Austistic son at MGM's Toy Story Pizza Planet

[eellis88]

We have been thinking about trying Pizza Plant for dinner at MGM. We have done most of the other dining places. Our son has ausperger's and really loves the Toy Story movies. We think he would love the place and likes pizza. But I am just worried we may never get out of there with all the arcade games and stimulation overload.
Has anyone else with an ausperger or autistic child tried the Pizza Planet and want to share their experience ?
Thank you !!

 

[MightyMom]

It's possible to eat at Toy Story Pizza Planet AND avoid the arcade games. There is seating outside and you can enter and exit the place without ever setting foot in the arcade.

With that said..... You should also know that aside from the seating outside, there is now seating on the lower level..... the seating is on the second floor away from the arcade.

My son's are not on the autism spectrum.... but I do have a child with CP who is easily overwhelmed by too much sensory imput. He did fine with all the noise.

My suggestion is to avoid this place anywhere near the traditional eating times because it is alway packed.

We love the pizza there..... but we especially love the cookies!

 

[MommytoMJM]

We tried it with my daughter, it was way too overwhelming for her, we had to leave. Also the fact that there was no seating on the first floor is an issue when you have three chairs in the party...

You might try ear plugs if he is sound sensitive.

 

[mbb]

We used Toy StoryPP as a way to get the kids to try pizza.

(Our boys have ASD/Asperger's )

Yes to avoiding it at mealtimes - it's too busy!
And upstairs, just over by the elevator doors is our fav spot to eat lunch

"First, we all have 3 bites of pizza, then one game."
(My parents stayed at the table - happily eating their lunch - while DH and I took the kids to their game. We used this strategy regularly at home, so the kids were familiar with getting the reward, and then having to go back to the task, another reward, etc, etc,)

While we tried the bites of pizza, we discussed which was going to be their "first pick" game (scouted while I was in line ordering lunch)

Now the rule for TSPP is "all" the lunch has to be eaten, then we get to play 3 games - each boy, and daddy too - gets to pick one.

HTH!!

 

[eellis88]

Thanks for all the tips.
And MBB that is a great idea for a reward system. Never thought of that. We have so much trouble getting him to sit even for a short meal as you probably know well.

On our way in 2 days !!!

 

[stampin_fool]

Our son, mild autism, really enjoyed it there. I agree that I would go at an off time to limit additional stimulation from crowds. Jacob is very rule oriented so we told Jacob that he had so many minutes to play and then gave him reminders (10 more mins, 5 more mins, etc) until it was time to leave. Jacob has trouble with transitioning from task to task so the time warnings worked well for us and he left with no fuss when his time ran out.

Ronda

 

[disneygal66]

Our DS6 is autistic. His favorite Disney movies are the Toy Story movies. We have been to Pizza Planet both times and he loved it!! I let him and my older son each have a couple dollars to play games and when it was gone, we left. He did really well all things considered.

 

[lovemickeya]

Thanks for all the GREAT Tips - We are going with DS6 with Autism in December. Very helpful and comforting knowing we will survive PP since his is a Total WOODY fan.

**** Mightymom- love the shirts the kids have on- VERY cute--- I am trying to come up with a shirt design for our family/kids when we go. *****

 

[mbb]

Thanks for all the tips.
And MBB that is a great idea for a reward system. Never thought of that. We have so much trouble getting him to sit even for a short meal as you probably know well.

On our way in 2 days !!!

You're welcome
Sitting, period, was hard for our 2. Now, it's hard to get them moving!! LOL!

Hope you're having a wonderful trip!!

 

[irish_trip_mom]

One day it was our entire family (9 of us, including BIL/SIL and niece (10) and nephew (12).) Our one little guy is a Toy Story fanatic, and we'd promised him that we'd go to Pizza Planet. DH kept him downstairs in the arcade trying to win an LGM (little green man for those who don't have the Toy Story movies memorized ) We all ate lunch, then the rule was 5 minutes in the arcade. My kids don't care if they are actually playing the games, they like to pretend. When it got too crazy for our one little guy, he and I went outside and looked at the giant Buzz/Woody/Potato Head outside.

Later in the week when it was just the five of us, we tried to get the kids to go to the ABC Commissary, but they voted for PP again. It's a loud place, but with everything with our kids, just set your guidelines or do the "first this, then that" rules. If he is a TS fan, you can use this as a definite positive reinforcement reward.

 

[bonnick98]

we have DS (5) who is on the spectrum and we've been to Pizza Planet on each of the last 2 trips to WDW. The only problem we have is gettting him to leave!! LOL!! He has no issues with the sensory stuff, just loves to play the games!!

I think it's a tough question to answer becaue kids on the spectrum can be so different, it really depends on your individual child.