restaurant recommendations- have 2 yr old

[littlebird]

Hello there,

We just planned a "last minute" trip to WDW for a month from now and I thought I'd make some ADRs. Does anyone have good suggestions for restaurants that my 2 yr old DS would like/tolerate?

We generally end up at a table service restaurant for either lunch or an early dinner, and do counter-service for the other one. B-fast is usually at the resort. I don't know if he'd be into a character meal or not, since he seems to be going through a stage where he's afraid of characters (like the Easter Bunny a few weeks ago!)

TIA,

littlebird

 

[webray]

In my experience a two year old will like/tolerate something only as well as the mood they are in.

When you do disney with a baby, the trip is for the baby and planned entirely around their schedule, not yours.

 

[mommystieg]

Hi Welcome to the DIS!! We took DD#2 when she was just a little over 2 and she did fairly well with the character meals. The characters are very good at approaching kids and they know when to keep their distance. If you are going in a month you should be there around the same time as us--we will be in the World June 4-15 As the PP stated, you are kinda at the mercy of your child's schedule--we found that eating early was good for our DD. With that being said, if you are going in early June you may find that many of the restaurants are already booked so good luck
DD#2 enjoyed the Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's on that trip. We also ate at the San Angel Inn and she did really well there. Another character-free place that our family enjoys is 'Ohana. Happy planning

 

[minniemee]

We took my son when he was 2 and he loved Chef Mickey's.
He also liked the Crystal Palace with Tigger and Winnie the Pooh!
Generally 2 year olds are intrigued with characters to watch while they eat, or at least my son was better behaved in those restaurants.
They entertained him while we enjoed the meal.
Have a good trip!

 

[twinsr241]

A new character meal geared toward toddlers is starting in June at MGM at Hollywood & Vine. It is for breakfast & lunch and will feature JoJo and Goliath and two of the Little Einsteins (June & Leo I think). That may be a great option for you. Since it was just added last week there may still be availability for June.

 

[sameyeyam]

We had dinner at the Polynesian Resort - Ohana Restaurant this year. My kids (7&14), while older than your child loved the dinner. Food was great (even from an adult standpoint). There were lots of things for kids to do, but no characters. Friendly Hawaiian lady/coordinator led the fun. ALL kids were invited up to learn to hula, play musical instruments, limbo, and coconut races -- adults could also join in or help the little ones. They paraded around the restaurant on a path. Real fun for kids, nice atmosphere, but didn't feel like you had to be really quiet or worry about small children being fussy, because there was so much going on!

Food is served family style and was definately a step above buffet food: salad w/lime dressing, bbq chicken, bbq shrimp, wonton w/dip, stir fry vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and 4 different types of meat on skewers that are cooked over wood fire. All you can eat, plus a wonderful banana's foster type of desert.

This is on the Disney Dining Plan, for 1 table service credit if you are on that plan. We will definately eat here again next year. They made us feel right at home, our host even showed us how the food was prepared, explained everything great!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I have gone many times with a toddler and her favorite spots were:
MK - Crystal palace
Epcot - Coral reef (fish tank view) and Rose & Crown in UK
Resorts - Cape May Cafe at BC, Ohana's at Poly and Chef Mickey's at Cont.

Her favorite restaurant in all of WDW is California Grill in the Cont., but she is six now and a "big girl".

Have fun and try to enjoy the ride!

 

[sameyeyam]

Totally forgot about Coral Reef at Epcot. Went there this year and my kids loved it also. We had a late lunch reservation (around 2:45 or 3:00), so the place was almost deserted! This allowed us to have a table right next to the aquarium. Kids were so into the aquarium, they completely forgot to fight at the table!

The lunch menu is not as extensive as dinner menu, but still plenty of good items to eat.

P.S. As my DD learned the hard way, do not eat a huge dinner here and then go on Mission Space!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We took DS when he was 2.5 to the Crystal Palace and he just loved it - I was really worried about his reactions because he was never a fan of Santa or the Easter Bunny.....I believe our seating was at 10:30 (if that helps)...it was a late b-fast early lunch. I have this photo of him seeing Tigger for the 1st time and I swear I get teary eyed everytime I see it. I'd post it, but I'm a film kinda gal...


My DS personally didn't care for Chef Mickey's it may have been the hour (6:30 ish) or the level of noise) He didn't hate it, but didn't love it like Crystal Palace.