Kids Who LIKE TS Dining?

[MouseMomx2]

For those of you with adventurous eaters I'd highly recommend taking a Disney Cruise LIne vacation. All of your food is included and children are free to order off of the adult menu whenever they'd like (and adults off of the kids' menu if they'd like). When we took our first cruise DD was 6. After she ordered salmon the first night she was never presented with a kids' menu for the rest of the trip.

It's a great option for kids' who like more adult food and, since all the food is included and park tickets are not needed, it really isn't that much more expensive than a WDW trip.

 

[MouseMomx2]

My point is that it's not a shocking revelation that some kids like TS restaurants. My DD has been going to Disney TS restaurants since she was 4-months old. However, I have never heard her say "Goody! We're going to Citrico's!"

My kids would say that! They are as involved in the meal planning as I am and we often have to pick and choose between all of the places they want to eat because there are too many on the list. On our upcoming trip we'll be going to The Wave, Sanaa, several World Showcase restaurants and Wolfgang Puck Cafe...all their choices. They are teens now, but it has been this way since they were kids' menu age.

The OP started this thread to see if others had kids who like TS meals because she was repeatedly told that kids don't like that sort of thing. Nowhere did anyone say that it is unusual for kids to like CS restaurants. That wasn't the point/topic of the thread.

 

[sydneysmom]

we're planning on most all of our meals as TS with our DD (4). We have a couple of reasons....
1. we're going to do character breakfasts (we want her to have that experience)
2. lunch : a great time to just sit down, relax, recharge and not feel like we're all on the go
3. dinner : family time to sit, talk and enjoy each other's company and not feel rushed.

we don't go out a whole lot normally when we're home, so on vacation I think it's nice to be able to do that and a special treat for all of us. and she's super good in restaurants and I think with the atmosphere of the restaurants / characters / etc, it's all the more exciting an experience for her. I don't want us to feel rushed or pressured to "have to get going, so eat quick", you know?

 

[PoohsFan1]

When my DH and I first sit down to decide what TS restuarants we want to go to, we always make sure we do some TS that would be kid friendly and we also do places that mom and dad want to go to. The restaurants that we are going to in December are: 1900 Park Fare, Akershus for breakfast, Garden Grill, CRT Dinner, Tony Town Square, Le Cellier for lunch, Cali Grill, Captain Grill for lunch, O'hana breakfast, and Cape May Cafe character breakfast...so we do a mixture of both. That is why we love doing character meals so much because they are TS restaurants that are also kid friendly. My DD8 and DD6 also like going to Cali Grill (took them there for the first time in March) because they love looking at MK from on top of CR.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We go on cruises every year so my DD is used to dining in a nice restaurant in the evenings on our vacations. She loves trying new things.

If she had to choose she would pick eating in a restaurant over eating fast food.

I think the problem you may have run into is that with the deluxe plan, there is pressure to "get your money's worth" and to do so you must eat in multiple TS restaurants a day and it eats up park time. I think that is what the others were trying to say, not that kids don't like eating in restaurants. While DD loves to eat in restaurants, I don't think she would want to spend 5 hours every day of her Disney vacation at restaurants either eating or waiting to eat.

 

[robinb]

Of course some kids like TS restaurants. My DD happens to like them better than CS restaurants because the vegetarian selections are better. There are many CS restaurants that do not offer non-meat kids meals.

We have been to almost all TS restaurants on Disney property. All TS restaurants are not created equal. Sci Fi Dine-In, 'Ohana, Whispering Canyon, Prime Time Cafe, ESPN Club, Teppan Edo, Biergarten, Coral Reef, character meals and the like all have fun atmospheres that keep kids interested and engaged. Citrico's, Narcoosees, Chefs de France, etc are all *yawn* more adult venues.

I'm not saying that kids shouldn't go to the more adult TSs. My DD has been to all of them I listed plus all of the signature restaurants by the time she was 8 or 9. But, I do see the point that it appears that others were making on the thread that inspired this one (although I did not read that thread). On our previous trips (when she was 9 and younger) she did not necessarily like sitting in a restaurant for the extended period of time that it takes to enjoy the meal properly. The pacing of the meal at a signature restaurant is too slow for most kids, including my own. She got bored and antsy. Of course, as she's gotten older she is able to sit longer .

It is the exceptional 7-year old who really wants to sit for 90-120 minutes over dinner. We still went to the more adult restaurants because I wanted to eat there. I cannot tell you how many meals I ate with my DD's asleep head in my lap.

 

[garanorymom]

DS8 doesn't really go for the chicken nuggets, etc. on the other hand he has never met a steak that he didn't like. We are going in Dec. and I just finished booking our ADRs, and at least for now, I think he is more excited about eating in the castle than the rides. We always book at least one sit down meal a day--the adults(and the kids too) need a break. I read your other thread the other day. It sounds like you planned an amazing trip for your VERY LUCKY godson. Don't second guess yourself.

 

[tndisneyfan]

And I don't care what anyone says, after this last trip in March (with another adult), I'm convinced it doesn't take any longer to eat TS (especially in the park).

QS daily experience:

"Are you hungry?"
"I don't know...are you hungry?"
"I guess. Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know. Where do you want to go?"
"I don't care."
"I don't care either. You choose."
"I chose last time. It's your turn."
"OK, let's try ABC."
"OK."
(Walk over to ABC. LONG line.)
"Eh...I don't know. Maybe we should try XYZ - unless you had your heart set on ABC."
"No, that's fine."
(Walk over to XYZ, find even LONGER line.)
"Do you want to wait, or go back over to ABC?"
"Eh...I don't know...what do that have anyway?"

And so on, and so forth. And that's not even the time waiting, and the hassle trying to find somewhere to sit AFTER you get the food. And that's with just two ADULTS.

That sounds like our family. But I agree with you TS in the parks doesn't take much longer than CS. It's when you have to start traveling to resorts that sucks up the time.

I think you should do whatever you think you and your godson will enjoy. Personally I think the deluxe plan may be a little much, but I am saying that from my perspective. I would definitely think the basic DDP would be great.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have found with our nieces the TS breakfasts are huge hits but the dinners are a bust since they are so darn picky and CS options are much better

 

[Withacy]

DS8 doesn't really go for the chicken nuggets, etc. on the other hand he has never met a steak that he didn't like. We are going in Dec. and I just finished booking our ADRs, and at least for now, I think he is more excited about eating in the castle than the rides. We always book at least one sit down meal a day--the adults(and the kids too) need a break. I read your other thread the other day. It sounds like you planned an amazing trip for your VERY LUCKY godson. Don't second guess yourself.

Thank you!

I'm really looking forward to this trip. It's always great to see WDW with someone who's never been there before - especially a child! And to get to FINALLY go during the holidays has me SO EXCITED!

And his mother told me that even if something doesn't come off the way we planned/hoped, he's easily distracted by the next fun thing. So there's always that!

 

[sah95]

My DS12 was soooo happy when he turned 10 and was able to order from the adult menu!! We did mostly buffets so he could eat whatever he wanted. He isn't a picky eater and will try anything, so 1 TS a day is needed for us.
Have a great trip!!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I read your other thread yesterday and almost jumped in. My kids are 10 and 6, and they love Disney TS restaurants. DD6 is more about the experience - will we see the princesses or Pooh? DD10 is more about the food - she wants something interesting. Neither of my kids eat hot dogs, so Casey's on the curb to watch Spectro is not an option (although they love Spectro, they're not big on dinner at the curb any more than I am). My kids have never felt that we didn't do enough rides - you'll have plenty of time.

 

[princessmom29]

My DD5 LOVES table service restuarants, at home and at disney. We have always taken he out with us,and she enjoys it as much as we do. We engage her in the conversation, and she really enjoys trying different foods.

 

[DisneyMom81]

One of the best parts of our last trip were the TS meals. All the characters coming up - it was the best!!!! We never even got to see Mickey or Minnie outside of our TS character meals. So sad. Go do what you want - I don't see anyone on these boards paying for your trip!!!! Have fun, and don't worry about gaining any weight - you walk it all off!

 

[DAISY DUCK FAN!]

My kids LOVE TS!! Actually, when we're making our ADRs, everyone gets to choose one TS restaurant. You'd think they were making a lifelong decisions with all the thought that goes into it.

 

[Withacy]

It is the exceptional 7-year old who really wants to sit for 90-120 minutes over dinner. We still went to the more adult restaurants because I wanted to eat there. I cannot tell you how many meals I ate with my DD's asleep head in my lap.

Well, as I mentioned, the first (and only time) I did the DDP was with Liam's sister (when she was turning 9) - and we did the Deluxe plan. The reason I chose that was because we were going in January, and because I travel to WDW often in January (my goddaughter & I share a birthday) I know how hard it is to have spare money that soon after Christmas & with all the first of the year bills, and birthday bills (Georgia has a large tag tax) - and this was the longest visit I'd ever tried to make in January! So I like the idea of having all the meals mostly paid for in advance.

I had no idea going in if it would eat up too much time, or what it would be like. I'd never had more than 2 or 3 TS in a trip total, so this was a HUGE leap.

But it didn't turn out that bad. We had breakfast before the parks even openned. We ate lunch IN the parks. And if we didn't eat dinner in the park, we ate after we were done with the park for the day at a resort (in January, the parks tend to close much earlier than in summer, and even if they don't, it can start getting pretty cold!). So I don't think we ever felt like we were being pulled away from anything.

Plus, it was just the two of us - one adult and one child. The only meal that took 90 minutes or more was 1900 Park Fare - and that was because we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated! Well, Hoop Dee Doo - but that was a SHOW. Everything else we were in and out (without being rushed) within an hour. EVERYTHING. Because it was only the two of us, she wasn't bored because I was talking to another grown up and ignoring her. She had my full attention, and we talked about the day so far, and what we wanted to do next.

I don't see why this trip would be any different. One on one attention. We won't be doing any signature dining. Unless CRT is considered "signature". Lots of Buffets. Lots of Character dining. Informal, heavily themed, kid friendly restaurants. I'm really not concerned about that.

I am not concerned about getting my money's worth because I know I WON'T. The biggest difference between that visit with his sister and this one is that I had gastric bypass surgery about 7 months after that visit. Upside - I've lost over 100 pounds & can get around MUCH better. Downside - I can't eat very much (well, generally that's an UP side too). So I know going in there's NO WAY I'm even going to get close to eating what I paid for. But I've made peace with that. I'm going to enjoy what I can eat to the fullest, and enjoy visiting some great places - and I think we'll have a great time!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hmmm, one could just as well say that parents are being selfish by stuffing their kids with hotdogs to avoid having a kid in a restaurant.

My kids enjoy TS--and we try to find an even balance. Where I take my 3 kiddos is my business and if people don't wish to help me on a restaurant board b/c they think I'm selfish--well pity on them.

Good thing that I'm easy going when it comes to "ressies" on vacation.


I booked Chefs De Paris (or whatever the French Restaurant is called) on my birthday. I will say that on that one occasion--it was about ME and I booked what I wanted to do on MY birthday. So take that, restaurant board!

Let's see, my children have ate at:

Sci Fi, Brown Derby (well 1 child did!), Chefs, Teppenyaki, Mexico, Castle, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Rose and Crown Pub, Tea at the Grand Floridian, 1900 Park Fare.....Canada (dd liked that they had steak on the kids menu!)

They all lived to tell the tale and often want to go back.

Not to mention all the sit down restaurants at home. Yes--my kids like to be waited on. There is just something special about not having your dinner wrapped in paper and carrying it on a tray to the table.

Best of luck with your dining choices!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My kids are all young. They LOVE counter service meals!!!!!!! They do not want burgers and junk for every single meal. They like food like salmon, calamari, a nice steak etc. We usually hit a bunch of character meals but last trip we did nice places too like California Grill. Well, our DD said "Mommy, this place is so nice. It is so nice not to have to get up to get your food." So here we are making sure to get to all the character buffets so the kids can meet all the characters they love and my little munchkins were visibly relieved that they could sit and relax during a meal and have some better quality food. We will still do character meals but we will make sure to go to other places as well that we know they will love.

ETA- You know what they liked a lot too? Teppan Edo. That was one of the places they requested that I make reservations for! They didn't care much for the kids meal but sure loved sharing our meals. Next time I will pay OOP and let them get whatever they want. (we were on DDP)

 

[Nancy]

My kids actually complained that we didn't take them to the "good" places to eat at WDW when they were younger.....they wanted to do the TS places, it was their Dad that didn't want to. So we had to compromise...a few TS and also CS. I just would never do any of the dining plans, just not worth it money wise and with the DDP it is just way too much food and it seems like the days are spent planned around where to eat...we like to wing it and not have too much structure when we go.

 

[NMAmy]

And that adults who plan TS meals are being selfish & only thinking about themselves.

And here's my thought--it's a vacation for the adults as well as the children. If adults don't want to have hot dogs at every meal, then they shouldn't have to. I love my dd but I've never planned a vacation solely around her wants.

With that said, I did let dd help plan and part of that was choosing a couple of TS restaurants that she enjoyed like the Sci Fi and Primetime. We would do things she liked to do and she would do things we liked to do. It's all about learning to compromise.