I agree with Katiebell and Bicker. I haven't used the plan yet so I can't speak from first hand experience. But the way I see it even if you bought your child a complete adult cs meal and an adult desert at ts, with the cost of the childs ddp you still come out under the cost of the adult price. And in all honesty most parents will make a way bigger deal out of it, bad cs choices I mean, than the kids ever will. After all it is Disney world, at least my child is way to excited about what to do next to pay alot of attention to what she is or is not eating. just my 2 cents.
I think it really depends how long you are staying. My kids will probably be cool with the lack of choices and lame desserts for the first few days, but after a while, I know SF jello isn't going to cut it. Yes, my DH and I will pay OOP, but it is rather annoying that there isn't more variety. How hard is it? Really, the price differential between SF Jello and say, a popsicle or cupcake can't be that big a deal, can it?
I think it's a matter of streamlining things. It may be easier for Disney in terms of ordering, managing, whatever...it just isn't very "magical".
Don't even get me started on the lack of vegetarian options for kids. It may only be 10.99 a day but they've got to be a little more creative and flexible than what I hear on these boards. Trust me, it was hard for my vegetarian daughter before the changes...
Now before I get flamed and told not to by the DDP and blah, blah, blah...remember, I'm just weighing in here. I will buy the DDP. We will eat at many buffets. We will try to adjust. And...most importantly, we will have fun.
It is just a shame that there is a lack of variety in the name of nutrition. And, although I use Spenda myself, I do not give it to my kids because there just isn't enough info out there yet about long term or even short term effects. (I am old enough to remember when saccharin was supposed to be healthy!)
We are not going until August and I'll be sure to report back. Hopefully, by then, the folks at Disney will have worked the kinks out...