Where o' where have the chicken fingers gone?

[SpecEdismyLife]

Hey all! I was just making my list out of the places we can go eat at that have chicken fingers and was sad to see that other than one or two counter service places per park, or buffets, there is nowhere to get our son (ASD) his beloved crispy chicken fingers (also the only thing he will eat pretty much) and fries on our upcoming trip. Are we doomed to the same places to get food every day? Has anyone had any luck making ADR's and then contacting Disney to see if they can get a specialized meal? He is 10 and we have no problem with paying adult prices for his serving, yet with the new nutritional kids meals (and hey I am all for nutrition!) these seems to have disappeared from many of the sit down places where we could get them before even at the adult price. I am starting to panic a little over this issue thinking we will be forced to eat at Electric Umbrella and the American Pavilion every time we are at Epcot and Chef Mickey's if we want a TS meal! Thanks for any advice or tips!

 

[Schmeck]

Disney is very accommodating for food for the kids! They've been known to go above and beyond what is 'accommodating', actually.

I have a now 15 yr old with food sensory issues. Let's just say that my mom will never try to get her to 'just try one bite of meat' at Thanksgiving dinner ever again after what went down came right back up... at the table... over everything...

WDW had enough on her 'good' food list that she didn't starve to death at WDW (even kids with food issues will not let themselves starve) but her diet consisted of french fries, plain pasta, grilled cheese, rolls, white milk, plain whole fruit, and plain raw vegetables. Oh, and tons of Cheerios! We were able to get a grilled cheese at Cindy's, plain pasta everywhere, but the fruits and veggies were few and far between though. That was 13 years ago.

One thing you could try is to get your son to try one thing (and they will simplify it as much as they can) that is close to something he might have on his good food list. You might be surprised that the activity and excitement makes him ravenous enough to try it. Then, if he doesn't like it, you could get him something else later, so he doesn't get too hungry/cranky. That's not fun on vacation! We've always found vacation to be a good place to try something new - it's already not routine, so it doesn't throw the kid off so much.

If you don't feel like that would be successful, I'm sure you could get chicken strips (do they even have the processed chicken fingers anymore? We didn't see anything like that last summer) before you go to a restaurant you'd like to try.

 

[SpecEdismyLife]

As long as it is fried chicken strips or fingers it is good. He will not eat the old style nuggets, only the strips. We plan to have things in the room for him as well, snacks and things. Getting him to try new things ends with the same result as you had at Thanksgiving! Thanks for the help!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

As long as it is fried chicken strips or fingers it is good. He will not eat the old style nuggets, only the strips.

My daughter who can't have gluten or dairy still ate fried chicken strips (with mac & cheese) almost every night when we were there in February. If they have the ingredients, the chefs should be able to help you out.

 

[Selket]

Long story...but if this is a TS restaurant I would call the special dietary office at WDW (info in the FAQ here) and request that for ALL of your TS meals that the chef be prepared with the Chicken fingers (perhaps describe them as "like the ones they have at X").

I found that the chefs can get foods like that which are not on the menu and have them on hand for when you arrive. Our special request at the time was a hot dog. Like your chicken fingers and fries it is simple and available many places as a kid's meal and the chefs would get it no problem. Confirm with them when you arrive at the restaurant that you asked for this meal.