Our Guide to Dining With a Picky Eater at Disney World Table-Service Restaurants

There is no reason a vacation should be stressful. Unfortunately, visiting any place with a picky eater tends to be a bit overwhelming. You’re constantly thinking about where your next meal will come from and whether it will be something your fussy eater will enjoy. 

Sure, you could just let it go and let the kids go hungry, but as parents, we all know how difficult it is not to worry about our little ones. Besides, who wants to deal with a kid who is grumpy because they haven’t eaten a real meal in two days?

While Disney World is no exception to the rule, and dining with a picky eater at Disney World can be difficult, we will say that Walt Disney World Resort goes above and beyond to try to accommodate those with fussier palates. They do this by ensuring there is at least one “kid food” on every menu. Additionally, they provide several restaurants that are especially kid-friendly. 

In this article we are going to highlight the best Disney World table-service restaurants for picky eaters. We will also include a few tips for dining in table-service restaurants with fussy eaters, so you can have the best experience possible. 

The Best Table-Service Restaurants for Picky Eaters 

In this section we will talk about the best table-service restaurant locations for picky kids. These are the spots where we think everyone in your family can find something they like, so your meal will be a pleasant time together rather than a fight. 

Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

At Liberty Tree Tavern your picky eater will be able to enjoy such favorites as macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and turkey. Everything is served family-style, so the pickiest eaters can eat a lot of whatever they do like and never run out. Meanwhile, more adventurous eaters can pick up the slack, eating some of everything. 

The Garden Grill in Epcot

The Garden Grill is another fabulous choice for fussy eaters. Like Liberty Tree Tavern, guests here can enjoy macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and turkey. That said, plenty of other options are available for those who prefer variety. Of course, the visiting characters are a major bonus here!

Via Napoli in Epcot

Most kids like pizza. If your kid is one of those, you might choose Via Napoli as one of your sit down meals. The pizza here is absolutely delicious—definitely some of the best on property—meaning the adults will enjoy it just as much as the kids. Thanks to a variety of sizes, you can even order a kid pizza and an adult pizza so everyone gets to enjoy the toppings they like best. 

50’s Prime Time Café in Hollywood Studios

If comfort food is something your child enjoys, head to 50’s Prime Time Café, where they’re always serving up home-cooked favorites like fried chicken and pot roast. There are also kids meals like macaroni and cheese and chicken strips. We love the variety here and appreciate the fun theming.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (Credit: DisneyPhotoSnapper)

Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater in Hollywood Studios

Another super fun eatery with fantastic theming is the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater. This place focuses on burgers and shakes, which even the pickiest kids tend to enjoy. In case your child prefers something other than a burger, they also offer options like macaroni and cheese, chicken strips, and a beef skewer. 

Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom

Rainforest Cafe is also wonderfully themed, making you feel as though you’re dining in the middle of the rainforest. Kids love this place for the animatronic animals and simulated rainstorms, but also for the kid-friendly fare, which includes grilled cheese, popcorn shrimp, chicken nuggets, mini hot dogs, and more. 

Beaches and Cream at Beach Club Resort

If you’re looking for a resort dining experience, Beaches and Cream might be your place. This adorable soda shop serves up such favorites as burgers, fries, hot dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. To reward your kiddo for eating, be sure to get one of the signature ice cream desserts served here!

Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary Resort

Once a buffet, the food at Chef Mickey’s is now served family-style at breakfast. The breakfast includes things like Mickey waffles, sausage, and scrambled eggs. Meanwhile, the dinner options are served on individual plates and include things like garlic potatoes, baby carrots, turkey breast, and prime rib. While you’re eating, Mickey and his pals make an appearance, making this an even more exciting choice. 

Tips for Feeding Picky Eaters at Disney World 

Want even more ideas for ensuring your picky eater stays well fed during your Disney World vacation? Lucky for you, we have a few more ideas up our sleeve. The tips below are sure to keep both you and your fussy eater sane so you can fully enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World.

Related: Tips for Visiting Disney World as a Solo Parent

Look at Menus ahead of Time

Disney World puts all of their menus online, making it easy to check and see what options your child will have. Take a look before you go and plan your restaurant choices around what is offered and what your picky eater will enjoy.

Make Special Requests

The folks at Disney World are excellent at accommodating guests whenever possible. If you don’t see something on the menu but you’re pretty sure the kitchen has the ingredients to put it together, just ask. Generally, table-service eateries are happy to make bigger portions of kids meals for older children and adults, and foods such as butter noodles are often available but not listed on the menu. 

Choose Family-Style Meals or Buffets

We listed a few different family-style meals above. We love this option because these types of meals are all-you-can-eat. This means your fussy eater can pick and choose just a few things they enjoy eating, and eat as much as they like of those things, allowing them to get full despite their more limited options. 

Feed the Picky Eater First

If you and the rest of your party would like to try a specific restaurant but you’re not sure your picky eater will enjoy the food there, consider feeding the picky eater before you head to the restaurant. The picky eater will likely enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant you choose and munch on something small while everyone else enjoys their food. 

Pack Supplemental Foods

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that outside food and drinks are allowed in Disney theme parks. We recommend using this fact to your advantage and packing some snacks that you know your fussy eater will enjoy, using them to fill in gaps between meals. 

As you can see, feeding a fussy eater in Disney World doesn’t have to be an enormous challenge. Go in with these tips, choose from the restaurants above, and we’re guessing you and your picky eater will have an absolute blast.