Can older child order from kid's menu at table service?

[aripantaloon]

I just commented on another tread where the OP asked if an older picky child could order an adult portion of chicken fingers (which is a kid's menu item). Answer was yes and charged the adult price.

However, I'd like to know if an older child could order from the kid's menu at a nicer table service restaurant? There is no way my 12 and 15 year old kids will eat the adult meals as prepared nor will they be able to eat an adult portion size. They wouldn't like any of the sauces or seasonings on the adult items nor would they like most of the sides. I know there are more adult choices on the signature dining restaurant menus like steak, chicken breast, or fish. Could they order them instead of the adult items? Not that the server would know ahead of time, but we would tip as if adult meals were purchased. We just want the kids to eat and not have plates of wasted food.

 

[HashberryOTG]

This can vary, altho most of the time they will allow it. Just be prepared in case they say no. If you go with a substitute, consider things that you see are already on the menu (IE hey, instead of this really complicated chicken with this weird quinoa stuff, I see you have fries... can she just have a plain chicken with fries). I see people come on this board with things like 'well, they can run across the street and get my kid this pizza, and....'. But they generally will work with reasonable requests, especially if the restaurant is owned/run by Disney.

 

[pweyl36]

I do it

 

[Disturbia]

Some restaurants are more flexible than others. We have food allergies and Space220 and CRT have been the worse. They took off a lot from the plate and didn’t offer to substitute. Our son just had fruit as an appetizer (grapes/strawberries) and grilled chicken or beef with no side (Space gave French fries).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Well, there are times my wife orders from the kid's menu, so I expect many places will allow it. She's done it perhaps 10 times over the years, and never been questioned.

 

[jeneric997]

Mine have done it at a lot of sit down dinners. They just declare their pickiness and ask- they are young adults, only Mama Melrose and Maya Grill have given them a problem.

 

[aripantaloon]

Thanks for the replies. I already talked to them and said they are either sharing an adult entree dumbed down or getting a kids meal in adult portions. Potentially even sharing that if the portions are big. They were fine with that considering they have similar food tastes.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks for the replies. I already talked to them and said they are either sharing an adult entree dumbed down or getting a kids meal in adult portions. Potentially even sharing that if the portions are big. They were fine with that considering they have similar food tastes.

do not be afraid to ask for sauces on the side or to leave spices off meat, as an adult with reflux I have to do this often

 

[Her Dotness]

For the most part, an older child/adult not being allowed to order from the kids menu was an issue only for those on the dining plan when it was available.

However, be forewarned that due to pandemic issues with supply and staffing, some restaurants may have limited options. You can count on listed menu items being incapable of alteration at several restaurants. For instance, if you want a fairly plain piece of chicken or fish, they may not be able to do that currently. The explanation we got was that such come already seasoned or marinated now for particular menu items. Various menu items are "pre-prepared" and couldn't be served without sauce or it on the side. They haven't extra raw ingredients to make it plain.

Anyone with multiple food intolerances/allergies is unlikely to come away now delighted with what you got to eat as a result. I had a much more difficult time when we were there in November getting food both gluten and dairy-free than I ever had before.

 

[LovesTimone]

I just commented on another tread where the OP asked if an older picky child could order an adult portion of chicken fingers (which is a kid's menu item). Answer was yes and charged the adult price.

However, I'd like to know if an older child could order from the kid's menu at a nicer table service restaurant? There is no way my 12 and 15 year old kids will eat the adult meals as prepared nor will they be able to eat an adult portion size. They wouldn't like any of the sauces or seasonings on the adult items nor would they like most of the sides. I know there are more adult choices on the signature dining restaurant menus like steak, chicken breast, or fish. Could they order them instead of the adult items? Not that the server would know ahead of time, but we would tip as if adult meals were purchased. We just want the kids to eat and not have plates of wasted food.

This is really sorta all over the place... It really just depends on the restaurant and server, so with all that said..

Here are a few thoughts. DH and I both went through this with our DD's.

We did alot of plate sharing...if you order an adult plate of chicken tender could they share it? look at the sides, adding in a extra side, soup or side salad is a good way to go... Sharing a plate of spaghetti, get a side of garlic bread or bread sticks, extra salad... ask the server for a extra plate, some times they will split in the kitchen other times they will let you do the splitting of the meal.

Another thing we did alot is appetizer for dinner, and honestly will still do this DH and I love to eat this way we like trying a bit of this and that. With appetizer they bring you small plates, so your good to go. Most of the restaurant have some pretty safe options, some even still have a appetizer towers, or platters with a couple things on it, and they could share this, as the main entree... or you all could get into it...

At 15, and 12, not trying to over step here, every family has its rules, and depending on the maturity level of the kids ..... maybe they would be okay to just grab a Counter service and hang out in the room, they could play on their electronics, watch TV, and such... it would only be for a couple of hours, and again not trying to overstep just putting it out there.... We would let our DD even hang out in the parks, while we went for a fancy dinner... with that said, our DD's they were both mature at this age, enough sooo... to follow the rules, stay together, behave, and check in.
Now... That's been a while ago tho... the oldest is now 32 with a family of her own...

You can always ask for sauce's on the side, plain chicken or whatever...Some times you have to break it down what is really offered... you know get through all the fancy and flowery descriptions that the menu has...

Good luck and have a fun trip..

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you want to make sure you don't pay adult entree prices for kids' meals (whether doubled in size or not) or get food your kids won't eat if kids' meal ordering is disallowed, you may want to have your kids explore the app side of the sit down restaurants or consider having them share one adult meal. Both of those options are always accepted for sit down dining and will not lead to any stress or disappointment on your part.

 

[aripantaloon]

This is really sorta all over the place... It really just depends on the restaurant and server, so with all that said..

Here are a few thoughts. DH and I both went through this with our DD's.

We did alot of plate sharing...if you order an adult plate of chicken tender could they share it? look at the sides, adding in a extra side, soup or side salad is a good way to go... Sharing a plate of spaghetti, get a side of garlic bread or bread sticks, extra salad... ask the server for a extra plate, some times they will split in the kitchen other times they will let you do the splitting of the meal.

Another thing we did alot is appetizer for dinner, and honestly will still do this DH and I love to eat this way we like trying a bit of this and that. With appetizer they bring you small plates, so your good to go. Most of the restaurant have some pretty safe options, some even still have a appetizer towers, or platters with a couple things on it, and they could share this, as the main entree... or you all could get into it...

At 15, and 12, not trying to over step here, every family has its rules, and depending on the maturity level of the kids ..... maybe they would be okay to just grab a Counter service and hang out in the room, they could play on their electronics, watch TV, and such... it would only be for a couple of hours, and again not trying to overstep just putting it out there.... We would let our DD even hang out in the parks, while we went for a fancy dinner... with that said, our DD's they were both mature at this age, enough sooo... to follow the rules, stay together, behave, and check in.
Now... That's been a while ago tho... the oldest is now 32 with a family of her own...

You can always ask for sauce's on the side, plain chicken or whatever...Some times you have to break it down what is really offered... you know get through all the fancy and flowery descriptions that the menu has...

Good luck and have a fun trip..

Thank you! Not overstepping at all! We would be ok with them going off by themselves at those ages, but we kind of want to have meals together (at least I think we do; ask me a few days into vacation and I'll probably feel differently! LOL!). My oldest is going to college next year and this is our last vacation before her sendoff. It's an option to have them eat separately. We also have the 18 year-old, so if she were with them, I would be completely comfortable.

I have an excel sheet with a list of all the restaurants that I think DH and I would like or have liked in the past so that we can really look at the menus and see what my kids would choose. They are very willing to share entrees; its' just a matter of finding one they both eat. My younger one is a more adventurous eater than my middle daughter. The only ones that would be a cost issue are the prix fix since they are all adults. It's just a decision we'd have to make if we're willing to pay for that experience (Space 220 is one I'm thinking about.).

If you want to make sure you don't pay adult entree prices for kids' meals (whether doubled in size or not) or get food your kids won't eat if kids' meal ordering is disallowed, you may want to have your kids explore the app side of the sit down restaurants or consider having them share one adult meal. Both of those options are always accepted for sit down dining and will not lead to any stress or disappointment on your part.

We've definitely considered both options. It really depends on the apps, though, since too many of them are not appealing to them. It figures, right? LOL! We might have to ask for a side substitution for something from the kid's menu or have sauce on the side for a shared entree. They are very willing to share a meal if it's allowed to eat at the nicer restaurants. Thanks for the response!

 

[aripantaloon]

For the most part, an older child/adult not being allowed to order from the kids menu was an issue only for those on the dining plan when it was available.

However, be forewarned that due to pandemic issues with supply and staffing, some restaurants may have limited options. You can count on listed menu items being incapable of alteration at several restaurants. For instance, if you want a fairly plain piece of chicken or fish, they may not be able to do that currently. The explanation we got was that such come already seasoned or marinated now for particular menu items. Various menu items are "pre-prepared" and couldn't be served without sauce or it on the side. They haven't extra raw ingredients to make it plain.

Anyone with multiple food intolerances/allergies is unlikely to come away now delighted with what you got to eat as a result. I had a much more difficult time when we were there in November getting food both gluten and dairy-free than I ever had before.

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. Our family is fortunate to not have any allergies or severe intolerances, but I have heard about how Disney has always been great for people who do have them. I guess even Disney has been greatly impacted by supply chain and employee issues.
In that case, we'll just have to tell our kids to suck it up. It's what they did a couple of times when we were in Paris pre-pandemic. They survived. They also do it at home many times. I don't make them a plain meal when I make dinner. The difference is they complain in our own home over a small portion on their plates (so not a completely wasted meal) and refuse to eat or do an elaborate scraping off of seasoning/sauces. While they are old enough to not act out in a restaurant (oh thank goodness because our last trip to WDW they were not), they would still complain to us.

 

[Her Dotness]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience.

Thanks! It was disappointing largely because Disney had been so very accommodating pre-pandemic.

Lots of TS could easily modify a dish, or the chef would ask what on the menu was appealing as well as what I liked and would create something wonderful. Only 2 TS did that this trip. Previously, nearly all TS could.

I guess even Disney has been greatly impacted by supply chain and employee issues.

I'm just hoping those are the problem currently, because they will ease with time as we get to endemic stage.

On the other hand, if all these "pre-prepared" dishes are actually for the purpose of cutting costs and waste, Disney may not be nearly so wonderful for people with multiple or unusual allergies in the future.

The problem I have is that most of the gluten-free dishes on the Disney allergy menus contain dairy, and vice versa. The majority needing gluten-free are celiacs who haven't a problem with dairy, so there may be 3-4 gluten-free dishes--containing dairy. Lucky me!