Big Kid dining problem

[Icecoldpenguin]

I have a 15 y/o nephew that will be going with me to WDW this coming summer. He is not an adventurous eater and really sticks to the basic kids foods like burgers, chicken strips and tacos. We want to take my mom who is going with us to some of the more awesome restaurants like the brown derby. My question is if he does not want to eat any of the fancy adult food (he won't want to) will they let him order off the blah kids menu? I don't want him to starve....what to do what to do

 

[figment_jii]

Almost all of the reports here on the Disboards indicates that the Disney-owned restaurants will allow guests to order from the children's menu regardless of age. There have been a handful of reports indicating that some of the third-party restaurants (mostly La Hacienda) and the Plaza Inn have not allowed it, but those have not been consistent (i.e., some folks say they could, other said they could not).

Just note that he will be charged the adult price regardless of what is ordered or how much is eaten at buffets (e.g., Chef Mickey), all-you-care-to-eat/family style meals (e.g., 'Ohana), dinner shows (e.g., HDDR), fixed priced meals (e.g., CRT), and dining packages (e.g., Fantasmic dining package).

 

[bumbershoot]

Speciflcally for Brown Derby, they have (I hope it's still there) a really nice, simple grilled cheese (but with what seems to be real cheese).

I really REALLY hope that you aren't going to be using the dining plan, at least for him, at Brown Derby if he eats off the kid's menu. (I kinda hope you won't use the dining plan, based on your other post, at all, but especially at BD for him).

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Speciflcally for Brown Derby, they have (I hope it's still there) a really nice, simple grilled cheese (but with what seems to be real cheese).

I really REALLY hope that you aren't going to be using the dining plan, at least for him, at Brown Derby if he eats off the kid's menu. (I kinda hope you won't use the dining plan, based on your other post, at all, but especially at BD for him).

No no no we are not DP users. I think I used one once maybe 10 years ago we always just use TIW and our DVC discount (depending on the place). It would be a major waste of food. getting him to eat is like pulling teeth unless it is mcdonald's

 

[stormer]

My boys are 14 and 11 and order off the kids menu at many places. Sometimes the kids portions are too small and they are still hungry. A few place were willing to make a larger portion of a kids item for them (and charge them an adult price). We never expect that, but it is nice when they do it. Disney is usually very accommodating to kids.

 

[wilkeliza]

I order off the kids meal all the time. Usually they might charge a tiny bit more and give a bigger portion but that isn't always the case. I can't remember where we were but they up charged for the drink. This was years ago and hasn't happened since.

At Quick Service you can order whatever but he'll either get a tiny cup for a soda or do what we do and get the small water and then pay for an adult size soda. We take the water bottle for later and then drink the soda or tea with our meal.

At places like 'Ohana or Whispering Canyon where it is family style if there are no little ones just ask for the kids options. We got a whole big bowl of mac at 'Ohana even though we were 3 adults and no kids. We just like the mac and cheese so asked for it.

 

[Pumbaa_]

can you give him $15 bucks and send him off to a CS while you dine at HBD?

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

My boys are 14 and 11 and order off the kids menu at many places. Sometimes the kids portions are too small and they are still hungry. A few place were willing to make a larger portion of a kids item for them (and charge them an adult price). We never expect that, but it is nice when they do it. Disney is usually very accommodating to kids.

This is encouraging to hear. I am so glad when Disney is so accommodating I have no idea how he ended up this way his 5 year old brother will eat EVERYTHING it is strange. I am a picky eater but he out does me by leaps and bounds

I order off the kids meal all the time. Usually they might charge a tiny bit more and give a bigger portion but that isn't always the case. I can't remember where we were but they up charged for the drink. This was years ago and hasn't happened since.

At Quick Service you can order whatever but he'll either get a tiny cup for a soda or do what we do and get the small water and then pay for an adult size soda. We take the water bottle for later and then drink the soda or tea with our meal.

At places like 'Ohana or Whispering Canyon where it is family style if there are no little ones just ask for the kids options. We got a whole big bowl of mac at 'Ohana even though we were 3 adults and no kids. We just like the mac and cheese so asked for it.

I always order off the kids meal at QS because it is not too much food for me and its always tasty! I think at ohana and whispering canyon which we are planning on going to but ohana for breakfast it won't be a problem. I can see it being an issue at HBD and Narcoossee's but we may decide to pop into Narcoossee's just for cheesecake.

I do a similar thing to you with the kid's water or juice I save it for later and husband gets a big cup and we just share

can you give him $15 bucks and send him off to a CS while you dine at HBD?

We could I guess but I am very encouraged by what everyone is saying here so I think we will be good but this is a thought

 

[dkrauss]

You can access all the menus on the MDE. So you can check this out way before you go. I do like the give him $15 and let him pick his own at a CS location.

Doug

 

[figment_jii]

It's also worth pointing out that most places can also leave sauces, toppings, garnishes, etc. off of items if that can help. For example, there is a burger on the HBD menu, but it does have a lot of toppings that might not be things your nephew likes. They can probably leave almost everything off (e.g., the Pastrami, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado, Fried Egg) and then he'd just have the burger and fries left. So that's another option to keep in mind.

 

[DisneySOS]

Another option is to have him order something from a QS a little bit before you eat at the Derby, then he can order just the small kids meal and it should fill him up. That's just in case you don't want to ditch him

 

[disnut8]

It's also worth pointing out that most places can also leave sauces, toppings, garnishes, etc. off of items if that can help. For example, there is a burger on the HBD menu, but it does have a lot of toppings that might not be things your nephew likes. They can probably leave almost everything off (e.g., the Pastrami, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado, Fried Egg) and then he'd just have the burger and fries left. So that's another option to keep in mind.

Yep - just order it "naked". My husband does it every time.

 

[disnut8]

I have a 15 y/o nephew that will be going with me to WDW this coming summer. He is not an adventurous eater and really sticks to the basic kids foods like burgers, chicken strips and tacos. We want to take my mom who is going with us to some of the more awesome restaurants like the brown derby. My question is if he does not want to eat any of the fancy adult food (he won't want to) will they let him order off the blah kids menu? I don't want him to starve....what to do what to do

And as a example of ordering something "naked", order this - Ashley Farms Free-range Breast of Chicken - Roma tomato-preserved Meyer lemon chermoula, roasted peppers, Medjool date couscous, Espelette oil drizzle and say "just the chicken please, nothing else". And then ask what side items are available and he can choose one of those.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

It's also worth pointing out that most places can also leave sauces, toppings, garnishes, etc. off of items if that can help. For example, there is a burger on the HBD menu, but it does have a lot of toppings that might not be things your nephew likes. They can probably leave almost everything off (e.g., the Pastrami, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado, Fried Egg) and then he'd just have the burger and fries left. So that's another option to keep in mind.

And as a example of ordering something "naked", order this - Ashley Farms Free-range Breast of Chicken - Roma tomato-preserved Meyer lemon chermoula, roasted peppers, Medjool date couscous, Espelette oil drizzle and say "just the chicken please, nothing else". And then ask what side items are available and he can choose one of those.

Just wanted to echo this, I would say there's at least something simple on the adult menu at every restaurant. You can switch out sauce and modify sides as easy if not easier than ordering a kids menu. Even Jiko and Sanaa regarded as adventurous have a rather plain Filet Mignon. Chefs de France has a Mac and Cheese. Very few Disney restaurant are super foodie menus with nothing that a picky eater won't eat. Unless he's literally a just chicken strips kind of kid, there is simple food on most menus. At 15, I would think it'd be preferable to modify off the adult menu than order off the kids menu. I can't imagine most kids meals would fill up a 15 year old boy. Also it sounds like buffets may also be a good example.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

My question is if he does not want to eat any of the fancy adult food (he won't want to) will they let him order off the blah kids menu?

1) In most places, anyone can order off Kid's Menu when paying OOP.
2) If not, give him $20 and send him to a QS eatery while you go to the TS eatery.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I have a 13 yo with autism who sticks with the basics. In all of our trips, I've never had any place tell me no, he can't order off the kids menu. They will usually make an adult size portion and charge an adult price for it though ( not always, but some places)

 

[Pumbaa_]

1) In most places, anyone can order off Kid's Menu when paying OOP.
2) If not, give him $20 and send him to a QS eatery while you go to the TS eatery.

You are generous, I was just going to give him $15

 

[DisneyNutMary]

OP it looks like we live in the same world, except my picky eater is 17.
My son will ask for something on the menu served plain, usually a burger or chicken. His other m.o. is to ask for chicken tenders and fries from the kids menu served in an adult sized portion. He's never had a problem ordering like this.
There are one or two places we cannot eat with him, Biergarten is one, he can never find anything there he is willing to try- so I end up paying big bucks for him to eat pretzel rolls.
Give the places you want to try a go, and worst case, he splits up from you for a little bit to grab some counter service that fits his picky tastes.
Just know you are not alone, a lot of us have picky eaters well into their teens.

 

[Jesskamb]

OP it looks like we live in the same world, except my picky eater is 17.
My son will ask for something on the menu served plain, usually a burger or chicken. His other m.o. is to ask for chicken tenders and fries from the kids menu served in an adult sized portion. He's never had a problem ordering like this.
There are one or two places we cannot eat with him, Biergarten is one, he can never find anything there he is willing to try- so I end up paying big bucks for him to eat pretzel rolls.
Give the places you want to try a go, and worst case, he splits up from you for a little bit to grab some counter service that fits his picky tastes.
Just know you are not alone, a lot of us have picky eaters well into their teens.

Try into their 30s!

 

[cgattis]

Try into their 30s!

Oh my....don't tell me that! I was so hoping my uber-picky DD14 would soon branch out! Well, I'll keep trying. DS11 is quite the little foodie--we had great fun at F&W last year.