I need serious dining *H-E-L-P*!

[rjthkids]

Two scenarios:

1.) I am taking an impromptu trip to WDW from May 4th-12th (thanks to the military rates), with just one of my children. He will have just turned five years old, has a dairy and a gluten allergy and also has autism (high functioning....he is verbal but is definitely on the 2-3 year level in social skills). We just booked this trip last week so it is taking me awhile to figure out all the logistics.


2.) The whole family is taking our long-scheduled trip together to WDW January 2010. There are six of us, one 7 year old with significant developmental disability (around age 2 in all developmental milestones), my aforementioned 5 year old, and then my two who will be 3 by the time we get there (one developmentally on target, one with DD who I'll likewise guesstimate will be just hitting 18 months-2 years in development by the time we get there).

In my typical life, I absolutely despise the very thought of eating out with my children, and I usually end up always bringing food for my son because it's easier than trusting whether or not someplace understands food allergies. Risking anaphalaxis is not my personal idea of a fun time.

I've read enough to trust that WDW is good about food allergies and that they'll be able to work with us wherever we eat. Yay!

So, now the question is: are there any sit-down restaurants that are good for small children with short attention spans? There is definitely more flexibility when it's just me and my son on the May trip. He has the longest attention span of the four. How about in January, when for all intensive purposes I'll have four children with developmental ages under 4?

I'd love to more than just counter service and bring-our-own-food, if it won't turn into me wishing I just ordered a turkey leg and brought our food, lol.

 

[shordiebecka]

I would suggest any of the all you can eat buffets- more than counter service, yet quick enough that there will not be any attention issues. In MK, there is crystal Palace, in EPCOT there is Germany and Norway *i think Norway is ayce*, and at DHS there is Hollywood and vine.

Also, at DHS the Sci Fi Diner has old movies playing and lots of fun things to look at. Any restaurant that is highly themed will have lots of distractions- most of the ones at Epcot except for The Land (which revolves and you have a look at green houses) and The Living Seas (or Coral Reef..or something) which has fish tanks around it. DHS has many highly themed restaurants, along with MK- I can't help you as much with Mk though. Good luck!

 

[squirrel]

I would stick with mostly character meals, if it won't be too over stimulating. They are family/buffet style and keep the children and you busy with photos and autographs. It also saves you waiting in lines to meet the characters.

A chef should come out and take you through the buffet and let you know what foods are safe. They usually offer to make something for your child if they can't have it from the buffet. I have asked for cucumber, french fries, etc as my niece is picky about what she will eat.

Make sure you let them know when you make the ADR's about the allergies.

All the CS places also have a binder with the ingredients listed in each food item. The chefs at the CS locations were also very helpful in finding something for my lactose intollerant niece.

Head over to the DisAbilities Board and you will find some more information there.

 

[rjthkids]

Thanks everyone! I have checked out the allergy information on disabilities, which is why I determined that Disney knows what it is doing enough so to be willing to contemplate actually eating at a restaurant, lol. Now it's just trying to figure out which restaurants are kid-friendly enough that I won't be unintentionally ruining some couples romantic dinner with my....ermmm..."high energy" crew of littles.

I'm definitely going to look into the places mentioned here, and I'll take other suggestions too!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

and that they'll be able to work with us wherever we eat.

Don't count on this with counter service.

I'm vegan and had an awful time finding food or anyone to help me at CS places, BUT, table service was wonderful about sending out a chef to show me what things on the buffet had dairy, etc. I would suggest making as many reservations as you can handle and agree that with little one's, character meals will fit the bill for you.

I never did write a letter(I tend to remember just the great things and let the annoying stuff slide), but it literally took 20 minutes to get soy ice cream at MK and I had to fill out paperwork to get it?!?!?!? I missed part of Wishes b/c of that experience and was frustrated that it's such a chore. I was also slightly offended when the cm asked what my allergy was and when I said I was vegan they sort of looked at me funny and said "Oh, so it's a CHOICE".

 

[catne]

If kids cannot do the character meals, some of the buffets do have non-character meals.

Tusker House in AK has characters at breakfast, but not at dinner; Hollywood & Vine at DHS has no characters at dinner; Cape May Cafe at Beach Club/Epcot area resorts has none at dinner. 'Ohana at Polynesian (family style, not a buffet) has activities for kids at dinner, but no characters then.

 

[Justsyd2]

This is from the WDW website:

Can my special dietary request be accommodated at restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort?

Special dietary request-including food allergies, food intolerances and medically restricted diets-can often be accommodated at most table-service restaurants. Guests should contact SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com at least 14 days prior to arrival or soon after booking their dining arrangements. Dining arrangements can be made by calling (407) 939-3463. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent or guardian's permission to dial this number.

 

[Grumpy92]

Chef Mickey's - Brkfst or Dinner
Ohana or WC - Family Style, lots of activity going on in the room, Horse races, hula dancing etc

MK - nothing with any entertainment, Columbia Harbor House is a good CSS and LTT is pretty good too.
DHS - Sci Fi (lots of eye candy for them) 50s PT has old tv series running so that might be another option
EC - Garden Grill (lots to look at) Biergarten is a buffet & show
Akershus is a good buffet with the Princesses

If anyone has allergies tell your host. You will probably get a table side visit from the Chef they are great about that sort of thing.