Hoop Dee Doo and Picky Kids

[goodeats]

Ha ha, the people who are saying fried chicken is the same as chicken nuggets obviously doesn't have a picky eater in their family!

Before I had kids I totally judged threads like these, but now I totally get it.

 

[buzzrelly]

Ha ha, the people who are saying fried chicken is the same as chicken nuggets obviously doesn't have a picky eater in their family!

Before I had kids I totally judged threads like these, but now I totally get it.

I agree about the fried chicken. My picky dd LOVES chicken nuggets and won't touch fried chicken.

And for the record, I'm not judging anyone. I get it too...I just handle it differently in that, instead of me changing my plans and stressing about her not eating, I went ahead and made the HDDR reservation and figured she could eat, or not. I didn't worry about it. And we had a great time

 

[IrishNYC]

Another suggested call to Disney Dining. They are usually good at trying to accomodate all diet complexities. I'd definately call them and ask if it's possible. If you do book it, see if it can be noted on your reservation and alert your server as soon as they come to the table.

This is why people roll their eyes at many people with severe food allergies - because picky eaters use fake "allergies" or "food complexities" as an excuse. A picky eater is not something that is Disney's issue to accommodate.

OP, I hope your son finds something he likes there.

 

[Nancyg56]

I did refer to him as picky. Because in my opinion he is. My other two children eat a wide variety of foods without issue. But he does not have any allergies or a medical diagnosis at this time. So it's not a matter of "safe" food for health reasons, although there may be many texture and other issues common with being on the spectrum or sensory processing disorders. But that's really not pertinent. I was only inquiring if anyone knew if they had an alternate menu like other locations do. I didn't ask for exceptions or anything like that. As a matter of fact I even clarified that I asked because I had seen it at another dinner show and wondered if HDDR offered it. And while I knew I would get the judgmental comments about letting him starve if he didn't like it, I also choose not to fight that battle on vacation, and save it for home. So part of my preparation and choosing where to book is utilizing resources, such as the boards, to see if anyone else had personal experience with this.

.

I am not judgemental. To be honest, I don't much care if kids are picky, as I said, we would figure it out. WE never chose restaurants that did not have at least one food eveyone in our party woud choose, so I am the last one to tell anyone else how to manage their family food preferences.

Until you expanded on your post to suggest that picky may mean some sort of underlying issue, I only responded to your first question, with my own experience.

I think that there is a difference between picky eaters and kids who have some sort of sensory or texture issue. Disney Chefs work hard to make sure that no one leaves hungry, and really moves Heaven and Earth to accomodate those with allergies or sensory disorders.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Wow, just wow!
Nothing like getting judged or attacked..

OP ... do yourself a favor and just call Disney dining direct and explain your sons issues.
Perhaps they will be able/willing to help ... ( they truly do want ur family to enjoy ur visit and help whenever they can). but if not, you can choose to pay for his Experience or just skip it, if the cost is ur deciding factor.

It's easy for others to Judge when they have No idea what it's like to have a child with food issues... allergies OR otherwise.
They have no obligation to help but something tells me that asking nicely just may help him!!

( and you could always fill him up with his "liked" food/s so he won't go hungry n just enjoy the show.
Good luck... it's a great show and a favorite of ours
Pixie Dust your way!

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow, just wow!
Nothing like getting judged or attacked..

OP ... do yourself a favor and just call Disney dining direct and explain your sons issues.
Perhaps they will be able/willing to help ... ( they truly do want ur family to enjoy ur visit and help whenever they can). but if not, you can choose to pay for his Experience or just skip it, if the cost is ur deciding factor.

It's easy for others to Judge when they have No idea what it's like to have a child with food issues... allergies OR otherwise.
They have no obligation to help but something tells me that asking nicely just may help him!!

( and you could always fill him up with his "liked" food/s so he won't go hungry n just enjoy the show.
Good luck... it's a great show and a favorite of ours
Pixie Dust your way!

The OP is not getting attacked. Disney is one of the best places to take people with food borne allergies, however "picky" is not the same as allergies or intolerances. If we encourage the OP to treat the picky eater as if the child had allergies we would be doing a lot of people a disservice. Disney chefs will never let anyoen go hungry if they can accomodate them, picky or allergic. Best to be honest, as we have been. If it is possible to offer the child food not on the HDDR menu, the chef will do so. We all are pretty protective though, because we know that a lot of people who choose to experience specific dining events but do nto like the menu will claim allergies. Not too long ago we had to caution a poster who wanted her daughter to be able to try th emillet bread offered on teh gluten free menu at BOG not to say her kid was allergic to wheat because the kid wanted the pastries too. Just ask for the millet bread! Of the person who wanted the Chef to cook his meal ala minute after claiming an allergy at Cape May Cafe because he did not like anything on the buffet, but wanted to join his friend.

As you said, asking the server to help goes a long way. In face servers generally notice if a guest is not eating and will offer to bring someting else if there is a kitchen they can get the food from. Calling DIsney to ask for specific foods for apicky eater is probably not going to go well.

 

[adisneyaunt]

The OP is not getting attacked. Disney is one of the best places to take people with food borne allergies, however "picky" is not the same as allergies or intolerances. If we encourage the OP to treat the picky eater as if the child had allergies we would be doing a lot of people a disservice. Disney chefs will never let anyoen go hungry if they can accomodate them, picky or allergic. Best to be honest, as we have been. If it is possible to offer the child food not on the HDDR menu, the chef will do so. We all are pretty protective though, because we know that a lot of people who choose to experience specific dining events but do nto like the menu will claim allergies. Not too long ago we had to caution a poster who wanted her daughter to be able to try th emillet bread offered on teh gluten free menu at BOG not to say her kid was allergic to wheat because the kid wanted the pastries too. Just ask for the millet bread! Of the person who wanted the Chef to cook his meal ala minute after claiming an allergy at Cape May Cafe because he did not like anything on the buffet, but wanted to join his friend.

As you said, asking the server to help goes a long way. In face servers generally notice if a guest is not eating and will offer to bring someting else if there is a kitchen they can get the food from. Calling DIsney to ask for specific foods for apicky eater is probably not going to go well.

.??.. I certainly did not Encourage the OP to lie or suggest anything like that... I suggested She call and Seek Assistance explaining Her situation. And yes I do see some of her responses as attacks... my prerogative.

Regardless... Picky to some may actually be intolerant for some and not for others. Some parents ( not necessarily the OP) will say picky here when in fact kids with other issues, like As kids often just Can't/unable to easily change up what they can actually eat/swallow.
The point is ... only she knows how to explain her situation to them... ( and perhaps not want to describe it all here) and she shouldn't need too. And for those that you claim lie ... well those people are simply liars , lovely way to lead by example, not!

I'm sure the OP knows her Particular situation Best and her general question was meant to seek some guidance.
Regardless of what "experts" here on the DIS think.. they simply are not the official Speakers for Disney.

I happen to agree that Disney tries to do everything they can... a simple call and response may just help out... I certainly hope it does! Just my opinion....

 

[joannamet]

I brought my super picky 12 year old daughter, knowing she wouldn't like the food ... We are planning on going again next year and I won't be making any special requests for her ahead of time. I figure if she doesn't want to eat what's there then, oh well, it's her problem. She certainly won't starve.

I have a VERY picky daughter. If she doesn't eat, that's HER problem. There is no way I would call Disney Dining ahead of time to request special food for her.

The issue of 'picky eaters' is actually one of my pet parenting peeves so its nice to see that some parents take a sensible, perhaps old-fashioned, approach to the issue. I agree that kids won't go hungry if they choose not to eat something they think they don't like. Chicken nuggets vs fried chicken is a perfect example of the problem with picky eaters. A kid who will eat chicken nuggets clearly has no issue with chicken. So if fried chicken is being served, the kid should not be offered an alternative just because the chicken isn't in nugget form. I might remove it from the bone for him but that's it.

Even though HDDR is on your bucket list, if your picky child won't eat the food, maybe you need to wait to go until another trip.

Would you really suggest that the whole family miss out on a fun activity because 1 kid won't eat eat perfectly normal, ordinary food choices?

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Wow, just wow!
Nothing like getting judged or attacked..

OP ... do yourself a favor and just call Disney dining direct and explain your sons issues.
Perhaps they will be able/willing to help ... ( they truly do want ur family to enjoy ur visit and help whenever they can). but if not, you can choose to pay for his Experience or just skip it, if the cost is ur deciding factor.

It's easy for others to Judge when they have No idea what it's like to have a child with food issues... allergies OR otherwise.
They have no obligation to help but something tells me that asking nicely just may help him!!

( and you could always fill him up with his "liked" food/s so he won't go hungry n just enjoy the show.
Good luck... it's a great show and a favorite of ours
Pixie Dust your way!

We are a family that deals with allergies, and this kind of atttitude is why it is becoming more and more difficult to get anyone to take them seriously. Disney is one of the last places still willing to help. Stuff like this is eventually going to take that away. Picky is NOT life threatening. It isn't a reason to call Disney dining for special treatment. Until you have watched a loved one fight for breath, you don't get it.

 

[DLgal]

The issue of 'picky eaters' is actually one of my pet parenting peeves so its nice to see that some parents take a sensible, perhaps old-fashioned, approach to the issue. I agree that kids won't go hungry if they choose not to eat something they think they don't like. Chicken nuggets vs fried chicken is a perfect example of the problem with picky eaters. A kid who will eat chicken nuggets clearly has no issue with chicken. So if fried chicken is being served, the kid should not be offered an alternative just because the chicken isn't in nugget form. I might remove it from the bone for him but that's it.



Would you really suggest that the whole family miss out on a fun activity because 1 kid won't eat eat perfectly normal, ordinary food choices?

People who have never had to raise a child that is an extremely picky eater shouldn't throw in their two cents on a post about picky eaters. Regardless of the cause of the pickiness, using controlling methods can be seen as abusive at worst and just downright mean at best.

To use your example, there is a HUGE difference between chicken nuggets and on the bone fried chicken. For one, fried chicken has skin. It also has tendons and other connective tissue. The texture is completely different. Nuggets are ground to a paste and then formed, and breaded without having skin. A child who is picky due to sensory issues related to smell or texture may tolerate chicken nuggets just fine and fried chicken makes them vomit. Trust me, it's real and it's not fun for the kid or the parents.

As a parent of two autistic picky eaters, we allow them to be in control of what goes into their mouths because we respect their issues and don't feel like making them go hungry or force feed them to the point of vomiting makes us better parents.

And yes, we have, over the 12 years we have been dealing with this, missed out on a LOT of potentially wonderful meals and activities based on the lack of choices that my kids would eat.

It's not an easy battle and it gets no easier when people act like it's a parenting issue...

P.S. And some kids WILL go hungry in the absence of preferred food items. It happens a lot more than you want to believe. My son, at age 3, didn't eat anything for close to 10 days. He went from being the toddler that would literally eat anything you gave him to not eating ANYTHING. That is when his oral sensory issues took hold and when the "picky eating" saga began. And you know what I finally got him to eat after literally trying everything I could think of? Dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. I didn't even have them in the house at the time and it was like the heavens opened up and the angels sang when he ate 5 of them. He had lost 3 pounds and we were on the verge of having to tube feed him.

 

[Jaime4004]

I agree about the fried chicken. My picky dd LOVES chicken nuggets and won't touch fried chicken.

And for the record, I'm not judging anyone. I get it too...I just handle it differently in that, instead of me changing my plans and stressing about her not eating, I went ahead and made the HDDR reservation and figured she could eat, or not. I didn't worry about it. And we had a great time

Agree with all of the above. Fried chicken (which I find delicious) is not the same as nuggets to a picky eater. All that skin and bones and various chicken parts. Two of my 3 are picky and the last one eats everything in sight. I booked HDDR because I thought they'd like the show, knowing that 2 kids probably wouldn't eat. One ate cornbread and the other ate nothing. The waitress noticed and asked if she could bring out mac and cheese. The non eater is 12 too, not a little kid, so I thought that was really nice.

 

[CynBeth]

We are adults and just went in Dec. A few of the people in my family have food allergies and I do not eat ribs or chicken off a bone. We had called and explained everything and were told they could accommodate no problem. We noted the allergies when we made the ADR and at checkin was instructed to tell the sever when we got to the table. I was able to eat the salad and cornbread and was brought chicken tenders with fries and a huge plate of Mac n' cheese. Not to mention the strawberry shortcake. It was so much I could not eat it all myself. The family members with the allergies got a separate salad because the regular one has cheese and plain chicken breasts. I can't remember if they had fries or a baked potato and veggies.

 

[Nancyg56]

People who have never had to raise a child that is an extremely picky eater shouldn't throw in their two cents on a post about picky eaters. Regardless of the cause of the pickiness, using controlling methods can be seen as abusive at worst and just downright mean at best.

To use your example, there is a HUGE difference between chicken nuggets and on the bone fried chicken. For one, fried chicken has skin. It also has tendons and other connective tissue. The texture is completely different. Nuggets are ground to a paste and then formed, and breaded without having skin. A child who is picky due to sensory issues related to smell or texture may tolerate chicken nuggets just fine and fried chicken makes them vomit. Trust me, it's real and it's not fun for the kid or the parents.

As a parent of two autistic picky eaters, we allow them to be in control of what goes into their mouths because we respect their issues and don't feel like making them go hungry or force feed them to the point of vomiting makes us better parents.

And yes, we have, over the 12 years we have been dealing with this, missed out on a LOT of potentially wonderful meals and activities based on the lack of choices that my kids would eat.

It's not an easy battle and it gets no easier when people act like it's a parenting issue...

P.S. And some kids WILL go hungry in the absence of preferred food items. It happens a lot more than you want to believe. My son, at age 3, didn't eat anything for close to 10 days. He went from being the toddler that would literally eat anything you gave him to not eating ANYTHING. That is when his oral sensory issues took hold and when the "picky eating" saga began. And you know what I finally got him to eat after literally trying everything I could think of? Dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. I didn't even have them in the house at the time and it was like the heavens opened up and the angels sang when he ate 5 of them. He had lost 3 pounds and we were on the verge of having to tube feed him.

I am asking this because I sincerely do not understand. Are you suggesting that your children are picky, or that they have texture or sensory issues in play? Maybe I am totally misunderstanding this.

I know picky eaters. They have a limited number of food they will eat, and it is simply because they wont touch what they dont want. And I know kids who can't eat specific foods because of the texture. To me, these are not the same issues for children.

I think that accomodating people with food allergies or food sensory issues is a legitimate concern that DIsney has embraced. I am not sure that believe that picky eaters, people who simply do not like the menu fall into that category. But am I confused in regards to the terminology?

 

[adisneyaunt]

We are a family that deals with allergies, and this kind of atttitude is why it is becoming more and more difficult to get anyone to take them seriously. Disney is one of the last places still willing to help.
Stuff like this is eventually going to take that away. Picky is NOT life threatening. It isn't a reason to call Disney dining for special treatment. Until you have watched a loved one fight for breath, you don't get it.

I think u may have Misunderstood my point.. or perhaps I was not clear? And the "Attitude" is one of a parent that Does Fully understand.. though I feel no need to explain specifics to Anyone.
..
My point/focus was not on the term used "picky" eater... rather that the parent of a child who has eating issues ( refusal to eat, can't tolerate, allergic, shuts down food) may just use the word "picky" here Rather than Feeling the need to be pushed into explaining the Entire situation on a public forum..and perhaps just used "picky" as a description.

I suppose I felt more inclined to think the OP was giving us a brief pix of the situation ... and I felt there might have been more to it?? If I was wrong, so be it...
Regardless, The Op can call and explain Her child's particular "issue"..And Disney can decide what/if anything they want to do/not.
... nuf said on this topic for me..
nite all!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I am asking this because I sincerely do not understand. Are you suggesting that your children are picky, or that they have texture or sensory issues in play? Maybe I am totally misunderstanding this.

I know picky eaters. They have a limited number of food they will eat, and it is simply because they wont touch what they dont want. And I know kids who can't eat specific foods because of the texture. To me, these are not the same issues for children.

I think that accomodating people with food allergies or food sensory issues is a legitimate concern that DIsney has embraced. I am not sure that believe that picky eaters, people who simply do not like the menu fall into that category. But am I confused in regards to the terminology?

ITA, not the same issue at all. An autisic child who cannot tolerate certain textures is 100% different than a child who is picky. My sister was a picky child who chose what she would and would not eat, and was allowed to do so. She refused to try much of what was offered to her, not because of any medical issue, but because she simply didn't want to, and someone was always willing to make her something else. There is nothing wrong with parenting this way, but It is not a medical issue that special diets needs to be involved in. It's a parenting choice. A child with sensory issues is different altogether.

 

[Tigger's ally]

ITA, not the same issue at all. An autisic child who cannot tolerate certain textures is 100% different than a child who is picky. My sister was a picky child who chose what she would and would not eat, and was allowed to do so. She refused to try much of what was offered to her, not because of any medical issue, but because she simply didn't want to, and someone was always willing to make her something else. There is nothing wrong with parenting this way, but It is not a medical issue that special diets needs to be involved in. It's a parenting choice. A child with sensory issues is different altogether.

and it never is black and white. fifty shades in between the picky eater and the one with sensory issues. And with kids that are young, there are many that are not diagnosed yet. So, always remember to be sympathetic to what everyone goes through. Been there, still do that.

 

[CinderDuffy]

People who have never had to raise a child that is an extremely picky eater shouldn't throw in their two cents on a post about picky eaters. Regardless of the cause of the pickiness, using controlling methods can be seen as abusive at worst and just downright mean at best.

To use your example, there is a HUGE difference between chicken nuggets and on the bone fried chicken. For one, fried chicken has skin. It also has tendons and other connective tissue. The texture is completely different. Nuggets are ground to a paste and then formed, and breaded without having skin. A child who is picky due to sensory issues related to smell or texture may tolerate chicken nuggets just fine and fried chicken makes them vomit. Trust me, it's real and it's not fun for the kid or the parents.

As a parent of two autistic picky eaters, we allow them to be in control of what goes into their mouths because we respect their issues and don't feel like making them go hungry or force feed them to the point of vomiting makes us better parents.

And yes, we have, over the 12 years we have been dealing with this, missed out on a LOT of potentially wonderful meals and activities based on the lack of choices that my kids would eat.

It's not an easy battle and it gets no easier when people act like it's a parenting issue...

P.S. And some kids WILL go hungry in the absence of preferred food items. It happens a lot more than you want to believe. My son, at age 3, didn't eat anything for close to 10 days. He went from being the toddler that would literally eat anything you gave him to not eating ANYTHING. That is when his oral sensory issues took hold and when the "picky eating" saga began. And you know what I finally got him to eat after literally trying everything I could think of? Dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. I didn't even have them in the house at the time and it was like the heavens opened up and the angels sang when he ate 5 of them. He had lost 3 pounds and we were on the verge of having to tube feed him.

Autistic children absolutely will refuse to eat, even to the point of serious detriment to their health.

Picky eaters with no other health concerns, sensory issues or other conditions, though, will not. Picky eater doesn't like the dinner menu? Suck it up, buttercup. This is what's for dinner and you can either eat it or wait for the next meal. I wouldn't be going out of my way to obtain special food.

 

[DLgal]

I am asking this because I sincerely do not understand. Are you suggesting that your children are picky, or that they have texture or sensory issues in play? Maybe I am totally misunderstanding this.

I know picky eaters. They have a limited number of food they will eat, and it is simply because they wont touch what they dont want. And I know kids who can't eat specific foods because of the texture. To me, these are not the same issues for children.

I think that accomodating people with food allergies or food sensory issues is a legitimate concern that DIsney has embraced. I am not sure that believe that picky eaters, people who simply do not like the menu fall into that category. But am I confused in regards to the terminology?

I am saying that often there is a REASON for a child (or adult) to be a picky eater. I say my kids are picky eaters because that's the best way to describe it. Point was, there are underlying issues that cause it. Until you know for a fact that a kid is being INTENTIONALLY picky, it's insulting to insinuate that it's a parenting issue.

I have no underlying issues but I absolutely cannot stand to eat many things. I would hate to not have a choice and be forced to eat things I don't like. Why do we not give the same respect to kids? Why can't they like what they like and that's just okay?

 

[ShellieMimi]

I am saying that often there is a REASON for a child (or adult) to be a picky eater. I say my kids are picky eaters because that's the best way to describe it. Point was, there are underlying issues that cause it. Until you know for a fact that a kid is being INTENTIONALLY picky, it's insulting to insinuate that it's a parenting issue.

I have no underlying issues but I absolutely cannot stand to eat many things. I would hate to not have a choice and be forced to eat things I don't like. Why do we not give the same respect to kids? Why can't they like what they like and that's just okay?

Adults are responsible for themselves & are (or should be) aware of the makeup of a proper diet.

Kids are incapable of making sound nutritional choices without guidance. The foods that kids (and adults!) generally like are high in fat, salt, and calories. There's a reason that "picky eaters" only eat chicken nuggets, fries, mac & cheese, cheese pizza, etc. Where are all the "picky eaters" that will only accept whole grain bread, apple slices & hummus?

(Sensory issues & other conditions bring a whole new set of rules. This post is not written with sensory issues in mind.)

Insisting that kids venture outside the comfort zone of Glo Cheez & pulverized chicken to expand their palates & broaden their dietary horizons is neither bad nor disrespectful. Among other things, it helps them to not be the subject of a post on the Disboards later in life.

 

[DLgal]

Adults are responsible for themselves & are (or should be) aware of the makeup of a proper diet.

Kids are incapable of making sound nutritional choices without guidance. The foods that kids (and adults!) generally like are high in fat, salt, and calories. There's a reason that "picky eaters" only eat chicken nuggets, fries, mac & cheese, cheese pizza, etc. Where are all the "picky eaters" that will only accept whole grain bread, apple slices & hummus?

(Sensory issues & other conditions bring a whole new set of rules. This post is not written with sensory issues in mind.)

Insisting that kids venture outside the comfort zone of Glo Cheez & pulverized chicken to expand their palates & broaden their dietary horizons is neither bad nor disrespectful. Among other things, it helps them to not be the subject of a post on the Disboards later in life.

My picky kids eat very healthy foods. They just only eat about 10 things each. They are actually picky about most of the junky foods kids usually love. They only like whole wheat breads, fresh fruits and veggies (no canned or anything), Greek yogurt, etc. Mine wouldn't eat hot dogs, chips (of any kind), cereal, processed cheese (only like fresh mozzarella and brie), and most fast food. They have never drank a soda or anything like kool aid. They just drink water or milk. Being picky doesn't automatically mean they eat crap.