Will storybook dining let us do this?

[FSU Girl]

We have a reservation for storybook dining with our toddler who is under 3. When we went when she was 1 they gave her some mac n cheese for free. But my experience at other restaurants like topolinos is they aren’t providing anything and we have to share what we have. She’s really picky and isn’t going to want anything on the menu.

My question could we get her Mac n cheese from the quick service and bring it in with us? Will they not allow that?

 

[maleficent55]

Since it’s a prix fixe I would imagine that if she were to eat ANYthing she will be charged

I don’t know if they’ll allow in outside food/drink

 

[Anthony1971]

Under 3 we use to have jars of Gerber and Goldfish just in case.
I would say at best Maybe but being all 3 are in the same location at WL if it is on the menu at Whispering Canyon or Roaring fork they could likely serve it... at the 39.00 Child cost. Maybe to be less obvious you could bring a few small Ziplock containers buy the Mac and Cheese and put it in the container.
In the end NO restaurant has ever provided anything for an under 3 year old unless it was paid some staff would however offer something and from what I recall I can remember maybe 2 times but most of the time we would order something anyway...... If he stayed awake which became rare at a 6 or 7 dinner.

 

[Jerseyprincess317]

As long as she's under 3 you should be fine. If she is 3 you will be charged full price.

 

[Dulcee]

We did similar for our then 2 year old at another character prix fix. My husband actually ran and grabbed chicken fingers from the resort's quick service after we checked in. It wasn't an issue.

 

[Marthasor]

Since it’s a prix fixe I would imagine that if she were to eat ANYthing she will be charged

I don’t know if they’ll allow in outside food/drink

OP's child is under 3 so won't be charged anything unless they specifically order a meal for her. Children under 3 are allowed to share from others' plates at TS prix-fixe meals.

OP - I would consider feeding your DD at the WL QS prior to your Storybook meal and then, perhaps simply having some small snacks for her (we used to bring goldfish, yogurt bites, etc.) at the TS. That way you know, for sure, she will have had a chance to eat a meal without hoping Storybook will allow you to bring anything in.

 

[maleficent55]

OP's child is under 3 so won't be charged anything unless they specifically order a meal for her. Children under 3 are allowed to share from others' plates at TS prix-fixe meals.

OP - I would consider feeding your DD at the WL QS prior to your Storybook meal and then, perhaps simply having some small snacks for her (we used to bring goldfish, yogurt bites, etc.) at the TS. That way you know, for sure, she will have had a chance to eat a meal without hoping Storybook will allow you to bring anything in.

Oh good to know!

 

[FSU Girl]

Since it’s a prix fixe I would imagine that if she were to eat ANYthing she will be charged

I don’t know if they’ll allow in outside food/drink

We went there when she was young and the waiter offered a bowl of Mac n cheese free of charge

Under 3 we use to have jars of Gerber and Goldfish just in case.
I would say at best Maybe but being all 3 are in the same location at WL if it is on the menu at Whispering Canyon or Roaring fork they could likely serve it... at the 39.00 Child cost. Maybe to be less obvious you could bring a few small Ziplock containers buy the Mac and Cheese and put it in the container.
In the end NO restaurant has ever provided anything for an under 3 year old unless it was paid some staff would however offer something and from what I recall I can remember maybe 2 times but most of the time we would order something anyway...... If he stayed awake which became rare at a 6 or 7 dinner.

I’m not sure if policy is changing but we have gotten food for free multiple times even this restaurant when she was 1. But since our most recent experience at topolinos didn’t this time I’m not sure if this is changing which is why I asked

We did similar for our then 2 year old at another character prix fix. My husband actually ran and grabbed chicken fingers from the resort's quick service after we checked in. It wasn't an issue.

How long ago was this?

OP's child is under 3 so won't be charged anything unless they specifically order a meal for her. Children under 3 are allowed to share from others' plates at TS prix-fixe meals.

OP - I would consider feeding your DD at the WL QS prior to your Storybook meal and then, perhaps simply having some small snacks for her (we used to bring goldfish, yogurt bites, etc.) at the TS. That way you know, for sure, she will have had a chance to eat a meal without hoping Storybook will allow you to bring anything in.

Feeding her before won’t work she won’t want to sit still for the whole meal if she already ate. She’s pretty good with being at the table as long as she’s eating but not if she’s full. She wouldn’t want snacks right after eating a meal unfortunately

 

[Dulcee]

Post pandemic for us, almost 2 years ago…

 

[Marthasor]

We went there when she was young and the waiter offered a bowl of Mac n cheese free of charge


I’m not sure if policy is changing but we have gotten food for free multiple times even this restaurant when she was 1. But since our most recent experience at topolinos didn’t this time I’m not sure if this is changing which is why I asked


How long ago was this?


Feeding her before won’t work she won’t want to sit still for the whole meal if she already ate. She’s pretty good with being at the table as long as she’s eating but not if she’s full. She wouldn’t want snacks right after eating a meal unfortunately

Oh no - that's a conundrum. I hope someone comes on here with some recent experience regarding bringing toddler food in.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We went there when she was young and the waiter offered a bowl of Mac n cheese free of charge


I’m not sure if policy is changing but we have gotten food for free multiple times even this restaurant when she was 1. But since our most recent experience at topolinos didn’t this time I’m not sure if this is changing which is why I asked


How long ago was this?


Feeding her before won’t work she won’t want to sit still for the whole meal if she already ate. She’s pretty good with being at the table as long as she’s eating but not if she’s full. She wouldn’t want snacks right after eating a meal unfortunately

remember they will not be able to warm up food brought in even if it came from same kitchen if you buy it and carry in. plus she will be eating while you are waiting for your food which could lead to same problems as feeding her before you go.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm all about stress free dining so I wouldn't set myself up to be in a situation where we have to scramble. Back in the old days it was pretty much under 3 eats off a parents plate (or gets what they want at buffets) and if there was nothing they liked the server would bring a plate of plain pasta. We've heard of getting some mac & cheese but since they are a non-paying guest the restaurant really doesn't have to do anything especially since they have a policy in place.

If it were me ... and I just ate there two weeks ago ...

If I couldn't bring my own food (DS used to like yogurt, berries, cheese chunks, goldfish easy to travel meals) ...

I would place a mobile order at Roaring Forks for a kid's meal. Tell them we are there close to the time we are supposed to be seated or immediately if we got called early. I'd rather know what we are getting and having it there at the table.

Or you could wait until the server tells you if they have any mac & cheese etc to offer and if not place the mobile order and someone runs to pick it up after ordering drinks.



For all restaurants, especially with Disney's evolving financial re-structuring, I don't think we should depend on anything we've gotten in the past, or anything someone else said they got .... we only can depend on what the menu actually says and what Disney's formal policy has been. If I need otherwise I take ownership of getting what we need for a pleasant and successful experience.

 

[FSU Girl]

I'm all about stress free dining so I wouldn't set myself up to be in a situation where we have to scramble. Back in the old days it was pretty much under 3 eats off a parents plate (or gets what they want at buffets) and if there was nothing they liked the server would bring a plate of plain pasta. We've heard of getting some mac & cheese but since they are a non-paying guest the restaurant really doesn't have to do anything especially since they have a policy in place.

If it were me ... and I just ate there two weeks ago ...

If I couldn't bring my own food (DS used to like yogurt, berries, cheese chunks, goldfish easy to travel meals) ...

I would place a mobile order at Roaring Forks for a kid's meal. Tell them we are there close to the time we are supposed to be seated or immediately if we got called early. I'd rather know what we are getting and having it there at the table.

Or you could wait until the server tells you if they have any mac & cheese etc to offer and if not place the mobile order and someone runs to pick it up after ordering drinks.



For all restaurants, especially with Disney's evolving financial re-structuring, I don't think we should depend on anything we've gotten in the past, or anything someone else said they got .... we only can depend on what the menu actually says and what Disney's formal policy has been. If I need otherwise I take ownership of getting what we need for a pleasant and successful experience.

Thank you that’s a good point if we ordered before we’d have to food too early. Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[BethanyMouse]

We did Crystal Palace during the pandemic when it was Price Fix and non buffet with our then 2 year old (She was weeks away from 3). They would NOT provide any food for her. To be honest, they were rude. They told us we would have to pay the full child price (I think it was 35-40) for her to have any food. We are long time Disney people and have never experienced this. We did have other food packed in case as a back up.

 

[HopperFan]

We did Crystal Palace during the pandemic when it was Price Fix and non buffet with our then 2 year old (She was weeks away from 3). They would NOT provide any food for her. To be honest, they were rude. They told us we would have to pay the full child price (I think it was 35-40) for her to have any food. We are long time Disney people and have never experienced this. We did have other food packed in case as a back up.

Their policy for an under 3 ~ a la carte or prix fixe is that they can eat off your plate OR you can purchase them a meal. The advantage is they do not force you to pay the prix fixe under 3, they are free but they share your food. At a AYCTE or buffet they are free to help themselves no charge to the offerings. This is why many folks go to these before their kids turn 3.

From Disney ~

"Children under the age of 3 may eat for free at restaurants that feature an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu." (AYCTE Family Style or Buffet)

OR

"At restaurants with a traditional menu that features multiple entrée options, children under the age of 3 may share from an adult's plate at no charge, or order something from the children's menu and be charged for the cost of that entrée." (would apply to prix fixe as well)

If a server got someone a dish of pasta or mac & cheese for the non-paying guest at a la carte or prix fixe that was basically pixie dust, it's not policy.

But they should not have been rude, just shared the policy and ask if you would like to order/pay for a meal.

 

[FSU Girl]

I think I’ll get an uncrustable from the quick service. Easier to bring in with us and feed her. I checked and roaring forks has that listed on their menu

 

[joyjoy]

I think I’ll get an uncrustable from the quick service. Easier to bring in with us and feed her. I checked and roaring forks has that listed on their menu

And the good news is Roaring Fork is literally just down the ramp from Storybook Dining. Like 1 minute walking.