Warning: New Menus for Kids at Some TS Restaurants

[lkjasd]

Just wanted to warn everyone (and I may be late but my search turned up no disucssion of this yet and the old menus are on Allears) that some of the kids menus have changed at TS restaurants. We were at 50's Prime Time Last Thursday and was told that they now had a "new healthy menu" starting that day. Everything my kids planned on eating was now gone. Luckily, the waitress was very good about it and let the really picky ones get a child's portion of the fried chicken. Two days later at Tony's Town Square we encountered the same menu. We were later told "all" disney restaurants were going to this menu for kids.

I'm sorry I can't remember the menus off the top of my head but I know there were three "set" combos that you could change and two "a la carte" choices on each menu. The three combos were the same on all the menus that we saw while the two a la carte items changed depending on the restaurant.

All combos were served in Mickey head shaped trays with the entree in the big area with the appetizer and dessert in the ears.

Three combos were, I think, grilled chicken breast (not fried) with a side salad and fruit cup. A veggie dipper entree with salad and fruit cup, and chicken pizza entree with salad and apple wedges. When you order these you do not get any other dessert.

I am probably way off but it was a week ago and I can't remember exactly what was on the menus. All I remember is our huge dissapointment in the "value" of these meals on the dinning plan and after making ADRs based on the old menus.

If your kids aren't picky and like the a la carte items you probably won't care. For my picky eaters it was horrible. Other parents there were complaining also and were told that they were not allowed to make any substituions from the menu. Disney Dining was called and they were unaware of any menu changes and were still showing the old menus on their system.

Just a warning.

[akalittleeva]

My adventurous 8 yo dd will not be happy to see her parents and 10yo brother eating from a wide variety of choices while she has pretty much the same choices day in and day out and I know DS will not want to switch a meal or two with her now and then as planned with the choices you listed - he wouldn't eat any of that. I'd love to hear more info and what restaurants are doing this. If WDW doesn't allow kids to share with parents or pay OOP (not sure if they are doing that ot not, but understand why they might need to), it certainly takes the fun out of dining, at least for my daughter, who has enjoyed perusing the menus almost as much as me.

[Stimpy]

Thanks for posting about the changes! Not sure how I feel about this. I am glad that they are finally trying to give healthier choices!

I have a picky eater (& a great eater) but he is picky in that he does not like kid food. (Except Mac & Cheese) So I'm glad they are offering the grilled chicken. He still would not touch a lettuce leaf though and quite honestly neither would the "good eater". I wonder if they would allow the salad to be substituted with apple sauce or fries or anything else?

Also, it's going to be hard to tell him he can't get the dessert he wants. He would definately not eat a fruit cup for dessert, esp if the adults are eating chocolate cake :rotfl:

I also kind of find it weird that they are using the same kind of Mickey "trays" they use at CS. I don't really know why I find it strange but I guess I'm just used to my children eating off real plates at a sit down meal. :confused3

[lkjasd]

Sorry I can't be more help but my memory isn't what it used to be. Maybe I will have my DW chime in this evening as she probably remembers. Maybe someone else who has been recently can chime in. We were just really dissapointed that they changed it in the middle of our stay.

We were told that it was the "Disney" restaurants. We took this to mean the ones not run by outside groups (i.e. the Epcot Restaurants).

Also, all the menus were on a "Suite Life of Zach and Cody" child menu/game sheet. It takes the kids about two seconds to finsih the maze, etc. They then see the exact same sheet at the next restaurant. Not much fun for them.

[Lila95]

I am so glad we booked a lot of buffets and places like LTT and O'Hana where we all get the same food. DD9 would not be happy eating the kids dinner while the rest of us have a wide variety. DS7 would have been fine with the old menu, but with this it looks like he'll be eating mac and cheese every day. That's going to get old. I see a lot of OOP meals in my future :sad2:

[tinan]

Oh no! I hope this is not the case! I can see offering healthier choices, but forcing them? My dnephew will be with us on our trip in Dec. and I swear that boy lives on chicken nuggets. My SIL planned that is what he would eat most meals. I sure hope he can still get that!

[lkjasd]

As I mentioned, each restaurant also has two a la carte entrees in addition to the three standard ones. I remember at Tony's Town Square that one of them was spaghetti with a meatball. The other was Mac and Cheese. At 50's it was the chicken nuggets and (I think) Meatloaf. They offered a salad or hicken noodle soup as the appetizer and fruit cup or ice cream as the dessert at both restaurants (If my memeory is working right). At 50's the ice cream was faily generous and had some "make your own sundae" typ of toppings. At Tony's, it was a skimpy single scoop of ice cream.

So, essentially at each restaurant, you get three fixed offerings combos, and two very limited a la carte choices.

As I said, at 50's we got lucky and the waitress was flexible. At Tony's we found other things to eat so didn't need to change. Other people told us that they had waitresses who were not flexible.

[lkjasd]

I made a mistake. The other standard meal is NOT Mac and Cheese. It was a Chicken Pizza. Tony's and 50's let us take the chicken off. Mac and Cheese was the other a la carte meal at Tony's.

Sorry for the confusion. I will edit my earlier posts.

[AnnetteF]

Chicken Pizza? :confused3 I wouldn't eat that myself much less expect my DD to eat it. I'm not liking the sound of this at all. Thanks for the warning though.

[Lewisc]

Disney can't win with kids meals. Make them too good and adults want to order them. Offer traditional kids meals and parents complain it's not healthy. Offer healthy meals and parents complain their kids want to eat fun food on vacation. I'm not sure how many different kids menu items restaurants can offer. The meal plan costs around $11 for a kid. The snack is worth around $3. That leaves $5-$6 for the TS (including drink, tax and tip) and $2-$3 for the CS meal. Parents want to know why Disney doesn't offer kids a dessert that has a menu price of $5. It's a shame Disney can't vary the menu a little. Offer at least one menu item that's unique to the restaurant. I guess that's what the a la carte items do.

The best deal for kids are the buffets. Kids can eat whatever they want. Alternately parents may consider just paying out of pocket to supplement what's covered by the dining plan.

Disney has too many kids to do this but it almost sounds like the kind of kids menu you'd expect to see if a restaurant was offering a kids eat free promotion. I guess we know why Disney didn't raise the price of the meal plan for kids for 2007.

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I would love to see at least one healthy childs option on all disney menus.

[kimberh]

My SIL just returned from a week and her picky grandchildren ate chicken nugetts every night. I do hope Chicken nuggets are on the DDP. We go next week and are taking our grands.

[maxsmom]

Well that stinks for those of us who don't use the dining plan also. Are the prices the same then as they would be at the counter service restraunts? They need to be if that's all their giving them. And how many preschoolers eat sald? Or even younger ones. When we bought DS meals we would never order him salad. UGH!
I do think they should have them as an OPTION.

[golden1]

Honestly it sounds great to me. There are two "regular" options which I think they had before and three standard healthy options, which is a great idea.

[DVCkidsMOM]

Two weeks ago, before this change we had noticed less options for children at TS and CS locations. It was hard to find any variety in vegetables, very few salads, and we were sick of fries and applesauce by day 3. If this change provides some variety in healthy options that is good, but the overall variety still seems poor. We won't use DDP again because of the poor child options especially in Epcot where we expected variety - there was no ethnic child meal in Norway or Morocco. We didn't look to see if the Chinese or Japanese pavillions still had ethnic child meals. The kids liked the Mexican child meal and their CS in France because without a child meal they got a croissant sandwich and pastry. Perhaps when DS is 10 if the price is right we'll try DDP again and share with DD while we ignore her child "meals." :confused3 I wish they would offer a premium/gourmet dining plan to children (and adults?) at a premium price who want higher end options rather than decreasing menu options for everyone just to keep DDP costs down :sad2:

[Lila95]

I don't think people are upset that the kids menu has more healthy options, I think it is still the lack of variety. Three choices for 7 days is not very good. I like that they are offering fruit or salads now, but it would still be nice to have the option of french fries. Most places we eat in our home town offer 5-6 kids meals and you then have the choice of fries, veggies, or fruit on the side. No one wants to eat the same thing over and over the entire vacation.

[disneyjunkie]

CHICKEN PIZZA :sad2: :sad2:

I think they should offer both healthy options and kid friendly options.

I'm sure most families will be willing to mix and match. Cheese pizza and a side salad, nuggets with carrot sticks and/or apple slices.

It's the all or nothing (all healthy or all kid friendly) that drives most of us nuts. :crazy:

[jenjersnap]

I don't think people are upset that the kids menu has more healthy options, I think it is still the lack of variety. Three choices for 7 days is not very good. I like that they are offering fruit or salads now, but it would still be nice to have the option of french fries. Most places we eat in our home town offer 5-6 kids meals and you then have the choice of fries, veggies, or fruit on the side. No one wants to eat the same thing over and over the entire vacation.

:thumbsup2

We've found we have to do two buffets/family style for every regular TS to maintain variety and for me, the mom, to feel like my kids were hitting all the food groups on a regular basis.

[Disney with Triplets]

Disney can't win with kids meals. Make them too good and adults want to order them. Offer traditional kids meals and parents complain it's not healthy. Offer healthy meals and parents complain their kids want to eat fun food on vacation. I'm not sure how many different kids menu items restaurants can offer. The meal plan costs around $11 for a kid. The snack is worth around $3. That leaves $5-$6 for the TS (including drink, tax and tip) and $2-$3 for the CS meal. Parents want to know why Disney doesn't offer kids a dessert that has a menu price of $5. It's a shame Disney can't vary the menu a little. Offer at least one menu item that's unique to the restaurant. I guess that's what the a la carte items do.

The best deal for kids are the buffets. Kids can eat whatever they want. Alternately parents may consider just paying out of pocket to supplement what's covered by the dining plan.

Disney has too many kids to do this but it almost sounds like the kind of kids menu you'd expect to see if a restaurant was offering a kids eat free promotion. I guess we know why Disney didn't raise the price of the meal plan for kids for 2007.

I think the issue is in variety - if they offered children's portions of the adult meals, or just more choices - my kids get sick and tired of eating the same three things all week so we end up getting adult meals for them or eat at more buffets.

[mickeymousemom]

Honestly it sounds great to me. There are two "regular" options which I think they had before and three standard healthy options, which is a great idea.

I agree with this. My 3yo can eat a salad as well as she can eat chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger. She asked me earlier to make her a salad, so no biggie. This trip we'll be doing 3 buffets(1900 Park Fare, CP, Boma), one family style(Ohana x 2), LeCellier and Raglan Road. I'm not at all worried about her getting tired of the same "meals". She's a good eater, and the choices at WDW don't sound bad, esp. when we get to choose off the buffet for her at a few places.

[triplefigs]

We ate at 50's PT with the new menu. One was a fruit platter with yogurt and graham crackers, turkey/cheese roll up, 3rd was something like grilled chicken, grapes and sweet potato fries. Also had 3 ala carte meals: mac n cheese, chicken nuggets with choice of appetizer chicken noodle soup or salad, a side fries or mash potatoes, and dessert: fruit or ice cream sundae.

[anne1456]

We had this new kids menu at 2 restaurants last week, Sci Fi and Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch. What we didn't like was that there was no choice of appetizer and dessert with the entree, if you picked the pizza you got carrots for the appetizer and apples for dessert, no substitutions possible. At the Liberty Tree the server did not explain the new menu to us, so we didn't realize the choice included dessert until my son asked for ice cream and was told he had already had his dessert. The server at the Sci Fi cafe did a good job of explaining the menu to us later in the week.

Anne

[akalittleeva]

I'm all for healthy choices, but I think the keyword is choices. I agree the problem is about variety with this issue - my kids see enough carrot sticks and applesauce at home - who wants it every day on vacation - we eat healthy day to day, but on vacation, the whole family enjoys treating ourselves and trying new things. Triplefigs description of the menu at 50's PT sounded good, but not so great if that will basically be the selection for my 9 day trip. I don't know what restaurants are considered Disney restaurants, hopefully, my TS choices are not predominantly Disney. I do have a couple buffets, so that will help.

[tyandbash]

no ice cream for dessert?? On vacation?? But the adult menu has not changed?? So we can have a dessert type dessert, but our children can't?? Oh no....My children LOVED making decisions about their own appitizer/entree and dessert. May have to re-think the dining plan for our Feb. trip.

[triplefigs]

If they order from one of the 3 ala carte meals, the kids get to choose appetizer, main meal, dessert, and a side. The dessert at PT was make your own ice cream sundae.

[pigletforever]

Great,. I have a kid who lives on chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers. thank goodness he will share with me part of the time. I am glad I have 3 buffets scheudled at this point. I agree that there should be some healthy choices but for the truly picky less adventurous kids this is not good news. who wants chicken on pizza? :confused3

[lkjasd]

I just double checked with my DW and she also remembers it only being two a la carte choices. This was at both Tony's and PT. We both remember the nuggets at PT but can't agree on whether the second was meatloaf or Mac and Cheese. At Tony's it was Spaghetti and Meatballs and Mac and Cheese.

[jaurban]

My DD4 will probably not want dessert unless it is ice cream (strange child, I know) - but in those cases I think I can offer my dessert up for her and make do without - or we will share. She would eat carrots and not be concerned that there was no appetizer, and then again, there will be too much adult food for DH and me, so we can share that too. I am more concerned about the limited meal choices, Mac & Cheese will do most every day, if she had her way, but I need to be able to change it up a bit.

[triplefigs]

My kids had mac n cheese and chicken nuggets at PT. Guess it was just the two. They had the salad for appetizer, fries and carrots as a side, and the ice cream for dessert.

[bicker]

This sounds like a great improvement. Thanks for the information!

[kidsgobears]

I just double checked with my DW and she also remembers it only being two a la carte choices. This was at both Tony's and PT. We both remember the nuggets at PT but can't agree on whether the second was meatloaf or Mac and Cheese. At Tony's it was Spaghetti and Meatballs and Mac and Cheese.

So at Tony's, instead of having 6 entrees (all pretty healthy) to choose from, the kids only have 2. Allears menu shows:

Pasta Primavera
Ravioli
Vegetable Ravioli
Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Spaghett with Meatballs

Now the kids have to choose between Spaghetti and Mac 'n cheese?

How can this be an improvement? UUrgghhh!

[lkjasd]

So at Tony's, instead of having 6 entrees (all pretty healthy) to choose from, the kids only have 2. Allears menu shows:

Pasta Primavera
Ravioli
Vegetable Ravioli
Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Spaghett with Meatballs

Now the kids have to choose between Spaghetti and Mac 'n cheese?

How can this be an improvement? UUrgghhh!

To clarify, they only have these two as the "a la carte" choices. The other three choices are the combos which include the appetizer and dessert that can't be substituted (i.e. they come "as is" only) These three combos entrees are Chicken Pizza (which they let us make into a cheese pizza), baked chicken strips (like chicken fingers but not fried), and Vegetbale Plate (someone mentioned there was turkey cold cuts on it but I don't remember).

So in total, there are 5 choices at each restaurant. The three combos which do not change from restaurant to restaurant and two "a la carte" choices where you can mix and match the two apps. (soup or salad) with the two entrees (varied by restaurant), with the two desserts (fruit cup, scoop of ice cream).

One caveat reminder, we saw this at two restaurants and were told at both restaurants that "all disney restaurants" started doing it. I cannot confirm it is at any other restaurant other than PT and Tony's.

[Lewisc]

At first glance this looks OK, kids have a total of 5 choices two of which are restaurant specific BUT I can see it getting old if the family is staying 7-14 days and is having a TS dinner every night. Sounds like this menu will reduce the number of older kids and adults who ask to order off the kids menu. Older kids might want to "upgrade" to the adult menu.

Famlies not on the plan might just order an adult meal for their kids to split but dining plan guests may be forced to do more buffets.

[mandy200587]

I know my nephew won't be eating a bunch of this and would gladly take from the adult menu. So more buffets to look at now.

[CTPinkPrincess]

Oh no! Ok, I understand I have a more adventurous eater (DD almost 5 will eat a lot of grown up food, including salad and veggies), but to essentially serve the same choices (with just a couple different entrees) for every meal? And serve it in the same container as the CS meals? (I will not go off on a rant, I will not go off on a rant....)

I'm gonna have to re-think paying for the plan for her for our April trip.

[kaysmommie]

Oh no! Ok, I understand I have a more adventurous eater (DD almost 5 will eat a lot of grown up food, including salad and veggies), but to essentially serve the same choices (with just a couple different entrees) for every meal? And serve it in the same container as the CS meals? (I will not go off on a rant, I will not go off on a rant....)

I'm gonna have to re-think paying for the plan for her for our April trip.
I agree it sound like the same tired junk meal after meal with fruit for dessert. I don't want my DD and DS eating poorly for a whole week. I will either do more buffets or check menu's before we go on our next trip. Also if it looks like the DDP will not be a good choice then we will pass on it.

[madcat]

we just returned and the only thing I didnt care for on the kids menu was that they almost always came with either grapes, carrot sticks or applesauce. my kids like all of those but for lunch and dinner? :confused3 they were getting a little more than tired with it by the end of the week

[DCDisney]

So are all the cute kids desserts gone now? Like the smores and moose at Le Cellier, worms and dirt, etc etc etc. My kids still talk constantly about the kids desserts. We may have to switch to more buffets......

Why is allears so behind on all these new menus? Many restaurants changed in early September and allears still isn't updated?

Yvonne

[susieq76]

I'm in trouble if these are the kids menus now- I may have to redo all my ADRs- my boys will eat a salad- but they're four & 3- are they really going to chow down on carrot sticks every day? No way...

[lkjasd]

So are all the cute kids desserts gone now? Like the smores and moose at Le Cellier, worms and dirt, etc etc etc. My kids still talk constantly about the kids desserts. We may have to switch to more buffets......


We ate at Le Cellier prior to the change so I can't say for sure but my guess (purely guessing) is that they would be included in the a la carte side of the menu. At 50's PT they still had the mini make-your-own sundae dessert that was on the original kids menu.

[beattyfamily]

Since this thread was posted in the Disney Dining Plan board, I'm just wondering are these child's menu changes for DDP guests only?? :confused3

[lkjasd]

Since this thread was posted in the Disney Dining Plan board, I'm just wondering are these child's menu changes for DDP guests only?? :confused3

No, they were the kids menus for everyone. I just posted here since I was on this board when I realized no one had mentioned it.

[janets]

We are going in about 4 weeks and we do a lot of TS in EPCOT, most of which I believe are not Disney owned restaurants. We were there from Sept. 9-16 and ate at LeCellier, Coral Reef, Kona, Concourse, MM, Boma and San Angel. DS had the steak at Concourse (is this now gone?), the pasta w/ cheese sauce (really mac 'n cheese when he was done but he could have had marinara sauce) at Coral Reef, quesadilla in Mexico, chicken parm at MM. The others he had either a burger something more kid like (can't remember). But in most places he passed on the appetizer (will not eat anything remotely resembling greens or veggies) but he loved that Coral Reef offers the lobster bisque as an appetizer choice for kids. For DS4, we're lucky that he eats at all.

I guess we'll have to just wait and see if anyone is able to bring home kid menus and scan them for viewing before we go. I guess I'm not understanding this new policy correctly and am not sure how this will affect our choices for the next trip. And I certainly hope that they aren't simply giving the same thing they offer as a kids lunch meal at counter service. Where is the incentive for TS dining if it's going to be exactly the same thing?

We're also going in February for ds's 9th birthday and will be at LeCellier, Concourse and Coral Reef. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the real scoop is. I wish Allears would get new menus up, even for adults.

[beattyfamily]

No, they were the kids menus for everyone. I just posted here since I was on this board when I realized no one had mentioned it.

Thanks! I'm not on the dining plan so I just wanted to make sure.

You might want to also post on the regular Restaurant board for those who aren't on the dining plan....I came across this by accident.

[pigletforever]

i had heard there were changes for Free Dining but I didn't think they were going to be permanent. Is anyone there now who can fill us in? :confused3

[cybrkitn]

Great,. I have a kid who lives on chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers. thank goodness he will share with me part of the time. I am glad I have 3 buffets scheudled at this point. I agree that there should be some healthy choices but for the truly picky less adventurous kids this is not good news. who wants chicken on pizza? :confused3

My DS4 is a very picky eater. When he started eating solids we couldn't get him to eat anything but chicken. He's added a few more items since then (thankfully). He still likes chicken and will eat it, but he definately does not like salad; yet. I'm all for healthy eating, but it looks like Dis needs to add more choices to their "limited" child's menu. We leave on the 25th for 8 days.

Chicken on pizza? I :love: chicken on my pizza, but I'm from Long Island, NY and we have many specialty pizzas here. Chicken being one of those options (even chicken parmisean <sp?>). :) Trust me, they look very appetizing and are delicious!

[bicker]

This does sound like they're trying to craft a fair compromise between what two diametrically opposed sets of guests want.

[catherine]

I sure hope that this is not going to be a permanent change. We have booked the DDP for our 14 day trip next year. DD is going to be pretty fed up if that is all that she has to choose from for 14 days. There's no way that she will eat that stuff day in and day out. I think if it's a permanent change we're going to have change our booking!

[lkjasd]

I posted this same info on the general restaurant board at BeattyFmaily's request and someone posting there found a copy of the menu on AllEarsNet. Here it is from the Turf Club Restaurant (with my comments in parens):

Pita Pizza (was able to order without the chicken) - with diced chicken and mozzarella cheese, served with shredded vegetable salad and cinnamon-sugar apples $6.99

Chicken Strips (not fried, they are baked) - served with barbecue sauce, sweet potato sticks, green beens and carrots, and yogurt parfait $6.99

Just Dip It - assorted fruits, vegetables, chicken salad and yogurt $6.99

Kid's Picks - 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 dessert $6.99 -- Appetizers: Vegetable Salad OR Chicken Noodle Soup; Entrees: Macaroni and Cheese OR Hamburger with fries; Desserts: Fruit Salad OR Ice Cream Sundae

It seems the Mac and Cheese is one of the A La Carte itmes at all the restaurants and the one other item changes from restaurant to restaurant. It seems thsi will be the standard menu for kids at all?/most?/many? before too long. Hopefully you can prepare for your trip more accurately now.

[janets]

As a result of this thread, I called both Disney Dining and general reservations. I asked if there had been a recent change to the childrens' menu choices at a number of Disney table service restaurants. I said that I had heard from people who had just returned that the menu had been changed across the board for all restaurants and that there were now limited choices, including certain "set" items that included appie, main course and dessert, with no substitutions allowed.

Both people told me (and the DD person put me on hold several times) that as far as they knew, there were no changes made park wide. The reservations person told me that if there had been a park wide change to the kids' menus, they would have heard about it. She checked and told me that the kids menu at Concourse (one of our choices for ds8) still had the steak as an entree. She told me (and I'm sure this is true) that menus are subject to change at any time and that individual restaurants might change their offerings, but nothing had been implemented park wide.

So frankly, I don't know what to make of this. I guess until someone comes back with a selection of kids menus from different restaurants (Disney owned and non owned) I'll just have to sit tight and hope that we can find some choices for our kids. I don't use the word "picky" because that's not what they are. DS8 likes certain items more than others. He doesn't like salad, veggies, any dips. He likes burgers, pizza, chicken fingers (really doesn't like grilled chicken breasts), steak, pasta. We found on our most recent trip (9/9-9/16) that he was able to have something different most nights at our selections (we were able to limit burgers to only 2 nights). He enjoyed the dessert choices. DS4 just doesn't enjoy food the way the rest of us do. He doesn't eat on a schedule, so if he's hungry earlier, I get him a CS meal and he skips dinner. Or I make a selection for him and figure he'll eat it if he wants. So I don't worry as much for him as he likes chicken nuggets, m&c, pizza. And being so skinny, I don't worry if that's his diet for a week on vacation.

I wish ds8 were a salad/veggie eater. But he's not, so I work with what I have. We limited our desserts at lunch, choosing grapes or fruit if available as a swap out, just not taking the cake if not. Our snacks usually are popcorn and water. And we walk a lot.

So if anyone is heading down in the next few weeks and can snag kid menus from a variety of places, we'll get more accurate info about all the restaurants, rather than just a couple of Disney owned ones.

Just reporting my conversations w/ DD and reservations. YMMV.

[lkjasd]

Both people told me (and the DD person put me on hold several times) that as far as they knew, there were no changes made park wide. The reservations person told me that if there had been a park wide change to the kids' menus, they would have heard about it. She checked and told me that the kids menu at Concourse (one of our choices for ds8) still had the steak as an entree. She told me (and I'm sure this is true) that menus are subject to change at any time and that individual restaurants might change their offerings, but nothing had been implemented park wide.

YMMV.

Your conversation is eerily similar to the one my DW had with Reservations also. We didn't know if we were going to eat at Tony's or not so we swung by on the way out of the park and saw the "new" menu for kids. My DW called Reservations to try and change the ADR since it looked the same as PT and also asked if this was happening at all the restaurants. She was told Tony's menu had not changed. She said she had the menu in her hand and was told they had no record of this. They read her their menu which still had raviolli on it.

She was put on hold several times also and was finally told they had no record of any changes at PT or Tony's and they would have to look into it. I'm not sure if they have been updated yet. Your best bet is to find someone who has been recently and ask them specifically.

[anne1456]

The kids menu reported in post #49 is the same we had at Liberty Tree on 9/29 and Sci Fi on 10/1. We also ate at Rose & Crown, Narcossee and Cap'n Jacks and did not have the new kids menu. The server at Sci Fi said it was the first day they had used it, so it might be being rolled out a few restuarants at a time.

Anne

[NMW]

This does sound like they're trying to craft a fair compromise between what two diametrically opposed sets of guests want.


I suppose this is true. I mean you can't please all the people all of the time. However, I can see lots of kids (and their parents) getting sick of these same choices night after night dining plan, or no dining plan.

[triplefigs]

The food was good, and I liked having a healthy choice. But the same menu for every meal got old very quickly. Thank goodness we did several buffets to break it up!

[COmomof2]

We're just back from WDW on 9/30. We were on the DDP, and the only time we saw this "new" kids menu was on 9/30 at Sci-Fi. It's just as originally posted...set combo meals for the kids. I didn't realize it was going to be introduced at all restaurants...we had eaten at LeCellier and 50's earlier in the week, and I never saw one of these "new" menus until Sci-Fi on the day we left.

Here's the interesting part....we were just about out of credits (2 left) so we ordered alacarte for the kids. We ordered a drink for them to share (along with our milkshakes) and asked to purchase a cheese pizza OOP. The pizza came on the Mickey shaped plate with the shredded veggie salad and apples. I think we still paid about $5 for the kids meal...I guess the kids meals automatically come with these sides? I didn't question her about the combos for the DDP, because we thought we wouldn't be getting an appy or dessert for the boys because we were out of credits. This was our first visit to the Sci-Fi, so I thought the "combo" idea was unique to this restaurant. It will be interesting to see what others experience in the next few weeks.

[cybrkitn]

Both people told me (and the DD person put me on hold several times) that as far as they knew, there were no changes made park wide. The reservations person told me that if there had been a park wide change to the kids' menus, they would have heard about it. She checked and told me that the kids menu at Concourse (one of our choices for ds8) still had the steak as an entree. She told me (and I'm sure this is true) that menus are subject to change at any time and that individual restaurants might change their offerings, but nothing had been implemented park wide.

...I don't use the word "picky" because that's not what they are. DS8 likes certain items more than others. He doesn't like salad, veggies, any dips. He likes burgers, pizza, chicken fingers (really doesn't like grilled chicken breasts), steak, pasta. We found on our most recent trip (9/9-9/16) that he was able to have something different most nights at our selections (we were able to limit burgers to only 2 nights). He enjoyed the dessert choices. DS4 just doesn't enjoy food the way the rest of us do. He doesn't eat on a schedule, so if he's hungry earlier, I get him a CS meal and he skips dinner. Or I make a selection for him and figure he'll eat it if he wants. So I don't worry as much for him as he likes chicken nuggets, m&c, pizza. And being so skinny, I don't worry if that's his diet for a week on vacation...

...Just reporting my conversations w/ DD and reservations. YMMV.

LOL :teeth: Sounds like your DS4 is similar to mine :rotfl:. He likes everything you mentioned except steak. There are times where he can be really hungry and be a "bottom-less pit" and times where he is not that hungry at all. And yet he manages to stay skinny :confused3

Based on what you had said though, it looks like the restaurants are not communicating with Disney Dining in a timely fashion when changing their menus. I hope they get on the ball soon. I've been checking allears every week to see if there are any changes to the restaurants we have ADR's with.
We are heading down in three weeks.

[DizzKneeGeek]

I'm glad they're switching over to healthy foods for kids. Maybe these kids won't end up fat, unhealthy and out of shape like me. I lived on nuggets, burgers, fries, hot dogs and mac and cheese for most of my young life and look at me. Why parents are content to let kids live on this stuff is beyond me. I wish my parents had forced more fruits and veggies into me at a young age; I'd surely be doing alot better right now. kudos to WDW and their new kids dining choices!! :thumbsup2

[kj2mom]

I am glad I stumbled across this thread. We leave in the morning and have ADR's at some of these restaurants. I will try to snag as many menus as I can and post when I return.

[castleri]

My DD4 will probably not want dessert unless it is ice cream (strange child, I know) - but in those cases I think I can offer my dessert up for her and make do without - or we will share. She would eat carrots and not be concerned that there was no appetizer, and then again, there will be too much adult food for DH and me, so we can share that too. I am more concerned about the limited meal choices, Mac & Cheese will do most every day, if she had her way, but I need to be able to change it up a bit.

was happy to see I was not the only one who feels this way - with the quantity of food available to not be able to work out something to share with children to supplement the child's menu is beyond me. We were on the dining plan for 10 days and I don't know how many desserts did not get eaten completely. There was always at least one adult who didn't want dessert or who would share with a child. We ordered child desserts using adult credits if that was what someone wanted. The waitress at Kona brought an extra dessert - the ice cream cone and put it in the middle of the table since we had one or two adults who didn't order one. The kids loved the cotton candy and sprinkles on that one. We also sometimes used our non alcoholic drink credits for them as shakes or smoothies were sometimes considered desserts. Whether you are on the DDP or not the children's menus are the same. At some of the TS places we ate I don't think there were more than 7-8 choices for adult entrees so 5-7 for the kids is not that bad if there are truly different entree ones as well as the standards.
We paid a little $1500 for the meal plan and the total for our TS meals alone was over $1700. That means our CS and snacks were free. Our main problem was that we were eating at 5-6 pm for dinner(young children and an adult with low sugar issues) which made is essential to eat lunch early and even then it would have been better to spread the meals further apart.
The good thing about Disney is you have choices - your don't have to do the meal plan and if you don't you can order anything from any menu for your child - you just have to be willing to pay for it.

[akalittleeva]

The kids menu reported in post #49 is the same we had at Liberty Tree on 9/29 and Sci Fi on 10/1. We also ate at Rose & Crown, Narcossee and Cap'n Jacks and did not have the new kids menu. The server at Sci Fi said it was the first day they had used it, so it might be being rolled out a few restuarants at a time.

Anne

My daughter was especially looking forward to the turkey dinner and poundcake dippers at LTT - unfortunately, our plans can't change to make a dinner ADR... :sad2: Any chance they would let my ds10 share with his sister? Depends on the many things, I guess...

[Topper]

So are all the cute kids desserts gone now? Like the smores and moose at Le Cellier, worms and dirt, etc etc etc. My kids still talk constantly about the kids desserts. We may have to switch to more buffets......

Why is allears so behind on all these new menus? Many restaurants changed in early September and allears still isn't updated?

Yvonne

All Ears relies on people like you and me to send them menus when they are updated. If you look at the top of the All Ears menu page, there are email and snail mail addresses to send menu updates/changes.

[tinkerbell27]

So , at LTT Character dinner, kids can no longer get the Thanksgiving Meal ??

Or, was the change just for lunch ??
Thanks, kelly

[Stimpy]

So , at LTT Character dinner, kids can no longer get the Thanksgiving Meal ??

Or, was the change just for lunch ??
Thanks, kelly
It sounds like it is just for lunch. The Buffets and family style/all-you-can eat placess are not affected. :)

[jenga1030]

I think offering healthy food for the kids is great! :thumbsup2 And I think offering fun, kid type foods is great too! :thumbsup2 It is vacation!

The problem I think I would have with this is if the menu is the same at every restaurant. I can't imagine having the same choices at LE Cellier, Sci Fi, Mama Melrose, etc.... Especially when there are only 5 things to choose from. After a week that would get old! What's wrong with each restaurant having some different things on it just like they offer adults?

We look to our TS meals to add some variety to the kids eating habits, since they eat the same things all the time at CS places. I'm glad we went before this change, I'll have to rethink some stuff before next year. :smooth:

[triplefigs]

So , at LTT Character dinner, kids can no longer get the Thanksgiving Meal ??

Or, was the change just for lunch ??
Thanks, kelly

We ate LTT for dinner on 9/29. It was still the "Thanksgiving meal" for all of us. Very yummy!

[triplefigs]

I think offering healthy food for the kids is great! :thumbsup2 And I think offering fun, kid type foods is great too! :thumbsup2 It is vacation!

The problem I think I would have with this is if the menu is the same at every restaurant. I can't imagine having the same choices at LE Cellier, Sci Fi, Mama Melrose, etc.... Especially when there are only 5 things to choose from. After a week that would get old! What's wrong with each restaurant having some different things on it just like they offer adults?

We look to our TS meals to add some variety to the kids eating habits, since they eat the same things all the time at CS places. I'm glad we went before this change, I'll have to rethink some stuff before next year. :smooth:

I agree completely. It's not the new choices that are the problem. My kids loved them. It was the fact that they had the SAME CHOICES everywhere we went. That got old very fast. For next year, we'll eat at more buffets to vary the selection.

[liamsaunt]

Is this new children's menu going to apply to the "signature dining" restaurants also? I made most my adrs at the signature places going off the menus on allears, and my previous experiences dining there, knowing my niece and nephew could get things like salmon and grilled steak in child-sized portions at these places. Nephew can't eat chicken nuggets, pizza etc. (allergies)

We are not on the dining plan, but I thought I would post here since this seems to be the most active thread for this topic.

[McKelly]

I am curious about the signature restaurants too, are they really going to serve the kid's meals on a paper plate at these restaurants?

[my2minnies]

We were there last week before any real changes, but I did notice that they had already made lots of changes in their CS restaurants. I loved that fact that they had healthy options to choose, but there were only two options in most places. My kids ate the grilled chicken lots of times and liked it, but it was usually one of two choices. Mac and Cheese was offered a lot, but my kids dont really like that. I dont think fries were offered anywhere we ate which I think is great in some ways. It really stinks for those who have kids who are picky and wont eat much. I wish we could have had more choices for this kids and a french fry or two would not have hurt them. EVERYTHING came with applesauce--got kind of boring by day two!

Like many said--it is great they are going the healthy route, but there should be more choices.

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I am trying to narrow down where we want to eat at, and this news just gets more disappointing. I was reading the sample menu allears had on their site today, and for my children it doesn't look good. They like their steak.
I would like to comment about a post I read that stated they were glad disney is doing this so kids don't end up overweight. Its not just what a child eats for a week or so its that childs overall life. My oldest son could out eat his dad in a heartbeat, and eats everything, but there isn't an once of fat on him. He burns off everything he puts in his mouth. I just wanted to point out its more than just diet that makes someone overweight.
Also as noted above this is vacation, kids should be able to enjoy themselves a little, after all how many adults are "watching" what they eat?

[OurDogCisco]

Oh boy.... I just purchased the dining plan for us for our December trip. I think the choices will be okay for my 5 1/2 year old but my 9 year old isn't going to like them. I think, we'll probably just end up buying more out of pocket than we intended too. I guess, I'll just have to report when I get back.

[DizzKneeGeek]

I would like to comment about a post I read that stated they were glad disney is doing this so kids don't end up overweight. Its not just what a child eats for a week or so its that childs overall life.I didn't say it did. I just think it's a good idea that Disney is trying not to contribute to child obesity. WDW gets such a bad rap with other things; they will eventually be blamed and sued for fat kids...just like Mc Donalds.
My oldest son could out eat his dad in a heartbeat, and eats everything, but there isn't an once of fat on him. He burns off everything he puts in his mouth.Congatulations! Your son has been blessed with a very high metabolism...for now. I was a skinny rail till about 4th grade. Then my meatabolism slowed down. My intake of food did not. I hope your kid keeps his fast metabolism...for his sake. It should also be noted that just because a person is not 'fat'; that doesn't mean they are 'healthy'. Bad foods wreak havoc on the inside of the body whether it shows on the outside or not.
Also as noted above this is vacation, kids should be able to enjoy themselves a littleTrue
after all how many adults are "watching" what they eat?I am

[DizzKneeGeek]

The problem I think I would have with this is if the menu is the same at every restaurant.Is this true? If so; I believe that is wrong. While I believe that the food offereing for children should be healthy; I do believe in a wide array of choices for them as well.

[dbmarie]

I'm happy to see healthy choices with all of the desert my girls eat I need to balance it out somewhere :thumbsup2 . Outside of Disney restaurants kids meals are usually the standard mac-n-cheese, hamburger, chicken nuggets so I don't really see the big deal.

[DisOrBust]

Sorry but this is just not customer friendly. The CS choices are bad enough but now the TS are no better.

[Tinkerbelle32]

Well, I was actually considering adding on the dining plan untill now. I have to agree the counter service meals should be different than table service meals. We like eating healthy food, but after a day or two the same foods get quite boring. This definately bums me out!!

[DCDisney]

. Outside of Disney restaurants kids meals are usually the standard mac-n-cheese, hamburger, chicken nuggets so I don't really see the big deal.


The problem though is that if the kids don't like the 2 alacarte choices they won't get desserts at all. Each of the set meals comes with apples, yogurt, etc instead of dessert. Or I guess what they hope is that parents will spend the extra $3 OOP and buy the kids desserts?

Also the other issue is that with outside restaurants you typically aren't eating at the same place every day for a week or more. Any of these meals is fine once but multiple times not so good.

If you could mix and match the set meals it would be workable but when you have a nugget eater who'd gladly eat carrots and apples but only gets sweet potatoes and beans it'd not going to be pleasant. My kids eat decent amounts of fruits and veggies but not much variety and anything shredded and mixed is definitely a no. Plus pizza that is on a pizza is just not going to fly. My kids gets super healthy whole wheat pizza at school that they will eat because it looks like pizza but if you put it on a pita that just doesn't look right to many kids.

Healthy meals are only helpful if kids wille eat them. I just have visions of my kids hardly eating the meals and living on the snacks whereas in previous visits it's been much more workable.

Yvonne

[BlindTyldak]

It's really too late for me to change our ADR's to more buffets, most likely . . . this is horrible. My daughter is going to get incredibly sick of chicken. She doesn't like pasta at all and hates yogurt and applesauce, and we made our TS ADR's on the availablity of a good selection for her (grilled cheese, steak, fish, etc.) at various restaurants. Since I paid for the DDP I'm going to be absolutely furious if we end up with child TS credits left over because we had to pay OOP for adult meals for her so she wouldn't have to eat the same things night after night after night.

[lkjasd]

For those of you going soon I would suggest buying adult meals for the kids if you can't get good selection. I realize I will get flamed for this but I ended up sharing my steak at Tony's with the kids. Luckily I wasn't real hungry so it wasn't a big deal. The credits aren't separated between adults and kids so just tell them you are ordering two meals for yourself. Yes, I realize this is unethical but when you have to make ADRs 180 days ahead of time and you plan based on meal variety for your kids you have to do something to get them to eat.

Flame away.

[OurDogCisco]

I'm happy to see healthy choices with all of the desert my girls eat I need to balance it out somewhere :thumbsup2 . Outside of Disney restaurants kids meals are usually the standard mac-n-cheese, hamburger, chicken nuggets so I don't really see the big deal.

Actually, I don't find that to be true... For example at Black Angus (a steak restaurant) they serve:

For Kids 12 & under

All meals come with french fries, carrots with ranch dressing and a scoop of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and red sprinkles.

Top Sirloin

BBQ Ribs

Mac & Cheese (Kraft®)

Chicken Strips

Hamburger

Cheese Pizza

Here's a Chevy's menu:

All Kiddie Meals include French Fries, Sweet Corn Tomalito, Fresh Fruit, and a complimentary sugar-dipped Kiddie Kone!!

Flour Flauta
Cheese, Beef or Chicken

Kiddie Cheese Quesadillas
Fresh Mex® Chicken Bites

Taco (soft or crispy)
Chicken or Beef

Bean and Cheese Burrito

Kiddie Cheeseburger


I think the kids' menu to should be geared towards the theme of the restaurant. So if it is an Italian place they should have Italian choices not chicken nuggets. I think the choices will get limiting especially if you are there for 10 nights like we are. But I'll see how it goes. If we have to we'll order something off the adult menu for my 9 year old and pay out of pocket.

[BlindTyldak]

For those of you going soon I would suggest buying adult meals for the kids if you can't get good selection. I realize I will get flamed for this but I ended up sharing my steak at Tony's with the kids. Luckily I wasn't real hungry so it wasn't a big deal. The credits aren't separated between adults and kids so just tell them you are ordering two meals for yourself. Yes, I realize this is unethical but when you have to make ADRs 180 days ahead of time and you plan based on meal variety for your kids you have to do something to get them to eat.

Flame away.

No flames here. You're completely correct, if people purchase something that far out and have their reservations already made and it's too late to make many changes, I see a lot more people doing this and may even do it myself where I would not have in the past. If I could change my ADR's this late, it would be one thing. If it was just a couple of the restaurants, it would be another. But I'm looking at 7 days of my DD either eating the same meals or wasting the meals I already purchased because now I'd have to pay for them AGAIN to get her something different.

I know they wouldn't do this limited menu for adults across the board and expect people to accept it, I wonder why they think it is acceptable for children?

[FormrCastMbr]

Subscribing...this sounds aweful...I don't even know what to say... :confused3

[MAGICX2]

For those of you going soon I would suggest buying adult meals for the kids if you can't get good selection. I realize I will get flamed for this but I ended up sharing my steak at Tony's with the kids. Luckily I wasn't real hungry so it wasn't a big deal. The credits aren't separated between adults and kids so just tell them you are ordering two meals for yourself. Yes, I realize this is unethical but when you have to make ADRs 180 days ahead of time and you plan based on meal variety for your kids you have to do something to get them to eat.

Flame away.
I don't think this is accurate. When you order adult TS meals you are deducted an ADULT TS credit, and a child meal is deducted a CHILDS TS credit. You are correct in that the credits are all lumped together, BUT by category.
If you have two adults and one child for four days, then you have 16 ADULT meal credits and 8 snack credits and you have 8 CHILD credits and 4 snack credits. It is not broken down per person, but it is broken down by adult/child.

[lkjasd]

I don't think this is accurate. When you order adult TS meals you are deducted an ADULT TS credit, and a child meal is deducted a CHILDS TS credit. You are correct in that the credits are all lumped together, BUT by category.
If you have two adults and one child for four days, then you have 16 ADULT meal credits and 8 snack credits and you have 8 CHILD credits and 4 snack credits. It is not broken down per person, but it is broken down by adult/child.

No, at least when we were there last week, they were just credits. All lumped together. We did not share them for TS but others on these boards have. We did order more adult CS due to Peanut Butter and Jelly being the only choice some places and my kids not liking Grape Jelly. So I can say from personal experience, even though I had 2 adults and 3 children, I ordered 4 adult meals and 1 child. The cashier specifically said that was fine because "a credit is a credit".

[BlindTyldak]

I don't think this is accurate. When you order adult TS meals you are deducted an ADULT TS credit, and a child meal is deducted a CHILDS TS credit. You are correct in that the credits are all lumped together, BUT by category.
If you have two adults and one child for four days, then you have 16 ADULT meal credits and 8 snack credits and you have 8 CHILD credits and 4 snack credits. It is not broken down per person, but it is broken down by adult/child.

That is what is eventually intended, but isn't happening YET. I asked dining about it 4 days ago myself when I called to add another ADR and they confirmed that for the time being a credit is still a credit but changes were in the works; wanted to see if there was anything new to report here. That could change tomorrow, for all we know of course.

[kimbac3]

Hopefully somebody will be posting updated kids menus soon. I have to go through my dining choices now and try to figure things out :confused3
Kimba

[sgmom]

After reading the posts about the kids' meals changing, I decided to research the restaurants we have ADR's for. I was shocked when I read the menu for Crystal Palace - Character Buffet with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet. It does state menu items changed with a date of September 2006.

On the breakfast buffet, specific info. is no longer listed. On the lunch menu, looks like some of the adult items have changed, we have a lunch ADR booked. Dinner, again, not sure about the adult buffet. But guess what the only 2 items are listed for the kids lunch and dinner buffets: MAC & CHEESE and CHICKEN FINGERS!!!! There are a few items from the adult buffet that I could offer my kids, yes, cheese pizza, carrot sticks and apple slices.
:furious:

[RRmouse]

Can someone confirm for me: am I right that at a buffet like Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's using the dining plan the kids are permitted to choose items from the adult buffet??

Thanks

[keishashadow]

That is what is eventually intended, but isn't happening YET. I asked dining about it 4 days ago myself when I called to add another ADR and they confirmed that for the time being a credit is still a credit but changes were in the works; wanted to see if there was anything new to report here. That could change tomorrow, for all we know of course.

We've used the DP several times, latest in June.

TS credits are lumped together but, the child must order from child's menu (@ every restaurant we've been to). I've asked, no cigar lol. Usually, I get stuck eating it & DS gets mine.

A few CS sites (backlot express as an example) insisted that my son order a childs meal...dried out, grilled chicken strips & limp celery that I demanded a replacement for while they rolled their eyes. We "wised up" & had DH order 1 meal & I ordered DS & mine....absurd.

FYI, leaving tomorrow, will try & take notes on kids meals offered/

[akalittleeva]

No flames here. You're completely correct, if people purchase something that far out and have their reservations already made and it's too late to make many changes, I see a lot more people doing this and may even do it myself where I would not have in the past. If I could change my ADR's this late, it would be one thing. If it was just a couple of the restaurants, it would be another. But I'm looking at 7 days of my DD either eating the same meals or wasting the meals I already purchased because now I'd have to pay for them AGAIN to get her something different.

I know they wouldn't do this limited menu for adults across the board and expect people to accept it, I wonder why they think it is acceptable for children?

This is my problem, too. With the DDP, you need to make your ADRs so far in advance, and mine were chosen based on the menu choices for everyone - yes, I thought perhaps they could change some, but this is ridiclous, IMO. I had not planned on trying to work the system at all, and still do not, but if I have to pay OOP for my daughter to get a meal she can enjoy like the rest of us, I will, and if that means I end up using her credits for an adult meal later on, so be it - we have one extra TS booked that we planned to pay OOP for anyway. With the old menus, my adult 10yo son would have ordered off the children's menu more than the adults, but with the changes, he now plans on going with the adult menus - can't say I blame him - I wouldn't want to eat like that for 9 days. The kids planned on "switching meals" a few times, but ds won't touch any of the kids choices mentioned now, so OOP for DD is really our only option. A healthy variety is the key to good nutrition, and I don't feel the new changes represent that at all - especially for guests with an extended stay. Also, the choices may be fine for the younger kids, 3-5 year old - I could have convinced my kids at that age that the menu was great and fun etc., but I think it is a very hard sell for the older kids, 6-9.

[NMW]

I agree completely. It's not the new choices that are the problem. My kids loved them. It was the fact that they had the SAME CHOICES everywhere we went. That got old very fast. For next year, we'll eat at more buffets to vary the selection.


This is my point too. I bet that lots of kids and their parents will have no problem with the new choices. I think it's the fact that they will have the SAME choice night after night that will start to wear on families doing a week or more.

[NMW]

A few CS sites (backlot express as an example) insisted that my son order a childs meal...dried out, grilled chicken strips & limp celery that I demanded a replacement for while they rolled their eyes. We "wised up" & had DH order 1 meal & I ordered DS & mine....absurd.

/


That sounds really gross. I have thought for a long time that kids CS choices were seriously lacking. This past Dec (not on the DDP) all 3 of my kids ate adult CS every time we ordered (except one time) because the kids choices were so bad. I think if faced with that kind of choice many normaly honest people would consider splitting up to place the order.

[Merriwind]

This is my point too. I bet that lots of kids and their parents will have no problem with the new choices. I think it's the fact that they will have the SAME choice night after night that will start to wear on families doing a week or more.

Precisely my thinking. We'll be there next week, but doing mostly buffets and F&W, so we'll dodge this bullet until next trip...

[RRmouse]

Precisely my thinking. We'll be there next week, but doing mostly buffets and F&W, so we'll dodge this bullet until next trip...

So the changes to the kids menu do not affect buffets and family style places, right? Kids can choose any items offered at these? We are on the dining plan and made ADR's at buffets, 'Ohana, WCC because my kids like "adult" food. Just want to know if I need to re-think things or whether we are ok.

Thanks!

[The Sweetness]

I also kind of find it weird that they are using the same kind of Mickey "trays" they use at CS. I don't really know why I find it strange but I guess I'm just used to my children eating off real plates at a sit down meal. :confused3


That would be a deal breaker for me :furious: If my kids were kids ddp age (they arent~ They'll be 15 and 2) I would cancel the plan, or use the kids plate as something for us to pick at as a family (IE dd15 may want the salad etc...) :sad2: Id share w the ddp aged child, and supliment by ordering an extra ap or whatever we needed OOP) :confused3

[The Sweetness]

That's true! You could easilly do all buffets (some breakfast, some dinner, and never have to contend with the *heads* at all :teeth: :joker:

[DCDisney]

I've been pondering things and we really don't want to change ADRs for some of our sit downs. Like Sci Fi the kids very much want to go to. I'm thinking we could always use some CS credits and get the kids take out meals to bring with us to Sci Fi. I'm sure we can balance out the use of credits as we were planning on some extra OOP meals anyway.

I'm really at a loss for what to do and perhaps we should just drop the DDP and mix and match more like we did in previous years. I'll wait though in hopes that there are enough complaints to see a change before January.

Yvonne

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Does anyone know if the WCC will be affected by this?

[nbodyhome]

I think also that there needs to be more variety. Personally, I would prefer to see Disney have a childs portion size of adult entrees, and a half portion for those of us who don't want to eat as much or waste food. It isn't exactly hard to do - they are already cooking those items! Then add burgers, chicken nuggets and spagetti for a few extra kids options if they won't eat anything else.

Applesauce is a nice option, though I'd prefer if they used Healthy Harvest (Motts). A number of different flavors to choose from, no added sugar - at least it isn't the same on each time.

[nbodyhome]

Oh - and I'm not that big a fan of the choices for adult counter service in many places. A friend and I (we are local) were at Epcot last night - we'd done a few Food and Wine things during the afternoon, and we chose to walk to the Boardwalk, get on a bus to Downtown Disney and go to Earl of Sandwich for a good meal. Mine was just a tomato soup (which is great there) and a baked potato, but that was plenty - and the total was $2.67 or so with tax. There are a lot of great choices there in sandwiches, salads, etc., all freshly made.

I wish Disney would put Earls in each of it's parks, it'd be a nice change.

[jaurban]

Does anyone know whether CRT is affected?

[skuttle]

Wow...this sounds awful. The same food every night? Yuck! My DS will be 3.5 when we return to WDW in January...no way is he eating salad or soup as an appetizer. Luckily with the dining plan we can share since we NEVER order two appetizers when we eat out here. When we went to WDW last December, DS was 2.5 and lived off of french fries for at least one meal a day. :rolleyes:

One of our favorite things to do at WDW is to eat. We love trying new restaurants. We normally do at least one TC meal per day...this was before the dining plan even existed. IF they start changing the menus and making everything more and more "standard" at each place, this would make us not want to visit WDW as often. :( :( :(

[Ms_Maggs]

I'm on Day 9 of our trip and I have no problem with healthy, but it's what they chose as healthy that's a problem.

My kids love raw carrots, grapes, strawberries and watermelon for example.

At 50's Prime Time, there was the Pita Pizza but it had Diced Chicken on it and it came with a salad with cucumbers and apples covered in brown sugar. Take out the chicken (under the melted cheese), give them plain carrots instead of salad and skip the brown sugar on the apples and they would have been thrilled, but you can't! The grilled chicken strips would have been great with raw carrots and strawberries, but the carrots are cooked with green beans and seasoned, and the strawberries are in a flavored yogurt sauce and you have to have it that way. The last choice - Just Dip It, had the raw carrots and the plain apples and strawberries but that's not enough when you don't it mayo-containting chicken salad or yogurt. Why can't they mix and match and let you get the raw carrots and fruit from the Dip It with your grilled chicken and give you a choice of plain pizza.

They offered the aforementioned M&C or Nuggets but who wants to eat that for lunch and dinner for 10 days?!

I agree with whoever said the theme should match too. Why not have chicken and mashed potatoes like the adult theme on the menu? Or pot roast hold the gravy if they want it plain? LMAO - people in the 50s didn't eat a chicken pita pizza!

How ridiculous is it that kids can't have Pizza at Pizzafari while the parents are?? BTW, there they did not care if you ordered all adult meals. I don't know if it's because the DP was free that they didn't care these last 9 days, but not a single person cared. We had 60 CS credits at the start for 4 Adults and 2 Kids and maybe we ordered 8 kids meals this whole time.

I would never pay for the DP, as it would have made me crazy to pay for my 3 year old son and watch him only be able to eat raw carrots and a scoop of vanilla ice cream at Coral Reef because he's a light eater or watch my 7 year old Autistic son starve because he couldn't get anything the way he needed it and not enough of what he liked. Getting it for free takes the stress away because you never worry that you're getting ripped off or that you didn't get your money's worth or had a bad server. :)

Teppanyaki still had a great kids menu - chicken cooked with everyone else's, veggies and white rice. For dessert they choose a wrapped chocolate chip cookie or ice cream.

Mexico was good with a kids burrito, rice and beans and ice cream dessert. They had 2 other choices like a quesadilla and Taco?

The EPCOT restaurants have it right still - kids, themed meals. If they make Japan serve a pita pizza, I'll be ticked.

[DisOrBust]

I think this is another example of the DDP ruining dining at WDW. The menus are dumbed down. The portions are smaller. The prices are the same. IF your not on the DDP the value of WDW dining has gone down considerably. The kids meals were ok before but they did get old after an period of time. Disney can do better. Here is a SeaWorld menu.



Young Adults Menu

(Recommended for ages 10-15)

Oak Grilled Petit Filet Mignon $10.95
Grilled to perfection and served with fried onion wisps, poblano seasoned mashed potatoes and grilled corn cobbette

Oak Grilled Salmon Filet $9.95
Oak grilled and served with poblano seasoned mashed potatoes and grilled corn cobbette

Grilled Chicken Breast with Orange Glaze $7.75
Served with french fries and grilled corn cobbette

Popcorn Shrimp $8.75
Tender shrimp in a crisp batter, fried golden brown and served with french fries and fresh fruit



Children's Menu

(Suggested for children under the age of 10 years)

Pasta Marinara $5.95
A plate of fresh linguine, topped with our special marinara sauce accompanied by garlic toast

Jumbo Oak Grilled Hot Dog $5.75
All beef hot dog, oak grilled and served with french fries and fresh fruit

Chicken Tenders $6.55
Tender white meat chicken, breaded and fried, served with french fries and fresh fruit



Why can't WDW do something like this???

[disneymom2one]

I posted something similiar on the other thread but I'm just not understanding the problem. If I had a 6-7-8-9 year old I would probably just skip doing the dining plan based on the the new items for kids. I know my own daughter would have never have liked most of those choices so for us when she was that age the dining plan would not have made sense. If you don't do the dining plan you still have plenty of options. Share meals. Order off the adult's menu for the child (maybe an appetizer for example). There are things you can do. I think Disney has their reasons for the changes but I think with some flexibility you can work around them. It's still a shame. Disney used to have great kids' meals that we would order and enjoy - and we were never on the dining plan then. But I think the changes are a reaction to some things Disney perceived and I wouldn't be surprised if the changes were here to stay.

[Tink10]

Like Sci Fi the kids very much want to go to. I'm thinking we could always use some CS credits and get the kids take out meals to bring with us to Sci Fi.


Why not just let your kids share a CS meal or have a healthy snack before going to the Sci Fi & let them decide if they want to order a kids meal when you get there? If they truely don't want any of the kid's offerings, then let them have dessert there, which is way more fun than bringing in food from another restaurant......(which also may be frowned upon as well)

I think this is another example of the DDP ruining dining at WDW. The menus are dumbed down. The portions are smaller. The prices are the same. IF your not on the DDP the value of WDW dining has gone down considerably. The kids meals were ok before but they did get old after an period of time. Disney can do better. Here is a SeaWorld menu.



Young Adults Menu

(Recommended for ages 10-15)

Oak Grilled Petit Filet Mignon $10.95
Grilled to perfection and served with fried onion wisps, poblano seasoned mashed potatoes and grilled corn cobbette

Oak Grilled Salmon Filet $9.95
Oak grilled and served with poblano seasoned mashed potatoes and grilled corn cobbette

Grilled Chicken Breast with Orange Glaze $7.75
Served with french fries and grilled corn cobbette

Popcorn Shrimp $8.75
Tender shrimp in a crisp batter, fried golden brown and served with french fries and fresh fruit



Children's Menu

(Suggested for children under the age of 10 years)

Pasta Marinara $5.95
A plate of fresh linguine, topped with our special marinara sauce accompanied by garlic toast

Jumbo Oak Grilled Hot Dog $5.75
All beef hot dog, oak grilled and served with french fries and fresh fruit

Chicken Tenders $6.55
Tender white meat chicken, breaded and fried, served with french fries and fresh fruit



Why can't WDW do something like this???


Having eaten at many WDW restaurants and waited for many tables in those restaurants I've noticed that quite a few people (especially first or second time visitors) don't eat at the TS locations for the food, they eat there for the experience & theming. So, those who are visiting WDW on a budget (like most do) know that the restaurants are expensive and will want to experience it as inexpensively as humanly possible.

As it's been said before, WDW has definately learned that IF they offer these types of meals that a large number of very frugal adults will order these instead of the adult choices. This is why we saw kid's cheeseburgers, hot dogs & pizza disappear from the CS menus a couple of years ago.

Until recently, it's been widely known that if someone over the age of 9 wanted to order a kid's meal, WDW servers would happily let them order it. I suspect that WDW was losing entirely too much revenue from adults ordering off of the childrens' menus and the most effective way for them to put an end to the situation was to make the kid's meals smaller & more obvious (hence the Mickey tray), more expensive and pretty much unappetizing to adults. Calling the kid's meals "Healthy" is Disney's way of putting a positive spin on a change that may be a bit unpopular.

As far as the DDP goes, I think that it's so popular that Disney will definately keep it around. The DDP fills empty rooms and restaurant tables. Free Dining is the perfect example of how quick people are to jump to go to WDW on the cheap at times when they wouldn't otherwise visit. But I really think that Disney didn't anticipate that so many would work so hard to milk every last nickle out of it. Most of the DDP "issues" revolve around paying OOP for kid's meals, sharing meals & the great "pooled credit" debate. Changing the kid's meals, in a way, helps alleviate the OOP theory because people will be less apt to pay OOP for a meal that their child won't like. It's much easier for most to feed their kids something off the adult menu or buy something before or after the meal to keep their kids happy. The pooled credit thing has been adressed in countless other threads, but that loophole will be changing as well......I'll leave it at that.

Believe me, I'd like there to be more "regular" kid's meal choices, as my DD usually prefers those to what's on the adult menu, but she's usually willing to find something that she'll try. If there's not, then we chalk it up to experience and let her have dessert & get a CS meal later. I've also learned to not rely on the menus on AllEars. While Deb's site is an an incredible planning asset, it's by no means "official" & she relies on readers to provide her the menus which can & do change. I use them as a guideline and anyone who uses them to plan exactly what they're going to eat could be setting themselves up for a major disappointment.

People need to remember that it's all about money. A perfect example is the smaller portion sizes at the TS restaurants and the added snacks on the DDP. If people fill up on their snacks (which are normally large batch, inexpensive items), then the the larger, more costly portions that used to be offered in restaurants wouldn't be missed as much. The reason why Disney does what they do so well is because they make money and can afford to provide the Magic which we have all come to love & expect. The more revenue they lose, the more cutbacks we'll see, which will make them no better than a Six Flags with a Mouse mascot.

With enough complaints, the kid's menus will probably change back, but then we can expect to see much more of a crackdown on the age enforcement. If the new menus put that much of a hitch in your plans then you may want to reconsider the DDP and/or restaurant choices alltogether.

[dreamalittledream]

I saw the post on Tepan.. Japan that still has the regular choices for kids meals, Has anyone confirmed if the other Epcot restaurants are sticking with their own thing? Specifically Alfredo's?

also I know I have asked for a serving of plain pasta for my 3 yr old before, (when she was in her "white food" phase) does anyone want to guess if this will still be an option?

My girls will not eat any of the 3 new choices, I'm going to have to gamble on the alacarte items. Thank goodness we have mostly buffets planned. I hope we can still get noodles, meatballs and chicken nuggets there!

one more question about Tony's, was raviolli one of the alacarte choices for kids? it is not on the adult menu and I don't see it listed on any other menu in WDW. We planned to eat there since it is DD's favorite food, she would eat it EVERY day if possible.

[cybrkitn]

I think also that there needs to be more variety. Personally, I would prefer to see Disney have a childs portion size of adult entrees, and a half portion for those of us who don't want to eat as much or waste food. It isn't exactly hard to do - they are already cooking those items! Then add burgers, chicken nuggets and spagetti for a few extra kids options if they won't eat anything else.

I agree and it sounds like the perfect solution too. Just wish they would do it.


Applesauce is a nice option, though I'd prefer if they used Healthy Harvest (Motts). A number of different flavors to choose from, no added sugar - at least it isn't the same on each time.

IMO, I think the no-sugar added applesauces taste the best. I got used to it when I lived at home. My father is diabetic. The regular applesauce now tastes too sweet.

[chigirl]

I'm confused...is this at CS, too or just TS? The choices are sooo limited! Who eats chicken on pizza? I am from outside Chicago and we don't eat chicken on pizza, just yuppies do and certainly not my 9 year old son! Granted, DH and I like to eat fancier stuff, but why not plain cheese pizza for kids?

[MrsMork]

Chicken Pizza? :confused3 I wouldn't eat that myself much less expect my DD to eat it. I'm not liking the sound of this at all. Thanks for the warning though.
Garlic chicken pizza is the hands down favorite of adults and kids at our house.

[disneymom2one]

I'm confused...is this at CS, too or just TS? The choices are sooo limited! Who eats chicken on pizza? I am from outside Chicago and we don't eat chicken on pizza, just yuppies do and certainly not my 9 year old son! Granted, DH and I like to eat fancier stuff, but why not plain cheese pizza for kids?

I think people sell kids short. Most kids will eat "fancier stuff" if it's presented to them at an early age enthusiastically. I have an eleven year old with Asperger's and she loves most food - including chicken pizza. California Pizza Kitchen makes a frozen garlic chicken pizza that is a favorite around here. She also eats healthier because we eat healthier. Hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and french fries are a rare thing in this house so she really doesn't like them (or ask for them when we eat out). McDonald's and other fast food chain have made a ton of money convincing us that kids have to have fast, unhealthy food. They don't.

[Sabrina90744]

My SIL just returned from a week and her picky grandchildren ate chicken nugetts every night. I do hope Chicken nuggets are on the DDP. We go next week and are taking our grands.


Theres chicken strips
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_ddpkids.htm

Pita Pizza - with diced chicken and mozzarella cheese, served with shredded vegetable salad and brown-sugar apples $7.49

Just Dip It - assorted fruits, vegetables, chicken salad and yogurt $7.49

Chicken Strips - served with barbecue sauce, sweet potato sticks, green beans, carrots and yogurt parfait $7.49

Kid's Picks - choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert:

Appetizers: Vegetable Salad OR Chicken Noodle Soup
Entrees: Macaroni and Cheese OR Spaghetti and Meatballs
Desserts: Fruit Salad OR Ice Cream Sundae

[chigirl]

I think people sell kids short. Most kids will eat "fancier stuff" if it's presented to them at an early age enthusiastically. I have an eleven year old with Asperger's and she loves most food - including chicken pizza. California Pizza Kitchen makes a frozen garlic chicken pizza that is a favorite around here. She also eats healthier because we eat healthier. Hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and french fries are a rare thing in this house so she really doesn't like them (or ask for them when we eat out). McDonald's and other fast food chain have made a ton of money convincing us that kids have to have fast, unhealthy food. They don't.

My dearest friend is a sous chef at one of Chicago's top places...I am not selling my kids short, they have been exposed to foi gras & other gourmet fare their whole life...they like bland food. We have a California Pizza Kitchen right here in Oakbrook Mall, so they have had stuff there, too. Chicago is a very diverse food city. Believe me, I enjoy many varied meals as I was raised by "ethnic" parents, but my kids do not. I have tried to get them to try a variety of dishes to no avail...now don't get me wrong, they eat healthy, plenty of fresh veggies & fruits! I guess I am more bummed that the variety is soooo limited. Over our 8 day trip, he'll be eating the same meal at least twice...plus I don't think a veggie dipper platter is a meal, even if you're a vegetarian.

[NMW]

My kids really like grilled chicken on pizza and I don't think they're yuppies! :teeth:

I have also heard as Tink10 suggested, that the reason the childrens menus at CS are so terrible is because of all the cheap adults trying to save money and order a kids meal. I can believe this. Have you ever read those buy a double cheesburger and get an extra roll/make a meal out of the fixns bar/share a soda posts? I can easily believe that those same people would order a kids hot dog at CS if they offered it. The unofficial guide has a "food budget" story that grosses me out every time I read it (it's in the last few additions). The family freezes lunch meat and freezes water in a gallon milk container to keep the stuff cold and they eat from the cooler ALL WEEK. I didn't even know you could freeze cold cut lunch meat and cheese-yuck!

I think it's a shame about the TS meals becoming lame too. They were the meals I could count on my kids to have good choices at. We do TS breakfast and dinner every day while at Disney and some lunches. One of my kids is 10 now, so an "adult" on the plan. If my other 2 get sick of the kids choices at TS, I guess I will just buy an adult meal for them to split. Not a big deal, I still think the DDP is a good deal. I just wish they let you purchase a dining plan that allowed you to have 2 or 3 TS meals per day like the old Gold/silver plans. I really miss those plans! We can't get the premium because we are DVC members. Oh well. :teeth:

[BlindTyldak]

I just wish they let you purchase a dining plan that allowed you to have 2 or 3 TS meals per day like the old Gold/silver plans. I really miss those plans! We can't get the premium because we are DVC members. Oh well. :teeth:

Hear hear, we loved the Magical Wishes where you spent your wishes on meals, that plan was excellent. We would have eagerly paid for a plan this trip that gave us 3 TS a day, but we didn't want to pay for everything else they tacked on the premium that we wouldn't use.

of course, if we had we would have been downright furious at the new menu instead of just really ticked off. :lmao:

[kimbac3]

additions). The family freezes lunch meat and freezes water in a gallon milk container to keep the stuff cold and they eat from the cooler ALL WEEK. I didn't even know you could freeze cold cut lunch meat and cheese-yuck!

Ok this is :offtopic: but both lunch meat and cheese can be frozen quite easily and still maintains it's flavor. So if you see a great deal on deli cuts, snatch it up, wrap it well and store for about 4 to 6 weeks in the freezer.
Sorry about the O/T rant but I freeze lunch meat and cheese all the time and I wanted people to do know it still tastes yummy.

Back on topic...From what I'm gathering..now please correct me if I'm wrong..this will have more effect on the DDP users than those of us not on DDP. Or am I missing something :confused3
Kimba

[TravelinGal]

The problem though is that if the kids don't like the 2 alacarte choices they won't get desserts at all. Each of the set meals comes with apples, yogurt, etc instead of dessert. Or I guess what they hope is that parents will spend the extra $3 OOP and buy the kids desserts?

If the little kids HAVE to have a dessert, why can't they share mom and dads? The adult meals are still as big as ever and I don't remember a single TS meal where all 3 adults on our trip had a dessert. Usually we shared one between the 3 of us (plus some nibbles for DS who was 18 months old at the time).

That said, I feel the limited choices are HORRIBLE! Healthy is fine, but mix it up people! Kids have taste buds and opinions too!

I know my DS will not eat salad or carrots. (he has a very strong gag reflex that is texture based and the textures of those cause an immediate - well... we'll just say the entire meal would be over for us and half the restaurant.) Hopefully he'll outgrow this soon. The only veggie we can get him to eat without gagging is broccoli - but only at the Outback...LOL Must be something in the seasoning they use.

[BlindTyldak]

Back on topic...From what I'm gathering..now please correct me if I'm wrong..this will have more effect on the DDP users than those of us not on DDP. Or am I missing something :confused3
Kimba

Only in that people on the DDP will in effect have already paid for a child's meal (unless they go during free time), so they have only the limited options for their child at select TS restaurants, or they can pay for their child's meal a SECOND time and order them something from the adult menu/share their own meal (and waste or save a credit to use elsewhere), or they can attempt (and likely fail) to use the child's credit as an adult credit to get the child an adult meal. For people not on the DDP, they would have the new child's menu choices or they could pay for a full adult meal for the child/share a meal.

[kimbac3]

Only in that people on the DDP will in effect have already paid for a child's meal (unless they go during free time), so they have only the limited options for their child at select TS restaurants, or they can pay for their child's meal a SECOND time and order them something from the adult menu/share their own meal (and waste or save a credit to use elsewhere), or they can attempt (and likely fail) to use the child's credit as an adult credit to get the child an adult meal. For people not on the DDP, they would have the new child's menu choices or they could pay for a full adult meal for the child/share a meal.

That's kind of what I thinking. I know the menu choices will affect everyone with children but it's that whole you already paid once thing that is really depressing.
Kimba

[kaytieeldr]

i had heard there were changes for Free Dining but I didn't think they were going to be permanent. Is anyone there now who can fill us in? I can't officially - but common sense, given that the last Free Dining Plan Guests will be checking out today, indicates to me that the change is in NO way connected to this briefly-available deal whatsoever.

I posted this same info on the general restaurant board at BeattyFmaily's request and someone posting there found a copy of the menu on AllEarsNet. Here it is from the Turf Club Restaurant Interesting - I think that's been the kids menu ever since Turf Club opened - all those many, many weeks ago... :) Seriously. It opened in July, and I don't think the menu has changed at all since then. GREAT service, by the way, and really good food.

I just wanted to point out its more than just diet that makes someone overweight. Thanks. I'm saving your post for the next "if fat people would just stop stuffing their faces,,,," thread :teeth:

The problem though is that if the kids don't like the 2 alacarte choices they won't get desserts at all. Sure they will. Applesauce IS the dessert with the combo meal; and there is absolutely NOTHING preventing Guests from purchasing a dessert for a child (or group of children) who ordered a combo meal.

Applesauce is a nice option, though I'd prefer if they used Healthy Harvest (Motts). A number of different flavors to choose from, no added sugar - at least it isn't the same on each time. Sounds good! In the regular grocery aisle, or the natural foods section? TIA!

I'm on Day 9 of our trip and I have no problem with healthy, but it's what they chose as healthy that's a problem. Thanks for the on-the-spot reporting! Remember, everyone, Ms Maggs is just telling us all what's going on right now - she is NOT responsible for the changes!


Why can't they mix and match and let you get the raw carrots and fruit from the Dip It with your grilled chicken and give you a choice of plain pizza. Oh, well, because then it wouldn't be set combo meals :) It'd be pretty much a la carte with a greatly reduced set of choices. Seriously, if they did what you suggest, they'd probably have to eliminate the a la carte appetizer and dessert from the kids menu as well - and everybody would only be able to get the same, extremely limited 'choices', albeit in a variety of combinations.

How ridiculous is it that kids can't have Pizza at Pizzafari while the parents are??
I'm pretty sure it's been that way for a LONG time - WAY before the dining plan - although there's no reason an adult pizza can't be purchased for a child.

[oogieboogie]

OK, here's my take on this:

1. Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Kona, Teppanyaki, Jiko, Flying Fish, Artist's Point all these still have the old menu.

2. Sci-fi and Mama Melrose have the new menu - and they are expensive compared to previous menus. $7.49 for a kids meal???? Gimme a break!

3. The plates are not CS kids plastic plates. They are china and they are big. The mickey head part is about the size of a CS plate, and the ears are about saucer sized. So they are hefty plates.

4. It was a pain in the you-know-what to ask for substitutions, but we were able to get some substitutions. It was also a pain to select just an entree from the kid's pick (a la carte) items without the appetizer/sides/dessert.

5. The chicken strips are grilled - you get 3 strips that aren't very big.

6. I think this menu will stay for a while unless they hear many complaints. So, if you don't like it, better speak up.

7. Up until yesterday (when we went home) all DDP credits are still lumped together. There are no adults/child credit. A credit is a credit is a credit.

8. The standardized kids meal makes for a very boring kids vacation. It was a good thing we were able to break it up with buffets, and off-site things. We ended up buying adult chicken strips for one of my sons a lot of times.

[mareed]

For people not on the DDP, they would have the new child's menu choices or they could pay for a full adult meal for the child/share a meal.

As one who visits Disney not on the DDP, I'd say we're being forced to pay more ($7.49 now vs. $4.99 before) for a meal including an appetizer and a dessert, where before we could only pay for the entree (which is what we almost always did). We often prefer to have dessert later in between meals in the form of a Mickey bar rather than right after the meal.

We will be pursuing the option of having my 2 DS's share an adult meal when there is something that they agree on (i.e. cheeseburger or pizza), but then we'll have the additional cost of 2 drinks, which can really add up (as opposed to drink being included with kids meal). I really don't want to fight battles over getting them to agree on the same meal either, so I'm not sure how often this will work out. :confused3

[akalittleeva]

I still don't understand why Disney restaurants can't offer a few of the adult choices at each restaurant sized down along with a couple standadr fare choices. Around here, I have seen restaurants with great selection on the children's menu using smaller portions of adult entrees and the menu clearly states only for children under 10 or whatever age. If it is available on the adult menu, then the adult can order it from there. If Disney can enforce not allowing substitutions on the new childrens menu, they should be able to enforce adults ordering an adult portion if it the same item is offered on the childrens menu. With the DDP, Disney basically has a captive audience when it comes to dining and I think they are falling short with this new offering. Also, for those not on the DDP - the prices for children's meals are very steep. I also think offering smaller portions of adult meals from the restaurant menu would make it a whole lot easier for the kitchen as well - less inventory and such. This whole thing is very frustrating...

[Tink10]

I still don't understand why Disney restaurants can't offer a few of the adult choices at each restaurant sized down along with a couple standadr fare choices.

There are several reasons, but I'll only address the main one..... Because Adults would order it.

Around here, I have seen restaurants with great selection on the children's menu using smaller portions of adult entrees and the menu clearly states only for children under 10 or whatever age.

Local restaurants don't have to deal with masses of people on the internet trading ways to get every last nickles worth out of a vacation. Disney reads the posts here & knows the measures that people will take to save a buck. They also know that a good number of visitors can afford to spend more than they do & definately would if they couldn't "get away" with the penny-pinching practices.

If it is available on the adult menu, then the adult can order it from there. If Disney can enforce not allowing substitutions on the new childrens menu, they should be able to enforce adults ordering an adult portion if it the same item is offered on the childrens menu.

Disney does not like to say no to their guests & I don't think I've read one instance where people were told that they couldn't substitute a side item. Most occurances that I've read about, the server replied "We'll try" or something like it(which is the perfect CM answer). By putting new menu choices in place, I'm sure the servers won't encounter adults ordering from the kid's menus even remotely as much.

With the DDP, Disney basically has a captive audience when it comes to dining and I think they are falling short with this new offering. Also, for those not on the DDP - the prices for children's meals are very steep. I also think offering smaller portions of adult meals from the restaurant menu would make it a whole lot easier for the kitchen as well - less inventory and such. This whole thing is very frustrating...

I totally understand the change and especially the price increase. Too many people were taking advantage of Disney's accomadating nature & revenue was lost. They took appropriate steps to put an end to it....It's silly for anyone to blame Disney because they don't like it.....They're a for-profit business.

It sounds like the Kid Pick's will give more flexibility to a pretty generic menu, but like everyone says, it doesn't matter what Disney does, someone won't be happy.

[BlindTyldak]

As one who visits Disney not on the DDP, I'd say we're being forced to pay more ($7.49 now vs. $4.99 before) for a meal including an appetizer and a dessert, where before we could only pay for the entree (which is what we almost always did). We often prefer to have dessert later in between meals in the form of a Mickey bar rather than right after the meal.



Excellent point, I hadn't thought of that. danged if you do, danged if you don't it looks like . . . :confused3

[kimbac3]

OK, does anyone know if this change will flow into the resort restaurants? I'm considering changing our lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern to one of the MK resort restaurants. The price change does stink. We are also a family that doesn't (rarely) eat dessert immediately after our meal. Now because it's included in the price....well you know. My head hurts :confused3 :headache:
Kimba

[akalittleeva]

There are several reasons, but I'll only address the main one..... Because Adults would order it.



Local restaurants don't have to deal with masses of people on the internet trading ways to get every last nickles worth out of a vacation. Disney reads the posts here & knows the measures that people will take to save a buck. They also know that a good number of visitors can afford to spend more than they do & definately would if they couldn't "get away" with the penny-pinching practices.



Disney does not like to say no to their guests & I don't think I've read one instance where people were told that they couldn't substitute a side item. Most occurances that I've read about, the server replied "We'll try" or something like it(which is the perfect CM answer). By putting new menu choices in place, I'm sure the servers won't encounter adults ordering from the kid's menus even remotely as much.



I totally understand the change and especially the price increase. Too many people were taking advantage of Disney's accomadating nature & revenue was lost. They took appropriate steps to put an end to it....It's silly for anyone to blame Disney because they don't like it.....They're a for-profit business.

It sounds like the Kid Pick's will give more flexibility to a pretty generic menu, but like everyone says, it doesn't matter what Disney does, someone won't be happy.

You can't blame people for wanting to get every last nickel when they are charging over $7 for a lackluster children's meal. I don't believe in cheating the system, but their is nothing wrong with watching your pennies, either through choice or necessity. Disney is not a cheap vacation and anyone who goes there is leaving plenty of money behind - just because people can afford to spend more money, doesn't mean they want to or need to. From what I am reading here, Disney is saying no to allowing substitutions with their TS children's combos. If they can say no to that, they can say no to allowing adults from ordering from the children's menu - disappointed kids=disappointed parents, either way. I find it hard to believe that the people responsible for these decisions really think this the best way to approach the issues with the childrens menus - maybe they should be offered these choices for their meals for a week - they might change their minds.

[Tink10]

You can't blame people for wanting to get every last nickel when they are charging over $7 for a lackluster children's meal. I don't believe in cheating the system, but their is nothing wrong with watching your pennies, either through choice or necessity. Disney is not a cheap vacation and anyone who goes there is leaving plenty of money behind - just because people can afford to spend more money, doesn't mean they want to or need to. From what I am reading here, Disney is saying no to allowing substitutions with their TS children's combos. If they can say no to that, they can say no to allowing adults from ordering from the children's menu - disappointed kids=disappointed parents, either way. I find it hard to believe that the people responsible for these decisions really think this the best way to approach the issues with the childrens menus - maybe they should be offered these choices for their meals for a week - they might change their minds.

I certainly don't blame people for wanting to save a bit, but, if their THAT unhappy about the choices and the price, then they can take that same $7.00 and get......


Buzz's Meal Deal (Toy Story Pizza Planet) - Individual Cheese Pizza, with Garden Salad $7.59

Chicken Strips served with fries (Electric Umbrella) $6.69

Beef Hot Dog (Cosmic Ray's)- served with your choice of French fries or carrots $5.79; add bacon $0.79

There are many many choices out there & nobody is saying that people HAVE to eat at TS locations. If spending a few extra bucks to make your kid happy on vacation is that much of a problem, than maybe WDW, or any other theme park (where food is overpriced) is a bad choice for a family vacation. If the choices (which, even I agree are not so great) are going to cause that much of a problem with a family's DDP plans, then they probably shouldn't get the DDP.

I have a picky eater, who, even at 15, would still prefer chicken strips & pizza to the kid's meals or the adult choices. Am I blaming Disney because she doesn't like the food at many table service restaurants? No, I'm blaming myself for not encouraging her to try more foods when she was younger. Should Disney magically create a menu to cater to her every whim?.....Certainly not.

As a CM, I saw, on a daily basis, just how far people will go to take advantage of how Disney is willing to satisfy peoples' requests. It started out as comical, then it just became pathetic. And one thing that I've learned is that when it comes to Disney, people get upset if they feel that they didn't get something that someone else may have gotten. It goes right back to that "It's all about me" attitude.

Don't blame Disney for this change.....Blame the people who abused the system in the first place......It's that simple.

[TravelinGal]

Tink10 - the POINT is that families want to eat together and maybe they don't want to eat at the EU, CR or TSPP. They want quality food for the entire family.

I understand the point you were trying to make, but you totally ignore the reasons families want to eat at table service locations.

[Tink10]

Tink10 - the POINT is that families want to eat together and maybe they don't want to eat at the EU, CR or TSPP. They want quality food for the entire family.

I understand the point you were trying to make, but you totally ignore the reasons families want to eat at table service locations.

I enjoy eating with my family just about every night, so I really do understand. But those complaining are totally turning a blind eye to the fact that WDW is a business and will do what it has to do to generate income....This happens every time ther's any sort of a change with WDW, whether it be room discounts, park hours or meals......

[kaytieeldr]

2. Sci-fi and Mama Melrose have the new menu - and they are expensive compared to previous menus. $7.49 for a kids meal???? Gimme a break!

What kind of break? When ALL items were a la carte, a kid's meal was equally if not more expensive. Examples:

4/06 Prime Time
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

6/06 Mama Melrose's
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

6/06 Sci-Fi
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

Liberty Tree Tavern
. . . appetizers - none
. . . entrees (five choices) $3.99, $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (one 'choice') $3.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $7.98 and $9.98

I checked - $7.49 isn't more expensive than even the lowest combination from the existing or former menus :)

Really, Disney can't please everyone. No appetizers on the kids menu, people complain. Fried or other fatty items on the kids menu, people complain. Healthy full meals, people complain. Limited selection, people complain. Can't make everybody happy.

Local restaurants don't have to deal with masses of people on the internet trading ways to get every last nickles worth out of a vacation. Disney reads the posts here & knows That's not just a guess on Tink10's part. I've been told recently by Cast Members that Disney does read these boards.

[kimbac3]

What kind of break? When ALL items were a la carte, a kid's meal was equally if not more expensive. Examples:

4/06 Prime Time
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

6/06 Mama Melrose's
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

6/06 Sci-Fi
. . . appetizers (two choices) $1.99
. . . entrees (four choices) $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (two choices) $2.29 and $2.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $8.27 and $10.97

Liberty Tree Tavern
. . . appetizers - none
. . . entrees (five choices) $3.99, $4.99 and $5.99
. . . desserts (one 'choice') $3.99
So a kid's meal cost(s) between $7.98 and $9.98

I checked - $7.49 isn't more expensive than even the lowest combination from the existing or former menus :)

Well for MY family and I'm not on a dining plan, my kids never ordered an appetizer or a dessert with their meal. We did dessert later after dinner. So for me to have to pay more for food my kids won't eat bothers me.
I think that the point of this thread is 2 fold: People are trying to find answers as to what is what and being able to express their disappointment at the changes. I understand Disney is a business but that fact doesn't change the fact that this change is a bummer for a lot of us.
Kimba

[kidsgobears]

I checked - $7.49 isn't more expensive than even the lowest combination from the existing or former menus :)

However, there is a big difference in value. The former menus actually had a dessert and an appetizer. When I look at these set combos, I definitely do not see a dessert on any of them. I serve my kids apples and applesauce as part of their meal. Now, items that I'd consider part of the entree are being called the appetizer and dessert. :confused3

[kidsgobears]

That's not just a guess on Tink10's part. I've been told recently by Cast Members that Disney does read these boards.

No doubt. I wouldn't be surprised to find that CMs post as well (maybe even try to convince us that this menu change is a good thing ;) ).

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Our only experience with the new menu was positive. We were able to mix and match at Mama Melrose as much as we wanted and they had a couple of the old items priced seperately that we could have also. Our child also got ice cream for his desert IN ADDITION to his two sides that came with his grilled chicken strips. They ended up getting his two sides wrong but that wasn't the fault of the menu.

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

1. Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Kona, Teppanyaki, Jiko, Flying Fish, Artist's Point all these still have the old menu.

Le Cellier, Boma, Chef Mickey's, Maya Grill, Crystal Palace, Biergarten, Spoodles, 1900, 'Ohana all had the old one for us too.

2. Sci-fi and Mama Melrose have the new menu - and they are expensive compared to previous menus. $7.49 for a kids meal???? Gimme a break!
Of the places that had the new menu, we only went to Mama's which still had some of the old menu items available a-la-carte.

3. The plates are not CS kids plastic plates. They are china and they are big. The mickey head part is about the size of a CS plate, and the ears are about saucer sized. So they are hefty plates.

Yup.

4. It was a pain in the you-know-what to ask for substitutions, but we were able to get some substitutions. It was also a pain to select just an entree from the kid's pick (a la carte) items without the appetizer/sides/dessert.
We were able to mix and match nearly at will at Mama's. They got it wrong though.

5. The chicken strips are grilled - you get 3 strips that aren't very big.

I like the fact they were grilled. I didn't like the fact they weren't very big. But they still seemed to be enough for my son.

6. I think this menu will stay for a while unless they hear many complaints. So, if you don't like it, better speak up.

I only encountered it at the one place. Maybe they're trying it out to see what comments they get on it? I would love to see it at a couple places. But I hope they don't put it in at every single place.

7. Up until yesterday (when we went home) all DDP credits are still lumped together. There are no adults/child credit. A credit is a credit is a credit.

We experienced the same. Credits were credits. We had no problems paying exactly how we wanted to anywhere we went. I would like to add that at several counters where the kids menu was lackluster, they let him get something off the adult menu he wanted with no hassle and no problem. This was especially true at the pizza places. We ate at 3 of them. And in all cases, they gave him a pizza even though it wasn't on the kid's menu. At two of them, he only got the pizza (the adult meal came with a salad.) At Toy Story Pizza Planet he got a combo like every one else.

8. The standardized kids meal makes for a very boring kids vacation. It was a good thing we were able to break it up with buffets, and off-site things. We ended up buying adult chicken strips for one of my sons a lot of times.
We found the kids menu lacking at several places. At some of them, the standardized menu might be an improvement. At others, however, it would definitely be a bad thing.

Overalll, your experience was similar to ours.

[minniebeth]

Didn't read the entire thread, sorry, but I know that we are not the only ones who booked DDP for future months a while back and there was no mention of the upcoming menu changes. Others have said it as well, that I booked off of what I thought the menus would be. I researched ahead and made my decision off of that. I will speak up, but does anyone know to whom and where????? Thanks for the info. it would be appreciated! :)

[mareed]

Well for MY family and I'm not on a dining plan, my kids never ordered an appetizer or a dessert with their meal. We did dessert later after dinner. So for me to have to pay more for food my kids won't eat bothers me.

The same goes for us. Definitely a forced price increase for those not on DDP if we're forced to get & pay for appetizer & dessert. Now, if they continue to have entree only options at corresponding lower prices available, I'd be much happier.

[3DisneyBuggs]

I'm so glad we didn't get this menu last week. My kids are picky and would have only ate the pizza, minus the chicken. MY DS may or may not eat a burger. I don't like the idea of cold chicken strips. Grilled chicken is fine but why cold- if that is how they are. None of my kids eat raw veggies so I could imagine dinner would have been a fiasco every night. IT may be a better idea to just buy them CS meals before the adults eat TS dinner.We I hope the CS aren't changing too.

[SGB13]

:sad2:
I have a daughter who is lactose intolerant. Yes, we can give her medicine, but we try to limit her cheese intake. With the new menu, that cuts out half the food. She would basically be stuck with chicken strips every night. I never would have picked the dining plan if I had seen those kids menus! Now that the trip is paid for, it really is the pits for the menus to change so dramatically. We would never put up with 5 meal choices for ourselves at every sit down meal for every meal at Disney. What is Disney thinking? If it's all about the money, go up on the dining plan, but give our children some good choices. Sorry, I just had to vent.
I don't mind healty. I didn't want chicken nuggets and fries every night. I had picked places where they could get chicken breasts and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches too. Anyone know of any restaurants this won't be affecting?

[janets]

After seeing a copy of the new menu posted, I again contacted Disney Dining. They still have no knowledge of this new menu and keep telling me that this is probably only a trial, since they don't know about it. I was polite, but kept saying that people are planning the DDP and restaurant selections based on currently available menus and if this is new and Dining has no information to give to customers, then people are going to be shocked and upset.

She gave me guest relations email address so I'm going to send something there to see if I can get anyone in "authority" to answer this question. And I will state that I am unhappy with the new choices that seem to be appearing, including the price increase that forces one to take appies and desserts they do not choose. I'll see what response, if any, I get and I'll post it upon receipt.

[cybrkitn]

After seeing a copy of the new menu posted, I again contacted Disney Dining. They still have no knowledge of this new menu and keep telling me that this is probably only a trial, since they don't know about it. I was polite, but kept saying that people are planning the DDP and restaurant selections based on currently available menus and if this is new and Dining has no information to give to customers, then people are going to be shocked and upset.

She gave me guest relations email address so I'm going to send something there to see if I can get anyone in "authority" to answer this question. And I will state that I am unhappy with the new choices that seem to be appearing, including the price increase that forces one to take appies and desserts they do not choose. I'll see what response, if any, I get and I'll post it upon receipt.

Let us know how you make out. Our trip is in 2 weeks and we do have lunch ADR's for LTT and CR. Our other ressies look ok; for now.

Moderators: Is it possible to link this thread and the one that is posted on the regular restaurant forum? Looking at my User CP, it's starting to get quite difficult trying to remember which one I have posted in. Thanks :thumbsup2

[honeymo78]

SGB - as to your child with lactose intolerance. You should be able to ask the server if there are any options available (like a pbj) that isn't on the menu. While this particular example doesn't help b/c its grilled cheese it does serve as a general example - a few people have reported ordering a grilled cheese for their child even though it wasn't on the menu either with an old menu or from a restaurant with the new menu, some on DDP, some not. You may even want to talk to someone in dining about her allergy and perhaps they can provide you with other alternatives before you go.

[kaytieeldr]

No doubt. I wouldn't be surprised to find that CMs post as well (maybe even try to convince us that this menu change is a good thing ;) ).
Yes, CMs do post - and Disney generally knows who they are. To the best of my knowledge, there's no way to be a Disney Cast Member and live in Massachusetts at the same time, so, no, I'm not a CM - just a reasonable person ;)

[kaytieeldr]

She gave me guest relations email address so I'm going to send something there to see if I can get anyone in "authority" to answer this question. And I will state that I am unhappy with the new choices that seem to be appearing, including the price increase that forces one to take appies and desserts they do not choose. But before, a lot of potential Dining Plan users were complaining because there weren't any appetizers on the kids menu! If you have the DDP, your meal includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. People were complaining because the kids menus didn't have any appetizers. In the immortal words of :sad: Ricky Nelson: "You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself".

[Ms_Maggs]

But before, a lot of potential Dining Plan users were complaining because there weren't any appetizers on the kids menu! If you have the DDP, your meal includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. People were complaining because the kids menus didn't have any appetizers. In the immortal words of :sad: Ricky Nelson: "You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself".

I just think it's unreasonable at TS to have a set appetizer, entree and dessert. It's not like that at regular restaurants outside Disney.

Why should you have to have salad and not apples if you pick the pizza EVERYWHERE you go? Or want the grilled chicken but like the dessert that comes with the pizza. Adults would hate that type of restriction, why should kids enjoy it, especially on vacation LOL

At CS you get to mix and match, why should TS, which costs more, be more restrictive and less appealing? As someone who just lived it for 10 days, I would stick to CS except at places where the kids had options or could eat within the theme (buffets, ethic restaurants at EPCOT).

[DCDisney]

non-alcoholic beverage. People were complaining because the kids menus didn't have any appetizers. In the immortal words of :sad: Ricky Nelson: "You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself".

Kids still aren't really getting an appetizer with these new meals. I guarantee you that when they show up with the adults appetizers the kids aren't getting the shredded veggies off the pizza plate nor are they getting the apples at dessert time.

As much as I'm bothered by the food I'm also bothered by the fact that kids are getting protein/fruit/veggie at 1 time and told it is app/meal/dessert and then they are having to sit for long periods of time while the rest of the family eats 3 actual courses. I know we'll end up purchasing extra food (we did before with the DDP) but I resent being told my kid is getting 3 courses when they are now only being served 1. I'm sure the servers won't be too willing to spread out the meals either.

Right now while it's new it sounds like some accomodations are being made and they stil have some other foods left but as time goes by I wouldn't count on it.

Yvonne

[disneynewbee]

I see alot of people say just don't do the dining plan or just pay for your kids dessert out of pocket and I don't think they are getting the point. The biggest problem is some people who booked the dining plan are now so close that there would be a fee for changing. We booked the dining plan based on what was on the menu for children why should I have to pay oop for my kids dessert when I already paid for a childs meal that was supposed to allow them the dessert they wanted. Also I used a discount code for my package that included dining so I doubt that could be changed anyway without losing my discount.

[D,L and K's Mom]

We are going down in December. DD is 3 and very fussy. I do not think we will have any trouble with this as she does not like MEAT, BREAD or FISH. She lives on buttered noodles, pasta, salad, fruits, veggies and yogurt and cheese. I figured she would not eat much anyway and would be eating veggies off my plate. I am sad that Disney felt the need to put this new menu into effect. I am glad older DD and DS are listed as adults and can eat what they choose from the dining plan.

[janets]

But before, a lot of potential Dining Plan users were complaining because there weren't any appetizers on the kids menu! If you have the DDP, your meal includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. People were complaining because the kids menus didn't have any appetizers. In the immortal words of :sad: Ricky Nelson: "You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself".

I have to disagree. In many places where there wasn't a kids appetizer, you were allowed to choose and adult appetizer. Now at times, many didn't appeal to my older ds. Some did, like the lobster bisque at Coral Reef. It was also an appetizer on their kids menu when we were there in September. He loved it.

Now they have created these preplated meals (at least from the picture it appears that way) matching certain items and the reports indicate that it is difficult to substitute items. While my ds8 has informed me that he will probably be okay, I'm not. I think he's being shortchanged and is being treated like he should just eat whatever he's told. I wouldn't so why should he?

If I am willing to pay more money to stay on site, which means that I'm more likely to eat all of our TS meals on property, I resent being limited (at least to some extent) on the items I can choose for my child. If this is a cost issue, then raise the price of the dining plan for kids rather than give them these limited, icky choices. And while many people say that I should choose buffets which offer a variety of choices for everyone, I frankly don't usually like buffets. I hate being herded on a line for my food and have to take it from a communal container, touching utensils that have been handled by others (and w/o sounding rude, I have no idea about anyone else's hygiene practices). I like the atmosphere of sit down restaurants, having my meal brought to me. I do some buffets (notably Boma) but I don't want that to have to become our staple for 7 nights.

I'm hoping that the fact that we're hearing from Disney Dining and Central Reservations (as well as Guest Relations) that no one knows about this new menu, it means that it's in a trial phase and they are "testing the waters" so to speak.

I know that you can't please everyone, but frankly, limiting kids under 10 to these 5 or so meals and raising the price, I'm unhappy. And if I was not on the DDP, I would really be upset, since it appears that the "a la carte" menu is really also a prix fix meal, since you pay a flat rate for the three items. You cannot skip the appetizer and pay a lesser amount. So you pay for something that your kid will not eat. The way the menus are now, you can opt for an entree only and pay for it (we did this recently at LeCellier, ordering ds4 a hotdog only since he had eaten a CS meal shortly before). The way these new menus appear, that is no longer an option. So I see problems with the menu from both sides of the fence.

[maxsmom]

Wow, I'm liking this even less the more I read. We have a 2 1/2 yr old right now and one on the way. Our Ds has been to Disney twice and we sometimes share and sometimes he gets his own. That seems to be a pretty steep price to pay for the youngest Disney goers who will not come close to eating all that food. A main entre would be more than enough. We aren't DDP users (except this last trip, and won't be again) and it sounds like the cost of feeding the kids will be going up w/ a lot less selection for the pickiest eaters. Maybe I'm looking at wrong, but I'm not thrilled about these changes. I'm just glad we like the family style places and buffet's.

[BlindTyldak]

I see alot of people say just don't do the dining plan or just pay for your kids dessert out of pocket and I don't think they are getting the point. The biggest problem is some people who booked the dining plan are now so close that there would be a fee for changing. We booked the dining plan based on what was on the menu for children why should I have to pay oop for my kids dessert when I already paid for a childs meal that was supposed to allow them the dessert they wanted. Also I used a discount code for my package that included dining so I doubt that could be changed anyway without losing my discount.

My exact situation.

A sidenote, I was speaking to CRO today (still trying to get into POFQ!) and they asked the typical "do you need to make any more ADR's", and I said I was all set but if they'd like to transfer me over, I have some questions about some children's menu changes" and the CM, who I had been having an uproarous conversation with so this was not untoward or out of sorts, said "oh, you want to chew them out too?" as she laughed. She said she'd looked into it as best she could over the past few days and info on the phone end was still pretty spotty and she actually recommended that I call the dining establishments directly, especially if the menu changes were going to affect allergies or anything. They weren't, so since she acknowledged that there were changes but they were a bit out of it on what, that was fine enough for me and I thanked her and said I didn't need to be transferred.

[kaytieeldr]

Kids still aren't really getting an appetizer with these new meals. I guarantee you that when they show up with the adults appetizers the kids aren't getting the shredded veggies off the pizza plate nor are they getting the apples at dessert time. What kids are getting (carrots or shredded vegetables) and what the same kids are eating (the apps the adults order) are two entirely different things.
(and w/o sounding rude, I have no idea about anyone else's hygiene practices). True. You could bring disposable gloves and use one whenever you go to get food, or you could bring antibacterial gel or wipes and use that before you eat.

[akalittleeva]

Well said DCDisney,DisneyNewbee and JanetS! :thumbsup2

We leave in 30 days and I doubt we'll avoid these new changes. It is frustrating because we can only afford to go once in a while - our last trip was 5 years ago and we've been planning this one for over a year now. We were really looking forward to our TS now that the kids are older and dd8 is a foodie. Disney hypes the DDP as being a great reason to stay onsite and then they do something like this. I felt like I made an informed decision at the time. We read the menus, followed the food pic thread, researched the DDP and made our ADRs ages ago. I know things are subject to change, and I expected a few things would, but this is a bit radical.

[Manda]

We were just there 9/30 through 10/7 and I was thrilled with the kid's options. Previously, DS ended up with chicken nuggets and fries for most meals and he typically never eats those things. He was tired of it. This time, he only had chicken nuggets once (at counter service) and never once had fries. He did end up eating more grapes than you'd think he'd ever see in his life, but I'd rather him have grapes at every meal than fries.

I was pleasantly surprised at the Prime Time Cafe menu. DS had grilled chicken strips with sweet potato sticks and a yogurt parfait with strawberries. He was in heaven. And then he shared my super huge dessert with me.

Overall, I was really pleased with the variety of options available for him. Other than fixed menu places, we ate at Rose and Crown, Prime Time Cafe, Nine Dragons, and Le Cellier. All the counter service kids meals default to carrots, applesauce, or grapes now. You have to specifically substitute if you want fries. I think that's great.