How is Disney with dining requests that aren't allergy based.

[mom2jandjands]

My son is trying to figure out what he wants to ask for for his Make a Wish wish, and a trip to Orlando is definitely on the short list. I'm trying to get as much information as possible about what it might be like to take a kid with complex medical needs on vacation, so I can help him decide what he wants to do.

DS has no food allergies or intolerances, but he does have some restrictions due to immunosuppression (e.g. no honey, nothing that's been on a buffet, no raw fish). He also has a lot restrictions around texture, due to a problem with his jaw that makes chewing painful. Finally, he's a kid who does better with small portions. He's easily overwhelmed by a plate full of food, even if there's no pressure on him to eat it, but on the other hand, he loves variety and spices so often times he's most interested in food on the adult menu.

Is that something we can get help with? Can we go to a buffet, and ask for things that haven't been put out yet due to the immune issues? Can he order a smaller portion of something on the adult menu, or mix things up so that he gets a combination he can manage?

If it makes a difference, he'd be 10 when we travel so technically shouldn't be eating off the kid's menu, and his disabilities are obvious which makes people less likely to think he's just picky.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Once you make your reservations, you should reach out to the Special Diets team at WDW. They will send you a form to put down all of your reservation info (restaurant name, confirmation number, date and time) and list what you need to accommodate him. He has a medical need, so they will work with you to accommodate him. I just traveled with a young man who needed all of his food pureed and they were able to accommodate him at all TS restaurants. QS were not able to accommodate him. Here is the e-mail: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

I would post on the DISabilities forum on these boards as well to get some other tips for traveling

 

[mom2jandjands]

Thank you DisneyWishes14! It won't let me quote you, it says something about "inappropriate content" or spam. Very odd!

I did ask a number of questions on the other forum. At this point we're still deciding whether a trip is what he wants to wish for.

 

[Nancyg56]

I know the decision for his wish is still in the air, and I wish hom a wonderful trip, whereever he chooses!


I know that if you choose Disney, you will get a lot of support from the folks on the boards helping you plan, and once you arrive, you will be amazed at how accomodating the CM's are. They are truly invested in making sure everyone has a wonderful trip, and do all they can to help.

 

[Lisa F]

my son is on the spectrum and is picky because of it - I've found Disney very accommodating. They definitely take medical issues seriously and allergies, while the most common, are NOT the only medical issue.

They will likely treat your food restrictions as an allergy. People with allergies get food prepared just for them at buffets all the time to prevent cross contamination so this would be the same thing.

as far as smaller portions, I'm sure Disney would make a half portion of an adult menu item - I share with my son when we can find something we agree on and they will split it in the kitchen - it does come out to about the size of a kid meal. They probably won't give you half of each of two meals together for one price but they will plate half of a meal if you want it - you could probably get the other half to go or on a different plate or skip it entirely. They would likely charge you for the entire thing but they will do what you want otherwise the number of people requesting "half portions" for half price would be out of control. I have always said Disney will accommodate what you want at restaurants but they won't necessarily make it a money-saving proposition. I often eat appetizers for my meal, and spice road table has a tapas menu of interesting foods in small portions.

Good luck whatever you decide! Disney is pretty easy with "picky" kids, no judging if the reason is good enough

 

[vinotinto]

Definitely reach out to Special Diets. He may not have food allergies, but he has medical dietary restrictions. I would suggest to look closer at non-buffet restaurants or restaurants (like Garden Grill) where the food is served directly to each table, family style. You can serve him and then have the rest of the family eat. That may be easier.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you DisneyWishes14! It won't let me quote you, it says something about "inappropriate content" or spam. Very odd!

I did ask a number of questions on the other forum. At this point we're still deciding whether a trip is what he wants to wish for.

Hmm - I didn't know mentioning special diets was "inappropriate content", LOL! Maybe it was the link to the WDW site?!

I wish you the absolute best with whatever trip your son decides to take and hope that it is magical and special in every way!