Coral reef- kids dont want to eat!

[Wendi2000]

Why don't you all eat dinner someplace else, and then just go to Coral Reef for drinks, dessert, and your diver??? If none of you want what is on the menu, don't bother suffering through it.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Why don't you all eat dinner someplace else, and then just go to Coral Reef for drinks, dessert, and your diver??? If none of you want what is on the menu, don't bother suffering through it.

Seems kind of silly to go to a restaurant where none of you would want to eat - surely there is some way to celebrate your birthday that would allow everyone to enjoy a meal together.

 

[nanalisa]

What is a diver? I mean, I know what a diver is but what does one have to do with the Coral Reef, other than the huge tank of water? Seriously, what is the diver that you all are refering to?

 

[DCDisney]

Why not just all have the birthday cake rather than the full meal. It is a really long time for kids to sit for a meal there considering they aren't eating (60-90 minutes) plus waiting to get a table (can be awhile when you need a table near tank for the diver) was 10 minutes for a higher table but 45 for tankside when we were there. Additionally you will also have to use Park time to get them fed before Coral Reef. We like Coral Reef but it's not worth the stress even if your kids are well behaved of keeping them quiet and occupied.

Yvonne

 

[goofy4tink]

I guess I'm going to be the cranky old lady here.....my dd, 13, is a world class picky eater. We actually cheered when she finally started eating cheeseburgers a year ago. She exists on mac and cheese, peanut butter (no jelly), grilled cheese, hot dogs, plain buttered/parm. cheese pasta, and chicken nuggets. Eating with her has become a challenge. Well, I've decided enough is enough. If she chooses to not eat what is on the menu, then she can just sit there. There hasn't been a restuarant in WDW that has not been able to get her something to eat...not one. Do we get our money's worth out of the DDP with her? Heck no....not even close. We're eating at Coral Reef next month and I can't imagine that she won't find one thing that she is willing to eat. I am tired of planning our meals around an extremely unadventuresome eater....now I'm booking where I want to eat, as well as some of her tried and true favorites. I really think the OP's kids are old enough to sit nicely and have a drink and perhaps a small bit of something while the parents eat. My word, we're not talking about 3 hrs here....it shouldn't be much more than over an hour to eat. Bring a book for them, let them have dessert. Go, have a good time.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

I don't know if this will help you or not but when I called Coral Reef to set up the diver I talked to two CMs who both told me they would get my (picky) son french fries. They aren't on the menu but both said it was no problem, just ask our server. I have never been so I am hoping this is true.

 

[Whiskers]

Nope ,they wont The eldest is on the adult menu and I hear Coral Reef wont let older children have the kids menu .

Oh no! We are not on the dining plan when we go at Christmas - my DS10 is VERY picky - will they really not let him order from the kids menu?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Nope ,they wont The eldest is on the adult menu and I hear Coral Reef wont let older children have the kids menu .The yougest may eat pizza at a push.

My DS10 ordered from the kid's menu when we were there in February. I don't think they care. If we were seated at a TS and they didn't offer a kid's menu I asked for one. None of the places ever refused. My DS is very small, so maybe they could tell by looking thathe can't even finish a kid's meal!

 

[EMom]

Perhaps you would have been an admirer of my mother, who always offered us two options for dinner.

1. Whatever she was cooking
2. Poke and grits

At first, you might think poke & grits is actual food. After all, Southerners love our grits! And we do eat poke salad, which is a green that grows wild. You boil it down, like spinach or turnip greens. But nooooo, poke & grits means:

Poke your feet under the table and grit your teeth!

In other words, eat what I cooked or sit down and shut up. I follow her example and offer it all the time.

QUOTE=goofy4tink;19686113]I guess I'm going to be the cranky old lady here.....my dd, 13, is a world class picky eater. We actually cheered when she finally started eating cheeseburgers a year ago. She exists on mac and cheese, peanut butter (no jelly), grilled cheese, hot dogs, plain buttered/parm. cheese pasta, and chicken nuggets. Eating with her has become a challenge. Well, I've decided enough is enough. If she chooses to not eat what is on the menu, then she can just sit there. There hasn't been a restuarant in WDW that has not been able to get her something to eat...not one. Do we get our money's worth out of the DDP with her? Heck no....not even close. We're eating at Coral Reef next month and I can't imagine that she won't find one thing that she is willing to eat. I am tired of planning our meals around an extremely unadventuresome eater....now I'm booking where I want to eat, as well as some of her tried and true favorites. I really think the OP's kids are old enough to sit nicely and have a drink and perhaps a small bit of something while the parents eat. My word, we're not talking about 3 hrs here....it shouldn't be much more than over an hour to eat. Bring a book for them, let them have dessert. Go, have a good time.[/QUOTE]

 

[Dragonfly0521]

I say go for it! My kids (who are picky) still loved it. My son (10) is considered an adult on the DDP and he ordered a steak. We ordered the appatizers and he loved the beef brisket! We considered it a try it type of meal. But the steaks were wonderful! And I found that with all the courses that there was always enough food to share!

(I am not saying cheat. Order a kids meal... then share off all the meals to feed everyone! And 3 large deserts.... MMMMMMMMMM!)

 

[Cinderellabride]

Oh no! We are not on the dining plan when we go at Christmas - my DS10 is VERY picky - will they really not let him order from the kids menu?

I think that it is only the case if you have the dining plan. I am not 100% sure though. You could always call Disney Dining and ask.

 

[PatsGirl]

From what I understand kids that are on adult ddp (or anyone for that matter) can order the kids meal rather than the adult meal. It's a no-brainer for disney, don't you think? They are saving lots of $$ every time this happens. Info on these boards also indicates that they will often serve a much larger portion of the kids meals for larger children/adults. I can't imagine why they would not substitute chicken fingers for a sirloin steak or shrimp dinner, can you? If I'm wrong, please correct me because I have two kids on the adult ddp in September that will most likely prefer the kids menu.

One question I've posted here several times with no response (yes, I feel like the original thread-killer ) is can a child paying adult prices get the adult appetizer and desert but trade down from the entree menus? For example, order the shrimp cocktail, a hot dog, and then the adult dessert? I bet if I'm nice enough it can happen but I'll let everyone know when we get back for sure.

 

[goofy4tink]

Perhaps you would have been an admirer of my mother, who always offered us two options for dinner.

1. Whatever she was cooking
2. Poke and grits

At first, you might think poke & grits is actual food. After all, Southerners love our grits! And we do eat poke salad, which is a green that grows wild. You boil it down, like spinach or turnip greens. But nooooo, poke & grits means:

Poke your feet under the table and grit your teeth!

In other words, eat what I cooked or sit down and shut up. I follow her example and offer it all the time.

QUOTE=goofy4tink;19686113]I guess I'm going to be the cranky old lady here.....my dd, 13, is a world class picky eater. We actually cheered when she finally started eating cheeseburgers a year ago. She exists on mac and cheese, peanut butter (no jelly), grilled cheese, hot dogs, plain buttered/parm. cheese pasta, and chicken nuggets. Eating with her has become a challenge. Well, I've decided enough is enough. If she chooses to not eat what is on the menu, then she can just sit there. There hasn't been a restuarant in WDW that has not been able to get her something to eat...not one. Do we get our money's worth out of the DDP with her? Heck no....not even close. We're eating at Coral Reef next month and I can't imagine that she won't find one thing that she is willing to eat. I am tired of planning our meals around an extremely unadventuresome eater....now I'm booking where I want to eat, as well as some of her tried and true favorites. I really think the OP's kids are old enough to sit nicely and have a drink and perhaps a small bit of something while the parents eat. My word, we're not talking about 3 hrs here....it shouldn't be much more than over an hour to eat. Bring a book for them, let them have dessert. Go, have a good time.

[/QUOTE]

That was my mother's attitude as well. It was even my attitude when I had my first two kids. They are now 34 and 31. But, I got lazy with my now 13 y/o....alas, I have created a monster. But, I am in the process of changing all that...more of the poke and grits going on at my house. My kitchen is not a restuarant, kid!!!!!

From what I understand kids that are on adult ddp (or anyone for that matter) can order the kids meal rather than the adult meal. It's a no-brainer for disney, don't you think? They are saving lots of $$ every time this happens. Info on these boards also indicates that they will often serve a much larger portion of the kids meals for larger children/adults. I can't imagine why they would not substitute chicken fingers for a sirloin steak or shrimp dinner, can you? If I'm wrong, please correct me because I have two kids on the adult ddp in September that will most likely prefer the kids menu.

One question I've posted here several times with no response (yes, I feel like the original thread-killer ) is can a child paying adult prices get the adult appetizer and desert but trade down from the entree menus? For example, order the shrimp cocktail, a hot dog, and then the adult dessert? I bet if I'm nice enough it can happen but I'll let everyone know when we get back for sure.

My experience with my 13 y/o with a severely discriminating palate has been that she has always been allowed to order from the childrens' menu, even though she has paid for the adult DDP. I have never seen an instance where a teen ordered an appetizer from the adult menu, then something from the kid menu, and then an adult dessert. That's an interesting concecpt...perhaps I'll give it a try next month.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Probably. I have read on occasion that the restaurant will upsize/double-size the childrens' entree in cases like this (and charge for it, but that's not applicable with the DDP).

can a child paying adult prices get the adult appetizer and desert but trade down from the entree menus? For example, order the shrimp cocktail, a hot dog, and then the adult dessert? I bet if I'm nice enough it can happen but I'll let everyone know when we get back for sure.

 

[rolshuk]

Why don't you all eat dinner someplace else, and then just go to Coral Reef for drinks, dessert, and your diver??? If none of you want what is on the menu, don't bother suffering through it.

This is a good idea..I would like to know if this would be exceptable.

 

[rolshuk]

The thing here is I dont want it to be stressful for anyone.I could make the kids eat something here...like it or lump it....as we say
But I really dont want to do that and know they are miserable...would do if say we were out with other people and didnt have a choice but this is a family holiday and I want us all to be happy
I will sit down with them and have a chat see to what we come up with.

 

[VacationKicks]

From what I understand kids that are on adult ddp (or anyone for that matter) can order the kids meal rather than the adult meal. It's a no-brainer for disney, don't you think? They are saving lots of $$ every time this happens. Info on these boards also indicates that they will often serve a much larger portion of the kids meals for larger children/adults. I can't imagine why they would not substitute chicken fingers for a sirloin steak or shrimp dinner, can you? If I'm wrong, please correct me because I have two kids on the adult ddp in September that will most likely prefer the kids menu.

One question I've posted here several times with no response (yes, I feel like the original thread-killer ) is can a child paying adult prices get the adult appetizer and desert but trade down from the entree menus? For example, order the shrimp cocktail, a hot dog, and then the adult dessert? I bet if I'm nice enough it can happen but I'll let everyone know when we get back for sure.

We did exactly this last Aug. when we had the free DDP. My ds 12 ordered off the adult and child menu in the same meal and we had no problems.
When you think about it, the tip is based on what you actually order, so the server gets more money when you do this. So in a way everybody is happy.

 

[Claymax]

The thing here is I dont want it to be stressful for anyone.I could make the kids eat something here...like it or lump it....as we say
But I really dont want to do that and know they are miserable...would do if say we were out with other people and didnt have a choice but this is a family holiday and I want us all to be happy
I will sit down with them and have a chat see to what we come up with.

Spoken like a true mum!

I was about to join in the tough luck group, but I understand where you're coming from.

You may want to print all this out so you can show your kids the lengths you went to for them. May come in handy a few years down the road!

 

[travelmaniac02]

Yeah, the birthday cake idea is better. I like it. Instead of the full meal, kids will appreciate birthday cakes. Coral Reef should realize this.

 

[Milobaby]

Probably. I have read on occasion that the restaurant will upsize/double-size the childrens' entree in cases like this (and charge for it, but that's not applicable with the DDP).

I was allowed to order off the childrens menu at Coral Reef- they increased the amount of food and the price and I was on the dining plan.