How to handle special food requests at HDDR nd Luau?

[MrsKreamer]

I am gearing up to make my ADRs this Saturday. We are going for 9 nights in September with Free Dining and are going to do the Luau(DH has always wanted to do this) and the HDDR(we never miss).

My DS5 has PDD-NOS and one of his main issues is eating. He WILL NOT eat anything except hot dogs/corn dogs, hamburgers(sometimes), chicken nuggets(sometimes, but only at home or McD's), certain cereals, pancakes, and pizza(only with cheese AND pepperoni). He won't eat the chicken, salad, and other fixins' at HDDR, nor anything on the Luau menu. IIRC last time we went in 2009 they had those PB&J round things for kids, he won't eat that either. He won't even eat the shortcake if it has strawberries on it, because he doesn't like different foods on eat other. Is there any way I will be able to make a special request for him? Like a hot dog or personal pepperoni pizza.

Most people who see this will probably ask why bother to bring him to the dinner shows, knowing he won't eat anything there. He loves the music. On our last trip in 2009, one of the only things he enjoyed was HDDR(this was before his dx and we didn't understand most of what was going on with him). The Luau may be hit or miss with that show so I am planning on letting him take his Nintendo DS (I know )

We really want to go to these shows, please help me make it easier for my little one!

 

[aggordon2]

Our ds (10) is also PDD-NOS. We have gone to the HDDR for the last 4 years and have always made special requests for food there. It just so happens that both our sons are on special diets, so we have to be carefull with gluten, dairy and egg. HDDR has made hotdogs and frenchfries for us because of their limited diet. My dw always calls the restaurant to talk to the chef and explain what he can and cannot eat. The chefs are very understanding to our plight and have asked us what we suggest, and whether they can honour our request. Is it just that he won't eat certain foods because of texture or taste? You can also call WDW-DINE to have them make a note on your reservation about this situation.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Our ds (10) is also PDD-NOS. We have gone to the HDDR for the last 4 years and have always made special requests for food there. It just so happens that both our sons are on special diets, so we have to be carefull with gluten, dairy and egg. HDDR has made hotdogs and frenchfries for us because of their limited diet. My dw always calls the restaurant to talk to the chef and explain what he can and cannot eat. The chefs are very understanding to our plight and have asked us what we suggest, and whether they can honour our request. Is it just that he won't eat certain foods because of texture or taste? You can also call WDW-DINE to have them make a note on your reservation about this situation.

To be honest, we really don't know. It isn't an allergy, it's just he WON'T eat much. I have noticed that most of the food he eats is beige or neutral colors.
I have tried everything to get him to eat anything else and nothing works. I swore I would never be one of those parents that catered to their child's every whim, or made separate meals.
The first 3 days of our last Disney trip he refused to eat anything at all.
Now when we go out of town I bring along his favorite treats that I usually don't keep in the house(ie poptarts), and I try to make sure the places we eat will have something he will eat.
Thanks for the information, I guess I will be calling early Saturday morning!

 

[DvcDoc]

Just FYI, HDDR is closed for renovation from 5 August into December. I found this out when trying to get a reservation for our trip the second week in August. So disappointed as it's one of our traditions too.

 

[Delaney21]

Most people who see this will probably ask why bother to bring him to the dinner shows, knowing he won't eat anything there. He loves the music. On our last trip in 2009, one of the only things he enjoyed was HDDR(this was before his dx and we didn't understand most of what was going on with him). The Luau may be hit or miss with that show so I am planning on letting him take his Nintendo DS (I know )

You DEFINITELY won't get that from other SN parents! My son can't eat anything and his request for his Wish trip is to do a character meal every day and HDDR. Our kids can't/won't eat - that doesn't mean they wouldn't enjoy the entertainment just as much as a child than can eat!

Sorry I can't help on the food issue since we don't do food for our son.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Just FYI, HDDR is closed for renovation from 5 August into December. I found this out when trying to get a reservation for our trip the second week in August. So disappointed as it's one of our traditions too.

I wish I could get a conformation on this...I have heard this, then I heard from 2 or 3 others (on the sept planning thread) that they had no trouble getting ADRs for the first week in September.

 

[MrsKreamer]

You DEFINITELY won't get that from other SN parents! My son can't eat anything and his request for his Wish trip is to do a character meal every day and HDDR. Our kids can't/won't eat - that doesn't mean they wouldn't enjoy the entertainment just as much as a child than can eat!

Sorry I can't help on the food issue since we don't do food for our son.

Thanks!

I hope he has the best trip!

 

[aggordon2]

Just FYI, HDDR is closed for renovation from 5 August into December. I found this out when trying to get a reservation for our trip the second week in August. So disappointed as it's one of our traditions too.

I just read on All Ears that the HDDR renovations won't start till September. We made reservations for August 27 with no problem. Hopefully you can too.

 

[book_junkie]

I wouldn't think it should be too big of a problem- they *should* be able to accommodate things since they share the kitchen with the Trail's End, and they do pizza and nuggets, etc. Definitely call and ask.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I wish I could get a conformation on this...I have heard this, then I heard from 2 or 3 others (on the sept planning thread) that they had no trouble getting ADRs for the first week in September.

Why don't you just call and ask?

 

[MrsKreamer]

Why don't you just call and ask?

I will on Saturday. Besides, Disers tend to have better info than some of the CMs..lol

 

[MrsKreamer]

I called this morning and according to the CM I spoke with, the HDDR refurb won't start until mid October.

 

[buffettgirl]

heck, my kids didn't have anything specifically diagnosed and yours eats far more than mind did at that age. LOL.

Mine had very specific texture issues, very specific "must be ONLY this type" issue (like only a certain white bread and no others, only a certain type of pasta etcetc) and very specific food must not touch issues. My son more so than my daughter. Anyway, with my son we were able to just always carry around a PB sandwich made in the room and brought to the restaurant, or PB or Cheese crackers. Could you possibly bring cereal for him just in case so that in the event that you can't get special food you know you have something for him? I found that to be the easiest for my son. Of course, he never had trouble eating ice cream as long as it was plain vanilla or plain chocolate. LOL.

We used to be able to get PB for my daughter but she wasn't as particular and it was before the crustables came on the scene, so Disney would make just a pb sandwich in the kitchen. She also would eat plain pasta so that was a little easer.

When we'd have to do special orders I'd have to be very specific like "please don't even put garnish on the plate" because when mine finally moved into eating more regular, like a plain burger, I'd have to make sure that the plate didn't arrive with lettuce, tomato even touching it, and God forbid there was pickle juice, even though he liked the pickle. LOL.

so, no, no one is going to judge you here. So many of us have been through it. There isn't much you can do other than just wait it out. If it helps, both of mine have grown out of most of their food issues. My youngest positively loves eating out now and tries allll sorts of things. My oldest is still a bit on the picky side but it's not nearly as bad. ie: she's not starving to death at college. And occasionally will actually eat pasta sauce that has lumps. LOL.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds10 was brought a hot dog at the luau - I haven't been to HDDR but I would imagine there are back up items they could bring out. They also have alternate desserts available - all 3 of my "kids" including my adult dd had popsicles. My oldest dd is allergic to all nuts and they brought her some nut free bread - she said it tasted aweful but atleast it was available.