WDW for fussy eaters

[Rosebud1302]

Hi all,

We are taking our 6 year old in August for the first time. Very excited! However one of my worries is food. He is really quite fussy (please no comments on this - it isn't our choice but I won't and can't force him to eat).
He knows what he likes and what he doesn't and I am a bit worried about what they will have that he will eat. He doesn't like burgers, hot dogs and isn't a massive fan of chicken. Likes pasta, pizza, fries, fruit and of course anything sweet....!

Can I ask how people with fussy eating children managed? We want to go out for nicer sit down meals but I know a lot of the stuff on the menus he won't eat. How relaxed are the cast members about letting him try bits from our places or just paying for extra bread service etc?

Any first hand experiences welcome please!!!

It'll be easy. We go to wdw specifically because my DC have allergies and the chefs are amazing, they usually make meals especially for DC. You might want to target the buffet style meals like tuskers house, we find these the easiest.

@Arrestedmanevolence that is really helpful thank you. When you say the chefs will make meals, what sort of restaurants did this and what did you order? This might be amazing for DS.

Hopeful bump!

Any Disney restaurant. They probably won't at quick service counters but any sit down meal they will. That is for allergies though, not so sure about fussy eating, but generally they are ALL about service. No eye rolls!

@Arrestedmanevolence this sounds very hopeful, thank you!!!

I'd second the suggestion to prioritise buffets for the sit down meals, there's always lots of choice and the kids aren't limited to the kids section. On the Disney website there are menus for all the table service restaurants, it would be worth you having a browse to see which ones would suit. There's also a fair bit of choice in quick service ( more takeaway style) so again worth looking at the choices in each park so you know where to avoid and where would be safe.

Americans generally are absolutely fine with saying the longest list of e.g. 'I'll take the full English please but no egg or sausage, extra crispy bacon please, and can I swap the mushrooms for avocado and have the sauces on the side. Bread first, gluten free, lightly toasted.". And the server says "sure, no problem" and then reads it back to you perfectly with a huge smile.

Service culture, because of the bonkers tipping, is far superior to ours. Do allow 20% for tips, especially if you ask for something outside the norm.

Have a great time.

They will be accommodating. Most places do pizza, chips, pasta etc - even the fast food/take out options do a portion of chips or macaroni cheese or pizza slices. It will be fine!

Disneys great for kids- my DD is very fussy but I think on every menu they had pizza and even done plain pasta for us- the pizza is gorgeous can buy a huge pizza for $18.99 or just a slice, also loads of snacks, breakfast is easy to- my DD who is fussy loves the potato barrels for breakfast everyday that’s quick service, I found the cost of food too to be so reasonable x

My DS lived off fries and pizza. We went to a supermarket and stocked up on things like cookies etc for snacks. He managed fine. But even safe food like Pringles were off the menu as they tasted a bit different.

When we went to Florida, my Son made a joke about being on a chip chain, he had chips everyday, chips came with everything. The meals were huge, you order a pasta dish and it comes with a huge chicken breast on top. I used to order off the children’s menu. The buffets are the best for everyone’s taste. Try and get park maps before you go and look at the eating places and look at menus.

Thank you everyone so much. This is reassuring. I think we are going with "if he lives on pizza and chips for two weeks it won't kill him"! I certainly don't want to be getting stressed about food on holiday.

Does anyone know if the table service (not the signature dining places obviously, more casual) mind us taking in small bits for him in case he can't find anything he wants? Or is that frowned upon?

TBH I wouldn't take food in for your 6 year old at a sit down meal. There are plenty of other dining options and, like others, recommend the buffets which have huge choices (and are different for breakfast, lunch etc). Look at Chef Mickeys, BOMA, Crystal Palace or the one in the Grand Floridian (sorry, forgotten its name). Liberty Tree Tavern isn't a buffet but has 'traditional' food if that's what you're after. All have menus online to see if you fancy them.

WDW prides itself on catering for all (2 x coeliacs here who eat well at Disney) so I wouldn't take food with you. You'd probably be charged for your child anyway.

Thank you @Bartholomewphilipswasrobbed, understood and makes sense. I feel much more reassured he will find something.