Who can I call?

[alizesmom]

Since I wanted the dining plan for my husband and myself, I had to pay for my 5 and 6 yr old children. Normally I would say this is only right but my children DON'T eat. They are both fully fed by tubes and will not be using their plans at all. They won't even be getting "tastes". This is frustrating because, like anyone else, I could use the money for better things. Is there anyone at Disney I could talk to?

 

[bicker]

Figure that people have held the feeling you're expressing for many years, and Disney hasn't budged on the rule that everyone in the room must have the Dining Plan.

Keep in mind that most folks feel that the Dining Plan really doesn't really save you money, so perhaps the best thing for your situation is to just not get the Dining Plan. Just paying out-of-pocket for what you want to order, and nothing else, you'll almost surely come out ahead in the long run.

 

[Terk-1]

I agree with the other poster and would skip the dining plan, rather than pay all that money for nothing.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Since I wanted the dining plan for my husband and myself, I had to pay for my 5 and 6 yr old children. Normally I would say this is only right but my children DON'T eat. They are both fully fed by tubes and will not be using their plans at all. They won't even be getting "tastes". This is frustrating because, like anyone else, I could use the money for better things. Is there anyone at Disney I could talk to?

I don't know if it will help or not, but there is a special needs dept (Sorry, I"m not sure what it's exactly called, or the number) you could try. Best of luck!!

 

[Colleen27]

I've never read of Disney making an exception to the rule that everyone in a room must be on the same plan, not even for documented medical issues.

However, something to think about before cancelling the plan is how many character meals you plan to schedule. You'll have to pay for the kids even though they cannot eat, so in that case you would be getting some value out of their dining credits despite not needing the food, and a single character meal costs more than one night of the dining plan for a child.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think there is anyone you can call. The Dining Plan does not work for every family. It sounds like it won't work for yours, so just don't get it. It is really that simple.

As an FYI if you decide to do any character buffets, your children will be charged full price just for being there. There is no way for Disney to seperate out people who eat from people who don't, so they have a blanket rule of charging you if you are at a buffet meal.

 

[LilyWDW]

Since I wanted the dining plan for my husband and myself, I had to pay for my 5 and 6 yr old children. Normally I would say this is only right but my children DON'T eat. They are both fully fed by tubes and will not be using their plans at all. They won't even be getting "tastes". This is frustrating because, like anyone else, I could use the money for better things. Is there anyone at Disney I could talk to?

Calling won't do anything. Think about it. How does Disney know that the person on the other end of the phone is telling the truth?

I have not heard of an experience where Disney has bent the rule of getting the dining plan for all members of the party. Even for medical issues.

Maybe you should think about just skipping the dining plan?

 

[gizfish]

Since this is obviously a case where a true disability is involved, the special needs department will hopefully be able to work things out with you. Having two children that are totally unable to eat is certainly an extenuating circumstance, and the disabilities act should cover this issue. There is a special needs forum here, so maybe if you ask this question there, someone who has experienced something similar can help. At the very least, you will get the info on what number to call. I am sure calling the regular Disney number will also eventually get you transferred to there special needs department. Good luck, I hope you are able to get the plan for you and DH, and that things are worked out fairly for your family.

 

[Pumbaa_]

The thing is, no one is required to purchase the dining plan. If it doesn't work for everyone in your party, why are you even considering it?

Have fun planning!!

 

[worm761]

Since this is obviously a case where a true disability is involved, the special needs department will hopefully be able to work things out with you. Having two children that are totally unable to eat is certainly an extenuating circumstance, and the disabilities act should cover this issue. There is a special needs forum here, so maybe if you ask this question there, someone who has experienced something similar can help. At the very least, you will get the info on what number to call. I am sure calling the regular Disney number will also eventually get you transferred to there special needs department. Good luck, I hope you are able to get the plan for you and DH, and that things are worked out fairly for your family.

No, it will not. The Disabilities Act is not meant to help people circumvent things they don't want. It is there for NEED. The dining plan at Disney World is not considered a need. It would be nice if Disney made exception but they will not. While that sucks for the OP and others, I do understand. Documented medical need or not, they are not allowed to ask for proof of said disability. Therefore would have to take everyone at their word. How many people do you think would make up an illness so they didn't have to buy the plan for everyone? The general public does a really good job of showing Disney every loop hole there is, so they close them. This would be one of those cases.

OP, I agree with the others, just don't get the plan. Or suck up the cost. My suggestion is to not call the special needs line since they won't be able to do anything for you and you will just end up upset.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

You can ask over on the disabilities board but I'm 99% sure you're out of luck with the dining plan. I frequent that board and this question has come up before. The ADA will not help you here, since you are not required to purchase the plan. You're really probably better off just paying OOP.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Sorry for the double post, but there's another option. If you and your spouse are big eaters, you could pay to upgrade the kid's plans to the adult version (not the dirty version ) and then have double the credits to use, that way you could go to some 2 credit places. Just a thought.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry for the double post, but there's another option. If you and your spouse are big eaters, you could pay to upgrade the kid's plans to the adult version (not the dirty version ) and then have double the credits to use, that way you could go to some 2 credit places. Just a thought.

Keep in mind that if you do this you have to upgrade there park passes too. You can't just upgrade the dining plan. I'm not sure how it would work out for you price wise, but it is a good thought and you should definately check it out.

 

[alizesmom]

Thanks for the information and opinions. I think we'll probably just eat the extra cost and throw in a few character meals as was suggested. It's easier for me to spend ahead of time and have the meals already paid for than to remember to budget while there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, the other option is to estimate how much you'd spend on food - and put that total on a gift card you use for dining only (and souvenirs if there's anything left over). You're still prepaid so no worries, and you're not giving WDW money for food your kids simply cannot eat.

There are menus here on the DIS home site wdwinfo.com, then click on Dining. I think the link is more easily accessible in the main Restaurants forum.

 

[Disfamguy]

FWIW, here's what I would do. I would take the cost of the dinning plan and put it on a debit card. Use it only for dinning. If you use it all, then you use it. If you don't, then you have the money left over for whatever you want to use it for.

I would just not get the plan and do that.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I agree with a giftcard/prepaid debit if you like the idea of prepaying. Hope you figure out something that will work for your family.

 

[alizesmom]

smart people

 

[TDC Nala]

There's no one you can call. It's been established that if you want the plan, everyone in the room must be on it, regardless of their ability to eat. You may wish to consider going without a dining plan. If all you want is the opportunity to prepay, go the gift card route. This will not get you any discount, but using the plan for your family won't get you one either. You would have to spend all your TS for character meals for the kids to get anything out of it.