Autism and the Rainforest Cafe

[Disneylvr]

DH and I are carefully making decisions about dining reservations for our trip. We think Madelyn might like the Rainforest Cafe since she loves movement and activity. Any opinions? I am also thinking about the Prime Time Cafe (she loves TV) and maybe Chef Mickey's although I hate to pay $12.99 for food she won't eat much of and characters she will probably ignore.... But DH and I don't want every meal to be counter service. Any suggestions?

 

[AJKMOM]

We took autistic son, age 15, to Rainforest Cafe in DTD, and he did enjoy it. It was noisy, and we had to had to wait for a table because it was busy. If your DD likes the activity, I would suggest going at an off time so you won't have to wait so long. There is plenty to look at while waiting for the food. some here think the restaurant at DTD is better than the one at AK, but we haven't been to AK yet.

You might want to research the Prime Time Cafe, I think that's the one where the servers tell you to eat your veggies and keep your elbows off the table.

I hate to tell you this, but in 11 trips to WDW, we rarely ate a sit down meal, and only during the last 3 trips. Before that, DS wouldn't sit long enough to order from a menu. Don't push your daughter too much, it isn't worth ruining the trip over a meal at a restaurant. My husband always joked "If it doesn't have a counter or a playroom, we haven't eaten there".

We do always see improvement in our son after a trip to WDW, that's why we keep going back.

 

[KathyRN137]

We took our autistic DS (6yrs) to RC at DD and he loved it so much that we took our whole family to the RC here in NJ for his 7th birthday!

I thought he might be frightened by the "thunderstorm" b/c he doesn't like loud noises, but turns out it wasn't very loud at all.

We requested a table near a wall or the fish tank so he would not be in the center of the busy room and he did just great!

Have fun!

 

[bookworm61]

My son (15) has Asperger's. He really likes the Sci Fi Cafe. It is a large,darkened room that feels like you are outdoors at a drive in movie. You sit in a "car" or at a table and watch clips from old movies and tv shows with a sci fi theme. It's not scary, just silly. You can order a la carte or share with her if you are concerned that she doesn't eat much. It is not as noisy or hectic as prime time. If you decide to go, make an ADR and request a car table. They aren't available to everyone and an ADR will make it much more likely.

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you everyone! We are really looking to eat at just 2 sit-down restaurants. Our biggest concern is the wait for a table. Once we sit down she will be fine if there is enough activity. She will LOVE the aquarium at RFC. Any experiences at Chef Mickey's? I think she would love when everyone sings "Celebrate Mickey Mouse" but not sure about the rest of it. This is trip is for Madelyn and the last thing we want to do is stress her out but for the most part she travels very well. We can take her anywhere without problems UNLESS there is a long wait. Her Christmas portrait session this last holiday season was a disaster because we had to wait over 90 minutes. It took a million bubbles and singing to get a smile out of the tears. Never again...

 

[tacomaranch]

We are going on 4/29 and I have called the dining reservations line and have made reservations at the AK RC for the 30th. I am hoping that we won't have to wait with our reservations. Then I do wonder if Hunter is going to be able to even sit for a meal. He doesn't at home so this is already stupid now that I think about it. If we sat by fish it would help.

We also then looked at the extended hours so I am moving our plans around so we can use the extended hours at MK instead of a day at AK first. If all fails we will just go back to our room where I can cook.

April

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

We ate constantly at the Rainforrest Cafe in Burlington Mass and at the one in Disney Market with our autistic son. The one in Mass has a huge waterfall that we would sit near, and while it was loud the sound of the water acts as white noise and nothing bothered him. He loves it there so much, now that we are in GA, we are sad that there isn't one close.

Try calling ahead and telling them that you are coming with an autistic child and if they can help you out with table seating (see if the water trick works)...it is worth a shot.

Give us a trip report when you come back...enjoy!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

When you call to get your ADRs, tell them that you have a child with special needs and you would like to get the ADR for the least busy time. Usually, that will be either very early mealtime or at the end of the serving time.

Also, all the sitdown restaurants we ate in used pagers. When you check in for the ADR, they take your name (that's when you tell them any special requests -like near a fish tank, in a quiet spot, etc). They give you a pager and you don't have to sit right there while you wait. Find out how far away you can move and still be in range to receive the page when your table is ready.

 

[1stluvispooh]

I too only have praise for Rainforst Cafe. We went 3 years ago before DD was diagnosed and it was great!! We had an awsome server who told DS who was and still is afraid of storms to stand on his chair point at the up and laugh at the storm because it was just a machine in the back making it. At first he wasn't sure that he really could stand on the chair since it's a no no at home but soon got into it. Lets just say I wrote them a letter when we got back praising our server and the handling of our children!!

 

[Earstou]

The nice thing about the RC Cafe is that while you are waiting for your food to come, one of you can take your dd and walk around looking at all the animals, or you can pop into the gift shop for a while. My ASD ds loves this place!
He also loved the Sci-Fi Cafe. With it being dark inside, it was a nice place to unwind, plus the movie clips keeped him entertained. (He was 10 last time we went.)

 

[TDS373X]

My ASD dd6 loves the rainforest cafe...She's not crazy about the thunderstorm part but there is so much going on she doesn't really focus on it for very long...we'll be going back this trip I'm sure.