Rant: Kids Menu= Horrible Diet

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I doubt they are fond of adults sharing meals, either.

 

[A&E'sMom]

Whether or not Disney has an obligation to provide healthier (main) items on their kid's menu, and cost and those with sensory and allergy issues aside- let's get real here.

It's amazing to me that when a child would prefer to not eat hamburgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and fries for every meal, that they are considered "adventurous eaters". Really?? My boys love and eat the aforementioned items, but also love and eat grilled chicken, sweet potato fries, veggie burgers, turkey, fish, many different ethnic cuisines, and even (gasp!) raw veggies and salad. So, where do they fall in the labeling? Say, what you will (and again, with allergy and sensory issues aside), it's not the kids that have the food issues, it's the parents. It's amazing that we survived as a species before the advent of kiddie junk food, if "picky eaters" is the default reasoning for having a kid that won't eat outside the fast food menu items (whether made at home or out). If I let my boys, they would eat ONLY the junk, until they were physically sick. Point is, I'm the parent. I don't let them do whatever they want. If they can't make a good decision on their own, I'm there to guide them into making the right one, or flat out make the decision FOR THEM, if they won't.

Now, granted, we are on vacation. So, I let them have a cheeseburger and fries for lunch if that's what they want. They won't be having it for dinner as well, though. But, let's just say that they did- fine. Not such a big deal on vacation. But, I'm flabbergasted at parents who claim that their children "have" to eat that way 24/7, simply because they are "picky eaters". And I'm further amazed at any pediatrician that would back that up. I'd be changing my child's doctor, pronto.

My point is this. It would be nice if EVERY WDW CS and/or TS menu offered a couple other main items on their kid's menu, that went in a healthier direction- grilled chicken sandwich maybe? Veggie burger? Sweet potato fries?. Variety is the spice of life after all, right? And it really has nothing to do with the price. Paying "less"- especially at WDW where cheap doesn't really equal cheap in real life- should not mean that anyone is stuck with "crap". After all, a child-sized portion is also smaller than an adult portion. But. Even if your child is stuck with a limited menu in WDW, that doesn't mean they should be stuck with one back safely at home.

 

[bicker]

pizza on the kids menu at a pizza restaurant would prompt some adults to order that item (expecting something better than child-menu-quality pizza)

I don't see how offering a child's pizza at a pizza restaurant (using the PP's example) would cause problems for Disney. Plenty of adults share meals at Disney, either with each other or with a child. I don't see how an adult ordering a child's meal is any different profit-wise for Disney than 2 people sharing 1 adult meal.

It is different, to some extent, and the same, to some extent, but that's not the point. I think you misread what you replied to (reproduced above), because it answered your inquiry directly: The presence of that item on that menu would prompt choices with unfounded expectations leading to yet-even-more reduction in revenue (offering both a child pizza and the ability to split an adult meal is two ways revenue can be reduced, instead of just one), and more dissatisfaction (due to the unfounded expectations that would go unsatisfied).

 

[bicker]

I doubt they are fond of adults sharing meals, either.

Probably true, though it much more troublesome (from a public relations/customer delight standpoint) trying to prevent meal-sharing than simply not offering something on a specific menu. All by the most unreasonable consumers realize that you cannot get blood from a stone.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Probably true, though it much more troublesome (from a public relations/customer delight standpoint) trying to prevent meal-sharing than simply not offering something on a specific menu. All by the most unreasonable consumers realize that you cannot get blood from a stone.

Absolutely.

 

[walkdmc]

I think I replied way back, near page 1 or 2. My 9 yo hates the DDP, hates it. After 2 trips in 12 months, both trips we used the DxDP, we won't do it again. Our problem with the plan is the lack of choices. We ate at least 2 sit downs a day for a total of 17 days (between the two trips). He really got tired of the same choices restaurant after restaurant. Our problem wasn't the nutritional value, or lack thereof, rather the monotony of the menu.

I do think the choices can be quite nutritious. I remember grilled chicken, veggies, fruit cups, etc.

 

[bicker]

My point is this. It would be nice if EVERY WDW CS and/or TS menu offered a couple other main items on their kid's menu, that went in a healthier direction- grilled chicken sandwich maybe? Veggie burger? Sweet potato fries?. Variety is the spice of life after all, right?

However, that just raises the question as to why not just choose such healthy items from the regular menu. See above for why the child menu is necessarily so limited. In the end, it just comes down to money, and the fact that some folks vigorously want to pay very little instead of paying more. Child menus, even as they are, do appeal to those folks. Everyone would prefer getting more value (including getting more flexibility) for their money, for everything, but not everyone would prefer paying more to get more value.

And it really has nothing to do with the price.

Yes it does, for the reasons outlined above. If it didn't, then just ordering off the regular menu, with the special requests granted, would be sufficient. You're implying that it isn't sufficient.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

However, that just raises the question as to why not just choose such healthy items from the regular menu. See above for why the child menu is necessarily so limited. In the end, it just comes down to money, and the fact that some folks vigorously want to pay very little instead of paying more. Child menus, even as they are, do appeal to those folks. Everyone would prefer getting more value (including getting more flexibility) for their money, for everything, but not everyone would prefer paying more to get more value.

Yes it does, for the reasons outlined above. If it didn't, then just ordering off the regular menu, with the special requests granted, would be sufficient. You're implying that it isn't sufficient.

As someone said above, a child's menu is a nice perk. Not a right.

No one has to order from a child's menu. If one does, it is either out of being cheap, or the child likes the options.

 

[bicker]

As someone said above, a child's menu is a nice perk. Not a right. No one has to order from a child's menu. If one does, it is either out of being cheap, or the child likes the options.

Ack, I think "cheap" is too prejudicial a characterization.

(Otherwise, I agree.)

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Lol, too frugal to buy their child more varied and healthier options?

 

[Chelley00]

No one has to order from a child's menu. If one does, it is either out of being cheap, or the child likes the options.

If you are on the dining plan, you child has to order from the children's menu. We get the dining plan because we like character meals, where our children can eat a decent meal from the buffets. However, counter service children's menus are really limited...in variety and nutrition.

 

[bicker]

If you are on the dining plan, you child has to order from the children's menu.

That's surely a fine reason to avoid the Dining Plan, for folks concerned about the quality or nature of the child meals.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I can't recall the cost of the regualr DDP off hand, but we are doing QSDP. The cost for kids is $10 a day. In that you get 2 snacks and the refillable cup. But just based on the 2 snacks, at $3-4 each that is say $7 on average there, so for $3 a day you are getting the 2 kids meals whcih may or may not be the best choices but even if you just get the side dishes and drik you are doing OK. Add in the salads and fruit sups and stuff that is often available and it still isn't a bad deal. I would compain more if it cost more but the kids price is very reasonable. I'd say if you want to suppliment there are good choices. My kids share a regualr meal when we go out at home. They prefer the food and it costs the same. When we go to Disney we do the same and use the kids emals for breakfast typically.

 

[ddoconnell]

It took me a while to decide whether or not to weigh in on this issue (no pun intended! ) But I decided that I needed to dive in. Here is my situation:

I have 2 kids, 11 years apart...polar opposites in their eating habits, yet raised exactly the same way! My older one would eat anything (and still does! ) (One of his favorite foods in cottage cheese! ) But at WDW he really liked eating off the kids menu because it was faster (wanted to get back to the rides!) He outgrew the kids menu at about 7 or 8 and mixed his diet at WDW just like he did at home. He would try the grilled fish today and have a cheese burger tomorrow. We were exercising like crazy with all of the walking, so I just watched our water intake more than the calories!

My younger one is as picky as can be she wouldn't even eat any type of meat until she was 3! (Her protein intake was pretty much scrambled eggs, cheese, etc...freaked her father out....just knew she was going to be anemic!) Now she eats only chicken and pork products...no fish and definitely no BEEF! As she gets older she is getting better at making healthy choices on her own....grilled chicken instead of fried, fruit instead of french fries, etc. And she continues this at WDW

As a diabetic, I can tell you that no restaurant anywhere is good for me to eat at! I have had to make unusual choices for years and it is just a way of life for me and my family! There is always something that will work with my diet....you just have to look and mix and match!

I think it is interesting to see how much this issues gets everyone's ire up! I agree with PP's that say you can make the biggest changes in your own neighborhood with the power of your dollar. I try never to comment on another person's parenting because I have no idea what went into the scene that I just witnessed....not always successful, but I do try!

I too have friends who have kids with food allergies, etc and have seen how difficult this is for them....and it is not made easier when people who are unaware of this challenge make comments to them about their child's eating habits! (And yes this has happened in restaurants! In front of the child! )

I have enjoyed this discussion and feel sure that some of my comments will also raise some folks ire! Thanks for the topic!

 

[usnuzuloose]

You would think that a TS place would know some parents like to feed there children healthier meals. How hard would it be to put a small version menu for the children for healthier choices. Maybe its time to speak up at the resturants and see. Jo

 

[bicker]

The greatest power a consumer has is their decision to refuse offers made; to do without something rather than ratify what is being offered by just living with it.

I think the quandary, though, is a lot of people simply don't want to "do without Walt Disney World" (because it is either exceedingly difficult or otherwise undesirable to go elsewhere for meals, while visiting WDW) to make their point about what they want in terms of child meals. And Disney has gotten that message, loud and clear, rather than the message you would want to send, Jo.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Yes, my child is young but I'm always looking toward the future when it comes to her. I honestly don't remember the term "picky eater" entering my realm till I was in college. I know there are "sensory" issues for many kids but I often wonder if that label is sometimes placed on kids needlessly. In my eyes I'm the parent, this is how things go, no room for discussion. When is it sensory and when is it a stubborn kid wanting only their way? When is it giving in. Like I said I know their are MANY real cases of sensory issues so I'm not speaking to that group.
I would love to see restaurants just offer a kids/child size portion of their "normal' menu. This includes Disney and here at home. For me it's not about the $$ because at the end of the day If she wants an adult item she can have it.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

If you are on the dining plan you can upgrade and pay more for better food. Or not do the meal plan. No one has to make that choice.

 

[robinb]

If you are on the dining plan, you child has to order from the children's menu. We get the dining plan because we like character meals, where our children can eat a decent meal from the buffets. However, counter service children's menus are really limited...in variety and nutrition.

First of all, the DDP is not meant to be for everyone. Many people find that it is not a fit for their family and the reason I see again and again is because of restrictions placed on the plan. Many Annual Passholders end up with the Tables in Wonderland card instead so they may eat what they want.

I have also heard of some families who solve the problem of the limited children's menu by purchasing the adult DDP for those kids. If it's not free dining then I suspect the additional cost will outweigh the convenience of having the plan.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Yes, my child is young but I'm always looking toward the future when it comes to her. I honestly don't remember the term "picky eater" entering my realm till I was in college. I know there are "sensory" issues for many kids but I often wonder if that label is sometimes placed on kids needlessly. In my eyes I'm the parent, this is how things go, no room for discussion. When is it sensory and when is it a stubborn kid wanting only their way? When is it giving in. Like I said I know their are MANY real cases of sensory issues so I'm not speaking to that group.
I would love to see restaurants just offer a kids/child size portion of their "normal' menu. This includes Disney and here at home. For me it's not about the $$ because at the end of the day If she wants an adult item she can have it.

Lol, get back to me when there is something your child really doesn't like. Or do you force her to eat everything. As a parent of many, I made my kids try stuff, but no one likes everything. I'll eat octopus, but glazed carrots make me want to gag, thanks to a stint in a daycare during college.

I've worked with thousands of kids in varying capacities. It is easy to sit back and judge. But not too smart in the grand scheme of life. No parent gets everything right.

So what is your job at this camp?