Have been away from the boards for a while and trying to catch up! I just ran accross your post on the CSR thread and popped over to see your latest trip details.
The haircut scene hit close to home. When DD was younger we had the screaming haircut issues and it would freak out the the stylist and everyone in the shop. Luckily Anakin could sympathize with the child even though it grated on his own sensory sensitivities. We are so grateful to have found a new stylist a few years ago that has an older brother with autism. She TOTALLY gets it and works so well with DD. DD now looks forward to getting her hair cut and her stylist loves working with her....gets a kick out of the funny responses and questions and takes no offense to comments or actions. God bless her
The Jedi training looks awesome. He looks so intent on learning the secret and then proud of his new designation
How did things go at PM this trip? Was everyone accomodating with his allergies or "bothered?" We are finally set for our first trip to CSR at the end of Oct and I am a teensy nervous about DD's food allergies at CSR as it is not run by Disney. I am going to email special diets this week and ask if there is a contact I can email at Palmas??? Services.
LOVED all the pics. You do such a great job.

My mom is a hairdresser and most of his haircuts were from his Meme. Usually she'd have him sitting on the kitchen table watching tv or playing with toys. She has such a knack for kids that just her talking with them, they forget they are getting their hair cut. Sadly my dad had a series of strokes last summer and he isn't well enough to travel to visit us as frequently as they use to. (They use to spend up to 5 months of the year at our house.)
Other than his Meme, he will go to two other hair dressers at home, or to Disney. He explains that it is a trust issue. He doesn't trust anyone else, because he doesn't know what to expect with them.
Michal at Harmony Barber shop is very good with the children. He makes each child feel so special and focuses on them individually!
We stayed at CSR in March too. DS17, the one with all the food allergies, was able to eat the chicken quesadilla and he stuck with that at the Pepper Market.
We had alot of trouble with customer service at the Pepper Market. We felt pretty invisible there. Brenda at special diets use to be our contact person, but I don't think she is there anymore. Your best bet is to send off an email to special diets in advance. Be sure to include your reservation number, email addy, and a phone number. When you do eat at the PM, when you arrive at the podium let them know you have food allergies and ask if a manager would be able to speak to you. It always takes more time to have things specially prepared.
I had one Chef at the fajita area, Tomas, who was very attentive and even repeated back my requests to him. He told the other two people in there with him. But when it came time to plate the food, someone else did it and put a "no-no" food right on the plate touching the cheese quesadilla. So they had to start over from scratch.
Honestly, with the food allergies, I often find counter service to be a problem. Table service works out much better for my son and his allergies. Especially good is The Plaza Restaurant when Chef Ken is working, usually he is there at lunch time on week days. Whispering Canyon and Ohana have usually contacted us in advance and discussed our son's allergies and menu options available for him.