dining with picky 1st timers

[TheUltimateParkHoppr]

I need suggestions on where NOT to bring a picky eater. What restaurants do you avoid when dining with your picky eaters?
DH and I have been to Disney more times than we can count but in December my BFF and her 6 (will be 7) year old DD will be joining us. They have never been to Disney before and I want to show them the best time possible.
My only problem is that they aren't the most adventurous of eaters. My BFF will try something if I make her and she pretty much ALWAYS ends up liking it but to get her daughter to eat anything besides powdered mac n cheese is like pulling teeth!!!! I just don't want her daughter to be miserable with the food situation. I know Disney caters to kids and their eating habits but still I wouldn't want her to only have to eat mac n cheese or pizza(which she probably won't like bc its not NY pizza) every single day bc I didn't choose the right restaurants for her. I love that kid, she's precious . To me, not caring what she eats seems cruel.
My kids are not picky eaters so I'm not used to this, any suggestions on where to go or to avoid would be extremly helpful.

I figured that these restaurants would be some of our best options.
Chef Mickeys for Breakfast or dinner
Donalds Safari Breakfast
CRT for lunch
Crystal Palace for lunch\
50's PT for late lunch
'Ohana for dinner
WCC dinner
Good????

 

[hstrickland]

Those options look great! The children's menu should be fine. I'm pretty sure most offer mac n cheese, chicken fingers, etc. I know you want them to have a great time...but don't compromise your trip or meal plans. There will be something they can eat at every restaurant. While at WDW, we usually do signature meals at night. If I remember correctly, even those kids' menus have items for picky eaters.

Happy Planning! Your friends will have a blast...it's Disney

 

[PewamoGirl]

I agree, your options look great. A place that might be a good place for you and your friends is Boma.They would have more fun items for you and your bff to try, but they still have the kids buffet for her daughter

 

[lilandvisma]

I'm sure her DD will end up liking SOMETHING @ Ohana's My kids ended up loving the noodles there and they will bring them out fries, etc.. if they don't like anything on the regular menu. I don't care for CM's for Dinner, we found it pretty gross so maybe try Breakfast there IMO. We LOVED Donalds Breakfast @ Tusker House and really enjoyed lunch at Crystal Palace! So much variety there and something for everyone. I think you have totally picked out safe choices!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Your choices look great. I was sort of surprised that the childrens menu was the same at all the table service places we went. Our son didn't like the appetizer choices, and since there was sundaes and fruit offered as a dessert, they let us order him the fruit for his appetizer and the sundae for his dessert.

He got a little tired of chicken nuggets all week. We bought a loaf of bread at our resort. I would put 2 slices in a baggie and put it in my jacket pocket along with a Jif-to-go. Then I would make him PB sandwiches occasionally in the restaurants.

Also for breakfast I would take a slice of bread down to breakfast and toast it. There was jelly and peanut butter there for toast. We were at Roaring Forks at Wilderness Lodge.

Another nice surprise our son had was at LeCellier Steakhouse, they let him order a virgin frozen strawberry dacquiry for his beverage. He loved it! At least I think it was his beverage, maybe it was for his dessert. I can't remember now.

 

[Disney DieHard]

Hello UltimateParkHoppr!

I can absolutely relate to being on vacation with someone who has a child who is a picky eater ... I was on vacation a while back with a friend whose daughter was A VERY PICKY EATER ... almost on the verge of being a pain in the you know what! So I understand your dilemma.

Quite a few of the restaurants you chose are buffet style, like Crystal Palace, so there is a great deal of variety to chose from ... now when you get into places like Ohana and CRT even though there may be a, sort of, set menu ... Disney is VERY accommodating for children.

However, I may eat it for saying this but, even though you REALLY love this little girl and you want her to have a great time and you seem to be trying to be very sensitive to her needs you should NOT allow a 6 year old (or 7 at the time) to dictate where you can and can't or should or should not eat. Even for a place like Ohana which doesn't have a menu per se but more of a defined selection that comes out they will make every attempt to satisfy children ... i.e. Mac & Cheese, PB & J, Chicken nuggets, etc., etc.

I sincerely hope you don't take my comment the wrong way but I would hate to see you, your significant other, and especially your BFF since it is her first time at WDW miss out on something REALLY fun ... like, let's say, Sci-Fi for example since it has a limited menu, because you're trying to placate a 6yr old.

But like Dennis Miller used to say: "Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Take Care & Be Safe

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[TheUltimateParkHoppr]

Thanks everyone! And Disney Diehard, I agree w you, I just didn't want to seem like I wasn't thinking of her, you know? But I'm pretty sure she will be fine with the restaurants i have listed.