My mother raised me better than this!

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We leave in 11 days and I just had a horrifying thought about all 7 of the buffets we are eating on our trip. My DD4 is a grazer, not an eater. It takes her forever to eat so even if we dine-in at McDonald's, we usually end up placing the reminants of her meal in a box to eat on the way to where ever it is we are headed next. Do I have to just sit there and wait for her to finish or do I bring my ziplocs in there as I planned to at regular sit-down places? I know it is a rule that you cannot take out food at these buffets! But I know I will have to hit the closest chicken nugget place to get her a second meal! I am not a fastpaced, go go go person. I just do not want to sit waiting for an additional 30 minutes so she can finish. Suggestions???

 

[belleatheart]

Ok I know that I will probably get yelled at, but the truth is, if you grab lets say a roll and a few chicken nuggets and throw them in a bag, I personally would not be offended. As well as many people I would hope. You are not taking a whole plate out in a bag, just a few pieces. I get the grazing thing, I was a grazer, my mom always had a bag of cheerios in hand!

 

[mmmears]

I've never taken food out of a buffet. I doubt that you'll get in "trouble" if you do. Running around WDW is very tiring, and taking an extra 20-30 minutes to relax in the comfort and air condition of a buffet restaurant may give you and your DD a chance to "recharge your batteries" so to speak.

Like I said, I don't think you'll get in trouble if you take out a tiny bit of food, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing so.

 

[mickeysaver]

If you know that this is a time sucking issue, then why book so many buffet meals if you are not ok with going with the flow and letting your little one set the pace?

I am not attempting to be argumentative, but when you go to WDW with a little one that you know is going to cause slow ups along the way, it's important for you to plan accordingly and to set your mind to enjoy the pixie dust that you are able to get because you can't expect to go commando and have a trip that's really enjoyable. Just remember that there is no way to see and/or do everything that you would like to do at WDW during any single trip. There are people that come for 2 week stays that can't even squeeze it all in. Attitude is everything, just let her set the pace. She won't know what she's missing, just enjoy the magical moments that you do get.
Maggie

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

If you know that this is a time sucking issue, then why book so many buffet meals if you are not ok with going with the flow and letting your little one set the pace?

I am not attempting to be argumentative, but when you go to WDW with a little one that you know is going to cause slow ups along the way, it's important for you to plan accordingly and to set your mind to enjoy the pixie dust that you are able to get because you can't expect to go commando and have a trip that's really enjoyable. Just remember that there is no way to see and/or do everything that you would like to do at WDW during any single trip. There are people that come for 2 week stays that can't even squeeze it all in. Attitude is everything, just let her set the pace. She won't know what she's missing, just enjoy the magical moments that you do get.
Maggie

This is my first trip as well as hers. I booked the buffets because that is where the characters are so I think that you are correct. I should just enjoy the atmosphere. Worse case, she fills up on goldfish and fruit snacks on the way to ride Dumbo again!

 

[mmmears]

This is my first trip as well as hers. I booked the buffets because that is where the characters are so I think that you are correct. I should just enjoy the atmosphere. Worse case, she fills up on goldfish and fruit snacks on the way to ride Dumbo again!

I think that's a good attitude to have. I didn't realize that they are all character meals. Definitely take your time, there. You need to spend time anyway, just to make sure you'll meet all the characters. And, like I said before, you'll need a break and some relaxation time as well.

I think that the character meals are fantastic for little kids. You get 3 things in one: characters (without waiting in line for them), food, and some time to sit and recharge.

I hope you have a great first trip to WDW!

 

[JOCAmom]

In my experience, when we booked character buffets, my grazer, youngest daughter, has had enough time between the characters to get her fill of what she wants. It always seems to us, that character meals take forever. Let her nibble at her own pace. You'll both feel better for it.

 

[mickeysaver]

This is my first trip as well as hers. I booked the buffets because that is where the characters are so I think that you are correct. I should just enjoy the atmosphere. Worse case, she fills up on goldfish and fruit snacks on the way to ride Dumbo again!

There ya' go! You are already primed to have a wonderful trip. I wish you lots of pixie dust and happy memories. You only have one first trip to WDW, make it a great one! Maggie

 

[Canyon girl]

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to take a baggie to put just a little into. Leave the baggie in your fannie pack/backpack and just put a couple of chicken nuggets and a roll in the bag. If a server asks (don't do it with the server there), just tell her/him the truth. The server will probably notice that she has not eaten much anyway. It is not like you are taking a second meal...you are taking part of her original meal that you paid for. Now if you were planning on getting a second (or third) plate and pouring that into a baggie, I would probably say no.

 

[Sandy321]

like a PP said - you may be surprised how long a Buffet meal with characters take - you should get her a plate and tell her she has to eat something before ______ charcter comes by...

and if you do end up taking food out of the buffet, chances are she wont eat it anyway - and it will become a guilty (since we're not 'allowed' to take food from buffets) throw away... keep in mind, its hot and humid, so they dont eat as much, its an overwhelming system overload - lots of walking etc so she may eat more than you expect You can never tell with kids!!

play it by ear - you'll know what you will need when the time comes!

 

[squirrel]

Last year our first TS meal was a character meal.

My niece hardly ate a thing. She had special non-dairy waffles made for her which she might have eaten one. She was just so busy watching the characters and everything she just didn't eat. I did bag the waffles as I figured she would be hungry shortly after leaving the restaurant.

She was hungry not long after leaving. I pulled out the ziplock and handed her a waffle. She took one bit and said yucky. I took a bit-they were so gross. I promised her after the show we would get some food.

After trying the waffle, I let her eat pizza for breakfast if she wanted! I think she did try waffles at the resort one morning - I don't think I could have after the last time.

 

[LindaBabe]

if it's already on her plate, they certainly can't re-serve it, so why not bag it? but I wouldn't take my baggie to the buffet to add something new.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I don't think I would take food out of the buffet for grazing. Not because it's impolite to take food from a buffet but because what's that food going to taste like anyway after being carried around in the heat (how safe it is anyway) or being smashed in a bag. Just doesn't sound appetizing to me. I would take some snacks for her to nibble on.

Are you on free dining or are you paying for your meals? If you're paying, I would reconsider the buffets as they are expensive if she's not going to eat. You can see most of the characters in the parks.