HDDR w/autistic kids

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

Hi! Has anyone ever gone to Hoop-Dee-Doo at FW w/an autistic child? If so, just wondering how that went!

 

[AJKMOM]

First time, DS5, did not go well. He would eat some of the food, but did not enjoy the loud music, or the show in general. I ended up walking him around the outside area of the dining hall while others watched the show and ate their meal.

Second time, he was 15 and he ate the chicken, corn, and salad. He was
de-sensitized toward the show, and was just bored, but pretty well behaved.

The rest of the family went a time in the middle ( he was about 8), and I opted to stay at the resort with him.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

thanks... I had a feeling I wouldn't get any positive replies...
and it is an awful lot of money to spend on something that has a pretty big chance of not working. Thanks for the input!

 

[MN Dis Fans]

We went when DS was 6. We sat in the very back just because we were newbies that didn't know about ADRs, but this turned out to be an advantage so that we could make a quick exit. It wasn't as loud in the back maybe too . DS didn't eat much but they had foods he liked - mac and cheese, I think, or chicken tenders (2 of his food groups).
He did better there than when we went to the Mickey's BBQ.

 

[Napria]

We went when my AS son was 6 years old and as of then undiagnosed with ADS. I booked really early and we were seated at a table that was practically touching the center of the stage. DS was really into Doug (the cartoon) and had a Doug doll with him. He pretty much ignored the show, didn't eat much, but one of the cast members noticed Doug and carried on a sporadic conversation under his breath throughout the show. My son was pretty proud everytime the cast member said something about Doug.

So we did have a positive experience, by the kindness of that cast member.

 

[disneygal66]

We made the mistake of taking our DS5 to the late show after we had flown in that day. It was a disaster! He didn't eat, the music and show were too loud and in general just too much for him. We ended up leaving right in the middle but our wonderful CM/Server boxed up dessert for us and was very understanding! We may try next year when he is a little older!

 

[KathyRN137]

I guess it depends on how sensory seeking or sensory defensive he is. We went when our autistic DS was five and he enjoyed the music, but DH was irritated b/c he wouldn't eat. (I didn't know that you can call 48 hrs ahead and order any special diet requests). You are really there for the show more than the food, anyway! We did a theme park early in the day, then went back for a nap in the afternoon to offset any fatigue which might have contributed to a meltdown. He did fine.

We plan to go again in November (he is now eight). I will order his meal ahead of time and make sure we again take a good rest break at the resort before heading out for the evening.

Good Luck!

Kathy