Gastric Bypass at Buffet

[bjbbstokes]

I know this sounds like a crazy question, but are there any WLS patients out there that have ever asked about paying the childs rate at one of the buffet TS places? Seems crazy to have to pay for an adult buffet when I eat less than my 6 year old. Just wondering if there was anyone out there with any experience on this.

[crrees]

Thats a great question although i dont have an answer I cant wait to hear someone who has one.

I personally feel you should have to pay the kids price. But in the restaurants eyes its not "pay for how much you can eat" its age based. But at Disney they seem to accomodate as many people as possible. I would reccommend calling disney dining (1-407-WDW-DINE/1-407-939-3463).

I would even go as far to say as to be not charged at all and leave a larger tip and only pick off your significant others plate. I have done this before at a buffet just to try some the food but didnt want to actually have much food at all.

What buffets are you thinking of tryin?

[mom22gls]

If you brought a doctor's note explaining your limited food capacity, they might only charge for a child's portion, at a buffet.

[Chicago Wookiee]

Can't the same be said for charging an 11 year old a full adult price?

they don't seem to care what you can eat, just how old you are.

[justgeorgi]

My best friend has a small gastric bypass card... and she just notifies the server when we sit down. It has never been a problem, even at Disneyland Paris they acknowledged it. Just show them the card and ENJOY your trip!

[kittylovesthemouse]

A few years ago, WDW buffets would absolutely not honor cards or requests for adults asking for child prices due to bariatric surgery...I found this out dining with a family member. The CMs (on the phone prior and at the restaurants) said it was based on age and that was that.

"Dear Family member" and I had quite a discussion about buffets and weight and the unfairness of the world and trying to live "normally" with a surgically altered stomach. Try not to get frustrated if they do say "no." Growing up, my family's buffet philosophy was sort of like "If I paid $10, I'm going to eat $10 worth if it kills me!" It took me years to deprogram myself from that thinking! My DFM says this like a mantra: "Quality, not quantity."

I eat six mini meals a day to keep my blood sugar happy. I just don't like to eat a lot in one sitting...I'm out of practice at it, anyway. And I hate being too full. I don't usually refill my plate at a buffet, and my DH fills his plate on average 3 times. We pay the same amount, we enjoy it the same...theoretically, except for that tendency to WISH I could pay the kid price! I eat about the same amount as my 8 year old! If I focused on the "value" we get for our money at buffets (always in terms of quantity, and often quality!), I'd probably never go to another one!

We're doing Hollywood & Vine this year...I will try to remember "quality, not quantity" when I pay my $20+ for my little plate! Sigh. Hope it's darn good. :rolleyes:

[Clotho]

I am not sure I would even go to a buffet if I had gastric bypass. I understand you have other family members that may want to, but for your sake, and for the sake of the fact that you would be vastly overpaying for a concept in eating made for people to stuff themselves which you cannot, I just wouldn't spend my money there. I would find some other great restaurant where I can pick off of someone's plate or order something small and appropriate for my needs.

I am sure your family would understand. And with the wealth of wonderful restaurants to enjoy--both cuisine and atmosphere--why go to a buffet when you can't really get your value out of it no matter what you do?

Let us know what you decide. :)

[justgeorgi]

A few years ago, WDW buffets would absolutely not honor cards or requests for adults asking for child prices due to bariatric surgery...I found this out dining with a family member. The CMs (on the phone prior and at the restaurants) said it was based on age and that was that.
We're doing Hollywood & Vine this year...I will try to remember "quality, not quantity" when I pay my $20+ for my little plate! Sigh. Hope it's darn good. :rolleyes:

I am not sure why they didn't honor your card but my friend has been going for years and years with a gastric bypass card and has never had an issue. We have eaten at buffets, counter eateries, sit down restaraunts, etc. Never once has she been given a hard time. I suggest you speak to a manager if the server doesn't take care of you immediately.

My experience has been that Disney is quite friendly about this. Of course there are always exceptions but a simple, "Please let me speak to the manager about this" would solve the problem.

[mom22gls]

Of course, if you are traveling with a kid with a hearty appetite, it evens out the cost; the kid is really eating as an adult, and you are eating as a child. I look forward to another meal at the Cape May Buffet, where my very skinny eight-year old daughter will consume a small mountain of steamers. We really get our money's worth, just watching her eat, at a child's rate.

[stan4d_steph]

I am not sure I would even go to a buffet if I had gastric bypass. That would be my thought too: avoid buffets. Are there any places that have both a buffet and a set menu? I don't recall any. If there are, that might be a good compromise.

[bjbbstokes]

That would be my thought too: avoid buffets. Are there any places that have both a buffet and a set menu? I don't recall any. If there are, that might be a good compromise.

For the most part we won't be eating at buffets, probably only once or twice during our week long trip. Most of the character dining appears to be at buffets and we will definatley be doing at least one of these. We are a family of four and are traveling with another family of 5. I don't expect them all to avoid buffets just because of me. I will be sure to take my card with me and ask about it.

[pixiepower]

Great thread. I have to laugh at some of the posts because I always figure my husband makes up for whatever I (and the kids) don't eat at a buffet. The reason we do the buffets is for the characters/experience, but also the ability to be selective about what you want and how much of it. We've been to buffets where my daughter eats a munchkin and 4 pieces of watermelon and I just think "Oh well, it's not like we'll be without food on this trip".

This thread also makes me think of something my sister-in-law said once that we quote to this day. When discussing whether or not to "supersize" something she said "29 cents?? ...Is that all for fat thighs??"

I get a $20 experience, not $20 worth of food and then I don't have to worry about feeling like I might lose that meal on a ride. ;) (Except that one time my in-laws watched the kids and DH and I went to Le Cellier, drank a bottle of wine, stuffed ourselves, and then went on Mission Space. I wasted 20 minutes of valuable "date time" on that stone wall outside the gift shop. :):rolleyes:

[Mary Faith]

I called on this very subject when I made my ADR's and was told that when we go to a Buffett that I won't have to eat or pay. I explained that I had GB but wanted to enjoy the Character Meals with my family but couldn't eat there. The CM put me on hold and came back and said that as long as I had a note and didn't eat I wouldn't have to pay.

This will work out fine for me cause I can eat something before and be perfectly fine while they all eat.

[Mary Faith]

Oops forgot to note that this does not hold true for signature meals like CRT. For that you will be charged the credits even if you don't eat. So I plan on requesting yogurt and fruit.

[cstephens]

I explained that I had GB but wanted to enjoy the Character Meals with my family but couldn't eat there. The CM put me on hold and came back and said that as long as I had a note and didn't eat I wouldn't have to pay.

Hmm, I find that odd. Character meals aren't just about the food - you're paying for the character interaction as well. I'm surprised they wouldn't at least charge you the child's price.

[jenjustinsmom]

Way off topic reply:


CStephen's: Did you know that amazing Grace can also be sung to the tune of joy to the world?

[Mary Faith]

Hmm, I find that odd. Character meals aren't just about the food - you're paying for the character interaction as well. I'm surprised they wouldn't at least charge you the child's price.

I did ask that too, wanted to know if there was a entertainment fee instead and they said no.

[rentayenta]

Can't the same be said for charging an 11 year old a full adult price?

they don't seem to care what you can eat, just how old you are.


That's what I was thinking too. My 9 y/o can put the food away and should be charged as an adult. I do think it's a good idea though.

[jcruise86]

I don't mean to be mean, but perhaps paying full-price now will balance out those times when you ate portions that led to the gastric bypass.
:D

[cstephens]

I don't mean to be mean, but perhaps paying full-price now will balance out those times when you ate portions that led to the gastric bypass.
:D

For not meaning to be mean, that was an incredibly mean thing you just said.

[Drince88]

Moderator Reminder to all:
Let's discuss the Posts, and not the Posters.

[bams50]

I don't mean to be mean, but perhaps paying full-price now will balance out those times when you ate portions that led to the gastric bypass.
:D
Jeez, what an idiot. As usual, when someone says,"I don't mean to be mean" that's EXACTLY what they want to do. Hope you feel better about yourself soon.