Best Dining Experiences for NPO/strict diet kids

[Aristomommy]

We want to experience one dinner as a family during my daughter's wish trip. She has a very specific diet that we would rather address ourselves. So the dining experience for her will not be about food, it would be about the atmosphere, characters and spending time as a family. Coral Reef comes to mind or maybe a character meal but not sure which one? I wouldn't want a character meal where the characters comes in a flurry and the rest of the meal is quiet (that was our CRT experience some years ago). I would love to hear your suggestions!

 

[redberyl]

What does she like/who are her favorite characters? We went to Cindy's castle, and hated it. $50 for her to eat half a grape I could handle, but the characters were very rushed. With the maw pass we got front of line access to all characters, and they were much better interactions than at the dinner. Coral reef is nice, so is San Angel inn in Mexico, sci fi cafe , and be our guest.t rex and rainforest are both loud but fun. Character breakfast with Lolo n stitch at Obamas is supposed to be fun, though I never tried it

 

[Aristomommy]

What does she like/who are her favorite characters? We went to Cindy's castle, and hated it. $50 for her to eat half a grape I could handle, but the characters were very rushed. With the maw pass we got front of line access to all characters, and they were much better interactions than at the dinner. Coral reef is nice, so is San Angel inn in Mexico, sci fi cafe , and be our guest.t rex and rainforest are both loud but fun. Character breakfast with Lolo n stitch at Obamas is supposed to be fun, though I never tried it

She doesn't have a favorite character (maybe Minnie Mouse) but she would like to "stay busy" while we eat. So if it was character meal, I wouldn't want just a flurry of characters a few minutes and then nothing. Coral reef would keep her attention and rainforest cafe type restaurants would definitely work.

 

[buffettgirl]

What about Chef Mickey's? There's a lot going on during the meal ... it's loud, there's napkin waving, there's music.

 

[gap2368]

coral reef dose not have any characters it is just a big fish tank and you may be pretty ( like 4 tables) away from the tank it self. my sing pictures is from when I went it is a huge ( like the size of a small car ) ( i forgot what they are called) but yes it was need but after about 5 minutes you have seen all the fish that were in the tank.

I have eatten at the garden grail and at the time we had someone come to our table about ever 5 to 10 minutes and we should just stop eating and take some pictures with whom ever stopped by and some stopped by more then once.

I can still remember eating at cendirealls roilied table when I was about 5 or 6 I so want to do this again if she in into princess this is the thing to do but very pricy

I think any one you do with charters would be about the same they will come at random times they will more then likely spend a little more time you you daughter since it is her wish trip. but even if someone say that all the charters came all at once for them dose not mean it will happen for you.

 

[redberyl]

If you go with coral reef, let them know when making your reservation it's for maw, then when you get there be sure to show genie pass. You're very likely to wind up right next to the tanks. Most character meals the characters come over 1 or 2 at a time, so the activity is spread out, but they don't usually linger. My sister did the princess meal at ashkerus (?spelling) and loved it, said there was much more interaction than at Cindy's. but our experience with the genie pass was with characters we were taken right to the front of the line and got to spend as much time as we wanted with them. She asked rapunzel to dance, and she taught her how to do the steps from the dance scene in the movie, then danced it with her twice. Tinkerbell sang her a song and colored her a picture, then she and Rosetta and my daughter all danced together. Plus standard pics and book signing. By comparison, characters at Cindy's smiled for a quick pic then moved on.

 

[powellrj]

What about Akershus or Biergarten or Hoop dee doo review or SyFy or Hollywood and Vine.

 

[stackyallred]

We love Tusker House in Animal Kingdom for a high energy experience. The characters come frequently and it's easy to see them and their interaction with others long before/after they visit you. My 6 year old will barely eat there due to constantly being distracted by the visual of the characters, visiting the buffet and the little "conga line"- type thing they do with kids. They get instruments and follow a character all around the restaurant. It's very entertaining and upbeat to witness. I hope your trip is magical!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

no matter what character meal you pick there is going to be down time plus you child will have to watch characters at tables near you but not be allowed to go over to that table which can be hard for a child who is not eating and watching others

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Tusker House gets credit (by many, including lots of CM's) for the best character experience
. . . they seem to spend more time than at other eateries
. . . they seem to have been interaction with the guests and kids

 

[Random Ninja]

I'm going a little "off the wall" here but what about Restaurant Marrakesh. It doesn't have characters but there is live music and a belly dancer that comes out for a little while. The architecture in there is also amazing; I could stare at the walls and lights for hours. They also tend to do well with restricted diets. I have 10+ food allergies and enjoy the food.

 

[Aristomommy]

Thank you for all these suggestions. I am reading about each restaurant online and watch videos to get an idea what would be a good fit.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Since she won't eat I don't know that I'd "waste" money on a character (or any buffet) meal. I would think Rainforest or T Rex would be a good experience, and you won't be paying for food she's not eating.

 

[Sparkie]

I think TRex or Rainforest would have a lot of activity and be very entertaining but they are also VERY loud. So loud that you cant have a normal conversation. My DH refuses to ever go back to TRex but the kids loved it. Of the character meals, Tusker House Bfast was our best. The characters did a parade with the kids and the character interaction was very good. Next, I would do Hollywood and Vine. We did Bfast again. The characters made their rounds quickly and there is a song/dance that the kids can participate in.
Hope you have a wonderful trip! And make some lasting memories.

 

[ButterflyEffect]

We were there end of January. We had our best character experience at 1900 park fare. My dd was also on her wish trip and is NPO (100% tube fed). The characters actually sat down with us and a few even cAme back. Spread out very evenly too. It was awesome.
Tusker House was spread out nicely and had nice interactions but they don't talk so less interaction, but it would still be my number 2 choice, lots to see! We like 1900 park fare Because they chatted with my kids for a long time, and since my girl is non-verbal it was really nice to have that interaction.
Crystal Palace they came in a flurry as we were just sitting down, seemed very rushed. Hollywood and Vine was ok, not great, not bad.
We were only charged for one buffet for my dd - funny enough it was at 1900 PF. We had our least attentive server there, all other buffets she was not charged (and we never asked for her to be not charged) we were on the dining plan. It seems to be the norm now on the special needs forums I am on that tube fed kiddos are not being charged (even on DP).

 

[ButterflyEffect]

Wooops, forgot Biergarten! Like a pp mentioned it was great! No characters but the live music was fun and kids can go down and dance if able. Buffet was excellent (again they did not charge for my dd). Lots to look at and fun music, it can also be fun to sit with other families and chat at the communal seating.
Definitely recommended!

 

[Aristomommy]

Since she won't eat I don't know that I'd "waste" money on a character (or any buffet) meal. I would think Rainforest or T Rex would be a good experience, and you won't be paying for food she's not eating.

We are getting a meal paid for as part of her make-a-wish trip, so cost won't be an issue in the traditional sense. My daughter does enjoy going to these types of restaurants and our other kids too. I will check out T Rex and see if that might work. Thanks!

 

[wilkeliza]

If you want characters I always love 1900 Park Fare. The face characters really do a great job and soend a lot of time interacting.

T-Rex and Rainforest are other great options that are just "busy". There is so much to see at both that you don't get bored if you aren't eating.

 

[wilkeliza]

We were there end of January. We had our best character experience at 1900 park fare. My dd was also on her wish trip and is NPO (100% tube fed). The characters actually sat down with us and a few even cAme back. Spread out very evenly too. It was awesome.
Tusker House was spread out nicely and had nice interactions but they don't talk so less interaction, but it would still be my number 2 choice, lots to see! We like 1900 park fare Because they chatted with my kids for a long time, and since my girl is non-verbal it was really nice to have that interaction.
Crystal Palace they came in a flurry as we were just sitting down, seemed very rushed. Hollywood and Vine was ok, not great, not bad.
We were only charged for one buffet for my dd - funny enough it was at 1900 PF. We had our least attentive server there, all other buffets she was not charged (and we never asked for her to be not charged) we were on the dining plan. It seems to be the norm now on the special needs forums I am on that tube fed kiddos are not being charged (even on DP).

Just want to say while that may appear to be the norm for character meals they are suppose to charge. Yes some CMs will overlook that but don't go in expecting to get it for free. Not saying that you ever expected to not pay since you say you didn't ask but it is always best for any future posters to know that company policy is that everyone pays for entertainment dinning options like character meals or dinner shows.

 

[Aristomommy]

Just want to say while that may appear to be the norm for character meals they are suppose to charge. Yes some CMs will overlook that but don't go in expecting to get it for free. Not saying that you ever expected to not pay since you say you didn't ask but it is always best for any future posters to know that company policy is that everyone pays for entertainment dinning options like character meals or dinner shows.

Yes, I always thought that a character meal is more than the food, that we are paying for the character experience. I won't go in expecting my daughter's "meal" to be free, but if it's plated, we have plenty of volunteers, LOL. Thanks!