dining with a tween girl

[ksl5f123]

We are headed to DLR in July with our 4 kids (10yo girl, 8yo girl, 5yo boy, 1 yo boy). The 1yo has some food allergies that had me originally thinking we would be better off eating TS.

However, after browsing some menus, I am having a hard time figuring out what my 10yo would eat. She is capable of eating an adult meal in some restaurants (she had the adult sized grilled chicken at Outback today), but being a kid she still tends toward more "plain" food. I can't imagine paying $25 for her to eat one Mickey waffle and some fruit at a character breakfast.

It seems like the CS options might be a better fit for her (and I can always bring in safe food for the 1 yo).

Are there any TS meals that your tween girl likes? Maybe something she and I could share?

 

[cedricandsophie]

Can't speak to specific meals but we often order a salad or soup and an appetizer as a entree for my disabled adult daughter who always thnks her appetite is bigger than it is. Or we share an entree. But she is an adventurous eater and will try almost anything. Appetizer size is a good way to get a kid to try different stuff. We didn't push my older daughters to try more foods and hence they don't eat many foods even now. We realized thst was a mistake and started getting our youngest who also has Down syndrome to try a bite of everything. Her palate is way more advanced than mine now!

 

[Geemo]

I know what you mean about the cost of 10+ for Character Meals. Even the cost for 3-9 is right up there.

For character meals my grandkids don't eat that much either. I feel I am paying for their 1-on-1 interaction with the characters, the food is the bonus.

My group really likes the food at the RiverBelle terrace and Plaza Inn. I'm happy with the cost and portions at each location.

Gemo

 

[juliamollymama]

My tween is picky and has recently sworn off beef.

At DL, she will eat at Bengal BBQ-she gets chicken skewers with no sauce, chicken alfredo at Plaza Inn-she shares with her sister and we get two breadsticks, Pizza Port-of course! and River Belle-she recently got the turkey dinner and she liked it.

At DCA, she likes the flatbread pizza at Paradise Pier, over by the boardwalk, she likes the soup in the bread bowls over at the Boudin bakery place-only broccoli cheese soup though!- and she likes two appetizers at the Cove Bar- the spinach artichoke dip and the BBQ chicken flatbread pizza.

She really enjoys Trader Sam's too. She likes the flatbread pizza and the lettuce wraps. And she wants me to add the Ghiradelli is a must! She is a bit of a chocoholic!

 

[aussie shaz]

I agree that you don't pay for the food at character meals, you pay for the experience. Last year my 12 year old son, 10 year old son and sons friend (10 year old girl) looooved Minnie's breakfast at the Plaza Inn.
You really have to experience a character meal at Disneyland.

 

[PHXscuba]

A few thoughts:

My kids always eat better at a character lunch/dinner than breakfast, so even though it costs a bit more, you might feel like you got your "money's worth" with her eating a meal with some "meat" in it. Luckily the cheap price for the 8 and 5 year olds will help ease the pain!

This also begs a food-allergy question you might want to ask separately: will they make separate food at a buffet for a 1-year-old who you don't have to pay for? Or are you just counting on reading the labels and finding a few things for him to graze on?

Most TS meals (non-buffet) will let a 10-year-old order off the kids' menu, especially if they look 9 or 10. My petite daughter has done that the last couple of years when she doesn't see anything she likes on the adult menu.

PHXscuba

 

[DarthMole]

Most TS meals (non-buffet) will let a 10-year-old order off the kids' menu, especially if they look 9 or 10. My petite daughter has done that the last couple of years when she doesn't see anything she likes on the adult menu.

Anyone can order off the kids menu, adults too. Just be aware that anyone over 9 is subject to adult portions and pricing. They will bring a double portion and charge double too. Do they always do this, no. My 11 yo son ordered off the kids menu at a few TS places (Steakhouse 55 & Storytellers) and they brought kids servings and charged kids prices. We were aware of the rule and prepared to pay the higher price.

It's already been mentioned, but splitting meals is also a good option.