DDP in September with DS18mos - - TIPS?

[TheLittleRoo]

We're getting ready for Disney Dining next month (so excited!!) and DS18m has entered this new phase of toddler behavior - - so naughty!

He is right between knowing exactly what he wants and would like to say, and of course, being unable to express his thoughts. Which translates into a LOT of crying and meltdowns.

We used to be able to placate him at the dinner table by making sure he sits down in the highchair *hungry*. We order, feed him slowly to make it almost his entertainment for 1/2 the mealtime, and then when our food got to the table, we'd feed him little bits of food from our plates.

But alas, things change, and he no longer sits happily before or after eating, or wants his meal drawn out like that. We basically gobble as fast as we can, and get the heck outta Dodge now.

All our ADRs are around 5:15pm to capitalize on the semi-empty restaurants and/or try to get in before the couples only crowd comes in for quiet meals around 6:30/7:00. We're eating at mostly character buffets, to cut down on time waiting for food and maximize the visual entertainment for all the kids.

Any other suggestions other families have for entertaining a little tyrant, er baby, through a table service meal?? Or arranging schedules?

On behalf of all the diners who will sit next to us in September , thanks!!

 

[Wendi2000]

My best strategy was to hold my son and play with him at the table right up until the time our food came... THEN I'd put him in the highchair. He simply could not be "trapped" there for such a long time. Another thing was to be sure he was actually hungry so that he'd be occupied with his food. You may have to resort to letting him sit on your lap longer than you normally would, or take turns with your dining party taking him for little walks around the restaurant or outside to keep him content. Bring little quiet toys for him to enjoy - play peek-a-boo.

 

[PA Princess]

We will be in Disney in September with our 4 kids...and that includes dd 19 months. We are lucky, because so far plan A like you described still works for her. However, we do often resist sitting her in the high chair at first, if we know there is going to be a wait. Sometimes we let her have an appetizer of sorts, then dh will take her for a walk, then we have the main meal and she is able to sit (the initial food took the edge off the hunger and the walk helped with the need to roam that all toddlers have).

I think the character meals should work well since there is minimal wait for food and the built in entertainment, but as we all know with toddlers...anything is possible on any given day

Hope your ds has a great visit to Disney, and that you all enjoy some happy family meals