Picky eaters

[Rory607]

How do you handle your picky eater at WDW? My DD, 8, is a good eater and can find something pretty much everywhere. My DS, who just turned 5, is another story. He has always been picky, but in the last year it has gotten worse.

In the past, we have done mostly buffets for table service and if all else fails, there are rolls and fruit. But for our trip next October we would like to try some different restaurants. I’ve been looking at menus and on many of them there is not one single thing he would touch. I don’t want everyone else to miss out because of him, but I also need him to eat something!

I realize he needs to broaden his palate, but it is a real battle to get him to eat some days. He is healthy and the pediatrician isn’t concerned. No other sensory issues or anything. He is just picky!

 

[sponica]

My MIL is a picky eater, like ridiculously picky.

It might be helpful to understand how he's picky: texture, flavors, etc. My MIL doesn't like certain aromatic spices or heat.

We had success with 50s Primetime, Le Cellier, Teppan Edo.

My friend's son became a picky eater after he choked on something new, so he refused to eat new foods for the longest time.

 

[Klayfish]

Pack food. If he's going to refuse to eat anything whatsoever on the menu, that may be the best option. I suppose you could ask if the restaurant could make something he'd eat, but if not....

 

[Rory607]

My MIL is a picky eater, like ridiculously picky.

It might be helpful to understand how he's picky: texture, flavors, etc. My MIL doesn't like certain aromatic spices or heat.

We had success with 50s Primetime, Le Cellier, Teppan Edo.

My friend's son became a picky eater after he choked on something new, so he refused to eat new foods for the longest time.

I wish I knew, lol. I honestly think it is his stubborn personality. We’ve done 50’s before, that might be a good option. I will look at the other suggestions!

 

[Rory607]

Pack food. If he's going to refuse to eat anything whatsoever on the menu, that may be the best option. I suppose you could ask if the restaurant could make something he'd eat, but if not....

I’m leaning this way, I just was trying to avoid it since we’ll have the dining plan and his meal will already be paid for. But it doesn’t matter if he won’t eat it.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I myself am a picky eater and have always found something I liked.
He's 5. You're telling me that the children's menus have nothing he will eat?

 

[sponica]

I wish I knew, lol. I honestly think it is his stubborn personality. We’ve done 50’s before, that might be a good option. I will look at the other suggestions!

Sci Fi Drive In might also work.

Rose and Crown in England.

I don't have a picky kid, just a picky MIL...so I'm less inclined to cater to the whims of an adult.

 

[katyjeka]

Its a miracle our oldest ever grew. Her menu for years consisted of plain noodles, cabbage, apples, and of all things tuna with a side of ketchup!! When we would go to Disney she would live on soft pretzels, fish & chips and an occasional cup of fruit. Pick restaurants that are more buffet style. Maybe if your child can help pick his food from the buffet he'll eat??? I feel for you as I used to get so aggravated. I will tell you twenty years later the same child now eats almost anything and is always eager to experience new food. She actually ate better on our trip to Puerto Rico than anyone in our group. Have a great trip.

 

[Rory607]

I myself am a picky eater and have always found something I liked.
He's 5. You're telling me that the children's menus have nothing he will eat?

The only meats he will eat are chicken nuggets(and sometimes not even that) and pepperoni. It’s either that or peanut butter and jelly. He won’t touch pasta. Last week his teacher told
me he tried the mac and cheese at lunch and I almost fell over! I realize you can find chicken nuggets on most of the Disney menus, but not all.

 

[sponica]

The only meats he will eat are chicken nuggets(and sometimes not even that) and pepperoni. It’s either that or peanut butter and jelly. He won’t touch pasta. Last week his teacher told
me he tried the mac and cheese at lunch and I almost fell over! I realize you can find chicken nuggets on most of the Disney menus, but not all.

Ugh, since you're on the DDP ask him to order any kids meal on the menu and take no thank you bites. It's the philosophy of my daughter's daycare teacher. You need to take a no thank you bite before completely rejecting the food. It's all I got....

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

The only meats he will eat are chicken nuggets(and sometimes not even that) and pepperoni. It’s either that or peanut butter and jelly. He won’t touch pasta. Last week his teacher told
me he tried the mac and cheese at lunch and I almost fell over! I realize you can find chicken nuggets on most of the Disney menus, but not all.

Other than chicken nuggets, what does he eat? Does he eat any fruits or veggies or any kind of potato? What about breakfast foods like pancakes/waffles/french toast/cereal, etc? Some restaurants might be willing to create a meal out of side dishes for him if that will work. Also, some restaurants that don't advertise chicken nuggets can still make them/get them for kids. I think Ohana is one of them.

 

[Rory607]

Other than chicken nuggets, what does he eat? Does he eat any fruits or veggies or any kind of potato? What about breakfast foods like pancakes/waffles/french toast/cereal, etc? Some restaurants might be willing to create a meal out of side dishes for him if that will work. Also, some restaurants that don't advertise chicken nuggets can still make them/get them for kids. I think Ohana is one of them.

He will eat almost any fruit, raw carrots and cucumbers, pretty much any kind of yogurt. Greek yogurt is one of his main protein sources. He’ll eat pancakes, toast, cereal with milk. I guess I never thought to ask for chicken nuggets if they’re not on the menu. Thank you!

 

[QueenIsabella]

We make it a rule on our trips that each child has to try one new food, every single day. They get to pick what it is, and what meal they have it at. I have one who, even at 13, runs screaming from anything resembling a vegetable. He does love dousing things in cheese sauce. Or ketchup.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I’m leaning this way, I just was trying to avoid it since we’ll have the dining plan and his meal will already be paid for. But it doesn’t matter if he won’t eat it.

just remember they can not heat/microwave any food that you bring with you even if you would buy in the park else where

 

[StarSeven7]

How do you handle your picky eater at WDW? My DD, 8, is a good eater and can find something pretty much everywhere. My DS, who just turned 5, is another story. He has always been picky, but in the last year it has gotten worse.

In the past, we have done mostly buffets for table service and if all else fails, there are rolls and fruit. But for our trip next October we would like to try some different restaurants. I’ve been looking at menus and on many of them there is not one single thing he would touch. I don’t want everyone else to miss out because of him, but I also need him to eat something!

I realize he needs to broaden his palate, but it is a real battle to get him to eat some days. He is healthy and the pediatrician isn’t concerned. No other sensory issues or anything. He is just picky!

Oh man, I could've written your post, right down to the ages, genders, and personalities of the children!! We don't ever do the dining plan, but we pack in food for our kids for lunch - just easy things like they would eat in their school lunch, and then if we stay for dinner, we'll order them dinner somewhere. This is much easier for us since they're both picky (but DD is willing to try more) and they really don't mind if we're eating quick service food and they're eating peanut butter sandwiches! Since my DS is so picky and he often won't eat food he "should" like if it looks slightly different, we generally just have him eat fries at a restaurant so we're not wasting our money. Then we'll supplement when we're not at the restaurant. We fight about food nearly every day at home, so when we're on vacation we choose not to fight and just let him eat what makes him happy!

 

[3gr8boys]

My guess is that the servers will do their best to come up with something whether it's fruit, bread or a plate of French fries. I've read that people pack uncrustables for park days....can you carry some back-up food or snacks to make sure he doesn't end up uncomfortably hungry? One of my boys is very picky....on vacation I would just roll with it....even if he had to subsist on snacks, side dishes and, when available, chicken nuggets . It's a vacation.

ETA breakfast food is easier for my picky eater....so I like to get late breakfast ADRs to serve as an early lunch.

 

[StarSeven7]

ETA breakfast food is easier for my picky eater....so I like to get late breakfast ADRs to serve as an early lunch.

Ditto! We did this twice on our last trip and it worked great! (And breakfast is cheaper!)

 

[KenHutch]

Almost every Table Service place will work hard for you, we went thru this was my daughter was 5 all she would eat was mac'n'cheese. cheese pizza chicken nuggets, French fries, and all beef hot dogs without the bun. Ohana got her hot dogs and fries. She still has issues at 18 but now loves rare steak. Her only restaurant rule. If it has steak we can eat there dad.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I personally wouldn't ask a restaurant to go above and beyond (as in making something not even on the menu) for my child if they just refused to eat certain foods. I feel like it's teaching my kid bad habits. If there were a medical condition that's different. But not just because they choose not to eat normal everyday foods.

I would pack food if he refused to eat. To me that seems easiest. He can eat before you go into the restaurant and then color during dinner or eat his sandwich at the table.

I don't think it's fair to not go to certain places and make the rest of the family miss out due to his picky eating.

 

[Rory607]

My guess is that the servers will do their best to come up with something whether it's fruit, bread or a plate of French fries. I've read that people pack uncrustables for park days....can you carry some back-up food or snacks to make sure he doesn't end up uncomfortably hungry? One of my boys is very picky....on vacation I would just roll with it....even if he had to subsist on snacks, side dishes and, when available, chicken nuggets . It's a vacation.

ETA breakfast food is easier for my picky eater....so I like to get late breakfast ADRs to serve as an early lunch.[/
Uncrustables are a good idea. I don’t care if he eats only bread and sides like you said on vacation, as long as he eats something!