What's your opinion on this...

[HeatherPage]

Okay this is not directed for when we are at character meals or sit down dinners or anything like that but say more for counterservice meals - if husband and I order off the menu but have lunchables or uncrustables and goldfish crackers, etc. for our 3.5 year old son instead of getting him a kids meal. He's such a picky eater especially when we are on vacation, I figured we can carry that in for him and if he wants to eat off my plate and I'll share a drink with him we could potentially save a little $ over the course of our upcoming vacation. Now obviously if he wants a kids meal out or we see something special (like say the kids meal served in a souvenier sand bucket with shovel at the CBR that we think he'd like) or something to that effect, we'd get it for him. On our last couple of trips, most times when he got his meal (that we ordered for him) he barely at anything and I'd end up picking at this food just because it was there and didn't want it to go to waste. Am I being unbelievably cheap or what? (I hope it's the what...)

 

[disneymom3]

Well, they do sell the uncrustables as their pbj sandwhiches at WDW so that would help if you want to do the kids meals sometimes. Personally I would not want to bother wiht the whole meal thing but I always bring snacks for my kids to have. I also often order two meals for my three kids and there is always enough food. With one, maybe you and DH could order a meal to split figuring that if someone is still hungry, they can eat the stuff that your son doesn't eat. Or order two adult meals and have him share some of yours. Not totally cheap--those three year olds eat like birds and it is SUCH a waste!!

 

[lbgraves]

I don't find that being cheap at all. Kids who are finicky...like my DS...are much easier to feed when you have their favorite foods with you. We do that all the time. There are even places here where DS doesn't like any of the food they serve so we have stopped by McD's on the way there to get him nuggets & took them in with us. Noone gives us a hard time. We enjoy the food & DS is happy...that wouldn't happen if he didn't eat.

 

[frannn]

Last year, we made a grocery stop at the beginning of our trip (we were also worried about hurricanes). We picked up single serving cans of Chef Boyardee, small kids micro meals (Mac & Cheese, Hot Dogs, Chicken & Vegies), single serving packs of applesauce, fruit bowls, juice boxes, water, parmalot, etc. She still shared some food with us, but we had stuff we could open quickly if she was hungry. We fed her from her stash first, then shared with her, because she was usually still hungry. The weird thing is that she normally eats a good deal, but has not been eating well this past month in the heat/humidity. I wasn't going to bring a bunch of food with us this time (in Oct), but now that I think of it, it will certainly be quicker, easier, less expensive. I will definetly bring some instant oatmeal for the food court and fruits, drinks, pasta, cookies, cereal, fruit snacks, and pb&j or tuna for the parks.

 

[swilshire]

We took DS6 to a buffet yesterday and he ate NOT ONE bite. Usually he'll eat a few things, but not yesterday. It was only about $4, but I was still annoyed to have wasted the money.

I've always done as you suggested with my picky eaters. They are happier because they get what they want. You aren't tempted to eat their leftovers (I don't need the calories). And you might even save some money.

You see many families doing that, particularly at WDW. I wouldn't hesitate a bit, even in a sit down restaurant. Buffets would be a different story, of course.

Sheila

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At any buffets or all you can eat meals the charge is for children ages three through nine. Often if the waiter sees the child is not eating they may not charge for the child, or may charge only an "entertainment fee" if it is a character meal.

At table service or counter service if you don't order something you don't pay for it.

 

[mareed]

We carried peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, Mickey pretzels, & juice boxes for my 2 DS's for a couple of years on our trips and that's what they had when we were eating counter service. This worked best until they were around 7 & 4 when we found that we were consistently just buying kids meals instead and carting around the uneaten sandwiches. It was much less stressful having something on hand for them to eat that we knew would be something they'd like. We also occasionally had them eat early sitting in the stroller if they just couldn't wait, and then we'd get them some dessert while we were eating our meal.

I see no problem with this at all. Do whatever is easiest for you.

 

[dudedisney]

Do whatever is comfortable for you. Are you worried that someone will think you're a bad parent because you don't buy a meal? Who cares what strangers think? If they have kids, they'll think you're smart. If they don't then they don't understand anyway.

As long as your kid gets fed, then have at it. I personally intend to bring along my jar of peanut butter...'cause sometimes I don't like the food either!

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for the positive responses everyone. I guess I was hesitant to ask because of this thread I read not to long ago:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=792265&highlight=juice+boxes

I think some of the posters either didn't have small kids or it had been a while since they did. I'll probably play it by ear and see what his appetite is like the first day or two.

Thanks again!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

We absolutely do this!! Never done the Lunchables, but we take in Uncrustables. I buy a box at WalMart before we go, keep in the cooler/fridge while there, and toss a couple in the backpack each morning. Sure, they sell Uncrustables at WDW, but why should I pay upwards of $4 for a kids meal with an Uncrustable, when DS (3) can just eat one that we brought? We've not had problems with them staying fresh, although when it's hot, sometimes the jelly gets liquid-y... But this works for us!