Children Under 2

[ladybugsteph]

Can anyone point me in the direction of info for feeding a child under 2 on the DDP? He is not eligible for the dining plan, but is a pretty big eater, so I worry about having enough food to share off my plate or not spending a fortune paying OOP for him at non-buffet table service and counter service. Is there a good resource that you have come across to help me plan out using snack credits on him? Thanks!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Snack credits might work at QS (they can't be used at TS) but there may not be anything offered for a snack credit that you would consider feeding your child. You could always use the snack credit to buy something and then take it into a TS restaurant for the child to eat, if you can find something to do that with. It doesn't cost a fortune to order a kids meal at most places either.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I was having the same problem. We are eating pretty much at half the restaurants are buffets which I don't need to worry about but it was the TS restaurants that weren't buffets and what I came up with is I am just going to buy him his own meal which is costing us an extra $100 for the week. We are on the deluxe plan so have 3 TS meals a day. The only place I am not sure about was CRT but I hear they give the under 3 crowd a noodle bowl

 

[ladybugsteph]

How does Disney handle packing your own food? For example, if I were to pack a Lunchable and put it on ice for him for lunch that day. I've decided that to supplement him during table service meals, I will bring some fruit and grain bars, applesauce pouches, etc. We do have a few buffet/family style reservations, so that will help, but we were hoping to try some new restaurants this time, which are not buffets. Hubby says I'm overthinking it, and we'll just buy him some food

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Honestly I think its just easier to buy the food. IMO I wouldn't want my son to eat lunchables every day while we are all eating "awesome" Disney food, lol. I also don't think my little guy would be happy with that at all. He would probably wonder y he is eating pre packed food while everyone else gets to eat some nice hot food. I know when we took him last year he was only 8 months old and just starting with baby food and having to pack everything to bring into the park was a lot of work. I am excited this year that he will be able to eat what everyone is eating and the only things we need to worry about bringing into the park is water, a sippy cup, diapers, and a change of cloths. So much easier than trying to bring everything with you. I don't think we are even going to bring snacks into the park bc we have snack credits from being on the deluxe plan. If we need to use a snack credit we can. Its not fun lugging everything through the park and then when you go on rides and stuff to lug things with you. You really want to travel as light as you can.

 

[supersnoop]

How does Disney handle packing your own food? For example, if I were to pack a Lunchable and put it on ice for him for lunch that day. I've decided that to supplement him during table service meals, I will bring some fruit and grain bars, applesauce pouches, etc. We do have a few buffet/family style reservations, so that will help, but we were hoping to try some new restaurants this time, which are not buffets. Hubby says I'm overthinking it, and we'll just buy him some food

The out-of-pocket prices for kids meals are very reasonable. I imagine it would be close to the cost of a lunchable and applesauce pouches, and you wouldn't have to carry it around all day.

 

[msb578]

This is not usually how I like to eat, but when our kids were under 3, big meals at buffets were the way to go. Yuck, I know But it's hard to pass up what's essentially free food.

 

[gtpoohbear]

When DS was 2, we mostly just ordered a meal OOP for him. The kids meals are pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things at WDW, lol! We did have a couple of places offer to bring a meal for him at no charge - I know CRT was one, the others might have been Yachtsman and LTT but I can't remember for sure.

 

[jrandall]

I have nothing really to offer. I've been looking at the menus over and over myself & would say the kids meals are reasonable. I would just buy him one if hungry and not fret he may not need one every time. Just to add, I am bringing 2 under 3 years & not planning to do this but my kids hardly eat anything so it's shocking to me someone that age actually eats! Lol I'm joking of course but I'm always wondering how my kids survive. Even my 8 year old eats like a bird! I am debating the meal plan myself since the little ones can share but I don't even think my older one will eat her worth in food during the week so not sure what I will do.

 

[brinkley07]

I was wondering the same thing. We are taking my mother and I'm hoping with the app, entree, and dessert on the DDP that will leave enough for the little guy. I do plan on bringing some snacks into the parks with us and using some snack credits for fruit and other healthy choices he likes as well.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I have nothing really to offer. I've been looking at the menus over and over myself & would say the kids meals are reasonable. I would just buy him one if hungry and not fret he may not need one every time. Just to add, I am bringing 2 under 3 years & not planning to do this but my kids hardly eat anything so it's shocking to me someone that age actually eats! Lol I'm joking of course but I'm always wondering how my kids survive. Even my 8 year old eats like a bird! I am debating the meal plan myself since the little ones can share but I don't even think my older one will eat her worth in food during the week so not sure what I will do.

Just wanted to say that I used to think the same about my youngest (DS). Days would go by where he wouldn't eat more than a few bites the entire day. It was completely a mystery to me how he even stayed alive, much less healthy! DD otoh, ever since she was a baby has always eaten like a horse. On our first trip, when she was 4, she would clean her kids meal plate within minutes and then be stealing food off ours, lol! It's been a good reminder for me that every kid is different, even their metabolism.

 

[Figmentmommy]

You could also try some family style restaurants to supplement your buffets. This way you know there would be enough for him to eat and it would still fall under the sharing from your plate rule.
A few to consider:
Liberty Tree Tavern
'Ohana
Garden Grill
Boma ( a buffet but lots of variety)

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Its so funny I hear everyone talking about their kids who don't eat and I have 2 kids, my 19 month old and my 8 year old. I basically have to force my 8 year old to eat. He rarely eats anything. A matter of fact when we went to Disney last year all he ate practically the whole trip was cantaloupe! I keep telling him for our trip this year he better eat more than that lol. My 19 month old is completely different. He eats more than his big brother and he's more of an adventurous eater. He will try anything at least once before he decides he doesn't like it. But he hates sharing, lol. He wants his own plate. He's very independent and wants to eat and do everything himself. Thats y we have decided we are just going to buy him his own meals when we are down there in a couple of weeks. Its just easier and he will eat what he wants and it will save a meltdown of trying to get the kids to actually "share" with each other, lol.

 

[sharonabe]

I was wondering the same thing. We are taking my mother and I'm hoping with the app, entree, and dessert on the DDP that will leave enough for the little guy. I do plan on bringing some snacks into the parks with us and using some snack credits for fruit and other healthy choices he likes as well.

Just want to clarify for you, the DDP (1TS, 1QS, 1S) does NOT include an app. The DxDDP (3TS, 2S) does.

 

[brinkley07]

Just want to clarify for you, the DDP (1TS, 1QS, 1S) does NOT include an app. The DxDDP (3TS, 2S) does.

Thanks. We have the deluxe but I got auto corrected. My phone doesn't like these post areas for some reason and also tries to capitalize every word. Unfortunately it makes for a long time trying to write a post . I do have the app, entree, and dessert for 3 adults.