Another interesting conversation with Dining.

[bicker]

While I realize what you are saying, I am having a problem with figuring out why the costs are much more dramatic if they serve a 9 yr old a kids meal or a 12 yr old a kids meal. Is it better to get the adults meal and throw alot of it away?

In a way that's making more complex than necessary. Rather, they're saying, "Pay this much -- now tell us what to serve you to make you feel like you've gotten your money's worth paying that much."

 

[maxaroni]

In a way that's making more complex than necessary. Rather, they're saying, "Pay this much -- now tell us what to serve you to make you feel like you've gotten your money's worth paying that much."

I disagree, but that's ok. I think an adult meal at an adult price is fine, what I object to, is ds12 paying an adult price for food that he won't eat...be it a steak or mac and cheese. If he gets a steak, he's only going to eat 2 or 3 ozs of it, perhaps 1/2 the potatoes and 1/2 the veggies. Therefore, the rest goes to waste. I'd rather see him order a child's meal and eat it all. Now, if that bowl of mac and cheese or chicken fingers is going to be $17.99, that hardly seems fair, either.

Now, with all of this being said, we will go on vacation, to WDW and have a great time. I'm not going to let it ruin my vacation as I have enough stress in my life but I just don't like the policy. My ds12 can go to any restaurant at home and get a childs meal for a childs price...I don't care where it's been and some has been in far fancier restaurants than Le Cellier. Any restaurant at home, I can order the childs menu and get charged a child's price...why is WDW different. I'm sure they aren't losing money with the millions of people that go there.

 

[bicker]

Well, I don't think you actually disagree with what I wrote. Rather, it sounds like you object to them operating in the manner I suggest.

Fairness isn't really the issue: They offer, you can accept or decline their offer. That's fair. You don't have to visit WDW in the first place. There is no unequivocal right for the consumer to dictate both the terms and the price for services rendered.

What is important for folks to understand is that vacation at WDW is (to a limited extent) like taking a cruise ship vacation: You're a captive market (to a limited extent). They're going to seek to capitalize on the high demand that results from that, and therefore prices will be much higher than in other scenarios, such as "at home." Therefore, folks need to expect to pay a lot, even for children.

 

[Lewisc]

Bicker--This is slightly off-topic but some people, I think including maxaroni, have an issue with wasting food in general. They don't think it's right to order more food than you're going to eat. Taking the leftovers in a "doggie bag" doesn't always work when you're on vacation. Other people, many of them overweight, believe in eating everything they're served and enjoy restaurants that serve over-sized portions for not much more than what similar restaurants charge for normal size portions.

The problem is customers over-estimate the actual cost of the food. They don't realize even reducing the portion size by half may only be reducing the food cost of the entrée by a few dollars.

Most better restaurants will allow you some latitude in ordering. Some the older children could order an adult entrée but just ask to have the meal prepared in a simpler style. Leave off the mustard sauce for example.

 

[j's m]

I'm at a point that I don't care if they charge him as an adult whether it be a TS or buffet but I will still be upset if any of the restaurants refuse to let him order what he wants.
/QUOTE]

My DS11 is a very fussy eater and always eats from the children's menu, he's not very adventurous and won't try new foods. My vacation will be ruined if he can't order what he wants to eat, because he'll make it a living h*** complaining.

As Bicker said, you don't have to visit WDW. No, but I already bought my airline tix in April. Do I throw them out?

I also have no problem following the rules. BUT WHAT ARE THE RULES? EVERY RESTAURANT, SERVER, CM SAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Can we get the rules in writing from Disney so we all know what to expect?

 

[bicker]

The problem is customers over-estimate the actual cost of the food. They don't realize even reducing the portion size by half may only be reducing the food cost of the entrée by a few dollars.

That's absolutely the crux of the issue. Offering smaller portions, while PC and responsive to perceived desire, results in a situation where patrons have trouble perceiving that they've received a good value. There often isn't a legitimate value-proposition in doing so.

 

[daisax]

Perhaps it would be easier for parents to accept if they simply looked at the increased cost as paying for the child's meal and not the actual food. Just as you pay a premium to eat mediocre food at a character meal, you may be paying a premium for the child to eat macaroni and cheese at a certain restaurant so that YOU can get an entree you enjoy in a particular setting.

Presumably you're picking the restaurant for your own dining pleasure, or you'd be eating somewhere that serves what your child will eat in the portions he/she will eat it.

If you have a child who only eats macaroni and cheese or hamburgers, it's something you'll have to deal with. I have adult relatives who won't eat anything but the plainest meat and potatoes -- no sauces, no spices... they're a joy to dine out with too

 

[lomillerin]

Edit

 

[bicker]

What has me baffled is- if you are on the dining plan and have paid adult price for your 11 year old on the dining plan, then, you go to a restaurant and the 11 year old or adult for that matter wants something from the kids menu, why shouldn't they be allowed?

As far as we know, they are allowed.

 

[experiment626mom]

Many restaurants brought a kids menu to the table for my 12 dsd. (She looks older) No one even flinched when both she and I ordered off the kids menu. Don't worry too much about it.

 

[lomillerin]

As far as we know, they are allowed.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, all the conflicting and unreliable information is disturbing.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

my understanding was a person over 9 was going to be "charged" an adult rate if you were purchasing the meal plan.... 9 and under HAD to order off the children's menu if one existed. If your 11 year old wanted to order off the children's menu they could but would count as a TS..... that's why many people recommended paying for the children's meal and save the "adult" TS for a 2 TS meal......

i didnt take it to mean they would be charged 2 TS for kid's meal or that the 11 yoa couldn't order off that children's menu

 

[jjohnson]

Yes. Dining told me my DS11 would NOT be allowed to order off the children's menu. What gets me is Adults are still allowed to "share" an entree.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yes. Dining told me my DS11 would NOT be allowed to order off the children's menu. What gets me is Adults are still allowed to "share" an entree.

I know that one person in a call center somewhere told you this, but they are not at the restaurants and they are not making the calls on what is allowed and what is not.

PLEASE don't stress about it! NO ONE has returned and been told that - even if a Dining person said so. A handful of people have reported being doublecharged for kids over the age ordering kids meals but that's it.

Go, knowing you're going to have a blast, and just ask your waiter about your son ordering what he wants to eat! No worries!

 

[Minnie1156]

Last year my 18 year old DD ate off the Children's menu all the time and no one even cared. I just asked and they said it was fine. She is a real picky eater.

 

[maxaroni]

Bicker--This is slightly off-topic but some people, I think including maxaroni, have an issue with wasting food in general. They don't think it's right to order more food than you're going to eat. Taking the leftovers in a "doggie bag" doesn't always work when you're on vacation. Other people, many of them overweight, believe in eating everything they're served and enjoy restaurants that serve over-sized portions for not much more than what similar restaurants charge for normal size portions.

The problem is customers over-estimate the actual cost of the food. They don't realize even reducing the portion size by half may only be reducing the food cost of the entrée by a few dollars.

Most better restaurants will allow you some latitude in ordering. Some the older children could order an adult entrée but just ask to have the meal prepared in a simpler style. Leave off the mustard sauce for example.

Thank you...

We hate wasting food and always say to order what you can eat, don't over order and waste food. Also, going to a buffet, I'd rather have my ds, go up 20 x's and come back with little bits, rather than loading the plate and leaving it sit there wasted.

My ds just can't eat a full adult sized meal and then, if you add the appetizer and dessert into the picture, it's a lot of food. I'd rather see him get the child's portion and not feel he is wasting food or stuffing himself because it's on his plate.

I know that everyone has a different opinion and we knew full well going into this that he'd be charged an adult price for AYCE and buffets. Not a problem. We planned on having him order a childs portion and paying OOP but to be charged an adult price for a bowl of mac and cheese, also goes against my grain. I'll deal with it, it's vacation, I wouldn't do it at home.

We are not ones to have a child credit, using it for an adult meal...we know he's an adult (price wise).

 

[rascalmom]

We weren't on the Dining Plan, we have DDE - but during our June visit my 14 year oldd dd was never refused or questioned about ordering from the kid's menu. She is a very picky eater & just doesn't like many of the spices, seasonings & sauces used in the adult entrees. She's 5'6" (as tall as I am) and does not look like a kid anymore, so it wasn't a matter of thinking she was "kid menu" age. My older dd (17) is very petite & has a small appetite, but is more adventurous. When she doesn't want a full meal she will frequently order a soup or an appetizer as her meal. Disney has even split meals for my girls without any problem (the only problem is getting them to agree what to order!)

 

[scrapperjill]

The amount of food is really not a significant contributor to its price. There are so many other costs and so much overhead associated with operating a restaurant that food ingredient cost is pretty small potatoes (pardon the pun). It is important to recognize the child's menu prices on full-service menus to be a discount -- a come-on to parents with younger children -- to entice them into eating in full-service restaurants. After a certain point, the benefit to the restaurant from offering the discount is less. Where the line should be drawn isn't clear, and varies over time. It sure did make sense to synchronize that line with the corresponding line as it pertains to admission. It's unfortunate for some folks that the line for admission was age 9.

That is a fairly good point..but it can and would back fire at times. For example my DD 11 is somewhat of a picky eater...well maybe not picky but a small eater (meaning she just dosen't eat ALOT at a meal)...So to go to a restraunt that she is NOT allowed to order a smaller meal...like a kids meal would make NO sence on our part. Why would we want to go out to a restraunt and pay $20+ for her dish...for her to eat less than a 1/4 of it....but on the other hand if she was allowed to order that kids meal (not price inflated) then we would be more likely to go out and eat.

I can totally see how it's a very hard age to decided between..knowing how old is to old to order off the kids menu....from experience..DD good friend and even cousin that is VERY close in age could eat dd under the table...same goes for alot of boys...growing boys can eat ALOT....but most familys accomidate for those thing when going out by ordering off what ever menu in order to feed their group...I know DD's friend ALWAYS orders off the adult menu (has for a couple years now)...and she'll eat all of her meal...or close to it...NO WAY could my dd even come close to eating a WHOLE adult meal.

SO in other words it would be a waste of our hard earned money to eat at a restrauant that MADE dd order off the adults menu.

 

[bicker]

From some perspectives, everything about going on vacation when the economy is doing well can seem to be a "waste of hard-earned money."

I think the best way of thinking of this (and I believe I mentioned this in another thread yesterday) is that the restaurant is offering a dining experience for a certain dollar-amount (which is non-negotiable). How can they make you feel that that dollar-amount is worth it? For most folks, all it takes is a larger and fuller plate, and so that's what they have to go with, even though it doesn't work for everyone.