Could I Bring Dinner For My Son into a Table Service Restaurant?

[camdensmom]

I've been reviewing the menus to finalize our ADRs and I am not at all thrilled with the kids selections. I can't imagine him eating a week's worth of chicken, pizza, pasta, grapes and applesauce. He's a bit picky to begin with and while he does eat those options, 14 meals of it sounds awful.

Do you think it would be OK if I packed him a few meals at the hotel (sandwiches, bananas, yogurt, apples, etc.) and brought it with us. We aren't doing any super fancy meals like Narcooses or California Grille. He'll be fine at the buffets and could possibly share a meal with me, but I'm hoping to avoid a series of kid meals.

Just curious what you all think or have done.

 

[adventure_woman]

I'm not sure how old your son is. My DD is 2 and last month I DID bring her food with us. The only thing she eats is fruit (literally). So, I had bought fruit back at ASMo (as a dessert with our CS plan) and just told the waiter that she doesn't eat anything. I would have gladly bought something for her, had I known that she would eat it, but I knew she wouldn't.

I would say if your son is younger, than it would be okay. But if he is older (5+?) then I wouldn't.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm sure one meal brought into the restaurant out of a party of 4 wouldn't be a problem but if you are just a party of two then you would be taking up a table the wait staff depends on for tips. CS would be a better option on those days.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think it may be a case of 3 and under is acceptable to bring in food. I'd think anyone who is an 'infant' according to Disney's standards would be fine bringing their own food.

There was a similar question a few months ago, where someone wanted to bring in food from Sunshine Seasons to another Epcot eatery.

The person asking if they could ended up calling the restaurant directly and was told "no" that they couldn't bring in food from Sunshine Seasons. The manager that the poster spoke with worked with that guest to get a meal for them that they would like.

I would suggest calling the restaurant(s) directly and working with them. Each restaurant may have their own policy.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Well, if he's under three, he's not even considered "old enough" to eat from the children's dining plan or children's menus that are geared to 3-9 year olds. So I don't think anyone would bat an eye for bringing his own food. Our boys will be barely 2 when we go, and while I do plan on buying some food for them and letting them eat off of our plates, I will still probably pack a back up sandwich, fruit, crackers, cheerios, etc... just in case.

 

[madalex]

I was wondering what the replies would be on this question, as I had my own thoughts but was not sure whether to post them. I generally agree with what others who have posted so far: if your child is under 3, they eat for free anyway, so bringing your own food should not be an issue. If your child is over 3, it would be better for you to eat at CS than to bring your own food to TS restaurants.

As it is, I am not sure what is wrong with chicken, pasta and pizza for a week. If your child is a picky eater and that's all he wants anyway, what is the harm? It may sound awful to you, but he is the one that is eating it.

 

[summermac]

I think OP was expressing concern that her child would grow tired of eating the same thing. My 4 yo would eat chix nuggets every day if I let him but some kids aren't like that.

 

[Ava]

I agree with what others have said. If your child is under 3, I don't think it would be a problem. If he is over 3, the restaurant might take issue with it. Are you on the dining plan? If not, perhaps there is an adult meal that your son would like that you could share with him. Or call the restaurant and see if they can do a child's portion of something on the adult menu, or create something for your son. Disney restaurants are great about accommodating dietary needs.

 

[camdensmom]

As it is, I am not sure what is wrong with chicken, pasta and pizza for a week. If your child is a picky eater and that's all he wants anyway, what is the harm? It may sound awful to you, but he is the one that is eating it.

Thank you all for your replies. My son is 3 years old. He's picky in the sense that he'll eat pasta and pizza, but only if he likes the sauce. I know he'll tire of eating those 3 items for a week.

I wish there were some healthier options and more variety for the little ones.

How are they about sharing meals with kids? I'm sure he would happily eat grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies or anything else I might have, but I can't justify paying OOP for him to have his own adult meal.

 

[jm106]

I posted a similar thread. My 3 yo doesnt like typical kid food. I will have to order things to share and I can get him soups and salads also. I wish they had a kid sized potion of adult meals, when I go out DS eats 1/2 of my meal so I have to get appetizer or soup to fill up. Same here, He loves pasta and pizza but like me, only good stuff(no jarred sauce or frozen pizza). I will bring snack in for my younger ds(will be 11 months when we go), so I will make sure there is enough incase.

 

[madalex]

How are they about sharing meals with kids? I'm sure he would happily eat grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies or anything else I might have, but I can't justify paying OOP for him to have his own adult meal.

At most TS, sharing your food with your 3 year old will not be an issue. However, at a buffet, you will have to pay the child price for him, even if all he does is eat off your plate.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I don't know which restaurants you've selected but some of the table service places do offer grilled chicken.

As long as a restaurant serves them, most places are good about subbing other potatoes such as mashed for fries or rice.

Grapes and applesauce tend to come with the counter service meals whereas the table service kids meals tend to come with salad or carrots and celery or yogurt or sliced apples (as choices).

 

[java]

If you're not on the dining plan sharing your food would not be a problem. If you are on the dining plan- I am not sure.
I wouldn't bring outside food into a restaurant.
I found most of the kids choices having at least one "healthier" option. Somedays my guys wanted grilled chicken and carrot sticks, or a piece of fish(yes one of them eats it ) or an appetizer off a menu. oh and they also had rice often vs. fries.
The only places that would charge you I think would be the buffets.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I also am struggling with the dining plan because of this same issue. My little guy is almost 4, but he is the world's pickiest eater. Most days, he'll only eat mac & cheese, and on a good day, he might venture out and eat one chicken nugget. I'm having a hard time finding TS in advance that have kids M&C on the menu.

For me and the OP, if you can't (or shouldn't) bring in your own food you know your kid will eat, do most TS have standard things like M&C that they could swap out on the kids' menu?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

As far as I know, all of WDW's restaurants have the standard chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, and pasta available for the kids. If you don't see it on a menu, just ask and they will accomodate.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I wish there were some healthier options and more variety for the little ones.

How are they about sharing meals with kids? I'm sure he would happily eat grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies or anything else I might have, but I can't justify paying OOP for him to have his own adult meal.

Have you checked out the specific kids menus on Allearsnet.com?
I was looking at them recently for our upcoming trip and noticed lots of healthy options. Many TS place have grilled fish, chicken, steak, fruit cups, fresh cut up veggies, salads as well as pasta, pizza and chicken nuggets on their kids menu. I was actually very impressed with the variety they offer kids.

 

[jenb1023]

My DD is a very picky eater and we found that the TS restaurants were very accomodating. They would let me combine options from two meals or substitute things or even provided things not listed on the menu. I think you will be just fine.

 

[shellyn2mikes]

I Feel Your Pain. Last Year Ds Was 3 1/2 When We Went . We Were On Meal Plan And I Felt The Same Way Not Enough Choices And Not Enough Healthy Choices At That. I Felt Like Such A Bad Mom For Letting Him Eat So Much Mac -n- Cheese And Chicken Nuggets And Fries. Everyone Said It Was Only One Week He'd Be Fine,but I Just Felt Like Every Resturante Offered The Same Things. Good Luck.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

As someone who works in the restaurant industry, you can be asked to leave if you brought something in from another establishment. Even somewhere like McDonald's it's kind of rude... like a slap in the face saying your food isn't good enough.

I understand why you would want to, I did read the question but the perception of the otherside is typically that above. You could try sharing some of your food with your child, I don't have a kid but that's what I would do. Or at the least, see if I could order a small portion of something else, even if you had to pay more.