Would this work? Bring your own plate

[Aimeedyan]

It is becoming a bit comical, isn't it?

Can you imagine as a waiter walking over and some guest pulling out silverware, cups, plates, and napkins from their fanny pack and putting it in front of their preschooler? I would laugh out loud!

 

[gepetto]

Besides sometimes you wonder if the plates on buffets are really clean anyway......who touched the plate before you-------sneezed on it-------etc etc etc

I'm sure the paper goods sweltering in the bottom of your diaper bag all day aren't germ free either.

 

[Merriwind]

I'm getting a good chuckle out of this one. How's this for a solution...

If a server tells you that getting a plate for your under 3 will result in a charge to your meal, simply plop their food on the table and let them eat from that. CMs certainly won't appreciate the extra work, which will take time, slow table turnover and hence profits on the tables. Voila--free plates for the under 3 crowd!

Seriously though, I can't imagine anyone being charged unless they order a meal off of a menu for an under 3. Give them what they want at the buffet--on a plate. Just because they're not charged doesn't mean WDW expects them not to eat!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I posted this sortof tongue in cheek about this whole bruhaha (having seen this mentioned in a few threads) but thinking about it--wouldn't it be a bit special to have your own Cinderella plate at CRT??????

Besides sometimes you wonder if the plates on buffets are really clean anyway......who touched the plate before you-------sneezed on it-------etc etc etc

We could really carry on now.......

If you're that much of a germaphobe, I don't think a themepark is the best place to vacation - think of everything that is touched all day long.

 

[gepetto]

think of everything that is touched all day long.

how about those smelly, slimy splash mountain handles. And someone worries about a BUFFET PLATE.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Think about how many peope that have touched the tongs at the buffet?

 

[crabmeal]

Okay Let me get this right. If I bring my 2 1/2 yo to Crystal Palace she can still eat from the buffet on a plate for free. But if I take her to Mama Melrose and order her a chicken finger meal I have to pay. Isn't that how it's always been? Now Im getting worried cause I'll also have a 10 month old who may or may not be interetsed in food. So that may mean carrying 2 plates, 2 sets of silverware and cups/ bottles. What will be next- bring my own pots and pans! LOL!

 

[tink too]

We visited WDW before DD was 3 y.o. and servers almost always asked us if we wanted an extra plate for her (BTW those that didn't ask, just brought a plate out). We were never charged extra for her - even at the buffets!

At the buffets, they let us pick food for her and didn't mind how much she ate or dropped on the floor!

We did bring her own cutlery with us when she was 13 months old mainly because it was kid-sized and easier for her to hold. If we forgot to bring it along, the servers never had a problem with giving us a teaspoon, though!

 

[NCombs]

I'm planning to bring our own plates and silverwear for my son, age 2.5.

Why would you do that?

 

[ntburns22]

Good reading tonight.LOL My DS will be 2.5 at time of trip. I am not planning on bringing anything special for him to use.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Okay Let me get this right. If I bring my 2 1/2 yo to Crystal Palace she can still eat from the buffet on a plate for free. But if I take her to Mama Melrose and order her a chicken finger meal I have to pay. Isn't that how it's always been? Now Im getting worried cause I'll also have a 10 month old who may or may not be interetsed in food. So that may mean carrying 2 plates, 2 sets of silverware and cups/ bottles. What will be next- bring my own pots and pans! LOL!

Yes you are correct, you don't need to bring any plates or silverware with you

 

[stingmom]

how about bringing along your RESORT MUG and filling it at a buffet with macaroni-and-cheese? Surely they wouldn't charge for that, would they?!

 

[BBGirl]

OK if this is so funny. How come another mother on this board was told if she fixed her 2.5 year a plate at HDDR they would charge her for it. It's not so funny when that plate might cost you $25. I was told the same about CP, CRT and Donalds. If I fix my daughter, a 2.5 year old, a plate of her own she will be charged. Many on this board have said they won't do it but that is what Disney is saying. Not just once but multiable(sp) times and not just dining CM's either management and Guest Services all told me the same thing. She can have a plate but it has to be food off of my/DH's/DS's plates. I complained to Guest Services that if a buffet states under 3 free than under 3 should be free. Regardless of where the food came from. Remember ladies and gentlemen they are changing the rules. Double charge for kids meals ordered by adults or kids over 9-11. Guest services told me that soon there can be a plate sharing fee for sharing food. I'm not laughing at $10/14 for my 2.5 year old to eat at a buffet. When I questioned it I was told but it's under $15 why worry about it. I don't mind paying for her when we order for her at a sitdown same as anywhere else but at a buffet that supposed to be free and not a % of a childs meal but the whole amount. My DS(7) doesn't eat $10-15 worth of food my DD(2.5) most certainly doesn't. Trust me this is not a laughing matter at our house.
Tina

 

[dcgrumpy]

OK if this is so funny. How come another mother on this board was told if she fixed her 2.5 year a plate at HDDR they would charge her for it. It's not so funny when that plate might cost you $25. I was told the same about CP, CRT and Donalds. If I fix my daughter, a 2.5 year old, a plate of her own she will be charged. Many on this board have said they won't do it but that is what Disney is saying. Not just once but multiable(sp) timesand not just dining CM's either management and Guest Services all told me the same thing. She can have a plate but it has to be food off of my/DH's/DS's plates. I complained to Guest Services that if a buffet states under 3 free than under 3 should be free. Regardless of where the food came from. Remember ladies and gentlemen they are changing the rules. Double charge for kids meals ordered by adults or kids over 9-11. Guest services told me that soon there can be a plate sharing fee for sharing food. I'm not laughing at $10/14 for my 2.5 year old to eat at a buffet. When I questioned it I was told but it's under $15 why worry about it. I don't mind paying for her when we order for her at a sitdown same as anywhere else but at a buffet that supposed to be free and not a % of a childs meal but the whole amount. My DS(7) doesn't eat $10-15 worth of food my DD(2.5) most certainly doesn't. Trust me this is not a laughing matter at out house.
Tina

I've made 6 trips in the last 4 years with kids under 3, the most recent last month. I always fix them their own plate at buffets and all you can eat places. I've never been charged nor has anyone ever mentioned charging me. I've eaten at Boma, CRT, CP, CM, 'Ohana's, LTT, HDDR, Park Fair (or whatever the heck the name is) , Fresh without a problem.

ETA
Was this something someone was told by a CM over the phone or did the waiter at HDDR tell them the child couldn't eat?

forgot we ate at Biergarten last month too

 

[BBGirl]

ETA
Was this something someone was told by a CM over the phone or did the waiter at HDDR tell them the child couldn't eat?

The CM booking the package and the manager she asked to speak to about it. I'm glad to hear you weren't charged at any of those places that you mentioned just about everyone I'm going to. I hoping to not be charged also but I don't find planning what to do in case what Disney is saying on phone is true is funny. I think it's smart. If they charge me for my DD(2.5) we will be looking at spending an extra $45-50 on food. As I planned most of my sitdowns on the dining plan (pd for not the free one) for buffets so DD would not be left out when the food came out and wouldn't cost us the $45-50 extra over what we are paying for the plan.
Tina

 

[beattyfamily]

I only saw one person told this about HDDR which I believe is false information. Now it has snowballed quickly into fact that children under 3 will be charged if they have their very own plate! I do not believe it for a second.

I've eaten at HDDR, CRT, Chef Mickey's etc... with an under 3 year old and had no problems whatsoever and they had their own plate at all those places...even CRT brought them their own plate of pre-plated food. Free is free and they know that the under 3 year olds will be eating and need a plate to do that!

I think this is mis-information getting spread and blown out of proportion, IMHO.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I think it's misinformation as well. I cannot beleive for a minute that Disney will charge a child under 3 for the use of a plate. I went with my friend who has an 18 month old in Dec and they never batted an eye and always brought out an extra plate.

As for charging for sharing meals, they will lose their dining money from me. We woud go off site and eat.

 

[robinb]

You're kidding, right?

 

[Becky2005]

This will definitely be an interesting trip! I have a 1 year old, I planned on bringing his silverware & sippy cup (not because I have to but he can't manage adult sized silverware - he can't even manage kid sized really - starts out & usually ends up eating with his hands but he tries!) He certainly can't drink out of a regular cup unless they want it all over the place!

We will be there July 10, so right after they change prices and who knows what with the plates. Here's a concept...ask the waiter/waitress for an extra plate for yourself! Once you get your plate, hand it over to your 2 year old (hence, "eating off your plate") and then ask for a plate for yourself - so far they haven't said you would be charged double if you ask for a seperate plate for yourself. My kid grabs stuff off my plate *anyway* so he probably will be eating off my plate, in addition to eating off "who knows what"!

I, personally, can't imagine them charging you for using a plate. I am under the impression it's if you order a seperate kid's meal for them, etc... (We are on the Premium plan, so it should make it really interesting.)

 

[Aimeedyan]

This is all a big misunderstanding. I talked to a CM tonight who just laughed when I told her about this thread - ONE person had a misunderstanding on the phone with a CM about Hoop-De-Doo. The CM on the phone either 1) was an idiot or 2) completely misunderstood what was being asked.

NO ONE has ever been charged for a plate. NO ONE has ever said they will be charged for a plate. NO ONE has this policy in place at Disney (now the other kids meal upsets are policy...)

I can't believe these things get so blown out of proportion! Go, enjoy your vacation, and don't worry about it! Your 2 year old will not have to eat droppings on the floor!