Dining with young kids... questions

[Carterfam]

We are going to WDW in March, for the first time with our sons who are 8 months old. We were hoping that with our dining reservations, they would have something to offer the boys, that we could either mash up and feed them or finger food we could give them. I have reserved three buffets for this scenario. We are going for 8 days, and just thought it would be more convenient if I did not have to pack or pick up a whole bunch of food for them.

Our dining reservations are to the following places: Chef Mickey, Tusker House, The Wave, Crystal Palace, San Angel Inn, Big River Brewing & Grille Works & Mama Melrose.

If you had a young family how did you plan the following??

Thanks, in advance.

 

[mmmears]

I took baby food (finger foods, cheerios, raisins, etc.) for my DD when she was a toddler. At the buffets, though, you can generally find things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, really soft mac & cheese... just what comes to mind at the moment. Could any of these work for your kids?

There was also fruit and veggies at the buffets that I was able to cut into little pieces.

When my DD was 8 months old, though, I don't think she would have eaten most of this stuff...

You could always use a company like Garden Grocer or We Go Shop to have some food delivered to your room. We've used them both for bottled water and other items -- they were both reliable!

 

[katied]

I was there with DS at 8 months. The buffets should be easy - lots of choices an 8 mo old can eat. By then there wasn't much DS wouldn't eat.

At the non-buffets, normally I'd order my food with some thought as to what I could share, or else somethings there might be something I could order that DS could eat. I did try to take stuff with too. DS had never really eaten jarred baby foods (we made all his food at home). I took some jars with, but he refused to eat them. I normally had cherrios, raisens and some other dry snacks for him, and then you can easily buy bananas at the resorts and around the parks - that's easy to cut up for little ones. There's generally yogurt available too.

So - it's a combo of what you can order in the resturants, what you bring with, and what you can buy around the park. DS was also still nursing.

 

[Mrs D]

Are your boys 8 months now? So they will be almost 12 months when you go? You should be fine with buffets. Lots of choices so you can select what will work best for them. I saw bananas at every buffet (breakfast, lunch & dinner) last week. There is always mac & cheese at lunch/dinners. Scrambled eggs and Mickey waffles at breakfast. Most places have chicken nuggets - you can cut those (or a chicken breast dish) into small bites. Check out the menus of the restaurants at allears.net to give you an idea of what will be available!

 

[dmank]

I took my 8 mo old (and DD3 and DS5) last year and brought a loaf of bread, and PB&J for all the kids - had a couple sandwiches with me for in a pinch. I also would have some mini applesauces, but mostly the baby would eat off the buffet or off my plate. San Angel he ate applesauce I brought. You won't need to bring anything for the buffets.

 

[stitchfan18]

We took a family trip when my nephew was 9 months old. We had baby food in our grocery order, but he ate with us at every meal. He would eat the bread, mashed potatoes, and other mashed up things.

 

[ses1230]

DD#2 was 7 months old the first time she went. We had jarred baby food and formula in our grocery order. I shipped diapers and wipes to the resort before we left, and both of those freed up suitcase room.

I also brought baby food and some finger foods to the restaurants and if nothing else it occupied her while we were waiting or eating.

The buffets were easy to choose foods she could eat. At the other restaurants I ordered something I knew I could share but a few times we ordered a mac and cheese kids entree for her.

Not dining related, but the baby care centers are a great, quiet place to change a diaper, bottle or breastfeed, or just to step away for a few moments!

 

[k_reile]

do the resturants have child size spoons and forks for children?? DS will be 16 mos when we go in Feb and i was wondering if I should pack some because he is into using his spoon and fork now even though he may not get much in! LOL!

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I definitely think you'll be fine at all of the buffets! There are plenty of options... cooked veggies can be cut up into small bits, fresh fruit to cut up, pastas, crackers, yogurts (at breakfast), oatmeal (breakfast), etc. We always keep a package of applesauce (the single-serving size, I think they're 4 ounces?) so we have a healthy option if there's not a fruit or veggie available. Have a great trip!