Food issue's with DS while in Disney.

[hollyb]

I posted on the family thread I should have posted it here.

We are going to be staying for 7 days in Disney. We have a huge problem. Our soon to be 9 yr old, usualy has a melt down around day 3 when we stay at a hotel. He has autism and we really keep him on a good "normal" routine while we are on vacation, food is a hard. By day 3 he just wants mommy's food.

OK heres the question can we bring a toaster and a hot plate to use in our room? We are taking the autotrain so we will have our own car to go food shopping.

Thanks so much. I really have no idea.

 

[Selket]

I know you got some good advice in your other post. You mentioned that he wants things like roast chicken, pasta, broccoli, etc. My son isn't autistic but he is a type 1 diabetic and very allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and he is 4 yrs old....so I can somewhat understand food issues!

We have had GREAT luck doing some advance planning with the disney restaurants including the one at our hotel. On our last trip at POR the chefs were willing to make William just about anything he wanted - things not necessarily on the menu. They have access to food from all over the parks and can have things brought over if needed. Simple things, like broccoli, cut up tomatoes, chicken, noodles, etc. are easy for them to do as well. I would suggest that you contact the chef of the hotel where you are (food court chef is fine) and talk to them about your needs. Ask them if they can prepare certain foods or arrange to have them on hand at a certain time every day for you to pick up, etc. We've had the chefs be very willing to help out -even offer to pack him a safe and appropriate lunch to take to the parks.

I would highly suggest that you check with the chefs at your hotel. I think there isn't anything that the chefs can't do - they are just remarkable at WDW

 

[hollyb]

I know you got some good advice in your other post. You mentioned that he wants things like roast chicken, pasta, broccoli, etc. My son isn't autistic but he is a type 1 diabetic and very allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and he is 4 yrs old....so I can somewhat understand food issues!

We have had GREAT luck doing some advance planning with the disney restaurants including the one at our hotel. On our last trip at POR the chefs were willing to make William just about anything he wanted - things not necessarily on the menu. They have access to food from all over the parks and can have things brought over if needed. Simple things, like broccoli, cut up tomatoes, chicken, noodles, etc. are easy for them to do as well. I would suggest that you contact the chef of the hotel where you are (food court chef is fine) and talk to them about your needs. Ask them if they can prepare certain foods or arrange to have them on hand at a certain time every day for you to pick up, etc. We've had the chefs be very willing to help out -even offer to pack him a safe and appropriate lunch to take to the parks.

I would highly suggest that you check with the chefs at your hotel. I think there isn't anything that the chefs can't do - they are just remarkable at WDW

THANK YOU!! I had no idea I could even do that. DS would be so much happier if this could be done.

Moms really do understand where I am coming from.

 

[GretchGraham]

My DD8 with autism has a great many food issues. The first time we took her to WDW, there were only about 8 different things she would eat. Because of this, we stayed at OKW and I used the kitchen. I know my daughter not only wanted mac and cheese, she wanted a very specific mac and cheese. She wouldn't eat grilled cheese in the parks because the cheese was different. You get the pattern.

Staying at OKW also gave her more space and had less of a hotel feel. I know she appreciated being able to move around from room to room and she loved the jetted tub. It certainly isn't cheap, but it made the difference in us being able to stay for the entire week.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[KathyRN137]

I know you got some good advice in your other post. You mentioned that he wants things like roast chicken, pasta, broccoli, etc. My son isn't autistic but he is a type 1 diabetic and very allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and he is 4 yrs old....so I can somewhat understand food issues!

We have had GREAT luck doing some advance planning with the disney restaurants including the one at our hotel. On our last trip at POR the chefs were willing to make William just about anything he wanted - things not necessarily on the menu. They have access to food from all over the parks and can have things brought over if needed. Simple things, like broccoli, cut up tomatoes, chicken, noodles, etc. are easy for them to do as well. I would suggest that you contact the chef of the hotel where you are (food court chef is fine) and talk to them about your needs. Ask them if they can prepare certain foods or arrange to have them on hand at a certain time every day for you to pick up, etc. We've had the chefs be very willing to help out -even offer to pack him a safe and appropriate lunch to take to the parks.

I would highly suggest that you check with the chefs at your hotel. I think there isn't anything that the chefs can't do - they are just remarkable at WDW

My 8 yr old son is autistic and I understand the rigidity with food issue! When you make your ADRs, let the cast member know about his special needs and they will make a note on the file. If you call ahead and give the restaurant chefs 72 hours advance notice it helps them plan for you, and as noted above, they are very accommodating!

http://www.allearsnet.com has menus for all the dining spots at WDW, you can plan your meals around the menus that will be more appropriate for your son.

One of the reasons we joined DVC is because all of the accommodations provide either kitchenettes or even full kitchens, as well as outdoor grilling areas. Even if you are not a DVC member, you can reserve at the DVC resorts. They are more expensive, but the accommodations make a huge diffference in how he tolerates the change in environment and routine. You can also get these amenities at the cabins at Fort Wilderness.

 

[goofy4mykids]

I know the chefs are great beacuse my son has ADHD and cant eat food dye (red 40 , yellow 10, blue) Dye is in everything... but the chefs at disney bless their hearts they make my son mac n cheese with white cheese.(Just like I do at home) They double check everything so I know he is safe. You just have to Love Them

 

[goofy4mykids]

When I went in Jan 06 I let the the CM thaking my reservations know about my sons special needs and about 2 weeks before we left for the world I recd a few phone calls from chefs that we had PS at - I could not beleive it when Chef Mickeys called to talk about my son food allergie I also recd a call from Magic Kingdom Counter service Chef. The rest I recd E-mail from. I could not beleive it. Trust me when I tell you your child will feel like he is on top of the world. I know I did .

 

[Selket]

I did want to add that of course getting a room with a kitchen is probably the best but I thought you might be trying to save some money on the room thing or perhaps going on the dining plan, etc.

For all of your sit down meals you definitely want to note the special requests on the reservation and talk to the chefs beforehand. But most of my post was geared towards you speaking with the chef of the food court at your hotel before arrival. They are a bit harder to get ahold of but equally as helpful. I've had good luck at CSR, CR and POR with them providing certain things for the food court. I was charged the kid's meal price as well. My requests were simple of course but things not normally on the menu - at least as a meal.

I'll add that I've also had one chef at Le Cellier offer to buy a special cookie mix that is safe (peanut free) for William to eat and make cookies just for him. You are not allowed to bring things for them to prepare but they are allowed to buy certain brands/specific things and prepare them for you. If there is an issue with a certain brand of type of item be sure and let them know. The CR food court chefs offered to have anything brought from any of the CR restaurants for us to the food court to make him a small plated meal. (Like peas - he loves peas but you can't find many veggies at the CR food court because it is so small!). The CR food court manager also got us a box of Itskadoozies brought over from the MK and kept them in the back for William during our week there. None of the ice cream in the case was safe for him...nor the desserts. We paid the usual ice cream price every time we got one.

It is reasons like this that I've been to WDW 3 times since William was diagnosed. They really are amazing to work with.

 

[Tissa]

I understand where you are coming from my ds is autistic and only eats a few different things, I plan on bringing pb&J and chips and salsa incase he refuses to eat their chicken nuggets. As for bringing a toaster or hot plate I don't think that is a good idea. The rooms weren't meant to be cooked in unless dvc or the cabins. You have gotten good advise from the other posters and I'm very glad to know how accomodating the chefs are. I'll keep that in mind for my ds.

Hope you and your family has a wonderful time.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I also have a child on the spectrum and I know where you're struggling. I agree that the rooms are not for cooking but I know that if I had to cook in the room for my son not to "lose it" on a daily basis I would be doing what I had to do. I'm sure there is a public mocrowave and toaster that you could also use. Ask, but take what you need to to help your child.

 

[hollyb]

Thanks for all the replys. After a lot of thought last night, Dh and I decided that we are going to rent a house for the week instead on staying on Disney prop. It will be worth the price if DS has a great time. His little sister will love having her own pool.

Have a great day.

 

[Tinkwantabe]

Didnt say what hotel you were staying at - we got the POLY and were able to get a microwave in the room - so we brought food that he would eat and since most offer the fridge had no problems. I was worried too and found that my son did very well and even at the pizza at the parks/hotels as he normally would only eat Pizza Hut. The hotels have cereal boxes and fruits and salads etc.... for counter services and as already noted if you talk to the res agents booking your sit down meal services they work really hard to make a meal your child will eat.. We had no problems


Have a great trip