Quiet place to feed ASD son?

[Swimmergirl]

This October will be my children's first trip to WDW. My 4 year old son was recently diagnosed with PDD, and his main issues concern eating. Feeding him is sometimes an ordeal. We plan on doing breakfast and dinner in the room, but I really don't want to rush back to the room for lunch every afternoon. So, does anyone have suggestions of out of the way, relatively quiet places where I could feed him in each of the parks? We will bring most of his food with us since he has chewing problems, so we do not have to always be in a restaurant. Thanks!

 

[blondietink]

There are many cafe tables and park benches around the parks that you could feed your son at. At MK, we like the tables right across from the McDonalds fry stand. At AK, almost anyplace will do as there are so many trees/bushes near the benches around the park. At Epcot, it is so spread out, anywhere around the countries is good (stay away from Japan if they are playing the drums). IN HS, there is kind of a park in front of the big hat with some benches in it and also around the streets of NY. I would stay away from any restaurants ... I have found them to be very loud and my Autistic son hates them even though he wears hearing protectors. Charactrer meals are especially loud. Good luck!

 

[bookwormde]

At MK Tom Sawyer Island has a few quite spots, if there is no main street parade going on there is a raised patio at the entrance to the train right after you come through the main gates. If you go out the international gate at EPCOT and then make the left over the bridge to Boardwalk there are some very pretty and quiet area along the lake (but not many tables). At AK there is a little “trail when you go right to Asia instead of going up to the safari that has a little set of tables which seem to be rarely used. There are animal sculptures along the path. At HS I the only spot I can think of is the area to the left in front of Beauty and the Beast side road entrance, I do not think there are tables but I remember some sitting height walls I think.

You may find that midday breaks are needed, but you will have to be the judge of that situation at your child’s age.

Our DS9 Aseprgers has gotten very good at letting us know when “I have had enough”, so we are past the guessing stage.

Garden Grill is a great low-key character meal, but they are eliminating the lunch character meal, we have done Liberty tavern also but it is a little noisier.

Bookwormde

 

[scroot]

I'd give first aid a go. It is always calm, comfortable, and cool. The cast is also very pleasant and helpful.

 

[tinkerlisa]

I think in some MK has a baby changing place just over by Crystal Palace. I am not sure though. If I am not wrong I read somewhere else on this forum that they have all the needs to: highchairs and booster seats and such. Mothers can go in and breastfeed to. I am sure Disney CM's won't have a problem with letting you bring your child in there. I think they have these changing places in all the parks but I am unsure. Hope that helps!

 

[KirstenB]

If you want to grab something to eat at the same time, and sit down, the upstairs of the Columbia Harbor House counter service place in the MK is often deserted during slow times of the year.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

My DS sometimes will not eat when it is noisy. We have had no problem getting take out at any WDW restaurant. In MK we like to go to the Baby Changing station and sit right outside by the fountain. It is quiet. We have eaten in the Baby Station and they are wonderful. In Epcot the Rose Garden behind the UK is usually quiet between shows.

 

[pilgrimr]

When we go, the place that is usually quiet is the noodle station in tomorrowland. There were hardly anybody there and they have a lot of tables where you can see the Castle. Now the restaruant is seasonal now I have heard, but it is kind of hidden and if you brought your own food it will be a place to sit and be a little quiet.

 

[honugirl]

I think there's a reason no one's at the noodle stand... Ugh. We ate there once last year and it was AWFUL! NEVER, EVER, EVER again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try the walkway behind the tomorrowland raceway that goes from tomorrowland to toontown. I think there were benches there and generally there is few people on it.