Was this a rude response from WDW...?

[Tinkbell]

blestmom, Is your DD afraid to step foot in the restaurant or is she just afraid to eat in it? They will have no problem boxing her meal up if she is actually there while you are eating. I think the CM thought you would walk up to the counter and ask for 7 meals "to go".

I think the CM's comment was a lame attempt at humor. Hope everything goes well for you.

 

[NCombs]

I didn't interpret it as being rude. It appears they were trying to be funny after telling you no to your question. Email can be very hard for the reader to interpret in the same way that the writer intended.

I hope everything works out for you.

 

[gottaluvdis]

I too hope everything works out for you. I don't see why you couldn't "doggie bag" your order. Once we booked a character dinner at GF when my daughter was either 3 or 4. The priority seating didn't seem to help us because it was pouring rain outside and they let everyone and their brother come in and take up the tables - we had to wait a long time. By the time we were seated, my daughter decided she wasn't hungry and refused to eat. I coaxed her to eat one bite of Mickey mac and cheese, which promptly came back up all over the table, her clothes, her teddy bear etc. My husband and I had literally taken one sip of our drinks and had no food before I had to get her to the bathroom to clean her up. That was a quick $75 down the drain. We had to pay for the entire meal, drinks etc. GF was accomodating about calling us a cab and letting us take the linens with us to clean her up. She was fine - just tired at dinner. We ended up eating ice cream later from Beaches and Cream (after a nice long bath for her). Luckily, she's been fine since and her episode didn't stay with her (she's now almost 8), but I can relate to what you're going through. She just needs time to get over it.

 

[RoLaren]

Inappropriate is the word I would use for that response.

Whether or not they meant to be funny or rude, when I was Disney trained (years ago, granted, maybe they aren't so specific with CM's anymore) we were told not to ever use sarcasm when speaking with guests or any other language that could possibly be misinterpreted as rude even if it was meant to be humorous. It sounds like this person flunked Guest Relations 101 and needs a refresher. CM's will get in trouble if they upset a guest even if they were trying to be funny.

I feel so sorry for your daughter! I can understand them refusing to let people take anything away in boxes from a buffet, otherwise people (not you, but others in general) would take advantage of the situation. As it is, many people help themselves and take extra food from the buffets out in their purses/etc. for later, which makes it tough on the rest of us, especially those with a special situation like yours.

In sit down restaurants, there is no excuse for them denying that request, if they have 'doggy bags' then they can pack up a meal for one child!

Since one adult has to stay out of the restaurant with the child anyway while the rest eat, I would just plan to skip sit downs with this child until she gets over it. Might not be convenient but if it were my child I'd rather have her eat counter service (maybe eat out in the open, on a bench in the parks) and keep it down than feel sick at a sit down, dinner show or no.

Good luck!

 

[princesspumpkin]

I don't see it as rude. The CM was actually stating something that will probably come true. If the CM had said it, he/she may have sounded sympathetic to you. But, via e-mail, it may have looked differently. I think that you may have been a little sensitive because the CM said no to your request. If the CM had said "Sure you can take out. It's a good thing, because you may have had to order pizza the whole time", you may have taken it differently.

 

[blestmom]

I still don't quite get the policy. I wasn't asking to take a container up to the buffet and fill it up, rather asking if she had ONE plateful of food, which I've paid for, to just take it with us when we leave, if she is uncomfortable eating it there.

 

[NicsMom1500]

I think you'll find the Disney restaurants very accommodating with your daughter's phobia.

When our family got sick while staying at the Wilderness Lodge, we were unable to leave our room for meals for a couple of days.

Finally when we started feeling well enough to eat, we called The Whispering Canyon restaurant and they allowed us to order our breakfast from their menu as take-out. They were very kind and helpful.

When we've had leftover food on our plates, we've often been offered a container to take the leftovers.

If it's during a buffet, i would just explain the situation to the waitress or hostess prior to being seated and see what they suggest.

I do sympathize with your daugher's phobia. Hopefully she'll work through it. I've had similar anxiety attacks in restaurants due to some fainting spells that I've had in the past from not eating on time (low blood sugar). It takes a while to get over the fear of it happening again. Take baby steps with meals. counter service will seem less frightening. For sit-down meals, your daughter may feel more comfortable seated near the restrooms, or near the entrance, etc.

Just quietly let the hostess and waitress know your situation and they should be able to help.

Have a great time!

 

[MermaidsMom]

Originally posted by princesspumpkin
I don't see it as rude. The CM was actually stating something that will probably come true. If the CM had said it, he/she may have sounded sympathetic to you. But, via e-mail, it may have looked differently. I think that you may have been a little sensitive because the CM said no to your request. If the CM had said "Sure you can take out. It's a good thing, because you may have had to order pizza the whole time", you may have taken it differently.

Absolutely right!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Personally, I don't get the policy either. My family enjoys the WDW dining experience, so I have never asked to order a meal "to go", but have taken many meals "to-go" for our entire family, for a variety of reasons, at different restaurants at that "other" theme park further up I-4. We just go straight to the bar and place our order, then take it back to the hotel. I don't see why some restaurants can be so accommodating and others can't. JMO

 

[blestmom]

UPDATE:
I called WDW Guest Services, and the woman I spoke with was very understanding, and while she couldn't promise me anything, told me that most likely the restaurant managers would be willing to work something out. So I think we are in good shape. She may be just fine by the time we go. Thanks for your kind words. Now time to get back to planning our fun!
Deb

 

[kilee]

I think the reason w/ the buffet no to go policy is because you have to draw a line somewhere. Could you imagine the problems this would create??? I mean some people are so over the top. And how could you say yes to one person but no to the other-- get the picture. At all the sit down, order off a menu places, I don't think you're going to encounter a problem. I would just avoid buffets as it could make for an uncomfortable situation. I know some buffets don't even have to go containers. As we dined w/ a person who wanted to take some 1/2 eaten items off their plate back from CP and the server said they didn't even have containers for that nor was it allowed. I was actually embarassed that our company even asked.

 

[blestmom]

Yes, kilee, I think you bring up a very good point, and I see now the problem that would be with a buffet. I think we have the situation worked out, so things should be fine!

 

[Hippychickali]

Originally posted by blestmom
I still don't quite get the policy. I wasn't asking to take a container up to the buffet and fill it up, rather asking if she had ONE plateful of food, which I've paid for, to just take it with us when we leave, if she is uncomfortable eating it there.

I'm glad things look like they're going to work out for you. To be fair to the CM, the way you explained it did seem like you were asking if you could do take-out and not simply use a doggie bag.

Ali

 

[Twigs]

Last Feb. one of my DS's was sick and DH went with the other DS to eat in the restaurant in Italy and ordered and brought back a full meal for me. I would think that you can do this in other restaurants as well.

 

[HappyGramma]

Blestmom, if she will be with you at the restaurants I would just order her a meal and if she doesn't eat it I would ask for a doggie bag. I am sure that the restaurant would not refuse. We have often taken the uneaten portion of our meal with us when we leave. You would not be able to do this of course if it is a buffet but would work if it's a one of the sit down restaurants.