CRT with a "non eating" child

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Hi...another quick question.!

My autistic son has told me he definitely wants to go to CRT with me and dd (he hates to be left out of anything that his sister gets to do). I know he will not eat one thing on that menu, since he is extremely picky.

Will they allow him to join us, even though we aren't paying for a meal for him? I'd hate to use up TWO TS credits if he won't eat one bite! We'd bring along his own food. Do you think that would be OK? I know we bring along our own food for the baby, but I would hope they would understand doing it for a 9-year-old, given his circumstances.

Also, if we were permitted to do this, do you think they'd sell him just a glass of milk or something? I don't know how this would work since CRT is one price. I guess we could also smuggle milk in from somewhere else in the park.

Any thoughts???

 

[beattyfamily]

Unfortunately, I believe everyone must buy the package. You can call and ask but I think everyone must...that is how it is for any character meal. Set price for everyone.

I have a very very picky 6 year old eater too and we ate there for breakfast last Nov and she ate NOTHING. Didn't matter though. I had to pay the full kids price for her.

 

[Shells9]

I would ask for a discounted rate since you have some special circumstances -- it can't hurt. I don't know if bringing your own food would be allowed, though, but it doesn't hurt to ask. (I wouldn't smuggle the milk, though -- just ask for some!)

I hope he has a great trip!

 

[TinkTatoo]

Both my children have autism and when we go to character meals they hardly eat anything (my DS in particular only ate some strawberries at our Cape May breakfast) but they had a great time and it was worth it for the characters

You can bring his own food but they will still charge you as the cost includes the character interaction as well as the food.

 

[slp87]

I would call and ask. My DH doesn't eat breakfast and he sat with us while we ate at CP without being charged. I'm not sure about the specifics on the dining plan, but I would definitely call and see what they say. And I would probably see if you can speak to someone at the restaurant directly.

 

[JaneH]

I brought a doctors note w/ me when I went in case I needed some accomodations (though I never used it). My dr wrote it in a very general way for me as austism spectrum disorder, for him crowed areas, noise and lines can do him in.

You may want a note that includes your sons needs and have them include the food. I know, for example, that Disney makes accomodations for those who have had their stomachs stapled and have other dietary needs.

I also purchased the passporters books for special needs before I went - it was very helpful.+

 

[shellybaxter]

I know at some restuarants a "non-eater" is charged an entertainment fee. I'm not sure if that is possible at CRT. I would suspect that it is not possible just to bring him for free at CRT the new way it is being run. Part of the price for the meal not only includes the character interaction but the picture package with Cindy. I'd expect they would charge you something. With you being on the dining plan it might be difficult to figure out.

 

[DJBounce]

My daughter does not eat. We have always been charged a $5 entertainment fee for all the character meals we have been to. However, we have not been to CRT. I would think that the fee would apply here, too. The CMs have always been very accomodating. Have you visited the DisAbilities board? There is a wealth of info there.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I'm thinking I'll work on it a little bit more, and try to convince him not to go. That's a lot of money, especially when he honestly has absolutely no interest in Cinderella! Maybe I'll schedule it really early, and let him sleep in while we slip out. I think we'll also do the Storybook Breakfast, and I don't really mind paying for him for that one, since he will probably be able to nibble on the Cinnamon rolls. It's not as though I don't want him to enjoy some character meals, but can't stand the thought of paying quite that much for him to really get nothing out of it.

Thanks again

 

[MKOATEYW]

We have had to do this becase of a food alergys. (It was just easier to bring in own food than have the Chef creat something just for her that DN wouldn't eat any way cause it didn't taste like what she was used to.)
At CRT we were instructed we were not alowed to share with her at all or we would be charged full price. (Not that she could have eaten any of it any way! Grr.) It wasn't a problem at other places they just told us about the "entertainment fee", usualy between $5 - $10 and asked if she needed any plates, silverware etc. for her "special meal." Not sure why they were so snobby about it at CRT! And the fee at CRT was also unualy high at $15. I don't know what it is now that the prices has gone up so much since last year.
She really LOVED all the attention of Princesses and the whole Castle thing so it was worth it.
If he really doesn't care for the Pricesses/Castle stuff I would find try to find something else super fun for him to do so he wouldn't feel left out.

Hope you have a Magical time!

 

[mamacass]

My son too has autism and will not eat anything at a restaurant. I made dinner reservations at CRT's and the CM told me they would not use his dining credits if he did not eat. Same thing for the Fantasmic package at Brown Derby. I'm thinking maybe I should call back and confirm.

 

[tjmouse]

My ex is not a breakfast fan. When the waiter asked if he wanted the healthy breakfast or the french toast, etc., he told the waiter he didn't want anything. The waiter kept insisting that he should eat because we would be charged. I politely told him that I understood and that he never ate breakfast, so not to worry about it. I saw the waiter speaking to a manager and sure enough, there was only a charge for me and dd on the check. So, it does happen. Not sure if they felt bad because he wouldn't eat or what, I fully expected to pay full price, but they didn't charge us. Now, that was before all the new changes, but it doesn't hurt to try.