Biergarten phone number? and nice story

[TDC Nala]

It is standard procedure at 'Ohana to offer "alternative" children's meals (although you have to know to ask for them). I can't think of anywhere else that it is standard. It is just to state that you should not book anywhere else at WDW in the anticipation that the restaurant will send out for chicken nuggets for your child because they don't like anything on the menu. They might, or they might not; 'Ohana actually offers an alternative menu, maybe some other places do, but I haven't seen regular posts to that effect on the board for anyplace other than 'Ohana. You can ask, but you shouldn't count on it.

 

[HeidiGW]

My second daughter was a very picky eater. At 13, she still is with a much wider variety.
BUT, I credit WDW eateries with expanding her tastes. You're on vacation and "can have whatever you want" attitude really encouraged her to try new things. Themed-restaurants help the mood, too. Buffets, especially, offer the chance to take a bite-size portion. And, if they don't like it there is always something else!
I also found that she didn't want to displease/insult folks' "native cuisine." Ie, she has NEVER eaten cabbage or mushrooms, but ate the veggies at Teppan Edo. When her pasta came accidentally came with sauce--she didn't cry or send it back like would normally happen--but happily ate it because the cute, Italian waiter said that it how they eat it in Italy. She was eight.
There is HOPE!

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

Boy times have changed, when I was a kid if I did not like what was on my plate, I went hungry. I cannot even imagine catering to a picky child as that is just reinforcing the behaviour. Nothing on the menu that he will even try, oh well, he can watch the rest of us eat our meal. Finicky children are breed not born!

Yes...if I told my mom I didn't like what was offered, there is no way in heck she would have requested a meal just for me. Ever.

 

[singastory]

Yes they certainly have..back when Epcot first opened, WS didn't really even HAVE a childrens menu at their restaurants.You ate what there was or you didn't eat.My parents would never have put up with picky eating from a healthy child ( not talking about developmental/health issues).I remember eating at Biergarten as a kid and my parents telling me to "suck it up and eat or go hungry" ..Now I have a picky eater, but I MAKE her try new things and experiences even on vacation.

When I have kids I hope to take a different approach than my parents did. My mom would never let us go hungry and didn't like hearing us whine so she catered to us when we didn't like what was for dinner. Luckily I grew out of most of my dislikes but I'm usually still afraid to try anything new or unfamiliar and will order what I always get. I remember seeing a family at the burrito restaurant Chipotle recently with two young sons, and one of them said to his father "Don't forget that I want BLACK beans!!" That's my kind of kid!!!

 

[poohs_hunny]

And this is one person's opinion, so take it for what it is worth.....

The original story was heartwarming because it happened on the fly and a problem was solved on the spot. But I don't think people should make a habit of making ADRs at restaurants that do not serve the type of food that one likes, and then try to move heaven and earth to get the kitchen to come up with something in your wheelhouse. Allergies are one thing, but preferences are something else entirely. WDW has so many places to choose from. If you want pizza, go to Via Napoli. Don't go to Teppan Edo and try to get them to cobble something together. Just because Disney can do something doesn't mean they should have to.

 

[squirrel]

When I have kids I hope to take a different approach than my parents did. My mom would never let us go hungry and didn't like hearing us whine so she catered to us when we didn't like what was for dinner. Luckily I grew out of most of my dislikes but I'm usually still afraid to try anything new or unfamiliar and will order what I always get. I remember seeing a family at the burrito restaurant Chipotle recently with two young sons, and one of them said to his father "Don't forget that I want BLACK beans!!" That's my kind of kid!!!

I can tell you that the opposite of your mom doesn't work either.

My mom and dad forced me to eat things they knew I hated. I hate hamburger meat in any form. I have never liked it even before this event. My earliest memory is us eating at Mr. Mike's and they ordered us Salisbury Steak. I took one look at it and said I'm not eating that. They said yes you are. I ate everything else on the plate but the burger without the bun. I was 5 yrs old or younger and I still remember them forcing it into my mouth. I can't stand the smell of hamburger meat, it makes me want to vomit.

I know I was a picky eater. I still am. Forcing a kid to eat something they don't like doesn't work either.

I wasn't so picky that I couldn't find something off the Kid's menu's at WDW. They would have had to make small adjustments like no sauce on the pasta, raw veggies, no dressing on the salad, etc.

 

[flipflopmom]

OP here. Trust me. It is not a joy dealing with our picky DS. *I am so looking forward to not having to worry what she'll eat, will she like it or will she whine about it. *She is opposite of our DS. *Go figure. . *

Just to let you know I empathize completely. Our girls are 11 and 4, and exactly like your two. Last year at Yachtsman, they switched meals so oldest could have a kids meal and youngest had steak. Our oldest also regressed as she got older. There are many chicken strips she won't eat because of the heavy, bumpy breading. No red meat or pork, chicken breast only if plain and grilled, she can't do anything lumpy like smoothies or juice with pulp, and eats pasta if al dente, some raw carrots and broccoli, pizza, all fruit except bananas, and salad greens with ranch dressing and cheese. And bread. Loves bread. We've come to the realization she has real sensory issues. We've tried every tactic - forcing eating resulted in vomiting. Restrict until she ate it resulted in weight loss.... I understand.

WDW trips can be hard, we do a lot of buffets, she eats lots of bread and modified salads and fruit, and we do the plate switch if all else fails. We do let her look over the all ears menus ahead of time, and she can get an idea of what she'll order or try. She's nervous about Biergarten -first because the name makes her think we are taking her to a bar, and secondly because the pretzel bread is just about the only thing that appeals to her. We'll look when we get there and hope she can find a few other things. I have the feeling that she'll be eating something else later. Our approach has been, lately, we understand. We're not forcing. Here's what's available, see what you can do with it, fill up on what you like and water! Sort of passive-aggressive I know, but she's going to have to learn how to make her own accomodations!

Hang in there. Wish I could say it gets easier, it just becomes more routine and easier to accept!

 

[readytogotodisney]

I can tell you that the opposite of your mom doesn't work either.

My mom and dad forced me to eat things they knew I hated. I hate hamburger meat in any form. I have never liked it even before this event. My earliest memory is us eating at Mr. Mike's and they ordered us Salisbury Steak. I took one look at it and said I'm not eating that. They said yes you are. I ate everything else on the plate but the burger without the bun. I was 5 yrs old or younger and I still remember them forcing it into my mouth. I can't stand the smell of hamburger meat, it makes me want to vomit.

I know I was a picky eater. I still am. Forcing a kid to eat something they don't like doesn't work either.

I wasn't so picky that I couldn't find something off the Kid's menu's at WDW. They would have had to make small adjustments like no sauce on the pasta, raw veggies, no dressing on the salad, etc.

Same thing with my husband. He never liked eggs of any sort. Throw them in a cake mix or something he's fine, but he won't eat just plain eggs. His older sister is 15 years older then he is, so she wasn't around too much while he was growing up.

When he was 6 or 7 his sister babysat him once while their parents were out of town. Not knowing about his food aversion, she had made him eggs for breakfast and he didn't want to eat them. She ended up making him eat the scrambled eggs somehow. He's now 31 years old and refuses to eat cooked eggs. Every time he sees me make myself scrambled eggs, he reminds me of the story of his sister all over again.