarantee that will happen, but thats what our experience has been. I will also tell you that some of our best memories were in character meals. They were so interactive with her. That alone was worth the price.

Hakuna Mata and just have a great time!

 

[JWigs]

Let me say that I feel for you mommy. I came to this section to find info for the exact same reason that you're posting.

I am sure most people who replied didn't mean to come off as unsupportive but I think it can be hard to be told there are no exceptions for something that a child can't participate in. It is hard to explain to those who don't have children with special needs but having "one" more thing your child can't do and to have to pay a fee for them regardless if they use it is really not ideal.

My lil one is not quite 3 and at each trip has been fed via tube. We have never done DDP before and we will be doing it in March when we go as it'll be the last time she won't be charged.

If we do end up liking DDP, we hope she will be able to "eat" by the next time we come but we also have accepted that may not happen and we will have to end up paying for her and using the credits for us or others in our party.

It is bittersweet because you don't want to be reminded your child is different and my heart understands your frustration and also wishes it was different.

Have a great time on your trip and I hope your (not so little) one has a great time regardless.

*hugs*

 

[DisneyOma]

Let me say that I feel for you mommy. I came to this section to find info for the exact same reason that you're posting.

I am sure most people who replied didn't mean to come off as unsupportive but I think it can be hard to be told there are no exceptions for something that a child can't participate in. It is hard to explain to those who don't have children with special needs but having "one" more thing your child can't do and to have to pay a fee for them regardless if they use it is really not ideal.

My lil one is not quite 3 and at each trip has been fed via tube. We have never done DDP before and we will be doing it in March when we go as it'll be the last time she won't be charged.

If we do end up liking DDP, we hope she will be able to "eat" by the next time we come but we also have accepted that may not happen and we will have to end up paying for her and using the credits for us or others in our party.

It is bittersweet because you don't want to be reminded your child is different and my heart understands your frustration and also wishes it was different.

Have a great time on your trip and I hope your (not so little) one has a great time regardless.

*hugs*

Do you not eat in front of your child at home? The DDP is about money, not an attraction/event. I get it that it is hard to have a child with special needs (I work with them, have two children myself who have had limitations in the past) but this is a choice a family is offered, and they can purchase it if they want to or not. No one is being left out. It has nothing to do with the ability to eat solid food, etc, and more about having to pay for the entire group.