Tube Feeding and the DDP

[Gracie09]

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*

Most of us do have children who are special needs and have dealt with all that entails. Ddp is an optional meal plan. You can have the same experience whether you purchase it or not (we don't because it does not make sense for us. Too much food.) character buffets are crowded noisy and crazy. There is no way a server can keep track of if someone ate something or not. Then there is the my kid only ate a chicken nugget. I have surgery and can only eat three bites so I shouldn't be charged etc. Disney is upfront about what is permissible and what isn't. It's up to the customer to decide what works for them within rules

 

[JWigs]

While I am fully aware and understand the optional portion I am just sharing I can sympathize with the OP that it's not just their family but others as well. And being put in a position to have to pay upwards of $100 extra for their child who doesn't eat can be hard. Because to your point, it can be too much food.

I think everyone can do what's best for their group but sometimes it's not so black and white. Was just trying to provide a different perspective.

 

[JWigs]

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.

Of course I eat in front of my child at home. But I'm also usually not forcing her to sit next to me while I eat (she usually gets to do more activities she enjoys as she's already had her meal).

Secondly, i think the OP was having the issue to begin with because the group they were with wanted to do dining and it's all or nothing. And it's a lot to pay for someone to have meals and know it won't be used.

I'm just saying I can sympathize as I am currently in the same boat and it's not always so black and white.

 

[Gracie09]

While I am fully aware and understand the optional portion I am just sharing I can sympathize with the OP that it's not just their family but others as well. And being put in a position to have to pay upwards of $100 extra for their child who doesn't eat can be hard. Because to your point, it can be too much food.

I think everyone can do what's best for their group but sometimes it's not so black and white. Was just trying to provide a different perspective.

They have the same choices as everyone else- get it or don't. For my sister the meal plan works - two teenaged boys. For my family it doesn't. I would suggest the op look at the table in wonderlands card as it may provide a better discount than the dining plan for her family.

 

[Mousequake]

Yeah, while I can certainly sympathize with the OP because I have a tube-fed child as well, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the dilemma. When we took our first trip to WDW, we sat down, crunched the numbers, and worked out that the DDP didn't make sense for us financially. I'd think if the other family involved are good enough friends that they're taking a vacation together, they'd be fully aware and sympathetic to the OP's situation and would understand the reluctance to get the dining plan.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disney won't waive the dining plan for one party member for any reason. Everybody over age 2 registered in the resort has to get the DDP, or nobody does. That is just the way it is done. I have never heard of any exception being made for those physically unable to eat. It's not that we are being unsupportive, it is that the answer to your inquiry will most likely not be the answer you want.

They apparently do not allow any exceptions at character meals either, everybody pays whether they eat or not. If you are planning on a lot of character meals or AYCE restaurants, you may as well get the DDP anyway as you'd be charged for the person who doesn't eat (You may be given a break, but the official policy is to charge). If the DDP won't work for you because you can't use all the credits, maybe it's better to go without it. It's not a penalty. It just feels that way because for whatever reason you really want the dining plan, but only if your disabled family member is excluded from it. You do have the option of using the credits for additional meals for other party members.

You'll need to discuss with the other family if you are all staying in the same room, because either you'll need to pay for your son or nobody can get DDP. You can always trade the credits for snacks, if nobody is going to use them.

 

[Baklava]

If they want the DDP they can either pay for their own room or cover the cost of your son's share of it. It is reasonable for them to want to do it. It is not reasonable of them to want you to pick up the tab for something you don't want, especially if you're hosting them at your own expense in DVC.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

of course this is only an issue if your family and the other family are staying in the same room. If you are both staying on your points but in separate rooms, you can choose not to get the dining plan, and they can have it for their room.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I was assuming from the OP's first post that they were all staying in a large villa on the OP's DVC points. The OP could possibly rebook separate rooms if the hurdle proves insurmountable. Maybe ask them if they would like to use the extra credits and have them spot you for the cost or part of the cost of your son's plan. If he's under 10 they can only use the TS credits on the regular plan for children's meals though.

 

[TheDisneyDoll]

If other people in your party want the dining plan, offer to give them the credits for the child who can't use them and have them pay for it. The credits aren't THAT hard to use if you know you have them, or offer the group to split it and share an extra meal or snack with everyone.
The dining plan in most cases isn't a money saver anyway, it could be doing your group a favor in the long run.