Children's menu options

[heatherz]

Looking for some advice about dining options for our upcoming trip. My 5 year old loves to cook and is a very adventurous eater. We are using the DDP as we have done on our previous visits. Most TS restaurants have pretty poor choices for kids. As a result we usually frequent buffets where she will have more choices. Any ideas for sit-down dinners that offer more than chicken fingers or mac-n-cheese? I thought the World Showcase might have better options but that doesn't seem to be the case based on the menus I've read. Thanks!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Looking for some advice about dining options for our upcoming trip. My 5 year old loves to cook and is a very adventurous eater. We are using the DDP as we have done on our previous visits. Most TS restaurants have pretty poor choices for kids. As a result we usually frequent buffets where she will have more choices. Any ideas for sit-down dinners that offer more than chicken fingers or mac-n-cheese? I thought the World Showcase might have better options but that doesn't seem to be the case based on the menus I've read. Thanks!

Many of the signature restaurants have better options. I wouldn't go as far to say they are creative but fish sticks, filet, and the likes. I also know that grilled fish is at Kona. It was a favorite for our kids. Overall I agree the choices are terrible. I understand that most kids like the junk over other stuff but it would be nice to have a couple choices for kids that do eat more than children fare. La Hacienda also had more real mexican choices than other places.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Yes! Did you look at "The Rose and Crown"? I feel the same way, and was so surprised when I looked at their kids menu earlier this week.

Appetizer
Carrot and Celery Sticks OR Potato Leek Soup

Entrees
Fish and Chips

Shepherd's Pie - seasoned ground beef with carrots, mashed potatoes and melted cheese

Grilled Chicken Breast
OR
Bangers and Mash - traditional English sausage, mashed potatoes and gravy

They also have pizza and turkey meaty macaroni, but we would pass on those.

 

[Hootch]

aren't all bad. Biergarten and Boma should interest your daughter's adventurous tendencies. Restaurant Marrakesh or Bistro de Paris should also work in Epcot. Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge has an Indian influence. And we should not forget that the US has various influenced cuisines - how about House of Blues which has a creole - i.e. mixed - culinary history.

 

[heatherz]

We ate in France in October but opted for Le Chefs so she could see Remy. Also wasn't sure if an excited 5 year old would be appreciated upstairs in the Bistro. Glad to hear that I shouldn't worry about that. Biegarten is definitely on the list. Don't get me wrong, buffets are great. But thought my hubby and I would like to be waited on and get some time to sit and relax on our vacation....at least at dinner for a night or two. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[heatherz]

Yes! Did you look at "The Rose and Crown"? I feel the same way, and was so surprised when I looked at their kids menu earlier this week.

Appetizer
Carrot and Celery Sticks OR Potato Leek Soup

Entrees
Fish and Chips

Shepherd's Pie - seasoned ground beef with carrots, mashed potatoes and melted cheese

Grilled Chicken Breast
OR
Bangers and Mash - traditional English sausage, mashed potatoes and gravy

They also have pizza and turkey meaty macaroni, but we would pass on those.

Rose and Crown sounds like a good choice. Who would have thought we'd look to British restaurant for something out of the ordinary?

 

[atksn]

We are in the same boat with our 3 and 7 year old, and also end up doing mostly buffets for the same reason. This trip (2 weeks ago for 10 nights) we decided to "branch out" a bit, and did more menu restaurants. During those meals I found that DH ended up eating most of DS nuggets/pizza/mac and cheese off of his plate, as DS split my entree with me.

Just this weekend a friend asked DS7 how his Disney trip was, and his response was "It was AWESOME.... but the food really sucked" I was not thrilled with his choice of vocabulary, but at the same time, he is right. I don't know why they can't offer a "standard" menu at all venues (PBJ/nuggets/burger/etc) that is available for those children that won't eat anything else, but also offer meals that fit more in the theme of the adult counterparts- or even a 1/2 portion of the adult options.

 

[atksn]

Oh, and as far as places that offer something out of the realm of "kid food", my boys have LOVED Teppan Edo on our last 2 trips. Granted, it is your typical Japanese Steakhouse that they get back home, but at least they had the option of getting shrimp vs. pre-formed/processed crud, which made their day!

 

[ElizabethG]

'Ohana! It is wonderful. The kids are served the same food as the adults. You need to make a special request if you want something else.

We are also trying Coral Reef on our next trip. We haven't been there, but the kids offerings are Seared Mahi Mahi, Grilled Chicken Breast, Meaty Macaroni, Cheese Pizza, or Grilled Fish of the Day.

 

[kylieh]

We've booked my will be 9 year old daughter as a "Disney Adult" for our trip in September for dining plan. Reason - she much prefers the adult menus. Even my hotdog loving child said after we read the menus "even I would be sick of that after a few days..."

 

[dixonsontour]

Raglan road at DTD also does real food for kids i.e smaller portions of the adult entrees - so shepherds pie etc. We all really enjoyed our food there.

Tutto also did good kids food - what DD ordered would have cost $20 or so, good use of a child TS ddp credit.

I'd also agree about the signatures - the kids food at yachtsman was good.

I think GF cafe does a fish entree for kids - never eaten there though.

 

[MSLRAC]

I have put a lot of reserach into this topic because my kids really do not like kid foods. They will eat it but they much prefer other foods. So I spent hours looking over menus before planning our last trip but it all paid off as we did 3 TS meals per day and my kids never once ate any of those dreaded kiddie foods.

So aside from the buffet, the places my kids liked and got something other than "normal" kid foods last trip were...

Yak and Yeti
50's PT
Coral Reef
Biergarten (I know this is a buffet but it wasn't your typical Disney buffet)
Rose and Crown
LeCellier
Tutto Italia
The Wave
Ohana
Narcoossee's
Liberty Tree Tavern


Other places that fit the bill...
Teppan Edo
Nine Dragons
Flying Fish
Cali Grill
GFC
Yachtsman
Cap' n Jack's
Raglan Road
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe
Akershus
CRT
Boma (again, not a typical buffet)

 

[Zeebs]

Why they can't offer half portions of the standard fare as well as the standard kids options?

We have booked Ohana, Whispering Canyon, HOB, and some buffets. Granted we are offsite and can cook at the house.

The kids may or may not on the day decide that they want fries and chicken or they may decide to be a bit more adventurous but it would be nice if they had the choice.

Kirsten

 

[heatherz]

So glad I've found my way to DisBoards. Such great advice! Our previous trips were in October during Food and Wine festival so this wasn't an issue. I definitely have a great place to start now. I feel much more confident making ADRs. Thank you!!