Dietary restrictions

[caperguy]

We are travelling with our 6 year old autistic son, who has a limited menu. He has a difficult time accepting new foods. I called WDW Dining to request that at Crystal Palace perhaps they could have french fries available even though it may not be part of the regular buffet, as it will be a hit or miss if he'll eat the pasta. (My parents had gone to WDW and had special requests so suggested I call ahead). The unenthusiastic CM on the phone said that unless it was an allergy, any requests had to go through the waiter when we arrived. She did give me an e-mail address and said to try them. We're in the process of e-mailing them.

Anyone have thoughts or stories along these lines?

thanks

 

[DisBuckMan]

I think your best bet may be to purchase fries before coming to CP. Casey's is right beside CP.

If I remember correctly, they don't serve fries at all at CP. While Disney TS restaurants generally attempt to accomodate, I feel that asking them to have something specifiacally for one guest that they don't even carry on the menu is a little much to ask. That's just me, though.

Good luck.

 

[robndani]

I agree. I would buy ahead of time if it's really important. It's one thing to ask for no pepper on something they already have (or whatever allergy someone may have) but if they don't carry that item there's not too much they can do. I hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[bookworm61]

Hello, My son has Asperger's and the same dietary issues. He's now an adult, but we have been bringing him to WDW since he was tiny.I definitely agree with the suggestion to bring your own fries. It sounds easier than hoping they will accommodate you.
I have found that generally the CMs are as accommodating as they can be, within the limits of that they can't serve a food they don't have somewhere in the kitchen or nearby. Some solutions we have found are to look at the lunch menu if we are eating dinner (and visa versa) to see if there is something he would want on those, or to look at the kids menu (obviously you are doing that for a 6 year old) to see if there are foods he would eat and we pay an adult price for an adult portion of that food. Try contacting guest services to explain and let them see if they can offer suggestions. Once, while at Hollywood and Vine, we were able to ask about getting an item from 50s PrimeTime menu because they share a kitchen. Look for situations where 2 restaurants share a kitchen, it's pretty common at WDW.
Just so you know, my son has often tried new foods in WDW. We don't know why, but attribute it to "magic". He tried onion rings there for the 1st time. He is still very restricted as an adult but it has gotten significantly better, so hold onto that as hope for the future.

 

[amylevan]

Did you talk to someone in special diets or just the regular WDW dining number? We have found WDW to be pretty accommodating for our daughter, but hers are actual food allergies. But again, if they don't actually have the food in their kitchen, there really isn't much they can do about it.

You can email special diets at Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Calling WDW-DINE won't help you with any preference requests at specific restaurants. All they can do is put an allergy alert on your reservation, and you are not dealing with an allergy but with a child who will eat only certain foods. They do not deal directly with any of the restaurants, they are strictly a reservation line.

They possibly gave you the email for Disney Special Diets, but I think even there you would not be successful with having Crystal Palace provide food items for your son that they don't actually prepare and serve. If the restaurant doesn't have french fries, its doubtful they will be able to come up with french fries unless they get them from another restaurant. You would be able to buy fries at any CS and bring them along with you...but at a buffet, especially a character meal, you'll be charged for the child just being there, whether he eats anything off the buffet or not.

Special Diets may be able to let you know if CP will be able to serve anything that fits your son's specifications (like maybe plain pasta).