Need help! Going with kids and I am losing my mind!

[Lynne M]

Again, not being a parent, is it normal or ok for kids to eat just pizza and chicken tenders at every meal? No veggies or anything? For breakfast they will eat fruit and waffles, pancakes and bacon but that is it so the places we have picked should be just fine (Ohana, Princess Breakfast, Kona and CP)

Lots of kids eat that way at one time or another, and it's not going to hurt your sister's kids at all to eat junk food for a week. Or to have dessert for dinner, for that matter. Heck, it's vacation....I've been known to eat french fries for breakfast when I'm at WDW.

In fact, since Disney's been on a health kick lately, I'd think their kids meals are probably healthier than McD's food anyway.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I just love you guys! You are so right, they will not starve and if they eat "bad" for 5 days it wont kill em! I am worried about the sugar high they may get though

I am totally relaxed normally but when we are talking WDW I tend to get a little crazy, manic, hyper....you know the kind...I have Disney-itis!

Plus I dont want to do a dining report of just CS places
Just kidding! I bet you the older one is going to be mortified when I start taking pics of the food ... she is going through that tween phase where they dont want to be seen in public with you

 

[lovesdumbo]

The little one is 6 and the older one is 12.5 going on 40....she is the worse tattle tale you ever met and likes to embelish stories with tidbits that never happened...know what I mean? I dont want to her to tell my sister that I was mean and didnt feed them!

My sister is not a WDW person, I invited her to come with us but she has zero interest in it. What a weird-o!

Again, not being a parent, is it normal or ok for kids to eat just pizza and chicken tenders at every meal? No veggies or anything? For breakfast they will eat fruit and waffles, pancakes and bacon but that is it so the places we have picked should be just fine (Ohana, Princess Breakfast, Kona and CP)

We are staying at the Poly and the kids are super excited about the volcano pool, I can always tell them that after they eat dinner we can go swimming, that should work!

I think you guys are right, I need to go with the flow and let them enjoy the vacation too..if they want two bites of something and that is it so be it, if they want just dessert that is fine too! ...I guess I just want them to have a really good time. Darn it I have the right as an aunt to spoil them rotten..you guys are right!

I don't see how she can say you didn't feed them. Won't she be saying they wouldn't eat? BUT I really think they will be fine!

Looks like I'll just miss you at the Poly. I'll be there on the 27th. Can't wait! (Not that I'm ready ).

 

[noahdove]

It's a tough call, but, I would like to add, don't cancel the ressies, ask them what they would like to try, and then order it. It maybe the same thing over and over, but, if they don't eat it the first time, have them try something else YOU will be the one suffering because if they don't eat then they will be cranky...I would ask them to try "no Thank You" helpings. That's my 2 cents worth...

 

[DznyDreamz]

As the mom of a very picky 7yr old girl, all "rules" are abandoned on vacation.

If she wants to eat chicken nuggets, pizza or burgers for lunch and dinner every day and it makes her happy, I say go for it! It would NEVER be allowed to happen at home, but we aren't home. Like others have said, 5 days won't ruin them. They will find something they like and I'm sure being out with a super cool aunt like you must be might cause them to behave differently then they do with their mom. I know my DD tests me and takes me to the brink. When she is with friends or relatives, she is not the same girl and cooperates with everyone and everthing!

Just "yes dear" to your sister and do what you have to when you are there and are the one making the decisions (and paying the bill).

You will all have a blast.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Nikki, I love your reports and don't want to see them go down the tubes because of your sister.
Seriously, here is my 2 cents as the mother of three very unpicky children and the aunt of 2 EXTREMELY PICKY children.
1) It is your job to offer them food but not to make them eat. No child has ever let themselves starve. They'll eat when they want to. Don't try to cajole, bribe or otherwise get them to eat. They are not babies, they'll eat when they are hungry. In the wise words of my mother, "Never make meal time a battle time."
2) I wouldn't worry about their nutrition over vacation since you have no control over it when they get home and one week's worth of food will not make a big difference in their lives.
3) You know something very important that your sister doesn't know - Disney dining is about so much more than the actual food! When was the last time you saw Cinderella signing autographs at McDonald's?
I haven't been to Fulton's so I can't comment, but the other places you mentioned are so kid friendly. I would take my niece and nephew there knowing that even if they didn't eat, there was more than enough atmosphere for them to enjoy. Remember though, that most places are extremely accomodating.

I say relax, eat where you want, and let them eat what they want there and enjoy yourselves!

 

[Princess Sleepy]

I have 2 kids, DD2 and DD5, and some days they are picky eater, some days they will eat anything you put in their line of vision. On the days they don't want to eat, they make up for it other days.

What I wanted to suggest, though, was some "healthier" snacks to have on hand at the room or to bring with to the restaurants: little boxes of cereal, fruit snacks, granola bars, crackers and cheese, etc. The Poly has fridges in all the rooms so you could store some stuff. If you won't have a car, GardenGrocer.com will deliver to the hotel.

Having little things that you know they will enjoy for them to munch on can save you from spending too much money and emotional angst in the sit downs.

Good Luck!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I have 2 kids, DD2 and DD5, and some days they are picky eater, some days they will eat anything you put in their line of vision. On the days they don't want to eat, they make up for it other days.

What I wanted to suggest, though, was some "healthier" snacks to have on hand at the room or to bring with to the restaurants: little boxes of cereal, fruit snacks, granola bars, crackers and cheese, etc. The Poly has fridges in all the rooms so you could store some stuff. If you won't have a car, GardenGrocer.com will deliver to the hotel.

Having little things that you know they will enjoy for them to munch on can save you from spending too much money and emotional angst in the sit downs.

Good Luck!

I think snacks for the room is a great idea, picky kids or not! We always keep some in our room and it saves us a lot of time. We often carry some in our bag too in case anyone feels the need for a pick-me up at a really inconvenient time.

 

[ShannonMB]

Man, you're all nicer than I would be if I was taking a relative's kids to WDW and they had the nerve to complain about the food!

I have to second this. It's great of you to take the kiddies, and the last thing they will be worried about while they're at the World is if there are appropriate choices for them on the kids' menu. If my sis tried to suggest that I take her kids elsewhere for meals when I'm the one showing them the time of their lives, I'd tell her to shove it, and she would take it the right way. But maybe you don't have that relationship with your sis.

I wouldn't worry about it for another split second!!

 

[catne]

even though your sis doesn't want to go to Disney with you, she still might be a little jealous of the whole kids-going-on-vacation and she's not concept. I know you said she turned it down, but maybe what she's really trying to say is "take the girls somewhere else for vacation...that I might be interested in going to." Like she's not really upset about the restaurants, but the fact they're at a vacation place she didn't care to go to, so no vacation for her.

That said, don't change you plans. The kids will find something to eat, even if it's just bread for the meal & ice cream for dessert (heck, that's 2 of the four basic food groups - grains & dairy. I'd consider that a major score on a vacation food pyramid! If you get them to eat a nugget, you got 3 groups covered.) No bribes, no rewards, no nagging. Treat it all matter of fact, take it or leave it, girls. They won't starve, and probably won't sugar-out, either. Most kids tend to self-limit on the sugar, at least after the first day.

Have crackers or granola bars in the room for emergency sustenance. But I bet they'll find things they will eat at the restaurants. My DD used to be a picky eater...until she discovered salad bars at buffets...when she found out she could put exactly what she wanted on her salad, she turned into a salad-lover. Same thing might happen with your nieces. (At the very least, I bet they'll love the dessert buffet )

 

[kbeverina]

It is so much harder when they're not your kids than when they are. With my own, I have no problem telling my kids to suck it up. With my nieces and nephews, I'm putty in their hands. I'm ridiculous with them, I don't want to ever upset them or have them upset with me.

On vacation, I pretty much let my kids eat or don't eat what they want (my husband and son are diabetic so we eat pretty healthy and on a schedule at home and vacation is a break from that). All I care is that they behave while they're sitting there eating or not eating.

But even the most predictable kids can surprise you. We were in DC last weekend to see a play and I was concerned my daughter wouldn't like anything at the restaurant where my husband wanted to eat. It was lunch and the rest of us were ordering sandwiches/burgers and the waitress comes to her and she orders soup and filet mignon. My husband and I looked at each other like, "What the..." So I can't wait to see if your nieces surprise their mom.

 

[DannysMom]

I haven't read through the whole thread, but remember hungry kids are *not* happy kids. You mentioned that the older child is on ADHD meds that take away her appetite & the younger is also very picky & eats very little. It could be that your sister is inelequently trying to tell you what she thinks her kids will eat. How long is the trip? How long have you had the kids for before, sans parents? Mom may just be worried her kids will starve all week.

I have a "picky" eater too, and I know that the first few times we took him to WDW we picked restaraunts based on what was on the kids meal menu. If there wasn't something I was pretty sure that he would eat, we saved it til he he was older. But, fortunately lots of places have chicken nuggets and fries on the kids menu, which is one of his standbys.

For truly picky eaters, they will *not* eat if they are hungry enough, not if the food before them doesn't meet whatever mysterous criteria they have set in their precious little heads. So, plan on having snacks that they readily accept, discuss this with their mom beforehand, whether that's fruit, chips, pretzels, granola bars, or smuckers uncrustables (PB& J) -- mom knows what they will eat "in a pinch." Me, my son loves chocolate milk, so I always bring along packets of Carnation Instant Breakfast, as milk is available everywhere & if he's in a non-eating mood, I know he's still getting some nutrition & won't get the "I'm hungry, but I can't really identify that feeling, so I'll just be cranky & unpleasant" thing going on.

You can probably keep most all of your ADRs, but know if it's a major problem with the food & the kids don't eat, you might be stopping at a CS location to get some chicken nuggets & fries after dinner.

Good luck.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

I was wondering if you had talked to the girls at all about the plans? They are definitely old enough to be involved in the planning. Since your sister isn't going, the fact that she thinks the food "looks gross" is irrelevant. Do you have a way to have a discussion with your nieces to see what their expectations are and explain yours to them? It might be easier without a somewhat cranky mom as a go-between.

 

[Tammy296]

Sounds like if your sister wants to eat at McD's everynight then LET HER. You and your family eat where you want. I would!! Don't let someone spoil your holiday... Enjoying TS is one of the great things about Disney... there are so many choices!!

-T

 

[MickeyNicki]

I do appreciate all the advice. I think maybe my sister is jealous that we are taking them somewhere fun and since she is a single mother she cannot.....but I asked her about this 8 months ago when we decided to do this and she was all for it....she is looking forward to going out with her friends and not being a mom for a few days!

I will have the kids Tues night for a sleepover (pizza night) and we leave Wed morning and come home Sun night.

I have been hinting at the trip for a long time now... I ask the girls who they would like to eat with, I made suggestions and they were all for it, the older one said she wanted to eat crab so I booked Fultons, they both promised me they would eat. I know their eating habits are not the best but I dont want issues at dinner time either. I am planning on bringing snacks and cereal just in case but as long as I can find chicken strips, french fries, and pizza I should be good to go.

Any of you guys been to 1900 PF, Coral Reef, Tonys and Fultons with kids?? What did they eat and did they like it?

 

[kellypooh]

Again, not being a parent, is it normal or ok for kids to eat just pizza and chicken tenders at every meal? No veggies or anything? For breakfast they will eat fruit and waffles, pancakes and bacon but that is it so the places we have picked should be just fine (Ohana, Princess Breakfast, Kona and CP)

I have a nephew who for YEARS would eat nothing but peanut butter toast or bacon...along with a multi-vitamin. His poor mother just about drove herself nuts trying to "make" him try other things until his pediatrician told her to relax -- he's now a big strapping young man who eats everything without a problem.

For truly picky eaters, they will *not* eat if they are hungry enough, not if the food before them doesn't meet whatever mysterous criteria they have set in their precious little heads.

I don't think I was a really picky eater when I was a child but I vividly remember one time when I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich at a restaurant and then proceeded to have a meltdown because the cheese was the wrong color!

I agree with pretty much everyone else -- it's vacation. Let them eat what they want and don't stress about it. It'll all be fine!

 

[DISNEYNV]

O...M....G! The food at Disney is WAY better than Mcdonalds, but if that is what the kids are used to then there is a Mcdonalds stand still at the park...well at least at Epcot and Hollywood Studios anyway as of December trip. The menu is limited though but they do have my DDs favorite fries! She is a very picky eater too and she was able to use her snack credits for a large fry at both of these parks...don't think MK has one anymore. I wouldn't feedmy kids Mcdonalds every day though but that is just my opinion on that subject. Keep your reservations! The kids will love the Disney atmosphere and eating at the parks(it's pArt of the Disney experiece after all). I would schedule a few character meals like chef mickeys or crystal palace where your niece will be entertained as well as fed GOOD food. I have heard great things about mickeys backyard BBQ at fort wilderness campground. The characters interact and dance around with the kids and it's picnic type food... What kid doesn't love a picnic! Trust me your sister really doesn't realize what she would be taking away from her kids trip to Disney by wanting them to eat at a fast food joint that they can go to any day of the week at home!

 

[Mich123]

I have two kids who would love to go to Disney with any relative that would take them! That being said, I do have a picky 12 year old, but, when we're at Disney, she is always happy and I can not remember any food complaints. Chicken nuggets and mac 'n cheese at every meal for a MONTH wouldn't kill her. Disney does offer healthy side dish options for the kids, so you can't say you didn't offer. Also, the 13 year old can order off the kids menu or the adult menu with DDP (can't remembered if you have that or not) so she has a lot of choices. You could also do the plate switch between the kids if the younger one prefers the adult menu and the older one the kids' menu (we do that!).

If the kids eat a good breakfast, I think you get a bye for the rest of the day! They will always find a way to fill up and it sounds like you're offering them lots and lots of food. There's always dessert!

I haven't eaten at the places you've mentioned, but I'd note that my kids loved Ohana and Garden Grill, if you're looking for other kid friendly places. I've also read that if one of the kids is having a meltdown, sometimes the chefs can accommodate you by altering a meal or with ingredients they have on had (someone reported a scrambled egg dinner for a toddler in distress at a TS restaurant). Another kid strategy is to eat a little on the early side, say a 6 pm reservation as opposed to 6:30 or later, that way the dinner arrives before the meltdown can happen.

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[Tina1]

My sister is going next week and taking 2 children. These aren't her kids and she has never spent time with children with out parents present. Ages 5 & 8. And yes they don't like much beyond junk food. This is what I've done for her to help. I made a list of foods that are available in almost all the restaurants. She then sat down with the kids to see what they like best, rating them from yum, its ok, to yuk. With these three choices she now knows what they like ( its not a big list). On another note I printed out the menus for her to have at the restaurants so she can highlight what they will eat. So when they go to a park for the day she can decide what to order if they can't make up there own mind. I've told her not to stress out if the don't eat much and just go with the flow. On the other hand I've told her to have some proten or granola bars in her bag if they get hungry so they don't have a melt down. The one thing I stress is to have fun and do the best you can, It will not be the end of the world if they don't enjoy the food as much as we do. Tina

 

[tigerlily4787]

I would definitely keep your reservation. The children can deal with it, children need a better diet than chicken and fries anyway. Have them try something new and who knows maybe they will end up liking it.