Disney Dining and Toddlers

[sparks&whimsy]

Aloha! My little Ohana has our annual Disney World trip coming up this December. In the past my husband and I have always scheduled sit down dining as it was always just the two of us and we would linger over dinner. Last year was our first trip with our son who was 4 months old at the time and pretty much slept in his stroller through meals. I know we wont be as lucky this year.

Should I cancel our California Grill and Topolino's dinner reservations and try for more casual dining? These would be our first real meals out since March and selfishly I really would like to have dinner at each. I am torn about what to do.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Our rule was only go to a restaurant where no one will pay attention when the french fries hit the floor! Honestly, I'd skip it and save your sanity. Put the money away for college LOL!

 

[sponica]

I'd say test drive at home, but you know, the plague and everything. My daughter was always good at restaurants (until she turned 2.5, then she was and still is a nightmare).

The rules for success are: book a time EARLIER than when you eat at home, even if that means eating dinner at 430 and be flexible. I'd be inclined to keep them and if it turns into "omg this isn't going to happen" check in and let them know you can't make it or cancel the reservation a day in advance.

 

[sparks&whimsy]

I'd say test drive at home, but you know, the plague and everything. My daughter was always good at restaurants (until she turned 2.5, then she was and still is a nightmare).

The rules for success are: book a time EARLIER than when you eat at home, even if that means eating dinner at 430 and be flexible. I'd be inclined to keep them and if it turns into "omg this isn't going to happen" check in and let them know you can't make it or cancel the reservation a day in advance.

I have been thinking about some test runs here at home. We just reopened for sit down dining but I am still slightly hesitant about eating out at home. And yet I feel ok about doing it at Disney. My logic makes no sense right now I know. We have a staycation scheduled at Aulani when they reopen in two weeks so we will be able to test dining there but they will only have casual dining open while we are there.

I have made mostly 5pm reservations as we eat dinner at home at 6pm.

 

[sponica]

@sparks&whimsy I'd probably feel slightly more comfortable about eating indoors at disney and I have yet to do that at home despite our super low numbers. so you're not the only person with that logic

 

[nancipants]

Our son is 10 months old and we’ve done a few sit down restaurants since Disney reopened: Garden Grill, Spice Road Table, and Grand Floridian Cafe. He did well at all of them, though he was loud and dropped a lot of food. Everyone was understanding - they’re familiar with kids. However, I wouldn’t bring him any place “fancy” or where you have to wait a long time for food.

 

[Rory607]

In my experience, eating earlier is better. It will likely be less crowded and hopefully he won’t be as tired. But prepare yourself for not lingering after your meal, lol. We’ve had lots of meals that end with me getting quickly the kids out the door while my H pays the bill. When they’re done, they’re done.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Maybe just keep one of them?

My kids are 4 & 5 now and have always been good in restaurants. While almost every dining experience has been great, they too have had their moments when overtired, etc. At WDW we usually eat at the more casual places that appeal more to to kids and they always do great.

It’s a lot of money to spend if one of you ends up outside running around with him and you’re not able to sit and enjoy it. We haven’t been since February, but with the limited capacity, the restaurants are likely a little quieter right now with less people - but as long as one of you plans to take him outside if he’s not cooperating, that wouldn’t be a problem. If you are really wanting to, I would but maybe just pick one!

 

[Marthasor]

We travel to WDW multiple times a year and have done so since my DS was 1 (He's now 13). We also did signatures with him since he was young. I think going with the earliest ADR is a good idea. The perk of the two restaurants you have chosen is they both have outdoor areas you can take your child to if he/she becomes restless. The Cali Grill outdoor deck is spectacular. In all of the times we have eaten at TS, we only had to take him out once when he was a toddler and we abandoned ship at that point and ordered room service (which, obviously, isn't an option right now unless you are are BCV/YC).

 

[LSUmiss]

Our rule was only go to a restaurant where no one will pay attention when the french fries hit the floor! Honestly, I'd skip it and save your sanity. Put the money away for college LOL!

Yes! We used to try to push through & then we realized it wasn’t even enjoyable so what’s the point! DS is 2.5 & we still don’t eat out!

 

[magicalmom1]

If your kiddo struggles with sitting at mealtimes, I would probably cancel and go for quick service.

I've been lucky with my kids, as they do great at restaurants in general. During our first trip, my younger one was 22 months old and he was fine. Sit-down dining was a good break for us during and after busy park days. I agree with the suggestions of doing an early dinner if possible, to avoid any overtired meltdowns later in the evening. We always bring some table activities and snacks to hold them over (sometimes they are already hungry and it's hard to wait for their meal to arrive at the table, haha).

 

[morganms22]

We were there last week with my 1.5 year old and we tried to choose locations that we wouldn’t be potentially interrupting someone’s anniversary meal, etc. Also, we ate dinner as early as possible to keep her on schedule and again I figure the later you go the more couples will be there.

We did Topolino’s character breakfast and it was fantastic! Highly recommend that instead of dinner there with a toddler. Also, we ate at the Boathouse in Disney Springs (early dinner) and that worked out well. It was busy in there and we could eat outside, too. She had not been out to eat since pre-covid either and it was definitely more challenging. A lot of nights we did mobile Togo orders and brought it back to our villa to eat. Much less stress!

 

[sparks&whimsy]

We travel to WDW multiple times a year and have done so since my DS was 1 (He's now 13). We also did signatures with him since he was young. I think going with the earliest ADR is a good idea. The perk of the two restaurants you have chosen is they both have outdoor areas you can take your child to if he/she becomes restless. The Cali Grill outdoor deck is spectacular. In all of the times we have eaten at TS, we only had to take him out once when he was a toddler and we abandoned ship at that point and ordered room service (which, obviously, isn't an option right now unless you are are BCV/YC).

We are doing a split stay Poly/BCV I did not realize BCV was offering room service that may come in handy.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

We travel to WDW multiple times a year and have done so since my DS was 1 (He's now 13). We also did signatures with him since he was young. I think going with the earliest ADR is a good idea. The perk of the two restaurants you have chosen is they both have outdoor areas you can take your child to if he/she becomes restless. The Cali Grill outdoor deck is spectacular. In all of the times we have eaten at TS, we only had to take him out once when he was a toddler and we abandoned ship at that point and ordered room service (which, obviously, isn't an option right now unless you are are BCV/YC).

Does BCV now have room service? I had not read that. Just those 2?

 

[sparks&whimsy]

If your kiddo struggles with sitting at mealtimes, I would probably cancel and go for quick service.

I've been lucky with my kids, as they do great at restaurants in general. During our first trip, my younger one was 22 months old and he was fine. Sit-down dining was a good break for us during and after busy park days. I agree with the suggestions of doing an early dinner if possible, to avoid any overtired meltdowns later in the evening. We always bring some table activities and snacks to hold them over (sometimes they are already hungry and it's hard to wait for their meal to arrive at the table, haha).

He's always really good at home but since we have not eaten out in months we have no comparison. We are going to test dining out locally and see how that goes!

 

[sparks&whimsy]

We were there last week with my 1.5 year old and we tried to choose locations that we wouldn’t be potentially interrupting someone’s anniversary meal, etc. Also, we ate dinner as early as possible to keep her on schedule and again I figure the later you go the more couples will be there.

We did Topolino’s character breakfast and it was fantastic! Highly recommend that instead of dinner there with a toddler. Also, we ate at the Boathouse in Disney Springs (early dinner) and that worked out well. It was busy in there and we could eat outside, too. She had not been out to eat since pre-covid either and it was definitely more challenging. A lot of nights we did mobile Togo orders and brought it back to our villa to eat. Much less stress!

I keep looking for a Topolino's breakfast and have not found an open reservation. If we can switch from dinner to breakfast I would happily take that.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

We are doing a split stay Poly/BCV I did not realize BCV was offering room service that may come in handy.

From what I have read, nothing will be open at Poly but the DVC villas. Supposedly none of the QS or TS, or stores, or bars, or anything, and the monorail will not be stopping at Poly, so you will need to walk to TTC.

 

[morganms22]

Does BCV now have room service? I had not read that. Just those 2?

Yes! They do and so does Yacht Club.

 

[sparks&whimsy]

From what I have read, nothing will be open at Poly but the DVC villas. Supposedly none of the QS or TS, or stores, or bars, or anything, and the monorail will not be stopping at Poly, so you will need to walk to TTC.

I was told Captain Cooks and Kona Cafe will be open. We are aware of the monorail and are fine with the walk to TTC.

 

[morganms22]

I was told Captain Cooks and Kona Cafe will be open. We are aware of the monorail and are fine with the walk to TTC.

Yes, both of those are open and Kona has mobile order option too!