Chicken Fingers and Fries

[mousehockey37]

Suuure, you don’t come across as judgey at all. It isn’t always a parent thing you know. We raised our twins eating the same food, but one went through a phase for about a year where he had such anxiety about trying new foods he would projectile vomit after one bite. Never happened to his twin.

What's your point here? Pot. Kettle.

 

[EveDallas]

What's your point here? Pot. Kettle.

Actually, it's not. You're judging the way parents feed their kids. She was explaining it's not always black and white.

 

[oceanmarina]

I know when we ate at Garden Grill in Epcot, my kids did not like what they served (they have family style offerings), our server was so nice, she went to the kitchen and came out with a big platter of chicken tenders & fries for them - which was not on the menu.

 

[Lisa F]

Start with water only as a beverage. Hydrate but only with WATER. No Mickey Bars, no icee drinks, etc. Don't pack any hand-held snacks or toddler food. Or IF you do, make sure they do not know it's there. At actual mealtime, tell them they can have the light-up sparkly kids cup AFTER they finish a palm-sized amount of food. That is the size of their stomach and we as adults often WAY overdo it on portions. And sooooooooooo much liquid and treats are empty calories.

They might be hungrier than they think after being stimulated, hot and watching other people eat delicious-looking and yummy-smelling food. The scent of popcorn never stops so it's really easy to entice them into popping a snack into their mouths. Just remember you are the parent and you decide WHEN and WHAT they are served, but the child controls HOW MUCH and WHAT they eat.

If they pitch a fit over not eating the entree, you just pack up the sides (most are pre-packaged already) and remove your child from the eating area. And they don't get to wail over wanting an ice cream until they eat the apple slices.

My mom, fully intent on ensuring NO HEATSTROKE in January and hydrating everyone, gave my DD5 a 1liter enhanced water/energy drink thing as we passed Security. Gee I wonder why we all had a Family Meltdown when by 10am we had only done FIVE potty stops, no rides, and two gift shops (because kids who aren't whining for plastic crap totally NEED it) and only crossed off two M&G. After Grandma got fed up with our constant requesting NOT to spend all day shopping and hiding under like the 4 trees in EPCOT while sucking down this massive beverage... she left the Park and then we were in a struggle for the rest of the day with DD to eat something, anything . A whole meal at Garden Grill = WASTED, PLUS a cancelled Coral Reef ADR, because of some stupid pink carbonated beverage. Not to mention NOT eating and drinking around the World Showcase during the very first International Arts Festival!!!! we were on the Dining Plan and I think we used like 4 credits that day, it was so bad.

Some places can make substitutions but I think it depends on their kitchen. So you have to really be the flexible one IF the diet choices are not due to medical need.

my child has never been given juice (except when sick and I had to entice him to drink at all) or soda or icee drinks... really only drinks water now, yet he is still very picky. I'm sure your advice is well intentioned but there are a lot of reasons that kids are picky and often it has nothing to do with the fact that their parents let them drink sugary beverages or eat popcorn or ice cream on vacation. My child would rather starve than eat something he finds objectionable. I know because we did that for a week, which then gave him tremendous anxiety around trying something new for years and was one of the biggest parenting mistakes of my life. I think especially on vacation, finding a restaurant where everyone can be happy is the way to go rather than starving them into being hungry enough to eat something they don't like. That has as much chance of backfiring as giving your child the sugary energy drink.

To the OP, read the menus and you can find tons of places that have things they like, but it does take work. Tangierine Cafe is one that comes to mind where there are delicious, interesting choices for the adults but they also have regular chicken nuggets (it used to be tenders, I'm assuming it is standard disney breast nuggets but I don't know for sure... just checked myself to make sure they were still there).

 

[Lisa F]

No judging from me. Just the hope people won't take advantage of what Disney does to help people with a true need. A child not liking what is on the menu is not a true need for the most part.

It's good to have that information out there for parents who need it. Someone with a kid on the spectrum or other special needs might find this thread based on the title, because lots of those kids only eat that kind of food. I don't think anyone who doesn't need it should do that but honestly it's such a big hassle to have to do (unless most parents have a lot more time to make phone calls all day long than I do) that even though I have a child on the spectrum, I'd still just pick restaurants where we can both find something to eat. There are PLENTY. My son is on the spectrum but not nearly as picky as most.

But for parents who have a real problem and older kids, it's great if they can sometimes go somewhere they want to go and not just to places that have the one or two things their child will eat. In fact I will be sharing this info with a friend of mine who is in that situation... she has two kids on the spectrum (one higher with many fewer things he will eat and one very very low functioning but will eat more things but can't tolerate the things that the older one likes... they make him sick to his stomach) and both of them are much older, she is always talking about how she wishes she could try this place or that but she can't because of how hard it is dining with her kids. So thanks @Cinderelly911 for posting that tip!

 

[TwinkleKS]

Kids are kids ... and they do weird things and decide to eat weird things ... and a lot of times it doesn't have anything to do with bad parenting. I've got three kids at home ... they all eat differently ... and we don't parent them any differently.

As others have said, you can't expect them to have chicken nuggets available if it isn't on the menu. However, as others have also mentioned, if you really look at the menus (both kids and adults) for any given restaurant you can usually come up with something most kids will eat. For example, I think there are a couple of restaurants that don't have french fries on the kids menu, but have some version of fried potatoes on the adult menu as a side, so that is a doable request. Pasta without the sauce is also a doable request.

Plus, we are on vacation. If I have one kid that wants to eat Mickey Bars all day long, I don't give a flying flip as long as she lets me eat my cheese soup in peace.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Can chicken fingers and fries, hot dogs, etc be requested at most restaurants on property? My kids are kinda particular and will not eat most things listed on menus, especially in EPCOT World Showcase.

Thanks!!

Most of the buffets have a kid section that usually contains something you listed. And it is on the menu at several places. But if it isn't on the menu, most likely they don't have the ingredients for it stocked. The exception is if restaurants share a kitchen or there's another place they can get it from fairly quickly.

 

[maxiesmom]

But for parents who have a real problem and older kids, it's great if they can sometimes go somewhere they want to go and not just to places that have the one or two things their child will eat. In fact I will be sharing this info with a friend of mine who is in that situation... she has two kids on the spectrum (one higher with many fewer things he will eat and one very very low functioning but will eat more things but can't tolerate the things that the older one likes... they make him sick to his stomach) and both of them are much older, she is always talking about how she wishes she could try this place or that but she can't because of how hard it is dining with her kids. So thanks @Cinderelly911 for posting that tip!

What is tricky is not knowing ahead of time if the restaurant will be able to bring out something that is not on the menu. Those sort of accommodations are not set in stone, so it is possible that a restaurant will bring out nuggets for one family on one day, and not do it on another day. Just something to be prepared for. There is no guarantee.

 

[Lisa F]

What is tricky is not knowing ahead of time if the restaurant will be able to bring out something that is not on the menu. Those sort of accommodations are not set in stone, so it is possible that a restaurant will bring out nuggets for one family on one day, and not do it on another day. Just something to be prepared for. There is no guarantee.

Well her suggestion that if you call ahead and have special needs they WILL be able to guarantee is a good one and not something I knew about before, so I appreciate having that info.

 

[HopperFan]

Can chicken fingers and fries, hot dogs, etc be requested at most restaurants on property? My kids are kinda particular and will not eat most things listed on menus, especially in EPCOT World Showcase.

Thanks!!

World Showcase is likely your hardest location as most the restaurants are privately owned and less flexible. I would study the menus and find somewhere that meets everyone's needs or possibly stick with quick service. There are a wide range of offerings in the quick service ... menus will help.

The restaurants that have a backup for you will likely offer plain pasta, mac & cheese or chicken nuggets. Folks here will give you their experiences of getting something not on the menu. OR stick with the buffets (not at Epcot) where they will always have something in that category.

 

[mmouse50]

Sorry didn’t read all the negative answers but I found out in June that if there chicken nuggets on the kids menu I was able to get an adult version of the chicken nuggets because my granddaughter (12) is extremely picky. Hope that helps a bit

 

[jasmine91]

Parents with normal picky eaters are so quick to judge, as was I before I had my son. He has food neophobia paired with general anxiety (yes it’s a real thing). When we eat at Disney we will bring him granola bars, protein bars or small containers of peanut butter and crackers because sometimes finding a food he will eat is very difficult. However, we have found a few restaurants like Grand Floridian Cafe (I think) were happy to make a grilled cheese for him which wasn’t on the menu. I’d say, have a plan B for the child to eat, but never hesitate to ask! We have also bought a power pack for him at QS restaurants and brought it to a few TS restaurants with no questions asked. Good luck to you! I know the struggles that come with extreme picky eating - and the feeling of being ridiculed by parents that haven’t got a clue. We haven’t eaten at Boma or Ohana in 3 years because we can’t bear the thought of paying for my son to eat only bread, lol! One day he’ll get there (we hope!) and he WILL LOVE IT!

 

[MomOTwins]

Parents with normal picky eaters are so quick to judge, as was I before I had my son. He has food neophobia paired with general anxiety (yes it’s a real thing). When we eat at Disney we will bring him granola bars, protein bars or small containers of peanut butter and crackers because sometimes finding a food he will eat is very difficult. However, we have found a few restaurants like Grand Floridian Cafe (I think) were happy to make a grilled cheese for him which wasn’t on the menu. I’d say, have a plan B for the child to eat, but never hesitate to ask! We have also bought a power pack for him at QS restaurants and brought it to a few TS restaurants with no questions asked. Good luck to you! I know the struggles that come with extreme picky eating - and the feeling of being ridiculed by parents that haven’t got a clue. We haven’t eaten at Boma or Ohana in 3 years because we can’t bear the thought of paying for my son to eat only bread, lol! One day he’ll get there (we hope!) and he WILL LOVE IT!

Here's hoping there's a light at the end of the tunnel for you soon! Another good reminder that you never really know what another person is going through. Reminds me of a post I saw not too long ago about a poor woman who was screamed at for using the handicapped bathroom with her child who had a concealed medical device and needed assistance just because her child did not outwardly appear to have a medical need. Channeling the enchantress from Beauty and Beast: "But she warned him that appearances can be deceiving..."

 

[KenHutch]

Things must have changed a lot in recent years. During our 1st one and done in 2006 my then 5 year old daughter would eat mac'ncheese, beef hot dogs (no buns) chicken nuggets and fries. Every table service restaurant we went to bent over backwards to make sure she ate well.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

So your idea is to starve them into submission? Sounds like an awesome plan.

Hahaha they are not starving if they have eaten a palm-sized amount of food. That's like half an apple.

Just reminding people that there are a LOT of empty calories to put in your child's face at Disney, and people often forget that kids cannot readily consume the volume of food nor the calories an adult should be. One handful of popcorn can distract a small tummy that it needs to eat a sandwich, especially when, "LOOK KIDS! MICKEY MOUSE is on that parade float!" an hour later you see an exhausted mom glaring at her toddler who won't touch his plate of buffet food because he knows in ten minutes he can sucker Grandma out of some Goldfish crackers she has "just in case".

Don't manipulate them and don't let them manipulate you. As I said, parents provide WHEN and WHAT is being served. Children decide WHAT and HOW MUCH to eat. They can't eat the chicken nuggets if they aren't any to be served. If it's not a mealtime, they shouldn't be eating a snack. vacation or not! Nothing snarls up a vacation more than a child with a disrupted routine to their benefit - you get them back home and it's another battle to reinforce the normal routine again. I'm not well-rested and refreshed after a week of trying to re-set the sleep schedule and arguing about what we don't get when we are not on vacation... I don't wish to make that worse!!! LOL

 

[FCDub]

I don't think people were looking for life advice on how to feed their kids complete with physiology lessons, just information about the menus at Walt Disney World.

 

[KrazeeK120]

If it's not a mealtime, they shouldn't be eating a snack. vacation or not!

There’s nothing wrong with snacks. My kid isn’t a snacker, but some kids (and adults!) do better eating small portions throughout the day than 3 large meals. An apple or a handful of grapes mid-afternoon can do wonders for people.

 

[Lisa F]

Hahaha they are not starving if they have eaten a palm-sized amount of food. That's like half an apple.

Just reminding people that there are a LOT of empty calories to put in your child's face at Disney, and people often forget that kids cannot readily consume the volume of food nor the calories an adult should be. One handful of popcorn can distract a small tummy that it needs to eat a sandwich, especially when, "LOOK KIDS! MICKEY MOUSE is on that parade float!" an hour later you see an exhausted mom glaring at her toddler who won't touch his plate of buffet food because he knows in ten minutes he can sucker Grandma out of some Goldfish crackers she has "just in case".

Don't manipulate them and don't let them manipulate you. As I said, parents provide WHEN and WHAT is being served. Children decide WHAT and HOW MUCH to eat. They can't eat the chicken nuggets if they aren't any to be served. If it's not a mealtime, they shouldn't be eating a snack. vacation or not! Nothing snarls up a vacation more than a child with a disrupted routine to their benefit - you get them back home and it's another battle to reinforce the normal routine again. I'm not well-rested and refreshed after a week of trying to re-set the sleep schedule and arguing about what we don't get when we are not on vacation... I don't wish to make that worse!!! LOL

I'm so glad you have it all figured out. Perhaps you should let all of the feeding specialists know that they have spent all this time on education and working with kids for nothing... it's really just bad parenting!

 

[EveDallas]

Hahaha they are not starving if they have eaten a palm-sized amount of food. That's like half an apple.

Just reminding people that there are a LOT of empty calories to put in your child's face at Disney, and people often forget that kids cannot readily consume the volume of food nor the calories an adult should be. One handful of popcorn can distract a small tummy that it needs to eat a sandwich, especially when, "LOOK KIDS! MICKEY MOUSE is on that parade float!" an hour later you see an exhausted mom glaring at her toddler who won't touch his plate of buffet food because he knows in ten minutes he can sucker Grandma out of some Goldfish crackers she has "just in case".

Don't manipulate them and don't let them manipulate you. As I said, parents provide WHEN and WHAT is being served. Children decide WHAT and HOW MUCH to eat. They can't eat the chicken nuggets if they aren't any to be served. If it's not a mealtime, they shouldn't be eating a snack. vacation or not! Nothing snarls up a vacation more than a child with a disrupted routine to their benefit - you get them back home and it's another battle to reinforce the normal routine again. I'm not well-rested and refreshed after a week of trying to re-set the sleep schedule and arguing about what we don't get when we are not on vacation... I don't wish to make that worse!!! LOL

I'm so glad you have it all figured out. Perhaps you should let all of the feeding specialists know that they have spent all this time on education and working with kids for nothing... it's really just bad parenting!

Right?? It's always awesome when perfect parents deign to give advice to the uneducated masses.

 

[disneyfreak71]

Thank you everyone for the responses. My boys are young and do have an intolerance to milk. It’s tough enough to not be able to get them milk when we go out and try and feed them something they won’t eat. We will check menus carefully and plan ahead. Can we bring food from a quick service to a table service for them? We definitely don’t want to starve them into submission.