Help! Major dining problem

[PrincessJasmine]

I'm taking my little sister to Disney in November, and we're facing a major food problem. She is the pickiest eater I've ever seen, and she absolutely will NOT eat anything except tuna fish sandwiches, grilled cheese, french fries, mashed potatoes w/ corn, mcdonald's chicken mcnuggets and cheese pizza. I swear, those are the only foods she eats. We've tried to get her to eat different foods but she won't.

I know I can find french fries virtually anywhere, and the same with pizza, but I'd really like to go to the 50's Prime Time and the Sci-Fi, as well as a few other places that don't appear to have anything she'll eat. I just don't know what to do. I love going out to eat and when we're home all we do is eat fast food because she doesn't eat anything else, so I'm dying for something different. What do I do in a situation like this?

By the way, she's 12 but she looks about 16 so even if the Kids' Menu had something on it she'd eat, they wouldn't offer her one.

 

[lisatradingspaces]

Usually most places can make a grilled cheese even if it's not on the menu. It's simple to make and most places have bread and cheese. Don't be too shy to ask because it's no big deal and I think it's fairly common for people to ask for grilled cheese.

Lisa

 

[SB in KY]

You can also ask for a kids menu where ever you go (I know chicken nuggets and mac and cheese are on the menu at Prime Time) sometimes they charge a little more and serve larger portions if the "kid" is over 10 but that's OK too.

Of course the mean mother in me says...go where you want to eat and she can either eat what is there or watch you while you eat.... guess that is why I never had kids that were picky eaters....they either ate what was offered or they did without...never heard of anyone starving to death on that plan...but I guess a vacation isn't the best time to begin new eating habits.

Seriously I would make reservations wherever you want to go, and ask for a kids menu....almost everyplace has something she will eat on the kids menu and if all else fails she can just order fries or mashed potatoes. And I would insist that she discuss the food options with the waiter herself....don't do it for her...let her negotiate something to eat...they will come a lot closer to getting her to try something else than you will!!

 

[Lynn4Mel]

go to Deb Wills site.... allearsnet.com and in her sub menus for Disney Dining are the menus for all the restaurants

Good luck!

 

[Jacksmom99]

I would just make the reservations you want for dinner and let her figure it out for herself. She's not going to starve, there are certainly enough carb loaded items that she will eat at just about every resaurant I can think of. If she can't find something she likes on the menu (kid's menu included), then tell her you'll get her a slice of pizza when your done at one of the counter places. Dining at different places in Disney is fun and so much a part of the magical experience, I wouldn't let the picky eater keep you from trying the things you want.

 

[tkldisney]

You can get a grilled cheese at 50's. Make the adr, you'll have lots of fun.

 

[disnut8]

You can ALWAYS order from the kids menu. Just ask for one when you check in at the podium or when you are seated. No big deal. 50s Prime Time is great with special orders. I had a vegetarian friend ask for a turkey sandwich without the turkey and was given a load of other options including a veggie burger with fries. Just ask. Disney is very accommodating.

 

[eeyore45]

I'm chiming in, my picky eater was mainly a "french fries with kepup" kid last year - and even Ohana accomadated her!! The waiter asked if we wanted a kids menu (since she wont eat anything here) and I said "she usually only eats a few fries with like a bowl of ketchup" !! (I had said she wont eat, he persisted!! lol) and he brought her a handful of fries (more than she could eat!) and a bowl of ketchup - I thought she was going to hug him!! LOL!!

So go where you want, and have some healthy snacks in the room (I had PB and honey and bread, beef jerky, etc in the room!!)

 

[danny1649]

To funny I have grandson the same way.Your post reminded me so much of him and made me smile.

 

[PrincessJasmine]

I actually went to allears and have been checking out the menus...I don't see much she'll eat but I'm working on it!

 

[pamlet]

Is this a trip with just the two of you?

You might find that she'll branch out a little bit because it's more of a "big girls" only trip! Kids at that age can be surprising!

 

[FayeW]

Maybe I'm just mean, or expecting to much, but why don't you lay it on the line for her and tell her that since you are taking her, you expect her to compromise and try some new things? Taking a 12 yr old (who is not your child) to WDW is VERY generous, and she should know it! Sounds like somebody in her life needs to put their foot down and demand that she eat a more balanced diet. Might as well be you, since you are planning on compromising your vacation by eating at only places where you think she will agree to eat something! She's 12, not 2. Stop giving in to her.

 

[Colinsmom]

Maybe carry some of those single serve tuna salad kits from the grocery store, and if she won't eat what is at the restaurant, she can eat one of those. I can't see paying double the kids' menu price for a cheeseburger or grilled cheese!

 

[disneymac]

Go where you want to go for your meals and let your sister place her own orders. Twelve is definitely old enough to do that! If she's given the responsibility for herself, she may surprise you! Have a great trip!

 

[jgreen]

If you want to go to Sci-Fi, by all means go. My DD (8) had chicken nuggets and fries at lunch there and was very happy. They also have a great milkshake if your sister likes those.

 

[PrincessJasmine]

Maybe I'm just mean, or expecting to much, but why don't you lay it on the line for her and tell her that since you are taking her, you expect her to compromise and try some new things? Taking a 12 yr old (who is not your child) to WDW is VERY generous, and she should know it! Sounds like somebody in her life needs to put their foot down and demand that she eat a more balanced diet. Might as well be you, since you are planning on compromising your vacation by eating at only places where you think she will agree to eat something! She's 12, not 2. Stop giving in to her.

She is not my child, so I don't think it's my place to do that. My mother has tried to put her foot down, but my sister eats what she likes, and she unfortunately just doesn't like to eat much. She won't compromise. If I don't give in, she won't eat.

 

[PrincessJasmine]

Is this a trip with just the two of you?

You might find that she'll branch out a little bit because it's more of a "big girls" only trip! Kids at that age can be surprising!

Yes, it's just us - but I doubt she'll see it that way. She's been raised in a very adult household and she is pretty grown for her age. She's 12 going on 25. I just wish she would eat that way.

 

[PrincessJasmine]

I posted asking for advice on dining, not for people to tell me how my sister needs to be raised. No one here has any clue what type of household she has been raised in or what our family is like. I'm not saying it's right for her to eat only the things she eats, but that's how it is. I'm not willing to get into a fight about food on what should be the happiest trip we've ever taken. She's eaten this way her whole life, and I don't see her changing anytime soon. When you think of a typical 12 year old, that is not my sister. She is very opinionated and argumentive and basically knows what she likes. True, it isn't much, but I can't change her mind.

 

[ajfargo]

I've found that even the counter services places are willing to try and accommodate special requests. By all means, go to a restaurant, and if your sister doesn't see anything on the menu she will eat, ask if they can prepare something for her. I think the restaurant will do what it can to make the meal pleasant for everyone.

Allen

 

[PatsGirl]

Hi. I can relate to the picky eater syndrome, been there, done that, thank God it's over now

I thought the idea of the tuna packets was a good idea. Also, you may be able to buy tuna sandwiches in the food court wherever you are staying. You didn't mention breakfast or snacks. If she's like most preteens, she is probably boycotting breakfast but if she likes ice cream, I'd take her to the best ice cream places in the World and let her eat it at her leisure. As for eating at the restaurants, you mentioned she only eats MCDonalds chicken nuggets so maybe you should stick to the FFs (and a shake if you can get her to eat it).

Have no fear, she will not starve to death! They never do.

Brenda