When will Disney stop serving crappy kids food?

[maxiesmom]

I think part of the reason they don't do kid sized portions of the adult food is because they don't want adults buying smaller amounts of food, and paying the smaller price. And many adults would go for the kid sized portions if they were offered.

I think now there is really no reason to be upset or surprised by the kid's meals at WDW. Look them up before you go, and before you make your ADRs. If you know your child won't eat the food, don't make the ADR. AS far as variety goes, it is out there! But once again doing research before your trip is key. Then you will know where to find the grilled salmon, steak, salads, and other things besides nuggets and burgers that are on kid's menus. The food isn't crappy, not by a long shot!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I think part of the reason they don't do kid sized portions of the adult food is because they don't want adults buying smaller amounts of food, and paying the smaller price. And many adults would go for the kid sized portions if they were offered. . .

We certainly would.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

My now 29 year old son and I just had this discussion the other day. I read on these boards constantly the complaints from parents about their "picky eaters". My father took me to DL when it had been open 2 years. I know for sure if I had complained about food when my folks took me on a fabulous vacation, it would have been the last. My kids felt the same way. They were not picky eaters because they had 2 choices. Take it or leave it. Disney has many options, including buying an adult entrée (which we usually did, my kids never ate chicken strips, nuggets, mac n cheese), sharing from an adult and the buffets. They will not starve, there are plenty of choices, and when parents stop letting their children dictate what they would/should eat, there will be more options.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Unfortunately I think the kids menu issue is because a large portion of families don't feed their children anything but these "staples". As a World Showcase CM I couldn't tell you how many times I would e asked where I could suggest that had "real food". I always sighed (inly started sighing after the 100x time i heard this) and said well this is the World Showcase we have food from 11 countries some of the best including Italy, Japan, an our hidden gem Morocco. Then they would scoff and say no pizza or chicken you know kid food. I would then roll my eyes (not always) and say America. It is a sad situation and I ha this happen at least once a day and as high as once an hour. Honestly this and the question is this where we meet perry, sign up for the show, enter the ride are the only time I let my sass come out to guests because it was just when you wanted to be done with it all.

Edit: I don't want to sound like a bad CM but this was one of the questions I always hated because I felt so bad for the kids. I also loved during F&W when a guy asked where he could get a beer. I informed him most of the Botha would have it since it was F&W and he replied no I want real beer you know like a Bud light. I almost died.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this post.
I would have had a hard time keeping a polite face also if people had been asking me questions like this.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

{FLAME PROOF SUIT IN PLACE}
NOTE: Just to get on my High Horse for a moment and do personal opinion.
Too many parents allow "picky eaters" in the kids. I am not talking about
those cases of physical/mental conditions where kids can't/won't tolerate
anything but plain food. I am talking about average & normal kids that
dictate their menus to the parents. For a while we had such a child.
We got to a point where we put out food, and if it wasn't eaten, kids
went hungry until breakfast. As adults, they now eat lots of foods.
{FLAME PROOF SUIT BACK ON SHELF}

I'm going to put on my flame proof suit also and say that I agree.

I've known people who refer to their kids as "picky-eaters" when in fact they've never really tried their kids out on 'adventurous' food. The parents make presumptions, feed the kids what they think they'll like, and then label them as 'picky'. By the time they get older, they usually are picky as they're not used to anything else.

The last meal we had out, my 5 year old son ordered teriyaki grilled fish and commented how it was one of the 'yummiest lunches ever'. The last time I asked him what I should cook for dinner, he said "Prawn curry".

I'm no perfect parent, I've abused my own body with food, and it's a conscious battle of mine to not let the same bad habits rub off on my son. So it is extra important to me that my son knows that food just doesn't need to be fried or processed to taste good.

 

[webstah]

One thing that people may not realize. When our nephew was 8, he didn't care for the kids choices, and often ended up hungry. When we got the free dining offer, my sister in law paid the upcharge difference between the kids dining plan and the adult dining plan, and he ate off the regular menu.

 

[TDC Nala]

One thing that people may not realize. When our nephew was 8, he didn't care for the kids choices, and often ended up hungry. When we got the free dining offer, my sister in law paid the upcharge difference between the kids dining plan and the adult dining plan, and he ate off the regular menu.

To do this, you must register the child as 10 years old and buy adult park tickets for them if you are on a package with tickets. On a multiday ticket it is generally not that big a difference. The cost of the dining plan is much higher, but you'd be looking to pay that anyway, unless you're on the free dining promotion.

 

[webstah]

To do this, you must register the child as 10 years old and buy adult park tickets for them if you are on a package with tickets. On a multiday ticket it is generally not that big a difference. The cost of the dining plan is much higher, but you'd be looking to pay that anyway, unless you're on the free dining promotion.

You are correct Nala, and I should have mentioned that.

 

[gilesmt]

There is a book, "French kids eat anything", I think that's the name. Read a little about it and its because French parents don't give in and just let the kids be picky. For every picky eater there is a parent who allows it. When I grew up, I hated meat, but every night we had meat, I was allowed to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and eat the potatoes and salad. I had no other option. When my kids grew up, they had that option but did not take it, they ate everything I put on there plate. I am now a nanny, and have the worse pickiest eaters I have ever seen, but why, because the parents have become short order cooks or take out moms, never even trying to get the kids to eat anything. Well for 2 years I became a nanny for a little French girl. Well she did eat everything, but her parents never gave her chicken nuggets, or French fries, or pizza, she had couscous, fish and hard bread and ate all of it.

Also, it is parents who get sick of chicken nuggets and pizza after 7 days. Just like when I was a kid, I never tired of PB & j, because that was my only option other than meat. Disney will stop feeding the masses when parents are not willing to pay for it, you can bring food into Disney and if enough parents did Disney would change the menu. But reverse is also true, just like with BoG, when enough parents will not bring there kids to it because they will not eat the good food, Disney will start serving Mac & cheese and parents will start coming again.

By the way, every kid I ever babysat eventually will eat just about anything I put in front of them, because they learn I cook one meal, take it or leave it. I also tell the parents what to buy, no more fruit snacks, real apples and bananas, no more chips and soda, milk and fresh vegetables. I am working with a little girl now, that 5 months ago would drink 9 bottles a day (she just turned 4) and would gag and throw up on any fruits and vegetables. Well I now have her eating at least 10 different fruits and 10 different vegetables, and most all meats and beans and lentils, because that is what is in the house and she is only allowed milk in cereal, and once for dinner, with cheese and yogurt that is enough, she has gained 8 pounds and is now healthy, so even the pickiest eaters can change if parents want it bad enough.

 

[pmaurer74]

I understand why Disney serves those picky eaters (we have one in our house) but I don't understand why every restaurant does not have both options. I think that they should have mac and cheese, grilled cheese and nuggets but also fish options, chicken dishes and grilled meats. To me this would be the best of both worlds. I am glad to see some making the switch to include both options and I am sure with some planning you could find restaurants with more options.

I agree with this. I have the opposite problem in that I need a place that serves the staples. My daughter is on the autism spectrum and has sensory issues... she eats the same meals every day. I do wish that Disney offered more fruit options than the grapes, they get tired of those. The nuggets are gross but the adult ones are decent. I will have a problem with BOG I will probably bring in some peanut butter and crackers. I have heard they can find something for her to eat so hopefully I can get a few sides for her.

 

[TDC Nala]

This isn't a parenting forum. Please try to keep it to what's available at WDW and not discussions on parenting.

 

[Ariel on Land]

It's not perfect, but I find most TS meals have healthier options. We almost always go for the pasta (and no, mac/cheese doesn't count as a meal!), grilled chicken, or fish. My DD has food allergies and the easiest way to feed her is with REAL food, not processed stuff. We do the DDP, so we know at least our one big meal will have real food.

 

[Crystal824]

I think the table service restaurants are improving. I am really happy to see the Mickey Check meals with grilled chicken and grilled fish and veggies and fruit, and have tried to select as many of those restaurants as possible for our ADRs.

What is sorely lacking in ALL of Disney (except, perhaps, Epcot, the resorts, and DTD) are healthy choices at counter service restaurants. The kids menus here are all typical fast-food fare, and the adult entrees, sadly, are also more of the same, just bigger portions. I don't understand why CS locations can't offer more wraps, salads and soups.

I agree with this. I wish they would offer some better options and some favorites. It is vacation, and if my kid wants chicken nuggets or pizza some of the time I'm ok with that. It is nice to have some better choices and some more typical kid fare at most restaurants. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. It is all kid fare or all better options. My kid is only two, and while she eats a lot of things, she doesn't eat all the better options yet. She doesn't eat any sandwiches, fish, or meat loaf. She does like pizza, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, fruits, most veggies. I typically split CS meals with her anyway so for us it isn't a big deal yet.

 

[G719]

So I decided to do a little homework and do a make believe 7 day trip with one CS and one TS a day. I tried to come up with a different meal each time. I found that I would be able to give my kids a variety of meals for the week. The meals included choices of food across the food groups. I didn't figure in breakfast but I was looking at avoiding 14 meals of chicken nuggets and that's not usually a choice for breakfast. While it is not a large variety at most CS, you can still make it work if your goal is to find a variety of food for kids. I used the menus found here: http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Here is my SAMPLE menu plan:


Day 1
AK- flame tree barbecue: baked chicken drumstick kids meal
POR- boatwrights: garden salad, grilled fish, fruit salad

Day 2
Epcot- sunshine seasons: -- Caesar Salad with Oak-fired chicken and one side
Epcot- garden grill- home style meal with a variety of meats and sides

Day 3
DHS- Fairfax Fare- turkey sandwich, applesauce, carrot sticks
DHS- Sci fi dine- cheeseburger, french fries or salad, ice cream

Day 4-
MK- Columbia Harbour House: pb&j, yogurt, grapes
MK- BoG: fruit cup, whole grain macaroni with marinara, cupcake

Day 5
POR- riverside mill: cheese pizza, grapes, yogurt
Raglan Road- 5 oz steak with mashed potatoes

Day 6
Epcot: lotus blossom cafe: sweet and sour chicken
Epcot: via Napoli: spaghetti and meatballs

Day 7
MK: Casey's hot dog meal
WL: whispering canyon: family platter with ribs, chicken, beef, veggies, potatoes, and corn bread

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I understand that these are the "safe options" that most kids like, but one or two more adventrous items per menu would be really nice!

I'm not picking on you, truly I'm not but I see this often and here are my questions:

What are the safe options? Phosphorescent Yellow Mac & Cheese, does it fall under "safe" option, chicken nuggets? Some kids don't eat those, some kids only eat grilled cheese, hot dogs. Kids fall apart at the taste and look of hand/home made mac/cheese.

What are the more adventuresome options? What, like a grilled chicken breast. I think snails, lamb, maybe even meatloaf are adventuresom; grilled chicken, grilled steak, steamed veggies, not so much!

Differs with everyone, restaurants would have to have a kid's menu with 15 different entrees, 15 different sides and still there would be those that aren't satisfied! The DDP, the massive amounts of people to be fed has reduced the menus to 5 or 6 offerings per adult and child menu, Disney's not going back!

 

[ttintagel]

I'm not picking on you, truly I'm not but I see this often and here are my questions:

What are the safe options? Phosphorescent Yellow Mac & Cheese, does it fall under "safe" option, chicken nuggets? Some kids don't eat those, some kids only eat grilled cheese, hot dogs. Kids fall apart at the taste and look of hand/home made mac/cheese.

What are the more adventuresome options? What, like a grilled chicken breast. I think snails, lamb, maybe even meatloaf are adventuresom; grilled chicken, grilled steak, steamed veggies, not so much!

Differs with everyone, restaurants would have to have a kid's menu with 15 different entrees, 15 different sides and still there would be those that aren't satisfied! The DDP, the massive amounts of people to be fed has reduced the menus to 5 or 6 offerings per adult and child menu, Disney's not going back!

Exactly. "Safe" and "adventurous" are going to mean a lot of differrnt things to different people.

I keep hearing people refer to "staples," and I get the idea they all may be talking about different things. When I was a kid, the word "staples" would have been used to refer to things like boiled potatoes, peas and carrots, cold sandwiches, and plain desserts like unfrosted cake. The kids' menu at BoG would have been considered 100% "staples." It boggles my mind that there are American parents who thing of meatloaf as "adventurous" and deep-fried treats as "staples." It feels like Bizarro world ro me.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It feels like Bizarro world ro me.

I might have to steal that phrase, I think the same every day!

 

[disnut8]

As others have pointed out, it's a no win situation for Disney because we have one group lobbying for healthy and more varied kids choices, while we see another who is outraged at Jr. not having pizza, nuggets, and hot dogs within 15 ft of their little finger tips at all times.

This. Come on - Disney is darned it they do and darned if they don't. There are dozens of meal options at Disney World. I honestly don't think any person, child or adult, goes hungry at Disney World. I highly doubt a child will combust if they don't get the exact thing they want. A chance to teach something like "this is what is available" and if you aren't willing to do that, move to the next choice of eating. I think they are highly available all over Disney World.

Man, if my son, the biggest vegetable hater in the entire world (OK - exaggeration) can eat SPINACH ravioli in a restaurant right at the lip of the Grand Canyon because I asked him to just deal with it, any kid can eat anything at anytime. They won't die.

 

[4orm]

Not only are the kid choice not healthy, but they're such a low quality. Not what I expect from Disney.

Our kid doesn't even know what 'nuggets' are.

We have hear share some of what we're having usually. The adult portions are so huge that there is always enough.

We're lucky she prefers kale and quinoa to fast foods. We'll see what happens when she's a teenager, but until that happens I won't fill her belly with that sub par 'food'.

We also bring snacks along to the parks.

You hear us Disney? You'd get more money out of us if you offered some better options.

 

[bumbershoot]

Now try being a vegetarian family and trying to find good things for DS to eat. Most of the ideas here of healthy foods aren't healthy in my family's definition, and even if they were, we aren't going to eat them.

So at Disney, my son often goes for the mac&cheese (which I find to be quite tasty when I sneak some off his plate) and cheese pizzas (the one at CRT was pathetic...the version at Sanaa is big and delicious), and it's totally and completely fine! Last night he ate coconut curry on his tofu. The night before he ate aloo palak, basmati rice, and some other sort of curry thing that DH got from the Indian restaurant near our home. It's no big deal if he eats mac&cheese on our vacations.

But we also go to Sweet Tomatoes during our trips, so he can get a salad and a variety that he chooses from. On our last trip he surprised everyone by making a proper salad (not just separate veggies not touching, to be eaten plain), and made a vinaigrette with the oil and vinegar, and he ate it all in record time. AND he ate pasta and sauce and breads and things like that. Variety.

So don't assume that everyone is ONLY EVER eating those things at WDW; they might very well just want it that day.

I understand why Disney serves those picky eaters (we have one in our house) but I don't understand why every restaurant does not have both options.

YES yes a million times yes! They should have MORE variety! They should have more vegetarian options, they should have more omnivorous options. They should have plain food and more flavorful foods.

It is obvious why the kids' menu selections can't all be smaller portions of adult meals - the kids DDP is CHEAP - No way could they serve half portions of 'regular' entrees for that price - they would have to make the price SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

So true!

They were not picky eaters because they had 2 choices. Take it or leave it.

Ah, if only you could go back in time and meet my 3 brothers. they were masters of sitting at the dining room table for hours. For NEVER, not even once, eating the offending food. They would, and DID, go hungry, countless times. The rotten part is when everyone has to stay at the table until the one child is done; that was not fair in any way, shape, or form. And it never once influenced any of them to make different choices (if they didn't care about feeding their bellies, why would they care if their sister wanted to do something else!).

I'm not sure about the youngest two brothers (circumstances have caused us to lose touch), but my closest-in-age brother now eats quite a lot of food variety. There are still a few things he won't touch, but anyone seeing him eat now would never know that he had once had issues with all the foods he once had issues with. Just took his palate growing up and getting out on his own. Forcing him to eat NEVER worked.




I think the answer should be variety. And that goes for vegetarian foods for kids, too, Disney!


Honestly, though, WDW does a pretty good job. Disneyland, however, has made a mis-step. Their kid's meal that we got before was a bean and cheese burrito. Small enough but big enough. Had a side of Mexican rice and a fruit cup. Delicious. Last time we went, they had changed the burrito to a whole wheat tortilla. Hard, tasteless, and just disgusting. My son took one bite and nearly threw it away. I thought he was exaggerating, but oh wow it was AWFUL. The rice was now brown rice with frozen corn and peas. At a Mexican place.

I took it up to the CMs and asked them what on earth had happened. Health choices had happened. Ah, but "choices" refers to having a choice of things. They sent me to the window to ask for a scoop of the proper rice (which is still served in LARGE portions on the adult platters). She said that the next time I could *ask* for the normal tortilla, but the adult, white flour tortilla is much bigger than the kid's meal tortillas, so she didn't know if it could happen.

A healthy choice will only promote health if it is eaten. And DS's wasn't. The tortilla went in the garbage, with my blessing, though I did have him open it and eat the beans and cheese from the inside. He was very happy to have the proper side of rice instead of the horrid, tasteless, combo he was given (I should mention that I am quite a fan of white rice, peas, and carrots, but this was really really bad). We walked away just shaking our heads at the concept that *food that's so bad it will be thrown away* is a "healthy choice", and that it's a "choice" when you're not actually given a choice.


So compared to that, WDW is still doing pretty well.