Feeding the under 3 crowd

[Kerriann]

I have no idea if this is in the right place or not, but I'm giving it a shot.

We are going to Disney in August and booked with the free dining. My daughter will be almost 2 years old when we go, so she is not included in the dining plan. Do you find that the adult meals tend to provide enough to feed a small child from as well, or do you usually order a seperate meal for them? Do the restaurants allow you to bring "snacks" in for the little ones to supplement (a cheese stick, cereal bar, etc)? Just wondering what the best approach is. She eats a lot so I definitely need a plan I'm thinking I'll end up ordering a seperate meal for her.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

You can absolutely buy a meal or share. Buffets and all-you-can-eat places, she will eat for free.

 

[Nadjalu]

Obviously at the buffets she can eat as much as she wants for free. So if she is a big eater these places are a must.

I have found that it really depends on the restaurant, the entree you order and you and your child's eating habits.

Some find that at a TS (non buffet) that between both parents the child has enough, but some feel that the child needs their own.

Best case is plan to buy her a meal at your TS meals and if you find she doesn't need it, it is extra money you have saved.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Disney is really no different than any other out to eat situation with your child at that age. Most of the time there will be plenty of food for them to share with you. The bigger question is whether or not they will enjoy the food that you are ordering. With that said when we have traveled the past 4 times with kids under 3 we have never purchased a kids meal for them.

CRT and Akersh. house also provide an infant meal free of charge in case you are thinking of trying there. (My daughter had butter noodles one place and mickey waffles another. They weren't given "real" choices but it was food for them!)

 

[blessedby3]

My dd3 has never been an eater and still isnt...we have never ordered her a kids meal ANYWHERE yet
We are on the free dining plan when we go in May and I think we will be eating her kids meals
When we took her before she turned 3, she would eat off of our plates (if we could get her to eat). She has always eaten yogurt so a lot of times we would get her a yoplait yogurt with a snack credit-at the CS places- and I would bring in a granola bar or fruit to go with that. You can bring in whatever you need to for her at a restaraunt.

 

[DCDisney]

I doubt you'll need to order her a whole kids meal at every meal but in general I think it's more enjoyable if she's a good eater and you want to eat things she may not enjoy. It's only like $8 and if it makes your meal more enjoyable why not. I especially like that they get an appetizer to graze on which makes waiting for the meal much easier. There are also lots of nice side dishes on menu's so you may find at some meals just ordering an extra side could go a long way and is higher quality food than kids meal food.

 

[gigi1313]

we have taken ds when he was under three a few times... we gravitated towards all-you-care-to-eat places (like garden grill, LTT, 'ohana) and buffets, but for the times we ate CS or TS-menu, we played it by ear... CS there was almost always enough to share (we'd order fruit and yogurt, his two faves, for our dessert as his meal), he'd swipe fries and a nugget from the other kids, take a bite of a cheeseburger, take the eggs off ds13s egg sandwich since he hates eggs and the li'l guy likes 'em) etc... occasionally, we ordered him his own meal (teppan edo comes to mind, mostly so he could have the big rice bowl; also a cup of chicken noodle soup at B&C)...

therefore, my recommendation to the OP is to wait and see... plan to spend a few dollars oop for your li'l one, but most likely you won't need to order a full meal every time...

also, we did bring snacks and it is not frowned upon at all... we typically do a garden grocer order to get some provisions for all of us (bottled water, powerade, milk, yogurt and cereal for the room, etc)

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

OP I have the same issue, my dd will be 18mo on our sept trip, shes a big eater at home, but slightly picky. We love breakfast so we planned a lot of those, no worries on sharing there. But I was worried about lunches and dinners that weren't buffets.

we have taken ds when he was under three a few times... we gravitated towards all-you-care-to-eat places (like garden grill, LTT, 'ohana) and buffets, but for the times we ate CS or TS-menu, we played it by ear... CS there was almost always enough to share (we'd order fruit and yogurt, his two faves, for our dessert as his meal), he'd swipe fries and a nugget from the other kids, take a bite of a cheeseburger, take the eggs off ds13s egg sandwich since he hates eggs and the li'l guy likes 'em) etc... occasionally, we ordered him his own meal (teppan edo comes to mind, mostly so he could have the big rice bowl; also a cup of chicken noodle soup at B&C)...

therefore, my recommendation to the OP is to wait and see... plan to spend a few dollars oop for your li'l one, but most likely you won't need to order a full meal every time...

also, we did bring snacks and it is not frowned upon at all... we typically do a garden grocer order to get some provisions for all of us (bottled water, powerade, milk, yogurt and cereal for the room, etc)

I can't believe I didn't think of getting a yogart, or fruit cup for dessert at the CS places! Such a GREAT IDEA thanks! we harely ever eat the CS dessert, how much chocolate cake or carrot cake can you eat?

I am thinking I will bring some yogart from home (we buy a box at BJ's) and baby fruit bars, then sub some fruit and uncrustables for the meals DD won't share with DH and I.

 

[gigi1313]

OP I have the same issue, my dd will be 18mo on our sept trip, shes a big eater at home, but slightly picky. We love breakfast so we planned a lot of those, no worries on sharing there. But I was worried about lunches and dinners that weren't buffets.






I can't believe I didn't think of getting a yogart, or fruit cup for dessert at the CS places! Such a GREAT IDEA thanks! we harely ever eat the CS dessert, how much chocolate cake or carrot cake can you eat?

I am thinking I will bring some yogart from home (we buy a box at BJ's) and baby fruit bars, then sub some fruit and uncrustables for the meals DD won't share with DH and I.

the only problem w/yogurt from home is keeping it cold... unless you are driving, that may be an issue... i don't think you are allowed to bring yogurt thru security at airport...

we order from www.gardengrocer.com and also order diapers, wipes, shampoo, snacks for the room, water, juice boxes, etc...

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

the only problem w/yogurt from home is keeping it cold... unless you are driving, that may be an issue... i don't think you are allowed to bring yogurt thru security at airport...

we order from www.gardengrocer.com and also order diapers, wipes, shampoo, snacks for the room, water, juice boxes, etc...

The Baby yogurt we buy isn't refrigerated. It's sold in the baby food isle. But we are flying, I was thinking of either shipping a box down or putting it in our checked luggage.

I have looked into Garden Grocer, but they seem expensive, especially when we can buy in bulk at home for much cheaper

Gerber Graduates also has these fruit cereal bars, like a soft fruit granola bar, my dd loves them, so I am thinking o bringing those too. Then buying a few applesauces, uncrustables and fruit cups and of course milk!

 

[lesabrowning]

I have traveled with non perishable baby food in my checked luggage. Just be sure to put it into a gallon sized zipper bag before you pack it. (actually, I double zipper bag it just in case)