Bringing food into TS restaurants for DD??

[Cinderelly5507]

Is this a big no-no? I see on some of the restaurant menus that we are eating at- meals are larger and cost more than what my 16 month old can/will eat. Would it be acceptable to bring in something to the restaurant... She can always share with DH and I, but we get tired of ordering things that she will eat! For example, 50's PTC- is a "3 course" meal for children... she would never eat all of that... Can I bring in a PB&J for her from a CS? TIA!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Can you?

Sure... no one will kick you out of the restaurant.

Would I?

Nope... we've always gone with the attitude that if we take the kids at that age, we find something they can/will eat on the menu. For example, we would often order a side of mashed potatoes, and supplement with whatever proteins we had ordered. But then again, I've never been a believer in "kid foods". Our kids always just ate smaller portions of regular food.

Check with the individual restaurants - they may be able to serve you a PB&J ala carte.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My oldest son is autistic and has food issues so we often bring in food that he will eat. I always look up the menu before going to a restarant so I can devise my strategy. If they have PB sandwiches or chicken nuggets and fries, we're fine. If they don't, I bring a little cup of peanut butter and order two, plain pieces of bread or a plain hamburger bun if they don't have bread. Then I make him a sandwich right at the table. Add a side of fries and we're good! No restaurant (WDW or otherwise) has every objected to us doing this (and my son is now 13!). Breakfast foods aren't a problem for him so that's easy.

For a much younger child like yours, I'm sure it would perfectly acceptable and also pretty common for people to bring in food. When my kids were little, I would try to order at least one or two things to supplement our own food like a drink, a side of fruit, etc.

The visitors at WDW are so diverse. I'm sure the waitstaff has seen just about everything! You'll be fine bringing in a few foods for your toddler.

 

[pearlieq]

I totally would. If she were 3 or 4 it would be different, but I don't think anyone expects a toddler to order a plate.

Who knows if she's even going to be hungry when you sit down and you're probably right that she wouldn't finish the kids meal.

I would just carry in a sandwich and some finger foods in with you and let her share what she wants off of your plates. That way you'll get to order what you want and she'll get to taste something new without going hungry if she doesn't like it.

With that being said, I would leave a couple of extra dollars to the server on top of what you would normally tip for your meal, especially if they bring her a plate or she makes a bit of a mess And tuck your trash & wrappers back in your bag and dispose of them after you leave.

 

[Syrreal]

Our DS is 18 months old now and we've been bringing him stuff to eat since he started eating solids. That is mainly because he won't eat anything. If we do a buffet, I always make him a little plate but if I am lucky he might eat some bread or try a muffin. He did put some eggs in his mouth once, but then spit them right back out. Since even getting him a grilled cheese is a hit or miss, depending on the day, the barometric pressure, and the alignments of the palnets, we always have at least crackers and cheese for him and nutrigrain bars or something so that he can eat while we eat too.
ETA- I also suggest tipping a little extra. My kid is one of those where everything ends up on the floor at some point and even though I do pick up as I can, there is still lots left there for the CMs to clean

 

[Lynn5700]

Oh God yes!!! It is fine!! I would bring the food that you know she is going to eat I mean she is still a baby ,it is ok!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I knew they wouldn't throw me out of the restaurant, but I didn't want it to be one of "those" actions like pool hopping or reusing refillable mugs!!! Thanks for all the suggestions... we'll be bring her food in and feeding her ours... Once in a while she'll get her own plate (if we'll be leaving right afterwards to take the leftovers back to the hotel)... And I'll make sure to tip extra if she's messy... I've gotten disposible placemats and she is a great eater- usually never misses her mouth (just like Mommy!)

 

[Lynn5700]

Good! Don't worry about it and have fun

 

[CFL]

For a small child that is just fine at any restaurant I have ever been to. When I was a server I usually expected to parents to have brought outside food for very young children. Children's menus are designed for slightly older children so people understand.

 

[pmd1117]

I'm sur bring in food for an 18 month old would be understandable but I would give a higher tip since they probably have to do extra cleaning up (getting highchair, etc)

 

[lea25]

I knew they wouldn't throw me out of the restaurant, but I didn't want it to be one of "those" actions like pool hopping or reusing refillable mugs!!!

This is the exact same reason I asked almost the exact same question in the dining plan forum...I didn't want to test karma by doing something that's seen as a no-no!

Glad to see that I wasn't the only one who was thinking of doing this.

My ds is 2yrs old but has severe milk allergies, and a mild allergy to eggs, and possibly chicken. We're trying our best to eat at places where he can share our plate, but in looking at some of the menus I wasn't sure if there were other options for kids.

I'm fine paying oop for a child's plate, but my son is happiest eating a hamburger patty, sans bread, and french fries, vegetable soup, or any type of pasta with a red sauce.

So if I have the cs to use on him to bring in to a ts that would be a definite perk for us.

 

[jamaunt]

A 16 month old doesn't need a ticket to enter the parks. If you look at it that way, they should not expect that child to pay for meals either. I don't see any reason why it would be an issue to bring food for a 1 year old child.

 

[disnut8]

A 16 month old child is only four months over one year old. Not even really on their way to two. They can't even really eat every single food out there. Bring in the food if you need to. I'm thinking it'll be finger foods he likes, not a McDonald's meal in a bag (which we did see someone do at Disney World at a table service place - now *that* I wouldn't do).

A happy kid is better than a grumpy crying one.

Come to think of it, I might have to pack a PBJ sandwich for my mother-in-law for our trip in two weeks!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

A 16 month old child is only four months over one year old. Not even really on their way to two. They can't even really eat every single food out there. Bring in the food if you need to. I'm thinking it'll be finger foods he likes, not a McDonald's meal in a bag (which we did see someone do at Disney World at a table service place - now *that* I wouldn't do).

A happy kid is better than a grumpy crying one.

Come to think of it, I might have to pack a PBJ sandwich for my mother-in-law for our trip in two weeks!

Amen to that!

You should be more than fine. Bring whatever your daughter will eat and don't worry about it! Have a terrific time!