Appetizers, dining plan & kids?

[bamamom]

Those of you that have been and used the dining plan.... The plan says 1 app, entree etc...per person but kids must order from kid menu. Does this mean they can or can not get an appetizer from the main menu if the kids menu doesn't offer one? I think I have only seen one place that had a kids appetizer and can't remember where that was? What have been your experiences with the dining plan kids and appetizers?

 

[Lewisc]

Those of you that have been and used the dining plan.... The plan says 1 app, entree etc...per person but kids must order from kid menu. Does this mean they can or can not get an appetizer from the main menu if the kids menu doesn't offer one? I think I have only seen one place that had a kids appetizer and can't remember where that was? What have been your experiences with the dining plan kids and appetizers?

The plan brochure say kids must order for the kids menu. It doesn't promise them an appetizer or dessert.

Do a search, some posters were allowed adult appetizers and dessert but the trend seems to be to either say no or to offer a child's appetizer. Sometimes just a salad. Even if it's not on the menu I'd assume restaurants have a cookie for a kids dessert.

Think of it logically, the kids meal plan costs around $10 /day. An adult appetizer or dessert can cost almost that much by itself.

 

[wshupnastar]

Just subscribing!

 

[dreamalittledream]

good info.

do kids get a desert with a kids meal? If the adult plan comes with one and their's does not, I know I could not eat it if my children didn't have one, I would have to give it to them or order another! (or get DH to give his!)

 

[joyjoy]

good info.

do kids get a desert with a kids meal? If the adult plan comes with one and their's does not, I know I could not eat it if my children didn't have one, I would have to give it to them or order another! (or get DH to give his!)

You could always share your dessert with your child.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I would have 2 to share with but otherwise sharing would not be a problem, as long as they like chocolate and can eat quickly!

it just got me thinking if this is a way Disney is trying to make up some extra money, selling the kid's deserts. Deserts are high proffit items.

Either way, no biggie. I'll have to look at the menu's on All Ears. I just want to be prepared.

 

[DiscussDisney]

Most of the kids menus at the TS Restaurants have at least 1 dessert item on the menu. Also, many of the restaurants are adding 1-2 appys to the menu.

 

[dreamalittledream]

Most of the kids menus at the TS Restaurants have at least 1 dessert item on the menu. Also, many of the restaurants are adding 1-2 appys to the menu.

that would be so great! I wonder when we will see the change.
It does make for a long meal for the kids to sit thru though. I guess that is why we tend to like the character meals.

 

[MomofKatie]

The plan brochure say kids must order for the kids menu. It doesn't promise them an appetizer or dessert.

I must politely disagree with this statement. The Dining brochure clearly states, above all else, that EACH person in the party gets 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert per TS meal. It then states that children aged 3-9 must order from the kids' menu when available . To me, the intent is that if there is a kids' appy and dessert available, children must order it. But, if there is no kids' version, because they are entitled to an appy and dessert, they can order it from the adult menu.

Lots of restaurants have been adding at least one kids' appy and one kids' dessert to their menus- that is fair. But don't penalize us for not offering choices on the menu! My DD, for one, wants to have her salad and dessert with her dinner, too.

 

[Lewisc]

The question was if the brochure explicitly stated that kids get to order an adult appetizer.

Your interpretation is reasonable.

An alternate interpertation is kids must order off the kids menu. If a kids menu is available then the child must order from that menu with no exceptions. The brochure doesn't explicitly say what happens if the kids menu doesn't offer a child appetizer. In general kids meals frequently don't include appetizers. The brochure doesn't say the child is entitled to order an adult appetizer. If a child's appetizer isn't available we can agree to disagree if that means the child is out of luck or if the child can order an adult apetizzer.

I'm pretty sure all restaurants offer child desserts. They might not be on the allearsnet menus.

Either interpretation is reasonable, the restaurants are side stepping the issue by starting to offer a child's appetizer.

What's important is guests shouldn't assume they'll be able to stretch a meal by ordering adult appetizers and adults desserts with a child credits.

I must politely disagree with this statement. The Dining brochure clearly states, above all else, that EACH person in the party gets 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert per TS meal. It then states that children aged 3-9 must order from the kids' menu when available . To me, the intent is that if there is a kids' appy and dessert available, children must order it. But, if there is no kids' version, because they are entitled to an appy and dessert, they can order it from the adult menu.

Lots of restaurants have been adding at least one kids' appy and one kids' dessert to their menus- that is fair. But don't penalize us for not offering choices on the menu! My DD, for one, wants to have her salad and dessert with her dinner, too.

 

[wendypooh]

I'm in agreement with Momofkatie, as that is how I interepret what the brochure states.

It is my understanding for the TS meal, that the child must order from the childs menu, unless there isn't one. That said, if there is no childs appetizer or dessert on the childs menu (that they are indeed entitled to) - as the brochure DOES state that each person gets an appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage. It would clearly have to come from the adult menu. ( Since these items are not offered on the childs menu). I assume that is why some restaurants are adding them to the childs menu's.

I doubt we'd order an appetizer for our ds, regardless, but if he wants his dessert he should still be able to get it, since it's paid for, even if it does come off the adult menu. I hope they make the change soon, it just seems like the entire dining plan is a big confusion for all involved!!!! Especially the CM's.

 

[DiscussDisney]

The problem with the dining document is that Disney left it up to interpretation. I thought the same as you until I had a conversation with a CM at Disney who was very knowledgeable about the dining plan and how it works in regards to kids 3-9. The CM told me that the kids 3-9 must order off the kids menu. No exceptions. If there is no kids appy, then they may not order off the adult menu. However, the CM did mention that most, if not all, the TS restaurants will be adding appys to their menus. Additionally, there are still some restaurants that will allow your child to get an adult appy, but it is at the discretion of the restaurant/server. Also, most of the TS restaurants have desserts on their kids menus. Hope this info helps

I must politely disagree with this statement. The Dining brochure clearly states, above all else, that EACH person in the party gets 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert per TS meal. It then states that children aged 3-9 must order from the kids' menu when available . To me, the intent is that if there is a kids' appy and dessert available, children must order it. But, if there is no kids' version, because they are entitled to an appy and dessert, they can order it from the adult menu.

Lots of restaurants have been adding at least one kids' appy and one kids' dessert to their menus- that is fair. But don't penalize us for not offering choices on the menu! My DD, for one, wants to have her salad and dessert with her dinner, too.

 

[abk96]

When we went a few weeks ago, my 3 kids always got a dessert but no appy except for Spoodles. They had kid's appy's on the kid's menu and even when I asked the server he said "Well, it's kind of a pain." Not sure what this meant...but we ordered the kids salads because they love salad and they really didn't eat many veggies that week either.

The only place that told the kid's what they could have as a dessert was Alfredo's in Italy. The server said the kid's could have either ice cream or chocolate mousse.

 

[MomofKatie]

I guess what bugs me about this issue is that if Disney states that each person gets an appy, an entree, and a dessert, but then denies it to kids, it seems as if they don't view kids as valued guests- more of an afterthought. This whole problem could have been avoided by making that #@*!! brochure a bit more clear. If it had stated that each adult is allowed 1 appy, 1 entree, and 1 dessert, and children must order from the childrens' menu, I'd have no problem with that. But the way it's worded now, it seems like Disney is being miserly by refusing our kids an appy and dessert if they want.

 

[DiscussDisney]

I guess what bugs me about this issue is that if Disney states that each person gets an appy, an entree, and a dessert, but then denies it to kids, it seems as if they don't view kids as valued guests- more of an afterthought. This whole problem could have been avoided by making that #@*!! brochure a bit more clear. If it had stated that each adult is allowed 1 appy, 1 entree, and 1 dessert, and children must order from the childrens' menu, I'd have no problem with that. But the way it's worded now, it seems like Disney is being miserly by refusing our kids an appy and dessert if they want.

Exactly!!! I totally agree with you and I recommended to the CM that they should change the brochure. I am sure that won't go very far.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It would seem reasonable that if the restaurant did not have a kid's appetizer that the children could order an adult appetizer, but be given a portion suitable for a child.
No kids here, so I would never be in that situation. But if I were and denied a child appetizer simply because the menu lacked any, I would be asking the server where the appetizer is that each person (including children) can order.
For the small fracus it would cause you would think they would even make up a quick appetizer for the kids. Otherwise I guess a kid is not a person.

 

[dreamalittledream]

An app for my child is usually a package of saltines to keep them busy while we are waiting for dinner to be served.

For those of you who have seen menus recently, What kinds of app would they even offer kids? applesauce? salad? soup? mini shrimp cocktail?

The one reason I'd like to see something offered for them is that way we could actually enjoy our apps and not need to order something that they would like instead. Otherwise we would skip the apps altogether in the interest of time and getting the children fed.

 

[DiscussDisney]

I've seen fruit and cheese platters on a couple of menus. I also understand that many have a small salad available.

 

[headoflife]

I talked to 2 different CMs today about this issue, one in resort reservations and one in dining. I was calling to change an ADR and was routed to reservations by mistake. The CM in reservations said yes, kids can get items off the adult menu if there are none on the kids menu, and the CM in dining said the exact opposite. I decided to email the question, and see what answer I get. At least then I will have an answer in writing! While I was writing, I asked if credits will remain pooled and accessible from 1 card, so I hope to have an "official" answer to 2 of the questions floating around.

 

[Atotty]

Just subscribing....I'm worried about all this, too. If my oldest dd who is an adult in Disney's eyes gets to order dessert and her two younger siblings don't, WWIII will start.