Will Eras tour concert allow “safe foods” in for mr son?

[liverpoolgal82]

Hi. My son is off to Taylor Swift concert this evening with his carer. He has ARFID , he has autism but will cope with walking in and it being busy having carer and a friend but he eats a very limited diet. He’ll have lunch before they set off but he’ll need his “safe food” snacks and water for the evening/night as he will not eat anything for sale in there. I’ve e mailed and filled out info on website but haven’t heard back from anyone on whether he’ll be allowed a bigger bag than the A4 size they are saying is now only allowed and his own food and water. Anyone had a similar experience and was allowed in with their food and water therefore requiring a bigger than allowed bag? Many thanks.

No, you won’t be allowed in with a bigger bag, it’s a safety thing. And they don’t allow any food or drinks to be taken in, or at least they didn’t when we went. They’re very strict on it, as it is a safety thing for everyone.

The bigger bags are just confiscated, you can collect them at the end but there’s no hope of getting it through the door.

What time do they plan to go in? Maybe he can eat just before so he won't need to eat again. He can take water and fill up in there.

I went in July and didn't eat anything whilst there.

They should allow it if you have proof. Does he have a letter he can take in? I know food was allowed in at Anfield. Wembley and O2 will also allow you to take food with ARFID.

You can take an empty 500ml plastic bottle. They have water refill stations.

sorry i’m not sure on the food requirements but when i went last month there’s a Tesco round the corner- i ate a sandwich from there and then went in just before start time.

Can he not eat just before he goes in so you don't need to take any food in?

Yes I wouldn't worry about food, I'm pleased they are allowing empty water bottles, I was really unhappy when attending a concert earlier in the year and it was you can't take anything in, including empty water bottles, it was one of the hottest days of the year and this is an unreasonable and dangerous restriction

The only way you might have been able to do this was if you arranged it with the disability team ahead of time. A bigger bag won't be allowed and nor will outside food and drink. I feel pretty much 100% percent confident about this, sorry.

If there is still time, call their disability services team

I was not allowed to take an empty water bottle into Wembley in June though apparently my friend was permitted to do so a couple of days before.

Water was plentiful, lots of
refill stations and there were people handing them out in the crowd on the pitch but it was all in plastic cups.

@BarbaraWoodlouse concert I went to I don't remember seeing any water coolers, you had to buy it, so I am glad that there are facilities for this at Taylor swift

We took in water bottles and a packet of percy pigs a couple of months ago and they weren't confiscated. They may well be being stricter now due to security concerns.

Wear a big coat with pockets, put snacks in pockets.

99/100 you’ll get through

Yes it was really well managed to be fair and they were actively encouraging people to take water, at least in the standing zones which was good to see (hot, overexcited teenagers!) Not environmentally great to have all that plastic though, however I can see the security angle re re-usable water bottles.

A big coat in this weather, won't look at all suspicious!

Totally different event and venue, but in a similar situation a few years ago I was told I could bring in entirely unbranded food e.g a home made cheese sandwich, but nothing in packaging that displays a logo of any kind.

A4 size is 2-dimensions but reality is 3-dimensions. A bag that is A4 size on 4 faces and smaller on the other 2 would have a volume of 16 litres (4 big bottles of milk).which is way more than would be needed for a reasonable amount of food. E.g. this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smash-Insulated-Lunch-Black-Basic/dp/B017OUFLMA/
Is a lot smaller than thar and will take a good sized packed meal.

Who did you send your query to? If you have contacted the access and disability team directly they should be able to help, but if you submitted it as a general query then they may not see this as an access and disability issue.

You can bring food into Wembley if you have a disability/ food allergy, and a larger/ more bags if necessary for disability adjustment purposes. Will his carer have a letter/card with them to demonstrate he has ASD just to be sure?
BTW, soft water bottles up to 500ml are allowed UNLESS you are in the standing area, then it is open cups only to stop bottle throwing

Realistically, how much food is he actually going to need during one evening? Will he not be OK if he just eats his safe foods before he goes in?

I would have thought an A4 sized bag would be big enough for snacks if he needs them (although I realise it might depend on what his safe foods are). Also bear in mind your son, his carer and his friend can all take an A4 size bag, so you could potentially divide stuff between the three bags.

Water won't be a problem; most venues will have taps or water stations where you can refill an empty bottle as many times as you like. They'll also sell bottled water (albeit overpriced).

I was thinking like a big denim jacket rather than a puffer haha

Something not tight fitting and that has pockets on the inside!

What are the safe foods and how are they packaged?

If you check the link here: https://www.wembleystadium.com/news/2024/06/13/13/09/Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour

There's a section about "Consumables" and it says
"No outside food or beverages". So I would assume he will not be allowed to bring in his safe foods sadly. If you get a response from the venue staff then they might be able to arrange something but I'd be surprised if the person checking the bags allowed it.

Can’t he eat before he goes? I don’t think I’ve ever eaten during a concert before due to cost and queues there. I would just get him to eat before hand and if he’s still hungry, eat after the show

That's really poor that they haven't responded OP. Do you have a copy of your enquiry that you could print and send with them?

Could you try tweeting them?

Thanks everyone , I managed to get through and an exemption cert was sent to me allowing him to take a bigger bag and the foods he needs.
Yes he’ll eat before we leave home but that’s now as we speak and it’s a long time to go until 11pm without anything else.
I’l probably a bit of a worrier and can’t stand the thought of my children getting too hungry. 😁 All sorted though so if anyone else is wondering then yes you send proof of disability (or from the list they send you) and they will issue an exemption cert.
Thanks for your replies.

He wouldn’t eat anything outside once we arrive. Honestly it’s so hard but I’m hoping that’ll all get better as he matures. He’s 16 so hoping things change in next few years as he starts to become an adult. Anyway I can not worry now and know he’ll be ok.

Great news OP, glad you got sorted.

I dream of the day he’d do that. Would love to just grab him a sandwich and go. It’s military planning about food options when out and about I’m afraid.