Adult ordering from child's menu?

[TexasTSL]

If I am paying out of pocket, can I order from the child's menu? For example, at Sci-Fi, I would probably want a salad and maybe a small child's burger. Is that possible to do?

Thanks!

 

[Lisa F]

yep, people do it all the time!

 

[Bailey 512]

We do it all the time. Picky teenager. Never been a problem. For items such as Mac and cheese I tell them to give us an adult portion and we will pay the difference.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

If I am paying out of pocket, can I order from the child's menu? For example, at Sci-Fi, I would probably want a salad and maybe a small child's burger. Is that possible to do?

Thanks!

1) MrsRustyScupper and I do this all the time.
2) In fact, we frequently SPLIT a child's meal.
3) Have NEVER had a problem.

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

At Sci-Fi I ordered from the kids menu with no problem - and really liked the kids salmon

 

[Yassdvclb]

Very good to know. I feel like I would do this on days when we eat at two places.

 

[lhall7]

We do this all the time for years, but hit our first snag last week at Mama Melrose's. Our waitress argued with me when I wanted to order a kid's meal for DD12. After much protest on my part, she finally asked a manager and she "allowed" it but we had to pay full price for her drink which was milk. I asked if this was just their policy and she said no that no one was supposed to allow it. This was the first time this has happened in numerous trips. Just be aware that not all restaurants allow it.

 

[deez1966]

My mother tried to order a kids meal at raglan road last week and they would not let her. We didn't try anywhere else. We were paying oop. I would still ask though, I am sure other places would allow it.

 

[kandb]

I think Disney owned restaurants usually will not be a problem, I am surprised about Mama Melrose. I would of asked to speak to the manager and would not of paid for a drink when the drink was supposed to come with the children's meal for free.

 

[Alice777]

Just curious...what is the kid's portion like? Half of adults? Quarter size of adults? Was thinking of trying this when I go in November.

 

[supersnoop]

We do this all the time for years, but hit our first snag last week at Mama Melrose's. Our waitress argued with me when I wanted to order a kid's meal for DD12. After much protest on my part, she finally asked a manager and she "allowed" it but we had to pay full price for her drink which was milk. I asked if this was just their policy and she said no that no one was supposed to allow it. This was the first time this has happened in numerous trips. Just be aware that not all restaurants allow it.

I think Disney owned restaurants usually will not be a problem, I am surprised about Mama Melrose. I would of asked to speak to the manager and would not of paid for a drink when the drink was supposed to come with the children's meal for free.

At BOG, the waitress told us that the drink was not included for older children and adults ordering off the kids menu. She was polite and up front about it, and, honestly, I expected it, so had no problem paying for her drink. I thought it was common practice.

Of course, my 12 year old only drinks water, so it didn't actually cost me any extra.

 

[Lisa F]

the no drink thing makes sense... the kid's meal is generally a loss leader promo type thing to get the parents who spend the big $$ in the door. If they let you order the smaller portioned meal at kid meal prices but charge you for an adult drink I think that is pretty fair honestly.

 

[kandb]

Disney probably realizes that children over 9 are ordering off the kids menu and they want to make and extra $3 selling soda which costs them nothing. If they don't let us get a beverage with the kids meals, I will just have my children order water. I buy Wyler's lemonade mixes at the dollar store and will add them in if they want. The flavorings are 10 for $1. I have stopped ordering soda at restaurants. They cost at least $3 and when you add tax and tip in they are at least $4 each, times that by the 4 "over 9 year olds in my family" and it's almost $20 extra at dinner. No thanks

 

[wilkeliza]

I do it off and on. Never have problems at QS but as previous posters have said I've hit a few places that I had to pay for my beverage. Only once was I flat out denied but I don't think it was a Disney owned and operated location. I believe it was Le Chef de France but I can't remember now as it was over 5 years ago.

I believe at 50s Prime Time they would't let me order the children's sampler plate but I could order anything else off the kids menu. I've come across a few others where I had to pay for the drink.

 

[TexasTSL]

Thanks for all the answers. Sometimes I want a salad or another appetizer and a smaller entree. The Disney entrees are huge, and I can't eat them at every table service meal we do. It's really not so much the cost. Actually, I think a salad and a kid's meal comes out to about the same as an adult entree most of the time in most places. I don't want to waste all that food. I would be willing to pay for the adult drink for sure!

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks for all the answers. Sometimes I want a salad or another appetizer and a smaller entree. The Disney entrees are huge, and I can't eat them at every table service meal we do. It's really not so much the cost. Actually, I think a salad and a kid's meal comes out to about the same as an adult entree most of the time in most places. I don't want to waste all that food. I would be willing to pay for the adult drink for sure!

I have to disagree. The kids meals have always seemed appropriately sized for a five-year-old. I've heard many 8 and 9 year olds complain that they aren't enough food.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have to disagree. The kids meals have always seemed appropriately sized for a five-year-old. I've heard many 8 and 9 year olds complain that they aren't enough food.

It is subjective. I tend to find the children's portions are the perfect portion. At most quick service locations I think they are actually better than the adult portions as you get a fruit, side, and entree. It really depends on the individual and what they are use to eating at home.

 

[Lisa F]

Disney probably realizes that children over 9 are ordering off the kids menu and they want to make and extra $3 selling soda which costs them nothing. If they don't let us get a beverage with the kids meals, I will just have my children order water. I buy Wyler's lemonade mixes at the dollar store and will add them in if they want. The flavorings are 10 for $1. I have stopped ordering soda at restaurants. They cost at least $3 and when you add tax and tip in they are at least $4 each, times that by the 4 "over 9 year olds in my family" and it's almost $20 extra at dinner. No thanks

I'm guessing you are more likely to run into this issue with a full adult ordering off of the kid menu than for a 10-12 year old ordering off of the kid menu. the "includes drink and dessert" is really more of a promo thing for kids. And yes, restaurants make a lot of money on beverages (both alcoholic and non alcoholic). if they didn't you'd see a corresponding rise in price on entrees.

 

[TexasTSL]

I have to disagree. The kids meals have always seemed appropriately sized for a five-year-old. I've heard many 8 and 9 year olds complain that they aren't enough food.

I meant it comes out to about the same price-wise. I like the size of the kid's meals for me when I add a salad or an appetizer or dessert!

 

[StayAwake]

I did it once at 50s Prime Time with no problems- had the kid's fried chicken meal which was 2 pieces of chicken. Although the 12 year old ordered an adult meal and a milkshake... so that might have been why the server didn't have an issue. Boy was our food runner confused when he tried to put the kid's meal down in front of the kid and was politely told that the kid's meal was for the grownup.