WDW Dining with Picky Eater

[JoMarch]

Hello

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am going to WDW with 5 people this time around. One of the 5, is a very basic, somewhat picky eater. We are having difficulties finding places because he's that basic. The others (the 4 of us) are more adventurous.

Even the restaurants that offer a simple chicken, fish, etc is too "fussed" up for him.

Does anyone know, will each WDW restaurant accommodate someone and basically make something off the menu and super basic?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Perhaps if you tell us what he does like to eat, it would help us make recommendations?

 

[JoMarch]

To narrow it down, I'd say grilled chicken and seafood with basic sides. No meat dishes, no fancy side dishes or gravy/sauces.

I've been to WDW 20+ times. On my last trip, at a few restaurants I saw the chef going to certain tables. I'm sure it was for someone with food allergies, but I wonder if they also do that for a picky eater.

 

[Hockey89]

Hello

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am going to WDW with 5 people this time around. One of the 5, is a very basic, somewhat picky eater. We are having difficulties finding places because he's that basic. The others (the 4 of us) are more adventurous.

Even the restaurants that offer a simple chicken, fish, etc is too "fussed" up for him.

Does anyone know, will each WDW restaurant accommodate someone and basically make something off the menu and super basic?

One person shoulder not ruin the experience for the rest of you... Pick the places that sound great and the 5th can beg for plain chicken

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Maybe I'm wrong or maybe they'd be more willing if an allergy or health problem were present, but I cannot imagine most sit downs wouldn't be able to make him a simple piece of grilled chicken or grilled fish and a side upon request and they assign a price to it. Also they may accommodate and allow him to order off the kids menu if he sees something his style in there.

 

[Minnie Mum]

I kind of agree with Hockey. Especially if they're an adult.

However- buffets are your friend for these people. They can be as picky as they like - they'll still find plenty to eat. AYCTE family style places will be the worst because of their very limited offerings.

In between are the a la carte TS restaurants. At these places there will almost always be a steak, grilled chicken and fish entree. Any dish served with a sauce on it ( NOT dishes that are cooked IN the sauce) can be requested plain or with the sauce on the side. Side dishes can be swapped- as long as they appear on the menu accompanying another entree. ( They won't sub a side that is listed for an extra add on fee) And the sides that are served with sauces or toppings can be requested plain. It's a royal PITA, but all you can do is go over all the menus looking for items you think they would eat with minor modifications

 

[Pirate Magic]

We have a picky eater in our group. He basically eats either hamburger, pizza, pasta or chicken. I usually check the menus of the restaurants we want to go. If there is a restaurant that has things he doesn't like when we order we tell the server that we have a picky eater and we ask for a basic meal chicken or burger and they are always very accommodating. The server will ask the chef first. We have never had a problem.

 

[Otterhead]

You will have absolutely no trouble. Every restaurant, no matter how "exotic", accommodates all sorts. Every buffet seems to have stuff like macaroni & cheese and chicken fingers on it, and every restaurant can provide 'off menu' items when asked or adapt items to simplify them. All you need to do is ask. One person on my last trip only ate chicken fingers, pizza, and hamburgers -- and he's an adult.

When I went to Biergarten many years ago, I told them I was a vegetarian, and they actually sent the chef out to work with me on making a special bowl of pasta. I didn't ask for that; they just did it. The restaurants will go to great lengths to make everyone happy.

 

[J_Carioca]

I'm not a picky eater by choice, but because of health conditions I have to be very careful about what I eat. WDW staff have been ULTRA accommodating. In TS restaurants they will always send the chef out to talk to me if I so much as mention food issues. Even at QS restaurants they'll do things like serve fries with no added salt, hold the cheese off a burger, etc...

I realize you're talking about taste preference, not health issues, but I can't imagine that they wouldn't accommodate someone who wanted plain food. Most places will have plain pieces of chicken or fish. After all, there's nothing easier than serving super-plain food.

 

[contrariwise]

I have some picky eaters in my family, and I usually research menus to get ideas on what will work. You can always ask for something special to be made, but you're really at their mercy. They're free to say no. But, you know, any place that serves grilled chicken would ( I think) be willing to leave off a sauce or whatever.

 

[KikoKea]

When we took our elderly moms to WDW several years ago, the wait staff and chefs were very accommodating to my mother's request for no sauces on the roasted or broiled chicken menu item. They also substituted vegetables to avoid spices and sauces.

I have to agree with Hockey89 that you should not plan your meals around an adult 'picky eater.' Every restaurant has a salad, usually Caesar/ with or without chicken, and you can't get much more basic than a bowl of lettuce with dressing on the side. I have to be careful what I eat, and my attitude is to enjoy the ambiance and the company, find something to eat, and enjoy. Menus are available online for nearly every eating place in the park, and I always have an idea of what I want to order before I even arrive.

 

[Princess Kaylee]

Hello

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am going to WDW with 5 people this time around. One of the 5, is a very basic, somewhat picky eater. We are having difficulties finding places because he's that basic. The others (the 4 of us) are more adventurous.

Even the restaurants that offer a simple chicken, fish, etc is too "fussed" up for him.

Does anyone know, will each WDW restaurant accommodate someone and basically make something off the menu and super basic?

Most character buffets such as Crystal Palace, Hollywood and Vine, Chef Mickey's, and Ohana can cater to everyone.