Where to eat with 1-year-old

[Figment&Piglet]

We're wondering where to eat with a 1-year-old who can handle a variety of table foods (as long as they're not too hard, spicy, etc.) I'm thinking buffets make sense, since you can start eating right away (thus avoiding more sitting/waiting time for meals, etc.) and might offer more choices. Also didn't know if restaurants were open to preparing something special if not offered (a grilled cheese, steamed veggies, etc.?).

We definitely don't want just hot dogs and fries and junk, etc., but a variety of soft meats, veggies, fruits, breads, etc. Breakfast doesn't seem to be an issue, because it seems like waffles, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, etc., are pretty standard offerings everywhere, but I'm worried about finding halfway decent finger foods for lunch/dinner. Also want to avoid having to lug a lot of jarred baby food to supplement, since she eats mostly finger foods at home and isn't nuts about the jarred stuff anyway...

Any ideas?

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Buffets are great - but remember you will have to take turns getting the food. We took our son when he was one and he loved the character meals. Another option is the "family style" meals. It's all you can eat, but they bring it to your table (right away). We have had good luck with Garden Grill at Epcot. The food is made from fresh vegatables grown right there at The Land. Have you had a look at all the menus?

 

[shelly3girls]

We had great success at the Liberty Tree Tavern. It was family style for dinner, much easier than a buffet. Our young one had no problem eating many of the foods such as mac and cheese and very tender meat. I think there was also mashed potatoes but I am not positive.

 

[BCV23]

Our three were adventurous eaters at that age too and we didn't do a lot of canned baby foods ever. We did the same thing we did at home when they were around one...gave them portions of our meal cut to size. I imagine most of the nicer restaurants would steam veggies for you if the vegetables in your meal won't do for your baby. I think a lot of kids menu do have grilled cheese but your baby probably won't need a whole kids meal anyway.

BTW two of our "adventurous" eaters later turned into chicken strips or burgers fans for a while anyway.

 

[stacy6552]

its a little known gem for tots, but eat at the coral reef in epcot. arrive for your ps early and ask to wait for a tank side table. you child will be entertained the entire time and you and your dh can actually hold down a conversation.

 

[jel0511]

I also agree on eating wherever you want and just sharing with your little one. They don't eat that much at that age, and the portions are SO HUGE at WDW, you really won't miss any of it. The buffets are nice, but after a while become old, at least in my opinion. They always seem to have the same food, just in different varieties. I've taken my little ones to some of the best restaurants at WDW; Narcoossees, Artist Point, Flying Fish just to name a few. Enjoy a night out. What i usually do to hold the little ones over until the food starts to arrive, is to bring a small snack with me. Cheerios, froot loops, crackers, etc. It always keeps them busy while we're waiting for the food. Also, some of the nicer sit-downs actually have grilled chicken with veggies on their kids menu, so good kiddie food does exist!!!!!

 

[MinnieGi]

When we took DD for her first trip at 14 months we ate at a variety of restaurants - buffet, character, family style, a la carte, counter service and they all worked great for us! Our DD likes a variety of food and like yours never liked the jarred stuff. We mostly made her a meal from our plates and just made sure we ordered things she would also like. The buffets always had a large variety of fruit that she loved. You won't have a problem feeding her well balanced meals at all.

 

[abt426]

Our daughter was 20 months when we went last May. I encourage you to eat wherever you want even the fanciest resturants have little ones, especially early in the evening. We didn't feal out of place taking her anywhere. That said I think that my favorite for eating with a little one would be O'hana. Family style, big, busy, nice variety of foods for adults and kids, our dd loved the pineappple for dessert, and she was enertained by watching all the other kids and even toddled through a coconut race with me holding her broom. While you are waiting for a table there is a nice lounge, or you can walk around the lobby with the water fall and garden which my dd loved. SHe also really liked Boma, it is very colorful and she loved sitting on the balcony outside while waiting for table. Kids buffet there is pretty standard but DD liked the pork and yams off adult buffet and also ate some soup and a couple of dessert tarts as well.

 

[riggins]

We ate at 'Ohana with DD on our last trip when she was 16 mos. and it was perfect. There is enough variety that there was plenty to feed her. Unlike a buffet, we didn't have to keep getting up. And to top it off, the activities for the older kids kept her entertained while we enjoyed a nice dinner.