Question about dining w/two little kids

[DisneyLover75]

Hi!

I am going to take my DD6 and my autistic DS5 to WDW in March, and I've booked all our ADRs already.. I know that CRT and 50sPTC serve us at the table, but I think the others may be buffet. (Going to GG,1900PF, CP, CRT, 50sPTC, and CM)

I'm not sure how I'll juggle all three of our plates and still hold my DS's hand when we belly up to the buffet. I've gone with the kids in the past, but someone else has been there to sit with the kids while I go up and get the food for them and myself. Now I won't have that. (I'm a single mom and in the past friends have joined us, but this time no one can afford it, and I simply have the urge to go! )

So I guess what I'm asking is whether anyone else has been alone with little ones and whether you get any assistance with plates or whatever? Maybe a table that's fairly close to the food so I can keep an eye on them while I'm getting their dinner?

Maybe I've taken on too much?

 

[iheartdisney]

What I tend to do is grab 3 plates, but keep them stacked, and pile all the food on one plate, then divide it up once we get seated.
Or, if you get a table close to the buffets, you can walk the kids through to get their plates, then go back for yor own once they get settled.
Your DD6 might be able to carry her own plate, as long as it is not too fully loaded. Maybe take a trial run at Golden Corral before you leave to see if it would work.
Have fun!

 

[TanyaS]

Honestly, I would probably change some of my ADRs. But I get really stressed in such situations. And my kids can be pretty, um, well, . . .

But that may depend on your kids. Can they carry their own plates and just have you scoop the food onto them? Will loud, busy places bother your DS?

CP is a buffet and is pretty busy with the characters roaming from table to table.

I think GG is served at the table also, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Another idea from a mom with a child w/ HFA is to tie a harness from your DS to your belt; that way you can use both hands for the tray. But I would let them know when you check in about your situation and see if there is anything they can do to help re: seating, tray assistance, etc.

 

[GatorLady]

GG is served at the table so you are o.k. there. If you son will need extra attention from you, maybe buffets aren't your best bet since you will be alone.

I don't know if there would be any availability, but Akershus is mostly a sit down for lunch/dinner (princesses). Also, 'Ohana for breakfast is a sit down character meal.

Even with help, after a day at the parks I got tired from doing too many buffets and welcomed meals where they brought me my food!

 

[DisneyLover75]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I thought about O'Hana, and may add that one.

Honestly, I think that if someone can help carry the plates I'd be ok. We'd probably only fill up once, even though it's all you can eat. My DD probably could carry her own plate, and IF they'd be willing to seat us near the buffet, I could probably leave DS in a high chair (he's a little peanut for his age, so he still fits in a high chair) and go quickly, I might be ok.

I asked my DD where she thought might be fun to eat (as we've been there numerous times before) and she suggested CP, CM and 1900. She really has her heart set on those, and we really enjoy not only the food but also the character interaction. (Especially the 1900 breakfast cast w/ Alice & Mad Hatter)

So dropping those restaurants would be so disappointing for her, and I'm worried that if we have too many instances where we have to forego something because DS can't handle it, she's going to resent him. They're only a year apart, and sometimes she can get overlooked. I'm trying to minimize that if possible.

Not that dropping/switching ADRs will make or break that issue, mind you. I just got off on a tangent, lol. It would just be one more thing on top of a long list, that's all.

We might be ok if I do the three stacked plates or if I can leave him at the table.. or if someone is able to help us.

So it sounds like I have half of them as a sit down and half as buffet, that's not TOO bad...

Oy.

It won't be easy, will it? But it'll be fun anyway.

 

[Arielx2]

I would try having your DD carry her own plate. Then I would do the stacking with your and DS's plates. Pile a bunch of food on there for you guys.