Need some help Dining with a 6 year old

[Looking4themouse]

Well my DH and I just got back, and are considering planning another trip, and while nothing is solid yet, we are thinking of taking our DD and our oldest GD along. DD is 24 and her DD will be turning 6 shortly after our planned vacation. I don't think either of them are too picky, however, I don't know that I can be the judge of that because I swear their DDad, is the pickiest man alive. I'm just looking at suggestions for some places that will have a kid friendly atmosphere, while having decent food for the adults. I know that my DH wants to go back to Raglan Rd again after the delicious burger he ate, so we will probably do that, and we had such a good time at the Tusker House we are planning that again as well, he wants to do both breakfast and dinner there, I on the other hand object. Oh and the other thing is park hopping seems like such a hassle, and although I'm sure we'll do some we would like to limit that, so our planned itenerary is 2 days at MK, 2 days at AK, 2days at HS and 1 at Epcot. Sorry this is so wordy, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[canopynut66]

Well my DH and I just got back, and are considering planning another trip, and while nothing is solid yet, we are thinking of taking our DD and our oldest GD along. DD is 24 and her DD will be turning 6 shortly after our planned vacation. I don't think either of them are too picky, however, I don't know that I can be the judge of that because I swear their DDad, is the pickiest man alive. I'm just looking at suggestions for some places that will have a kid friendly atmosphere, while having decent food for the adults. I know that my DH wants to go back to Raglan Rd again after the delicious burger he ate, so we will probably do that, and we had such a good time at the Tusker House we are planning that again as well, he wants to do both breakfast and dinner there, I on the other hand object. Oh and the other thing is park hopping seems like such a hassle, and although I'm sure we'll do some we would like to limit that, so our planned itenerary is 2 days at MK, 2 days at AK, 2days at HS and 1 at Epcot. Sorry this is so wordy, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tammy

Donald's Safari breakfast at Tusker house has characters (in AK)

Crystal Palace has Pooh and friends and is good for breakfast or dinner (in MK)

Cinderellas Castle is good for Breakfast (hard to get into any meal) (in MK)

O'Hanas with Lilo and friends but also good for dinner as they have activities for kids (Poly on monorail)

Hollywood & Vine also have characters and is very good food wise for any meal (in HS)

Prime Time 50's is good but no characters but kids got a kick out of them watching us adults "have" to clean our plates (in HS)

Cape May has characters for breakfast dinner is very good but no characters (EP-do not need to enter EP)

Chef Mickeys (in Contempary resort)

1900 Park Fare breakfast with characters from Mary Poppins (in Grand FL) good dinner also

we always try to book meals in the area we are going to be in as we also do not like the park hopping all that well

 

[Looking4themouse]

Donald's Safari breakfast at Tusker house has characters (in AK)

Crystal Palace has Pooh and friends and is good for breakfast or dinner (in MK)

Cinderellas Castle is good for Breakfast (hard to get into any meal) (in MK)

O'Hanas with Lilo and friends but also good for dinner as they have activities for kids (Poly on monorail)

Hollywood & Vine also have characters and is very good food wise for any meal (in HS)

Prime Time 50's is good but no characters but kids got a kick out of them watching us adults "have" to clean our plates (in HS)

Cape May has characters for breakfast dinner is very good but no characters (EP-do not need to enter EP)

Chef Mickeys (in Contempary resort)

1900 Park Fare breakfast with characters from Mary Poppins (in Grand FL) good dinner also

we always try to book meals in the area we are going to be in as we also do not like the park hopping all that well

First let me say thank you for the suggestions, keep em coming.
I was thinking of CP for one meal, as I am a closet Pooh lover, it was enticing on our last visit, but I opted for Tusker House, due to my DH and I both being animal lovers and wanting to get onto that Safari ride, it didn't work out that way, but that was my intent.
O'Hanas is the charecter thing only for breakfast or something? I wanted to try O'Hana's last time but DH didn't see anything he thought he would like and I was already pushing it with a few of my choices, although I think this time he'll listen to me this time, because we really ate at some wonderful restaurants.
We tried the 50's this past time and although, we had what we both considered the greatest waiter in the world there, I think his name was Mike, not sure i just remember he was from Rochester, NH originally, you should request him, he's great, anyways, we thought the food was just ok. My DH wanted to go back simply because he thought the waiter was so great, but IDK.
What about the Whispering Canyon, or Mickey's backyard BBQ (I think that's what it's called anyways)?

 

[shannonstar]

2 days at MK, 2 days at AK, 2days at HS and 1 at Epcot

You didn't mention which dining plan you are going to be on, if at all, so I am assuming 1 TS/day.

MK days -
Consider Ohana's Breakfast (for characters and good breakfast food), Crystal Palace for any meal (there is bound to be something on the buffet that even picky eaters will eat), and 1900 Fare Park (for characters and buffet at dinner or breakfast)
AK days-
Tusker House Breakfast was awesome (according to my DS6). I really enjoyed the food and the chance to be in AK before the park opened. Maybe Boma after the park closes (the buffet is pretty extensive and not too far away by bus to AKL
HS days -
I was not an H&V fan, so I would go to Cape May for a character breakfast and then boat back over the HS if it were me. Mama Melrose was a pleaser for my family as well. The pizza for the kids was better than QS pizza anywhere. We haven't been to Sci Fi or 50's, but there have been lots of reviews about them making them sound possibly for the future.
Epcot Day-
I can't believe you have only one day here. The choices are so many I can't even begin to decide. If I was picking based on kids I would go for Garden Grill. My son loved it! Revolving restaurant, good food, great characters. Other good choices might be Akershus breakfast, Rose & Crown for an Illuminations seat, or Coral Reef (not my thing, but others loves it.)

Sorr this response if wordy, hope it helps though.

 

[Looking4themouse]

2 days at MK, 2 days at AK, 2days at HS and 1 at Epcot

You didn't mention which dining plan you are going to be on, if at all, so I am assuming 1 TS/day.

MK days -
Consider Ohana's Breakfast (for characters and good breakfast food), Crystal Palace for any meal (there is bound to be something on the buffet that even picky eaters will eat), and 1900 Fare Park (for characters and buffet at dinner or breakfast)
AK days-
Tusker House Breakfast was awesome (according to my DS6). I really enjoyed the food and the chance to be in AK before the park opened. Maybe Boma after the park closes (the buffet is pretty extensive and not too far away by bus to AKL
HS days -
I was not an H&V fan, so I would go to Cape May for a character breakfast and then boat back over the HS if it were me. Mama Melrose was a pleaser for my family as well. The pizza for the kids was better than QS pizza anywhere. We haven't been to Sci Fi or 50's, but there have been lots of reviews about them making them sound possibly for the future.
Epcot Day-
I can't believe you have only one day here. The choices are so many I can't even begin to decide. If I was picking based on kids I would go for Garden Grill. My son loved it! Revolving restaurant, good food, great characters. Other good choices might be Akershus breakfast, Rose & Crown for an Illuminations seat, or Coral Reef (not my thing, but others loves it.)

Sorr this response if wordy, hope it helps though.

Thank you, for your response, yes if we go we will be on the DDP, sorry I forgot to mention that, no need to worry about a long response mine are usually at least as long as yours if not longer. I too can't believe only 1 day at Epcot, although I love it, my DH was less than impressed, I myself am wondering what to do with 2 days at HS. Nothing is concrete yet, but since he gave in to another trip to Disney, I figured I had to give in somewhere.
We too loved the Tusker house, it was such a great experience, even though we ended up feeling a little rushed through breakfast, not because they rushed us through, but because his DAunt got to the hotel shortly after our breakfast started, and wanted access to our room because hers wasn't ready yet.
We too felt the same way about Coral Reef, and i don't think I could drag my DH back there even if I offered him Bill Gate's salary for the year. If one meal had been bad that's one thing, but 3 out of the 4 meals we ordered were, well yucky as well as both apps that were ordered. The only one happy with their choice was me, and that's because I knew what to order because of the DIS, I tried to tell the other's but to no avail.
Garden grill sounds interesting, my dh was asking me questions about that the last time we were there, but I didn't know much except that it was a rotating restaurant with a charecter dining experience. I'll have to look at the menus for that one.
I was thinking of HV or Mama Melrose for HS, so we could get the Fantasmic package, HV is just a buffet correct? I've heard people describe MM's as an Olive Garden, if that's true I could live with that, because personally I like the OG...

 

[MickeyNicki]

My then 6 year old niece did fantastic at character breakfasts, she ate alot and had a great time. She didnt do well at TS, even character TS, because she didnt like the food at all, she left hungry and cranky and I was not thrilled on wasting the money.

What we did on our DTD night was take her to McDonalds first and then we ate a nice dinner at Fultons...she colored with her new crayons and book.

I will say she is semi picky, likes grapes, fries, chicken nuggets (but NOT WDW ones), pizza and burgers but for breakfast she ate everything that wasnt nailed down

 

[disneymami]

You mentioned you wanted decent meals for the adults as well as something for the six year old to be able to eat.
I visited last year with my twin 8 year olds. They liked the character meals alot (Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey) but the offerings for adults are a bit so so (you are really paying a lot just for the character interaction)

I have to say that our lunch at the Wave at the Contemporary was really fabulous. They had a great children's menu but our meals were so tasty and good I would go back there in a heartbeat. Plus the lobby of the Wave is very cool and fun. My girls had a great time running around the lobby while we waited for our food.

Another place to dine is the Whisperin Canyon in the Wilderness Lodge. Take the ferry from MK and have lunch there. It is tons of fun for the kids. They have stick pony races around the restaurant. Plus the food is very good. I had breakfast there and it was a heaping helping of eggs, bacon, and everyhing you can think of. In fact, you should plan on a late breakfast and that should hold you till dinner.

Make ADR's for both places just in case. The Wave was not crowded at all when we had lunch at noon on a monday.

 

[EvilQueenT]

if you're not real sure what your granddaughter will eat i'd suggest having your daughter look over the menus on allears.net and give you a list of places that would work. then you can pick and plan as your schedule works for you. i also have a 6 y/o granddaughter (she doesn't like the typical pb&j, chicken nugget, pizza menus as she actually has a more adult palate) and my son (her dad) is the least adventurous eater in the group so i have to do the same thing.

 

[canopynut66]

Thank you, for your response, yes if we go we will be on the DDP, sorry I forgot to mention that, no need to worry about a long response mine are usually at least as long as yours if not longer. I too can't believe only 1 day at Epcot, although I love it, my DH was less than impressed, I myself am wondering what to do with 2 days at HS. Nothing is concrete yet, but since he gave in to another trip to Disney, I figured I had to give in somewhere.
We too loved the Tusker house, it was such a great experience, even though we ended up feeling a little rushed through breakfast, not because they rushed us through, but because his DAunt got to the hotel shortly after our breakfast started, and wanted access to our room because hers wasn't ready yet.
We too felt the same way about Coral Reef, and i don't think I could drag my DH back there even if I offered him Bill Gate's salary for the year. If one meal had been bad that's one thing, but 3 out of the 4 meals we ordered were, well yucky as well as both apps that were ordered. The only one happy with their choice was me, and that's because I knew what to order because of the DIS, I tried to tell the other's but to no avail.
Garden grill sounds interesting, my dh was asking me questions about that the last time we were there, but I didn't know much except that it was a rotating restaurant with a charecter dining experience. I'll have to look at the menus for that one.
I was thinking of HV or Mama Melrose for HS, so we could get the Fantasmic package, HV is just a buffet correct? I've heard people describe MM's as an Olive Garden, if that's true I could live with that, because personally I like the OG...

Whispering Canyons is family style and good but the menu option they have is good as well. fun things for kids there also. agree with you on Prime Time is just Ok but is fun and DBL always request it. O'Hana's breakfast is good and I really like the dinner there also family style but sister and brother in law do not think they can find anything they like there???? still working on them on that. HV is buffett and has been very good last two years. Mama Melrose I sorry to say would have to pass.It sure is NO OG as that a favorite here at home. had read Brown Derby is very good but is 2 TS...Tonys Town SQ in MK is good also but not OG good to me. we like to have character dinners even thought were adults to us is just part of the fun of it all.

 

[canopynut66]

Whispering Canyons is family style and good but the menu option they have is good as well. fun things for kids there also. agree with you on Prime Time is just Ok but is fun and DBL always request it. O'Hana's breakfast is good and I really like the dinner there also family style but sister and brother in law do not think they can find anything they like there???? still working on them on that. HV is buffett and has been very good last two years. Mama Melrose I sorry to say would have to pass.It sure is NO OG as that a favorite here at home. had read Brown Derby is very good but is 2 TS...Tonys Town SQ in MK is good also but not OG good to me. we like to have character dinners even thought were adults to us is just part of the fun of it all.

Sorry wanted to add cape May breakfast has Goofy and friends unless they have changed that. dinner there is very good choices but o characters.
My Grand daughter wanted to eat steak someplace so took her to Le Cellier and she thought she a Princess she is 9 and said she was happy to eat in a grown up place.LOL it is hard to get ADRS for.There are no characters there of course but she felt special getting to go there.

 

[disneydadmass]

Dinner at Ohana. They have a few activities for the kids, while the parents can sit down and enjoy their meal.

 

[sanapp]

We love the 1st ADR at Crystal Palace and Tusker House for breakfast as you get in the park before opening. My DD7 loved WCC last year. She really got a kick out of the waitress throwing straws at her and the ketchup ordeal. DD was goofing around and a man came over and put Mickey stickers all over her face and she thought that was really funny. I got the skillet and enjoyed the pulled pork alot, the starter salad is yummy and the corn bread!!! My DD7 loved Tepan Edo. She really got a kick out of having her own chef! DD7 also enjoyed the Ohana dinner and really liked getting up and dancing.

Two years ago we did the Ohana breakfast and it was our least favorite dining experience on that trip.

My DD7 enjoys Sci Fi as well, but not really the best food.

I can't speak about Chef Mickeys as we will be doing that for the first time on this trip. Even though it has suched mixed reviews I just have to try it at least once.

 

[jojomoore]

I would suggest,

1.Crystal palace for breakfast on your first MK day. I too am a Pooh lover and my DD went there when she was 5 and when she was 9. It is the one restuarant that she wants to repeat without a doubt this year.

2. CRT for an early dinner in MK. There is a picture opportunity with Cinderella and you will be visited at your table by several other princesses. Perfect of a 6 year old DD. This will take 2 dining credits, requires a credit card hold, and needs to be made first thing on you 180 day opening. If you book it online make sure you are signed in and have entered your reservation number and you will only have to provide credit card information. I made the mistake of not linking it to my reservation and i had to prepay for the meal.

3. TuskerHouse for breakfast at AK. This includes a picture with Donald Duck and visits at your table by Mickey, Daisy, and Goofy. If your husband really wants to eat there twice then on your second AK day, you could schedule a lunch (there are no characters at lunch) and i believe that will entitle you to a seat at the Nemo show. That could be nice.

4. At HS there is a Counter Service option called Starring Rolls Cafe that has really good sandwiches for lunch and baked goods for breakfast. My family really enjoyed this. I would choose to go to Mama Melrose's for Fantasmic Package.

5. There are so many restuarants at Epcot and at the Epcot resorts so this is a hard one. The new mexican restuarant is opening up soon and i believe this will be located in a building near the water, so illuminations watching could be an option. Le Cellier has a lot of fans. I have never eaten there but it will be 1TS credit for lunch and 2 TS credits for dinner starting in March 2010. Also, needs to be made on 180 day window.

6. DTD= Raglan Road

 

[Looking4themouse]

Great suggestions, I really want to try CP this year it just looks like it would be good.

 

[Looking4themouse]

I would suggest,

1.Crystal palace for breakfast on your first MK day. I too am a Pooh lover and my DD went there when she was 5 and when she was 9. It is the one restuarant that she wants to repeat without a doubt this year.

2. CRT for an early dinner in MK. There is a picture opportunity with Cinderella and you will be visited at your table by several other princesses. Perfect of a 6 year old DD. This will take 2 dining credits, requires a credit card hold, and needs to be made first thing on you 180 day opening. If you book it online make sure you are signed in and have entered your reservation number and you will only have to provide credit card information. I made the mistake of not linking it to my reservation and i had to prepay for the meal.

3. TuskerHouse for breakfast at AK. This includes a picture with Donald Duck and visits at your table by Mickey, Daisy, and Goofy. If your husband really wants to eat there twice then on your second AK day, you could schedule a lunch (there are no characters at lunch) and i believe that will entitle you to a seat at the Nemo show. That could be nice.

4. At HS there is a Counter Service option called Starring Rolls Cafe that has really good sandwiches for lunch and baked goods for breakfast. My family really enjoyed this. I would choose to go to Mama Melrose's for Fantasmic Package.

5. There are so many restuarants at Epcot and at the Epcot resorts so this is a hard one. The new mexican restuarant is opening up soon and i believe this will be located in a building near the water, so illuminations watching could be an option. Le Cellier has a lot of fans. I have never eaten there but it will be 1TS credit for lunch and 2 TS credits for dinner starting in March 2010. Also, needs to be made on 180 day window.

6. DTD= Raglan Road

I know the whole Epcot thing is hard, DH has already decided that he liked the smell of the food at the Biergarten when we were there, so he wants to try that this time, as well as the Garden Grill. We were just looking at the menu's on the net and I think he too is finding that many of the restaurants are at Epcot. We did try Le Cellier on our last trip, and although it was good I don't think for me it would be worth 2 TS credits. Starring Roles was pretty good, that's where we ate the last time we went to HS, and then to 50's Prime Time.

 

[Looking4themouse]

My then 6 year old niece did fantastic at character breakfasts, she ate alot and had a great time. She didnt do well at TS, even character TS, because she didnt like the food at all, she left hungry and cranky and I was not thrilled on wasting the money.

What we did on our DTD night was take her to McDonalds first and then we ate a nice dinner at Fultons...she colored with her new crayons and book.

I will say she is semi picky, likes grapes, fries, chicken nuggets (but NOT WDW ones), pizza and burgers but for breakfast she ate everything that wasnt nailed down

Our DGD is a meat lover, she loves it in any way shape or form, vegetables on the other hand are a challenge, but put a plate of meat in front of her and move your fingers quickly lol....

 

[Looking4themouse]

You mentioned you wanted decent meals for the adults as well as something for the six year old to be able to eat.
I visited last year with my twin 8 year olds. They liked the character meals alot (Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey) but the offerings for adults are a bit so so (you are really paying a lot just for the character interaction)

I have to say that our lunch at the Wave at the Contemporary was really fabulous. They had a great children's menu but our meals were so tasty and good I would go back there in a heartbeat. Plus the lobby of the Wave is very cool and fun. My girls had a great time running around the lobby while we waited for our food.

Another place to dine is the Whisperin Canyon in the Wilderness Lodge. Take the ferry from MK and have lunch there. It is tons of fun for the kids. They have stick pony races around the restaurant. Plus the food is very good. I had breakfast there and it was a heaping helping of eggs, bacon, and everyhing you can think of. In fact, you should plan on a late breakfast and that should hold you till dinner.

Make ADR's for both places just in case. The Wave was not crowded at all when we had lunch at noon on a monday.

The Wave, I'll have to look that up. I'm looking at our choices and for the most part we've picked buffets, and while buffet food is alright, I don't want to be eating it all week.... We have already decided on the Tusker House, Beirgarten, Crystal Palace and the Garden Grill, I'm thinking of adding CRT, but not sure yet...Our DD is planning on celebrating our DGD birthday here, so I thought it might be fun for her to eat in the Castle, but IDK.

 

[caroline1851]

last time we went my ds was 6 and he enjoyed everywhere we ate and he's super picky. We ate at: Maya Grill (because we stayed at CSR), Crystal Palace, Sci Fi, The Plaza, Cinderella's Royal Table and i think, that's it.

 

[worker33]

O'hana for breakfast before MK...and maybe a fun boat ride over to Wilderness lodge for dinner at Whispering Canyon...geared towards kids.

Boma has the standard options for kids...

Of course DD has kid freindly options like rain forest, T-rex.

Cape May (BC) for buffet breakfast...would you allow you to walk into EPCOT for that day.

In EPCOT my kids always enjoyed the Oompah band at German Biergarten!

 

[Looking4themouse]

Is the food for adults at T-Rex any good? I think I've heard some mixed reviews for that place...