DDP recommendations for toddlers?

[two*little*birds]

We are going to Disney for the first time this September with DS (4) and DD (2).

Using our DDP does anyone have any recommendations for family friendly restaurants that would be good for little kids?

Thanks for any input.

Kathie

 

[gigi1313]

when my children were those ages we found that family style and buffet restaurants worked best for us...

Garden Grill was a particular favorite for so many reasons... imo it's got very good food, great character interaction, the high backed booths give a nice quiet respite in the midst of the chaos... it's a great "downtime" restaurant as the atmosphere is relaxed...

Liberty Tree Tavern is also a good choice, but that's a bit more stimulating than Garden Grill...

because younger children like Pooh & friends, we've always enjoyed Crystal Palace...

whatever you decide, please know that nearly *Every* disney restaurant is kid-friendly... although i'd personally hesitate to take my kids to the fancier places simply because of the amount of time the meals take (unless your children a) are used to that style of dining or b) will fall asleep in the stroller or high chair)

 

[LovingDVC]

I second the family-style and buffet restaurants. The dining plan choices for children are more limited than the adult DDP choices--more on the same order as the CS restaurants, in my opinion.

If your kids are good eaters (my DD3 likes veggies, fruit, steak, chicken over the fast-food style menus), the family-style restaurants give them the same food as the adults. Plus, your 2 year old would be free at those restaurants.

The 1 TS, family-style restaurants that we enjoyed while my DD was free include:
--Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner (character meal)
--Ohana for dinner
--Princess Storybook Dining for breakfast (character meal)

Buffets:
--1900 Fan Fare for breakfast and dinner (both character meals) -- the dinner buffet also includes a lot of favorites for kids
--Hollywood and Vine (character meal)

When we went to TS restaurants with menu choices like at 50's Prime Time, we got enough food that I could share my meal with my 2 year old.

When we ate CS, I just bought her a meal off-plan. It was cheaper to eat this way when she was under 3 than to pay for a DDP for her. When she turned 3, we switched to the plan for her.

 

[septbaby]

The Hollywood and Vine Breakfast and Lunch buffets feature characters from Playhouse Disney: Little Einsteins and Jo Jo's circus. I'm sure your little ones know them and I hear they sing songs from the show etc.

Chef Mickey's is another character buffet they may like. Its noisy they are encouraged to wave napkins(we can join in too) and the monorail whizzes by above your head. We are taking our 5yo there for breakfast. They will also take your family's photo there (w/Mickey? Goofy?).

Not sure where you are staying, but the resort CS's seems to be very family friendly, so don't overlook those if you chose some meals in the serenity of your '"home" around an afternoon break. I see us having breakfast and probably a dinner or two "at home". Even bringing it back to the room for a less stimulating environment might be a good idea.

 

[jenjersnap]

We eats lots of buffets and family-style cos it's easier to get some food into my kids when they have lots of choices.

Garden Grill is their favorite restaurant at WDW. They love that it turns. It's never been crowded so they get lots of attention from the characters. The food is comfort food and easy for a young child to love (at least mine!).

Crystal Palace is another favorite for breakfast or dinner. It's loud and crowded and frenetic but that's okay, since the food is good and it's a good first intro to characters meals.

Another new fave is the Hollywood & Vine breakfast with JoJo and Little Einsteins. The food isn't fabulous but they loved dancing with the characters. Another place that hasn't been crowded the two times we've been so the attention factor is high.

They like Ohana for dinner a lot because of the fun activities for little ones (my middle guy has participated since he was 16 months old). The Ohana breakfast with Stitch is good too, but we thought the foods offered were pretty limited.

 

[brymolmom]

My kids were those ages last year when we went. Some of my kids favorites:
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's
Play & Dine At Hollywood & Vine
Sci Fi Dine in (the kids liked it but mom and dad loved it - it was distracting for the kids and in that atmosphere you don't have to worry about them being too quiet - it is kind of loud in there)

For CS:
Pinocchio Village Haus - kids loved watching IASW boats go by and waving to everyone
Pizza Planet at MGM