Toddler meals

[Sandbtwmytoes]

4 days until our first Disney cruise!!! Just a few questions about feeding our 16 month old. I'm really trying to not overpack!

1. Is there toddler sized silverware?
2. Is the serving ware breakable? (it might end up on the floor by the end of the meal lol)
3. Do they have bibs? Much of the food ends up on DD or the floor. I bought some disposable bibs, but her favorite are the cloth bibs. I don't want to come home with a bunch of dirty bibs. We have a few plastic ones too, but they seem to irritate her.
4. Anything else helpful to bring for meals?
5. We are traveling on the Wonder. Any tips for places to get healthy, easy to eat/soft to chew toddler snacks? Bananas, yogurt, etc.

Thanks everyone!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

4 days until our first Disney cruise!!! Just a few questions about feeding our 16 month old. I'm really trying to not overpack!

1. Is there toddler sized silverware?
2. Is the serving ware breakable? (it might end up on the floor by the end of the meal lol)
3. Do they have bibs? Much of the food ends up on DD or the floor. I bought some disposable bibs, but her favorite are the cloth bibs. I don't want to come home with a bunch of dirty bibs. We have a few plastic ones too, but they seem to irritate her.
4. Anything else helpful to bring for meals?
5. We are traveling on the Wonder. Any tips for places to get healthy, easy to eat/soft to chew toddler snacks? Bananas, yogurt, etc.

Thanks everyone!

1. I don't believe they have toddler size silverware. If you need it, you'd probably better bring it. Just a note, we used regular tableware for our kids when traveling.
2. The dishes are pretty sturdy (heavy, not fine china).
3. Don't know for sure about bibs. But the napkins are cloth, you could use those.
5. Lots of fruit in the buffet, and Goofy's galley. Also, let your server know what she likes and they'll do their best to have it available on the table when you show up for dinner.

Goofy's Galley

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

1. I don't believe they have toddler size silverware. If you need it, you'd probably better bring it. Just a note, we used regular tableware for our kids when traveling.
2. The dishes are pretty sturdy (heavy, not fine china).
3. Don't know for sure about bibs. But the napkins are cloth, you could use those.
5. Lots of fruit in the buffet, and Goofy's galley. Also, let your server know what she likes and they'll do their best to have it available on the table when you show up for dinner.

Goofy's Galley
View attachment 89255

Thank you so much! Love the photo! Bananas are her favorite too so I'm happy to see them And I'm obviously a first time mom - never thought to use napkins

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Thank you so much! Love the photo! Bananas are her favorite too so I'm happy to see them And I'm obviously a first time mom - never thought to use napkins

If your kid is anything like my kid, the napkin thing won't work. He pulls them right off.

 

[princess pooh]

I would either wash the bibs or bring along your yuckiest ones and toss them. My kids never tolerated the plastic or disposable bibs. For snacks, you could pick up some yogurt, fruit, and cereal at breakfast and leave them in the room for later. They have special mickey plates for kids and plastic cups with lids and straws.

 

[SailingScout]

When we were on the Fantasy they did have child-sized silverware in Cabanas. It was not sitting out, a CM brought it out to help soothe our fussy kid (same age as yours)! So maybe ask in the dining rooms? It seems like an obvious thing to have on a Disney ship.

 

[TestingH2O]

I'm asking this question as a mom and I'm really not trying to be hypercritical. DD is not even 3 yet, so those early meals are certainly fresh in my mind, but I have to say I'm a bit concerned by your description of meal time. I mean, at home and out, I've never been afraid she would throw dishes on the floor because DH and I keep a close eye on her. I don't know, if throwing food and dishes is ok at home, more power to you and your cleaning time commitment, but I'd be upset if I saw that. It certainly would contribute to the idea that parents are bad restaurant goers. I just wonder if it might be something to keep in mind at meal times.

In terms of supplies, we always had take and toss toddler flatwear and sippy cups with us for meals out as well as sticky placemats. The dishes for our ease and the placemats to make cleanup easier. Actually, those cups were always her favorite.

 

[beckylola]

If your kid is anything like my kid, the napkin thing won't work. He pulls them right off.

We always used cloth napkins held in place with a clothespin. It took a determined pull to get it off. We had a surgeon friend who used a set of hemostats!

 

[Jareds_mommy]

if you message me your email I have some of the kids menus I can take pictures of and email them to them

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I would either wash the bibs or bring along your yuckiest ones and toss them. My kids never tolerated the plastic or disposable bibs. For snacks, you could pick up some yogurt, fruit, and cereal at breakfast and leave them in the room for later. They have special mickey plates for kids and plastic cups with lids and straws.

I thought it was just my DD who hated the plastic bibs. Don't know why. The minute she gets one on, she pulls with all her little strength to get it off.
Thanks for the advice

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

When we were on the Fantasy they did have child-sized silverware in Cabanas. It was not sitting out, a CM brought it out to help soothe our fussy kid (same age as yours)! So maybe ask in the dining rooms? It seems like an obvious thing to have on a Disney ship.

Any other travel tips for this age? I'm a little nervous as the trip is getting closer! Did your little one have a good time?

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

if you message me your email I have some of the kids menus I can take pictures of and email them to them

Thanks! That would be great!

 

[Jareds_mommy]

I have not up loaded a picture from my phone before to here so I will give it a shot these were from our Alaska cruise in aug

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I'm asking this question as a mom and I'm really not trying to be hypercritical. DD is not even 3 yet, so those early meals are certainly fresh in my mind, but I have to say I'm a bit concerned by your description of meal time. I mean, at home and out, I've never been afraid she would throw dishes on the floor because DH and I keep a close eye on her. I don't know, if throwing food and dishes is ok at home, more power to you and your cleaning time commitment, but I'd be upset if I saw that. It certainly would contribute to the idea that parents are bad restaurant goers. I just wonder if it might be something to keep in mind at meal times.

In terms of supplies, we always had take and toss toddler flatwear and sippy cups with us for meals out as well as sticky placemats. The dishes for our ease and the placemats to make cleanup easier. Actually, those cups were always her favorite.

It's difficult to read your comment without sensing a bit of parent shaming. From what I read, you are assuming that my child is intentionally throwing food and objects along with her being unsupervised during meals. DH, myself, or her nanny sit inches away from her with every meal. DD is 16 months old and she is learning the skills of self feeding. She is still mastering her fine motor skills. She uses a combination of her hands and utensils to feed herself and we help her complete meals as needed. Most young toddlers cannot consistently control their hands to push utensils on serving ware or to scoop up food. Different plates and bowls move differently on different table tops and sometimes things fall. DD also has many dishes that suction to the table since she has yet to master the dexterity of holding a bowl while scooping food. That is great if your 16 month old was able to do this. Also, children are little explorers who need to learn how the world works around them and how they can manipulate objects in the world. Accidents happen while doing this. In my opinion, a parent should establish a safe environment for the child so that the child can practice skills safely. Also, as guest of the cruise, I would not want to cause damage to any property so I wanted to be prepared for meal time. It seems our parenting styles are very different, but I am sure we both have good parenting intentions and hope to raise extraordinary children.

Great suggestions on the supplies. Thanks!

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

I have not up loaded a picture from my phone before to here so I will give it a shot these were from our Alaska cruise in aug View attachment 89418View attachment 89419

Thank you!!! I definitely see some options she will enjoy
It looks like you have a cruise soon too. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[ctnurse]

4 days until our first Disney cruise!!! Just a few questions about feeding our 16 month old. I'm really trying to not overpack!

1. Is there toddler sized silverware?
2. Is the serving ware breakable? (it might end up on the floor by the end of the meal lol)
3. Do they have bibs? Much of the food ends up on DD or the floor. I bought some disposable bibs, but her favorite are the cloth bibs. I don't want to come home with a bunch of dirty bibs. We have a few plastic ones too, but they seem to irritate her.
4. Anything else helpful to bring for meals?
5. We are traveling on the Wonder. Any tips for places to get healthy, easy to eat/soft to chew toddler snacks? Bananas, yogurt, etc.

Thanks everyone!

1. Yes, I remember CM giving us little spoons. I don't remember any forks, but DD, who was 18 months when we cruised either used her fingers or regular sized silverware. She decided that she could do that.
2. I don't think they have toddler dishes, but we never had any broken ones.
3. Sorry, I don't know about the bibs, again DD has refused a bib since she was a baby, except for yesterday, when she found one and insisted she wore it for about 10 minutes during the day. I did bring a stain stick, which works wonderfully.
4.Honestly, I would make some time for LO in the nursery, so you can enjoy dinner. DH and I brought DD to the MDR the first and last evening, and the other nights, we feed her and brought her to the nursery. It is hard for them to sit for at least an hour in one place. DD, who is 21 months now, can tolerate 15 minutes sitting with us for dinner. It is hard to eat and enjoy dinner when you are looking out for LO, and what they are doing. (At least that is our case.) Her new thing is leaving her chair, since she won't sit in a highchair anymore, for my lap and my dinner, even though it is exactly the same as her's. So for the last week she sits on my lap, eating my dinner with my silverware. Next week, or maybe tomorrow it will be something else.
5. There is plenty of food for toddlers. In the morning we would grab bananas, yogurt, cereal. She may had also had her fair share of chocolate chip cookies from room service too.

 

[Trera]

There are definitely smaller spoons and forks that can be used by littler hands. Out DD just turned 2 and I remember smaller silverware.

As far as bibs go, we always use this one..............our daughter loves it. It is the only ones we use as they can be easily washed, are soft silicone, pocket catches the dropping food and has in imprinted necklace in it for the fanciest of occasions.

 

[SailingScout]

Any other travel tips for this age? I'm a little nervous as the trip is getting closer! Did your little one have a good time?

You will have a fantastic time! We are not a Disney family (can I say that here?!), but we love the cruises for their family-friendly aspect. You never feel like a leper for having a little kid scream at dinner. . We utilized the nursery quite a bit as I am a SAHM and a major reason we chose Disney was for childcare. I would recommend reserving time during dinner, we did not do that on our first cruise and regretted it. You can always cancel onboard if you change your mind, but those times fill fast. I would also recommend going to the nursery open house on embarkation day. You'll get a chance to check out the facilities and talk to the CMs. You can also go to open house in the Oceaneer's Club, our son loved that for a change from the nursery. You will all have an awesome time. We are taking our kids (3 and 1) on the Panama Canal cruise in the fall-that's how hooked we are on DCL! Hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions!

 

[3Down1Up]

The plates they use for the kids meals are divided into compartments (mickey shaped) and are plastic so no worries there.

 

[gemmybear83]

I'm taking my 18 month old this summer and I am sure there will be a few things dropped on the floor never given it a second thought and won't give it another ;-)

Another tip I have read on here is to grab a couple of milk cartons from breakfast to keep in the cooler in your room for bedtime etc