Restaurant reservation question, cooling vest question

[bullynj]

My son has autism and has a horrible time waiting or standing still, as Im sure many others do too

1. What is the deal with the dining plan if you make reservations does that prevent from having to wait when you get there?


2. Where can you get a cooling vest, I read these are available to purchase and think it would be something wonderful to have for my 4 yr old since he gets overheated easily.


3. Are there any books out there for Autism and disney??

 

[jmartinez1895]

1. ADRs ( advance dinning reservations) do help some, but at most places you will still be looking at a wait. We have found ( for us at least) the best way to cut back on the wait time is to book your ADR for odd times. Can you wait and have luch at a later time like 2:30 or maybe have an early dinner around 4:45 and then have a snack before bed? If so then try booking for times like that. You will still have a little bit of a wait, but not as long. Also if you have another adult with you, you may want to consider checking in at the restaurant and then somone wait and the other person walk around with the child and window shop while and when your table is ready the person could call you on your cell.

2. My son would not make it without his cooling vest. We bought one online, but I do not recall the website. The best way to find one is to do a search for "cooling vest". Many companies offer childrens sizes, but if you search for chldrens vest then you don't get as many results. There are many styles and prices vary so it comes down to budget and preferance.


3. I'm sure there are, but I don't know. I hope someone else will post and give you a good lead.

I hope this helps you out some and that you have a great trip.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is a book published by Passporter's called The Open Mouse which is basically a very good guidebook for people with disabilities.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Open Mouse really is a fabulous book. I'm so glad we had it to read through before our first trip.

As to ADRs, make sure you make them at off times as jmartinez said. When we've made dinner ADRs after 5:30, we've always had long waits. When we've made them between 4:00 and 5:00 we've been seated almost right away (if first seating is later then go for first seatings). The restaurants are always less busy overall as well so there's generally less stimulation. Chefs also have more time if you've got allergy issues and characters aren't as rushed at character meals. At home we always eat around 4:30 so for us eating at this time is best at WDW anyway.

 

[kaytieeldr]

ADR isn't a reservation. It's simply call-ahead-seating to the extreme (instead of calling ahead on your way to the restaurant, you call up to 180 days in advance). It simply means that once you check in you'll be seated at the next available table for your party size at or after (and, yes, sometimes before) your scheduled time.

 

[mousescrapper]

A couple more thoughts:

1) ditto book your ADR's for odd non buys times to increase the chance you don't have to wait long...pack some crackers or pretzels that your DS could munch on in case the hunger feeling is too much for him to handle waiting.

this does not make a difference, but I have mentioned when making my ADR's that my son has HFA...I'd don't expect anything, but the table choice in a corner is something worth waiting for vs smack in themiddle of the restaurant...

2) sorry have not used one

3) Open Mouse is a good book...it covers a wide range of topics not just Autism...see if your local library has a copy to check out and make notes.

the boards here are a great source of info to find help and people's TR's that tell about the honest struggles and MAGIC of traveling w/ an autistic child.