catra121
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2011
- Messages
- 975
I'm planning a trip this September and this will be my first trip with a little one. My daughter will be 21 months old at the time of our visit.
I've been to WDW many times (more than 20) but I almost never eat at counter service. The last 12 years I have done table service only and the last few years have done the Deluxe Dining plan with 2 table service meals planned every day (with at least one meal on both arrival and departure days). I'm used to making ADRs 6 months out and having every meal of the trip planned.
I don't think this is a good strategy when travelling with a toddler. We have a fairly normal schedule for eating with her: breakfast when she gets up between 8-9, bottle of milk between 10-11, lunch between 2-3 (when she gets up from nap), dinner between 5-6, and bottle of milk between 7-8 (she's usually in bed between 8-9). But on vacation we will be out of our routine and I feel like scheduling table service meals will just result in frustrations all around because I don't know how well she will nap and how easily we'll be able to be at a specific spot at a specific time. I think we need the flexibility more than anything...especially since I know she will change over the next 4 months and what she does today might not be what she does in September.
But this leaves me in a whole new world...trying to figure out what the best counter service options are. My daughter is an adventurous eater and she doesn't like to have the same thing several days in a row (except pancakes for breakfast...she could eat those every day). For example...she likes mac and cheese and will scarf it down one day...but try to give it to her the next day and she won't touch it. Most of the time I will probably split my meals with her...but there may be times where we get her a kids meal. Only mention this because it's ok if there's not a big variety of kids meal options...just looking for good food on the regular menu.
We are not doing the dining plan.
We are staying at POFQ...so lunch will probably be at the resort most days after nap (IF she takes a nap...she already skips it every day at daycare and only takes them at home). Dinner will be in the parks though and I need some ideas. We will be in MK a couple of days, Epcot 1 or 2 days, and AK 1 or 2 days (depends on which park she likes best). We'll be skipping DHS this trip.
So...what are some good counter service options? Appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks.
I've been to WDW many times (more than 20) but I almost never eat at counter service. The last 12 years I have done table service only and the last few years have done the Deluxe Dining plan with 2 table service meals planned every day (with at least one meal on both arrival and departure days). I'm used to making ADRs 6 months out and having every meal of the trip planned.
I don't think this is a good strategy when travelling with a toddler. We have a fairly normal schedule for eating with her: breakfast when she gets up between 8-9, bottle of milk between 10-11, lunch between 2-3 (when she gets up from nap), dinner between 5-6, and bottle of milk between 7-8 (she's usually in bed between 8-9). But on vacation we will be out of our routine and I feel like scheduling table service meals will just result in frustrations all around because I don't know how well she will nap and how easily we'll be able to be at a specific spot at a specific time. I think we need the flexibility more than anything...especially since I know she will change over the next 4 months and what she does today might not be what she does in September.
But this leaves me in a whole new world...trying to figure out what the best counter service options are. My daughter is an adventurous eater and she doesn't like to have the same thing several days in a row (except pancakes for breakfast...she could eat those every day). For example...she likes mac and cheese and will scarf it down one day...but try to give it to her the next day and she won't touch it. Most of the time I will probably split my meals with her...but there may be times where we get her a kids meal. Only mention this because it's ok if there's not a big variety of kids meal options...just looking for good food on the regular menu.
We are not doing the dining plan.
We are staying at POFQ...so lunch will probably be at the resort most days after nap (IF she takes a nap...she already skips it every day at daycare and only takes them at home). Dinner will be in the parks though and I need some ideas. We will be in MK a couple of days, Epcot 1 or 2 days, and AK 1 or 2 days (depends on which park she likes best). We'll be skipping DHS this trip.
So...what are some good counter service options? Appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks.
