To BROWN BAG or NOT TO BROWN BAG..THAT IS MY ?

[ducklite]

At 1900 Park Fare for dinner (a buffet), DS got very ill with a high fever. My DH had to leave to take him back to our room (we were staying at the GF). The CM was very gracious and gave me 2 empty boxes to get DH some dinner and dessert to take to the room. I realize this was not the ordinary situation, but we were very appreciative (and tipped extra!) for the great service and help.

Now, at the non-buffet TS restaurants (LeCellier, WCC, Plaza, and Prime Time) we were given boxes to take home our desserts and kid's leftovers (we snacked on it at night while watching the Disney Channel).

That's a very unique situation, and not just taking food to go so you can have more to eat later.

Anne

 

[triplefigs]

That's a very unique situation, and not just taking food to go so you can have more to eat later.

Anne

Yes, we were very appreciative (especially hungry DH!). He had gotten his plate and taken one bite of it when DS literally fell asleep at the table. The CM said not to worry about it, brought me 2 boxes, and said get him something to go since he didn't get to eat. Great service and it was mentioned in a letter to the GF GM.

 

[nbodyhome]

There is certainly nothing wrong with taking food back from a TS restaurant at Disney - I do it often, especially since I live here in the Orlando area. I wasn't sure though as far as the refrigerators in the rooms - do you think they are cold enough for leftovers? Soda/water, definitely. But I wasn't sure if they were quite cold enough for steak and such? If so, that would be great.

Denise

 

[ducklite]

Duckl,
How can we go to all al a carte's when everyone raves about all that we have ADR's for? Wouldn't be the full DISNEY experience..and these are a little more baby friendly(if possible AT Disney)

Not at all true. There are a TON of great, kid friendly ala carte restaurants that are totally Disney. All the places you are going have high chairs, so there's no reason you won't be able to eat your fill. And when your husband is done eating, have him help with the baby so you can finish your meal.

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

 

[dixiedizfan]

... In a MORE PERFECT WORLD
Great guy-dad-husband-cop, not always On top of the Help Ya Out List! ...

I hear you!

 

[dcgrumpy]

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

We were just there with a 1yo, 2yo and 5yo and I never left a meal hungry

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

Not at all true. There are a TON of great, kid friendly ala carte restaurants that are totally Disney. All the places you are going have high chairs, so there's no reason you won't be able to eat your fill. And when your husband is done eating, have him help with the baby so you can finish your meal.

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

DUCKL,
It's totally great that you feel like families with children, be it one or more, will neatly fit into this perfect box. There are millions of exceptions to this ideal rule you seem to have. I would love to borrow the rose colored glasses you wear. My almost 2yo DS has a new trick for me at ever turn of the day, thus making him a normal and healthy kid. I love the way people decide how easy something should be, like every situation isn't unique in itself. Let's just agree to disagree, and go to our respective corners.
Have a Magical Day

 

[FSUGrad97]

Maybe when DH is full he can look after his son and you can eat.

This is what we do with our DD2 at any restaurants, not just Disney. In fact, at WCC, she got upset and DH took her outside while I finished eating, and I took over so he could eat. We had an awesome server, and I explained what was going on.

 

[FSUGrad97]

In a MORE PERFECT WORLD
Great guy-dad-husband-cop, not always On top of the Help Ya Out List!

Have you let him know that you could use his help during meal times? If my DH was not being helpful, I would hand the baby over to him when he's finished and tell him to watch the child so I could eat.

I say that only because I know sometimes it seems easier to do it yourself, but he can help out too.

Have a great trip! We got back from our trip, and our DD2 talks about Disney all the time!

 

[FSUGrad97]

Not at all true. There are a TON of great, kid friendly ala carte restaurants that are totally Disney. All the places you are going have high chairs, so there's no reason you won't be able to eat your fill. And when your husband is done eating, have him help with the baby so you can finish your meal.

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

I agree! We took our DD2 to WDW the first week of Dec., and all of us left full. Granted, my DH helps out and DD is a MAJOR daddy's girl, but I think taking leftovers from a buffet is not necessary and could pose a health risk if it will not be refrigerated promptly. I don't know why anyone would want to risk ruining a vaction to save a few bucks.

I think in a lot of situations, parents make things more difficult than they need to be. I thought all of the places we ate - Crystal Palace, LTT, 1900 Park Fare, and WCC were all very accomodating to us.

 

[WDWfor5]

Not at all true. There are a TON of great, kid friendly ala carte restaurants that are totally Disney. All the places you are going have high chairs, so there's no reason you won't be able to eat your fill. And when your husband is done eating, have him help with the baby so you can finish your meal.

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

ITA - My DH and I will be at WDW in January with DD 6, DS 4 and DS 2. They are all normal, energetic kids who take a great deal of our attention while we eat- both at home and on vacation.

We won't be the speediest family in the place but we will all manage to eat what we need to without asking for a doggie bag at a buffet and proably still gain weight.

And in case one might think I'm naive or optimistic, these are well traveled children - I've dined with them everywhere from Hawaii to Florida and on business trips Sometimes, DH or I have to take a walk with the 2 year old but that's rare. Usually we bring quiet toys and make sure to eat before they're starving or tired and all goes well.

At ala carte places, I will probably get my dessert to go since our children will generally not sit still for long enough to let us enjoy a long meal + dessert without getting fidgety. Other than an instance like the one where the child got sick, I can't imagine asking for food to go at a buffet

 

[FreeTime]

We always try to eat a character breakfast at O'hana's and I would never think of taking buffet food out with is. However, DH would! Our DD was 3 and would not eat her breakfast, but would eat grapes. The CM brought grapes out (it usually comes in mixed fruit) for her. DH asked for a cup to put the grapes in so that our daughter could carry them with her when everyone else was done. The CM insisted that she could not provide one. We dumped the water from the plastic kids cup into a glass and filled the cup up with grapes. I certainly do not think that you should take food from a buffet, but I think that CM's should realize that my kid just paid 8.99 for 3 grapes (and the experience) that would go into the trash. I am glad that the poster who was able to take food to her DH, could do so.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont want to pass judgement on anyone but I dont see how anyone would think it would be ok to eat at a buffet and then take home a doggie bag. Buffets are "all you care to eat" but thats on the single visit. Its not all you care to eat right now and then what you want to take to eat for later. There are some exceptions I know, but generally its a no no. We have a buffet in the area that has "to go" boxes. But those are used just for that, to go. If someone wants to have the buffet but eat it at home, they are given the take out ware and are able to fill it up all they want. But they dont eat in the place.

I can see the side of some of the posters who take a piece of fruit or a roll, or the remaining grapes for the kid to finish since they didn't eat much at the meal. But whats the limit? 1 piece of fruit? 2? 3?

As far as doggie bags from places other than buffets.......heck yeah. There is no way Im gonna leave behind something (within reason) that I ordered. Especially desserts. mmmmm

 

[jann1033]

i took my left over pork chop from wcc( not skillet) and husband wolfed it down about as soon as we got to our room. agree about the buffets though . if you have acooler for beverages i wouldn't worry about left overs from normal plated meals though if you are going straight back to the resort. you just make the rest of the bus really hungry

oh and i believe the waitress at trail's end got us a take out cup so we could take our coffee with us( little different than loading a wheelbarrow with shrimp but it was taken out from a buffet)

 

[Kellydelly]

Not at all true. There are a TON of great, kid friendly ala carte restaurants that are totally Disney. All the places you are going have high chairs, so there's no reason you won't be able to eat your fill. And when your husband is done eating, have him help with the baby so you can finish your meal.

Thousands of families with three and four single digits manage to cope eery day at WDW buffets and all you care to eats without needing doggie bags. I'm sure your situation will be no different.

Anne

I have four small children under the age of 6 (including 22 month old twins) and I have no problem eating my fill at delicious Disney buffets! If two adults and one 22 month old can't manage to eat their fill I'd be surprised. I would never take food from a buffet out the door with me.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

I have four small children under the age of 6 (including 22 month old twins) and I have no problem eating my fill at delicious Disney buffets! If two adults and one 22 month old can't manage to eat their fill I'd be surprised. I would never take food from a buffet out the door with me.

I am so glad that you and your DH are able to manage with you small children, you get to enjoy yourself tha's great. This is not the norm with me and my family.

 

[FSUGrad97]

I am so glad that you and your DH are able to manage with you small children, you get to enjoy yourself tha's great. This is not the norm with me and my family.

I don't mean to be instrusive, but several of us have given you great advice about eating with young children in WDW, yet your responses seem to be a little defensive. No one has said that their families or kids are perfect, but it seems like the above response is your standard answer to any suggestions.

It sounds like you might need to have a conversation with your DH about helping out during mealtime, and if that doesn't work, hand the baby off to him during the meal - maybe he will get the hint.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[Anewman]

No matter how one rationalizes, it is against the rules to take food(leftovers or dessert) out of All you can eat type restaruants. The rules do not state it is ok to just take a little bit, because you have kids or any other excuse.

Other solutions have been suggested but none are accpetable so minds are made up.

But i doubt any of the servers will comment, I am sure they see it everyday and it is usually on the HONOR system.

 

[The Sweetness]

First, I absolutely DO NOT take food from a buffet, or an all you can eat family style place. Its just not right, and as far as I know, not allowed, nor should it be. As far as the baby goes, at 22 months, he gets to share your food (could help you get your $$ worth). At a sit down, when my baby wont sit down, or needs to be fed while i'm eating, DH and I take turns. ( I feed her a jar, then he gives her a bottle etc...) We always manage to eat

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't mean to be instrusive, but several of us have given you great advice about eating with young children in WDW, yet your responses seem to be a little defensive. No one has said that their families or kids are perfect, but it seems like the above response is your standard answer to any suggestions.

Some of the post are a bit insulting.

Not all families are alike.


Just because something works for family A, doesn't mean it will work for family B.