When it comes to the Disney Parks, I’ve experienced them at almost every stage of life. I’ve visited as a fussy eater, an adventurous teenager, and now as a parent with children ranging from little ones all the way through to early adulthood. Over the years, I’ve watched so many parts of the Disney experience evolve, especially dining. But there’s one area that has consistently felt a little underwhelming to me, and it’s surprising considering how family-focused Disney is: kids’ meals.
I know it’s not an easy thing to get right. Kids can be incredibly picky eaters, and creating meals that are balanced, appealing, and nutritious at the same time is a difficult task. Disney’s Disney Check meals, formerly known as Mickey Check meals, have always felt like a good idea in theory, but in practice, they often miss the mark for me. The fruit or vegetable side can sometimes feel like an afterthought rather than a genuinely fresh addition to the meal, and the main entrée options have often seemed bland and uninspired. It’s really no surprise that so many kids end up defaulting to burgers and fries throughout their vacation.
In our family, we always had a simple rule while traveling: once a day, the kids could choose absolutely anything they wanted, but the other two meals needed to be healthier choices. That didn’t necessarily mean every meal would be perfectly healthy, but it encouraged us to look for better-balanced options whenever possible. Over the years, that meant we’ve sampled an enormous variety of Disney kids’ meals, and if I’m being completely honest, not many of them really stood out as memorable in a positive way.
Lately though, I’ve started noticing more dining locations that seem to better understand the balance between what kids want and what parents hope they’ll eat. Interestingly, some of the best options I’ve heard about lately haven’t even been inside the parks themselves. On a recent trip to Walt Disney World Resort, some friends traveling with younger children came back absolutely raving about the kids’ menu at Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs. They described it as a hidden gem for families, with thoughtful side options like avocado and buttered peas instead of the same old dry apple slices that seem to appear everywhere else. Seeing new promotional photos from the restaurant this week instantly reminded me of that conversation and made me curious to hear from all of you.
So now I want to know: where do you think the best kids’ meals in Walt Disney World can be found? Are there hidden gems in the parks, resorts, or Disney Springs that deserve more attention from Disney families?
