Child with Food Issues

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Make sure to include his allergies on all the dinning reservations, and tell the server when they first approach the table, the chef will come out and speak to you. I have a food allergy, of all things I am allergic to coconut. I check the menu's out and if I'm not sure I ask to speak to the chef... They have always been so great, and made me something if needed to accommodate my allergy. Table service is much easier to find out, at the quick serves they have a huge book, with all the ingredients that go into the dish, and I have had to look through it before to make sure that coconut milk or water, or coconut flour or extract wasn't in the mix...

As far as the dinning plan I would go ahead and just go with it, you can always use the extra credits, for another meal, or snacks...

It didn't sound like he was actually allergic to anything, rather he has food aversions. Not the same thing. The server or chef will realize that when the OP lists what the child will eat, rather than what he needs to avoid.

The best bet would be to look at the menus and see which places have food that he will eat, and pack additional food to cover times when something can't be found.

 

[robinb]

It didn't sound like he was actually allergic to anything, rather he has food aversions. Not the same thing. The server or chef will realize that when the OP lists what the child will eat, rather than what he needs to avoid.

The best bet would be to look at the menus and see which places have food that he will eat, and pack additional food to cover times when something can't be found.

Since the food aversion in probably based on his disability, I don't see anything wrong with her listing what he can eat. Yes, check out menus first, but take the "belt and suspenders" route by also informing the TS restaurant in advance.

 

[Nancyg56]

Since the food aversion in probably based on his disability, I don't see anything wrong with her listing what he can eat. Yes, check out menus first, but take the "belt and suspenders" route by also informing the TS restaurant in advance.

I agree. OP- inform your server that you need some consideration and explain the circumstances to the Chef. I believe there is a vast difference between "picky eater" and "food sensory issues. I bet that Chef will believe that as well.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Since the food aversion in probably based on his disability, I don't see anything wrong with her listing what he can eat. Yes, check out menus first, but take the "belt and suspenders" route by also informing the TS restaurant in advance.

I've read the reservation pages, because I have to let the TS know in advance, but I don't remember seeing where you can list foods that you can eat. I only remember boxes to check of what you need to avoid.

Obviously if the cast members at guest services have a different place to note what he can eat, that would be great. But from what I have read here, that isn't the case.

And they can certainly tell their server. But if they don't have the food available, they can't make it materialize.

So, in my opinion, the best bet would be to check the menus beforehand.

 

[rg35]

Make sure to include his allergies on all the dinning reservations, and tell the server when they first approach the table, the chef will come out and speak to you. I have a food allergy, of all things I am allergic to coconut. I check the menu's out and if I'm not sure I ask to speak to the chef... They have always been so great, and made me something if needed to accommodate my allergy. Table service is much easier to find out, at the quick serves they have a huge book, with all the ingredients that go into the dish, and I have had to look through it before to make sure that coconut milk or water, or coconut flour or extract wasn't in the mix...

As far as the dinning plan I would go ahead and just go with it, you can always use the extra credits, for another meal, or snacks...

I don't think you have read through the thread. OP followed up with additional information. This is not an allergy issue it's food sensitivity due to a cleft palate and being on the autism spectrum.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree. OP- inform your server that you need some consideration and explain the circumstances to the Chef. I believe there is a vast difference between "picky eater" and "food sensory issues. I bet that Chef will believe that as well.

Sure. But they also can only use the ingredients they have on hand. They can't just whip up anything.

 

[FSU Girl]

Thanks, everyone. I am thinking maybe we should try for a room discount rather than a package this year. My nephew has a cleft palate, which was just recently repaired, and is on the Autism spectrum. His food issues are more than picky eater. He literally only eats certain things. He eats: bananas, crackers, yogurt, turkey breast, oatmeal, cheese, macaroni and cheese, and that's it! We will definitely have to take food with us.

Disney is pretty accommodating with modifying food, just not the price. My Fiance's daughter has autism and when we went she only wanted to eat chicken fingers (even got this at Ohana) One waitress did take pitty on us when we went to Garden Grill. She didn't like anything they had, I think maybe ate one tater tot. The waitress tried to see if there was something she would eat, but she didn't want anything and we ended up not having to pay for her and she's considered a Disney adult so that was a nice surprise! No where else did that so it was just a little pixie dust.

 

[Nancyg56]

Sure. But they also can only use the ingredients they have on hand. They can't just whip up anything.

Of course, and I should know that this needs to be stipulates so as to avoid potential problems. Thanks for pointing it out in case new folks were not aware.

 

[robinb]

Sure. But they also can only use the ingredients they have on hand. They can't just whip up anything.

I think that's where starting with the menus is important. The OP can get a sense of what they offer and if the nephew can be accommodated with what they are likely to have in the kitchen.

I've read the reservation pages, because I have to let the TS know in advance, but I don't remember seeing where you can list foods that you can eat. I only remember boxes to check of what you need to avoid.

Obviously if the cast members at guest services have a different place to note what he can eat, that would be great. But from what I have read here, that isn't the case.

And they can certainly tell their server. But if they don't have the food available, they can't make it materialize.

So, in my opinion, the best bet would be to check the menus beforehand.

Thanks. I didn't know that there were only check boxes. I assumed there was some kind of free-form text field.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I think that's where starting with the menus is important. The OP can get a sense of what they offer and if the nephew can be accommodated with what they are likely to have in the kitchen.

Thanks. I didn't know that there were only check boxes. I assumed there was some kind of free-form text field.

There are 10 boxes, listing the 8 major allergens, corn and other. Near the bottom of the page it has a box for wheelchair use.

I do believe that Disney will try their best to do what they can for the OP. But she should know that some places may simply not have the food available to serve.

 

[LovesTimone]

I don't think you have read through the thread. OP followed up with additional information. This is not an allergy issue it's food sensitivity due to a cleft palate and being on the autism spectrum.

I went back and re-read it, oops I missed that one... I guess not enough coffee yet... .

I still would have it listed on the ADR's, OP could call and ask them to add it to the ADR's in the notes sections. Checking out the menus ahead of time is super important, nothing worse that walking in some where and getting ready to order or speaking with the server to find out that there is nothing that someone will eat or unavailable. Speaking to the server and knowing the menu are the best ways to go.

On another note we have a friend that brings one of her grandkids a paper plate with the dividers, no food touching is a issue for them. This was a simple fix for when they eat out or are traveling.

 

[Lisa F]

I went back and re-read it, oops I missed that one... I guess not enough coffee yet... .

I still would have it listed on the ADR's, OP could call and ask them to add it to the ADR's in the notes sections. Checking out the menus ahead of time is super important, nothing worse that walking in some where and getting ready to order or speaking with the server to find out that there is nothing that someone will eat or unavailable. Speaking to the server and knowing the menu are the best ways to go.

On another note we have a friend that brings one of her grandkids a paper plate with the dividers, no food touching is a issue for them. This was a simple fix for when they eat out or are traveling.

I respectfully disagree that this is something that should be noted on the ADR. It kind of is what it is. My child has special needs and food aversions - I read menus and read the ENTIRE menu to see what is available in the kitchen. For my son, steak and mac and cheese is always a big win and Disney is super accommodating about swapping around sides... so I check to see if there is some kind of grilled meat he can order (steak or chicken or pork) and made plain (they are always willing to serve without sauces) and then some kind of side he will like (fries or pasta or mac and cheese, he doens't like most other things, not even rice) and if there is all that then I'm golden, and then I check to see if there are things I am interested in eating and if so I put it on the list. I don't need to put the kitchen on high alert to do any of that, I just need to ask the server if I can swap out sides. I'm also willing to pay a bit more if I need to (like to have a side of mac and cheese off the kid menu I'll pay for that if I need to - I've never been asked to but I always offer to if they look at me quizzically... I figure a few extra $$ for my kiddo to be happy is worth it).

I would not go in expecting chicken fingers at a place that doesn't have them and noting that I want it ahead of time won't get it for me. This is is something truly easily handled by being aware of menu choices and just ordering in the moment, unlike an allergy which requires special handling and you probably want as many people as possible to note it so you don't have a reaction, especially given the hidden dangers of cross contamination. A picky kid for whatever reason is not ADR noteworthy IMO, it's just another day at Disney and I'm sure they deal with this all day long. I try to make sure I find a place with a couple of options just in case the menu changes before I get there, it can be a little dicey to count on just one thing when menus change all the time. I just don't think that accommodating a picky kid is a deal big enough to make a fuss about it beforehand and even if you do, the person seating you is not likely to notice or care... neither is the server. What can they do to prepare besides answer your questions about the menu and take your order? pretty much nothing.