Restaurant recommendations for an 19 month old

[Sunset_Princess]

This is our first vist with our daughter who will be 19 months when we go in June. We are trying to decide what restaurants would be best to book that she would enjoy most. Breakfast, Lunch or dinner recommendations would be appreciated!

Me and my husband have so far done:

Liberty Tree Tavern
50s
Tokyo Dining
Teppan Edo
Via Napoli
Tusker House
TRex
Planet Hollywood
House of Blues
Wolfgang Puck
Ohanas
California grill
1900 Park Fayre (breakfast)
Hoop de doo
Trails end (breakfast)
Cape May
Boma (breakfast and dinner)
ESPN
Kona (breakfast)

 

[Elise79]

Personally, when DD was that age I found buffets a bit stressful as DH & I ended up eating in shifts as one stayed with DD while the other got food so for character meals I would recommend Ohanas breakfast and Garden Grill as these are both served family style.

GG you usually see the characters more than once as it's quite small. They have just introduced breakfast & lunch starting Novemeber so we are trying breakfast in December to see what it's like compared to dinner.

If you are on the DDP I would just pick places you like to eat - we did a mix with DD of 1 and 2 credit meals.

 

[scoobydooby]

When mine were under 7 we stuck largely to the buffets as they have the distraction of characters and are much more relaxed. Added advantage is you infant can eat off your plate and you can get extra food for them effectively. I personally don't think fancy places are the right place for toddlers. Toddlers by default of their developmental stage can have meltdowns and get bored. People don't pay to see that in an expensive restaurant IMO. I think your list is a good balance with an infant apart from California Grill for reasons already stated. I just think you have to accept as a parent in the toddler years you have to moderate your own social activity. Or get a babysitter! I would note that while we loved the pizza at Via Napoli it was REALLY loud in there which may be a bit much for a little one. Same for T Rex and Rainforest Cafe although they are fun for
Kids too.

 

[saintrob]

With very small children I like the buffets due to the informal setting and the unstructured meal. When our DS was small he enjoyed Chef Mickey, Tusker House and the Crystal Palace.

 

[Elise79]

OP Please don't be put off signature restaurants with your DD - they will be fine. DD went to both YS and CG at 15 months and YS at least once a year since. She has never had a meltdown or struggled in there - we as parents ensure she has things to keep her entertained and the servers are great. Food is also so much better than a buffet

 

[saintrob]

I agree. DS has always visited the signature restaurants on every trip and it's never been a problem. He actually looked forward to them!

 

[cheryl.UK]

When we were in WDW this year, there were a couple of toddlers having meltdowns in the SciFi diner. Maybe it was the dark. Maybe it's the seating arrangement but it didn't look like fun for anyone in the party

 

[tinks86]

Personally, when DD was that age I found buffets a bit stressful as DH & I ended up eating in shifts as one stayed with DD while the other got food so for character meals I would recommend Ohanas breakfast and Garden Grill as these are both served family style.

GG you usually see the characters more than once as it's quite small. They have just introduced breakfast & lunch starting Novemeber so we are trying breakfast in December to see what it's like compared to dinner.

If you are on the DDP I would just pick places you like to eat - we did a mix with DD of 1 and 2 credit meals.

We took our 18 month old ds in May and our two favourite meals were the ones Elise mentioned Ohana and garden grill. We did evening meals in them both so no characters in Ohana but both were fantastic and the family food served at the table was much easier we found than buffets we are going back next year and these are the first two on our list!

 

[Tash87]

We took our 18 month old ds in May and our two favourite meals were the ones Elise mentioned Ohana and garden grill. We did evening meals in them both so no characters in Ohana but both were fantastic and the family food served at the table was much easier we found than buffets we are going back next year and these are the first two on our list!

I am considering garden grill, I have two young children. What food choices was there?
Do you order and they bring to the table in the evening? How does it work?

I have looked at the menu on the Disney site but it doesn't say much...although I like the sound of the turkey and mashed potatoes as we tend to over indulge on total junk!

 

[Elise79]

I am considering garden grill, I have two young children. What food choices was there?
Do you order and they bring to the table in the evening? How does it work?

I have looked at the menu on the Disney site but it doesn't say much...although I like the sound of the turkey and mashed potatoes as we tend to over indulge on total junk!

It is a set meal - start with salad and bread.

Mains are served on a platter - you get turkey, beef & a fish (can't remember what as I don't eat fish) that is served with mash, stuffing, mac'n'cheese and veggies

There is dessert with changes seasonally but is usually some kind of cobbler.

If as much as you want and you can ask for more of anything or ask them do to things without sauces etc.

 

[Tash87]

That does sound better than a buffet imo with two little ones.

That is a definite on my list now

Me and hubby actually sat down last night and made a list of the places we want to eat and GG was one of them but was unsure about the ' family style '. I can't wait to try out all these places !