What if we have a meltdown during character dining?

[MomtothreeEs]

I've been watching youtube videos of character dining experiences. DS1 and DS2 both have sensory issues, and DS1 is on the spectrum. I'm fairly confident that my kids will be able to handle the character dining, but of course I'm always worried about meltdowns. The one that is causing me anxiety is Chef Mickey- the acoustics seem boomy and it seems very open/massive. Of course, this is also the one that has the characters DS1 loves the most. Anyway, in general, what happens if we start a meal and then need to leave midway through the meal? Do they allow you to pack up the rest of your meal to go? I know they don't usually allow you to take food out of buffet style restaurants. Has anyone had experience with this? Any tips to prevent sensory overload at these big restaurants?

 

[jacquelinemc]

Mickey and crowd are also available at Tusker House (AK) and Cape May Cafe (Beach Club). Both of my children have autism and we started with these and are only trying Chef Mickey's this time on our third trip for all the reasons you mentioned. Check out those as well!

 

[Schmeck]

I've been watching youtube videos of character dining experiences. DS1 and DS2 both have sensory issues, and DS1 is on the spectrum. I'm fairly confident that my kids will be able to handle the character dining, but of course I'm always worried about meltdowns. The one that is causing me anxiety is Chef Mickey- the acoustics seem boomy and it seems very open/massive. Of course, this is also the one that has the characters DS1 loves the most. Anyway, in general, what happens if we start a meal and then need to leave midway through the meal? Do they allow you to pack up the rest of your meal to go? I know they don't usually allow you to take food out of buffet style restaurants. Has anyone had experience with this? Any tips to prevent sensory overload at these big restaurants?

Will either wear noise-buffering headphones? I think if the child has a meltdown, what is on your plate should be allowed to go with you. Or just bring a container to put it in (assuming there will be a second adult?)

 

[sukhakuli]

We've experienced this sort of thing with my autistic son. It varies so much on how he is doing. He flipped out at the Rainforest Cafe, but we were able to finish our meal because we were able to use his coping devices. Making sure ds has solid coping devices has been paramount to taking him in public at all, not just at Disney.

Sometimes just giving them a breather works, and you can go back and finish your meal. I have had no problem with leaving a character meal and going back in if I just explain the situation. Sometimes there is no going back, and I just scarf something down super fast and leave, and let my family finish. Taking food with me wouldn't work, because I would need both hands to keep ds and others safe, and would not have time to eat it. His tantrums can go for several hours.

As ds got older, we were able to explain more things to him. Captain Cook scared the ever loving stuffings out of him, but we explained that he turned good guy when he started working for Disney, and thankfully Captain Cook went along with it.

All kids have meltdowns, diagnosis or not, so I find that in kid friendly places people are forgiving of screaming kids. Their kids do it, too. If I can recenter ds in a reasonable time frame, then we stay, and thats where the coping skills come in. But sometimes there is nothing to be done.

 

[iceteababy]

I've been watching youtube videos of character dining experiences. DS1 and DS2 both have sensory issues, and DS1 is on the spectrum. I'm fairly confident that my kids will be able to handle the character dining, but of course I'm always worried about meltdowns. The one that is causing me anxiety is Chef Mickey- the acoustics seem boomy and it seems very open/massive. Of course, this is also the one that has the characters DS1 loves the most. Anyway, in general, what happens if we start a meal and then need to leave midway through the meal? Do they allow you to pack up the rest of your meal to go? I know they don't usually allow you to take food out of buffet style restaurants. Has anyone had experience with this? Any tips to prevent sensory overload at these big restaurants?

We have a daughter that gets so excited and loud when the characters come around. We now tell the hostess when we check in to put us in an area close to to a wall. can make sure the site lines for her do not include seeing the characters all the time, but she can get out and hug the character. this also gives us time to eat and her to eat.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It would be very kind of the CM to allow you to take what you are eating with you, but I would not count on that happening and they may not even have containers for doing so. Buffet rules are pretty strict.
The best, low key character meal that we have found is garden grill. We are not crazy about the food choices but the character sit up is perfect. Ask to be on the bottom tier, and you basically are isolated from other booths and the characters are much less rushed giving them time to warm up. The worst was indeed chief mickey. My nephew simply could not handle the noise and over the top stimulation. My sister and her DH took turns taking him out while the group finished. You might also choose to use a PF+ to see Mickey instead of a meal.

 

[Woodmnky]

IIRC the Celebration song at CM is about every 45 minutes. Our waiter was able to tell us when to expect this. The song lasts for less than 5 minutes. If you think that your children will be OK during the rest of the meal, but are worried about the loud music you may be able to take your children out into the front of the restaurant during the song portion (assuming one adult is able to stay at the table). My son has a lot of sensory issues and even with him having watched the CM videos a lot and looking forward to what he calls the "shaky shaky dinner" after the napkin waving he was NOT ok with the loud music. However, this was his favorite meal of the trip and the experience that he talks about the most.

While you could certainly ask for food to go should your child have a meltdown I have seen people report over and over again that they were told no to taking anything with them reguardless of the reasons.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I second the recommendation about Cape May at breakfast. I thought it felt a lot calmer than a lot of the other character meals. The ceilings are normal height, the room feels cozier than a lot of the other ones. I really liked it myself for that reason. It just felt a lot more easy-going than other ones we have gone to.

I don't think Mickey is there though, it's Minnie, Donald and Goofy. But they are super cute in their swim gear

 

[MomtothreeEs]

Thanks so much for all of your ideas, information, and support. I'm alternating between excitement and panic with this whole vacation. We have never gone on any sort of family vacation because of all the behavior and dietary issues. I'm doing my best to plan around crowded times.

I keep looking at Cape May, but none of us eat seafood and older DS really really really loves Mickey. I just don't think that will work for us. We were planning to eat dinner there, but today I found a 7:30 breakfast reservation for Chef Mickey. I'm wondering if the restaurant will be less busy and quieter then? I hope so. At least my boys should be more regulated early in the morning.

 

[Carnie]

Chef Mickeys is always packed.

Cape May serves regular breakfast at the character breakfast buffet.

 

[roadtripper]

I think 7:30 AM breakfast is a good plan. While it's always crowded, it should be less so then. We usually do 11 AM since it settles down then too . DS also gets freaked out by loud noises and cavernous rooms, but Chef Mickey's is his favorite character meal--go figure. I can't plan a trip without it. He loves the napkin waving, the music, characters.
Wishing you well on your first family trip!

 

[MuddyBoots]

Just throwing this out there as an option...

Mickey & Minnie have Meet & Greets in Epcot over in Tomorrowland. The wait when we were there last fall was only about 10 minutes. It was low key & we didn't need a FP. Mickey & Minnie spent time with my kids & that was one of the best parts of our whole trip. My 5 year old (who was 4 at the time) has ASD & he was handle it.

I also believe they do a Mickey character breakfast in Animal Kingdom that is more low key, as well. I did one there years ago, so maybe it is still available??

 

[ttintagel]

To be honest, I'm an adult not on the spectrum at all, and *I* couldn't handle the noise and overstimulation of Chef Mickey's when I tried it. Those characters meet at plenty of other places (just not in chef's outfits); I'd take them to meet them somewhere else and give the restaurant a miss.

 

[alicia080979]

DH & I are foster parents and last year, we had a little guy (18mon) old and a 4 week old on our trip. Our little guy had some sensory issues where he had to have constant stimulation as well as RAD and would run off and go to strangers. He would attach to anyone as a result of being moved around so much from a young age. It was definitely interesting at character meals to say the least. He LOVED the stimulation and characters. He freaked out and completely melted down when he caught a glimpse of one and couldn't hug them/touch them/etc. When they got to our table and then left, he freaked again. Most of our meals consisted of melt downs unless he had a character in his face. Unfortunately our little guy left for reunification (it failed and he is now with a different foster family...and we wonder why these poor kids have so many issues) shortly after we got home so he will not be with us on our next trip but we have talked about how we would not do nearly as many character meals. It was just too overwhelming (for us as much as him).

We used our stroller as a wheelchair and it was a lifesaver bc he could stay calm in there and regulate his body/emotions. We found doing the meet & greets much easier and had considerably less meltdowns that way. He got to stay in his stroller (his safe place) and still see what was going on. I would maybe pick 1 or 2 if you just want the experience. We did Crystal Palace B & L, Ohana B, Donald's safari, Park Fare and Garden Grill. Way too many on our 10 day trip. At meals with no characters he did so much better.

We are hoping/praying our baby girl is still with us (getting closer to being able to adopt her and have had her since birth) this fall when we go and we will only do a couple character meals as she will be 13 months old after our experience last year. She is only 6 months old and developmentally on track but the Drs. have seen some thrashing/behavioral signs that are a bit concerning that we need to watch bc she had some prenatal trauma so we could be facing some similar challenges this fall as well.

Whatever you decide...good luck and I hope you have a great trip!