SPD and Dining at WDW

[scrapshappen]

This is my first time posting in this section of the boards, but I thought I would go to the experts.

My 9 YO has several neurological issues, including a sensory processing disorder. This is our first trip to WDW with him but he is a DL veteran. He usually does OK until it's time to eat. It seems that noisy/visually stimulating restaurants and waiting for food to arrive are his kryptonite.

Some restaurants I can rule out based on the description, like T-Rex for instance. (That place sounds fun for most children but a nightmare for him!) However, we ate at Carnation Cafe last time we were at Disneyland and it did him in because it was so loud in there. I never would have guessed that because last time we ate on the patio and he was fine.

Another example, we sailed on the Wonder last year and he did OK until Animators Palate. It was exceptionally loud in there and a little too visually stimulating at the same time.

So my question is, which restaurants would you absolutely avoid, and which would you recommend? We are on the DDP so we need both quick and table service suggestions in Epcot and MK but we are willing to go to a nearby resort to eat if that is recommended as well.

Also, we already have reservations at Tusker House at AK. Am I going to regret it? We do carry the industrial ear muffs for him, but he hates to wear them. He did OK at the Surf's Up breakfast at DL, but we were there early in the morning before it was too crazy.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Avoid Chef Mickey's, as it sounds like it would be a nightmare for your DS. We found The Plaza restaurant in MK, just off Main Street, to be pretty calm, even though it was quite busy. For counter service at MK, even though busy, Pincochio's Village Haus has lower lighting, and there are places to kind of set yourself away from the crowd.

Any of the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge resort are calm, but check the menus to make sure there will be food that he'll like.

Mama Melrose (Italian food) at Hollywood Studios is very calm, even when busy - lower lighting, etc.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[aaarcher86]

All of the character meals are pretty loud. The most low key, IMO, would be Cape May breakfast.

Columbia Harbor House in MK is a QS and it was fairly quiet. In all honestly, I'm trying to think of the places we eat and none of them are really coming back as quiet. The American Pavillion in Epcot is always pretty quiet and not really crowded since it's basic food you could get anywhere - but the last time we were there a CM was was yelling about celebrations and having the restaurant sing. Happened at least 3x we were there.

Sunshine seasons in Epcot was super loud and crowded!

If you can go during the off hours that'd be helpful.

 

[preemiemama]

I think Rose and Crown in Epcot’s patio is fairly tame. Inside there is a piano/singing act last time we were there, but the patio is not as loud/active. Just be aware that if you go inside for the bathroom it could be loud- and that Illuminations has some fireworks that go off just on the edge of the patio if your dinner runs into that time of night.

I would also say Le Cellier was quieter last time we were there, but it is a Signature (2 credits on dining plan).

Kringla Bakeri in Norway also has an outdoor seating area that is small but has not been too busy when we have been there for a QS.

I think Pinocchio and Colombia Harbor House at MK for QS also have upstairs seating at times that can be less crowded.

This past summer, Tusker House was busy but did not seem crazy to me. The buffet line can be a bit overwhelming since there is not a regular “order” to it like at other buffets. I would try it and bring the headphones in case you need them…

I cannot think of places right now that are quieter. I agree with PP to avoid Sunshine Seasons- it is right outside Soarin and gets very chaotic with the open seating area. I would also avoid Pizza Planet and the Commissary at DHS as both tend to be busy and loud.

 

[lizard1]

Some of the TS places we have been that didn't seem to loud or overstimulating were:

Garden Grill in Epcot- it is a character meal with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Goofy (I think). The restaurant slowly spins around and overlooks living with the land.

Liberty Tree Tavern in MK

The Plaza in MK

As for Tusker House, when I was there this summer, they had some parades around the restaurant with maracas a couple of times, if that would be a concern.

 

[spacecanada]

An overall suggestion would be to eat in off-times, when restaurants are less crowded. You can note on your reservation to be seated in a quiet location, if possible - it's not a guarantee but servers and managers know which corners are the quieter ones in general and may be able to help.

Sunshine Seasons food court in EPCOT can be quiet in off-times. I've never recalled it being overly noisy, possibly because of the open space and high ceiling. We found Rose & Crown quiet in early afternoon as well. The quick service place in DinoLand USA was pretty quiet noise-wise, even when it was busy. Same goes for the quick serve place near Star Tours - it was pretty quiet and you could take your food and eat outside where it was quieter.

I echo that Pizza Planet is definitely one to cross off your list. Sci-Fi Dine In has a lot of visual stimuli that was too overwhelming for me, in addition to the noise. It was a busy time though, which may have pushed it over the threshold.

For breakfast at a resort, be sure to go right when they open to ensure a quiet meal. We've slept in and had to take our breakfast back to our room because it was too chaotic and noisy in the food court or restaurant. Kids are excited and/or tired and noisy in the mornings.

Also, have you considered custom in-ear earplugs? I find them less bothersome and more comfortable than the over-ear types because I can wear them all day to reduce the overall noise, which makes the spikes easier to tolerate (to a degree). The longer I'm in a noisy and overstimulating environment, the easier it is for me to be overwhelmed, so removing some of that overstimulation over the long-term helps me tolerate it for longer and makes those spikes easier to handle because I haven't had to handle all the other noise all day - not sure if that approach may help your son or not.

 

[lanejudy]

Our worst experience was at T-Rex, though oddly enough DD had no problem at the Rainforest Cafe (which we had done on a prior visit first). We also take CS food out away from the restaurant seating and find a better location -- our room or next to the pool at the resort, or out to sit along the sidewalk and peoplewatch at a park; it reduces the auditory stimuli from a crowded food court environment that almost can echo it's so loud.

I also second the plan to eat at off-hours if possible to avoid the crowds.

You might also take into consideration seating position -- PP mentions asking for a quieter location, but even his spot at the table might help. Such as considering whether he might do better with his back to most of the other tables to reduce the visual stimuli, or facing forward so he can see what he hears.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

We feel you. No matter the time or place at restaurants, it can be so difficult to predict. One of the things we do is bring along whatever thing it is that allows our son to tune out. Book, iPod or video game and a set of headphones to help him endure the chaos while waiting. My son also doesn't particularly like his hearing protectors but will wear his over the ear noise canceling headphones when it gets too overwhelming. We also bring packets of crackers. It helps stave off the 'starvin marvins' or the hangries.

 

[SueM in MN]

My suggestions mesh with the other posters. Going during non-peak hours makes a lot of difference. It is usually noisier during peak times (more people) and busier. You may find long lines just to get in at times. For example, Columbia Harbour House had lines outside last week.
Also, be aware that SOME of the quieter areas, such as the 2nd floor of Columbia magazine not be open when it's not busy.

We eat at Tusker House once each trip and find it is usually very noisy. There are lots of children, which adds to the noise level and there is a parade with maracas and other noise makers about every 10-15 minutes.

Pizzafari at AK has multipme rooms and is often quieter at the right time of day. There is also outdoor seating.

At Epcot, the Electric Umbrella is often pretty quiet, plus has outdoor seating.

Cosmic Ray at MK is loud in the main room, but they have seating outside and nearer the counter area that is usually quieter.

At the Studio, the Commisary is quiet during non peak times.

 

[ttintagel]

Some of the TS places we have been that didn't seem to loud or overstimulating were:

Garden Grill in Epcot- it is a character meal with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Goofy (I think). The restaurant slowly spins around and overlooks living with the land.

Another good thing I've heard about Garden Grill (although I haven't eaten there myself, so hopefully someone else will confirm) is that the sides of the booths are quite high, so you get less stimulation from the other diners.

 

[SueM in MN]

Another good thing I've heard about Garden Grill (although I haven't eaten there myself, so hopefully someone else will confirm) is that the sides of the booths are quite high, so you get less stimulation from the other diners.

That is true.
I've got a picture somewhere. The theater revolves around a central core. Each booth has one side against the central core wall and 2 sides are high sides of the booth.
The only open side is a hallway that is used for guests coming in, for characters and for wait staff; so there is a lot of separation from other guests.
You overlook the Living with th Land ride, going thru each scene as the seating area rotates. So, you will hear some of the ride noises, but it's not really intrusive.

 

[scrapshappen]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Buffets seem to be easier for him to handle for some strange reason, even if they are a little louder. I think if you add the sitting and waiting factor to the noise and visual stimulation, it makes it worse.

I'm going to look into the in-the-ear protection. He probably will like those better. I think it's the pressure on his head he doesn't like. (Which is weird because he likes deep pressure in general). Or maybe it's just that he's embarrassed to wear them. He is generally not very self-aware, except when it comes to things that make him look a lot different from other people.

And I hate the thought of him sitting and playing a phone or ipod during a meal, but if it's what we all need to get through it peacefully, it's probably worth it.

We have an older son (11) who I am afraid misses out on a lot in life due to his younger brother's issues so I am trying to find the balance between the two. (I am sure I'm not the only mom in this boat!)

Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[scrapshappen]

One more question: would we be just crazy to try Hoop Dee Doo Review? I imagine before the show starts it's very loud in there. But it's the kind of thing my DH and older son love. Maybe I should just send them by themselves?

 

[bookwormde]

Our AS son always made it though it, but he was not always comfortable.

Maybe try tier III up on the balconies and go to an earlier show. I know often tiredness can make SPD much more acute.

 

[KisanMcG]

Just my two cents from a high-spectrum adult who struggles with sensory processing issues:

Recommended to Avoid:
STUDIOS -
- 50's Primetime Cafe (TS with tables and booths, multiple tvs, lots of very varied decor, servers will make announcements and interact with diners in a slapstick way)
- Hollywood and Vine (TS buffet with narrow walkways, usually attracts a large number of younger children)
- Starring Rolls (QS narrow sandwich and baked goods shop, high-traffic through the shop and very crowded patio eating area)
- Pizza Planet (QS that is very chaotic and visually stimulating, with video games and generally a rowdy atmosphere)

EPCOT
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (TS character buffet and service with roving princess characters, can get a little rowdy with the excited guests waiting for princesses to appear, though the worst part of it is the crowds in the line area while waiting to enter for your reservation)
- Coral Reef (TS- Though the lighting is low and the fish are peaceful, the acoustics of the place make sound echo and it can be extremely disorienting and overloading to dine there. I have a hard time knowing where to focus!)
- Electric Umbrella (QS that is very busy and usually crowded- may not be so bad if you can get your meal to go and take it out of the patio area to dine)
- Sunshine Seasons (QS with a potentially confusing way of ordering different cuisines at stations like a resort food court, seating area is usually crowded and a bit chaotic, positioning in The Land pavilion can make the area hectic)
- Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles (QS served cafeteria style that gets very busy)
- Tokyo Dining (TS with a teppan yaki table that can be a lot to handle, visually, as the chef does all the cooking right in front of the diners)
- Restaurant Marrakesh (TS that is *usually* very calm and open-feeling, but they do have a belly dancer and musicians that play on a rotating basis and that could be hard to deal with depending on his mood)

MAGIC KINGDOM
- Casey's Corner (QS, crowds go right through)
- Cosmic Ray's (QS, Always packed!)
- Crystal Palace (TS character buffet, they really squeezed tables into this one, and there's always a lot going on in there)
- Sunshine Tree Terrace (QS snacks that are walk-up with a very small seating area that also houses a Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom portal that gets very busy)

ANIMAL KINGDOM
- Rainforest Cafe (TS, animatronic animals and jungle effects)

RESORTS
- Whispering Canyon Cafe (TS where guests are encouraged to do the opposite of whisper! VERY loud and chaotic.)
- 1900 Park Fare (TS character buffet where the tables are packed in, and the guests are almost always very rowdy. The line to enter can take quite a while, and it tends to make folks grumpy before they even get in)
- Chef Mickey's (TS character buffet, with similar problems to other restaurants of its type)

Recommended to Consider:
Overall, I find that dining in the resorts is usually a MUCH more peaceful and satisfying experience. Popping out of the resort for a quick monorail ride (Magic Kingdom) or a walk down Crescent Lake (Studios, EPCOT) give me time to cool down in a less stimulating environment, and the resort dining options are usually more varied than in the parks, too. Aside from the places specifically mentioned above, I would feel comfortable in any of the resort locations.

Favorites include Captain Cook's (QS Polynesian), Trail's End (TS buffet, Ft. Wilderness), The Wave (TS, Contemporary), and Captain's Grille (TS, Yacht Club). In the parks, Columbia Harbor House (QS, MK), Tamu Tamu Refreshments (QS, DAK), Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (TS, Studios), and taking the sampler from the Joy Of Tea cart (QS, Epcot) to the benches behind the cart with a view of the lake.

If you're looking for a character dining I would recommend 'Ohana. Even though they can have a little chaos like the coconut races, they are usually wonderful about seating us in a table away from the action. The fact that it's served family style rather than buffet means less need to walk around, so it's a good low-impact way to meet characters. The line area can get a little crazy, like most character experiences, but you can usually wait nearby with a pager to duck into a gift shop for a bit.

For what's it's worth - I love both Hoop De Doo and the Luau. It might be because there's no nervousness about what to order (they just bring what they're going to bring!), and the show is generally contained to the stage area (though Hoop does get a little in-the-audience towards the end).

Of course, these are just one person's opinions You may want to take a look at YouTube videos of restaurants, check a review site like DisneyFoodBlog.com, and then cross reference with dining menus on AllEarsNet.com to see if there's anything your family would enjoy in the places that seem most appealing in a sensory manner.