Fantasmic with sensory issues

[Bellex917]

Hi there. We are going to Disney in June and I was starting to plan out a loose idea of our itinerary. My daughter did qualify for DAS under the new program for last month, but I am aware she may not for June since it seems so hit or miss these days.

She doesn't do great with too much noise or feeling too crowded. Is there an area, even if it's not the best seats, where we could sit that would be beneficial for her?

I was looking at the dining packages too, but she doesn't eat any of the food at any of the restaurants (she has ARFID on top of other issues). If I did book a dining package, can I book it for 3 of us, and not have her eat, or would I have to pay for 4? I wasn't sure if it was like a buffet/character meal, or if I can pay for it for 3 of us and just have her at the table like I would at any of these restaurants and just not have her eat.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Hi there. We are going to Disney in June and I was starting to plan out a loose idea of our itinerary. My daughter did qualify for DAS under the new program for last month, but I am aware she may not for June since it seems so hit or miss these days.

She doesn't do great with too much noise or feeling too crowded. Is there an area, even if it's not the best seats, where we could sit that would be beneficial for her?

I was looking at the dining packages too, but she doesn't eat any of the food at any of the restaurants (she has ARFID on top of other issues). If I did book a dining package, can I book it for 3 of us, and not have her eat, or would I have to pay for 4? I wasn't sure if it was like a buffet/character meal, or if I can pay for it for 3 of us and just have her at the table like I would at any of these restaurants and just not have her eat.

The dining package has been the best option we found for our daughter with sensory issues. I head your concerns re the food though. Could you email Disneyland's special diets team and see if they could work with you and the restautabt to make sure there is food she is able to eat available even if it's not on the menu?

 

[Lewisc]

I can pay for it for 3 of us and just have her at the table like I would at any of these restaurants and just not have her eat.

If allowed, doubtful, you'd only get 3 Fantasmic reserved section seating passes.

see if they could work with you and the restautabt to make sure there is food she is able to eat available even if it's not on the menu?

+1

 

[Bellex917]

The dining package has been the best option we found for our daughter with sensory issues. I head your concerns re the food though. Could you email Disneyland's special diets team and see if they could work with you and the restautabt to make sure there is food she is able to eat available even if it's not on the menu?

I could, but there is nothing they could make for her... she only eats Mickey pretzels and waffles from Disney, and we bring food for everything else. If they'd make those, awesome LOL!

 

[Angel Ariel]

I could, but there is nothing they could make for her... she only eats Mickey pretzels and waffles from Disney, and we bring food for everything else. If they'd make those, awesome LOL!

I would imagine they could - they have them, they would just have to make them available at that restaurant. It's worth reaching out to them and seeing how they can help you.

 

[Madteaparty001]

My DD also has ARFID, it sucks big time. You will have to pay for everyone if you want the reserved seating for everyone. It's an unfortunate truth that parents of disabled children just have to pay more over the life of the child. I've paid countless times for meals uneaten, things broken in tantrums, missed activities/lessons because DD just wasn't able to function that day.

O'hana charged me in full for DD even though I alerted Disney's specialty team ahead of time she couldn't eat anything there and we would bring food (they provided a plate). I also explained to the server that there was nothing she would eat there (at least nothing on the menu) and they did try and bend over backwards and offered to make her something off menu, even insisted on bringing her a drink and rice krispie treat. When I saw the bill I understood why the server was trying so hard, they were going to charge me whether she ate or not. It is what it is.

If I were you I would have a list of foods your child will eat no matter what. For example, DD will eat plain bread and butter, steamed peas or green beans, raw baby carrots, and fresh fruit such as apple slices, grapes, watermelon, etc. These are things almost every restaurant I've gone to has been able to produce. Is it worth what I'm probably going to get charged for it? No, but it's better than paying and getting nothing. We've also ordered the full meal on her behalf and then just had them box it up for us to eat later while she ate her preferred food we brought for her.

 

[Bellex917]

My DD also has ARFID, it sucks big time. You will have to pay for everyone if you want the reserved seating for everyone. It's an unfortunate truth that parents of disabled children just have to pay more over the life of the child. I've paid countless times for meals uneaten, things broken in tantrums, missed activities/lessons because DD just wasn't able to function that day.

O'hana charged me in full for DD even though I alerted Disney's specialty team ahead of time she couldn't eat anything there and we would bring food (they provided a plate). I also explained to the server that there was nothing she would eat there (at least nothing on the menu) and they did try and bend over backwards and offered to make her something off menu, even insisted on bringing her a drink and rice krispie treat. When I saw the bill I understood why the server was trying so hard, they were going to charge me whether she ate or not. It is what it is.

If I were you I would have a list of foods your child will eat no matter what. For example, DD will eat plain bread and butter, steamed peas or green beans, raw baby carrots, and fresh fruit such as apple slices, grapes, watermelon, etc. These are things almost every restaurant I've gone to has been able to produce. Is it worth what I'm probably going to get charged for it? No, but it's better than paying and getting nothing. We've also ordered the full meal on her behalf and then just had them box it up for us to eat later while she ate her preferred food we brought for her.

Thank you so much. I totally get it. We are always paying for things that aren't going to get eaten in Disney. I get it, but it stinks! Thanks for sharing.

 

[gap2368]

Depending on her age you could look at tagging her stroller as a wheelchair or renting a wheelchair all together even if she dose not need one this dose give you the most space for setting. I have SPD too and use a wheelchair to carry my bags in and to sit at show when needed more room

 

[Bellex917]

Depending on her age you could look at tagging her stroller as a wheelchair or renting a wheelchair all together even if she dose not need one this dose give you the most space for setting. I have SPD too and use a wheelchair to carry my bags in and to sit at show when needed more room

Do you rent a wheelchair from Disney? We actually happened to have her in one last month when we went bc she broke her leg and it REALLY helped for her to have room. I hadn't considered doing it again... but that may be a good idea.

 

[gap2368]

Do you rent a wheelchair from Disney? We actually happened to have her in one last month when we went bc she broke her leg and it REALLY helped for her to have room. I hadn't considered doing it again... but that may be a good idea.

Yes I rent from Disney. They are $12 per day or $10 for more than one day.