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

[Kellydelly]

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.

Nope, you are right, no two families are alike. But it's a bit silly to suggest that two adults and one toddler can't manage to eat their fill at a buffet restaurant and should be able to take a few items out the door with them. They aren't outnumbered by children, which absolutely can be challenging! Now if she said she had three or more kids I'd commiserate with her. But still, if my kids couldn't handle eating in a restaurant I don't think I'd torture myself or other patrons by bringing them in. I have to say in all our visits to Disney I don't recall seeing any small children be so misbehaved that I rolled my eyes or felt bad for the parents. Maybe there's a magical spell that's cast when you walk onto property !

 

[DreaminDisney]

Unless the restaurant is an all you can eat buffet, It's fine to take home your leftovers. It's not fine to take anything from an "all you can eat" type place
(unless like previous poster with sick child or case like that)
At buffets my DH and I take turns getting food while other sits with kids so there's never any problem not getting enough or not being able to eat

 

[ducklite]

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

Trust me, your two year old isn't any more bright or special or devious than any other. I was there many years ago. It can be a bit of a challenge, but it's not such a big deal that you won't be able to eat. I don't see why your husband doesn't help. But then again, there's a difference between fathering a child and being a father.

Bottom line WDW buffets do'nt give doggie bags except in extreme situations. Your's doesn't fit that bill. If you are worried abotu going hungry, you have the option of booking ala carte meals.

Anne

 

[disneyjunkie]

. I don't see why your husband doesn't help. But then again, there's a difference between fathering a child and being a father.

Nice

 

[Hanover]

I also agree you shouldn't take food from a buffet. If everyone did it, the prices would be that much higher.

When we were at Crystal Palace last April, a few families at 2 tables directly in front of us (they were together) took tons of leftovers, including an enormous loaded plate of cookies in zip locks and stuffed them in their back packs. They also loudly talked about getting away with saying a couple of the kids were under 3 and how they paid for another one as a child instead of an adult. My son couldn't udnerstand why I wouldn't let him go get a bunch of cookies for "later." Every time I look at our scrapbook of that trip and see these families in the background of our character pictures, I think about what their poor kids will be learning from them about cheating people in life.
It's not like the kids had one cookie each and were munching them while they were leaving. They clearly intended to not have to spend snack money for a while.

 

[Hanover]

My husband is also a great guy-dad- and cop but he'd get his son placed on his lap if I hadn't eaten yet, he had, and our child was fussy. Helping out is just part of being a parent.

 

[tjmw2727]

Al la cart, table service yes, buffet or all you can eat no. This is not unique to Disney but I have never heard, nor would I have thought of taking food from a buffet. Unless there is an unusal circumstance they won't provide you with a container so I don't see how you would transport food from the park to car or resort.

Instead, perhaps take your time, go at a time when your toddler is more likely to sit and eat your meal. LIke it or not your DH may have to step up during this trip, you are a family and its everyones vacation, including you.

If you find the first couple buffets don't work out then rearrange to al la cart or table service. I have visited WDW many times as the solo adult with my two dd's and always manage to eat my meal.

I know you didn't ask for parenting advice so if you aren't interested skip from here. Otherwise and for future readers in your situation who may be interested here are a few things that helped us.

Try bringing a few small quiet toys that are new and interesting for your son to use only during meal times. Mine liked a travel magnadoodle, stickers and paper and the magic draw pads. Space your meal out so you play with ds and your dh gets appetizer or salad, then switch and so on until you have all enjoyed your meal. We also choose a late breakfast or lunch rather than dinner when my girls were more likely to be antsy.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[JulieEck]

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

The refrigerators are definitely cold enough for left overs. I turned the one I had at CSR to the coldest number and it actually kept my 2 blue ice pack things frozen without there actually being a freezer in the fridge. It seemed to be coldest up on the top shelf to the right in back. Some frost was forming on the back of the fridge too.