Beware - Spoodles Policy

[Beachangel]

We were in WDW last month and my 15 yo niece ordered off the kids menu because she typically eats mac n cheese and chicken fingers. We don't usually review the bill too much so I have no idea what we were charged. The 15 yo had the same portion size as my 5 yo niece. No CM said anything about a price increase. Only in Disney restaurants have I noticed the free soda refills policy. Don't see that too much here. In fact I had friends visit recently who kept ordering soda after soda during dinner and were shocked when the bill came and sodas were $3.50 each. We could have had a bottle of their finest champagne! Personally I wouldn't expect milk refills to be a freebie. You ordered, you should expect to pay for it.

On a side note, I was in the supermarket yesterday and bought some cherries. I don't pay much mind to prices, if I want it, I buy it. The sweet cashier rang up my small bag of cherries and asked if I wanted them since they were $12.00. I told yes but thanked him for the heads up! Guess if he was a CM, he would have told you about the milk charge!

 

[PamNC]

BEWARE SPOODLES....Period. We ate there last November and it was undoubtedly the worst sit down meal we've ever had at Disney. Dried up chicken, steak overcooked 3 times. Then, here's the capper: My husband got physically sick. YUK! And we were so looking forward to trying it.

PamNC

 

[Angelgirl13202]

I have a couple of comments:

I had an issue like this kind of at planet holleywood at down town disney (I know I know participating opperation) but still it applies to the discussion. WHen i was turning 19 We went to the restaurant it was My roommate her boyfriend and I. so thier were two 19 year olds and hes like 24 something like that they brought us two adult menus and one kids menu.(i look like im 10 with as short as i am) even when people talk to me on the phone they ask if im an adult (recently called an airline to get prices for my grandmother and was told they couldnt talk to me i was 15 i was like nope) any who I wanted to order off the adult menu as I always order the same thing at planet hollyword. but my friend wanted to order off of the kids menu since she was not very hungry we only went thier because it was my choice, so i orderd hers and she orderd mine and we just switched plates. I know im going to get flamed for this. but when the bills came (we got three seperate checks) she was really snippy in asking now who gets what check I told her to give my friend the faheta check and give me the nuggets and we would take care of it she was like but you ate so and so ... and I explained that since i was given the childs menu i thoguht i had to order so she finally just put both papers on the table. I was upset about this and talked to a manager. i was upset that she was so rude to us. not to mention i wasnt happy they gave me a childs menu and was going to complain to begin with but changed my mind when my friend spoke up and said she would take it. so I mentioned how i felt really bad to be assumed as a child. and the manager told me " we allow anyone to eat off the kids menu so whats the big deal"

THe thing with the milk I kind of agree it was a glass of milk no place i know gives refills on milk. but its just that a glass of milk so please stop getting ugly.

Now i know im going to sound confusing saying how upset i was with being given a kids menu but sometiimes I will use it to my advantage if im at a restaurant with my family and i see nothing that i eat on the menu (very pickey) and will order if its not on the menu that it will be double when we go to disney in a less than a month i will say something thats not right. that they would charge me double just because i am a pickey eater and dont really want anything off the adult menu and am only eating thier because i was outvoted and didnt want to eat counter service by myself and miss the atmosphere or time with my family.

 

[Becky2005]

I totally agree. I've never heard of any restaurant giving free milk refills. Even free pop refillls are rare around here.

The free pop refills are common but I have *never* heard of free milk refills here, except at buffets.
(Actually, if I'm unsure I *do* ask if the refills are free, if I don't see it printed anywhere on the menu!) About the only thing I assume is free if I don't see it printed is coffee refills (but since I don't drink coffee I never really paid any attention but most of the time they just automatically start refilling cups).

Good to know about this new "double the cost" policy. I have an 11-year old so it will affect us (although we are on the Premium plan, we have a day there before our plan starts and one after the plan ends - so we will have to pay for some meals out of pocket).

 

[Rafikifan]

The issue isn't getting a smaller meal -- the issue is only a matter of price. The cost of the ingredients that go into the food is trivial compared to the other costs associated with eating at a restaurant...

...Children's menus, however, are offered almost exclusively as a loss-leader -- a c'mon to get the adults to come into the restaurant and order the adult entrees.

I see your point to a certain extent. I realize that there are overhead costs, and not just the price of the food and I can certainly understand if our large party had all gone in and all of us adults wanted to order child's meals, that extra charges would be justified. If we all had wanted burgers and nuggets we would have gone to Beaches and Cream. But, the majority of us wanted a full meal, and we wanted to all dine together. There were SIX adult full meals ordered, (including one for my middle son who could have ordered off the kid's menu but he wanted a full size steak), 2 appetizers, Caesar salads for $5.99, wine, and beer. My youngest son got a kid's meal but he is under the age limit so we were just talking 2 teens who only liked things on the kid's menu. I really don't think they would have lost any money on our table if they had charged just kid's prices for their two meals do you? I honestly don't mean to sound cheap. Heck, it was my friend's teens and their ticket and no, an extra $20 for a meal at WDW isn't a big deal in the scheme of things. It was more the principle of it - had NEVER heard of the double policy before so didn't ask once they DID ask if they could order off the kids menu for them, and were told yes. We just felt like the server was taking a bit of advantage. I'm really anxious to hear from others that come back if that is the case everywhere now, just out of curiosity.

 

[Gymbomom]

I see your point to a certain extent. I realize that there are overhead costs, and not just the price of the food and I can certainly understand if our large party had all gone in and all of us adults wanted to order child's meals, that extra charges would be justified. If we all had wanted burgers and nuggets we would have gone to Beaches and Cream. But, the majority of us wanted a full meal, and we wanted to all dine together. There were SIX adult full meals ordered, (including one for my middle son who could have ordered off the kid's menu but he wanted a full size steak), 2 appetizers, Caesar salads for $5.99, wine, and beer. My youngest son got a kid's meal but he is under the age limit so we were just talking 2 teens who only liked things on the kid's menu. I really don't think they would have lost any money on our table if they had charged just kid's prices for their two meals do you? I honestly don't mean to sound cheap. Heck, it was my friend's teens and their ticket and no, an extra $20 for a meal at WDW isn't a big deal in the scheme of things. It was more the principle of it - had NEVER heard of the double policy before so didn't ask once they DID ask if they could order off the kids menu for them, and were told yes. We just felt like the server was taking a bit of advantage. I'm really anxious to hear from others that come back if that is the case everywhere now, just out of curiosity.

If this is the policy then I agree with Disney charging you as if you have a policy you need to enforce it EACH and EVERY time. Not, let it slide when you order drinks, or enforce it when they order water.
But, I do agree with you if it is not clearly stated on the menu (double charges will be applied if you are not in the age range) and the server doesn't tell you, I would have thrown a fit.

 

[bicker]

But, the majority of us wanted a full meal, and we wanted to all dine together. There were SIX adult full meals ordered... (and a lot more) ... I really don't think they would have lost any money on our table if they had charged just kid's prices for their two meals do you?

Surely, as an isolated case, I feel it would have been appropriate to make an exception for your party. The problem is as soon as you make exceptions the rule, the whole system falls apart, so a case-by-case exception is most appropriate way of addressing this. Of course, asking for an exception enough in advance to have it reviewed by management not otherwise engaged by the regular responsibilities is a bit inconvenient to the guest, but I would definitely have supported them granting an exception in advance for your specific party if you were willing to make that request.

 

[Lewisc]

If this is the policy then I agree with Disney charging you as if you have a policy you need to enforce it EACH and EVERY time. Not, let it slide when you order drinks, or enforce it when they order water.
But, I do agree with you if it is not clearly stated on the menu (double charges will be applied if you are not in the age range) and the server doesn't tell you, I would have thrown a fit.

Many restaurants will let some of the extra charges slide if the party is ordering enough food and drink but enforce it if the party isn't ordering any extras. Makes sense to me. In the case of the OP the waiter suggested the children's menu without any mention of the surcharge. THAT'S WRONG.

I suspect the Disney restaurants are enforcing some of these polices as a reaction to all the MYW Dining customers working the system.

 

[suzannews]

I can't really comment on most of the issues discussed here but I can say this. When a server needs to void an item off of a check, whether it be a mistake, a dinner that the guest didn't like, someone not happy about being charged for a second milk, etc, a manager needs to approve the void and swipe their card into the computer. Some managers I know keep track of how many voids each server has and the reasons etc. Sometimes its not as easy as you think to get an item off the check.

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

My husband, myself, DD's 22 and 19 decided to enjoy a nice dinner at Spoodles. After being seated, we mentioned to the waitress that we would be using our DDE Card. She immediately began addressing my daughters and telling them to "go to town.." to order appetizers, desserts, whatever they wanted, even adding shrimp or scallops to the meals. Well I was gulping and trying to explain the 20% discount is not the Dining Plan, when she looked dismayed and said "oh well..."

My 19 year old was ordering a $25 entree but when asked by the waitress if she wanted a salad, mentioned she did not care for what they offered, she liked just plain garden salads. Well, the waitress jumped and stated that she could certainly order just a plain garden salad off the child's menu. DD said she would like to do that, and I did not question the price figuring anything on the child's menu should be reasonable.

So you can imagine my shock when the bill came and added to her $25 entree (which she picked at like a bird, lol) was a $6.00 salad. I questioned the waitress, assuming there must be a error. She practically sneered at me and said "The child's menu is for CHILDREN age 9 and under..anyone else pays double the price". Well, THAT was never mentioned when we ordered. Since DD has a smaller appetite I would never have agreed to ordering that!

I spoke to the manager on duty (Jen) by phone the next morning since I did not want to ruin what had been an enjoyable evening. She told me that yes Spoodles policy is to charge anyone over age 9 double the price, but provide double the size. I told her she should make sure that particular waitress informs her guests of that policy before suggesting anyone tack on one of those items. The manager on duty said yes, that the waitress should definitely have informed us of this policy prior to our ordering.

I don't know about anyone else, but I would have a problem with a child of 10, 11, 12 or even my 19 year old having to pay double the price of something off the child's menu. This is the only Disney Restaurant that I have heard of having this policy. But perhaps there are more out there?

This reminds me of what happened at BOATRIGHTS (Dixie Landings) a few years ago. There were 8 of us (4 adults, 4 children). When the children were ordering, the waitress asked them (actually was "encouraging" them) to each order a salad. I remembered that salad was included with the entree in the past, but then I realized it no longer stated that on the menu.

While the waitress was still taking the orders from the children, I looked at the menu again and realized each salad was extra (about $5.00). I immediately spoke up and asked the waitress if the salad was included and she said no. I then asked the children if they really wanted salad and they all said no (I already knew the answer ) They just felt funny saying no to the waitress because she was being so pushy. I was really annoyed at her. A waitress/waiter should never "push" children or anyone into ordering something just to make the bill bigger. That's the last time we ever ate there.

Another restaurant we no longer eat at is the Big River Grill & Brewing Works at the Boardwalk (which is not Disney owned). One time the waiter was very nasty to us. He was actually "fighting" with my husband about which beer to order. My husband wanted a "dark" beer, but he didn't want to give it to him! He kept saying my husband didn't know what he was doing. It was ridiculous!

The last time we ate there, once again there were 8 of us. We ordered steaks & salads. When we asked for bread, the waiter brought us 3 small rolls. For 8 people? So we asked for more and the waiter seemed surprised. It was very odd. Anyway, when the bill came, they charged us $15.00 for bread! I'm sorry, but I think that bread should ALWAYS come with a meal (unless, of course, you are eating hamburgers or sandwiches). When we complained, they said that it is their policy and I told them their policy should be printed on their menu. This is about 5 years ago, so maybe things have changed there, BUT, I will never eat there again.

On a more positive note, when we ate breakfast at Cape May Cafe, my friend wasn't feeling very well so she was just picking at her food. The waitress noticed and asked her what was wrong. When my friend told her she had an upset stomach, the waitress took her meal off the bill! Wasn't that nice?

 

[aubriee]

CarolAnne C. , we just returned from WDW last week and our friend's teens were charged double for ordering the exact same portions as the younger children off the kid's menu at Le Cellier. I think they definitely made a mistake trying to suck a few extra dollars off of a party that spent $300 with them and now won't return there because of the principle.

I ate at LeCellier in May. When I went in I didn't even look at the menu, because I knew exactly what I wanted. The waitress was surprised, but took my order quickly. I told her I wanted a steak sandwich with mushrooms, fries, a bowl of cheese soup, and asked if it would be OK if I ordered the chocolate moose off the kids menu. She said no problem. She also charged me the regular kid's price for the Chocolate Moose. It may have been because my appetizer and entree were off the adult menu though.

 

[aubriee]

I totally agree. I've never heard of any restaurant giving free milk refills. Even free pop refillls are rare around here.

You're kidding right? It may just be from what part of the country your from. Every restaraunt around here gives free refills on all drinks, except alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't even think to ask. In fact my 8 y/o GD got a free refill on a small milkshake just the other night.

 

[MELSMICE]

You're kidding right? Every restarant around here gives free refills on everything, except alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't even think to ask. In fact my 8 y/o GD got a free refill on a small milkshake just the other night.

I know I wasn't kidding about not getting free refills on milk. Only sodas in this area.

I guess we've all learned a lesson - different parts of the country have different ways of doing things & you should always ask first. Especially about refills on drinks - regardless of what they are!

 

[ducklite]

i do not agree. the waitress should have informed us of the price for a 2nd milk.

I think it was wrong of you to ASSUME that the milk had free refills. Other than buffet type places where the milk is an included all you can eat item, I've never seen free milk refills anywhere! Usually a menu is noted "free refills" or "bottomless glass" for certain items, but it's beyond unusual to have it explained that something doens't offer a free refill. Using your logic, all the entrees should be free refills as well.

Anne

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

You're kidding right? It may just be from what part of the country your from. Every restaraunt around here gives free refills on all drinks, except alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't even think to ask. In fact my 8 y/o GD got a free refill on a small milkshake just the other night.

It must be because we are from different parts of the country. I only expect free refills from Disney-owned restaurants. It is VERY RARE to find any restaurants in the New York City area that does that. Even when I was in Las Vegas, only the buffets gave free refills of soda. The first time I ate in the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney, I was shocked that I drank $17 worth of lemonade! (I thought it was like the other Disney restaurants and gave free refills.)

 

[scrump]

I guess it's a regional thing? I have lived in big cities all my life, and have eaten out frequently as a kid, and milk refills were never assumed. As other posters have said, I have only noticed them in buffets. I guess if this is a given where you live, it wouldn't occur to you to ask, especially if you had gotten free milk refills elsewhere in WDW. Still, it's a good reminder to be cautious for my upcoming trip!

 

[crisi]

Minneapolis -

free refills

soda - yes
milk - no (or its unusual when it occurs).

 

[mom-2greatkids]

We always ask if there are free refills on milk. About 1/2 the time it is free. Soda, lemonads, etc. are always refilled for free.

 

[NMW]

I totally agree. I've never heard of any restaurant giving free milk refills. Even free pop refillls are rare around here.

ALL the restaurants near where we live- PA, and used to live-NJ, give free refills on milk and sodas. I'm talking privately owned and chains-Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, Chesscake Factory, Olive Graden, and I could go on and on.

I would be mildly surpised if this happened at Disney, but I certainly wouldn't complain or take it out of a tip. It would be our fault for not asking if that's the kind of thing we cared about. Plus, I expect to pay a lot at Disney for stuff, including food. Come to think of it, I wouldn't surprised all that much!

 

[taximomfor4]

What restaurants let adults or teens order off the child's menu with out an upcharge? I'm not here to defend WDW, but I see sharing charges all over the menus in NY and NE area.

Why not ask before assuming that you will get a child's meal for a teen or adult. ?

I have ordered off kids menus most of my life, including the 15 yrs of my adult life. I like dessert in restaurants, so a kids meal helps me leave room for my favorite sundae or pie. I have never, in any restaurant, in any city or state i have visited, charge me extra. Not once.