eating with autistic child

[karynnix]

Has anyone been to Epcot lately that can tell me if there is a food court open at "the Land Pavillion"? My son is high-functioning autistic and eating at a sit down restaurant is out of the question! We will be at WDW June 4-June 10. I would love to hear from anyone else who has taken an autistic child and has ANY suggestions!!

 

[Music Mole]

Hi there - I think the Land Pavilion is closed right now for renovation - there is more info at this website . Also, regarding travelling to WDW with an autistic child, I think there is info on that on the disABILITIES Board .

HTH - Have fun on your trip!

 

[sunny04]

The last I heard it would reopen first of July....haven't heard an update in a couple weeks though. It may be sooner now?

 

[rcraw45425]

The entire Land pavillion was closed when we were there from Friday to Tuesday. Really hate it because it used to be a favorite food stop for us for lunch.

 

[SB in KY]

We have made 2 trips to WDW with my best friend...she has 2 sons with autism and 1 typical child. The good news about dining at sit down places in WDW is that service is lightening fast...honestly we did better at most sit down places than at a lot of counter service places.

My main suggestions would be to avoid character dining (very loud and over stimulating in most places....stay away from Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace absolutely the noise and stim levels in those places gets to ME!!)....they loved O'Hana's because there was stuff going on, but it didn't get too close or loud...they also liked the Mexican sit down place because it was dark and they could watch the boats go by.

My main advice would be to avoid eating at peak hours at all costs....waits even at counter service places can be frustrating at best. Our servers at sit down places were always happy to bring bread or something to the table immediately when requested to help the boys out when they had a hard time waiting.

I don't know where you plan to stay, but we stayed at OKW and it was so great to be able to just go back to the room when they had had enough and fix them their favorite food quick in the room and give them some down time. The other thing that really helped was a special access pass....they brought a letter from their doctor and were able to get a pass that allowed them to bypass the line (like fast pass)...which allowed them to go on attractions that they never would have been able to otherwise because a 20 or 30 minute wait in an enclosed line area is not even a possibility for them...their mom and dad could go with them and we waited in line with their sister and we would meet up afterwards....it was SUCH a help.

 

[karynnix]

Thanks so much! You have given me some great information!

 

[Kaycee]

My older DS has Asperger's Syndrome, and we've had more problems at counter service restaurants than we have at sit down restaurants due to noise and overstimulation from the hustle and bustle of people moving in and out at counter service. And as SB in KY said, the service at sit down restaurants at WDW is much quicker than most sit down restaurants other places.

One of our favorite counter services is Columbia Harbour House in MK because you can go upstairs to sit, and it's a lot quieter and less crowded there.

 

[karynnix]

You know what...that makes sense! Thanks so much for that input! We have actually scheduled a late PS (11:00AM) for Chef Mickey's and we hope that he will be okay. The noise doesn't affect Jack as much as confusion. The last time that we took him to WDW was when he was 2 and he slept most of the time! We have tried to prepare him as much as possible for the crowds by taking him to the mall and walking around when it is busy. I think the most trouble he will have will be standing in line for the rides and the anticipation of not knowing what to expect! Thank you so much for taking the time to give me this suggestion!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We also have a special needs child who has autistic tendencies. We like to eat in the small rose garden across from the "Fish and Chips". We all get our food and sit behind there...it is beautiful, and it is usually quiet. Sometime during the day a band (BEATLES type?) come out and play but again there are usually not a ot of people and we sit on the benches and enjoy the show. We have also "Met" many characters there.....Tigger, Pooh and Mary Poppins who come out of the "SHOP" and just walk around. It is nice as there are usually no crowds around them and they usually spend quite a bit of time with the children. I spoke to Pooh's handler and explained that David was quite apprehensive and she "Told" pooh who sort of slowly approched David and waited and finally Daivd reached out and touched his paw...IT WAS GREAT. It Is a nice quiet place to sit and relax and eat if youi want to get away from the crowds.

 

[FFerret]

My little boy is 6 and has autism (right in the middle of the spectrum). I HIGHLY recommend going to the second floor of Columbia House; even during rush hour this place is nice and quiet. We went to WDW once, two years ago when he was five--he didn't have any meltdowns anywhere except for at Epcot after a long day; we were all exhausted. Now, Mr. FFerret on the other hand had meltdowns left and right, but that's a different story.