Was this a rude response from WDW...?

[blestmom]

...or am I being overly sensitive?

I emailed WDW Guest Services about a situation with my 8-year-old daughter (4th out of 5 kids). She got very seasick on a cruise with her grandmother, right in the restaurant on the ship. Now she feels sick in any restaurant. I wrote to them to ask if it would be okay to get her order 'to go,' especially for some of the pricy things we have planned, like the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, the Fantasmic Dinner package, etc. They wrote back and said no, this would not be permissible. Then they said, "Good thing you are staying at the cabins. Looks like you'll be ordering a lot of take out pizza." I thought this was rude. When I am paying a lot of money for her to eat, and she won't eat anything, I don't appreciate being told to 'order her a pizza.' I don't understand. If she orders a meal and she can't finish it, are you not allowed to take a 'doggy bag' with you at WDW? I wan't asking to pull out a huge cooler and stock up....just ask for a little girls portion to go. I don't know, maybe I'm being overly sensitive.

I brought this up once before on the boards, and several people suggested counseling for her. We may look into that if things don't improve, but this is the situation for now.

Deb

 

[HunnyPots]

Well, it wasn't the most sensitive response they could have had! It sounds like someone in customer service, or whatever they call it, was having a bad day. I know you can get "take home" boxes in the full service restaurants because they always ask me if I want one. The only exception would be the buffets, and I can understand that.

If I were you, I'd skip the pricey full service places as long as she's having this issue, and go for mostly counter service. As far as counseling, I wouldn't even consider that as long as she's eating healthy at home and is otherwise feeling well. It sounds like she's afraid of a repeat performance of her cruise episode and it is causing "anxiety sickness". My son had a similar issue when he was very small. I'd try not to make an issue of it and she will most likely get over it in time.

 

[KEH]

I think I would be a bit upset as well. I too used to have a real thing about eating in restaurants and now as a parent myself can see how worrying it must have been for my parents.

I suspect it was just a throwaway remark, possibly from someone who thought they were being amusing, but if you haven't been in the situation, you can't know how stressful it can be for both child and parents.

I hope it works out for you. I did get over my phobia eventually so it can be done. Have you thought about trying some low key strategy for getting your daughter used to eating out? Maybe try a fast food place (no flames for encouraging unhealthy eating please - I'm just trying to think of somwhere which may not feel so formal). Also try some counter service in the parks before the biggies.

As for WDW, you get idiots everywhere I'm afraid and you seem to have found a doozy!

Could you emphasise the fun side of the meals you have booked and let the food almost be incidental? Then as you say, ask for a "doggy bag" and sort out your daughter's meal that way. You may well find the staff in the restaurant more accommodating than the person at "mission control". Most important of all, enjoy your trip.

 

[Leota]

I'd say it was a bit on the rude side. As stated, I think the CM was trying to be flip, but via e-mail it just didn't come out well.
However, you called with a specific, legitimate question & the person was less than accomodating. I would try calling & asking.
I have called WDW-DINE & asked about accomodating my fussy stomach & found them more than helpful.
Good luck on your daughter's issue with dining out. I also think some guidance from a conselour would be a great idea so she can be at ease on her special vacation.

 

[ErinInCT]

I got food poisening eating caesar salad in the early 90's & it took about 10 yrs b4 I could finally eat caesar salad again! And I was an adult! I don't recommend counseling but I understand where she is coming from!!
I agree with the prev poster who said to ask at the meal & I'm sure they would give you a "to go" bag!

 

[DebbieB]

We always take boxes from our Candlelight Processional dinner. The only place you couldn't do it is at buffets.

 

[Hippychickali]

No question the pizza comment was a rude remark but I'm not sure if you asked the right question. Did you ask them if you could get her meal "to go" or if you could get a doggy bag to take home leftovers? I think there's a difference and I think the latter would be no problem.

Ali

 

[Mamu]

I think it was one of the most uncaring, thoughtless responses I've read. The person who wrote this should take a class in customer etiquette.

 

[kilee]

No excuse for the pizza comment. I think they might of misunderstood your comment. My first thought was that of course you can't order take-out, which is what is sounded like you intially wanted. If you are just ordering her meal and she doesn't eat it all (because in reality she's not going to eat any of it)-- then of course they'd have to "box it up". It will not happen w/ buffets though- so be sure to not book them.

 

[jctwizzer]

Since you asked, I see it as a feeble attempt at humor. JMHO

 

[gigi1313]

i agree w/jctwizzer... the attempt at humor just did not come across in the email...

will your dd be able to sit with the rest of the family while they eat? will she then eat the packaged food outdoors, on the bus, back in the cabin?

buffets will be a problem but a sit-down meal should not be... for my dd we will often order her an adult's meal (because she sometimes prefers more than the typical chicken nugget/pizza/mac&cheese kids'meal) and immediately ask that they box half and only serve her half (to ensure that it doesn't get milk spilled on it, or meet some other disaster!) so asking to box dd's meal as you order it, if that's what you opt to do, should not be an issue... although if it were my dd, i might consider having the food set in front of her... she might dig in, forgetting that she's anti-restaurant and thus getting over her problem w/eating out... you never know when disney magic will take over!

 

[eeyore kelly]

I too, see it as a bad try at humor. However, it was rude.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Sometimes things can sound rude by e-mail eventhough they weren't intended to be. I think the CM thinks you want food from the restuarants to be take-out - like you wouldn't be sitting down, you would call in an order and pick it up and take it to go.

I think they are actually saying that it is good thing that you are staying in the cabins b/c you can do take out at Ft. Wilderness. Usually when a company has to tell you "no", they give some kind of alternative to end it on a positive note.

 

[ncmvp]

I don't think the cast member was trying to be rude. It was however a thoughtless comment the came off as rude.

My 14 yo DS always orders from the adult menu, and only eats 1/4 of the food on his plate. I have never had a problem getting a doggie bag at any of the sit downs.

 

[bexareaglecheryl]

I have to say that the person who emailed you back is probably young and inexperienced in customer service and thought that this would be funny. Sometimes what we say doesn't come out like we meant it to. She probably didn't re- read it to see how it would truly sound. (Actually I'm surprised they emailed you back personally. I've emailed them about a couple of issues and they simply send out an email with the phone number to call for more information.)

Have you called WDW-DINE yet? They can be pretty helpful.

Your daugther sounds like a thoughtful young girl. She doesn't want to put herself into a situation that she knows she might not be able to handle. Every child goes through a strange phobia stage(for the longest time my kids wouldn't go to the bathroom unless I stood in there with them and this was at home and they were about your daughter's age.

You could probably ease her into restaurants again by taking her to a McD's with a playground and telling her that she WILL NOT be eating. Then the next time, take her back and bring along a PB &J or whatever she likes, while you order something from the counter. Try this a couple of times and I'd be curious to see what she does. Sometimes they go through stages where nothing you do helps and you just have to wait for a little more maturity to kick in. Just my 2 cents, for whatever it's worth.

 

[sbelyo]

Well, I'd say that was an unusual remark from a disney employee. I know for certain that you can request to go bags in most of the restaurants. The only one's you might have a problem in are buffet style

 

[FFerret]

I don't see the pizza comment as rude at all. So she suggested pizza? Big whoop.
Just my humble opinion


I do feel bad that it ticked you off though; I can really sympathize with your little girl. I remember the first time we flew to Germany (army brat here) the plane served pork and the smell was so awful--that combined with motion sickness (nothing serious, just really bad butterflies) and jet lag made for a very bad trip. The SMELL was everywhere and I wouldn't eat porkchops for decades after that. Eventually got over it.

I think bexareaglecheryl 's suggestion was a great one. Please keep us updated on your daughter's progress

 

[erikthewise]

I also don't think the CM was trying to be rude, but the remark was insensitive. Sometimes it is very hard to be friendly without risking being insensitive, so try not to take it too seriously.

At the CP and Fantasmic dinners, there is no way to separate the seating benefit from the dining. I suspect the restaurants will be perfectly happy to put her food directly in a take-home box is you so request, as they do the same with leftovers all the time.

Keep in mind these two dining events are optional and you can see CP and Fantasmic without paying for fixed price meals. No doubt you have decided it is worth the expense anyway. We have done both and I tend to agree.

 

[blestmom]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Re-reading the email, I can see it was probably written by someone who hasn't gone through a similar experience, and they weren't trying to be rude, just funny. I probably was being overly senstive.

Well, we'll 'muddle through' somehow. I will take her out a few times here before we go. It does appear to be an anxiety thing. I just want her (and the other kids) to have fun.

Thanks again for all the kind words.

Deb

P.S. I usually don't get upset about things like this. Must have been in a snarly mood last night...

 

[doombuggy]

I think there was probably a misinterpratation on your request. I had been told by my former mgr that you have to watch what you say in an e-mail, as it is not as expressive as speaking to someone. I don't think they meant to be rude or mean - the comment is in writing, so being mean might get themselves into trouble - you follow me? I think it was just misintrepreted.

Can't you do some cooking in the Cabins? That is another good option.

Have a great vacation, no matter what!