Best CS for kids who like 'real' food?

[humboldthny]

I was wondering what CS have the best choices for kids? My dd (6) isn't a huge fan of mac n' cheese or chicken nuggets which I think accounts for most of the choices at most of the the CS restaurants. We'll be on the DP so we're pretty much stuck with the kids' menu...Any good suggestions for the best places to find something different at MK, Epcot and DHS?

 

[Nadjalu]

I think Cosmic Rays fits the bill.

They have ribs and chicken, a veggie and mashed potatoes. It is a real meal.

They also have a cheesesteak, don't know if they go for that, but it is different and good.

Peco's Bills has a taco salad if they are into that.

Both are at MK.

Sunshine Seasons at Epcot offers quite a different things as well.
Pork chops, asian, sandwiches and soups. That is a great place to go for variety.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Check the dining section here on the DISBoards or on Allears.net...both have menus for the restaurants thru-out WDW

 

[cjsm&d]

Sunshine Seasons at EPCOT has a great selection. DS9 likes it alot.

Cosmic Rays at MK is good also

Flame tree BBQ at AK is good

HS has the least desirable choices, but Backlot Canteen is OK

 

[2Tiggies]

Jeanieblue pretty much covered it. Sunshine Seasons is wonderful!

Also, some of the places had a kids chicken salad (Columbia Harbor House does one and I think it was also on the menu at Liberty Inn at Epcot - although it's not a place I choose to eat if possible).

Cantina San Angel does kids nachos/quesadilla platters. I got a few of these last time, although I ate them and traded mmy meals with DD as her allergies don't permit her to eat that, but it was a pretty decent size plate and very filling. I don't think I managed to finish it either time.

Earl of Sandwich allowed us to get her salads. I always paid out of pocket since it wasn't on the kids menu, but then the cashier said the kids can order anything off the menu there. Different cashiers confimed this on each subsequent visit (I always checked first). I never asked about wraps and things though.

If your whole party is up for it, you could always each order a different meal and share them on the table like your own "buffet". There is plenty food and it can be lots of fun and a great way for everyone to get a taste of everything.

 

[jennipooh]

DS's favorite food is salad. When he was smaller he loved the grilled chicken salads. You could only get them at a few places and the menus change from time to time. The places I think still have them are... Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Rays, and Pecos Bills at MK. When he was very small there were several places that had wraps or pinwheels, but I haven't seen those on the kids menus in quite awhile. El Pirata y el Perico has a cheese quesadilla on the kids menu.
Pizzafari used to have a cheese quesadilla which he loved, then they dropped that and started carrying pasta and meatballs (it was so good that I ordered a plate once!!)...but people kept complaining that Pizzafari didn't carry pizza for the kids so they dropped the spaghetti and now they have pizza on the kids menu. Not sure why they couldn't have both. Flame Tree at AK has grilled chicken on the menu (used to be wings, but now I think it's a leg).
Anyway, I know that it can be challenging to find options for children who do not like the typical kids fare. My ds just did not eat those types of foods when he was smaller, but we were able to manage.
One way we got around this is that we shared a lot of meals, didn't do the dining plan, and when we were at places that had things he wanted on the kids menu that's when he would get his own plate.
Now ds is 10 and he still eats salads and wraps... but now he also eats anything and everything. It's really crazy, it's like he's starving all the time. So this trip we are definitely doing the qsdp, because I do not want to spend the whole trip saying "NO" and he is now a Disney adult which gives him a lot more options. (It seems like the options for the kids has gotten more narrow each year so I am glad that he is no longer a Disney kid).
Good luck wish I could be of more help.
These days I think your best bet would be:
Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Rays, Pecos Bills, and El Pirata y el Perico at MK.
Sunshine Seasons at Epcot... also most of the countries have a good representation of their food on the kid's menu.
Flame Tree BBQ at AK has grilled chicken
ABC Commissary might still have a kid's wrap on the menu, Studio Catering still had a kid's grilled chicken leg a few months ago.

 

[Tricia1972]

I ran through the park options yesterday for another thread on a similar subject. I borrowed my post from that thread, and hope that it can help you finding some better solutions on the kids menus.

I just ran through the kids meals again, and I just don't see where the kids choices are that horrible. Most CS locations offer a healthy option that kids may not go for, and the usual junky kids fare that you find across the country.

It's like when you go to McDonald's and order a Happy Meal, or Wendy's and order a Kids Meal, etc. Fast food locations across the country consistently offer you a cheeseburger option, a hamburger option, and a chicken nugget option. It's up to you whether you want to choose their healthy side offering or fries. IMO Disney understands that you're a captive audience and at least tries to offer a healthier (or at least different alternative) to burgers and nuggets at almost all of their CS locations.

Flame Tree BBQ

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For Guests Ages 3-9[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals include choice of 2 sides: grapes, carrot sticks, applesauce or fruit punch gelatin Choice of: 1% milk, Small Bottled Water or Apple Juice[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Baked Chicken Drumstick $4.99
Hot Dog $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie or Soft Drink substituted upon request[/FONT]


Pizzafari

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For Guests 9 & Under
All meals served with choice of 2 sides
Grapes, Carrot Sticks, Applesauce or Fruit Punch Gelatin
Choice of Beverage: 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water, or apple juice [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Macaroni and Cheese $4.99
Child's Cheese Pizza $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie or Soft Drink substituted upon request

Yak & Yeti[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
All meals include choice of 2 side items: Carrot Sticks, Applesauce, Fruit Punch Gelatin or Chicken Fried Rice. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Choice of 1% Mickey Milk, Small Bottled Water or Apple Juice[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cheeseburger $4.99
Chicken Bites $4.99
Pork Egg Roll $4.99[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie, French Fries or Soft Drink upon request[/FONT]


ABC Commissary

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For guests 9 and under
All meals include choice of two side items: grapes, carrot sticks or applesauce
Choice of: 1% Mickey Milk, 1% chocolate milk, small bottled water or apple juice box[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chicken Nuggets $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cheeseburger $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ham and Cheese Wrap $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie, French Fries and Soft Drink available upon request.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Backlot Express[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals include choice of two side items: grapes, carrot sticks, or applesauce
Choice of 1% Mickey Milk, 1% chocolate milk, small bottled water, or apple juice box[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chicken Nuggets OR Sloppy Joe $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Pudding, French Fries and Soft Drinks substituted upon request[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fairfax Fare[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals served with applesauce, carrot sticks, and choice of 1% milk, bottled water, or juice[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Peanut Butter & Jelly $4.99[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Macaroni and Cheese $4.99[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Studio Catering Company[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals include choice of two side items: grapes, carrot sticks, or applesauce
Choice of: 1% Mickey Milk, 1% chocolate milk, small bottled water or apple juice box[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Macaroni and Cheese $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chicken Drumstick $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Peanut Butter and Jelly $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie or Soft Drinks available upon request[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toy Story Pizza Planet[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]for guests 9 and under[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]includes grapes and applesauce, plus choice of 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water, or apple juice box[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cheese Pizza $4.99[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate chip cookie or soft drink substituted upon request[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Electric Umbrella[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]for guests 9 and under
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals: $4.99 each
with choice of two: applesauce, grapes, carrot sticks or fruit punch gelatin
and a beverage: 1% milk, bottled water or apple juice box[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cheeseburger
Turkey Pinwheels
Kid's Cheeseburger[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sunshine Seasons[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Sweet & Sour Chicken and Beverage $6.49[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Macaroni and Cheese with Beverage $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Make your own Mini Sub and Beverage $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chicken Leg with Mashed Potatoes and Beverage $6.49[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Smuckers PB&J Uncrustables Lunch Kit $4.49[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lotus Blossom Cafe[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Beijing Barbecue Drumstick - with 1% milk, small bottle of water or juice $6.95[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tangierine Cafe[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All kid's meals are served with choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice.
Kid's meals are served with Carrot sticks and apple slices. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamburger $6.95
Chicken Tenders $6.95[/FONT]​

Potato Chips and Soda available upon request


Yakitori House​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Teriyaki Chicken with mixed vegetables, steamed rice and a child size soft drink $5.99[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Columbia Harbor House[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For Guests 9 and under
All meals include choice of two sides: grapes, carrot sticks or applesauce.
Choice of: 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water or apple juice.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mixed Greens with Chicken $4.99
Chicken Nuggets $4.99
Macaroni and Cheese $4.99
Peanut Butter and Jelly $4.99[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Applesauce, Cookie, French Fries, or Soft Drink substituted upon request[/FONT]

Cosmic Ray's
All meals include choice of 2 side items: grapes, carrot sticks or apple sauce
Choice of: 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water or apple juice

Chicken Nuggets $4.99

Mixed Greens Salad with Chicken $4.99

Peanut Butter and Jelly $4.99

Chocolate Chip Cookie $1.19


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe[/FONT]
For Guests 9 and Under​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals include two side items: grapes, applesauce. Choice of: 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water or apple juice. Chocolate Chip Cookie, Fries or Soft Drink available on request[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamburger $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mixed Greens Salad with Chicken $4.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Pudding $1.19[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pinocchio Village Haus[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All meals include choice of 2 side items: carrot sticks, grapes or applesauce
Choice of 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water, or apple juice[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Peanut Butter and Jelly $4.99
Macaroni and Cheese $4.99
Cheese Pizza $4.99
Chocolate Pudding $1.19[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chocolate Chip Cookie, French Fries or Soft Drink substituted upon request[/FONT]​

​

 

[thej]

Not sure which resort (or DVC?) you are staying at, but the food courts / QS at most of the resorts also have better choices than most of the CS in the parks. That might be an option for some variety as well.

We are in the same boat with DS8 who won't ear mac-n-cheese, hamburgers, or chicken nuggets. Makes for some interesting meals on the DP. We have gotten a meal for him at one place and taken it to another where we will order for my wife and I. This works well. We've also shared with him where it makes sense. (Flame Tree, Cosmic Rays, Pizza Planet). He also LOVES turkey legs, and several of the stands that sell them take a QS meal for a turkey leg "meal" even for a child since they have no children's menu. Casey's in MK (hotdogs) also has no children's menu, so you can order a regular hot dog for your child...

You'll find plenty with a bit of preperation and being flexible. Looks like somebody has posted most of the options for you just above

 

[dvcdisney]

I can truly emphathize. My children do not like traditional children's food. In the past, we chose the following:

MK
-CHH - we ordered the shrimp basket or tuna sandwich and we shared that with them and we ate a bit of the chicken nuggets

EP
-Sunshine Seasons - chinese food (they liked it)
-Yakitori house- Teriyaki chicken (they didn't mind it, they loved it with the rice)
-Boulangerie (France) - can't remember what they had, but they didn't want it again, but it was definitely not chicken nuggets or hamburger

HS
-Toy Story Pizza Planet - cheese pizza (they were fine with it, but they ate more of the garden salad that came with our meal)

AK
-Pizzafari - again pizza (they offered spaghetti before - but they didn't like it)

We try not to eat too much at CS especially with their child's menu options. We chose some great TS restaurants (like Ohana and Teppan Edo) and they ate a lot more there.

We're looking forward to not getting the DDP from now on. We decided it wasn't working for us anymore and the child's choices are awful. We have two ts on some days and on the other days, we decided we would just snack through lunch and eat a big TS dinner.

 

[Dixiemom]

Sunshine Seasons (Epcot) is very good and has a large variety. We will do El Pirata (MK) this time too. The buffets offer a bit of everything, so they should be able to find something they like. Good luck!

 

[PoohsFan1]

We never go with the DP so my kids do sometimes pick things off the adult menu and then share it between them. With that said, this is what they like to eat at each park:

Pecos Bills - They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Taco Salad, however I think it has something to do with the fixings bar....we are huge taco fans in our house so it is like eating at home for them.

Sunshine Seasons - the make your own sub sandwiches are a big hit

Flame Tree - The Baked Chicken Drumstick, just as long as I shred it so it is no longer on the bone (for some reason the bone grosses them out, but they still love the chicken)

DHS - They usually stick with either the chicken nuggets or the cheeseburger since they really don't care for anything at this park, if there is something on the adult menu they will pick from there instead and then share it.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Just wondering.. I keep seeing posts like this.. My 12 yr old has some eating issues and our main goal is to try and get calories in him... One of the few foods he eats in restaurants is chicken nuggets.. ( he doesnt eat pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, meat on the bone, chewy meat, pasta).. We had a heck of a time last summer finding chichen nuggets anywhere- sit down or CS. So, where is everyone finding all these nuggets that everyone is complaining about.. Oh, I know they do have at Cosmic Ray's but that is one place we will NOT go back to. It is just too hard with having to order all the different foods at different lines. Plus, it is too chaotic and my 14 year old has Autism and it just doesnt work.

 

[dvcdisney]

Just wondering.. I keep seeing posts like this.. My 12 yr old has some eating issues and our main goal is to try and get calories in him... One of the few foods he eats in restaurants is chicken nuggets.. ( he doesnt eat pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, meat on the bone, chewy meat, pasta).. We had a heck of a time last summer finding chichen nuggets anywhere- sit down or CS. So, where is everyone finding all these nuggets that everyone is complaining about.. Oh, I know they do have at Cosmic Ray's but that is one place we will NOT go back to. It is just too hard with having to order all the different foods at different lines. Plus, it is too chaotic and my 14 year old has Autism and it just doesnt work.

Just to name a few:

MK: CHH, Cosmic Rays (as you mentioned), Pinnochio's
EP: Electric Umbrella, Liberty Inn (US), a kiosk called Refreshment (something ??)
AK: only one I know is Restaurantasaurus
HS: Backlot express, Rosie's

I don't recall seeing them at the resort CS that we stay at except Roaring Fork at WL.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Chh @ mk

 

[Tricia1972]

Chh @ mk

Pecos Bill also offers the green salad that is available at CHH.

You may want to be careful here because CHH's only other choices are nuggets and mac n' cheese on the kids menu. (No need to run across the park for Cosmic Ray's - they have the same kids menu there, as does Pinocchio's Village Haus)

MK is really the hardest park to get healthy food for kids off of the kids menu. Even Casey's (where kids can get an adult meal with their kids credit) is just a hot dog.

 

[MusiqChic99]

The kids drumstick at FlameTree was really good. I do remember that being a great options for kids.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Lots of good suggestions. I couple that I haven't seen:
1) Fish 'n' chips from Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Epcot/ England (no kids meals so kids order same as adults)
2) Bratwurst with or without kraut at Sommerfest in Epcot/ Germany (again no kids menu; my kids love these)
3) Wolfgang Puck at DTD
4) As PP mentioned, the choices are usually better at your resort; I know the values and POR have more variety for the kids, not sure about other places