Problem Feeder: Child and Restaurants

[Camshell]

My 10 yr old son is a diagnosed problem-feeder and only eats a very limited amount of foods. It is quite extreme and we need to plan out all the restaurants we can eat at before we go so there is something to feed him. I've managed to put together a plan so we hit places where there is either a pepperoni pizza, hot dog or PBJ sandwich.

There are a couple of restaurants (i.e. San Angel Inn and Be Out Guest) we would like to eat at where there will be nothing for him to eat. Can we bring a sandwich in to those places for him to eat? His issue is not "visible" but without this accommodation for our one family member our restaurant choices often become very limited.

 

[geek+nerd]

I would recommend contacting special diets (special.diets@disneyworld.com) and see what they have to say. Or call each restaurant directly and ask to speak with a manager about your situation. I'm sure something could be worked out. If not, maybe your son can eat before you go into the restaurant.

Good luck!

 

[disney david]

My 10 yr old son is a diagnosed problem-feeder and only eats a very limited amount of foods. It is quite extreme and we need to plan out all the restaurants we can eat at before we go so there is something to feed him. I've managed to put together a plan so we hit places where there is either a pepperoni pizza, hot dog or PBJ sandwich.

There are a couple of restaurants (i.e. San Angel Inn and Be Out Guest) we would like to eat at where there will be nothing for him to eat. Can we bring a sandwich in to those places for him to eat? His issue is not "visible" but without this accommodation for our one family member our restaurant choices often become very limited.

You can bring your own Food to any restaurant on Disney property. The Only thing is they will not heat up anything or touch anything you bring in so it has to be something that dose not need to be heated up they can give you a plate but that it. They will not stop you as long as they don't need to heat it up or do anything with it.

 

[Camshell]

Thanks for the replies. It sets my mind at ease. We normally avoid so many types of restaurants because of this, or my son eats before we go in or after (we generally avoid this last option). Given the daily challenges of feeding my son, knowing we can bring in a sandwich makes my vacation that much more magical if you can believe it.

 

[disney david]

Thanks for the replies. It sets my mind at ease. We normally avoid so many types of restaurants because of this, or my son eats before we go in or after (we generally avoid this last option). Given the daily challenges of feeding my son, knowing we can bring in a sandwich makes my vacation that much more magical if you can believe it.

Another option for bog is one adult goes to Casey corner and gets a hot dog and being to bog. The only problem is bog can get a line so planning on when to go and get it and be able to meet back up.

 

[Bellestreak]

OP, I wanted to say first that I feel your pain. My daughter also has feeding issues and we deal with this at WDW as well.
Also, the restaurants will nearly always accomodate your child whenever possible. Some items like PBJ, hot dogs (not as sure on this one as mine won't eat them) and mac and cheese can be special ordered even if not on the menu. While they may not have as many kids with feeding problems, they see lots of picky eaters and tend to keep the easy foods around for them.
When we go to WDW, we call it giving our daughter mac and cheese around the world.
I hope you have a great trip!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Be aware that if the restaurant is fixed price then regardless of whether he eats or not, you will be charged for him. At fixed price restaurants I'd ask the serve if it's at all possible to get something he actually will eat. I've had chefs send runners to nearby restaurants to get things for my kids (they have allergies, they're not self-limiting). I wouldn't do this often but hey, you're paying for him to eat so it would be nice for him to actually get some food and the Disney owned restaurants really are remarkably accomodating.

You can bring your own Food to any restaurant on Disney property. The Only thing is they will not heat up anything or touch anything you bring in so it has to be something that dose not need to be heated up they can give you a plate but that it. They will not stop you as long as they don't need to heat it up or do anything with it.

Are you sure about that? I don't have first hand experience with this so I honestly don't know. I would just worry that some of the non-Disney owned restaurants might have different rules that the Disney owned one. In the real world (WDW just isn't the real world in my mind, it's so much better) restaurants won't allow it so I'd be surprised to hear that the restaurants not owned by Disney all do.

 

[disney david]

Be aware that if the restaurant is fixed price then regardless of whether he eats or not, you will be charged for him. At fixed price restaurants I'd ask the serve if it's at all possible to get something he actually will eat. I've had chefs send runners to nearby restaurants to get things for my kids (they have allergies, they're not self-limiting). I wouldn't do this often but hey, you're paying for him to eat so it would be nice for him to actually get some food and the Disney owned restaurants really are remarkably accomodating.

Are you sure about that? I don't have first hand experience with this so I honestly don't know. I would just worry that some of the non-Disney owned restaurants might have different rules that the Disney owned one. In the real world (WDW just isn't the real world in my mind, it's so much better) restaurants won't allow it so I'd be surprised to hear that the restaurants not owned by Disney all do.

I got it off their web site yes sorry your right non Disney owned one I am not sure about but the op mentioned to Disney owned ones.
Look towards the bottom

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

 

[clanmcculloch]

San Angel Inn is not Disney owned. From the reviews I've read at least from an allergy perspective, they're not the most accomodating restaurant so it's one that would concern me.

 

[disney david]

San Angel Inn is not Disney owned. From the reviews I've read at least from an allergy perspective, they're not the most accomodating restaurant so it's one that would concern me.

Sorry saw bog and thought a different restaurant I would also stay away from San angel inn.

 

[Camshell]

Thanks for the additional info. We don't mind "paying" for my son to be there so we would could even order an appetizer for him (even though he won't actually eat it). We've had to get creative with bringing him to restaurants. I'd still love to be able to have him eat at least a PBJ sandwich (which he tolerates, but doesn't love) cause we can carry it in for him.

I wonder if just ordering an appetizer for him (even though he won't eat it) would be enough for the staff at San Angel Inn to be accepting of him being there.

 

[gritzel4]

My DS is a very limited eater as well. We have shown up to Garden Grill with a pizza and they were fine with it. At other restaurants if there is nothing he will eat, we just order him vanilla ice cream (something is better than nothing right?). When we go to character meals, I just smile knowing that we are paying top dollar for the ice cream

 

[cobright]

It used to be that just about every place had crustables in a fridge somewhere.

 

[Alison Wunderland]

My son has autism and sensory integration disorder. Right now he is eating only sugary cereal and goldfish crackers regularly. Once in awhile we can get him to eat chicken nuggets. I too am afraid to see what will happen at the buffets where he will literally eat nothing.

 

[TinkDisneyGirl]

San Angel Inn is not Disney owned. From the reviews I've read at least from an allergy perspective, they're not the most accomodating restaurant so it's one that would concern me.

We tried San Angel in July with my DD that has special dining needs. They did a great job and had a good attitude about it. It might have just been our waiter but we were pleased.

 

[Camshell]

My DS is a very limited eater as well. We have shown up to Garden Grill with a pizza and they were fine with it. At other restaurants if there is nothing he will eat, we just order him vanilla ice cream (something is better than nothing right?). When we go to character meals, I just smile knowing that we are paying top dollar for the ice cream

Good idea but he will only eat a plain chocolate cake/brownie with no icing or a chocolate chip cookie for dessert Unfortunately he won't eat ice cream or any of the other desserts. I did look at getting a dessert for him at both places but he won't eat the desserts served there. Assuming both places (San Angel and BOG) serve milk that is the only thing we'll actually be able to order for him.

I hear you about paying top dollar for meals for him. We're going to do the Tusker Breakfast and we have to pay for him as an adult and he will probably only eat the toast and mickey waffle off the entire buffet table, but at least there he will eat those 2 things.

 

[bookwormde]

Your situation is not that unusual, the majority of HFA/Aspergers kids have a restricted diet so WDW is quite used to this.

We have never had a problem bringing "backup food", but the chefs has always been very accommodating. One of our go to foods is grilled cheese sandwiches.

 

[Schmeck]

Your situation is not that unusual, the majority of HFA/Aspergers kids have a restricted diet so WDW is quite used to this.

We have never had a problem bringing "backup food", but the chefs has always been very accommodating. One of our go to foods is grilled cheese sandwiches.

"restricted"? Or just refusal?

 

[clanmcculloch]

I would disagree that it's the majority of HFA/Aspies that are self-limiting (generally due to sensory and/or obsessive compulsive issues; this is separate from the higher than average occurence of food allergies and intollerances seen in autistic kids) especially to the degree that they limit to only a handful of foods like we're discussing here, but I would agree that's not exactly uncommon. Because so many families with autistic kids travel to WDW, chefs should be very aware of this problem and will do their best to help. Some of the friendliest, most accomodating and helpful chefs I've ever met work at WDW.

 

[Schmeck]

Your situation is not that unusual, the majority of HFA/Aspergers kids have a restricted diet so WDW is quite used to this.

We have never had a problem bringing "backup food", but the chefs has always been very accommodating. One of our go to foods is grilled cheese sandwiches.

The reason I asked about restricted vs refusal is that my younger daughter is both. She has restrictions due to an allergy to apple, and a texture issue too. She also has a refusal situation that she is finally outgrowing, at age 19.

The point I wanted to make was that WDW has some of the most 'fun' food out there for the refusal kids. My DD ate her first waffle there, with whipped cream on it! She tried the strawberries that came with it, she tried different styles of bread and the flavored butter at Liberty Tree Tavern. She ate all of the pizza at Pizzafari - she didn't dissect it first either. She tried cooked mixed vegetables, sampled a few other things off of my plate, etc. In 11 trips she's added at least a half dozen new things to eat down there, and a few have made it into her regular diet at home. The biggest deal is that her new favorite 'meal' is the bread sticks with pizza sauce at Pinocchio Haus. Now she can enjoy pasta night at home with the rest of us, with her sauce on the side, of course.

WDW can be a great place and time to get the less adventurous eater to try new things, IMO.