Dining with Disney "Tweens"

amym2

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
At least for Disney purposes, our kids are "tweens"... DS is almost 11 and DD is 8 1/2. Sometimes they are willing to eat off of kids' menus, but other times they prefer grownup food. DS loves steak and fish and DD loves ribs, so they definitely have expensive taste. They love buffets, but generally my DS does not eat enough for us to pay adult price for him.

Where do you you find that your "tweens" like to eat at WDW?
 
And I'll add a caveat to answer separately... We're heading to WDW in October for our first non-park stay. We'll be at OKW and the THV. We'll have a car, won't have a dining plan, and obviously can't eat in the parks. I have ADRs at Cali Grill for my 40th birthday meal, Olivia's for dinner, and Boma for breakfast (making an exception for a buffet because it's a surprise birthday breakfast for DS). We're planning to try Earl of Sandwich for the first time and maybe WPE. Just wondering if there's a place I'm missing that my kids would enjoy. I was thinking maybe Turf Club (bummer that it's closing for lunch) or Portobello? Any other ideas?
 
So, for clarification, you guys are staying on property but not going in to any of the parks at all?
 


The food courts at POR and CSR have lots of choices.

Don't forget about the movie theater at DTD while you are there. It's really nice.

And you'll want to go for ice cream at Ghiradelli's at DTD.
 
So, for clarification, you guys are staying on property but not going in to any of the parks at all?

Yes, we joined the DVC last year and this is our first DVC stay, so we want to take advantage of activities at the resorts, pool hopping, minigolf, etc. Basically do things we never have time for when we do the parks. We will probably do one of the water parks and Legoland.
 
The food courts at POR and CSR have lots of choices.

Don't forget about the movie theater at DTD while you are there. It's really nice.

And you'll want to go for ice cream at Ghiradelli's at DTD.

Hmm, have never been to POR or CSR. We saw "Tangled" at the DTD movie theater a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. And yes, we love Ghirardelli's. Ate lunch there one time (yes, ice cream for lunch!).
 


It's not that your kids have expenive tastes. Instead, they are at that age where they develop a curiosity, interest and taste for food that isn't found on children's menus. This is very natural and should be encouraged. When my DD was around 8 or 9, she wanted to try everything, and formed serious and legitimate opinions about food. "Eating" transformed into "dining" and we encouraged her exploration. Back then, as now, her favorites became the Signatures as well as some good old fashioned cooking like you would find at 50's Prime Time. Since you are not going in to the parks, this would be a great time to let your kids expand their tastes at the resort restaurants including those at the Swan and Dolphin. Bluezoo was my DD's absolute favorite when she was 9 and it still is today. Along with the California Grill where she can get anything from sushi to flatbread pizza. She also loves Kona, again for sushi as well as noodle dishes.

Happy eating!
 
Hmm, have never been to POR or CSR. We saw "Tangled" at the DTD movie theater a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. And yes, we love Ghirardelli's. Ate lunch there one time (yes, ice cream for lunch!).

I like the sound of ice cream for lunch!

My husband and son both like POR food court for the pasta bar there.
 
It's not that your kids have expenive tastes. Instead, they are at that age where they develop a curiosity, interest and taste for food that isn't found on children's menus. This is very natural and should be encouraged. When my DD was around 8 or 9, she wanted to try everything, and formed serious and legitimate opinions about food. "Eating" transformed into "dining" and we encouraged her exploration. Back then, as now, her favorites became the Signatures as well as some good old fashioned cooking like you would find at 50's Prime Time. Since you are not going in to the parks, this would be a great time to let your kids expand their tastes at the resort restaurants including those at the Swan and Dolphin. Bluezoo was my DD's absolute favorite when she was 9 and it still is today. Along with the California Grill where she can get anything from sushi to flatbread pizza. She also loves Kona, again for sushi as well as noodle dishes.

Happy eating!

Thanks for your input, and I agree... but it is very expensive to let them discover new foods at Disney restaurants! I'm sure we'll encourage them to try our meals. Will probably avoid EP area on this trip because F&W will be going on, but I'd like to try Bluezoo sometime. Thought about Kona, might end up trying that. But we are planning a trip to Aulani (& Kauai) next fall, so we know we'll get some authentic Polynesian food there. Definitely places to keep in mind... thanks!

We took a cruise this summer (not Disney) and DS10 loved ordering off the adult menu. He tried things he never would have eaten at home and never would have ordered in a restaurant. And it was great that we didn't have to worry about the price. Guess that would be a benefit to the DDP for a future trip (we did it last fall but the kids were both 9 and under).
 
Boma breakfast buffet is great, and not quite as expensive as the character breakfasts.

Beaches and Cream is a good choice for sandwiches and ice cream, and afterwards you can take a stroll on the Boardwalk.

Trail's End dinner buffet isn't crazy expensive, and you can see MK fireworks from the beach afterwards, if the timing works out right.
 
wolfgang puck express .... boma and kons cafe for tonga toast....

1900pf for characters??
 
Thanks for your input, and I agree... but it is very expensive to let them discover new foods at Disney restaurants! I'm sure we'll encourage them to try our meals. Will probably avoid EP area on this trip because F&W will be going on, but I'd like to try Bluezoo sometime.

The way I look at it, a "moderate" entree at Disney is $18. A Signature entree will be around $35. A difference of $17. If I do that 3 times over the course of a week, my increased cost to allow my DD to splurge is $50 over the course of a vacation that costs thousands. But I have an only. Makes a difference.

Also, keep in mind that bluezoo is not IN Epcot. It is NEAR it. So you don't need to avoid it due to F&W. You don't have to go in the park to eat there.
 
The way I look at it, a "moderate" entree at Disney is $18. A Signature entree will be around $35. A difference of $17. If I do that 3 times over the course of a week, my increased cost to allow my DD to splurge is $50 over the course of a vacation that costs thousands. But I have an only. Makes a difference.

Also, keep in mind that bluezoo is not IN Epcot. It is NEAR it. So you don't need to avoid it due to F&W. You don't have to go in the park to eat there.

True, but we'd have to park at an EP resort (or pay at Swan/Dolphin, I believe) and from what I've heard, that can be a challenge during F&W. We've never spent much time in the Boardwalk area, so maybe we'll check it out despite the crowds.
 
True, but we'd have to park at an EP resort (or pay at Swan/Dolphin, I believe) and from what I've heard, that can be a challenge during F&W. We've never spent much time in the Boardwalk area, so maybe we'll check it out despite the crowds.

You could take a Disney bus from DTD to the Epcot resorts or you could take a bus from your resort to DHS and take the boat over to the Epcot resorts to dine.
 
True, but we'd have to park at an EP resort (or pay at Swan/Dolphin, I believe) and from what I've heard, that can be a challenge during F&W. We've never spent much time in the Boardwalk area, so maybe we'll check it out despite the crowds.

Bluezoo will validate your parking. Just pull up to the valet area. No charge other than a tip.
 
My boys are close in age to yours so I feel your pain!

I would suggest Kona Cafe. There are enough options on both adult and child menus to give everyone a chance to try something new (even if you are heading to HI I think it would be worth eating there).

Planet Hollywood was also fun for the boys, and the food was surprisingly good.

Have a great trip!!
 
Bluezoo will validate your parking. Just pull up to the valet area. No charge other than a tip.

Ooh, good to know. Thank you!

I looked at the Bluezoo menu again. We love seafood, and are always looking for great fresh fish (hard to get in Indiana!), but there are three foods I do not like... curry, cucumbers, and crab. I will eat just about anything else. Looks like the sauces for fresh fish include those three things. Does the menu rotate, or are those always the options? Anything else you would recommend? We are not sushi eaters.
 
My boys are close in age to yours so I feel your pain!

I would suggest Kona Cafe. There are enough options on both adult and child menus to give everyone a chance to try something new (even if you are heading to HI I think it would be worth eating there).

Planet Hollywood was also fun for the boys, and the food was surprisingly good.

Have a great trip!!

We do love walking around the Poly (have never stayed there) and have never eaten at Kona, so I'll take a look at the menu. We ate at 'Ohana on our last trip and loved it. I was thinking it might be time to try some Tonga Toast. Maybe we could combine a swim at the Poly pool (use those DVC privileges) with a meal at Kona.
 
Tonga Toast is awesome! And you can get it at the QS right by the pool at breakfast time. I also suggest the Samoan if you eat at the Kona Cafe for breakfast.
DS11 says that the Kona Kone was the best dessert EVER if you go for dinner.
 

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