Help with meals for our September trip!

[DisSarahK]

Help! I thought I knew what I was doing, but now I'm not so sure! I need to call and make PS for our mid September trip...and I don't know what to do! By the way, at home they go to bed by 7pm...so I'm a tad worried what will happen on vacation, especially as neither ever sleeps in a stroller--even as infants they didn't do that!

The travelers are myself and my husband and our 2.5 year old and 4.5 year old. Our children are big eaters but our son is quite picky. Oh and they don't eat fried foods.

During our meals I'd like to see the princesses, Minnie, and Pooh. They know the traditional (older) Disney characters and the princesses--they have no clue who Lilo and Stitch are or other newer characters.

Sooo, what should I do?! Help! They do get up early and we could do a breakfast before park opening, right? Oh and we're staying at the Desert Inn and Suites so there is a continental breakfast, but I'm still open to doing a sit-down breakfast.

We arrive on Tuesday, September 16th in mid-afternoon and will not be going into the parks at all that day. I was thinking we could do Downtown Disney that afternoon, pick up our 3 day park hoppers (we have vouchers) and then do dinner at Denny's before putting the little ones to bed at their usual time.

On Wednesday, September 17th the park is open from 10am-8pm and we'll definitely be there right at opening...the children will have been up for four hours at that point.

On Thursday, September 18th the park is open from 10am-8pm and we'll have our early entry on this day, so that's 9am, right?

On Friday, September 19th the park is open from 9am-11pm and again, we'll be there right at the opening.

On Saturday we leave for the airport in the mid-morning and thus won't be at the parks at all.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Do the minnie and friends breakfast minnie and useally pooh is there.

If there is a princess breakfast do it because the lunch food sucks.

Desert inn breakfast is crap toast, pastery, ceral, juice, coffee, oranges not much of anything really. Dennys is right next door for sit down plus Im hearing good reviews for tomarrowland terrace breakfast.

9am is right for the MM

 

[heatherleigh]

On Tuesday evening, you can arrange a character dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. I haven't ever been to it, but I have heard good reviews on the food. Since your kids are decent eaters (and after the day of travel they'll probably be hungry) it would be worth the money. The next morning I'd schedule a breakfast at Carnation Cafe. We did this once, and it was delicious. The previous poster mentioned Tomorrowland Terrace. We have never been to it, but plan on doing breakfast on our next trip. It sounds yummy. Definitely do breakfast on Wednesday rather than Thursday, because you don't want to waste your magic morning by eating that day.

Another dinner option for Tuesday evening is Catal. I think that's the place we ate on our last trip. They have Italian food (if it's the place I'm thinking of.) We ordered pizza and a pasta entree. This is a good place to bring scraps home from because it heats up well.

 

[DisSarahK]

Thank you so much for the input--this is very helpful! I think doing dinner at Goofy's Kitchen is a great idea--it will give us a taste of Disney magic right on our first day!

Please keep this ideas coming!

 

[DisSarahK]

Oh and I definitely want to eat at Carnation Cafe--any idea how late they serve Mickey shaped pancakes? I know we'd all like those!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh and I definitely want to eat at Carnation Cafe--any idea how late they serve Mickey shaped pancakes? I know we'd all like those!

Their menu shows Mickey waffles, no pancakes. RiverBelle Terrace, as far as I know, is the only restaurant with mickey pancakes.


Be sure to check this link http://www.allears.net/dlr/din/dining.htm , and click on the links to the left with "menus" in the titles, not "restaurants".

 

[DisSarahK]

Mickey waffles will work too...actually, that's probably better since I can make Mickey pancakes at home but Mickey waffles are a bit beyond my abilities!

 

[4evrdisney]

Hi Sarah -
Wow! Our trip is off from yours just by a day - we are arriving Sunday and leaving Friday, rather than Tuesday -Saturday like your trip.
My kids are 1 and 3 - the 1 year old is usually in bed by 6:30 and the 3 year old is in bed between 7:30 and 8:00. neither of our kids has EVER slept in strollers. It is even rare for them to fall asleep in the car unless it is a REALLY long trip. I'm a little nervous about our trip as well - We have been "practicing" by keeping the kids up late once a week or so - it has been going okay and we've discovered that they recover okay the next day. But 5 days in a rown will be interesting - Our plan is to keep them on schedule every other day - but the little one is going to have to stay up a little late everyday. And, then the other days throw bedtime out the window. We'll try it the 2nd day we're there and see how it goes.

We have good friends who just did this trip with 2 toddlers - they said to just GO FOR IT on your last day, let your kids sleep in the day you are going home and they will probabaly CRASH on the airplane ride home


Also - we are doing quick breakfasts everyday so we can get out the door to the parks.

Here's our plan -

Sunday when we arrive we are not going to the parks. We planned a Goofy's Kitchen dinner and we'll do a Target trip to get essentials that we don't want to pack.
Monday we lunching somewhere quick - maybe Tomorrowland Terrace or Redd's Pizza Port - we know the kids are not going to be very excited to stop for a long sit-down lunch. We are having dinner at Rainforest Cafe.

Tuesday lunch at Blue Bayou and a dinner somewhere with quick service - we have heard that Whitewater Snacks at Grand Califnorian is great and pretty inexpensive. We've also hear that the Tortilla Jo's walk-up service is cheap (in Downtown Disney) - you can just eat it outside and they have cheese or chicken quesadillas for kids that are fast and easy.

Wednesday - Probably at DCA that day and we've heard that Pacific Wharf Cafe is great for lunch. Since DCA closes earlier we are going to try to hit a 6:30 dinner at somewhere a little nicer - maybe Hooke's Pointe and then spend a little time in the evening at DL.

Thursday - Quick lunch and Quick dinner - Maybe Hungry Bear Restaurant or Golden Horsehoe. It will be last day in the parks and our kids are not going to be that excited to spend a lot of time eating!
Friday - Character Breakfast at Storyteller's before we have to leave for the airport.

So, I guess our plan is our first 3 days to try to hit a sit-down restaurant once a day and some where cheaper and faster the other meals. Our kids do really well with a full sit-down meal but more than once a day of that would be a lot for them!!

 

[DisSarahK]

Ack, I'm just waffling back and forth about what to do! Hummm. On second thought, I think I'm going to stick with Denny's on the first night--although the children would enjoy Goofy's Kitchen, they'll enjoy Denny's too and it will be easier on the pocketbook.

I think I'm stressing out about this way too much. Can you tell I'm a planner?

 

[Zoemakes5]

First, as a veteran traveler with the kids, try adjusting the kids' schedules a little bit at a time as you're getting ready to go to DLR. Start off with just 15 minutes at a time if you need to, but I think it will help everyone out alot if you're able to get them to stay in bed a bit later and up later.

I personally can't say enough about the character meals. We do at least one every trip, and for some trips have done more than one. The only character meal I've done at night has been Princess meal. I've heard very good things of Goofy's though. I do really like the breakfasts at all of them. Minnie's is also one of the cheapest character meals, and would have the characters you'd want. In particular, it's also the only place you'd see Pooh. Plus, there's enough options for food for just about everyone.

One of my family's favorites (and one of the cheaper ones) is Red Rockets in Tomorrowland. The youngest one gets a kids' meal with spaghetti with a big meatball without the sauce. The middle one gets a slice of pizza and the rest of us get pasta. Their chicken fusilli is just the best. And, the portions are HUGE. Easily enough to split. DS likes the penne. I've heard good things about the salads there, too.
Coke corner is good for hot dogs and chili dogs.
Most of the kids' meals are fried foods. The "toddler" meals have macaroni and cheese. My DD likes that, but it's not enough food for her. Red Rockets and their choices are better.
If your kids will do Mexican, Rancho del Zocolo (I may have spelled that wrong, but the mexican restaurant just inside Frontierland). The kids meals are chicken taco or bean and cheese burrito. But, we've often split cheese enchilladas.
My kids really like the burger sliders and the bbq ribs at Taste Pilots in DCA.

I always like to have a bit of Disney on non park days if I can, so if it was within the budget, I'd do Goofy's on the first night, though that's just my take on it. I do love Denny's too, though. Oh, and kids eat free at IHOP every night, so that might be an option, too. We typically eat at IHOP once per trip. Our non park day was typically our last day and we'd go do character meal and build a bear that last day.
Hope you have a great time!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

One of my family's favorites (and one of the cheaper ones) is Red Rockets in Tomorrowland. The youngest one gets a kids' meal with spaghetti with a big meatball without the sauce. The middle one gets a slice of pizza and the rest of us get pasta. Their chicken fusilli is just the best. And, the portions are HUGE. Easily enough to split. DS likes the penne. I've heard good things about the salads there, too.
Coke corner is good for hot dogs and chili dogs.
Most of the kids' meals are fried foods. The "toddler" meals have macaroni and cheese. My DD likes that, but it's not enough food for her. Red Rockets and their choices are better.
If your kids will do Mexican, Rancho del Zocolo (I may have spelled that wrong, but the mexican restaurant just inside Frontierland). The kids meals are chicken taco or bean and cheese burrito. But, we've often split cheese enchilladas.
My kids really like the burger sliders and the bbq ribs at Taste Pilots in DCA.

We are at DL and DCA every other week with 2 young kids, so I can give some input.
I will second her comments about Pizza Port. You can ask them to put the Chicken Fusilli white sauce on the kids pasta and leave the meatball separate. My girls aren't beef eaters and they love that white sauce. You can also do that at the Plaza - same adult chicken pasta. I only order the salads at Pizza Port for "healthy dining" preferences and they are great - over 5 kinds and the chinese chicken salad is a very good option.

We also tend to do chicken at the Plaza. It looks fried, but is actually "Broasted". Very tasty and has mashed potatoes and green beans (with apple slices on the kid's version). They also do the pasta.

Our other preferences include the Pacific Wharf Cafe - ask for the bread bowls on the side (all items except sandwiches come with bowl sized sourdough loaves). If you do that, you can ask them for butter and you can save them for snacking throughout the day or take them back to the room to have with your continental breakfast. Two loaves last a pretty long time! I actually pulled one out of my freezer this morning to snack on today.

If your kids do PB&J, many of the kid's meals on property actually have the Uncrustables in them as an option. You can find them at PWC and a number of other places.

Other kid friendly treats include the cream cheese filled pretzels - available at Coke Corner, the beer cart in DCA, and a couple of other locations. They aren't everywhere. Also, you can always pick up "clamshells" with fresh fruit or veggies with dip in a number of locations - there is pretty much one stand of this in every land.

Nancy

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Ack, I'm just waffling back and forth about what to do! Hummm. On second thought, I think I'm going to stick with Denny's on the first night--although the children would enjoy Goofy's Kitchen, they'll enjoy Denny's too and it will be easier on the pocketbook.

I think I'm stressing out about this way too much. Can you tell I'm a planner?

Dont plan just go with the flow it is ok to have ideas of what you want but just go with the magic of disney and enjoy.

I love the nap for kids during the day My brother n law told my sister the kids need a nap it too much for them my sister said ok.

Well they went to the hotel the kids did not sleep at all they wanted to go back to disneyland.

Well nap time went out the window after that I laughed .

I know some kids do nap and need it but hey it is vacation and 5 days or whatever you plan it is ok to get off schedule because once you go home your back to doing what you need to do again.

I think some people overplan and if things arent going like planned then they stress and dont have that good of a time just go with the flow when your there.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I love Blue Grizzlie's attitude! We usually end up doing the same thing - go with what the wind blows - all you can do with 2 kids, age 3 and under!

My only addendum to that is "Know what is supposed to taste good and then go with the flow, knowing you will always blow in to good food later!"

At least that's what the extra baggage on my hips says!

Nancy

 

[DisSarahK]

Thank you for all of the advice--I'm taking notes! We can't do PBJ sandwiches due to nut allergies--but both our children love noodles (never had hotdogs, not big on burgers) so we can work around that.

As for trying to get them to sleep later, believe me, I've tried for years! No matter what time they go to bed, they always get up at the same time. It drives me crazy!!

Maybe we'll do dinner at Ariel's Grotto that first night instead of Denny's. That way my daughter could wear her Cinderella dress and I won't have to deal with hauling it around the park with us. Hmmm.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Maybe we'll do dinner at Ariel's Grotto that first night instead of Denny's. That way my daughter could wear her Cinderella dress and I won't have to deal with hauling it around the park with us. Hmmm.

Just so you know, in case you were unaware, Ariel's is in DCA, so you'd have to use a day of admission to get in. Just FYI, in case you didn't know.
My DD was 3 for our first trip to Ariels and she LOVED it! Everyone thought she'd be too young and not enjoy it, but she was so excited that she didn't want to eat! (We took her dinner with us and she munched on it later!) We got an autograph book with the picture holders and DD literally slept with it under her pillow for months afterwards. That time she was dressed as Sleeping Beauty. The second time we went, we took her to Club Libby Lu beforehand and she had her hair and makeup (really mainly glitter) done. It was kind of funny, as she deciced upon the rock princess look. So, she was dressed up as Mulan with a rock princess hairdo. Everyone loved it. She was definitely unique! The most recent time was for her b-day and she was dressed as Jasmine. We've had different plans each time regarding the outfit. The first time we had a stroller with us and her costume was in a shopping bag underneath the stroller. We changed right before dinner and figured she'd want to wear the outfit for the rest of the evening. Lasted about 10 minutes after dinner. For the Mulan costume she did continue to wear it for the rest of the night. I think it was a more comfortable costume, and she got quite a bit of attention (they don't see many Mulans). Though we did change her shoes. And, her b-day meal was lunch and she wore it all day, though we had a change of clothes in a locker. She wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Also, something I've always done when we were on longer trips is bring a few things to eat that I know the kids would like and I've always brought fruits and veggies. I just don't think they get enough at the parks/on vacations. When they were little, I got the toddler grabbers with green beans and carrots and fruits. As they got older, I got more of the fruit bowls and the small cans of veggies. We always do a food run when we get there, too. I'd like to say it's to get food they like, but in reality it's because Disney has no Mt. Dew and I gotta have my dew! My kids have always liked sandwich meat, so I've always picked up some of that. I used to pack a collapsible cooler in the suitcase, or use it as a carry on, if I don't have a fridge. Ziplock bags are invaluable, I've always brought a bunch of them, too. Makes it easy to throw in a few things they like.
I'd recommend looking at the menus on allearsnet.com to get a good idea of what is where. While I generally go with the flow, it sounds like you have significant food allergy/eating/preferences issues that require you to be more prepared.

 

[avalon451]

Your kids don't nap in strollers-- will they nap in the hotel room? I'm thinking it would really help you to take a midday break. Since you're planning on being there three full days, and you're going to get there right at opening each day, you should have time to see and do lots in the mornings and then take a break after lunch. Kids that age can get really overwhelmed with sensory overload (heck, adults too-- I can't stand a mall for more than a few hours!) and a break back at the hotel, during the hottest and most crowded part of the day, will give everybody a rest and a break to just chill out, even if they don't nap. It kind of saved us-- everybody was rested and refreshed for when we came back later. It's nice that you're staying right there at the crosswalk; you're close! Easy to go back for a break.

The hours when you're there-- DL closes at 8 p.m., so it's not like you'll miss much, anyway. Maybe you could plan to stay just one evening for the parade at 7 p.m.; otherwise you can leave at 6:30 when the kids are worn out.

I'd reconsider Goofy's the first night. It's really fun for little ones! Well worth the cost, from what I have heard.

Another possible option: On your MM, grab something just to "tide you over" from your hotel breakfast buffet, then get PS for a late breakfast at Minnies. You'll have been in the parks for an hour and a half and will be ready for a 10:30 break and a brunch. (I think they do late seating at 10:30?)

There's just a couple more ideas. HTH!

 

[DisSarahK]

Thanks for the tip on Ariel's Grotto requiring admission to DCA--I hadn't quite figured that out yet, so you saved me a big headache there.

As for whether or not the children will nap in the hotel...um, I'm not sure!! They don't usually nap well away from home but we're sure going to give it a try. We booked a suite at the Desert Inn and Suites for the sole reason of it giving us a better chance at getting them to sleep--there is NO way either of them would sleep if they could see us. We did have some small success with getting our 2 year old to nap on vacation earlier this year by having him in a seperate room and sleeping in an Elmo ez-bed...so we'll be packing that bed along with us again and keeping our fingers crossed! It wasn't great sleep, but at least he slept a bit.

Love the idea of Minnie's Breakfast as a late breakfast--they'll definitely be ready for more food at 10:30ish. Which characters are at Minnie?? Is Pooh there?

 

[Leofoenget]

WOW! I will be there those exact days and also staying at Desert Inn. I will wear my Green Mickey Mouse paint chip. See you there!

The breakfast at Desert Inn is very BASIC but it gets you going. I always go to the store and get stuff to add to it.

see you there