I know this sounds terrible, but would you do it?

[gigi1313]

A kids meal can not be paid for with and Adult Dining Plan TS. Goodness only knows why. They would be making more money off of that.

it most certainly can! and adults that want to eat off the kids menu can request larger portions of kids' food... my kids have done it! also, you can "mix and match" from kids' menu and adults menu... my (50yo) bro has done this a number of times (kids' pizza appetizer, adult steak, kids' dessert), including at Coral Reef, Mama Melroses and other places

 

[TDC Nala]

There is nothing that says you can not do it. Why would there be?

We had one poster awhile back who called Garden Grill and asked if they would be permitted to bring dinner in from Sunshine Seasons since there was nothing on Garden Grill's menu that they wanted to eat, but the rest of the family wanted to eat there. Garden Grill said "no." Of course GG is a family style all you can eat restaurant, and there are definite rules that everyone sitting there must pay to eat there whether they actually eat or not, but you might get a similar response from other restaurants. Whether it's allowed or not in an a la carte place would probably be up to the restaurant itself.

 

[ModestMouse]

The Tag Fairy has special powers, used at random, to change any DISer's tag - the ones you see in color, like cdrn1's, were created and granted by the Tag Fairy.

While nobody knows who the Tag Fairy is, and being 'tagged' is entirely random (and flattering ), your "he thought it was a fish stick, and he liked it." is a great line and in the opinion of at least one DISer, deserving of attention by the TF.

Thanks for the explanation kaytie!

 

[StrwLady]

it most certainly can! and adults that want to eat off the kids menu can request larger portions of kids' food... my kids have done it! also, you can "mix and match" from kids' menu and adults menu... my (50yo) bro has done this a number of times (kids' pizza appetizer, adult steak, kids' dessert), including at Coral Reef, Mama Melroses and other places

Well I guess it depends on the server you get. I can not remember which restaurant it was but when we we asked the server (was the end of our trip and we were not sure we would use all TS's before we left, we decided to pay for his kids meal with the dining plan) if we could apply the adult TS to a kids meal we were told no. It was impossible for them to do it. The way he spoke I assumed he meant the register would not ring it up that way.

 

[crisi]

i did all that, ds is an accomplished cook and is going to two weeks of culinary camp this summer... YET, he was still a picky pain in the patooty eater for at least 5 years... it's only in the last two years he's starting to eat more than bologna/hot dogs/burgers but only the fast food kind w/no "grill marks"... he wouldn't eat the hot dog at lecellier because of the grill marks 3 years ago!

now, he has broadened his horizons... most of his "new food" discoveries came at WDW... mainly due to free dining 'cause he was permitted to try something and if he didn't like it, get another meal... 9 out of 10 times he skipped the "'nother" meal!

Yep, some kids just ARE picky. And some kids are adventurous even though their parents have limited diets. And some kids have sensory issues that translate into food pickiness. And some have such a wide range of allergies that they can't help but be picky. And some get coddled and attention and lots of snacks if they are picky - so it works for them. You can't always blame the parent for 'less than perfect' kids because sometimes it isn't the parent at all.

When I was childless, my future children would always eat whatever I put in front of them (pronouncing the foreign dishes perfectly). I'd be able to take them to any restaurant at a young age, and they'd behave themselves - even using the proper fork. Chicken fingers would be unknown, and I'd never have to resort to popcorn before bedtime because no one ate well.

Mine aren't too picky - but they aren't the children I envisioned before I had kids - and I love them all the more for it.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Well, I guess I'm Mean Mommy b/c for a 12-year-old, I'd say eat it or sit here quietly while we enjoy ourselves (assuming the child didn't have allergies or special dietary needs). Sometimes, its ok not to cater to your child! Heck, at 12, we were running all over the parks by ourselves having a ball back in the day. My parents wouldn't have dreamed of bringing my brother and I to a nice restaurant like that, let alone worry about whether we'd find something on the menu for ourselves, lol.

Mean mommy here!

As soon as my boys were on solids I introduced them to veggies, fruits and meats. I tried to stay away from commercially prepared baby food. As they got older when I would cook, they had to eat what I made.

As for restaurants, they were introduced to fine dining at a young age and were expected to choose something off the menu within preset parameters.

I don't know if I was just fortunate, but I never had a problem with them being picky eaters.

 

[clutter]

I agree that you start them when they start solid foods. A couple of things we've always abided by are the kids eat what we eat (we don't make special meals just for them) and that they always have to try a new food 3 times. I believe that kids will mimic their parents as well, so if Mom and Dad are eating junk throughout the day, that is what they will want.

Sometimes you can't control it. Mine was picky BEFORE she started self-feeding. She literally tried to climb out of a high chair to get away from 'scary' foods. It's really a sensitivity issue for many kids.

Anyway, mine has forunately outgrown her pickiness, so we get to go to Disney to eat good meals! (I'm also a junk-craver and she totally is not. One advantage to picky eaters is that some of them (mine) avoid candy. She still doesn't like most sweets. I try to stay away. )

For the OP, I found that many restaurants will adapt meals. Any restaurant that serves pasta will serve pasta with butter (beware of Wolfgang Puck Express, their pasta was nasty!).

 

[Halbleib1]

We had one poster awhile back who called Garden Grill and asked if they would be permitted to bring dinner in from Sunshine Seasons since there was nothing on Garden Grill's menu that they wanted to eat, but the rest of the family wanted to eat there. Garden Grill said "no." Of course GG is a family style all you can eat restaurant, and there are definite rules that everyone sitting there must pay to eat there whether they actually eat or not, but you might get a similar response from other restaurants. Whether it's allowed or not in an a la carte place would probably be up to the restaurant itself.

Sorry I should have specified at Buffets and Family Style meals you are going to be expected to pay for anyone over 2 years old even if they do not eat. Since the OP asked about Le Cellier specifically I did not even think about buffets and family style meals. That would make sense. I have never had the need to bring anything in for my son at buffet meals here at home as there is always something to be found for him to eat. We avoid Pizza/pasta buffets here at home though because my son can not eat anything on those buffets normally. Regular restaurants is another story. I have never called ahead of time here at home and asked if I could bring it in. Never even thought about it actually. I have just taken it in and have had no problems here at home. For Example: At Olive Garden I have taken in canned pasta for my son-already heated and never had a problem. When they ask what we would like for him I just tell them we brought food for him because he can not have anything that's on the menu and just order a drink for him. My son is 4. As far as Disney my travel agent and I myself both called and asked on different occasions before our first trip (because we were going to be down there without a car and no idea what he would and would not be able to eat) if it was ok to bring something in for him and was told many times that it was (we also did not know if they would let us into the parks with outside food.) At that time my son was under 2 so it would not have been an issue even at buffets with them expecting to be paid for someone that was not eating. Disney is so great at dealing with food issues that we never had the need to bring in anything for my son though. On occasion my son can be a picky eater but the chef always asked what he would like to eat and they were always able to find something that he would eat. Although there have been times that he barely touched his food. More from being tired and having a long day than anything though. The easiest solution would probably be for the OP to ask to speak with the chef to find something that her son would eat. I am sure they are use to dealing with pickey eaters. For us here at home restaurants are not as well versed in allergy information as they are at Disney. So you do not know if what they are telling you is the correct information. Not to mention it normally entails the waiter/waitress going back and forth a dozen times to try to find out the correct information and still not being 100% sure. Most the time with an attitude as well which makes us feel like a huge bother. Thus making it easier just to bring in something that we know our son can eat if we are not sure about the restaurant's choices. For the most part we try to stick with restaurants we have been to and already know what he can eat though. Although we still have to double check to be sure nothing has changed since we were there last. Thus one of the biggest reasons we do not eat out very often.

 

[RedOne3781]

One more question- that may have already been answered somewhere else, do restaurants that aren't buffets have a problem with someone in your party not eating. Would this matter if we are on DDP or paying OOP?

In my experience if the person who is not eating orders at least a beverage than there is no additional charge.

A few summers ago my mom wanted to eat at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe Express. I wanted something from the take out window at Bongo's. We decided that the best way to handle it would be to each do what we wanted. I ate my meal at one of the benches outside Bongo's then went and had a soft drink at WPCE while my mom finished her meal. I was only charged the price of my beverage and the waiter didn't seem to care that I wasn't eating anything.

There is a chance that not every TS restaurant has the same policy, so you might be better off asking a cast member about the specific places you have in mind when you make your ADRs.

 

[All7OfUs]

I've lived and traveled to many, many places around the world, and I have not come across too many cultures outside of the States and western Eurpope where the kids can choose what they want to eat. I wonder how many sensitivities and dislikes would disappear if kids were given the choice of "take it or leave it, this is all we have"?

 

[DaisyD]

When DD was really picky we always brought food for her. Disney owned restaurants don't care if you bring in food from their other food service places. We did this at LTT, LeCellier, and Rose and Crown. Fortunately, she has expanded her foods and we no longer have to do that.

 

[disszilagyi]

I don't think it's allowed and yes I do think it's tacky. I would just let him eat it before taking him in there and maybe he can just order dessert with you?

Yes I agree tacky and I dont think that they will let you.

 

[kaysmommie]

So maybe it is a tad tacky, so what . I thought about doing this so we could eat in Japan. DS4 will never eat anything off the menu. So bringing something from LI would be a good idea. We opted to just find somewhere else to eat in the end. But it kind of stinks some of the kids choices if you have a picky eater. Also I can't imagine that it would be a huge problem since your bringing Disney into a Disney restaurant. it's not like you are packing a picnic lunch to bring with you .

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Yes I agree tacky and I dont think that they will let you.

Tacky to you, and yes they will let you, every day all day long. Just cause they aren't getting that one kid's meal price doesn't keep them from taking the money for the other 6 adult meals that we will pay for.

We have brought in some food from the McDonald's kiosk at WS entrance to several restaurants while we have eaten dinner. No one has said a word. We order a drink for her and she eats while we look over the menu and order. If they don't care then I don't care. We have ordered from the Teppan Edo kid's menu for her and all that she ate was the plain rice

BTW, this is one very good reason that the DDP is not for everyone. Is the OP getting free dining? If she is I would go with that, but if she is not I would reconsider getting the DDP.

 

[RMulieri]

I remember back in the day when World Showcase restaurants didn't even offer any KIDS choices, you ate off the menu or you didn't eat.Since we are giving opinions here,Mine is this... I see NO problem with doing it for a younger child. But a 12 yr old is old enough to try new foods. Plus Le cellier has to have the most non ethnic/ american style food in World Showcase. They have steak, and they can make a Cheeseburger on the dinner menu.I know picky adults have tried to bring in outside food at some places and were told they couldn't.

 

[snowwhitemom]

I must admit I only read about half of the post........ I would have a bigger problem knowing that even though my child is a picky eater that he could not find something that he could eat. One poster said not to worry about what others think...... not so much worried about what others think as much as what I would think or how I would feel if we as a faimly could not pull off dinner together at one location. Good luck to you and I hope you have a wonderful meal.... have a magical trip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Tacky to you, and yes they will let you, every day all day long. Just cause they aren't getting that one kid's meal price doesn't keep them from taking the money for the other 6 adult meals that we will pay for.

Ah, gee, I don't think any restaurant's refusal to allow outside food to be brought in and consumed is about the money.

 

[RMulieri]

Tacky to you, and yes they will let you, every day all day long. Just cause they aren't getting that one kid's meal price doesn't keep them from taking the money for the other 6 adult meals that we will pay for.

We have brought in some food from the McDonald's kiosk at WS entrance to several restaurants while we have eaten dinner. No one has said a word. We order a drink for her and she eats while we look over the menu and order. If they don't care then I don't care. We have ordered from the Teppan Edo kid's menu for her and all that she ate was the plain rice

BTW, this is one very good reason that the DDP is not for everyone. Is the OP getting free dining? If she is I would go with that, but if she is not I would reconsider getting the DDP.

NO not all places will let you. There are places where they won't, and I know people that have been refused by podium staff at the restaurant. A 12 yr old is an adult in Disneys eyes , not a child and though they will stand on their head to accomodate you they are well within their rights to refuse outside food.Like I said a 4 yr old fine, but a 12 yr old should be able to find something on either the kids or adult menu they can eat.especially at Le Cellier.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

After reading all these posts about picky eaters...how does one raise a child to not become one? At what age do you start their food adventures?

Picky eaters get their way. If as a parent you don't allow it then they learn to have a healthy eating attitude.

When babies start table food you give them what you have and they will eat it,it's a simple as that.

If the kids sees a parent with hangups in regards to eating they will have the same hangups(like way earlier someone posted about their DH having Celiac disease so they avoided grains when feeding their son and now he refuses to eat grains)

So maybe it is a tad tacky, so what . I thought about doing this so we could eat in Japan. DS4 will never eat anything off the menu. So bringing something from LI would be a good idea. We opted to just find somewhere else to eat in the end. But it kind of stinks some of the kids choices if you have a picky eater. Also I can't imagine that it would be a huge problem since your bringing Disney into a Disney restaurant. it's not like you are packing a picnic lunch to bring with you .

So what?! It's more than a tad tacky..it's downright tacky.

It's noones fault but the parents (except for those kids with true eating issues) so why should Disney be faulted? If your kid won't eat something then as a parent you're resposible for your child and it's up to you to make concessions not others you come in contact with.

If you've allowed your kid to be catered to and eat nothing but chicken nuggets then you have to accept that there are nothing but counter service meals in your future unless there are chicken nuggets on the menu.

In my house I make one meal--you don't eat it--tough nougies. There are no PB&J sandwiches or bowls of cereal. My kids know that what I say,goes and that if I don't allow them to get over on me on something as simple as food then they wouldn't even consider trying on bigger issues.

 

[rodeo65]

My ds14 is an Asperger's kid and one of the pickiest eaters ever! (smells, textures, looks - so many things bother him about food). His food issues are just one of the reasons why we bought into DVC so we can feed him at "home" before the three of us eat. (We also have a dd10 who will eat almost anything)

If we have dinner reservations at Epcot if we haven't fed him at the resort yet, we often get him a pizza from the place near Test Track (the name of the place escapes me now)

What are some of the foods that your son WILL eat?? Perhaps if we knew that we could direct you to places to feed him before you eat. There are a few places where ds WILL eat (at Le Cellier he eats the bread sticks and the cheese soup - I have NO idea why those work for him..) And because he needs something to keep him occupied, we are awful parents that let him bring his gameboy to dinner to play so we can eat.

I hope that things work out for you! It is easy for others to say that kids should just find something on the menu to eat, but that isn't always a possibility for everyone. You do what you have to do...

Jill

I guess we fall under the "awful" parent umbrella too, then. Our DS7 has ADHD and we ALWAYS have his DS with us for any waits. Lines, movies, restaurants. I just figure the other patrons of wherever we are aren't paying for an evening out to watch him spin while waiting. Hyperfocus can be a good thing.

As far as picky eating goes, I wish there was an easy answer. I made baby food for both of our kids when they were first starting solids and anything that could be cooked and run through a blender, they got. Brussel sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower - everything. DD from the get go would only eat fish as far as animal protein went and even that was far down her list of favorites. I figured she was destined to be vegetarian. DS was much more adventurous as far as meats went. Now at ages 6 & 7, their agreeable foods are so much more limited than when they were 2 or 3. It does vary, and their likes and dislikes seem to change from week to week. I can serve lasagna or spaghetti one week and three days later the exact same meal won't be touched, but something they hated the week before is ok again. And of course - they are fairly opposite in what they like at any given point. Cheese and crackers with veggies is our back up meal and the only thing they can have if they won't eat what is served. It was so much easier three years ago, though.