Accomidating Picky Eaters??

[newtodis]

How friendly are the table service restraunts to picky eaters? Last time we pretty much ate at buffet-style places (Chef Mickey's and the like). This time we'll be at actual sit down, pick something off the menu places. I'm incredibly picky (no flames please-I already feel bad enough and stress way too much about it) due to plain being picky (made to eat everything on my plate regardless if I liked it or not when I was younger-now I'm "rebelling"!) and health problems (still working to figure out exactly what the problem is-basically nothing dairy at all). If there are things on the menu that look like I might be able to eat them (say like grilled chicken and mashed potatoes) would I be able to order those things either as a meal (find something close and make changes) or just order a piece of grilled chicken and a side of mashed potatoes?? Also, am I going to get charged an arm and a leg for making those changes?? We have a couple of places here that will charge you like $9 for a grilled chicken breast plus whatever side when there's some fancy grilled chicken something or other on the menu with a side for like $6.99 (just an example). Just want to be prepared. If worse comes to worse, can I just order off the kids menu??

Sorry to go on and on, I'm just really nervous about whatever's going on with me as I *really* don't want to be sick while we're in the World-spending the entire day in the bathroom is NOT how I want to spend my vacation!!

Thanks guys!!

 

[thegrimdwarf]

I'm sure if you let the servers know you have dietary needs due to a medical condition, your requests will be accommodated. Calling ahead to the restaurants wouldn't hurt, either.

 

[NurseJamie]

From my experience with a picky eater - boyfriend with the palate of a 3 year old - we have found that Disney restaurants are very accommodating to picky eaters! They are more than willing to make simple substitutions (potatoes for rice or etc.) for standard dishes at the restaurants, or will try to be as flexible as they can.

Luckily my boyfriend will eat steak, a pretty standard dish at most of the table service meals, but they have always left off sauces and things when asked without any complaint at all. Of course there are some restaurants we know just won't work, but we have a very pleasant experience overall. You should be fine - just make sure you look at the menus before you go so you know where things you like are available. Good luck!

 

[disnut8]

My husband is selective in what he eats. He's not picky as he can eat just about anything he wants to. But it's what he wants, not what someone else decided to be on the plate. So he has lots of "special requests".

He orders his meat "naked" if there is a sauce on there he's not too pleased with. If there is a side of vegetables, they stay in the kitchen. He asks for fries (any Disney World table service restaurant will have fries since it's an option on the kids menu) or substitutes for any other side listed anywhere on the menu. So his dish of New York strip steak with blue cheese sauce, mashed potatoes (he hates those), and steamed broccoli will turn into a plain New York strip steak, fries, and baked beans. It takes him a while to order but he's always received a meal that he wants and will eat (and finish). You should see him order a salad. There's more that he wants taken off before it hits the table than what is left. And at McDonald's he always orders his burgers with only ketchup and pickles. I can honestly tell you in the past ten years, I have never seen him pick anything off his plate that he doesn't like.

 

[Minnie]

Really DO NOT WORRY about being a "picky eater" in WDW

We travel to WDW 2 or 3 times if we are really lucky each year and have NEVER had a problem

We are extremely picky and DS(14) often eats like a bird so in most cases it's kids meals for him and we've never ever been questioned about it. Also because the portions are large mom and I often split meals and this has also never been an issue

I've started a dining report (just got back yesterday) on the review board so please take a look if any of the restaurants are on your list

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1884484

 

[honeymo78]

disnut - your husband sounds like mine ordering a meal at disney and ditto on the mcdonalds burger. I'm so glad disney can make him happy so I can enjoy the regular menu items

 

[avamadison]

We have been to WDW with our toddlers 3 times and they are picky. All the restaurants have been extremely accommodating!!! They want everyone to be happy so I am sure they will do all that they can to make you enjoy your meals. I don't eat cheese and need to request that all of my salads and meals do not have cheese. They are wonderful and I doubt you should have to worry! Good luck.

 

[daisy112878]

My nephew (12yo) is extremely picky. He's just now started liking pork chops and steak. At Brown Derby, the waiter asked what he liked and my nephew told him pork chops. The waiter ordered him a completely naked pork chop with fries. My nephew ate every single bite of that pork chop. He said it was the best ever. At chefs de france, they let him order the chicken and pasta without the pasta. It was chicken fingers and the waiter threw in some fries for him. Every restaurant would do something with nothing on it for my nephew. Do not worry and enjoy.

 

[sunny_stace]

I am an incredibly picky eater! I don't like a lot of foods and I also have a condition that causes certain textures in my mouth to make me physically sick! I have NEVER had a problem at Disney! They are wonderfully accomadating. Half the time I order off the kid's menu (and they usually just enter it in the computer as "Adult Portion" or charge it as something else - also, we get the dining plan so they're really saving money on me!), or will order an entree and completely strip it down to it's bare bones! I often order pasta with no sauce ( I hate chunks - sauce should be smooth IMHO), chicken with no sauces, fries instead of veggies (I can't stand the crunch and grainy textures together). They've always been great to me.

 

[disnut8]

disnut - your husband sounds like mine ordering a meal at disney and ditto on the mcdonalds burger. I'm so glad disney can make him happy so I can enjoy the regular menu items

He doesn't do it just at Disney World. He does it for every meal in a restaurant. But Disney World was so accommodating to him a long time ago that he now speaks up everywhere. He just found out that you can get scallops on the "pick three dishes" from Red Lobster. Not listed but you can get them. Because it's listed somewhere else on the menu.