What if child under 3 needs a special meal?

[herrmannpt]

Both of my kids (son 3 1/2 and daughter 1) are on a gluten-casein free diet. My son is autistic and has a confirmed gluten sensitivity. My daughter shows significant sensory concerns and is also on the diet as recommended by our doctor. We have several table service meals planned for our upcoming trip: Ohana, Akerhaus, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House. Since children under 3 are free and expected to eat off of an adult's plate, is it going to be a problem that she will require a special meal prepared?

 

[GusGus77]

You can always get a child under 3 their own meal. You just have to pay for it.

 

[herrmannpt]

I expect to pay for her meal if it's counter service or a traditional table service meal but what about all of the character meals we have planned that are buffets? Will she be charged a child's price even though she's under 3?

 

[kirstenb1]

Could she eat from your son's plate? I'm just afraid she'll get charged for a kid's plate, which can really add up if you have more than 1 buffet.

 

[lanejudy]

I expect to pay for her meal if it's counter service or a traditional table service meal but what about all of the character meals we have planned that are buffets? Will she be charged a child's price even though she's under 3?

You probably already have the diet notation on your ADRs for your son, in which case the chef will come out and walk through the buffet with you to point out what is safe. Then, depending on concerns about cross-contamination (maybe not an issue with GF as for allergies), a separate plate can be prepared in the kitchen or you may select off the buffet. If she is planning to eat off your plate (TS meals and/or buffet) you will want to eat GF as well, or at buffets you can grab an extra small plate to put a few select items on it for the little one.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ktaggie]

Can you eat the same diet and then she can eat off of your plate?

 

[akcire]

I expect to pay for her meal if it's counter service or a traditional table service meal but what about all of the character meals we have planned that are buffets? Will she be charged a child's price even though she's under 3?

No charge at buffets. The trip where my daughter was 14 months old was the height of her allergy issues. Chefs made her lots of special plates of food no charges.

The guy at Crystal Palace was my favorite.

 

[herrmannpt]

Good to hear that others have had good experiences at the buffets! We'll see how it goes for us. I just had visions of getting charged $25 at our breakfast with the princesses to get her a GF waffle and some fruit. Just can't see paying that for a 15 month old who will hardly eat anything! Thanks again, guys!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Any meal at which they are not charged will still provide appropriate food for the child. Make sure you make a note on your ADR that there are food allergies. The chefs are AWESOME and make sure there are foods the kids can eat.

 

[sb682]

Could you order GF/CF meals for yourself, too? It might save some of the aggravation and you won't have to worry about wasting food if your 1-year-old doesn't eat much. Since 'Ohana and Garden Grill are served family-style, you'll get all your food at the same time instead of getting served the regular and allergy-friendly food separately, and there won't be any issues of "sorry honey, you can't eat Mommy's xyz." I know my son would try to mooch off my plate if I had something that looked yummy, as I think most kids would. Same with buffets. A chef will usually walk you around the buffet and let you know what you can have based on your family's allergies. Stick to those options and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[Sagginit]

I am GF and ate off the buffet at Hollywood and Vine and did not have any reactions. they actually have a child's buffet that has more basic items, most of which were safe for me.

garden grill is family style. my mother only eats fish so they have a made to order fish dish they brought out for her. for the rest of the meal we kept it easy by only asking for the GF dishes and there were plenty.

as other posters said you may just want to eat GF at some locations to make it easier. i am actually surprised you have not just put your entire family on a GF diet to make life easy and cut down on cross contamination in your own kitchen.

 

[herrmannpt]

I definitely can order GFCF for myself. Not a problem. Just figured that would make more work for the chef. As for my entire family being GFCF, we do what we can. it's just not something we can afford. When a loaf of bread (that is less than 1/2 the size of a typical loaf) costs $5, only the kids that require the special diet get it. Same with coconut milk yogurt, GF crackers and lots of other things. We have a separate toaster and kid-only dishes to help with cross-contamination. I am as careful as possible. I know it's not perfect, but it's all we can do.

 

[DisneyMom5]

as other posters said you may just want to eat GF at some locations to make it easier. i am actually surprised you have not just put your entire family on a GF diet to make life easy and cut down on cross contamination in your own kitchen.

I definitely can order GFCF for myself. Not a problem. Just figured that would make more work for the chef. As for my entire family being GFCF, we do what we can. it's just not something we can afford. When a loaf of bread (that is less than 1/2 the size of a typical loaf) costs $5, only the kids that require the special diet get it. Same with coconut milk yogurt, GF crackers and lots of other things. We have a separate toaster and kid-only dishes to help with cross-contamination. I am as careful as possible. I know it's not perfect, but it's all we can do.

WSS^^
We are a family of 10, and only one person is GF. He happens to be ok with cross-contam, but even if he weren't, we'd just have to be very careful, because we cannot afford to feed us all a GF diet.

 

[rachellm]

You shouldn't have any issues with those meals. And I don't think you'd need to order GF for yourself (unless you wanted to.)

At buffets, it's not that kids have to literally eat off your plate. They get their own plate of food. Same with family style or places like Akerhaus. My dd has severe food allergies and she was 2 on our last trip. The Chef explained what she could eat and provided safe food for her.

 

[jlr9882]

I was not charged for my 2-yr-old's special prepared food at chef mickey's. The chef brought out fresh fruit, eggs, and allergy friendly mickey waffles! He has over 20 allergies including all meats except lamb and seafood. I also do not eat any of his expensive allergy friendly food.