Getting kids involved in dining plans...

[ClosetDisMom]

We are going to WDW in July and plan on purchasing the Dining Plan for a 6 night stay. We have a 6 year old and a 9 year old. This would be my kids' 3rd trip (but they probably only remember the last one). I would like to have them "help" make the Disney itinerary. Has anyone had their kids help choose restaurants?

I had them watch some youtube reviews (I found short ones that were 5 minutes or less) to help pick out a resort. That worked, but there were a lot fewer resorts to choose from than restaurants. How did you get your kids involved in the Disney planning? Any blogs or good websites I should show them?

I want to have them help over our Christmas break because our 6 months opens on January 8th.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Haley R]

We are going to WDW in July and plan on purchasing the Dining Plan for a 6 night stay. We have a 6 year old and a 9 year old. This would be my kids' 3rd trip (but they probably only remember the last one). I would like to have them "help" make the Disney itinerary. Has anyone had their kids help choose restaurants?

I had them watch some youtube reviews (I found short ones that were 5 minutes or less) to help pick out a resort. That worked, but there were a lot fewer resorts to choose from than restaurants. How did you get your kids involved in the Disney planning? Any blogs or good websites I should show them?

I want to have them help over our Christmas break because our 6 months opens on January 8th.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I've never done it, but I think it's a good thing to try. We are taking our 9 yo niece for her first trip next year and are surprising her for Christmas. I plan on having her at least look at some of the rides that I think need FPs to see if they look interesting to her. I've been there before so I know what rides really need a FP. I hadn't thought about doing it with our restaurants, but I might do that now so she can see what ADRs I have planned.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Maybe narrow it down to things you think they would like and then show them videos/links to menus of a smaller pool for them to choose from.

 

[LoriWV]

My nephew was right in that age range when we took a family trip to Disney. He LOVED being one of the master planners for the trip! This was before FP+ so he helped make a list of "must do" rides for each park. We also let him look at a "Guide to Disney with Kids" book for descriptions of the restaurants. While we narrowed things down a little bit before handing things over to him, he was really part of the process, and so much more excited about the trip because of that. Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Haley R]

My nephew was right in that age range when we took a family trip to Disney. He LOVED being one of the master planners for the trip! This was before FP+ so he helped make a list of "must do" rides for each park. We also let him look at a "Guide to Disney with Kids" book for descriptions of the restaurants. While we narrowed things down a little bit before handing things over to him, he was really part of the process, and so much more excited about the trip because of that. Hope you have a wonderful time!

I'm excited to include our niece in the process! She hasn't been there either so it will be a good chance for her to learn about the parks that we are going to.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

When DD was 8, I would describe restaurants to her and let her give me a Yes, No, I Don't Care reaction.

Do you want to meet any characters?
Do you like the idea of going to a luau?
What do you think about eating in the castle?
There is a restaurant with a big fish tank. Should we eat there?
How about one where they serve German food?

I also asked if there were any specific foods she wanted to eat - and it turned out that she really, really wanted to try escargot, so that put Les Chefs on the list.

I would also ask if there were any restaurants they remembered that they wanted to try again.

 

[Arielfan98]

I would recommend the YouTube Channel, "Eating My Ears." She shows a quick slideshow of restaurants and pictures. I would also put into consideration what your children are like to narrow down the choices. For example, if your kids LOVE characters, narrow down certain character meals based on your vacation planner.

 

[Haley R]

When DD was 8, I would describe restaurants to her and let her give me a Yes, No, I Don't Care reaction.

Do you want to meet any characters?
Do you like the idea of going to a luau?
What do you think about eating in the castle?
There is a restaurant with a big fish tank. Should we eat there?
How about one where they serve German food?

I also asked if there were any specific foods she wanted to eat - and it turned out that she really, really wanted to try escargot, so that put Les Chefs on the list.

I would also ask if there were any restaurants they remembered that they wanted to try again.

Your 8 yo is more adventurous than I am lol

 

[tcufrog]

I have a 6 and a 10 year old. The way I have them choose anything is that I give them 3 choices. They each get to say no to one option. Whatever is left is the winner. If their no is the same then I break the tie.

 

[rg35]

I have 3 9 year olds and we have been 5 years in a row. This year I asked them if they remembered various places and if they would like to return there. I always try to mix in old and new places and like them to have a say because it is a family vacation.

 

[bluejasmine]

My kids are grown now but I use to include them I would give them several options and they would help me pick.

 

[nat8199]

My kids are twin boys who are 6 (and 3/4 as they would say) and my daughter who is 8. They are totally helping me pick restaurants for our upcoming trip. They wanted to go to the "one in mexico with the boat ride, the one that spins with Chip and Dale, the good salad, and the boat ride, and the one in the castle with the princesses.". So, they are. The boys also wanted "a lot of seafood" for their birthday, which is our arrival day, so we are going to the Cape May buffet. If they are happy, I am relaxed, so they are getting what they want, plus a few extras that I HOPE will also make them happy.

 

[nat8199]

When DD was 8, I would describe restaurants to her and let her give me a Yes, No, I Don't Care reaction.

Do you want to meet any characters?
Do you like the idea of going to a luau?
What do you think about eating in the castle?
There is a restaurant with a big fish tank. Should we eat there?
How about one where they serve German food?

I also asked if there were any specific foods she wanted to eat - and it turned out that she really, really wanted to try escargot, so that put Les Chefs on the list.

I would also ask if there were any restaurants they remembered that they wanted to try again.

Your question are almost exactly the ones I asked about the new restaurants we are adding to our list. As a result our ADRs now include Coral Reef and Chef de France, which are new to us. I am saving the Luau for the next, next trip.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

My nephew was right in that age range when we took a family trip to Disney. He LOVED being one of the master planners for the trip! This was before FP+ so he helped make a list of "must do" rides for each park. We also let him look at a "Guide to Disney with Kids" book for descriptions of the restaurants. While we narrowed things down a little bit before handing things over to him, he was really part of the process, and so much more excited about the trip because of that. Hope you have a wonderful time!

I hadn't thought about the books. Thanks!

 

[ClosetDisMom]

When DD was 8, I would describe restaurants to her and let her give me a Yes, No, I Don't Care reaction.

Do you want to meet any characters?
Do you like the idea of going to a luau?
What do you think about eating in the castle?
There is a restaurant with a big fish tank. Should we eat there?
How about one where they serve German food?

I also asked if there were any specific foods she wanted to eat - and it turned out that she really, really wanted to try escargot, so that put Les Chefs on the list.

I would also ask if there were any restaurants they remembered that they wanted to try again.

Yep - I think a Q and A session might be a good start, especially with my 6 year old. Thanks for the question ideas.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

My kids are twin boys who are 6 (and 3/4 as they would say) and my daughter who is 8. They are totally helping me pick restaurants for our upcoming trip. They wanted to go to the "one in mexico with the boat ride, the one that spins with Chip and Dale, the good salad, and the boat ride, and the one in the castle with the princesses.". So, they are. The boys also wanted "a lot of seafood" for their birthday, which is our arrival day, so we are going to the Cape May buffet. If they are happy, I am relaxed, so they are getting what they want, plus a few extras that I HOPE will also make them happy.

I love their descriptions - perfect and to the point. My kids haven't gone enough to be that specific, however that might change soon. Have a great birthday trip for them!

 

[ClosetDisMom]

Your question are almost exactly the ones I asked about the new restaurants we are adding to our list. As a result our ADRs now include Coral Reef and Chef de France, which are new to us. I am saving the Luau for the next, next trip.

We tried the Luau when we went two years ago. My kids LOVED it - they felt so special! I have read a couple of negative reviews, but I have to say we all enjoyed it.

 

[ajwolfe]

We let our kids have a say in where we eat. When they were smaller I would give choices now at 10 and 14 they remind me of places they want to try or we have and they want to go back to.
Kids love to be part of the process!!

 

[Lisa F]

I sit down and talk to him about the plans. If it's not something he's familiar with (he's 9 and we have gone twice since he was 6) then we'll look up the menu. if he sees something he likes on the menu we'll look for some photos of it. I start with a list of things I'd like to do and then get him involved.

Our next trip we are going to by his request: CA Grill (his favorite), San Angel Inn (he has never been but requested we go after seeing Coco, we checked out the menu and then I booked it), Biergarten (went last time) and 'Ohana breakfast. He requested 'Ohana dinner but we only had one resort night dinner and he chose CA Grill over 'Ohana.

We are also going to Garden Grill breakfast (which he loves it just was not on his list), Crystal Palace breakfast (also he loves but was not on his list but i LOVE tigger so it was on mine), BoG dinner (he did not like it at lunch but I think he will at dinner) and Satu'li Canteen (he didn't even know about it but we looked at reviews together and he really wants to go)... not a TS but he's into it now!

Also Whispering Canyon with my parents because we are staying at WL and doing a fireworks cruise after. Not super high on my list but there for convenience.

 

[KenHutch]

On our 1st trip when my daughter was 5 I picked the restaurants. By trip #2 which was 2 years later she was checking out places I wanted to try. She is 17 now and we are prepping for our 5th trip. She and my 7 year old god-daughter pretty much decided every restaurant except they give me 1 night to choose (and I have been told I better choose right).