Advice needed for non-adventurous eater

Mom2Stitch · Aug 2, 2015

In September we will be going to WDW on the Deluxe dining plan. It will be myself, DH, DS, and my son's girlfriend. For DS and DH, it's all about the food and we eat just about everything.

I'm very concerned though over how his girlfriend is going to do. Over the last few weeks I've noticed that not only does she eat like a bird, but she eats very "plain". Nothing wrong with either of those things at all, but I am wondering what she's going to eat when we get there. I'm genuinely concerned that most of the places we have picked to eat she's going to have a hard time, especially with the array of flavors and presentation.

We went to Olive Garden last night for dinner-only her 2nd time ever going there-she had never had Italian dressing, and from what I could tell did not like it. We had a smoked mozarella fonduta, she made faces at that. I will say she at least tried it all. At the same time it was awkward. We have many meals scheduled and I would hate for it to be like that there.

I want this trip to be special for her. She is a wonderful young lady who we care so much for. This trip is going to be a lot of firsts for her-first plane ride, first out of state trip, and of course first WDW trip. She takes care of her mother who has MS on a full time basis and truly deserves to have a wonderful time. She is a Disney fan and is very excited about going.

Advice?

Mr & Mrs DD · Aug 2, 2015

I don't know what places you have chosen to dine at but I lot of places have some kind or sandwich or burger. Surely she can find something on the menu that should would eat. I am up for trying about anything but my spouse is not an adventurous eater. If you have chosen some of the "fancier" places to eat, then it might be a challenge.

My Advice - You may want to go on-line and have her look at the menus for the places you have selected to eat at and then you can get some sort of idea of what she wants to eat before you get there. We always look at the menus on-line before we make the trip. We pretty much know what we are going to order before we even get there. Good luck & hope you all have a god time.

tamuexpress · Aug 2, 2015

Not sure where all you are planning to dine, but most places have some selection of grilled chicken. In most cases, that is pretty plain. She could also just get soup and salad if she wants and you could pay OOP for her meal and save your dining credits for the rest of you to use (although on DxDP, you will probably have plenty). Another good option may be to eat at a lot of buffets. She can try things and get more of what she likes then. It may not be the best bang for your buck since she doesn't eat a lot, but it seems like you want to do your best to make this trip magical for her so best value might not be so much of a concern for you. You also might let her look at the menus for the restaurants you are planning to eat at to see if there is anything that she might like. I think it will work out fine for you all. If nothing else, there are plenty of counter service places to get hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken strips along the way.

Mousemommy1 · Aug 2, 2015

It sounds like she is obviously an adult, and her picky preferences have probably been going on long enough that she has figured out how to deal with it on her own. Call me callous, but she'll figure it out, it's her responsibility not yours.

Most places will offer entrees that can be ordered "plain". I have no problems telling my kids "then don't eat" if they want to complain about a menu...I definitely wouldn't have a problem saying it to a grown woman, lol, but again that's me.

fly girl · Aug 2, 2015

What places have you made ADR's for? Let's start from there and see if they have options for her.

I think you'll be able to find more basic alternatives anywhere. She can always ask for sauces to be removed or on the side.

dashofsunshine · Aug 2, 2015

fly girl said:
What places have you made ADR's for? Let's start from there and see if they have options for her.

I think you'll be able to find more basic alternatives anywhere. She can always ask for sauces to be removed or on the side.

Also, what exactly...DOES she eat? Like, maybe an example or two of things she seems to eat on a regular basis that she doesn't hate? Maybe we can help suggest some things, then :thumbsup2

if she doesn't like Italian salad dressing or a dip made entirely of cheese, I fear we may be in deep, here...

Lol

DISNEY1975 · Aug 2, 2015

I wouldnt worry about her. She will be given a menu and she will choose her own app/entree/dessert. Unlike at Olive Garden, if she chooses a salad, she can pick her own dressing. Her appetizer wont be something someone else chose. How did she do with the entree she picked for herself?

My sons GF is somewhat similar. I figured out if I stopped paying attention, the drama stopped.

Jadyreen1282 · Aug 2, 2015

I'm sure your son can probably give you some ideas. You could also let them dine on their own a few times in case she gets nervous eating like twenty around you. Buffets are good for picky eaters too.

GrumpyBelle · Aug 2, 2015

My DH is probably the most picky eater I have ever seen and finds something to eat no matter where I pick. Disney is very accommodating, if you want something without a sauce, etc let them know. If it is possible, they will make it happen. If necessary, there is also the children's menu which she can order from. Often times that can do an adult portion of the children's items. As another poster stated, she has learned to navigate food choices to this point, she will manage Disney just fine.

Mom2Stitch · Aug 2, 2015

Thank you for all of the replies! Yes she is an adult, will be 21 soon. I think she is just use to home cooking-think 50's Primetime comfort food. I have figured out that she loves chocolate, basic salad with ranch dressing, cheese pizza. No seafood of any kind.

I have ADRs at several buffets and family style dinners-CP, Ohanas, TH-breakfast, Biergarten,Akershus-lunch, HDDR, Ohanas-dinner-those I think we should be safe on those, except maybe Akershus. We have lunch at TREX, Teppan Edo-those should be ok. We will all be trying Boathouse and Yachtsman for dinner, and her and DS will be having a dinner at Citricos alone. I tried to plan with her in mind, included many favorites, not all great dining plan choices, but things that I think will work.

I think we will look at some menus and also let her know that it's ok to ask for what she wants how she wants it. It's funny-I have 4 boys and aside from one going through a chicken noodle soup phase :sad2:

, eating has just never been an issue.

JennyDrake · Aug 2, 2015

I am married (22 years) to someone very similar! He loved Biergarten and Hoop de Doo. He could live on personal pizzas at WDW--in the parks at the resort, you name it. Breakfast buffets have gone over well as there is always a large selection of home-style foods with less seasoning. Garden Grill was well received as was the pot roast at LTT and he liked O'Hana because of all the meat. We have never eaten 50's prime time, but I think he would like that.

Don't even try anything in the AKL, but you already know that! I would not be optimistic about Akershus (unless it is breakfast), TH will be iffy but prolly OK, CP will be OK, Teppan Edu not so much (its also very overpriced and small portions) and I would encourage son to consider Artist Point over Citricos, which has artistic combinations of food.

My husband was not spoiled growing up, but he came from midwest farm family and he dad still only eats MAYBE 10 foods total, so they did not experience much variety. DH is big on meat and potatoes and not much seasoning. He only eats iceberg lettuce w/ ranch dressing, white bread, white potatoes, etc--you get the idea!

disnut8 · Aug 2, 2015

Tell her something very simple. She can order anything "naked". Does she want a chicken breast but it's on the menu with a ton of things she doesn't want? She can get it "naked" and ask for the things on the menu she wants on top. So, a chicken breast with marina sauce, black eyed peas and cheddar cheese (I am making this up)? She can order it with just the cheddar cheese or just the marina sauce or just the black eyed peas or a combination of those things or just plain. Same way with steaks, same way with fish, same way with anything. Also, if there is a side dish she doesn't want with that entree, she can simply substitute from any other side dish on the menu with any other entree. She wants that plain chicken breast but it comes with mashed potatoes and she wants fries? She can have that.

My husband is a picky eater (no veggies at all) and it took him a while to get the Disney way of doing it. And now? Every single restaurant we go to, he specifically orders what he wants, and gets it every time. And it's not only at Disney, it's everywhere. I call him the Master of Substitutions but he gets what he wants and everyone is happy.

tyandskyesmom · Aug 3, 2015

My son is sort of picky...like no sauces, don't let food touch on plate, only potatoes he will eat are fries, and no veggies...we have eaten at almost all the signature places and most of the regular dining venues and he has never had a waiter bat an eye when he has asked for separate plates or a steak medium rare with noting on it...even when obviously the extras the chef adds are meant to enhance the meal...she should be fine as long as she's not too shy to ask for what she wants...

BobC · Aug 3, 2015

I'm exactly the same way.

I think she'd like Whispering Canyon inside the Wilderness Lodge. Good home cooking there and nothing crazy.

If she likes steak, you can't go wrong getting a steak anywhere at Disney. Just order it sans mushroom or sauces like I do and they're all fantastic!

RafikiTiki21 · Aug 3, 2015

Mom2Stitch said:
In September we will be going to WDW on the Deluxe dining plan. It will be myself, DH, DS, and my son's girlfriend. For DS and DH, it's all about the food and we eat just about everything.

I want this trip to be special for her. She is a wonderful young lady who we care so much for. This trip is going to be a lot of firsts for her-first plane ride, first out of state trip, and of course first WDW trip. She takes care of her mother who has MS on a full time basis and truly deserves to have a wonderful time. She is a Disney fan and is very excited about going.

Advice?

It sounds like you are being very thoughtful and considerate of her needs, even if her preferences vary from yours. I would tell her exactly what you have written here-- hopefully she will see your kindness and thoughtfulness in planning for her, while balancing your own family's preferences on a special vacation. She can definitely find something/ask for something everywhere so hopefully it isn't stressful once you're there due to your planning.

Mom2Stitch · Aug 3, 2015

I very much appreciate the answers here. I'm very glad to know that it will not be an issue to order things special. And about ordering different side items-that's news to me and will be helpful to all of us. On many trips I would have loved to had the side that went with a different entree than what I ordered, never knew it was an option.

Thank you Dis'ers!

disnut8 · Aug 3, 2015

Mom2Stitch said:
I very much appreciate the answers here. I'm very glad to know that it will not be an issue to order things special. And about ordering different side items-that's news to me and will be helpful to all of us. On many trips I would have loved to had the side that went with a different entree than what I ordered, never knew it was an option.

Thank you Dis'ers!

And check the kids menus for side items. Fries are almost always available. Or, those, *cough* healthy things. As long as something is on the printed menus, it's in the kitchen and available.

Mom2Stitch · Aug 3, 2015

disnut8 said:
And check the kids menus for side items. Fries are almost always available. Or, those, *cough* healthy things. As long as something is on the printed menus, it's in the kitchen and available.

Healthy stuff on vacation? In Disney? Psssh....we have cupcakes and strawberry shortcake for breakfast, cause you know, it's Disney :tilt:

Thank you, I will make sure she knows that's also an option.

Mrsjvb · Aug 3, 2015

Mom2Stitch said:
We went to Olive Garden last night for dinner-only her 2nd time ever going there-she had never had Italian dressing, and from what I could tell did not like it.

Advice?

well she is very wise since the OG salads have WAY too much dressing on them, plus it's just nasty in the first place.

as for her eating habits: HER problem and you are under zero obligation to cater to her pickiness. most restaurants wil permit adults to eat off the kids menu and with few exceptions, will be willing to leave stuff off or make minor substitutions.

does she have allergies you are unaware of? if so she can speak to a chef who will assist

sharona · Aug 3, 2015

I was a picky eater when I was young and the absolute worst was when someone would make a big deal out of whether or not there was something "plain enough" for me on the menu. It made me very self conscious and uncomfortable. Just let her choose what she wants which for picky eaters sometimes comes down to trying something new - that's how I became less picky!!!

Advice needed for non-adventurous eater

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