Mom of picky eaters-what is recommended?

[momoftriplets+1]

My children are picky eaters and my DH does not seem to think we need to make any advanced dining plans. So far, I have one reservation for the Sci-Fi Drive-in Restaurant at MGM. Any other parents of picky eaters make recommendations for me? Two hardly eat anything beyond pizza and chicken nuggets, not even mac & cheese.

I'm thinking we'll be able to get by with one main meal each day and snacks, counter service, quick meals for the balance of the day. Is this realistic? Thanks!

 

[Disney Ron]

What about Beaches & Cream or The Plaza?

 

[faindrops27]

Are you on the dining plan??
If so, you need to make dining ressies, if you want to eat in the most popular disney resteraunts.

Why not check out the menu's on allearsnet.com. To see what would appeal to your family. Good luck. Happy Travels!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I have a VERY PICKY 3.5 year old and we were in Disney in May.

Here's where/what he ate:

Hollywood and Vine Character Lunch (chicken nuggets) - Also available at 50's Prime Time Cafe - the restaurants are basically attached - same kitchen)

Chef Mickey's (chicken fingers)

Tony's Town Square (plain penne pasta w/tomato sauce on the side)

Mickey's Backyard BBQ (brought him a PB sandwich I made in the room and he had a Mickey Ice Cream Bar - and yes, I checked with the people around me to make sure there were no PB allergy issues)

Garden Grill (chicken fingers, but our least favorite meal)

Rainforest Cafe (plain penne pasta w/tomato sauce on the side, chicken nuggets also available)

Although my son sometimes eats mac and cheese at home, he did not eat it there. It's very thick sauce (think Stouffers) and he didn't like it.

A good amount of TS restaurants have pizza on the menu also - it's like a personal-pan size with a thicker crust - not an actual "slice" - for picky ones that may make a difference.

Sometimes I feel like we need a support group - "Parents of Picky Eaters United" . It's so very frustrating to have a child that just refuses to eat so many things (and actually GAGS if you can get it in his mouth) - you don't want to be an enabler, but you don't want them to starve. UGH! I feel your pain.

 

[heatherlynn444]

I say try some buffets. they hvae a special kids area with chicken nuggets, pizza, etc. etc. I know park fare does, and I'm sure others do, too

 

[DCDisney]

I think the easiest thing to do is the buffets. Sci Fi does have pizza though but my kids weren't terribly fond of the kids pizza (they did like the adult pizza you can order at CS places though). Every buffet has a kids area and they almost all have chicken fingers which are on almost no TS menus. With the buffets my kids were also able to eat lots of fruit which is the main healthy stuff they eat.

Yvonne

 

[HunnyPots]

If you want to eat in a sit-down restaurant everyday then, yes, you do need reservations to get what you want. Check the dining link at www.allears.net for a complete list of restaurants and menus for all resorts and parks.

If your kids love chicken and pizza, they'll be in heaven at WDW! You should have no problem finding both; they are in abundance!

 

[allyphoe]

If you're paying OOP, and don't mind eating counter service, you don't need ADRs and your kids will find plenty to eat. If you want a TS meal each day, you really need ADRs. If you're on the DDP, and your kids are on the kid's plan, you're going to have to do some creative juggling to get them CS meals they'll like.

For my picky eater, I went through the menus and made a list by park of what she'd eat at which restaurants. So I could stand at the castle and say "Macaroni and cheese or hot dog?" and know which CS place to head for.

 

[mlggator]

I feel your pain. I have two picky eaters and neither eats the same thing. Ugg. My daughter will eat Chicken Strips, nuggets and pizza. My son will eat chicken nuggets (not strips he chokes and throws up his entire stomach when eating these - it is not because he doesn't like them, but because he has a strong gag reflex and they are hard to chew), hot dogs, p-nut butter sandwiches, and on a rare occaision pasta and pizza. I set up our dinner/lunch ADRs at Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, CRT, San Angel Inn, and Rain Forest Cafe. I know we will be fine at these restaurants and there is something for both on every menu.

Good luck!
Michele

 

[tardin1964]

My DD is stuck on eating grilled cheese and pb&j. There were enough nicer sit down restaurants during our last visit in 2005 that offered these two items. Now it seems like with the new menus they have just about disappeared. It's very disappointing

 

[jenb1023]

My DD (3.5) is pretty picky too. The buffets were great because there was always something she would eat.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for other options. The kids meals are packaged certain ways and I did not realize until I asked that substitutions are often not an issue. They were very accomodating - I would think that they would be as flexible as they are allowed to be.

I also tried not to stress about her eating as long as she got one good meal in her a day. I found that even if she liked the food she was often too excited to eat much. We tried to start with a good breakfast at the resort before heading out so it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

 

[ballarinamom]

Same situation with my DD5- chicken, grilled cheese and pizza.

Make ressies anyway. You can always cancel. Better to be safe than sorry. Alot of the places changed their menu the week we were there and most had chicken and fries. The buffets worked out quite well. I chose all our dining choices after looking at allears.net to make sure there was something for her to eat. Have a great trip!

 

[Mom2Evie]

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

This link takes you to the breakfast, lunch & dinner menus for all Disney Dining. You should be able to find your kids something they'll eat almost anywhere except a few places in Epcot's World Showcase. Nine Dragons & Teppanyaki don't really have pizza or chicken fingers. My little picky eater usually gets sweet & sour chicken at Nine Dragons because that's as close to nuggets as you can get and still be Chinese food.