Need recommendations for Toddler Friendly Dining

MinMou · Apr 28, 2015

I am trying to figure out which places would be best for us for dinner the night we arrive. But then I realized that there may be places in the parks that might not be best for an impatient 2 yr old. Plus
our little one no longer likes to be fed, but still has trouble manipulating a fork and spoon (the spoon is a real problem!), so we give him finger foods mostly. I am hoping that he will be done teething by the time we go, but no guarantees!

Are there any places that cater to toddlers? And which places should we steer clear of to insure that no one's meal is ruined?

I read somewhere that DownTown Disney can get very crowded. Is this true during the middle of the week? I had hoped that we could get a non-hotel meal our first night, before we activate our tickets.

Feel free to add any advice that you think would be related. This is our first Disney visit as parents, so all help will be cheerfully accepted.

agamble · Apr 28, 2015

While in the park most CS places offer mac and cheese with applesauce as a toddler meal. A few offer other options, like chicken and rice at Rancho Zocalo (Mexican).

At 2 you may be better bringing in your own snack foods for your LO and sharing some of your own food. Bring items like string cheese, soft granola bars, apple sauce (try the suck kind since the spoon is a no go), crackers, etc.

As far as off park places, there are many typical places like McDonalds and IHOP/Denny's. There's also some sub places and pizza. The restaurants in DTD will have something for a kid/toddler just like in the parks, but they don't really cater to tots.

figment_jii · Apr 28, 2015

Truthfully, given the age, I would probably stick with Counter Service locations and maybe a character breakfast. I went with a toddler and trying to get him to sit through a TS meal (60+ minutes) was not always the easiest thing to do. CS meals tended to be faster, more casual, and it was less of an issue if someone had to take him outside. If you do really want a TS meal, I would look into Big Thunder BBQ in DL. It's a pretty high energy location. Thinking back to my experience, I would avoid Carthay Circle in DCA, Blue Bayou in DL, and House of Blues in DTD.

Yes, DTD can be very busy even on weekdays. Weekdays are little better, but you can still except waits of 30+ minutes in a lot of cases for the TS locations in DTD. When are you going? Somewhere around October 5?

SMD · Apr 28, 2015

A lot of the CS locations have this:

Kid’s Power Pack with Dannon Danimals yogurt, sliced apples, carrots, petite banana and whole grain “fish” crackers. Includes choice of small Low-fat milk, small Low-fat Nesquick chocolate milk, Minute Maid juice box or small Dasani water

Although I'm not sure I've seen Nesquick at DLR, that might be a WDW thing. You could give him the things he can eat with his fingers and then save the other items as a snack later.

ehrawn · Apr 28, 2015

DLR and the rest of the guests are extremely tolerant of kids- the place is built for families. You are probably worrying about more than you need to. The list of places a toddler would not be welcome at is small. As long as a kid is acting within the normal expectations of a kid, you will be fine.

agamble · Apr 28, 2015

SMD said:
A lot of the CS locations have this:

Although I'm not sure I've seen Nesquick at DLR, that might be a WDW thing. You could give him the things he can eat with his fingers and then save the other items as a snack later.

Oh they sell the Nesquick chocolate milk, as my daughter was just reminding me, "Mommy, they have chocolate milk at Disneyland." The things that are important to little ones.

Angrose · Apr 28, 2015

I highly recommend Tangaroa Terrace at the DLH. It's a wonderful CS place that overlooks the pools, very relaxed and never too busy. They offer the power pack mentioned above plus some healthier options for kids like salmon with rice and fruit. Here is their menu:http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/dining/tangaroa-terrace

It's also great because it's right there at the end of DTD so you can still walk around there and/or let your little one run around the grounds at the DLH. There are never any big crowds over there. Plus, Trader Sam's is right next door so mommy and daddy can grab a cocktail too

They will let you take the drinks out to the terrace.

Have fun!!

Lauren in NC · Apr 28, 2015

In the parks, if you want to do TS just to have a chance to all sit down at once, we've had good luck with Wine Country Trattoria in DCA during the parade. We've done Wine Country Trattoria a few times and booked a reservation for right before the parade starts and requested a view of the parade. By the time the parade's over, it's only a few minutes before the food is delivered. In DL, my son enjoyed the entertainers and food at Big Thunder BBQ. If you want to really splurge, breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen was a huge hit with my toddler. iI's a buffet, so no waiting for food, and lots of healthy choices (and unhealthy ones - he was super excited that he had ice cream for breakfast!)

We do usually do CS - the power packs are great for picky eaters. The toddler meal portions are seriously tiny, so we usually found it more cost effective to order a kid's meal and save the sides for snacks later.

One other thing that was super helpful - we use these placemats for when we're eating out. They stick pretty well to the table, have a pocket to catch any loose food, and are plenty large to fit lots of finger foods. They clean up pretty easily with baby wipes or a quick trip to the bathroom.

We've only ever eaten at Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. I've heard good things about Rainforest Cafe, though.

Imdboss · Apr 28, 2015

If you want to do DTD, Jazz Kitchen walk up counter is nice, it's a short wait for your food and they have seating outside or you can take it to-go. They have kids finger food options like chicken nuggets and mini corn dogs. My family enjoys going there plus a bag of fresh beignets is never a bad thing!!! Also there is Napolini that offers to-go meals, never been in there so not sure if they have any seating inside but you can always find a bench in DTD or go back to the hotel. Inside the parks it sounds like the power pack meal might be a good option. My DS loved these last trip, I have a list saved for our upcoming one so I know all the locations I can find it (let me know if you want it).

Carolynleanne · Apr 28, 2015

We mostly stick to counter service with our two toddlers and it works great! The boys favorite is Hungry Bear (downstairs) in Critter Country. They eat and chase ducks and it's always a relaxing and delicious time

MinMou · Apr 28, 2015

Thank you everyone. The Kids PowerPack has all his favorite foods - at least today's favorite foods. And Carolyn, you said the magic word - Ducks!

Figment, your math is good, that's when we plan to go.

figment_jii · Apr 28, 2015

I was asking about the dates because thr first weekend in October is Gay Days, which is fairly popular and can really impact wait times for TS locations. The crowds seemed to pick up starting on Thursday, so if you were going on that weekday I would expect long walk-up waits. However it sounds like you'll be there after Gay Days ends, but before Columbus Day weekend crowds arrive.

beachdreamr1229 · Apr 28, 2015

In Downtown Disney, we've had the best success with Rainforest Cafe. My son loved it the first time we took him (he was 2.5 at the time). Only thing is, if your kid is afraid of loud noises, there is some thunder at one point. If you get a reservation, the wait time is only maybe 10 minutes. The Mexican place is good, too, if your kid will eat rice, beans, etc. There's also a Wetzel's Pretzels. I know it's not healthy in the slightest (more like snack food), but you can get kid-friendly food there at least.

If you walk across the street into the real world, there's Coco's, Mimi's Cafe, McDonalds, and a bunch of other options. Mimi's has the best food of those, I think.

If you're staying onsite at DLH, our kids enjoy Tangaroa Terrace. They have chicken nuggets and hamburgers, but also have salmon, which my oldest child loved on his first trip.

I know you said you aren't activating your tickets your first night, but just in case you need some in the park tips: At DL and DCA, there are many restaurants that have toddler meals, which are usually mac n cheese. They also offer kid power packs with go-gurt, fish crackers, etc. My older one prefers to get pizza or pasta dishes, but my toddler twins like the mac n cheese, the kids' sliders at Hungry Bear (broken up/cut up), or some broken up pizza.

Aladora · Apr 28, 2015

One thing that I notice every time we go is that nowhere has smaller cutlery for little ones! Everywhere just has adult sized knives and forks so if your little one needs smaller ones, you should bring your own!

VandVsmama · Apr 28, 2015

Where are you staying? If along Harbor Blvd, go to Pizza Port. it is counter service. If at a DL hotel, you could have Marri's Pizza deliver to your hotel. their menu is on their website. they'll deliver to Harbor Blvd motels, too. Might be a good option if you don't feel up to braving even a counter service place after a long day of travel.

LisaT91403 · Apr 28, 2015

I would recommend Whitewater Snacks at the Grand Californian. No sense activating your tickets the first night just to eat! WWS is never crowded and it's very mellow. They have hot dogs, pizza, chicken nuggets, and grilled cheese (that's what my son wanted when he was your child's age...and this was the only place we could find it!)

In addition to the menu, WWS is also like a little grocery store. They have cereal, cookies, fruit, yogurt, pastries, and much more. You really can't go wrong there.

Rainforest Cafe has a good kid's menu, but note that they have a "storm" (thunder and lightning) every 20 minutes or so. My son did not like the storm when he was your child's age. The wait can be VERY long at Rainforest, so if you'd like to go, I'd strongly suggest making reservations. You can make them thru Disney (this requires a credit card guarantee), or through the restaurant directly.

lovebug33 · Apr 29, 2015

Whatever you do, don't get the toddler chicken and rice. It was so bland and icky!

YukonMommy · Apr 29, 2015

When our kids were toddler age we mostly fed them off our plates. We had a stroller with a tray attached and just wiped it down and put the cut up food in there. I didn't worry about a fork/spoon while on holidays. I just gave them a plastic one and let them have at it (they ended up mostly using their fingers anyway!) We carried snacks in the stroller (rice cakes, grapes (I would cut with a plastic knife), puffs, raisins, etc.

As for toddler friendly places....that would be 99% of Disneyland!!

Have a magical time!

figment_jii · Apr 29, 2015

beachdreamr1229 said:
In Downtown Disney, we've had the best success with Rainforest Cafe. My son loved it the first time we took him (he was 2.5 at the time). Only thing is, if your kid is afraid of loud noises, there is some thunder at one point. If you get a reservation, the wait time is only maybe 10 minutes.

It might depend a lot on when you go. Whenever I've been there (admittedly, mostly on weekends (Fri or Sat) and always at dinner), the wait time, even with an reservation, has been close to 30 or 45 minutes.

jlmarr · May 5, 2015

Mickey Mouse bar and lots of napkins.

Need recommendations for Toddler Friendly Dining

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Fenton's Banana Special. Just sayin'.

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