11 yr ds will not eat adult meals on dp????

[bmderd2]

My ds is 11 (and he is big and probably would not pass for younger). My question is how strict is disney at the table service restaurants about allowing him to order off the children's menu and paying out of pocket for it? Obviouslly at the buffets we would use the correct adult credit. But at sit down dinners I do not think he would eat much of what is offered. Has anyone else experinced this?

 

[TLSnell1981]

My ds is 11 (and he is big and probably would not pass for younger). My question is how strict is disney at the table service restaurants about allowing him to order off the children's menu and paying out of pocket for it? Obviouslly at the buffets we would use the correct adult credit. But at sit down dinners I do not think he would eat much of what is offered. Has anyone else experinced this?

My kids wanted steak and lobster by the time they were 3 years old......and ate everything in site. No, I haven't experienced this. I would think there are places that offer simple fare. The children's menus do not look very appetizing. I am afraid I will have the opposite problem with DGDs.....having to order OOP for an adult entree.

 

[tnmomof4]

My kids wanted steak and lobster by the time they were 3 years old......and ate everything in site. No, I haven't experienced this. I would think there are places that offer simple fare. The children's menus do not look very appetizing. I am afraid I will have the opposite problem with DGDs.....having to order OOP for an adult entree.

I agree, my DS's will be 12 and 10 when we go. We will be on the DDP. They are sooooo excited that they DONT have to eat kids meals. I printed out menus from all the places we are eating, and we are having so much fun reading them. They are loving being able to pick what adult meal they want. They will be getting steak at a couple places, pot roast, grilled chicken breast, ribs.... I could go on. They both love these choices a lot better than chicken nuggets for just about every meal. Even the CS choices are better for them now.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Disney will let them have a childs meal using their adult credit. My son had a mixture.

 

[klynn]

My ds is 11 (and he is big and probably would not pass for younger). My question is how strict is disney at the table service restaurants about allowing him to order off the children's menu and paying out of pocket for it? Obviouslly at the buffets we would use the correct adult credit. But at sit down dinners I do not think he would eat much of what is offered. Has anyone else experinced this?

Our last trip (Sept. '07) we were on the DDP. I remember at California Grill my dd10 wanted to order of the kids menu. It was no problem paying OOP for this.

 

[mismom]

Our last trip (Sept. '07) we were on the DDP. I remember at California Grill my dd10 wanted to order of the kids menu. It was no problem paying OOP for this.

So for this particular meal did he not use his TS credit when he ate off the kids' menu and you paid OOOP??

 

[klynn]

So for this particular meal did he not use his TS credit when he ate off the kids' menu and you paid OOOP??

Yes. We all used our TS credits except we paid OOP for our 10yo who chose to order off the children's menu.

 

[melomouse]

This past summer at Yachtsman Steakhouse, DS and I used 2 Table Service credits each, and DD(11) ordered the child's meal (a small steak + for I think $12). My glass of Pinot Grgio was almost as much as her meal, all of which I paid OOP when I signed the checks.

You should have no problems. The other alternative is to use his credit but have them bring a kid's meal, but it doesn't seem worth it.

 

[TheDizDad]

If you have time...change his age to 10. Saves you $$$ too. Our son was 10 on our last trip but he wanted the adult menu so we listed him as 11.

 

[septbaby]

If you have time...change his age to 10. Saves you $$$ too. Our son was 10 on our last trip but he wanted the adult menu so we listed him as 11.

Disney "Adult" starts at 10yrs old.

The OP's son doesn't want Adult food so aging him wouldn't be of benefit to them.

OP - If you'll use the TS credits for other meals by all means pay OOP. However, if you'd have the credits left at the end spend them on him.

Finally, he can get something made for him off the Adult menu using the TS credit. For example the adult menus usually have the burgers, he won't eat a burger? At a place like Sci Fi they have a lunch meat sandwich at lunch. He could leave off or switch out ingredients to get something he wanted. There is no such choice on the kid's menu.

I would play it by ear. Walk in sit down and let him select something or ask questions. I was surprised at some choices our 5yo made. He got SUPER excited when he saw the Uncrustables PB&J; who knew? He also chose apple slices 3 times on his own twice skipping the brown sugar or caramel dip. So give the kid some room; he just may surprise you too.

 

[TheDizDad]

Disney "Adult" starts at 10yrs old.

The OP's son doesn't want Adult food so aging him wouldn't be of benefit to them.

OP - If you'll use the TS credits for other meals by all means pay OOP. However, if you'd have the credits left at the end spend them on him.

Finally, he can get something made for him off the Adult menu using the TS credit. For example the adult menus usually have the burgers, he won't eat a burger? At a place like Sci Fi they have a lunch meat sandwich at lunch. He could leave off or switch out ingredients to get something he wanted. There is no such choice on the kid's menu.

I would play it by ear. Walk in sit down and let him select something or ask questions. I was surprised at some choices our 5yo made. He got SUPER excited when he saw the Uncrustables PB&J; who knew? He also chose apple slices 3 times on his own twice skipping the brown sugar or caramel dip. So give the kid some room; he just may surprise you too.

So then back it down another year. "He's big for his age."

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I disagree 100% with lying about his age. He's old enough to see you do this--what kind of message does it send? Plus, if you've already booked, he's already in the Disney computers. In fact, when I booked our last trip, I believe Disney had all my kids' birthdays already in their system. So it's not so easy to lie and get away with it, and then you look cheap, foolish, and unethical to boot.

OTOH, you have a couple options. Buying a child's meal and paying OOP, if that will satisfy him. Finding a "simple" adult meal (burger, sandwich, etc.) that appeals to him. You can also order an adult portion of a child's meal--mac and cheese, say--and they'll serve him that for an adult TS credit. Counter service, you can order and pay OOP for whatever your family wants.

 

[bmderd2]

Thanks for the suggestions. His age was already in the computer from our last trip. He would definetly not pass for 9 (he has a 9 yro brother) and I would not feel comfortable asking him to say he was 9. While he is a big eater he definelty is not an adventrous eater. He is a plain cheesburger/chicken nuggets kids meal all the way. I have planned several buffets (Chef Mickey's, Ohannas, Crystal Palace, and 1900 Park Fare) for this very reason. I'm thinking the more choices the better. But we can only do so many buffets. My other ADRs are corl reef, le cellier, and grand floridian cafe. I would really like to change Grand Floridian (any suggestions???) I just cannot justify ordering him a $30 meal at these restaurants. My thinking was that if we paid oop for him at 2 of these places we could go to another table service somewhere for for breakfast or lunch and just pay out of pocket for the all the kids? I am still open to suggestions???

 

[got2travel]

I was in your exact situation. When we first did the DP a few years ago, DS was 10, so therefore a "Disney Adult". Since we were paying for the DP, I made him choose from the adult menu. He was, and still is, a burgers and chicken nugget kid. But I helped him find enough things on the menus to satisfy him. I didn't make him finish everything, but he knew that he had to make a good effort to get dessert. I don't think we paid out of pocket for any children's meals for him, but that was certainly an option. He didn't want to go that route though, because that usually meant no appetizer and no dessert.

 

[septbaby]

... I would really like to change Grand Floridian (any suggestions???) ...

The Grand Floridian Cafe has a cheese burger at lunch or dinner. Are you looking to change because of his eating choices? That one seems right up his alley. GFC is on my like to try list, just not sure we'll have enough credits to get do it this trip.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, we like 1900 Park Fare, but if you have enough buffets, then skip it. You might consider Kona Cafe at the Poly--not too fancy, I belive you could get a burger, but there's more interesting stuff for more adult tastes. Plus, fabulous desserts!

Another of our family favorites is Plaza restaurant in MK. It's like an upscale Friendly's, if you're from the Northeast (sorry, didn't check your tag). Very ice cream parlor feel. They have good burgers and other hot/cold sandwiches (I'm fond of their reuben), and nice ice cream desserts. It's our family's #1 favorite! It's TS, and not a great value on credits, but you could pay OOP as well. My DS11 can't wait to get a root beer float with a burger there! We would never allow that on a normal day, so it's a double treat for him.