Picky eater solution - allowed?

[HANDYMOM]

If I choose a TS meal that doesn't offer chicken nuggets or tenders, can I get them a CS meal and bring it with us into the TS restaurant?

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

If I choose a TS meal that doesn't offer chicken nuggets or tenders, can I get them a CS meal and bring it with us into the TS restaurant?

that would be ackward. Almost every menu offeres chicken nuggets. How old is your child? My son use to be a picky eater but we made a deal. It was called the year of trying new foods deal. I told him I would only take him to DW if he agreed to try new and eat foods. He agreed. Now he is the best eater.

 

[wdwphile]

It probably depends on the age of the child. 6 or under I'd say go for it, but be discrete. I doubt anyone would challenge you. But even then, I'd still order something for the child - like an appetizer or dessert. 7+, I think it's a little tacky to bring your own food to a table service restaurant. IMHO

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Tacky.

 

[disneycruising]

I personally would not do it!

I do have a few very pick eaters and some with food allergies. So, I understand the troubles.. of finding food that everyone will be happy with.


If the child is under 2, and you can't find anything for them to eat on the menu. I would feed they about an hour or 2 ahead of your TS meal. This way they will behave while you eat. Plus, they might not be so full that they will still sit, have a drink & a few nibbles of something. If the child is over 2, I would explain that we are trying something "new" and that they are expected to find something on the menu to "try". (You could alway get a small snack later, if you know some didn't eat enough)

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

You can also change things up on the kids menu a bit. It there is a pasta you can always ask for it plain or buttered noodles. They will make some adjustments. As I said my son use to be the worst eater then we started the try something new rule or we do not go to DW at home before we left. He wanted to go so bad he that lets put it this way he now loves broccoli and brussle sprouts! LOL! When we go to DW to be honest I usually eat his meal and he eats mine. I order the kid fish and let him order an entree from the adults menu and I have a few bites. That i show good of an eater he is now. He now snubs the kids menu. My plan worked a little to well.

But I agree with the others feed before if you think it is really an issue. I did not want to say the word tacky and offend you. Lets just put it this way it is important to not cater to a child's difficulty when they are picky eaters. They will not let themselves starve to death. Just say no and to bad and they will eat. BUT and a big BUT I would start this new way of eating at home before your trip.

 

[princessmom29]

I sorry, but I have to say this. Why not just tell them to order from the menu and deal with it?? Really, I see this almost every day on this board I truly just don't get allowing children to do this if they do not have some kind of medical condition. In our house you eat what is served or you don't eat, and it is definitely NOT chicken nuggets every night. As a result I can take DD to a resturant and not worry about a melt down if they don't serve chicken nuggets. She will just have to find something she wants on the menu, or wait until later to eat. Problem solved!!! I think if most parents of so called "picky eaters" who don't have underlying allergies, sensory porblems, or medical issues are truly honest with themselves they will find that their kids are picky b/c they are allowed to be.

 

[Silver Queen]

I agree with princessmom29. Why not use eating as an opportunity to teach children and help them to become more adaptable rather than give them the expectation that they can bring their own food into a restaurant and perpetuate their "pickiness".

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Im now 21 but I was allowed to be picky and it wasnt until the lastdisney trip I got over it because I was determined to not be gloomy if there was nothing I liked, and to try something new. My mother and I both realized she allowed my pickyness to perpetuate... and we are both are advocates of the deal with it method Though side not partially she let it perpetuate due to anaphalyxsis to several food items

I Loved the year of new food ideas try it Kids can be sooo surprising

But OP I think the CS to a TS is tacky

 

[disneycruising]

I sorry, but I have to say this. Why not just tell them to order from the menu and deal with it?? Really, I see this almost every day on this board I truly just don't get allowing children to do this if they do not have some kind of medical condition. In our house you eat what is served or you don't eat, and it is definitely NOT chicken nuggets every night. As a result I can take DD to a resturant and not worry about a melt down if they don't serve chicken nuggets. She will just have to find something she wants on the menu, or wait until later to eat. Problem solved!!! I think if most parents of so called "picky eaters" who don't have underlying allergies, sensory porblems, or medical issues are truly honest with themselves they will find that their kids are picky b/c they are allowed to be.[/QUOTE

It is the same way in our house (minus food allergies) what is served is served...there will be no other meal to eat. They are expected to eat one bit of everything before they leave the table. We have done this their whole lives. We have 2 really good eaters, 1 who is willing to try something new, and 1 who would rather starve.

At the same time, I understand that some people are not this way and I can respect that too.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would agree with many here. Only because my mother allowed pickiness too. However she also followed the what's served is served. Take it or leave it.
What I have seen is parents buy their kids something at a food cart before they (the adults) eat their meal at a sit down. But I have not noticed anyone bringing in food cart food into a sit down for anyone.
Personally I could care less either way. The main issue would be if the restaurant allows this. As an example there are 2 adults 1 child. The restaurant uses three food credits, whether the child uses their credits there or not.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

I'm glad someone said what I've been thinking.

I try to be supportive because, well it is vacation and who wants to deal with temper tantrums. BUT there is a limit.
I've read on here that a child would only eat hot dogs at every meal...another child would only eat LEMON CHICKEN....and on and on.

My suggestion is to tell them that what is on the menu is Mickey's favorite food and he would be happy if you tried it.
(once again...trying to avoid the fits of course).
Take it as an opportunity to have them try something new.

You honestly aren't doing your child any favors by letting them make the rules. Not for their dietary health and not for their attitute when they become adults.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Myself, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. My DS6 has autism and can be particular about his food. I either book a TS that has a kids option that know he will eat (many of them do serve chicken nuggets) or I book a buffet where I know he will find things to eat. I won't go to a place I know he will not eat anything of the kids menu (like Rose n Crown).

 

[dansyr2514]

I think pretty much everyplace has some sort of chicken finger or such for the kids. You could check out the menus on allears first to make sure before you choose where you want to eat.

 

[tinkerfan1]

I have a picky eater, too. We always tell him to TRY the food at the TS and if they don't have something he likes, we will get him a CS after the sit down meal. We have never had to buy the CS meal after the sit down meal.

 

[HANDYMOM]

that would be ackward. Almost every menu offeres chicken nuggets. How old is your child? My son use to be a picky eater but we made a deal. It was called the year of trying new foods deal. I told him I would only take him to DW if he agreed to try new and eat foods. He agreed. Now he is the best eater.

Most Table Service, except for buffets, do not have chicken nuggets or that would be the perfect solution. DS has some issues we've been resolving with his pediatrician,....it's not always that simple or I wouldn't even be looking into this idea.

Thanks to the responders who were more concerned with our tough situation and not as to whether we would be considered tacky...

And to those suggesting I just make DS order something and live with it, I didn't ask for parenting advice, I asked for advice on one specific thing....thank you very much. Helping my son eat regularly and maintain a healthy weight is more important to me right now than how I "appear". If I've paid Disney for the dining plan and end up using CS instead of TS...I'd think they'd be pretty happy.

I don't have any problem being told that I shouldn't do it, that's why I was asking.

 

[HANDYMOM]

Myself, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. My DS6 has autism and can be particular about his food. I either book a TS that has a kids option that know he will eat (many of them do serve chicken nuggets) or I book a buffet where I know he will find things to eat. I won't go to a place I know he will not eat anything of the kids menu (like Rose n Crown).

Great suggestion...thanks. Since this is our last trip for a long while, oldest DS going into middle school next year, I was hoping to be able to hit TS or 2 that doesn't have the requisite for DS. Yours is the easiest solution and one of the few that were flame free.

 

[HANDYMOM]

I think pretty much everyplace has some sort of chicken finger or such for the kids. You could check out the menus on allears first to make sure before you choose where you want to eat.

I'm a Disney veteran and pretty much know most of the menus....there are few non buffet table service that serve them. The AK only has them in one place...Thanks for idea though

 

[HANDYMOM]

I have a picky eater, too. We always tell him to TRY the food at the TS and if they don't have something he likes, we will get him a CS after the sit down meal. We have never had to buy the CS meal after the sit down meal.

That is definately something for me to think about! Thanks very much!

 

[LVSWL]

Handymom, my DS has always been a picky eater, just recently started eating chicken. Before that he was a pasta/pizza guy. We have taken CS into many of the TS restaurants. It is Disney, the most important thing is that your son has something that he is comfortable/able/excited about eating. We did find that almost every one of the TS restaurants were very accomodating as far as cooking some pasta and making something my son would enjoy/like, but the older he got..the more self concious he became about asking. That probably is why he finally added Chicken to his diet last summer which made things a little easier. If it were me, and it has been, I would check out all the menus on allearsnet beforehand, and the ones that you have concerns about, take something in with you, or if he isn't hungry, plan to pick somehting up after.
Hope this helps, and I hope that you have an awesome time!!