Hello, all! Reintroducing myself...

[lntsmom]

I've been on the boards before, but not for quite some time now. I'm a single mom with 2 boys, ages 6 and 12. I'm planning a WDW trip...if things fall into line quickly, possibly in late March, but more likely in late May.

I've only been to WDW once before...in May of 1999. I know much has changed there since then. If you have been recently and have tips to pass along, I'd love to hear them! I'll be checking in on the boards fairly regularly, hoping to gather lots of "must do's" from recent Disney-goers.

The only "for certain" is that I know we want to stay at Movies...the Toy Story section. That's where we stayed last time, just after they opened. Toy Story was the first movie my older son went to, and we've been major fans ever since.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
lntsmom

 

[cherylp3]

Hopefully Toy story mania will be open in May.

MK: Haunted Mansion - Monsters Inc - Philharmagic
Epcot: Soaring - test track
MGM- Tower of terror and rock and roller coaster
Animal Kingdom - Everest and the Safari - for shows festival of the lion king and the finding nemo show

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Welcome back and Merry Christmas to you! First off, Happy Planning. I would second all the above posters recommendations for rides to you. I would also suggest that you check out the DDP and look into making ADRs ASAP! Those a pretty much a necessity now.

 

[lntsmom]

but the folks here may have the first hand information I need!

My 12 year old is insanely picky. He has been this way since birth, literally. I have already had the joy of planning two Disney trips around his issues. He will eat chicken nuggets/strips, waffles and pancakes, garlic bread and cheese bread (no marinara sauce!), and peanutbutter sandwiches. He has been this way since age 2. His doctors over the years have ranged from "Just cut him off" to "he's healthy,don't fight it." I had an elderly relative living with me when he was young and she would tell him what a bad mom I was when I tried to get him to eat other things. I keep hoping that one day he'll branch out, but for now it looks like he will have chicken strips for dinner every night of his life.

To be honest, I've become less flexible. Sometimes we go places like Fazolis and he just has to make a meal of breadsticks...or wait until we get home.

But, when you're talking about a 7 day vacation, that's a long time to go if you're only eating cereals and breads.

I was planning to do the DDP, but now, from what I read on that thread, it looks like it wouldn't work for my family. It says there that you have to purchase it for everyone in the room. I'd considered just purchasing it for myself and my younger son. Then, I see that they say that they won't let kids who are charged at the adult rate order off the kiddie menu at counter service places.

My question is, will he ever be allowed to order the kiddie meal? I'm sure that at buffets he'll be charged as an adult, and that's okay, I understand as long as he's allowed to eat chicken nuggets if that's what he wants. If they won't let him eat off the kiddie buffet, then I guess lunch and dinner buffets are out.

What about table service? If he wants chicken strips will they accomodate him?

I've never had a problem with this at regular restaurants. If he wants chicken strips and they're only on the kiddie menu, he's always been allowed to order them. Will the Disney table service restaurants, such as Prime Time Cafe, let him do this???

I dread the thought of eating both lunch and dinner from counter service places, but if Disney is inflexible about this, that may be our only choice.

I swear, I never was one of those people who, while pregnant, dreamed of their child being some exceptional genius. I just wanted average kids...and didn't get it either time. Any dining tips that parents here have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Well...the good thing is that you will certainly find plenty of chicken fingers at Disney!!! If one of your sons is charged as an adult and the other as a child, can you order the healthier eater a meal off the "adult" menu and the picky eater's meal off the "child menu" and then switch the meals. As long as you order one adult meal and one child meal...it doesn't matter who eats what. Also at the counter service (and I'm sure I'll get flamed for suggesting this...) but are your children old enough to sit by themselves while you go to get the food? You can order both kids child meals if need be and nobody would be the wiser at Disney.

 

[SmallWorld71]

If you are paying OOP-
At CS it does not matter at all what you order, child or adult meals, the choice is up to you. Although, most kids meals at CS are not chicken strips, you will have better luck finding them on the adult menus.
At TS restaurnants, most people have reported having no trouble ordering off the child's menu for their older child or even themselves so you shouldn't have a problem.
If it is a buffet or all you can eat meal, you will have to pay the "adult" price (10 and up) but he can eat whatever he wants there to his hearts content.
Happy eating!

 

[tina_la]

i have also heard on these boards @ a TS of ordering a child's menu (ex mac & cheese) and the server bringing an adult sized meals. I think most of the servers understand that when they lowered the age of what's considered an adult meal most kids are still kinda picky at that age. (some adults too ). My DD 11 is pretty picky and she found plenty to eat even on the adult menu. Also there was a time when we switched mills b/c DS found something on the adult menu and DD ate off of his kids menu. Buffets will not be a problem at all. Have a great time.

 

[tina_la]

i have also heard on these boards @ a TS of ordering a child's menu (ex mac & cheese) and the server bringing an adult sized meals. I think most of the servers understand that when they lowered the age of what's considered an adult meal most kids are still kinda picky at that age. (some adults too ). My DD 11 is pretty picky and she found plenty to eat even on the adult menu. Also there was a time when we switched mills b/c DS found something on the adult menu and DD ate off of his kids menu. Buffets will not be a problem at all. Have a great time.