How to feed a teen inexpensively?

[Gucci65]

We are planning on visiting WDW in October and want to make some reservations for some of the nicer sit down restaurants.

She can't/won't eat $20.00 worth of food that they charge for adults.

What do you do to get around that so she can order off the kids menu.

We are making ressies at : 50's Prime Time, Le Cellier and Liberty Tree Tavern.

Any suggestions? Anyone else been in this situation before?

 

[mightyduck]

As a grownup with a tiny appetite, I can offer some insight:

-I once ordered a bagel at the hotel thinking it would save $$ because I wasn't hungry--that bagel with cream cheese was $7. I thought I was giving my dad a heart attack! So tell your teen to look at the prices, too--sometimes they charge a lot for small things.

-We hit a character breakfast (it was included in our package many moons ago) at the end of breakfast--quieter, and I ate for the day (most people I know who eat a little at a time eat the most late-morning--I filled up then and was good until dinner).

-The suggestions to share portions or order an appetizer as a meal are good ones, and I use them outside of Disney, too!

-Counter service. Just about everything in the meals at counter service can be had a la carte. So if she's not going to eat all that stuff, just order what she'll eat. You'll save a lot of cash. Keep in mind that if you are traveling with others who are good eaters, you can also divide the meals up.

-That turkey leg can be cut up to feed more than just her!

-I have heard of people buying an extra bun for less than a dollar and splitting a double cheeseburger into two cheeseburgers.

-Fresh fruit. It's healthy, and a banana can help tide her over (one of my tricks).

-Some food courts have jelly and even peanut butter as condiments--buy some bread and make a pb&j (still my favorite sandwich, I'm afraid).

Good luck!

 

[Gucci65]

Seriously.. let them order an app// or a side dish. Rice/ potatoes/ Not everybody has to get a meal. Or share. We have lots of times.

For some reason, I didn't think you could share in a place like Prime Time cafe.....Hmmmmm.

 

[Gucci65]

Replied before realizing there was a 2nd page.

Thanks for all the advice and insight.

I did make reservations last week and now I know when we get into the restaurant that she can order off the kids menu OR we can share something. Thank you all!!

Now I'm gonna pop on over to Allearsnet.com and print out the menus for Prime Time, Liberty Tavern and Le Cellier (sp?) and let her decide if she wants to order off the kids menu or share something with me.

Oh - she eats the kids b'fast at the resort in the morning and that is actually too much food - cost is under $4.00. OR she and I share a bagel - cost is around $2.00.

Thanks again!!:wave:

 

[JimboJones123]

For some reason, I didn't think you could share in a place like Prime Time cafe.....Hmmmmm.

Why not??? You worried that Uncle Tom, or Aunt Leslie will hurt your feelings? Disney realizes they serve A LOT of food and won't be upset if everybody doesn't order HUGE meals. Esp if the rest of the party is ordering meals.

 

[mightyduck]

Replied before realizing there was a 2nd page.

Thanks for all the advice and insight.

I did make reservations last week and now I know when we get into the restaurant that she can order off the kids menu OR we can share something. Thank you all!!

Now I'm gonna pop on over to Allearsnet.com and print out the menus for Prime Time, Liberty Tavern and Le Cellier (sp?) and let her decide if she wants to order off the kids menu or share something with me.

Oh - she eats the kids b'fast at the resort in the morning and that is actually too much food - cost is under $4.00. OR she and I share a bagel - cost is around $2.00.

Thanks again!!:wave:

If your daughter is anything like I am, she probably eats small meals all day rather than three larger meals. FWIW, I find that the increased physical activity (it's a lot of walking) coupled with the heat means that I need to be reminded to grab a piece of fruit and keep drinking. I have gotten sick from the heat more than once. Instead of making me feel like I needed to eat on everyone else's schedule, my family learned to let me grab something from quick service or counter service throughout the day. And keep her hydrated!

(I've ruined a few vacations by getting sick in the heat)

 

[Gucci65]

JimboJones123 : definately NOT worried about aggrivating the servers. We were there on our last visit and thought it was great. Briing it on Uncle Tom and Aunt Leslie!!!

MightyDuck: we have been every year since she was born (she will be 15 this summer) so fortunately we are well aware of the summer heat. My daughter has low blood sugar and gets dizzy/nauseous when she hasn't eaten in a couple of hours. For this reason I carry M&M's for her (and granola from my Dad who suffers from the same thing).

Being able to share a dinner OR order off the kids menu has put my mind (and my wallet) at ease.:sohappy: