What to do when you're a picky eater?

[aniroc192]

Hi all. I am actually a very picky eater (not by really choice, I have a complex about trying new foods and can't get past looks, smells, and textures easily). I will be heading to Disney World Oct. 8 - 14 (my 26 birthday is on the 13!) with two of my old college friends. We are trying to be a little cost conscious so we're only doing three nights of TS (we each get to pick one place) and I know that many of you have picky kids/teens so I wanted to know if there were any tips I could apply to my trip.

I have eaten at the 50's Prime Time cafe when I last went along with other places like CRT, Rainforest Cafe, Whispering Canon, etc. and I had some of my meals there, but I want to see if I could pick somewhere else. Exotic food is not something I like, I have been trying to stick to Americana/Italian restaurants when I look for my pick because they're safe and who doesn't love a good burger or spaghetti?

Would love to hear from you all, thank you!

 

[DisMommyTX]

It depends what kind of food you are looking for. For Italian, Tutto Italia and Via Napoli are often recommended, but please avoid Tony's! One of my favorites for American food is Garden Grill. It is a fun, reasonably priced character meal but it is served family style so make sure you like the foods they are serving. A buffet like Boma might be a good option as it has good 'normal' foods but also some unusual choices for the more adventurous eaters. Be Our Guest can be a fun experience, and most of the food is more traditional that it sounds. Honestly, I haven't found a great burger anywhere, but they are on the menu several places. Wolfgang Puck Express is always a favorite reasonably-priced option at Disney Springs and has some excellent options for picky eaters.

 

[minnie mum]

There are very few places in WDW that offer anything "exotic". Look at the menus, and the description of the dishes. Look past the fancy names and sauces or toppings. There's rarely a place that doesn't have several options that you could order "plain". A steak, or chicken or fish dish without the sauces. Ask for plain potatoes and steamed vegs. Substitute a different starch or veg that's offered with a different entree. If you do that, you could eat at 90% of the restaurants at WDW. Or just go to a buffet. Plenty of choice there for the pickiest of eaters.

 

[ZoZo]

I really like Wolfgang Puck Express and Sunshine Seasons. Both are quick service, not TS as you requested, but offer many choices and have consistently good food, in my opinion. I love the pizzas and pastas at WPE, and at Sunshine Seasons, have liked the rotisserie chicken (would sub in the mashed potatoes and corn on the cob) and Salmon.

For TS, Artist Point and Flying Fish seem to get consistently good reviews here.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it depends on what picky is to you. My DDIL is picky, Food cannot touch, no "goop", mushrooms, tomatoes, etc. Nothing like mixed veggies, etc. I have asked her to look at menus, see if there are entrees that she can eat without sauce, and if there are sides available for her to mix and match. I think that you need to be responsible for making sure that you go to a place that you can find someting that you will eat.

Disney will make whatever changes are reasonable, so look closely at menus and see what is on every entree. The server can have the sides swapped for you, sauces either removed or served on the side. I think American and Italian offer your best choices and would stick with those for your choice. I also would ask your friends to let you know their choice so you can be prepared when you arrive.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I would stick with buffets.
2) There is usually a wide enough variety of comfort food to satisfy even picky eaters.
3) I have heard of very few people who could not leave full from any of the buffets at WDW.

 

[Fuzzylife75]

Hi,

I am agreeing with previous posters.
- Check menus and these forums and other sites for images that could give you a hint as how the meal look and what's on the plate, how it's plated and so on.

And you can always call WDW Dining or the resort directly (for resort restaurants) and ask more specific questions that concerns your specific concerns and preferences. I am sure that they can always find a way to accommodate your needs. And then you know who to ask and what to ask for when you finally get to the restaurant.

Plus if you have called in advance and, for example have made a list of places you are more interested in, the planning with your travel party will be a lot easier when it comes to make eventual ADR's.

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, check menus

My adult DD is very picky. She likes Sci Fi, Plaza, RFC, Beaches and Cream......pretty much other than those she sticks to counter service and/or snacks

 

[Lisa F]

Hi all. I am actually a very picky eater (not by really choice, I have a complex about trying new foods and can't get past looks, smells, and textures easily). I will be heading to Disney World Oct. 8 - 14 (my 26 birthday is on the 13!) with two of my old college friends. We are trying to be a little cost conscious so we're only doing three nights of TS (we each get to pick one place) and I know that many of you have picky kids/teens so I wanted to know if there were any tips I could apply to my trip.

I have eaten at the 50's Prime Time cafe when I last went along with other places like CRT, Rainforest Cafe, Whispering Canon, etc. and I had some of my meals there, but I want to see if I could pick somewhere else. Exotic food is not something I like, I have been trying to stick to Americana/Italian restaurants when I look for my pick because they're safe and who doesn't love a good burger or spaghetti?

Would love to hear from you all, thank you!

First of all, please don't feel defensive about your pickiness. I don't know why anyone else would care what other people prefer to eat.

many of the disney restaurants will make an adult portion of things on the kid's menu, so make sure you look at the kid's menu too. Trail's End Buffet looks really good and has a lot of more basic stuff. I agree that you should be able to get something to eat on pretty much any buffet.

Yak & Yeti has more asianish type food but people absolutely RAVE about their burger. It almost makes me want to order a burger except the more asianish stuff appeals to me, lol. You could order it plain. The theming is awesome and there is plenty for the more adventurous eaters there too, something for everyone!

 

[mkla2015]

Definitely check out the menus online before making reservations. Honestly, you shouldn't have problems finding food at Disney- there are so many different places with different choices.

 

[Parker Clan]

We like Trails End Buffet, Via Napoli, the Fountain at Swan and Dolphin, Trattoria Al Forno at the Boardwalk

 

[teddygurl28]

you can get something plain and standard almost anywhere- except for world showcase. if you want to eat at world showcase you would need to stick to the Italy Pavilion or Rose and Crown in UK (chefs de france in france may work out too but not quite sure on that one). I am a picky eater and manage to eat almost anywhere on property- except world showcase -I keep trying to find something but I just cant

 

[DisneyHardin]

My DH is a very plain eater. We have found that when you really dissect the menu, you can get things like grilled chicken, steak, pork chops at most every sit down restaurant. You just have to specify that you want it plain. He also prefers fries as his side, and we have found that most places have fries for the kids menu, even if they don't have anything on the adult menu that comes with fries. So, even though a restaurant may seem "exotic", he can generally get steak and fries and be very happy.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I also have food aversions and my kids are "simple" eaters. Definitely look at the menus and find out what appeals to you. Here are the places at which we are eating and that we considered:
BOG
Crystal Palace
Liberty Tree Tavern
Via Napoli
Akershus
Mama Melrose
Hollywood & Vine
Tusker House
1900 Park Fare
Bongos
Trattoria al Forno
Big River Grill
Sci Fi
50s Primetime
Portobello
Shutters

 

[aniroc192]

Thank you so much for all these suggestions! It really helps to know that Disney is ok with substitutions because I do it everywhere I eat. Also, from some of the comments, I am getting that it is ok to order from the kids menu at TS for dinner, am I right? I have been looking at some menus and wouldn't eat anything but stuff on the kids menu and don't want to limit my friends from their choices.

@Lisa F I'm sorry if it feels like I get defensive/have to explain myself, my friends and family kind of make fun of my pickiness a lot so I am very self conscious about it, especially when explaining it because many people feel I just need to try the food. Which sometimes I can, but a majority of the time I start having anxiety and have cried on occasion. It's kind of a curse :/

 

[bigbabyblues]

What do you like? You said American or Italian, but by American do you mean burgers? BBQ? Fried chicken?

You mentioned Whispering Canyon, have you looked at Trails End? From the pictures I've seen, it is "normal" food. There is Tony's at the MK. I haven't eaten there, but I would imagine they have spaghetti. Buffets are probably a good choice, except for the price. Via Napoli is supposed to have really good pizza, and if you order individual pizzas, the others could get whatever they want on theirs, or order pasta.

I'm sure you can find something that will work out for you.

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you so much for all these suggestions! It really helps to know that Disney is ok with substitutions because I do it everywhere I eat. Also, from some of the comments, I am getting that it is ok to order from the kids menu at TS for dinner, am I right? I have been looking at some menus and wouldn't eat anything but stuff on the kids menu and don't want to limit my friends from their choices.

@Lisa F I'm sorry if it feels like I get defensive/have to explain myself, my friends and family kind of make fun of my pickiness a lot so I am very self conscious about it, especially when explaining it because many people feel I just need to try the food. Which sometimes I can, but a majority of the time I start having anxiety and have cried on occasion. It's kind of a curse :/

My son is very picky and one of my pet peeves now is people jumping on picky people. He has gagged and nearly thrown up trying to please people's desire for him to be not picky. I caused a lot of anxiety listening to people's advice about how to "fix" him and I really regret it. believe me, this is not a moral failing nor is it a failing of your parents. People like what they like. If people who really care about you (like people on your trip) are giving you a hard time you should maybe just tell them it upsets you and ask them not to comment negatively on what you eat. Then feel free to order off the kid menu if that is what you like Believe me, the best place in the WORLD to have servers want to please you no matter what the request is Disney. They will not make you feel weird and you should not eat things to please other people.

 

[gtpoohbear]

My mom is the pickiest eater on the planet (eats a total of 3 things) and we've always managed fine at TS with her. Like others have said, buffets are pretty easy. Otherwise, if you don't see anything obvious on the menu that will work, just ask your server if you can speak to the chef. They are very accommodating (and nice!), and will talk to you and figure out something that will work.

 

[pookybean]

I am really picky too, so I get it (even the embarrassment) textures and smells

I really like Teppan Edo in Japan, it's the hibachi place. You can get plain chicken and/or steak. There are mixed veggies, but they will give you more of one or the other if you ask, rice and noodles. You may sit with another group, but I always ask them to not cook our food near the seafood.

I have found that as long as I can get steak or chicken somewhere I am generally ok. Disney is great about modifying with sauces and sides. I agree with looking the menus over to have an idea of what you would like and if it is something you can change around.

 

[tomatecerise]

Mama Melrose is italian And very good (Hollywood Studios)
Do You like pizza? They are good at Wolfgang puck express (Quick Service at Disney Springs)
The Plaza for burgers (Magic Kingdom) or D-Luxe (Disney Springs)
Flame tree barbecue (Quick service at Animal Kingdom) have good ribs And chicken