Autistic Children...alone in a buffet

[DisneyMama409]

I can trade Chef Mickey's with Liberty tree tavern. I'm disappointed about not getting to Chef Mickey's though. I wanna see what all the hype is about.

 

[NotUrsula]

You should tip very generously for it, but the waiter should be able to help you carry food if you make an advance request for that (so that they can reduce the number of tables that waiter will be handling during your visit.) The waiter cannot attend to your children while you go and get food; the restaurant won't take the responsibility.

As I see it, your best choice is to put your younger child in a backpack carrier or hip sling while you get your first plate, so that you can see what is there. Your older child can walk alongside, and the waiter can carry the extra plates. Load your plates up pretty heavily to avoid too many extra trips. When you want seconds, ask the waiter to go and get the food for you.

I wouldn't do too many buffets, but if you really want to do one as a special treat, you probably will be able to manage with a little preplanning.

(Even with a safety harness, I'd still advise bringing along a sling or soft back carrier for the little one, because it's likely he won't always be willing to walk quietly on the reins while in a ride line. Having some sort of harness on yourself to help contain him may save your back. Don't forget to have some way to carry your valuables on you, too -- perhaps only take your cell phone, ID and CC in your pocket.)

 

[toodycat]

Don't feel bad about the hype.Chef Mickey's is fun, but it is not any better than any other character meal. The food is about average. We like Crystal Palace better, actually. Liberty Tree is also very nice. You do what you have to for your kids and you have to keep them secure. You are already taking them to WDW. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Bete]

Ds has a harness but I have not used it in months. Im trying to train him to not wander off and jet. Yesterday I had to run to the dr's office and it's a good 1 hour trip via public transportation. (2 buses 2 trains!) and I left his stroller AND his harness at home. For the most part he did very well! I was semi relaxed. Im trying to get him to understand that he cant run and jet unless mommy says so. I let go of his hands a few times and he walked near me without running and jetting. I have 4 more months to get this right! BTW Ill definetly be bringing the harness with me to DW for various reasons but I have not used it in so long. I usually have a good eye on ds at all times when were outside anywhere.

but Disney World is not the correct environment to take any chances and training needs to take a hiatus there. It's such an intricing place and many kids get carried away with all the stimuli.

 

[casper_jj11]

We have three kiddos so when they were younger, I'd go to the buffet and get their food first and then mine and then dh would go. If you use a stroller for your 2yr old, this may help. What I used to do is place two plates on top of each other and then put the two youngest food on the top plate. I'd divide it between the two plates back at teh table. I'd use the other hand to carry the third plate. There's always a place to lay a plate while you're placing food on them and although its slow, it meant only one trip but three plate filled.

 

[MineMail]

We were at a counter-service place outside of WDW and saw a family sit the kids at the table. The mom stayed to entertain the two kids, but got up for a brief minute to help the father carry the trays to the table. In that time, their little boy, who was strapped into the high chair, managed to get a foot on the edge of the table. In the blink of an eye, he flipped the entire chair backwards, hitting his head on the floor. Their night was ruined. So, I'd advise against leaving him in the chair. A stroller won't work unless your daughter can stay with him and push it for you.

I don't know if it would work with two kids, but I saw a mom who tied a bandanna to her belt and had her little one hold onto it as she made up plates at the buffet. She knew exactly where he was and it left her hands free to carry the filled plates. I guess with two kids, you could put one on each side, or have your daughter hold the son's hand if he'll allow it.

A lot of buffet places won't let kids go up alone, so make sure to keep them with you in line. Your five-year old could probably carry her own plate; just don't fill it up with too many things. You can always make additional trips, which is half the fun of buffets for kids. Some places have lightweight plates or trays so you can manage more than one.

I handled buffets by myself with little ones by first getting drinks, empty plates, silverware, and napkins for all of us and putting it on the table. At the buffet, we'd make up one plate of food to bring to the table. Divvying it up on the clean, empty plates at the table made managing the food easier, plus there was less waste if they didn't like something.

 

[adisneymama]

Can your DD at 5 not carry her own plate? There are child size plates at CM. I would simply use the harness on DS putting the loop on your wrist. Fix all of your plates at the same time. You carrying yours and DS and let DD carry her own. I would not leave either child at a table unattended period.

 

[deerhart]

Can your DD at 5 not carry her own plate? There are child size plates at CM. I would simply use the harness on DS putting the loop on your wrist. Fix all of your plates at the same time. You carrying yours and DS and let DD carry her own. I would not leave either child at a table unattended period.

That was the question I was going to ask? I know when we went my 5 yo had no problems handling his own plate (of course we assisted).

I also think they may have trays that you can use as well to carry multiple things

 

[Belle1962]

FWIW we LOVE Garden grille!! My grandson (now 9) doesn't think it's a true trip to EPCOT unless we eat there. One year he wanted to repeat Teppan Edo (we had eaten there the year before) so I only made ressies there----when we rode Soarin he went straight up to the GG and was expecting to be seated. Not a pleasant experience when he discovered we weren't eating there--luckily the staff fit us in.

Having not read any of your other posts here are my suggestions for AYCE family style dining: Liberty Tree Tavern not a character meal but family style; Princess storybook breakfast is family style according to allearsnet.com; Ohana breakfast (Lilo & Stitch); any of the meals at the Castle.

Other cool fun spots for kids would be the Rainforest Cafe and TRex at Downtown Disney and Toy Story Pizza Planet (but be warned there is an arcade inside!) Casey's Corner for hotdogs and fries--inside is bleacher type area where you watch cartoons (near the back); Pinnochio Village Haus--you can sit by the window and watch the small world boats go by--and wave to people; Beaches N Cream; Whispering Canyone Cafe----lots of interaction your DS is too young but your DD isn't and both will enjoy watching the shennanigans.

 

[Bete]

I don't know if it would work with two kids, but I saw a mom who tied a bandanna to her belt and had her little one hold onto it as she made up plates at the buffet. She knew exactly where he was and it left her hands free to carry the filled plates. I guess with two kids, you could put one on each side, or have your daughter hold the son's hand if he'll allow it.

A lot of buffet places won't let kids go up alone, so make sure to keep them with you in line. Your five-year old could probably carry her own plate; just don't fill it up with too many things. You can always make additional trips, which is half the fun of buffets for kids. Some places have lightweight plates or trays so you can manage more than one.

I handled buffets by myself with little ones by first getting drinks, empty plates, silverware, and napkins for all of us and putting it on the table. At the buffet, we'd make up one plate of food to bring to the table. Divvying it up on the clean, empty plates at the table made managing the food easier, plus there was less waste if they didn't like something.

and they all sound reasonable and doable. I think any short cuts are out. You have to be responsible here if you want to go to a Disney buffet with your two kids. Devise a system at home that will work at Disney. Try all the options at your hometown buffets. See what will work the best for you at Disney. Let your 5 year old practice, too with carrying her own plate in a hometown buffet. It sounds like you have been lucky with nothing bad happening in the past, but it sounds like you have done some lose practices to date in public with restaurants. I'm not trying to come down hard on your parenting, but we all want you to have a safe and pleasant trip.

Another good idea might be to visit a local amusement park or nearby one if available before the big event at Disney. Get your feet wet on a small scale before attempting Disney. Even going to a zoo could be some practice, as well. Having your two year old deal with a smaller scale environment will help with Disney. I know you were asking about buffets, but there's a lot to handle for a parent when taking a trip to Disney.

To be on the side of caution and safety has to be your number one goal.