Dining with Autism

[JeffwithAutism]

Hello,

I have an 18 year old who is very low functioning (around 2 year old level) non-verbal and generally fairly pleasant as long as he gets what he wants. He is around 270-280 pounds and this can be important because while he is functionally a toddler, you can't pick him up and make him do something. We have to give him certain drugs in difficult situations to make him compliant.

As I said, he is pleasant and has many of the charms of a toddler despite being an adult.

We are coming to Orlando for a wedding around Christmas time. Initially I had thought we shouldn't even think about Disney and stay close to the pool. I've been reconsidering as he does like to eat and look at interesting things. He also likes fireworks a great deal.

So I've been thinking that he might enjoy Epcot and its dining. I also think it fits in well with things the rest of my family (o.k. my wife) would enjoy. We could walk around a little and eat at a pavilion each day that we are there (we aren't going to spend more than 3 hours a day there) and plan it close to closing so we could see the fireworks. So it has been a long time since I've been there and my questions are:

1) How much per person does it cost to eat at the different pavilions? The menus on Disney's web site are fairly incomplete but is it reasonable to plan on $50 per person for dinner?

2) It is around Christmas. Realistically, can we get into the places at say 4 or 5 PM eat and then hopefully walk out and watch the fireworks? Hope this question makes sense.

3) How in the world do you make reservations?

4) Crowds. Sometimes my son is kind of clumsy and really close quarters for dining are tough. Could we have a little space for him or is that just not going to happen?

Anyway, while Disney is great, if it isn't realistic for my son it won't be the end of the world for us. I know we can eat at a lot of other places outside of Disney for a whole lot less money but still I like the idea.

Any thoughts?

 

[connie254]

Go to allearsnet.com for the menus and prices. The counter service places typically have a place to sit down. Maybe someone can sit with him while you order the food. There are a few places where you can get a snack/drink and keep walking. Sit down restaurants need a reservation 6 months in advance on Disney's website. We've never go around Christmas time but expect it to be fairly busy.

 

[Coonhound]

Hello,

I have an 18 year old who is very low functioning (around 2 year old level) non-verbal and generally fairly pleasant as long as he gets what he wants. He is around 270-280 pounds and this can be important because while he is functionally a toddler, you can't pick him up and make him do something. We have to give him certain drugs in difficult situations to make him compliant.

As I said, he is pleasant and has many of the charms of a toddler despite being an adult.

We are coming to Orlando for a wedding around Christmas time. Initially I had thought we shouldn't even think about Disney and stay close to the pool. I've been reconsidering as he does like to eat and look at interesting things. He also likes fireworks a great deal.

So I've been thinking that he might enjoy Epcot and its dining. I also think it fits in well with things the rest of my family (o.k. my wife) would enjoy. We could walk around a little and eat at a pavilion each day that we are there (we aren't going to spend more than 3 hours a day there) and plan it close to closing so we could see the fireworks. So it has been a long time since I've been there and my questions are:

1) How much per person does it cost to eat at the different pavilions? The menus on Disney's web site are fairly incomplete but is it reasonable to plan on $50 per person for dinner?

2) It is around Christmas. Realistically, can we get into the places at say 4 or 5 PM eat and then hopefully walk out and watch the fireworks? Hope this question makes sense.

3) How in the world do you make reservations?

4) Crowds. Sometimes my son is kind of clumsy and really close quarters for dining are tough. Could we have a little space for him or is that just not going to happen?

Anyway, while Disney is great, if it isn't realistic for my son it won't be the end of the world for us. I know we can eat at a lot of other places outside of Disney for a whole lot less money but still I like the idea.

Any thoughts?

I noticed you said he is "fairly pleasant as long as he gets what he wants". What happens if he doesn't get his way? How do you plan to handle a 280 pound child if he doesn't get his way? Disney is crowded, hot, loud, and people bump into you constantly. There will also be bright colors, lights, noises, and tempting souvenirs all around you.
The only thing that might help is a DAS which will allow him to wait outside of lines, but that won't help for food service. I would still get a DAS though. Do you plan to do rides or are you just stopping by for the restaurant and fireworks?

 

[SMD]

Does your son ever use a wheelchair? You might consider one so that he has some space and it might help to avoid being bumped. Also, you'd have the option to get an accessible table, which is spaced out a little more to accommodate the chair.

Another option would be to eat at off times when many places aren't as crowded, then fill the time with something else before fireworks, instead of trying to line them up back-to-back.

 

[Coonhound]

Does your son ever use a wheelchair? You might consider one so that he has some space and it might help to avoid being bumped. Also, you'd have the option to get an accessible table, which is spaced out a little more to accommodate the chair.

Another option would be to eat at off times when many places aren't as crowded, then fill the time with something else before fireworks, instead of trying to line them up back-to-back.

This is a really good idea. Using a wheelchair will give him his own space and make it less likely for people to randomly accidentally bump into him. Plus if he gets overwhelmed at all the noise, lights etc he can easily put headphones on and look at his iPad or whatever while you guys are pushing his wheelchair- it will give him a way to focus on something else because he won't have to be walking watching where he's going, he can just look down and be engaged in something else.

 

[Pamlur]

Isn't it rather expensive just to get through the Epcot entrance? You would have to pay admission every evening, so a $50 dinner would be a very small drop in a rather large bucket of expense for the evening.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I think you would be fine to go to Epcot for the evening to get dinner and see Illuminations. The seating in some the restaurants is pretty close together but if you let them know when you check in they can hopefully give you a spot in a booth, against a wall, etc., where he will be more comfortable.

$50 a person for dinner will cover it for most of the restaurants there.

If you are going this year around Christmas I would start trying to book some adrs. You can always cancel them if you change your mind.

 

[JeffwithAutism]

I noticed you said he is "fairly pleasant as long as he gets what he wants". What happens if he doesn't get his way? How do you plan to handle a 280 pound child if he doesn't get his way? Disney is crowded, hot, loud, and people bump into you constantly. There will also be bright colors, lights, noises, and tempting souvenirs all around you.
The only thing that might help is a DAS which will allow him to wait outside of lines, but that won't help for food service. I would still get a DAS though. Do you plan to do rides or are you just stopping by for the restaurant and fireworks?

He had a somewhat violent period when he was in puberty but now it is pretty rare and is when they occur they are directed at himself. We give him Diazapam when those episodes hit and we would have to leave if one occurred although the first five minutes after giving him the medicine the behaviors spike. We might have to duck into a back room someplace. It is challenging at times but some have it worse.

Don't think he would ride any rides. The one ride he will ride at Silver Dollar City is a moderate boat ride where you have water canons and have fights with those on shore. He doesn't shoot people but for whatever reason he thinks it is fun. He mainly likes the water.

Epcot has a nice mix as I think he will enjoy walking around looking at the scenes. He has liked shows like Dixie Stampede where he gets fed and entertained too. Truth is, Dixie Stamped is one of his favorite things although fireworks are definitely his favorite. Never have understood what it is about fireworks. He likes the lights and the concussion. "Stemming" is a term for repetitive behaviors with certain children. Caleb has some interesting "stems" that have made it hard to live with him but like I said, much easier than when he was younger.

 

[JeffwithAutism]

Does your son ever use a wheelchair? You might consider one so that he has some space and it might help to avoid being bumped. Also, you'd have the option to get an accessible table, which is spaced out a little more to accommodate the chair.

Another option would be to eat at off times when many places aren't as crowded, then fill the time with something else before fireworks, instead of trying to line them up back-to-back.

That might be a great idea. We used to have a wheelchair type of thing when he was younger but it was something that sat low to the ground and he got tired of it. He might do well with a wheel chair and assuming we can get an old cheap one to practice on it might very well be a wonderful idea. Thanks!

 

[JeffwithAutism]

Isn't it rather expensive just to get through the Epcot entrance? You would have to pay admission every evening, so a $50 dinner would be a very small drop in a rather large bucket of expense for the evening.

Yes, that is a good point. We probably would be better off going to some other shows if the truth be told but I'd sure enjoy going to Epcot with him. I like the idea of the fireworks too. I'll need to talk to my wife but the truth is she doesn't want to go to the wedding (my niece) all the way down in Florida because we have to drive from Wisconsin. Caleb would not do well on a flight.

My wife is a better mother than I am father but I have to push things sometimes just because I'd go nutso sitting at home all the time.

 

[JeffwithAutism]

Isn't it rather expensive just to get through the Epcot entrance? You would have to pay admission every evening, so a $50 dinner would be a very small drop in a rather large bucket of expense for the evening.

I think you would be fine to go to Epcot for the evening to get dinner and see Illuminations. The seating in some the restaurants is pretty close together but if you let them know when you check in they can hopefully give you a spot in a booth, against a wall, etc., where he will be more comfortable.

$50 a person for dinner will cover it for most of the restaurants there.

If you are going this year around Christmas I would start trying to book some adrs. You can always cancel them if you change your mind.

Thanks. Will definitely get going on that next week. I've read that many places are full so maybe we've already missed the deadlines. Too bad if true but saving the cost of admission and food wouldn't be all bad. Sure did have a good time at Epcot 20 years ago with my wife and just thought it might be fun to do it again.

 

[mkarizona]

You might try to locate a church in your area that loans medical equipment and borrow a wheelchair to try out before you got.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Epcot sounds like an awesome idea. Check out YouTube for full ride videos, as there maybe be several options for y'all. Innoventions has tons of hands-on stuff (pull a lever, watch the gears turn), The Seas the Nemo (yes, it's my favorite), Living with the Land, Circle of Life, The Three Caballeros, and even the Friendship Boats if y'all just want a relaxing trip around the lake.

You might want to check out the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian resort. No park ticket needed! If you can't get a reservation try one for 'Ohana and afterwards y'all can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Poly beach with the music piped in!

 

[ratlenhum]

He might like Mickeys Backyard BBQ with the rope tricks if he likes the Dixie Stampede. It's "stimming" and "stims". Not stemming and stems. It's short for "self STIMulatory behaviors". Sorry. People calling them stems makes me nuts

 

[sunshinehighway]

Epcot sounds like an awesome idea. Check out YouTube for full ride videos, as there maybe be several options for y'all. Innoventions has tons of hands-on stuff (pull a lever, watch the gears turn), The Seas the Nemo (yes, it's my favorite), Living with the Land, Circle of Life, The Three Caballeros, and even the Friendship Boats if y'all just want a relaxing trip around the lake.

You might want to check out the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian resort. No park ticket needed! If you can't get a reservation try one for 'Ohana. It's a character meal with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and friends. But the big deal is y'all can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Poly beach with the music piped in!

There's the Hoop Dee Do over at Fort Wilderness too. Very entertaining and you can watch the MK fireworks from their beach.

 

[indimom]

Just thought I would give you another idea if heading into Epcot several times just for dinner becomes cost prohibitive or too difficult.
We took a December trip to Orlando (a non-Disney trip) and we scheduled a dinner at one of the monorail resorts for early evening and were able to watch the MK fireworks from that resort after dinner. I believe that a couple of the resort restaurants and beaches play the music that accompanies the fireworks (although I'm not certain which ones). As an added bonus, the resorts are not nearly as crowded, the monorail is a fun "ride" and there were lots of pretty Christmas decorations up.
If you are interested in anything outside of Disney, the ICE exhibit at Gaylord Palms is pretty and there are nice restaurants there. Also, there are a couple dinner shows in the Orlando area your son may enjoy (Medieval Times is one).
Hope this helps! And hope you can enjoy a nice family vacation.

 

[Topper]

If you can't get a reservation try one for 'Ohana. It's a character meal with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and friends. But the big deal is y'all can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Poly beach with the music piped in!

The character meal at 'Ohana is only for breakfast.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

When are you thinking about going, specifically? The reason I ask is because if you are going right around Christmas or New Years, the crowds are going to be much higher than anything your son has experienced any place else, even a local amusement park. At this point your dining reservations anywhere are going to be limited, and even counter service restaurants are going to be packed. If your son gets overstimulated it is going to be very difficult to find a quiet place to get away to.

I'm not saying don't ever take him to Disney World. I'm saying that going on short notice during the busiest time of the year probably isn't a good way to try it.

 

[Zooshoveller]

The character meal at 'Ohana is only for breakfast.

Oops! We've only been at breakfast. I'll edited that out. Thanks!

 

[kylmac]

Our son is autistic as well-we go at Christmas but we know what the crowds are like. If you have not been in 20 years then wall to wall people might not be the way to go. Epcot is a good park because there is space walking around (for the most part) but most of the restaurants are already booked up. I was trying 180 out in Venice Italy before our Disney Cruise this summer and I still could not get Be Our Guest or California Grill. Going at the end of the day might be a good plan but be aware there still will be crowds. Good luck as our autistic son just loves Disney! That is why we keep going back even at Christmas.
Elizabeth