can a ten year old order a child's meal?

[turning40withMickey]

I am debating the dining plan (not for free, unfortunately) and wondering if I will feel incredibly ripped off by my picky eater ten year old. She would MUCH prefer to order a child's meal, nothing ever appeals to her on an adult menu. I know I can do this at counter service, order her a kid meal, but I am wondering what the policy is at table service sites. Can she order from the kids menu or do they forbid that? She is not a big girl, and I have an eight year old too. (MY 13 year old will save me money on the dining plan, but I don't think I can justify 38 bucks a day for some mac and cheese or chicken fingers.

Anyone taken a fussy eater "adult" to the world, please tell me your tips/stories/ pro or con for the dining plan.

Thanks!!!

 

[Sammy]

I would love to know the answer to this question as well. My DD-11 eats like a bird and it's killing me to pay the DDP for her. I would love for her to be able to order off the kids menu (she actually prefers to).

 

[jillyjoey]

oops

 

[jillyjoey]

DS(10) ordered off the children's menu some times, I clearly remember Mama Melrose & Marrakesh he did (we paid adult DDP for him). I am guessing they still deducted an adult credit for him since we always ate together 3A, 1C.

 

[WDW.Since.2000]

Im rather not 10 or anywhere near that age, and I cannot eat that much either.

 

[TMB1203]

My 11 YO ordered one childs meal during our stay (Coral Reef). He ordered the adult appetizer, childs pizza, and childs dessert. We used an adult credit. Normally, we don't eat there, but b/c we had the DDP, I decided to try it.

I would look at the menu's and try to find a restaurant that she would like. For example, LTT, has mac n cheese, which you mentioned she liked. You could also do some of the buffets, such as Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace. Lots of variety. My boys are both very picky eaters and the buffets or family style restaurants generally work better for our family.

 

[cuddles422]

With the DDP once the child is over 9 years old you must pay for the adult meal plan, but your DD can always order off of the kids menu. I went to WDW when I was 13 on the dining plan and I ordered off of the kids menu many times....as long as you are willing to pay the price she can get whatever pleases her on either the adult or childrens menu. I hope this helps! I'll be at WDW for a week starting April 14, so if you need any info I can try my best to get it while we're there

 

[turning40withMickey]

It seems like they will let you order the child's meal while paying for the adult one (duh!) on the DDP, but how about if you are NOT doing the DDP?

Family of five at Coral Reef or 50's Prime Time, Mom, Dad, and hungry boy 13 order adult meals, 8 year old child meal, paying OOP, the ten year old can order the child meal? (and pay the child price) ???

Who has experienced this?

 

[TMB1203]

It seems like they will let you order the child's meal while paying for the adult one (duh!) on the DDP, but how about if you are NOT doing the DDP?

Family of five at Coral Reef or 50's Prime Time, Mom, Dad, and hungry boy 13 order adult meals, 8 year old child meal, paying OOP, the ten year old can order the child meal? (and pay the child price) ???

Who has experienced this?

In my experience, they will let you order the childs meal for the 10 yo.
The only time they charged the adult price was for table service/buffet.

 

[Momelie]

I agree with the above poster - we aren't on the DDP, ever, and my 11 year old eats off of the kids menus about half the time, especially if we're in a place where there's no "normal" food on the adult menu. 9 Dragons, France, Plaza, Alfredo's and Marrakesh are all places she's ordered from the kids menu.

Many times, however, it turns out to be less expensive if we order one adult order of something she and my 9 year old like, and have them split it. We've done that with the macaroni at France and the sesame chicken at 9 Dragons.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Many times, however, it turns out to be less expensive if we order one adult order of something she and my 9 year old like, and have them split it. We've done that with the macaroni at France and the sesame chicken at 9 Dragons.[/QUOTE]

It is cheaper for one adult meal than two kids meals ? Entree only? (I am debating this DDP so much my head spins) DH is saying very undisney-like things about how much figuring I am doing and is thinking I may not allow them to eat ANYTHING on vacation!

Thanks for your help Momelie! Do you NOT do the DDP because ten and up are "adult" prices?

 

[Momelie]

Hi there!

No, I don't do the DDP because I'm a Florida resident and we have annual passes, thus not eligible. If possible, for your trip, look into a DDE card, where you get a straight 20% off the whole bill.

And yes, at many restaurants splitting an adult entree for $15 or thereabouts is about the same or just a little more than 2 childrens meals, and much less than 1 child, 1 adult (for the 11 year old).

I've been going to WDW a couple of times a month for most of my life, if there's a way to drink Dom Perignon on a Mogen David budget, I probably know about it! Let me know if I can help!

 

[turning40withMickey]

Thanks so much!
I do want to know any tips you have! Have you ever done Hoop De Doo or the Aloha or Mickey's BBQ? My kids are 13,11,8. I know they are pricey, but I am turning 40 and this is my party!

What is the sales tax rate in Florida? I am looking at all the menus and trying to add up meals my family will actually eat versus DDP.

And, as a teacher, I am obligated to do everything in the cheapest possible way! It is killing me not to have "coupons" for every meal!

 

[cougartrace]

I asked a WDW CR this very question and he said that my son, who will turn 10 shortly before our trip, will be able to order a kid's entree from the DDP (it just counts against the adult credit). But, they can still order an adult appetizer and dessert.

 

[turning40withMickey]

I asked a WDW CR this very question and he said that my son, who will turn 10 shortly before our trip, will be able to order a kid's entree from the DDP (it just counts against the adult credit). But, they can still order an adult appetizer and dessert.

So, are you going to do the DDP? It is killing me to pay #38 for a child who survives on water and an occasional peanut butter sandwich.

 

[mandy200587]

I have done Hoop De Doo. It is souther style food, with slap stick comedy I guess you could say. I enjoy it, and I usually leave with a full stomach and tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.

 

[disneypartyof4]

MOMELIE
What is a DDE card you said abour a 20% discount. I am in the same boat. We went the last 2 years on free dining, but this year we are leaving Aug. 18-24 and will miss it. My Dsjust turned 10 in Jan and my other DS just turned 7, they both are Very Pickey eaters they don't eat meat I don't know why because we do, me & DH. If the chicken looks different they wont eat it or the Mac & Cheese. The 7 days on DDP would be 896.00 for us!!! I don't think it will costs us that much, My DH Wants to go to plant hollywood agian and I would like to try Whispering Canyon (Heard it is fun) I told DH we can still go to acouple nice places and still be under $896.00. I hope to get enough of my points to get a GC for rain forest. Last 2 years we threw away so much food it wasn't even funny So what do you think about OOP can we do it for under that. We always ate breakfast in our room this year I will just bring extra snack stuff. I also will be celebrating the big 40!!!!

 

[disneycake]

I'm also interested in what DDE is, how much it costs, and where it is good at...

 

[turning40withMickey]

MOMELIE
What is a DDE card you said abour a 20% discount. I am in the same boat. We went the last 2 years on free dining, but this year we are leaving Aug. 18-24 and will miss it. My Dsjust turned 10 in Jan and my other DS just turned 7, they both are Very Pickey eaters they don't eat meat I don't know why because we do, me & DH. If the chicken looks different they wont eat it or the Mac & Cheese. The 7 days on DDP would be 896.00 for us!!! I don't think it will costs us that much, My DH Wants to go to plant hollywood agian and I would like to try Whispering Canyon (Heard it is fun) I told DH we can still go to acouple nice places and still be under $896.00. I hope to get enough of my points to get a GC for rain forest. Last 2 years we threw away so much food it wasn't even funny So what do you think about OOP can we do it for under that. We always ate breakfast in our room this year I will just bring extra snack stuff. I also will be celebrating the big 40!!!!

Even if you paid, with two kids, DDP would probably be worth it. Did you eat a lot of different places the last two years? Can you recommend any? I have 4 adults to pay for, one child and the DDP will be 1168 (OUCH!)

 

[turning40withMickey]

I am no expert, but I think the DDE is a card you BUY that gives you a discount on all the restaurants. I think it might just be for AP holders, though, maybe not. Anything I have to pay for first, to get a discount, limits my appreciation.