Hi, Robyn, and welcome to planDisney!
I'm so glad you stopped by with this question. I have a son who is on the autism spectrum and like your kiddo, my son also has some sensory needs. My son also has his preferred foods that he does not branch out from. Although he is now a teenager and definitely eats an adult-sized portion, he tends to stick to the types of foods you find on the kids' menu in most restaurants. One of the reasons why
Walt Disney World Resort is my family's favorite place is that they are so accommodating of Guests'
special needs, including dietary restrictions and preferences.
I would recommend that you talk to your server as soon as you're seated at a
Walt Disney World Resort restaurant and explain your son's preferences to them. Your server will be able to give you some options that might appeal to your little Mouseketeer. Each dining location will be limited to the selection of foods that they have on hand in their kitchen, so it is always a good idea to check the menus online before your visit. This will give you an idea of the types of foods each restaurant will have available to offer you. Rest assured, many dining locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort serve foods such as fries and pasta, and they have no problem making accommodations such as preparing a dish without sauce.
In my experience, Cast Members at dining locations have always gone above and beyond to help my son find something he would like to eat. My family and I just had an amazing dinner at
Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera a few weeks ago. Topolino's Terrace is known for their delicious homemade pasta, and while it's not listed on the menu, they are willing to prepare a pasta dish in many different ways. When I asked our server about menu choices that might appeal to my son, I was told that the chefs at Topolino's Terrace would be happy to make him a pasta dish with a simple red or alfredo sauce, butter, parmesan cheese, or just completely plain.
There truly was something for everyone in our family at Topolino's Terrace. My daughter, who is a more adventurous eater, tried escargot for the first time, while my son enjoyed his very safe pasta with plain red sauce. We all agreed that the restaurant's food, atmosphere, and view from the terrace were top-notch. Robyn, I hope that you and your family enjoy your dinner there as much as we did!
If you have any additional questions as you get ready for your upcoming trip, please don't hesitate to ask. See ya real soon!
Samantha