autism and children's menus

[ibelieveinmagic]

hi we are taking a big group next Christmas to Disneyworld, my son's step daughter is 17, she has autism and she is a very picky eater, she likes thing like chicken fingers and pizza, would they let her order off the children's menu?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Sure thing.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

thanks for your reply!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

hi we are taking a big group next Christmas to Disneyworld, my son's step daughter is 17, she has autism and she is a very picky eater, she likes thing like chicken fingers and pizza, would they let her order off the children's menu?

At Disney-owned restaurants, it's no problem to order off the kids' menu. Some restaurants owned and operated by companies other than Disney, which includes some restaurants in Epcot, are a little stricter about not letting older children and adults order off the kids' menu. However, some will fix an adult-sized portion of the food on the kids menu, and charge more for it, of course.

My DD has autism and has been a picky eater in the past, and still is to some extent. When she was younger, we had a lot of luck at buffets. Of course, you will pay the adult price for her even if she only eats a little from the kids' section of the buffet. I don't know how high functioning your step granddaughter is, but maybe her mother and your son could review the online menus with her.

I will share that Disney has provided us with some major breakthroughs with my daughter's eating habits. After not eating beef for about 4 years, she announced when we were planning one trip that she wanted me to book LeCellier and that she would eat steak at LeCellier. I was skeptical, but she kept to her word, ordered the steak from the kids menu (which was a filet back then) and now eats steak regularly. The movie Princess and the Frog added gumbo to her approved food list. That one shocked me more than the steak since it can be so spicy, but she figured if Tiana liked it then it must be good. There have been other Disney related food additions but those are the two that really surprised me.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

thank you so much! she is very high functioning, we took them to the beach ( Captiva Island)a few years ago, she was very picky with her food! We will have 10 people total , 3 families, so I'm trying to kind of trying to get an idea of the food budget!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

The table service restaurants at Disney are GREAT about accommodating special dietary needs. If nothing on the menu suits her (and you can check this in advance), ask to speak to a chef upon arrival. They will come out and discuss options, and prepare a special plate for her.

They will even do this at buffets, if there is an issue there, as well.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just know with AYCTE, buffets, character meals, and prepaid restaurants you'll have to pay the adult price even if she eats like a kid. Something to consider when booling those types. Quick service never cares as that's pretty much all I order any more at quick service is the kid's meals.