Feeding a 2 year old

[sgmom]

We are a family of 9 (including inlaws) traveling to WDW for our first family trip. Everyone in the group is on the DDP, except our DD2. What experience has anyone else had feeding their 2 yo that is not old enough to be on the DDP? She will probably eat more than DS6, but he will not be willing to share items from his meal. I am disappointed that we will be paying OOP for her, since she is a good eater and won't just snack on a few items. I would like to provide her a healthy meal also, but wasn't planning on the OOP especiallly now that there has been a change in the kids' meal choices and prices. I don't foresee a problem at a few TS as we also have a couple of buffets planned - assuming I can feed her from them with no problems. But, I would hate to think that we would have to have all buffets just to make it cost effective.

 

[ekball]

We just got back a week ago from 7 nights at Disney with our almost 3 year old and our 14 month old. We did a couple of buffets - they were great as the kids ate for free and there were always lots of good choices for them (kid friendly and healthy choices as well). Aside from that, we paid oop for the kids. Once or twice they shared an adult meal that we paid for (counter service), but otherwise ate their own off the kids menus. I felt like the kids choices were not too terribly pricey - maybe $5-6?? Some decent choices health-wise, but lots of chicken strips/fries too. We got some veggies/fruits in them via snacks (whole pieces of fruit from vendors at the parks, cut up fruit from the resort CS, carrot/celery sticks, applesauce, etc). Not their healthiest week ever, but not the worst either. We brought cheerios and some instant oatmeal with us, bought milk & fruit, and that was their breakfast most mornings.

 

[Merriwind]

Remember that with the DDP, each adult will get an appetizer, entree and dessert at TS restaurants. Easily enough to share with even a ravenous 2yo. CS meals are also large--a combo plus dessert. They're more than DD8 and I can polish off by sharing. By being creative, I'll bet you can find a way that she can share with one or more adults and make it work.

If not, think of it this way, if you weren't on DDP and DD didn't share, you would still have to pay OOP for her at non-buffet TS restaurants. So, it's really not an extra expense if you do have to buy her some items oop. I think that you will find the DDP to be extremely cost effective, even if you have to buy your DD a few meals oop.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned--enjoy!

 

[smiller]

We were in WDW the last week of September with the DDP. At a few TS restaurants, we only used 4 TS to feed 5 adults plus my niece who turned 3 on the trip (so she wasn't on the plan). I think you'll be fine sharing - there's plenty of food. As others have mentioned, use a snack credit or two for a meal supplement or buy a kid's meal now and then; they're not too expensive.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

Just got back on DDP w/4 yr (pd for dining) & 20 mth old. Since DD got dessert at every meal she didn't mind sharing some. I shared most meals w/20mth old but did pay for LeCellier. Funny, when my husband went & took her in May, they said one meal was comp w/an adult BUT NOT THIS TIME!

We did a few buffets & I did something (a bad thing , I guess) a couple of times for CS & that was got an adult meal & had them share. This was MAINLY due to the fact that I don't allow Chicken fingers/burgers/mac& cheese at EVERY MEAL & desserts are a rarity in our house. I got a sandwich w/fruit & milk at The LAND for them & a rottessier chicken meal w/carrots & mashed potatoes at MK. I KNOW it was cheating but until Dis realize those choices are not great --I felt forced. I was VERY IMPRESSED w/the kid meal choices at SCI FI. Granted, food not great for adult but the kids loved the atmosphere & I loved GRILLED Chix strips/sweet potato chips & YOGURT choice.

I took things like fruit bites/cereal bars/goldfish etc. so if the food didn't come quick enough or she seemed hungry still I had a fallback.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We just got back and regret not just paying for our DD as a child she is NOT a big eater, but sometimes she just did not want what we had at CS places and at many of them we ended up buying her her own kids meals.

The TS there is totally enough to eat there. BUT for CS, we really needed to get her her own meal except at Cosmic Rays where she ate with DH since he got that chicken and ribs combo!! so she had Chicken and carrots

 

[sgmom]

Thanks for the advice so far! Boy, I learn so much on these boards. Can anyone give me examples of CS meals? As I was just thinking these were similar to fast food with a slice of pizza and a soda, or a burger and fries type thing, but sounds like there are better options of food and could definitely put meals together for my DD.

I'm planning to pack snacks from home type foods anyway as DS loves applesauce and both love pudding. Ok and some crackers, chips and goodies, even though I know we have the snack credit as well. Most of our dinner ADR's are for around 5 pm because my kids start getting hungry then and wanted to try to avoid crowds.

 

[susieq76]

The counter service menus are listed on allearsnet.com