How strict are they about kids menus?

[Calle&Jakesmom]

As my kids are getting older (and both tall for their age), I'm wondering how strict Disney table service restaurants are about kid's meals and the 9 year old age limit.
Also, my son, the older & bigger child, is very picky about food and would likely not eat anything on the adult menu. He definately prefers kid's pizza, chicken, and mac & chesse.
We're Disney veterns and know which restaurants and food we prefer, but haven't run into this challenge before. I'm guessing that this will in part depend on the restaurant and the server, but does anyone have experience with being questioned about kid's age?

 

[disney1990]

You should have no problems. Most restaurants will serve kids meals to adults but some charge an up charge.

 

[DisneyMom2Boyz]

You should consider psying out of pocket. If paying out of pocket you can order anything you want, if not buffet or family style. If on the plan your over 9 child will be charged the adult price on dining and you'll be pying alot for adult mac & cheese. I would pay out of pocket and it would come out better for you? Check the menu pricing and estimate what it would cost your family oop vs disney dining.

 

[MrRomance]

As my kids are getting older (and both tall for their age), I'm wondering how strict Disney table service restaurants are about kid's meals and the 9 year old age limit.
Also, my son, the older & bigger child, is very picky about food and would likely not eat anything on the adult menu. He definately prefers kid's pizza, chicken, and mac & chesse.
We're Disney veterns and know which restaurants and food we prefer, but haven't run into this challenge before. I'm guessing that this will in part depend on the restaurant and the server, but does anyone have experience with being questioned about kid's age?

My MIL orders from the kids menu quite often, but we are always on the DDP so I guess Disney figure they're the winners by only providing a kids meal for an adult credit.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Thanks for the info.

We're not using Dining Plan.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thanks for the info.

We're not using Dining Plan.

Since you aren't on the DDP, you can order from the kids menu. My friend's (11) daughter is ever so picky and we've encountered a few restaurants that try to sway you into ordering from the adult menu because of the age or the size of the child, but stick to your guns, tell then since it's OOP it shouldn't matter, and they always cave in!

 

[jwfla422]

My dd (14) still orders from the kid's menus when she can't find something she likes on the regular menu or when she wants her meaty macaroni dish. We always pay OOP since we are TIW cardholders, never been an issue.

 

[bucky1023]

We always pay OOP and my mom, who has just can't eat as much as she used to, sometimes orders off the kids menu and never has been questioned.

Just remember that if it is a buffet you will still be charged for an adult, even if he only eats nuggets and mac & cheese (I usually avoid when it is just the two of us since it isn't worth the $$ we pay for her, when she only has one plate of food)

 

[Merbean09]

You should consider psying out of pocket. If paying out of pocket you can order anything you want, if not buffet or family style. If on the plan your over 9 child will be charged the adult price on dining and you'll be pying alot for adult mac & cheese. I would pay out of pocket and it would come out better for you? Check the menu pricing and estimate what it would cost your family oop vs disney dining.

It always feels like there's at least one person trying to talk someone out of a dining plan, when sometimes that's not even the topic! OOP or not, I'm sure the server would do whatever it takes to please you!

 

[goofyintoronto]

It always feels like there's at least one person trying to talk someone out of a dining plan, when sometimes that's not even the topic! OOP or not, I'm sure the server would do whatever it takes to please you!

Well said! I agree. The server will accommodate you. They have a lot of experience with picky eaters!

 

[robinb]

As my kids are getting older (and both tall for their age), I'm wondering how strict Disney table service restaurants are about kid's meals and the 9 year old age limit.
Also, my son, the older & bigger child, is very picky about food and would likely not eat anything on the adult menu. He definately prefers kid's pizza, chicken, and mac & chesse.
We're Disney veterns and know which restaurants and food we prefer, but haven't run into this challenge before. I'm guessing that this will in part depend on the restaurant and the server, but does anyone have experience with being questioned about kid's age?

I have heard of issues at La Hacienda of older kids ordering off the kids menu and I experienced an issue at Marrakesh. My DD had no problem ordering off of most kids menus when she was 12 and ordered off the kids menu at Yak n Yeti when she was 13. She's getting bigger and her tastes are FINALLY starting to get more mature and she ate more adult meals on our last trip than kids meals on our last trip. If your kids are fussy but need more food than your average kids meal you can order adult portions of the kids meals too.

 

[North of Mouse]

It always feels like there's at least one person trying to talk someone out of a dining plan, when sometimes that's not even the topic! OOP or not, I'm sure the server would do whatever it takes to please you!

The server may do what they can to please you, but if you are paying with the DDP, an adult will be charged the adult price for an adult serving of child's food. That's why is it *cheaper* to pay OOP instead of the DDP if you have someone that is considered an adult to Disney, but only wants a child's food.

 

[Merbean09]

The server may do what they can to please you, but if you are paying with the DDP, an adult will be charged the adult price for an adult serving of child's food. That's why is it *cheaper* to pay OOP instead of the DDP if you have someone that is considered an adult to Disney, but only wants a child's food.

I'm not saying that you're wrong, I'm just saying OP didn't ask about prices, OP just asked if it would be possible.

 

[roselark]

I often order kids meals, especially at CS locations. I like the grapes and carrots options and it is more than enough food with a lower cost. I have done it a few of times at TS locations when I wasn't very hungry and if they had something other than chicken nuggets. I prefer to snack through the day and so eat less at the main meal times. I have never had a problem and I am nearly 40.

 

[ChelMomto5]

My sons are pretty picky (ages 10 & 12) and it seems to me like I might have read somewhere that the T-Rex wouldn't let kids over 9 eat from the kids menu. We'd really like to try the T-Rex but short of the kids menu, there is nothing my kids will eat. We will not be using the dining plan.

TIA

Michelle

 

[tb1972]

My DD10 is super picky & vegetarian too. We pay OOP for her kids meals which most consist of mac & cheese or cheese pizza. She's very petite though & probably looks younger than 10.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We'd really like to try the T-Rex but short of the kids menu, there is nothing my kids will eat. We will not be using the dining plan. Michelle

Well, to possibly help you, what will they eat? Because in actuality a lot of the dishes offered on the kids menu are what's on the adult menu.

Rotiserrie chicken, burger, lasagna, ribs, shrimp are on both the adult and the kids menus!

But if you are not using the dining plan they should let you order what you want, from any menu! In Aug, we were 7, with 2 insanely picky 11 year old girls and they ordered pasta with alfredo sauce from the kids menus while the rest of us ordered from the adult menu!

We never do the DDP!

 

[LisaBi]

I've never had an issue ordering a child's meal, for either myself or DS (who now looks about 15 and is 19). That has been true wether OOP or DDP. I also frequently substitute kids items like grapes for dessert if we are on the DDP. It's paid for, so figure I may as well get something.

 

[BriarRosie]

There are only two places I've read about here on the DIS that have adamantly refused serving kids' meals to anyone older than 9 years old:

La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot
Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom

No matter what the guest said, willing to pay out of pocket or a larger portion to use a dining plan credit, the restaurants stood their ground.

I've been able to get kid's items at counter service places everywhere on Disney property without a problem. But those two full service restaurants should be carefully avoided if kids' meals are an issue.

 

[robinb]

There are only two places I've read about here on the DIS that have adamantly refused serving kids' meals to anyone older than 9 years old:

La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot
Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom

No matter what the guest said, willing to pay out of pocket or a larger portion to use a dining plan credit, the restaurants stood their ground.

You can add Marrakesh to the list for us. My vegetarian DD was just 10 and at the time they still offered couscous on the kids menu. I can't remember if it was vegetarian already or if I asked for it without without chicken. I was refused and had to purchase an adult meal for her. She barely picked at it.