Rant: Kids Menu= Horrible Diet

[Nancyg56]

. What I am judging/questioning is how did these foods become "The Kid Menu" Like i said when i grew up if i didn't finish my vegetables i wasn't allowed to leave the table and if i didn't like what was for dinner it was pbj. Obviously everyone has favorites as well as things the don't like. This has nothing to do with kids with "sensory" issues.

I think that restaurants respond to what parents will pay for their children's meals. When we take DGD to dinner she is not obligated to order off of the children's menu. We have asked for a smaller portion of an adult entree and while some restaurants will agree some will not. As the consumer we have to choose how much we are willing to spend for her meals. We choose to let her order what she wants.

I believe that Disney has a pretty good variety of children's offerings if you are willing to use TS. CS perhaps not so much. DD will often let her DD order an adult CS meal and will have the grilled cheese herself. If there was a greater call for "healthier" options and folks were willing to pay for those meals restaurants would offer them. If is not fair to hold restaurants responsible to parenting decisions.

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.

I am not sure that it is because parents are cheap. I do believe that while price is a consideration it is not the only factor. Honestly, childrens menus can be a good value and for a lot of children they are a treat. My DGD is not allowed mac and cheese, nuggets and fries often so lately when we go to dinner she chooses those options. At home she tells me that she eats grilled chicken and brocoli becasue it is healthier for her If she wants steak off of the adult menu we purchase it but sine DD has removed the carb and fatty foods from DGD's choices at home she has moved back to the children menu when she can.

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

Most TS restaurants have already done this. When DGD is in DIsney she has had the opportunity to enjoy way more than nuggets etc. We always purchase the meal plan and use TS at least once a day. I cannot eat at CS every day for every meal and would never expect her to either. We also check the CS manus out before we go o that we can choose more than burgers adn fried foods. They are there, you just need to look. The portions are generous so two meals will feeld three people easily, giving DGD plenty of variety.

 

[melancholywings]

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.

I agree with your post - very much. I read a few posts that indicated we should be so lucky just to have a kids meal, and I disagree. I think Disney should feel lucky to get my money.
I believe their problem is their menu is incredibly outdated - very 1980's. Burger, Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese, uncrustables and Pizza all in a mickey shapped plastic tray. In moderation all that food is fine but for a 9 to 10 day vacation. It gets boring and it's poor nutrition.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree with your post - very much. I read a few posts that indicated we should be so lucky just to have a kids meal, and I disagree. I think Disney should feel lucky to get my money.
I believe their problem is their menu is incredibly outdated - very 1980's. Burger, Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese, uncrustables and Pizza all in a mickey shapped plastic tray. In moderation all that food is fine but for a 9 to 10 day vacation. It gets boring and it's poor nutrition.

Is Disney forcing your child to eat those foods the whole 10 days you are there? We haven't been since Sept 08 and I'm just wondering if there are CMs standing around waiting to twist arms at the table, so I can prepare for our next trip.

 

[bicker]

I read a few posts that indicated we should be so lucky just to have a kids meal, and I disagree. I think Disney should feel lucky to get my money.

It's actually a two-way street. Neither side is "lucky". It's a balance between offer and acceptance. What is offered and for how much is a reflection of what's mutually-acceptable.

 

[melancholywings]

Is Disney forcing your child to eat those foods the whole 10 days you are there? We haven't been since Sept 08 and I'm just wondering if there are CMs standing around waiting to twist arms at the table, so I can prepare for our next trip.

I'm a consumer and have the right to want better food offerings. I have the right to express that I want better food for my kid. But then I'll always advocate for healthier food choices when it comes to my kid and I don't understand any parent that wouldn't want those options - even if they aren't going to eat them on the menu.

So why are you against the idea of wanting healthier options on the kids meal? Why be snarky against parents who want better options? Are you advocating for unhealthy kids? Are you taking it as an attack on your own lifestyle?

 

[maxiesmom]

The thing is, no one is forcing you to feed your child from the kids's menu. You can order them anything from the adult menu if your child would like that better.

The dining plan does not suit everyone. You can take it, or leave it. If it doesn't work for your family because your child wants more variety, then don't use it. Though Disney does a pretty good job already of offering healthy choices, and there is a variety to the kid's menu, if you just take the time to look. My niece still raves about how good the salmon was from the kids menu at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

It is all about choice. Look at the restaurant menus ahead of time, and see what they have to offer for kids. Don't like the selection, then either order from the adult menu for them or don't eat there.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Is Disney forcing your child to eat those foods the whole 10 days you are there? We haven't been since Sept 08 and I'm just wondering if there are CMs standing around waiting to twist arms at the table, so I can prepare for our next trip.

NO, no one is forcing your child to eat it but think about the amount of garbage that would pile up in uneaten food if every kid ordered an adult meal how much of it would be eaten and how much would be trashed? Healthy choices, appropriate sizes, and variety is all I'm asking for. I don't think it's too much to ask.

 

[Bell30012]

Wow, this thread is filled with emotions. I like to dining plans because I want to pay for everything in advance. Several years ago, the dining plans even included tip. Of course, several years ago the kid's menus actually had food on there that kids wanted to eat. Day one or two my daughter is fine with the limited selection. But by day 10, not so much.

You are correct no one forcing us to choose to order from the kid's menu. Our next trip (Jan) we are driving. After the first couple of days we'll be eating somewhere that will serve us what we like. Then WDW loses out because we are off property. There were trips that I used to love parking the car and not touching it until we left. There were trips we have flown, even though it isn't a long drive.

I think Disney has some good healthy choices on the kid's menu just no variety particularly on the CS meals. What would putting a pepperoni pizza or a cheeseburger on the menu hurt? How many kid's want to eat what the parents are having? My DD7 wants her meal to be like dad's.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm a consumer and have the right to want better food offerings. I have the right to express that I want better food for my kid. But then I'll always advocate for healthier food choices when it comes to my kid and I don't understand any parent that wouldn't want those options - even if they aren't going to eat them on the menu.

So why are you against the idea of wanting healthier options on the kids meal? Why be snarky against parents who want better options? Are you advocating for unhealthy kids? Are you taking it as an attack on your own lifestyle?

I'm not against the idea however I don't see a need for it since there are plenty of healthy options on the menu to order and give your child.
Why are you so opposed to ordering an adult size meal if its the healthy option? Is it because it cost more and you aren't willing to pay a little extra for the benefit of your child's health? Do you think that they don't deserve to order off an adukt menu jus because they are under a certain age?
I don't get the whining and complaining. If you don't want your kids to eat the chicken nuggets then don't order them, its actually a pretty simple solution to the percieved problem of not having enough variety or not enough healthy options. Nobody is forcing you to order off the kids menu, you are choosing to.

 

[luvmy3]

NO, no one is forcing your child to eat it but think about the amount of garbage that would pile up in uneaten food if every kid ordered an adult meal how much of it would be eaten and how much would be trashed? Healthy choices, appropriate sizes, and variety is all I'm asking for. I don't think it's too much to ask.

Oh its not too much to ask however it is too much to complain about. You are the one who is ultimately making the decision on what your child orders at WDW or anyone else, don't blame them because you dont want to order off the adult menu for your kid.

We shared alot of meals and the funny thing was there was more waste of my 2 dses childrens meals then there was of my dd's adult one.

 

[luvmy3]

Wow, this thread is filled with emotions. I like to dining plans because I want to pay for everything in advance. Several years ago, the dining plans even included tip. Of course, several years ago the kid's menus actually had food on there that kids wanted to eat. Day one or two my daughter is fine with the limited selection. But by day 10, not so much.

You are correct no one forcing us to choose to order from the kid's menu. Our next trip (Jan) we are driving. After the first couple of days we'll be eating somewhere that will serve us what we like. Then WDW loses out because we are off property. There were trips that I used to love parking the car and not touching it until we left. There were trips we have flown, even though it isn't a long drive.

I think Disney has some good healthy choices on the kid's menu just no variety particularly on the CS meals. What would putting a pepperoni pizza or a cheeseburger on the menu hurt? How many kid's want to eat what the parents are having? My DD7 wants her meal to be like dad's.

Because in this same thread you have people compaining that there is too much pizza and cheeseburgers on kid's menus and they complain that there aren't any healthy options.
You can't make everyone happy, there are adult choices and kid choices because thats what the majority of those groups eat when they go out. Nobody is forcing your kids to eat mac and cheese or chicken nuggets, if your kid wants a burger order them a burger, and split it with them if its too big. If they want peppoironi pizza, order that and pop the extra slices into a cooler bag for later. I just don't get what the big deal about doing any of that is Maybe its because I have a dd who has always preferred the adult meals wherever we go and I have never ever denied her any of them. I also have 2 dses who are forced to eat what I cook at home so when we go out they love to order the junk kid meals, and I have never denied them those.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Jr. tickets? I've never heard of them, but I'm certainly interested! Can somebody explain? I have an 8-year old son, and we'll be at WDW in Oct.

That is what the CM called it on the phone but I done some research and they just upgraded my kids to an adult ticket. So the 80.00 extra that I had to pay was the difference in the the child tix and the adult tix. Soooo worth it to me since I don't have to listen to them complain. LOL

 

[skater]

I think for me, it has been a philosophical issue. I think the kids meals are boring, and in some cases, kind of sad (same examples of no pizza in pizza places and no ice cream at Teppan Edo). Its not a big deal at all anymore because we've learned how to work around it and our youngest is not as big an eater as our middle child was at 7/8. I just felt a little let down with the issues mentioned above. It may be silly and foolish, but we didn't feel like "guests" when the CM at Teppan Edo told us my 6 year old couldn't have the ice cream the rest of us got (of couse he could - I gave him mine). I know the remedy is simple and I know that my kids are my responsibility to feed - not Disney's. Its just that we have this expectation of magic at Disney and it felt a little un-magical.

 

[melancholywings]

I'm not against the idea however I don't see a need for it since there are plenty of healthy options on the menu to order and give your child.
Why are you so opposed to ordering an adult size meal if its the healthy option? Is it because it cost more and you aren't willing to pay a little extra for the benefit of your child's health? Do you think that they don't deserve to order off an adukt menu jus because they are under a certain age?
I don't get the whining and complaining. If you don't want your kids to eat the chicken nuggets then don't order them, its actually a pretty simple solution to the perceived problem of not having enough variety or not enough healthy options. Nobody is forcing you to order off the kids menu, you are choosing to.

There is a need for it. There are plenty of posts on this thread from parents who have said they wish there was more variety and better choices. That demonstrates a need. And expressing that need isn't whining.

And (for me) it's not an argument about being too cheap to buy an adult meal. My kid eats healthy. But I'm opposed to the idea that only the children who's parents can afford to order an adult sized meal should be offered healthy choices. Good food shouldn’t be something that only the rich enjoy. And this isn't just a 'Disney' thing but a cultural thing. Healthy food choices on the kids menu should be a given. Just like accesses to nutritional information for the menu should be a given.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

There is a need for it. There are plenty of posts on this thread from parents who have said they wish there was more variety and better choices. That demonstrates a need. And expressing that need isn't whining.

And (for me) it's not an argument about being too cheap to buy an adult meal. My kid eats healthy. But I'm opposed to the idea that only the children who's parents can afford to order an adult sized meal should be offered healthy choices. Good food shouldn’t be something that only the rich enjoy. And this isn't just a 'Disney' thing but a cultural thing. Healthy food choices on the kids menu should be a given. Just like accesses to nutritional information for the menu should be a given.

I'm sorry, but as much as we all want to think Disney is all about Magic and making familes happy, it is a business and they are there to make money. Plain and simple. They offer at least one healthy choice option on each of their children's menus and that is good business for them. Most kids on vacation aren't going to be eating any healthy options so it's simply not a good business decision on Disney's part to offer anything more than they already do. If you don't like it, don't buy the kids meals at Disney. Go off property and eat or bring your meals. I guess if enough people did that, and it actually affected their bottom line, then they might change things. The current menus seem to be working for them and the majority of the public, which is apparent from the huge numbers of guests that buy the DDP each year. I read an articale not to long ago on a consumer site about how Disney has once again set the theme park standard, this time in reference to their dining plan. The article indicated that Disney is making millions of dollars off their all-inclusive plan and other parks are scrambling to figure out a way to emulate what they've done in Orlando.

 

[maxiesmom]

There is a need for it. There are plenty of posts on this thread from parents who have said they wish there was more variety and better choices. That demonstrates a need. And expressing that need isn't whining.

And (for me) it's not an argument about being too cheap to buy an adult meal. My kid eats healthy. But I'm opposed to the idea that only the children who's parents can afford to order an adult sized meal should be offered healthy choices. Good food shouldn’t be something that only the rich enjoy. And this isn't just a 'Disney' thing but a cultural thing. Healthy food choices on the kids menu should be a given. Just like accesses to nutritional information for the menu should be a given.

I question how much a need there really is for more variety. With just a quick look at 4 of the kids menus for quick service at the Magic Kingdom I have found that:

Three places have chicken salad
Two places have chicken nuggets
Three places have mac & cheese
Three places have PB&J
One place has a burger
One place has pizza

That is six different lunch or dinner choices at 4 places in just one park. And it is not the same menu at every place. I doubt many families go to WDW and eat 6 counter service meals just in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

There is a need for it. There are plenty of posts on this thread from parents who have said they wish there was more variety and better choices. That demonstrates a need. And expressing that need isn't whining.

And (for me) it's not an argument about being too cheap to buy an adult meal. My kid eats healthy. But I'm opposed to the idea that only the children who's parents can afford to order an adult sized meal should be offered healthy choices. Good food shouldn’t be something that only the rich enjoy. And this isn't just a 'Disney' thing but a cultural thing. Healthy food choices on the kids menu should be a given. Just like accesses to nutritional information for the menu should be a given.

That shows a want not a need.

Lol, if one can't afford to feed their children that isn't
disney's fault. Save a year more. Cut back somewhere else. Bring in healthy sandwiches, fruit and veggies or
wraps. Disney doesn't owe anyone anything. It also isn't disney's fault
if kids like eating pizza, chicken nuggets and pb & j. If you have a problem with the culture and eating, a theme park is the last place I'd start.

 

[jodifla]

That shows a want not a need.

Lol, if one can't afford to feed their children that isn't
disney's fault. Save a year more. Cut back somewhere else. Bring in healthy sandwiches, fruit and veggies or
wraps. Disney doesn't owe anyone anything. It also isn't disney's fault
if kids like eating pizza, chicken nuggets and pb & j. If you have a problem with the culture and eating, a theme park is the last place I'd start.

Boy, isn't this the truth!

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh its not too much to ask however it is too much to complain about. You are the one who is ultimately making the decision on what your child orders at WDW or anyone else, don't blame them because you dont want to order off the adult menu for your kid.

.

I have never understood why the children's menu causes so much discussion. Businesses are free to offer what they want and what they believe will generate a profit. We are free to choose those offerings or to choose something else. I believe that the price point is the issue. People determine how much that they are willing to spend on a childs meal and Disney restaurants, along with most other restaurants, offer what is within that amount.

It is easy enough to research wihich restaurants have adult portions that are generous enough to share with a child or to research which restaurants offer choices that you want to feed your child on the children's menu.

As I have said before, we all try to accomodate my DGD if she cannot find anything ont the children's menu but in the years we have been taking her to Disney, she has never gotten bored or gone hungry. It takes a little time prior to the trip and sometimes costs a little more during the trip but there are plenty of healthy options to choose from.

 

[lovesdumbo]

These CS menus are one of the main reasons we chose the DxDP. It does seem though that many places will sub grapes or carrot sticks for fries, but from what I've read (we haven't been there yet), it is not every place.

I wouldn't be shy at a TS to ask for grilled chicken to replace the tenders.

I've never seen a Disney CS that doesn't allow for carrots & grapes instead of fries and cookie.

I think you would find it al lot easier to find grilled chicken on kid's TS menus than chicken tenders.



We don't do the DDP. I prefer to just order what we want and use TiW. I have 3 children. DD(11) is a pretty good eater, DS(9) is a very good eater-will try anything and really enjoys a nice meal, DD(7) is the world's pickiest eater. She wouldn't even drink the milk at Disney because it didn't taste like the milk we have delivered by the milk man at home. She's not a juice drinker. She'll drink water so I knew she'd survive a week at Disney. The Signature restaurants have some very good choices for kids meals.