children's dining question

[shereepie]

Our son is 3 and he's autistic. He has a lot of sensory issues, so he is very choosy about foods. He is also allergic to wheat. But when I look at children's menus for CS places (and even some TS places), there is nothing he could/would eat on the children's menus. We are going Nov 2-9, and paying for the dining plan. Has anyone had any experiences with accommodations on something like this? I mean, if a menu has mac'n'cheese (won't eat, plus can't eat due to wheat allergy), chicken strips (wheat allergy), hamburger (wheat allergy + pickiness), fruit (won't eat), pb&j (can't eat the bread)...what the heck am I gonna feed my son?

I know that when I made my reservations for all the table service places, they took note of his allergy, and so I am sure they can accommodate him, but will it still be counted as a child's dining credit? And I am worried about CS places being *able* to accommodate him.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I have read that WDW is great about accomodating special food needs, there is an article over on Allearsnet.com about a person who has Celiac and the experience they had. I don't know that Celiac is what your son has, but my neighbor has a wheat allergy and she has Celiac.

Hope this helps

 

[matndrew]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should reconsider purchasing the plan. Opening myself up here for flames, but if one of my children couldn't or wouldn't eat what is considered "normal" child fare, I would probably bring my own. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[shereepie]

But why? I mean, it seems to me that if they can serve chicken fingers, they can serve UNBREADED chicken fingers, you know?

I just wanted to know what other people's experiences were so that I'd know what to expect. I know that they can be very accommodating of people with food allergies at TS restaurants, but didn't know how things would go at CS places. I have tried to scope out the CS places and make sure that each that we would go to has something safe for and acceptable to my son.

I certainly wouldn't flame you for what you're saying. We are doing the dining plan because it will save us a lot of money. I was just curious about other people's experiences, and maybe I should have just asked directly on the disabilities board.

 

[bicker]

But why? I mean, it seems to me that if they can serve chicken fingers, they can serve UNBREADED chicken fingers, you know?

That's actually a good example of what they CANNOT do. Generally, chicken fingers arrive at restaurants pre-breaded and frozen. They are not breaded at the restaurant.

I know that they can be very accommodating of people with food allergies at TS restaurants, but didn't know how things would go at CS places.

They can only be as accommodating as what they have available. When I was on Atkins, I was sure to call each eatery 24 hours in advance and get a commitment that they could accommodate me. The CS eateries were generally unable to give me much of a commitment, beyond providing what they already had available. By contrast, the TS restaurants were 100% accommodating, and willing to say so in advance.

 

[shereepie]

Well, I called Disney again and got contact information for the person to email regarding counter service meals and food allergies, and the issues will be taken care of at TS, so that's not a problem.

If anyone else has food allergies, contact michael.senich@disney.com re: CS.

What I'm saying about the breaded chicken is...virtually any place is going to serve chicken. And if a child has a food allergy and can't eat breaded chicken tenders, it would seem to me that it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for a small piece of grilled chicken instead. I realize that those tenders are often pre-breaded, but a replacement item doesn't seem like an over-the-top request. It's not like I am saying, "No, he won't eat pb&j, but please bring him two lobster tails instead." KWIM?

 

[bicker]

Are you still talking about CS? Then, yes, I think you need to be prepared for the fact that such a substitution may not be possible. Most everything at CS is pre-prepped. Furthermore, there are typically no chefs, only cooks, and their training may not extend to such substitutions.

However, at TS, I think your expectation is right on-target.

 

[shereepie]

Well, I went through all the counter service places we intend to go to, and there is something at each of them that will work for him.. We will also be armed as usual with things he likes to eat, just in case something doesn't pan out.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

 

[della]

My dd, is diagnosed PDD-NOS and on a gluten free/casein free diet. I think you are taking the right approach-always have a backup! We have been to WDW many times and my dd has never starved. Disney has always been very accomodating (although I agree some cs might be a little tougher). I always bring gluten free (wheat free) donuts (they can work for breakfast and dessert, at 7 yrs old, these are the most important to her). I always bring wheat free pretzels for the in between times too!