Advice/info wanted, the child's menu, DDP and adventurous eaters

[Stellaluna]

First of all, long time lurker, first post, so hello.

I've been following closely the hoo-hah over the newer children's menu. We'll be going in late May/early June and I really need to get my ADRs made so I'm going to have to make a decision here soon. I have 2 DS's, DS1 is 9, DS2 is 7. DS1 eats like he's afraid someone's going to steal his plate, and hasn't eaten kids meals for a while now. I had already pretty much planned to upgrade his MYW to adult just for the meal benefit. The problem is DS2. He's also a fairly good eater, and loves to try new things. No way is he going to be content with grilled chicken and macaroni and cheese for a week. I have been trying to find restaurants where he can eat something closer to what we will be eating, but I'm really thinking about chucking that plan and ponying up the extra bucks to put him on the adult plan as well. The thing is he's very small for his age (Eats like a horse but is consistently in the 25% pecentile for height/weight much to mine and his pediatrician's consternation) and I thought as long as I am willing to fork over the extra bucks, it shouldn't be an issue. I'm just worried I'm going to spend our whole vacation arguing with CMs who take one look at him and want him to order off the child's menu. I know that originally it wasn't as clear whether the points were childs or adults, is it clear now which they are, so the CMs will be able to see we've paid extra? Any other suggestions? I'm really really hating this new kids menu, it's a vacation, they shouldn't be living off yogurt, grapes and sugar free jello.

 

[powellrj]

yes they can tell because your card will say A4 instead of A2 C2. Instead of paying extra, could you plan to do more buffets so they can both eat whatever they want without you having to pay extra. I know CS meals maybe an issue, but you could get the kids meals and maybe let them share an additional adult meal and it would still be less money.

 

[Stellaluna]

I think we might try the sharing thing, and maybe supplement with some OOP choices. The standard plan doesn't work for us, and I think I just got to the point where I was saturated with options.... it just seemed easier to say the heck with it and go with an additional adult plan. But yeah, I don't think that will be terribly cost effective, and since the biggest concern is the CS meals, we can probably share and get around it. Thanks.

 

[Madjock]

The DDP didn't work for us for that exact reason. CS was so frustrating, we ended up with 2 CS tickets left at the end of our holiday because we paid OOP just so DD could have a hamburger! When did a child having a hamburger on holiday become such a bad thing

At dinner it wasn't so bad as there was enough food on our plates to share with her, which was just as well because we personally found the children's portions to be on the small side, but it was still annoying.

As suggested above, luckily we did book a few buffets, however, we found that even at these the choices had become much more limited than in previous visits.

 

[brownsthreesons]

We are having a similiar problem. I have three sons (13,9,4). The nine year old will be 10 at the time of vacation, but when I booked they added him as a child. He also is a big eater, and knowing that his big brother will get to eat off the adult menu will be very disappointing for him. When I booked (through WDW), I explained to the lady that he would be 10 at the time of vacation, but she had already entered it into the system and didn't want to change it. However, after looking over the child's menu's, I'm with you. He will not be happy with that food for a week! Thankfully, I have been blessed with three kids that are not picky eaters. I am thinking we will do a lot of sharing with him. It sounds like the TS meals have large portions and since my mom is also joining us, we will let him have part of ours. I'm sure it will all work out, but I am just wanting him to enjoy the whole experience as this is our first trip to DW.

 

[aviva5675]

Guess I agree with the others, just thought I'd add that I'm not sure they would let you even pay extra for DS1 to have adult credits. I can see your thoughts on it and it makes sense-- works totally in Disney's favor. Not sure a/they'd allow it, and b/you are right- it'd be a week of arguing w/CM about his credits.

 

[AStamm]

We've got what amounts to free dining (thanks to that repeat guest program going on in December last year) for our trips in August and September. Last summer we went during free dining in August and DS who was 7 at the time decided he loved steak. He ended up eating the majority of our adult meals and we threw away a lot of his kid stuff. To allow us to all enjoy our meals, we've booked the August/September trips with him as an adult, even though he's only going to be 8. The nice part is it only cost us something like $12 to change him from a one-day childs ticket to a one-day adult ticket. We're all looking forward to many delicious meals at Le Cellier and Coral Reef where we'll all get our own steaks!

 

[thunderbird1]

Other uses for child CS credits:

-breakfast (less difference between A & C meals than at lunch or dinner)

-hot dog carts (according to recent reports)

-resort food courts (esp at values, have more variety of kids CS than parks)

 

[Stellaluna]

Guess I agree with the others, just thought I'd add that I'm not sure they would let you even pay extra for DS1 to have adult credits. I can see your thoughts on it and it makes sense-- works totally in Disney's favor. Not sure a/they'd allow it, and b/you are right- it'd be a week of arguing w/CM about his credits.

Actually I have been informed that as long as I upgrade his whole package that won't be an issue, I just can't upgrade the DDP only. It's still cheaper to do that than pay OOP for all his meals, really, the child's menu would be a complete waste with him.

I also hadn't thought of using up the child's CS at breakfast... we're not really big breakfast eaters, but it would be a nice treat on a few days.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with big eaters, and really I sympathize with those with older children who are light eaters. Children's appetites vary so much in these tween years, it would be nice if Disney had a bit more flexible of a plan, instead of an arbitrary 'age line in the sand'. But I guess they have to draw the line somewhere.