When will Disney stop serving crappy kids food?

[taylor3297]

My kids tend to find other things to eat than the nuggets, pizza and mac and cheese. They love going to 50's Prime because they get to order the complete meal which has grilled fish or grilled chicken tenders. The grilled fish has whole grain pilaf, green beans and carrots and yogurt parfait.
The chicken comes with pasta w/marinara sauce, green beans and carrots and fruit salad.

Also, they can create their own, choose either a salad or chicken noodle soup. Entrees are limited: meatloaf, nuggets, hot dog or mac and cheese, then a choice of ice cream or fruit salad.

My kids tend to order the fish meal or salad, meatloaf and fruit salad. Drink wise they tend to choose milk.

We also due the buffets because they like to try new things. Their favorite is Biergarten.

We are doing BOG for the first time this October. My son will love the steak and dd will choose the fish. Both will have a hard time choosing between the salad or fruit.

I haven't really paid much attention to what is on the kids menus. The kids will order off the kids menu if there is something they want and other times they will ask to order off the adult menu.

So now I am going to go take a look at the places we normally eat and see what the choices are.

 

[evabraniff]

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.

My ds has food allergies too! We don't eat fake processed crap in our home so the kids are used to eating healthy, real food. No problems with the foods on the DDP last year. Looking forward to it again - 6 more days!

 

[maxiesmom]

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

I have to ask: Have you looked at menus? There are better options, but it takes some research to find them. However if you go look through all the menus there should be no problem finding things other than nuggets and burgers.

I'm sorry, but most people who complain about the lack of options haven't really looked for them.

 

[smitch425]

I have to ask: Have you looked at menus? There are better options, but it takes some research to find them. However if you go look through all the menus there should be no problem finding things other than nuggets and burgers.

I'm sorry, but most people who complain about the lack of options haven't really looked for them.

Exactly

 

[coco392]

When guests stop demanding it. Honestly, every other thread on this board is some variation on, "My kid won't eat anything but chicken nuggets - and not the white meat kind, they have to be the pressed-meat kind like they have at McDonald's. How DARE they serve something WILD and EXOTIC and ADVENTUROUS like meatloaf and turkey sandwiches at Be Our guest?!? I'll have to buy the nuggets somewhere else and bring them in with me or he'll STARVE TO DEATH! WHY DOES DISNEY WANT ALL CHILDREN TO STARVE AND DIE?!?"

Gold

 

[mommyrosa2]

Awesome. Glad it works out for you.

As for us.....nope. Son is not a fan of pizza, nuggets, mac-n-cheese, etc. Yes.....some places did have good alternatives (and he did, in fact, have some meals that he enjoyed). But others did not. We are not the type of eaters that the DDP works for. We got it free upon booking. Discussed it at the end of our trip, and we were not impressed. Generally, we prefer two meals a day (late table breakfast/early table lunch and a sig. dinner) no snacks and not big fans of counter service. So the plan we had did not work well for us at all.

Friends that went with us, it worked better for. Their son is a bit more staple in his dining choices. And they like the counter service and snacks. So.....they were pleased with their DDP experience.

But, cool that it does well for you.

The DP doesn't work for everyone, you are absolutely correct. There was an implication made that crappy kids choices and the DP go hand in hand and that's just not true. Anyone who is familiar with the DP already knows how it's set up, however, no one is forced to eat at restaurants that have limited kids choices and that's the point I was making!

 

[mommyrosa2]

I have to ask: Have you looked at menus? There are better options, but it takes some research to find them. However if you go look through all the menus there should be no problem finding things other than nuggets and burgers.

I'm sorry, but most people who complain about the lack of options haven't really looked for them.

This exactly!

 

[4orm]

I have to ask: Have you looked at menus? There are better options, but it takes some research to find them. However if you go look through all the menus there should be no problem finding things other than nuggets and burgers.

I'm sorry, but most people who complain about the lack of options haven't really looked for them.

Yes, I have. After having been to WDW over 20 times, and being a travel agent that specialized in WDW travel I'm well versed in the menu options. We eat primarily organic. A grilled chicken with pilaf isn't something we'd order unless it was at the least free-range and hormone free with the rice in the pilaf being avicide free. There are more natural choices every time we visit but nothing at the vast majority of counter service restaurants and we can only eat at so many table service restaurants before we feel like we're just sitting instead of enjoying the parks. So we stock our DVC room with groceries. The restautrants that do offer what we're looking for(Wave, Cali Grill, Sanaa, etc...) are fantastic. I would like more options for our family but until then I'm happy to hit the Whole Foods on Turkey Lake Rd.

 

[4orm]

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.

This is a prime example. People have different wants/needs when it comes to their diets.
We're not asking to take away what is offered now.

 

[maxiesmom]

At some point we all need to realize that WDW is a theme park, and they can't possibly meet everyone needs and wants as far as food choices go. Your kid may hate chicken nuggets while another one loves them. You child may eat only organic fruit while another one will only eat french fries. There is no way on this earth they can have a massive menu assortment that will suit every single palate, or every single dietary restriction one can come up with.

I think over all Disney does a pretty terrific job. But if you have huge dietary restrictions, thinking they can or should provide you with a ton of variety at every single restaurant is a bit over the top. At some point you need to realize that they need to have food that suits the masses, and not a tiny fraction of their guests.

 

[4orm]

I do realize that. You do realize that 10 years ago the only options on the kid menus were salt laden, grease bombs. After people asked carrot sticks, apples, grapes, grilled meats and other options started to appear. I'm not demanding they change things, I'm letting them know that I vote with my dollars. They've been getting more of mine as some of their signature restaurants update their menus with higher quality ingredients.

I know this is a hot button issue but I think the fact that this topic keeps popping up over the years is because there are a lot of people who would like Disney to keep up the good work with their menu changes. I was just chiming in with others who have similar wishes.

 

[taylor3297]

Yes, I have. After having been to WDW over 20 times, and being a travel agent that specialized in WDW travel I'm well versed in the menu options. We eat primarily organic. A grilled chicken with pilaf isn't something we'd order unless it was at the least free-range and hormone free with the rice in the pilaf being avicide free. There are more natural choices every time we visit but nothing at the vast majority of counter service restaurants and we can only eat at so many table service restaurants before we feel like we're just sitting instead of enjoying the parks. So we stock our DVC room with groceries. The restautrants that do offer what we're looking for(Wave, Cali Grill, Sanaa, etc...) are fantastic. I would like more options for our family but until then I'm happy to hit the Whole Foods on Turkey Lake Rd.

Even at Whole Foods you have to watch what you buy from there. Many items are not organic and some even contain GMOS. That is why we have started buying from our local farmers market where vendors are screened before they can sell.

 

[metzgardesign]

The DP doesn't work for everyone, you are absolutely correct. There was an implication made that crappy kids choices and the DP go hand in hand and that's just not true. Anyone who is familiar with the DP already knows how it's set up, however, no one is forced to eat at restaurants that have limited kids choices and that's the point I was making!

No....the implication was made by me that he was underwhelmed by his choices due to my obviously misguided choices in counter service options.

I am so very glad you are happy with the DP. Yay you! It didn't work for us (as we don't like counter service, aren't generally familiar with the offerings, and the counter service joints we did go to had crappy selections for our tastes). I do suppose I could pore over the various WDW menus and establish a dining agenda that will work for us (of course, I will now have to factor in my 3-month-ahead-of-time-Peter-Pan-ride-reservation when deciding upon which counter service place I want to visit). Plus the whole walking around with a tray looking for an open table like a lost refuge, with the added fun of dashing to one when it opens up (while bringing a certain bit of sporting fun to the whole dining experience), kinda sucks (and by "kinda" I mean "really sucks like a new Hoover").

Or, I suppose we could just not get the Dining Plan, pay out of pocket and enjoy the places we enjoy, with the portions and choices we like, and in the establishments we enjoy.

And you (and others as they see fit) can enjoy the DP and its myriad of choices for YOUR dining preferences.

Awesome how that works, yes?

 

[mommyrosa2]

No....the implication was made by me that he was underwhelmed by his choices due to my obviously misguided choices in counter service options.

I am so very glad you are happy with the DP. Yay you! It didn't work for us (as we don't like counter service, aren't generally familiar with the offerings, and the counter service joints we did go to had crappy selections for our tastes). I do suppose I could pore over the various WDW menus and establish a dining agenda that will work for us (of course, I will now have to factor in my 3-month-ahead-of-time-Peter-Pan-ride-reservation when deciding upon which counter service place I want to visit). Plus the whole walking around with a tray looking for an open table like a lost refuge, with the added fun of dashing to one when it opens up (while bringing a certain bit of sporting fun to the whole dining experience), kinda sucks (and by "kinda" I mean "really sucks like a new Hoover").

Or, I suppose we could just not get the Dining Plan, pay out of pocket and enjoy the places we enjoy, with the portions and choices we like, and in the establishments we enjoy.

And you (and others as they see fit) can enjoy the DP and its myriad of choices for YOUR dining preferences.

Awesome how that works, yes?

And when I said an implication was made, I never said it was made by you nor am I pushing or promoting the DP...I have been several times and have gone with & without the DP! I believe MANY posters on this thread, myself included, were simply stating that there are a lot of places that offer better kids choices. There was no "hidden" message in anything i said so it appears that you're just reading way to into this

 

[goofyintoronto]

Exactly!

At some point we all need to realize that WDW is a theme park, and they can't possibly meet everyone needs and wants as far as food choices go. Your kid may hate chicken nuggets while another one loves them. You child may eat only organic fruit while another one will only eat french fries. There is no way on this earth they can have a massive menu assortment that will suit every single palate, or every single dietary restriction one can come up with.

I think over all Disney does a pretty terrific job. But if you have huge dietary restrictions, thinking they can or should provide you with a ton of variety at every single restaurant is a bit over the top. At some point you need to realize that they need to have food that suits the masses, and not a tiny fraction of their guests.

Surely one cannot expect all restaurants at disney to carry free range chicken and organic fruits & veggies. For a theme park, I think they have a pretty decent variety of foods available. They do their best to accomodate different diets, but they cant accomodate everyone out there, that would be a bit much....organic, halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, low salt, no salt, low fat, minced, pureed, etc!.

 

[smiths02]

I am still wondering how we expect WDW to be better than the real world?

How many restaurants in the average American city serve organic chicken breast with a side of organic quinoa and kale for kids? (And make sure there is a tofu version for vegetarians)

Several of the local restaurants that we frequent that have "specialty" food (vegetarian, kosher, halal, cuban, locally grown) don't even have a kid's menu!

And to those saying we could just add healthy options...the title is "when will Disney stop serving crappy kids food?" I don't need the food police with me on vacation.

 

[bdklein]

They only serve "crappy" kids food if you order crappy kids food-whether designed for kids or not.
Order "real" food and you will get real food.
Or go to a buffet and eat what you want-plenty of real food there (and crappy kids food).
Really only an issue if you go on a Dining Plan and you have kids (and go to TS non-buffets and many of the CS). So stay off the Dining Plan and stop complaining!!!

 

[TeresaWen]

I find there is a wide variety of food across all Disney restaurants. The problem as I see it is that in the "real world" most will chose a place to eat based on the food they are in the mood for. In Disney restaurants are chosen based on theme and there is an expectation that the food desired will be served. If it is not then All Disney Food has gone to the dark side.

I have said it before - it should not be a discussion on how to parent your children - it should be a discussion about finding a place to eat that has the food you want - there are plenty to choose from. Stop trying to make all Disney restaurants the same. I believe they once were so this really is much better.

 

[goofyintoronto]

They only serve "crappy" kids food if you order crappy kids food-whether designed for kids or not.
Order "real" food and you will get real food.
Or go to a buffet and eat what you want-plenty of real food there (and crappy kids food).
Really only an issue if you go on a Dining Plan and you have kids (and go to TS non-buffets and many of the CS). So stay off the Dining Plan and stop complaining!!!

I find there is a wide variety of food across all Disney restaurants. The problem as I see it is that in the "real world" most will chose a place to eat based on the food they are in the mood for. In Disney restaurants are chosen based on theme and there is an expectation that the food desired will be served. If it is not then All Disney Food has gone to the dark side.

I have said it before - it should not be a discussion on how to parent your children - it should be a discussion about finding a place to eat that has the food you want - there are plenty to choose from. Stop trying to make all Disney restaurants the same. I believe they once were so this really is much better.

Excellent post. I agree. How many restaurants out there have free range chicken options for example? I honestly havent seen many, if any. So why would people expect Disney to be over the top compared to the restaurants outside of WDW?

I am still wondering how we expect WDW to be better than the real world?

How many restaurants in the average American city serve organic chicken breast with a side of organic quinoa and kale for kids? (And make sure there is a tofu version for vegetarians)

Several of the local restaurants that we frequent that have "specialty" food (vegetarian, kosher, halal, cuban, locally grown) don't even have a kid's menu!

And to those saying we could just add healthy options...the title is "when will Disney stop serving crappy kids food?" I don't need the food police with me on vacation.

I just took a quick peek at some of the menu's, both TS & CS/QS. And here is what I found for kids:

Restaurantouraus at AK has turkey wrap
50's at AK has grilled fish with whole grain rice pilaf and green beans
San Angel at Epcot has grilled tilapia and grilled chicken
American Adventure at Epcot has grilled chicken and pasta, to name a few
LTT at MK has oven roasted turkey, bbq chicken, or pasta
Even a place like Sci-fi at HS has a grilled chicken breast as an option!
Electric Umbrella (gag) does indeed have poor choices for kids, but they DO have a veggie flatbread for adults that your child can eat. Yes that means you cannot use the DP.

There are more examples of decent food available to kids. As i said, all you have to do is look. I used allears.net.


To say you want Disney to STOP serving crappy food altogether isnt fair, cause there are many kids who enjoy eating that crap. I think Disney does a good job in serving a good mix of both healthy and junk. At each place you can at the very least get a turkey sandwich for your child. I've seen that on most cs menus.

 

[Patience]

I was less than enthused by the counter service kids meal options on our trip in the fall of 2011. Dinners were better because we did a lot of character meals and our youngest daughter could eat adult food from the buffet. I'm excited about the children's menu lunch options at BOG and I think we will probably eat lunch there on both of our MK days this trip. I am struggling mightily with where to eat CS in Hollywood Studios. I think we may just eat at the food court at our resort that day. We are eating at Hollywood and Vine that morning. Epcot's counter service menus for children look ok to me. We plan to eat at Tangerine Cafe and in one other country or maybe Sunshine Seasons. I just think my 6 year old daughter, who eats very healthy foods at home and is an adventurous eater, would feel like crap after eating a week's worth of nothing but processed chicken nuggets and white bread uncrustables for a whole week and who wants that?