autism/ food?

[connie1042]

My grandson only eats a few things. We can work around things at buffets, cause they always have Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets. Eat grilled cheese and pizza. Going to Ohanna's. Can we bring something in for him? Do they have Mac and Cheese? We have eaten there many times, but not with him, so this is new for us. He will eat the ice cream, not the pudding. What do people do when they take a child like this to a Disney Restaurant? Also at Be Our Guest. Help please.

 

[lanejudy]

I believe mac & cheese is an "alternate" option for kids at O'hana's -- you may need to request it. You will actually find at least one of his staples available at most restaurants. I'd suggest you check out the menus, either on this board or at www.allears.net, to get an idea of where would be most accommodating for your family.

As for bringing food...WDW will not heat or prepare anything you bring. There are microwaves available at "food court" type locations in the resorts, but not at most restaurants. If you are dining at a buffet style restaurant, be prepared to pay full price for him even if he doesn't choose to eat -- they consider the entertainment (character meal or show) to be just as "worthy" as the meal.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My son has autism and is also a very picky eater. The first thing to do is look at all of the current restaurants' menus and see which ones have something your son will eat. You can find them on this site or www.allears.net. I also make a list of counter service places at each park that have something for him. There's nothing worse than wandering around and looking at menus when you're hungry. Personally, we don't book any table service place that doesn't have something my son will eat. I would love to try 'Ohana or BOG someday, but we skipped them on our last few trips in favor of places that have what we need. We don't bring in our own food except for small containers of peanut butter. I sometimes order plain bread or a plain hamburger bun and a side of fries. Then I make him a sandwich at the table. The other option is to feed your son before your ADR and order him a plate of fries or dessert while you eat. Have a great trip!

 

[2tinkerbell]

LOL - I laugh because I remember paying $30 for mac & cheese and jello - but, so worth it because my DD was happy and had fun. Or being in DL and having to always eat at the Carnation Cafe' because at the time they had grilled cheese (the only place in DL) on the menu. Oh well, we were on vacation and having fun.

I check out the menus beforehand and adjust accordingly. I am sure that Ohana's will be happy to provide mac and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich. You might call ahead of time and have that added to your reservation. I am willing to do that for 1 or 2 meals on vacation, but, the other times, I choose my restaurant according to the established menu.

I don't believe that you would be allowed to bring in food from outside. It is a health and liability issue.

 

[sukhakuli]

I also have a picky eater. For many years he would only eat round foods, would not eat anything messy, and had to use a paper towel to hold his food. This is fairly common. If we were on vacation and they didn't have anything he would eat on the menu, then we would choose a different restaurant. However, we also worked with his therapy team to help him extinguish these food behaviors, which has worked pretty well. I did it less because of eating out on vacation, and more for his health, but it is nice that he can eat out now.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Ohana does offer alternatives. On our first visit there, DD was given chicken nuggets and fries, but I don't know if those are still an option. I believe they came from Captain Cooks and with all the refurb going on at the Poly, I know Captain Cooks is closing at some point. Check out the menu at Kona to see if there's something on that menu that he will eat. I know Ohana will serve food they can get from either Captain Cooks or Kona.

 

[Coonhound]

My grandson only eats a few things. We can work around things at buffets, cause they always have Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets. Eat grilled cheese and pizza. Going to Ohanna's. Can we bring something in for him? Do they have Mac and Cheese? We have eaten there many times, but not with him, so this is new for us. He will eat the ice cream, not the pudding. What do people do when they take a child like this to a Disney Restaurant? Also at Be Our Guest. Help please.

Lots of children are picky eaters but I wonder why it always seems to be Mac and cheese and chicken nuggets that they want. Since it's vacation I would try to roll with the punches and eat what is there, but if he won't do it then I'd try to bring in some food into the restaurant. If you're worried about it you could always bring in some food however they will not heatit up for you so it may not still be warm when you're ready to eat. It's kind of a hard situation, because the food may end up cold, so he may not want to eat it then. Maybe pack it in a cooler with some heat packs.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds12 was given a hot dog and fries at Ohana once. I believe chicken fingers are an option. My ds does not eat mac n cheese - he will only eat pasta plain - no sauce, no butter. He will eat the steak there but that is all. Be prepared to pay full price regardless of what he eats or doesn't eat. If he's 10+, that bowl of mac n cheese will cost close to $40.

 

[mama23babies]

We have been to Ohana 5 times. My son, now 11 has autism, and always gets a grilled cheese and fries from there. We've never had a problem. Hope you enjoy!

Deb

 

[Disneylvr]

We have been to Ohana 5 times. My son, now 11 has autism, and always gets a grilled cheese and fries from there. We've never had a problem. Hope you enjoy! Deb

That is what we have been offered for our daughter as well. Have fun!

 

[ppony]

There are places we've eaten there, OHana being one, that we did bring in our own food for our youngest. We told them we completely expected to be paying for his meal though he wouldn't be eating what they could give him. If there was something they could get form a nearby or connected restaurant like Kona Cafe, they would do it, but at that time, there wasn't. They understand that this is sometimes necessary and the rest of the family wants to enjoy places too that may not have things on the menu for that particular child. Just let them know you understand the policies and are expecting to pay for his/her meal though he wouldn't be eating it. Sometimes, you might be surprised that they'll knock off some of the cost for you. But my gosh, do NOT ask or you're telling them that you feel you're above the rules and policies.

 

[bookwormde]

Almost everywhere can make a grilled cheese. If you want to be sure call ahead.

Our son lived on them and McDonalds fries (gone now) at Disney world. In the end we bought into DVC so we would have our worn kitchen