Disney Dining With Toddlers

[bertegirl]

Any advice on places to eat with a 1 year old boy and 4 year old princess. We are staying at the Wildneress Lodge in May for 6 nights.

 

[w-family]

I have three little ones, and my personal opinion is that if this is their first trip don't overload with character meals. If one of them is afraid of them, then the all of your meals can become very painful. We usually only do one per trip. So they get to see them, but it is not too much for them.

Overall all of the resteraunts are pretty kid friendly. Resteraunts that I have found to be great with the kids include, Whispering Canons, (right at WL - they have races with the kids around the resteraunt); and Spoodles, (they used to give the kids pizza dough to play with while waiting for their meals , but I don't know if they do this anymore). The Ohana character breakfast was very interactive too, a parade around the resteraunt with the kids and characters.

Have a great trip and remember patience is indeed a virtue when dining in Disney with little ones!!

 

[fairyprincessmom]

I have DD(6) and DS(2). We try to pick one maybe two character dinners when we go, usual Chef Mickeys and either 1900 Park Fare for breakfast ( you get Alice and Mary Poppins plus Pooh and Tigger) or Crystal Place at MK for the Pooh characters. We always go to Boma's at AKL for dinner and Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL. Boma's is a buffet that please the kids and the adults and after we eat we go see the animals outside. It isn't loud and the food is good. Whispering Canyon has great interactions without characters, it can be loud at dinner. Ask for ketchup if you go. We go to the food court alot because it is more relaxed.

 

[Disney Ron]

We just returned from WDW. We have a DS almost 2. Our ADRs this trip were HDDR, Rose & Crown, Yak & Yeti, Spoodles, Coral Reef, Kona and O'Hana breakfast. DS had a great time and was well behaved at all. I was completely comfortable dining at all of these with our little one.

Have fun planning!
Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[bertegirl]

Anyone know anything about Le Cellier with kids? Looks really good!

 

[staceylynnga]

Hey Bertegirl,

My husband and I are taking our son to Disney in January (he'll be almost 19 months during the trip); we have the following ADRS

Dinner -
Boma, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, & Kona Cafe
*thinking of adding Olivia's Cafe at Old Key West for our last night

Breakfast -
Crystal Palace

I plan to post reviews when we return, so maybe it'll help give you an idea of how an under 2 year old does.

Otherwise, in general, it does seem that all Disney restaurants, with a few obviouis exceptions, are very kid & baby friendly. We did all of of our dinner res between 6:50 and 7:20 p.m, hoping that it would be enough time if our son needs an afternoon nap and the ability to get over to each restaurant.

 

[gsmbaby19]

When my son was 2 1/2 we did the Playhouse Disney breakfast. He had a blast - it was totally worth it! Highly recommend, especially if your child likes music, dancing and isn't afraid of the characters.

 

[bertegirl]

My Daughter Loves Little Einsteins..so That Is Going To Have To Be A Must Do!

 

[wishesUT]

We were at WDW the end of September with our 5 year old son, 3 year old son and 3 month old baby. Here's where we ate:

Hollywood Brown Derby: The hostess was so sweet and since my baby was sleeping she told me to go get my stroller and wheel it right into the restaurant. They boys were a little bored, but we managed.

Teppan Edo: Everyone loved this meal and the boys were entertained by all of the goings on, especially when the action was at our table.

Whispering Canyon Cafe: My boys loved playing with the Lincoln Log set while we waited, but our waiter was very boisterous and my 3 year old disliked him (the rest of us thought he was funny). It's very loud here and overall fun for kids if they're not shy.

Crystal Palace: My boys loved it. The food selection was great for them and they loved the character interaction.

'Ohana: Another great meal and my boys loved the games here.

Le Cellier: There isn't much to interest kids here, but they did let us wait at the Kidcot station so that my boys could color before our table was ready. Just tell the hostess you'll be waiting there and it helps to pass the time. It's a great restaurant and once again they let us push our stroller with our sleeping baby in.

Tutto Italia: My boys loved the food here and they ran around outside while waiting for our table to burn off some energy.

I think it's a great idea to mix up your reservations and have something for the kids and something for the adults. Disney World is so great about accomodating young children. I miss that since being back home.

Have a great trip!

 

[Colleen27]

I think it really depends on the kids. When DS was a toddler, we'd have stuck to fun/entertaining meals like Whispering Canyon, Teppan Edo, Ohana, Biergarten, character meals, etc. With DD, I wouldn't have hesitated to take her to any restaurant Disney has to offer families.

 

[bertegirl]

Can anyone tell me about Biergarten and Crystal Palace?

 

[TanyaS]

Crystal Place is a Pooh and friends character buffet. The food is typical American buffet food - the kids in our group ate lots of mac-n-cheese. Pooh came to visit at our table along with Tigger, Eyeore, and Piglet (I think this may vary). At one point the characters led the children around the room on a little parade, nothing too elaborate, but Piglet held my DDs hand for the parade, so that was thrilling for her.

If you aren't sure if your kids will like the characters, this is a low key, sweet choice.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Biergarten dinner was great! We took DS3 and DS1 there in July and they both loved it. The musical entertainment kept them entertained and interested, there were kid-friendly and adult-friendly choices, excellent German food with something for everyone. Atmosphere is as if you are outside in Germany!!

Crystal Palace is a buffet but the food is excellent. The salmon is to die for! Beautiful restaurant too and right on Main Street. We got there 30 minutes earlier than our ADR but we only had to wait around 15 minutes so we were actually seated 15 minutes before ADR time which was nice. While waiting outside we were able to watch the show with the characters and princesses going on in front of the castle and DH got to videotape it! So this kept us and the kids busy while waiting, and it was fun waiting! The characters are definitely more low-key here. The napkin parade is too cute...my DS3 participated but it is also fun for the kids to watch if they don't feel like participating. Very cute and highly recommended!

These are both restaurants we plan to return to on our next WDW trip when our kids are 3 and 5.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

For the most part, all of WDW is geared to little kids. They will be welcome everywhere except Victoria and Alberts. Also, with any of these threads about dining, one person's distaste is another person's must visit. If any one place has all bad reviews (or doesn't pull numbers), Disney will do away with it.

I also agree that it is good to limit your character meals. Most are pretty good. On our last stop at Chef Mickey's the food was not so great, but otherwise most are pretty good. character meals are not quiet and relaxing though. Many are loud and all are busy. You are trying to eat, and take pictures, and maybe get autographs all at the same time. so is everyone else in the place. It's fun seenig characters with no line, but it is not relaxing.

I'd also say to try and schedule ADR's when your kids like to eat. That isn't always possible at WDW, so you may find yourself having to grab a QS snack somewhere along the way.

Speaking of snacks...Our family, while valuing good nutrition at home, and even at WDW - also allows for the periodic ice-cream-late-morning-snack. The lines are short then, and it's a good way to tide over an appetite until a late lunch ADR.

One place that regularly gets mixed reviews is the Sci-fi Cafe. I understand the burgers/milkshakes are great - s is the atmosphere - but the menu beyond that often gets bad reviews.

Having said all that, Whispering Canyon Cafe comes to mind ofr your trip. It's not a character meal, but is unique WDW fun, and is right at your resort. It's a real plus anytime you can dine at your home resort, since you cna acess your meal right before/after dinner easliy enough. If you can dropthe stroller in youroom and change your clothes before dinner, or let the little one get a nap - you'll feel less like you are at an amusement park for an hour or so.

Likewise, I'd say there are some great options in the area near your resort. Too bad ChefMickeys was just so-so this last time (previously it was very good.) TheContemporary and Ft. Wilderness are just a short boat ride from your resort. Actually, you can easily walk to Ft.W., but how often can you take a boat to dinner ? With small kids, being able to stop in your room on the way to/from dinner is a real plus. Even if you actually don't do it, being able to do so with small kids is a huge plus - so I suggest you picka few places over in that area.

Otherwise, I don't make a strict schedule, but I picka park for each day - and usually plan one ADR each day. So I'd base most choices on where you think you'll be each day.

 

[bertegirl]

Thanks! We have CRT. Think will try WCC and Biergarten . Maybe Chef Mickeys? Still debating on Crystal Palace.

So what are the thoughts on Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace. Better breakfast or dinner food?

We eat just about anything...so just love hearing what others think.

 

[MentalVacation]

looks like you will be there right before us. I am glad you asked this question...same thoughts here.

we have a list of ADR 'wishes' for our trip (only things we have so far are Chef Mickey's and CRT) Yes, I am taking my son to CRT. I'm restraining myself at the BBB, ok? LOL

We are making lots of ADRS (with a little weighting towards characters/buffets b/c they have less time waiting at the table which for our son we have found is helpful....) I confess, we are making LOTS of character reservations. If he HATES the characters, I am sure that will be apparent at the first one and we can adjust our ADRs to CS or just ask the characters to 'back off' if we keep them. He hated Santa Claus, but he insists on going right up to any Mickey Mouse and hugging and kissing them. (Granted, the largest Mickey has been about 4 feet tall, but I'm hopeful. A girl's gotta try, right?

We're doing Crystal Palace, CRT, Chef Mickey's, Donald's Safari and maybe 1900 Parkfare. I have a few 'options' for each day and will just have to see how ADRs go when our window opens up.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks! We have CRT. Think will try WCC and Biergarten . Maybe Chef Mickeys? Still debating on Crystal Palace.

So what are the thoughts on Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace. Better breakfast or dinner food?

We eat just about anything...so just love hearing what others think.

We had the dinner at Crystal Palace and the breakfast at Chef mickey's, back in July, with DS1 and DS3. We LOVED both meals!! Here is a quick review on each:

1. Crystal Palace dinner: the salmon was the best! Lots of kid-friendly options like chicken nuggets, pizza, mac and cheese, french fries. Delicious salads, peel and eat shrimp, prime rib, pastas. Wonderful dessert buffet! We had chocolate peanut butter cake, red velvet cheesecake, a Bailey's bread pudding just for the adults, cookies, soft serve ice cream which my DS3 got a kick out of; BEAUTIFUL restaurant right there on Main Street. Highly recommended for dinner and we will be going back for dinner on our next trip! Excellent character interaction but does not seem as overwhelming as other character meals for some reason.

2. Chef Mickey's breakfast: had a HUGE variety of foods, from fresh fruit, yogurt, bagels, muffins, breads, smoked salmon, 2 kinds of breakfast pizza (one with bacon and egg and one with peanut butter and jelly); Goofy's breakfast lasagne was delicious; traditional hot breakfast foods like scrambled eggs, cheese omelette, french toast, mickey waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage; lots of baked goods and desserts too! We will definitely be going back! Lively character interaction, lots of fun for the kids, they were mesmerized by Mickey!

Here's a tip for park touring and ADRs for these restaurants...if you are going to do either one of these for breakfast, MAKE SURE you are out of breakfast BEFORE the park opens! We were very careful about this. Crystal Palace opens at 8AM but MK opens at 9 (or did when we went in July anyway). I would only schedule a breakfast in a park at restaurant opening, and ONLY on a day when there are NO morning extra magic hours. Especially with little ones, you don't want to be waiting in long lines for attractions so the more you get to earlier in the morning, the more you will see, the less cranky they will be, and the more fun your vacation will be overall! Trust me on this one! Same for Chef Mickey's! We are considering going there for breakfast on our next trip on a morning when we go to Magic Kingdom (a quick monorail ride away from the Contemporary). What we will do is go when they open at 7AM since we still have to get to MK after the meal, and we prefer to get to the parks WELL before rope drop. So, we would have breakfast ADRs at 7AM, and most likely be out of the restaurant well before 8AM (we were out by 7:45 this past summer with a 7AM ADR). That would give us time to hop on the monorail and get to MK, well before 9AM rope drop (you will wait in a line to get through the turnstiles before rope drop and the lines form quickly...getting there 45 minutes before rope drop helps a lot!).

Anyway, that's just my advice. It worked well for our family and the only meltdown we dealt with on our whole 5-night trip was when DS3 started crying at Animal Kingdom because we were literally the next ones to get into the Finding Nemo Musical show and we were but off because they were full. I suggested that he get a Nemo magnet because I felt so bad for him (it was partly my fault as I had played up this show to him for some time and he got all excited). He was so happy with this and we left the park (it was 1:30PM and we had seen everything else we planned to see).

With little ones, try as much as possible to stick to their regular sleeping and eating times, maybe allowing them to stay up a little later. We did not do any nighttime entertainment and we were fine with that. We are DVC members now and have plenty of trips to look forward to in the future so no need to rush into doing everything in a single trip.

 

[ktlm]

We just got back a few weeks ago from my DDs 1st trip. She is not quite 3. She absolutely loved the character meals. That was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for her. We did three 1) Akershus lunch for the Princesses, 2) Crystal Palace lunch for Pooh and Friends and 3) Tusker House Breakfast for Mickey and Friends. That was a good blend of character meals for us because we hit all her favorites. Next time I would like to try Chef Mickey's instead of Tusker House. I would highly recommend Crystal Palace if either of your kids are Pooh fans. We had great character interaction and the lunch was really good too. We will definitely be doing that one again next time.

 

[ktlm]

Oh- I should also say that for OUR family, I have to disagree with bangzoom on the breakfast time. It is really good in theory, but you need to think of your normal time zone/the time difference you will be facing and your kids' personalities. My dd is not a morning person. It would be next to impossible to get her to a 7:00 or even 8:00 breakfast in the WDW timezone. We had a near disaster because I booked Tusker House for 8:30 when the park opened at 9:00, which would have meant we needed to catch a bus at 7:30. Luckily it was later in our trip because I discovered right away that there was no way I was going to get her there that early in any kind of mood you would want for the day. More luck, the day before our breakfast, I was able to call and change our reservation to 9:30 a.m. We walked into the park- got fast passes for the Safari- and went to the restaurant. I think for DD, we will try to stick to lunches and dinners in the future.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh- I should also say that for OUR family, I have to disagree with bangzoom on the breakfast time. It is really good in theory, but you need to think of your normal time zone/the time difference you will be facing and your kids' personalities. My dd is not a morning person. It would be next to impossible to get her to a 7:00 or even 8:00 breakfast in the WDW timezone. We had a near disaster because I booked Tusker House for 8:30 when the park opened at 9:00, which would have meant we needed to catch a bus at 7:30. Luckily it was later in our trip because I discovered right away that there was no way I was going to get her there that early in any kind of mood you would want for the day. More luck, the day before our breakfast, I was able to call and change our reservation to 9:30 a.m. We walked into the park- got fast passes for the Safari- and went to the restaurant. I think for DD, we will try to stick to lunches and dinners in the future.

If you read my entire post, you would have noticed that toward the end of my above post, I did recommend sticking to one's own child's normal eating and sleeping habits while at WDW, as this tends to make things go more smoothly, rather than taking them out of their normal routine so much. My early breakfast ADR suggestion was just that...a suggestion. I completely agree with you that children need to stick to the schedule they are used to in order to enjoy ANY vacation, Disney or otherwise. If your children are not morning people, then by no means should you attempt a 7AM breakfast ADR. Just like I did not attempt any nighttime parades or fireworks with mine since they are not night people.