CRT and Chef Mickey's advise please

[m1ckeymouse]

Hi everyone

We need to book our ADRs next weekend and still quite undecided, we are also not on the dining plan so they need to be carefully selected.

Our son is desperate to dine with the Pricesses (so is his father!) and also with Minnie Mouse, so at the moment we are thinking of CRT breakfast, so we can walk down main street when it is empty and to say we have eaten in the castle, and Chef Mickeys (dinner) for Minnie and also the monorail which DS is facinated by.

The thing I need to know is what exactly happens at each venue, our son has high functioning Aspergers, he is scarily bright and has brilliant conversation, but doesn't cope well with sudden excitement (clapping/shouting/"Happy Birthday") in an enclosed setting. I know there is napkin swinging at Chef Mickeys, but what else goes on? Also I think I read somewhere that the Fairy Godmother gets everyone to make a wish at CRT, is this true? and are there any moments of really quiet to excitable loud at CRT?

Thanks for your help, any other suggestions greatfully received.

 

[Canyon girl]

It has been many years since I have eaten in these places, but I will try to answer until some others chime in. I'm waiting to make my ADRs this am. I remember CRT as being very loud and busy. It is a small enclosed space. While I have never eaten at Akershus, I am planning to during this trip. I know that all character meals are going to be busy and loud, but I'm wondering if Akershus might not fit you needs better. It is also only 1 TS vs. 2 TS for CRT. Just my 2 cents. I'm sure that others will lend more insight.

 

[m1ckeymouse]

thanks Canyon Girl, we have been thinking about Akerhaus, but really want to eat in the castle! Constant noise isn't usually a problem, it is just quiet to loud which is a real issue.

Good luck with your ADRs and have a great time.

 

[ppan77]

Not sure about CRT ...we havent done that one yet. Chef Mickey's does have the singing and swinging with napkins. It doesnt creep up on you like a Happy bday song. Music starts playing and then the singing and swinging.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Every 45 minutes at Chef Mickey everyone breaks out in a Celebrate song and swings napkins. The characters all come to the table. Your picture is taken when you enter. You could always have lunch at the adjecent counter service to see from afar if your son can handle it.

 

[Hootch]

lunch at CRT but the environment for lunch and breakfast should be similar. There have been no times when there was a real change between quiet to loud. The restaurant is loud as it is a smallish dining area that is not designed for acoustic suppression. Add to that excited kids (and parents) mixed with characters and there is added excitement and noise.

They usually announce the princesses, but I have a hard time hearing all of the announcement. There is some reduction in noise during the Wishing ceremony. The noise level never gets down to a quiet nor does the following cheers get to a level much louder than anytime before.

Again, with CM we usually do the breakfast. CM is usually louder than CRT. The excitement of the kids is one but also the Contemporary has an open area for the monorails to pass through. The noise of the monorails and the crowds waiting can also be heard in the restaurant.

The napkin parade, as you have noted, is the time when you will have the biggest increase in noise. The music is cranked up and the characters walk around waving napkins. Other than that there is a pretty constant loud buzz.

You may know this already or you may not be interested. Disney has special passes for the parks for kids that can be impacted by sensory issues. You take a doctor's note to a Guest Services location at one of the parks. You should be given a pass that will allow you to wait for rides in a quieter area. The heading describes it for autistic children, but the program is generally designed for children that fall into the autistic spectrum disorders group. This may not be necessary for your son, but here is a link that describes it further if you're interested.

http://www.allears.net/pl/dis_aut2.htm

 

[m1ckeymouse]

Thanks very much, it's a really good idea to try the counter service next to Chef Mickeys, we hadn't thought of that.

Also, we had considered a GAC card but would feel like a bit of a fraud as he is 95% of the time he's fine.

 

[SueM in MN]

You may know this already or you may not be interested. Disney has special passes for the parks for kids that can be impacted by sensory issues. You take a doctor's note to a Guest Services location at one of the parks. You should be given a pass that will allow you to wait for rides in a quieter area. The heading describes it for autistic children, but the program is generally designed for children that fall into the autistic spectrum disorders group. This may not be necessary for your son, but here is a link that describes it further if you're interested.

http://www.allears.net/pl/dis_aut2.htm

Just FYI - that page from AllEarsNet is from 2003 with an update in January 2004.

There is more recent information in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a link to that thread in my signature.

 

[m1ckeymouse]

Many thanks for the link 'SueM in MN'. Answered a lot of questions/queries we had. I think it would be more of an insurance just in case an issue presents itself. Also good to know that we do not need to contact his paediatrician.

Thanks loads.