My Tips for Dining Around the Walt Disney World Resort with Picky Eaters

When my family and I visit the Walt Disney World Resort, one of the first things we plan is where and what to eat. With everything from fine dining to grab and go snacks, the resorts and the parks truly have a little something for everyone. But what if someone in your group (even maybe yourself) is a bit of a picky eater? There’s nothing wrong with having a discerning palette (as I like to put it), and with a bit of planning or prep, many tastes can be accommodated on your vacation. Here are a few of my top tips for navigating dining around the parks with a picky eater.

#1: Plan Ahead

The first step to a successful vacation is always planning (as I well know!), and your dining options are a big part of this.

No one wants to be stuck hungry (or hangry) on a hot summer day when no one in their party can decide where to eat.

To alleviate this possibility, I recommend reviewing your dining options and booking your table service reservations as soon as you can (60 days from your arrival date). Walt Disney World has comprehensive menus for each restaurant online, which will allow you to see what each member of your party may eat.

The same goes for quick service restaurants. These don’t require a reservation, but if you have an idea of what sort of food some of them offer, it will make choosing where to eat on the go much easier.

#2: Ask and You (May) Receive

You’ve probably heard the saying, “It never hurts to ask,” and at the Walt Disney World Resort, this could not be more true. Many of the table service restaurants are able to offer some basic off-menu items. If someone in your party can’t find something they will eat, ask your server if there are any other options and you may be surprised. Of course, don’t expect a custom meal, but an easy cheese quesadilla or Mac and cheese may be available.

#3: Grab and Go

One thing that has saved me a few times from a hangry toddler at mealtime is a quick stop at a snack cart. While you might usually snag a quick snack or meal to eat on the run.

You can't go wrong grabbing a Mickey Pretzel to share with the fam!

I have actually grabbed a hot dog and chips from a cart in the parks for my son on the way to a table service reservation. Since I planned ahead and knew there wasn’t anything that fit his discerning palette (but the rest of our party wanted to dine there), I brought the hot dog and chips to our meal and he enjoyed them both happily!

Enjoying dinner together as a family at Chef Mickey's!

#4: BYOF (Bring Your Own Food)

The last tip is one I see many families taking advantage of daily in the parks, and that is to bring your own food. Walt Disney World is very accepting of all guests and their needs, and while they strive to meet many dietary restrictions, they know some guests prefer to provide their own food. To that end, feel free to pack a picnic lunch, for example. Not only will you have a meal you know your family will eat, but you’ll also save a few dollars, which you can spend on something else fun later in the trip!

Pro tip: my favourite place for a picnic is to find a grassy spot in the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. There’s nothing better than taking some time to relax and take in a few quiet moments in the park.

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