Counter Service Kids Menus Are Really Limited!

[sorul82?]

Yes, you last two posters are the only ones who think cold chicken sounds good! All laughs intended!!

Has Disney, in the past, ever had an in between catagory? Maybe for kids 9-12?

I'm thinking of changing my 9 year old to adult status (if that's possible) because he has just recently received his hollow leg!

To the OP,
I'm with you on Pizzafari! I mean really? I suggested that Petrifries stop selling fries, and offer kid's pizza instead!

 

[KJMAX1]

If this is your main goal than clearly the dining plan is probably not going to work well for you. The dining plan does limit what you can order to some extent. We were very borderline on doing it for that reason. When we took a trip pre-DDP a few years ago we just did what we felt like--things liked kids ordering an adult app to share, kids ordering a side and drink only and sharing our entree at CS, using snack type foods as a light lunch, etc. When using the plan on our last trip I explained to the kiddos that they were going to be able to have way more desserts than we would ever normally buy them (still didn't let them eat the whole things) but they may have to order things that weren't their first choice. They were fine with planning that way and understood the plan. So at the PO-FQ CS when they told my son he could have any entree not just kids entrees the first day he picked the adult hamburger because he knew that he might not get that option again but he would certainly find chicken nuggets elsewhere. If what is on the plan isn't what you want then don't do it. We are doing the plan again this year because we are eating at more high cost TS places and less character meals but I also plan on spending some money to supplement when something isn't quite what we wanted.

Yvonne

Thanks for answering my post! BTW, we are getting it "free" so we will just eat whats on the plan and buy fruit or veggies. I was reading some of my kids menus at counter service and was getting a little concerned. That was my concern over so many high fat food choices. However now knowing there are more to the menus than posted Im not as worried. I know in DL they have added "healthy" food stands with sandwiches, and fruit choices. Nice to know my kids can pick something different. My kids while they like all the fast food stuff, are not huge fans and will eat healthy choices. When I was making some ADRs the CM told me if I wanted to bring in applesauce packets, or a banana, I could do it. I thought that was really nice! Does anyone know if there is a CS that offers pasta for children??

 

[sorul82?]

POP has:
Penne Pasta with Meatball with cheddar crackers and carrots $3.99

I didn't see any pasta on the kid cs menus for the parks.

 

[mlwear]

Yes, you last two posters are the only ones who think cold chicken sounds good! All laughs intended!!

Has Disney, in the past, ever had an in between catagory? Maybe for kids 9-12?

I'm thinking of changing my 9 year old to adult status (if that's possible) because he has just recently received his hollow leg!

To the OP,
I'm with you on Pizzafari! I mean really? I suggested that Petrifries stop selling fries, and offer kid's pizza instead!

Agree so much with your post.
Cold chicken, ugh.
My 8 1/2 year old also now has the "hollow leg"! Funny how those growth spurts can do that.

Not in reference to sorul82's post, but early in the thread that huge child's appetite was what I was thinking about. There is a picture on here of a Tusker house meal for Adults, which shows HUGE portions. But, there is no pic of a kids' meal. Last year it was weird that DH, older DS by two years and I had mounding plates of food at Tusker House and younger DS, who at that time had his hollow leg again, got a drumstick and something like mac n cheese (not something he really likes) and I think some fruit or applesauce. Everyone in our family got a fruit cup for a dessert, I don't think he had anything more for his dessert. We paid for the dining plan, if that makes any difference. Anyway, he ate most of my meal. I don't mind to give my child some of food, but don't think I should have to. I think the kids' meal there would have satisfied him when he was younger easily. Just not enough food when it is supposed to feed up to and including a 9 year old, IMO. We don't snack much, though. However, all other kids' meals seemed to have more than ample amounts, some places had things my DS didn't like and we went elsewhere. But, when you NEED to eat in an AC area, CS becomes more limited. Anyway, we loved Tusker House and would like to go again. As I wrote earlier, we will definitely not use all of our adult credits. We will leave with at least 6 adult and 2 child unused. I would like to be able to "treat" my son to an adult CS using one of our extra adult CS credits (since we can use them however we want) at Tusker House. I can't understand why this would be a problem. I'm sure someone will enlighten though If it is, either we will pay OOP for an extra meal or share.

 

[Lizzybee]

Agree so much with your post.
Cold chicken, ugh.
My 8 1/2 year old also now has the "hollow leg"! Funny how those growth spurts can do that.

Not in reference to sorul82's post, but early in the thread that huge child's appetite was what I was thinking about. There is a picture on here of a Tusker house meal for Adults, which shows HUGE portions. But, there is no pic of a kids' meal. Last year it was weird that DH, older DS by two years and I had mounding plates of food at Tusker House and younger DS, who at that time had his hollow leg again, got a drumstick and something like mac n cheese (not something he really likes) and I think some fruit or applesauce. Everyone in our family got a fruit cup for a dessert, I don't think he had anything more for his dessert. We paid for the dining plan, if that makes any difference. Anyway, he ate most of my meal. I don't mind to give my child some of food, but don't think I should have to. I think the kids' meal there would have satisfied him when he was younger easily. Just not enough food when it is supposed to feed up to and including a 9 year old, IMO. We don't snack much, though. However, all other kids' meals seemed to have more than ample amounts, some places had things my DS didn't like and we went elsewhere. But, when you NEED to eat in an AC area, CS becomes more limited. Anyway, we loved Tusker House and would like to go again. As I wrote earlier, we will definitely not use all of our adult credits. We will leave with at least 6 adult and 2 child unused. I would like to be able to "treat" my son to an adult CS using one of our extra adult CS credits (since we can use them however we want) at Tusker House. I can't understand why this would be a problem. I'm sure someone will enlighten though If it is, either we will pay OOP for an extra meal or share.

I honestly can't understand why it would be a problem, even for those who interpret the dining plan very strictly. If you are using an "adult" credit for an "adult" meal, what difference does it make who is actually eating it? Since the choices for kids' meals are limited, my DD8 will get an "adult" meal with my "adult credit" (if you call chicken strips adult ) and I will use the "child" credit and eat the child meal. I dunno, I think the CS credits are a real gray area anyway. Who's to say an adult wouldn't use two CS credits at the same time for 2 adult meals for themselves? I can't imagine doing it but I'm sure there are people who could and would.

 

[ZPT1022]

Admittedly this is probably a stupid ?, but whether you are buying all adult CS meals or using CS credits to buy the properly designated adult and child CS meals does everyone in the party need to stand in the line (to verify our existence, I guess) or can some of us just go ahead and get a table? To be very specific, can I send DH and older DS (adult on DP) to wait in line and to order either 3 A CS and I child CS or 4 adult, whichever while I and other son sit down? Has anyone dared to attempt such a feat

Absolutely! There was no way that I was pushing my double stroller through some of those lines last year, so DH and the kids would scout out a table while I waited in line. Hmmm.... kind of like at home, now that I think about it- they all sit impatiently at the table while I have to take care of the meal

 

[frayedend]

Agree so much with your post.
Cold chicken, ugh.
My 8 1/2 year old also now has the "hollow leg"! Funny how those growth spurts can do that.

Not in reference to sorul82's post, but early in the thread that huge child's appetite was what I was thinking about. There is a picture on here of a Tusker house meal for Adults, which shows HUGE portions. But, there is no pic of a kids' meal. Last year it was weird that DH, older DS by two years and I had mounding plates of food at Tusker House and younger DS, who at that time had his hollow leg again, got a drumstick and something like mac n cheese (not something he really likes) and I think some fruit or applesauce. Everyone in our family got a fruit cup for a dessert, I don't think he had anything more for his dessert. We paid for the dining plan, if that makes any difference. Anyway, he ate most of my meal. I don't mind to give my child some of food, but don't think I should have to. I think the kids' meal there would have satisfied him when he was younger easily. Just not enough food when it is supposed to feed up to and including a 9 year old, IMO. We don't snack much, though. However, all other kids' meals seemed to have more than ample amounts, some places had things my DS didn't like and we went elsewhere. But, when you NEED to eat in an AC area, CS becomes more limited. Anyway, we loved Tusker House and would like to go again. As I wrote earlier, we will definitely not use all of our adult credits. We will leave with at least 6 adult and 2 child unused. I would like to be able to "treat" my son to an adult CS using one of our extra adult CS credits (since we can use them however we want) at Tusker House. I can't understand why this would be a problem. I'm sure someone will enlighten though If it is, either we will pay OOP for an extra meal or share.

Okay, so the enlightenment is that Disney doesn't seem to care so it won't be a problem. This is also the reason it isn't much of a problem for people to use child credits for an adult meal. The system doesn't know the difference. So there may be some DISers that happen to see you order an adult meal and give it to your child and automatically assume you are stealing from Disney and think that they should maybe sell that share of stock that's hanging on the wall due to the rampant theft that is going on. But really, until they change the system to have separate adult and child credits it doesn't matter. And if you are using it the way you said it still isn't a problem. As for now, even if a kid is in line with you, you could always say, "but I only have adult credits left so I won't my kid to get the adult meal" You won't get an argument.

 

[starbox]

On our most recent trip to WDW, I noticed that the CS sign menus stated clearly that Child Meals were only for guests 8 and under. So there is a loophole in Disney policy. DDP says under 10, but the restaurants say 9 year olds can't order the kid meals - which makes the regular menu the only menu for 9 and up. I asked a CM at Starlight Rays and she told me to order the regular menu for the 9 year old. We had our 9 year old order adult CS from then on, but had our 7 year old order of the under 8 menu.

I wonder if Disney is going to change the age restriction on the CS menu if they change the menu? Or at least line it up with the DDP.

I agree that the Pizzafari child menu is crazy with the no pizza. That's the one meal we paid for out of pocket.

 

[frayedend]

On our most recent trip to WDW, I noticed that the CS sign menus stated clearly that Child Meals were only for guests 8 and under. So there is a loophole in Disney policy. DDP says under 10, but the restaurants say 9 year olds can't order the kid meals - which makes the regular menu the only menu for 9 and up. I asked a CM at Starlight Rays and she told me to order the regular menu for the 9 year old. We had our 9 year old order adult CS from then on, but had our 7 year old order of the under 8 menu.

I wonder if Disney is going to change the age restriction on the CS menu if they change the menu? Or at least line it up with the DDP.

I agree that the Pizzafari child menu is crazy with the no pizza. That's the one meal we paid for out of pocket.

After reading everything and thinking about it, this is what I decided to do. First, I would have no problem ordering an adult meal (CS) for my kid if that was all that was on the menu that he liked and if I felt like dealing with having my family sit down while I deliver all the food. But regardless of that, I am just gonna order what everyone wants. Give them the card, and if they want to charge me OOP for something then I'll just pay it. Because as much as I'd like to disagree with the choices they offer, and as much as I like to argue in general well, I'm gonna be in Disney and just want to have it easy going with no arguments over a few dollars here and there.

 

[mlwear]

After reading everything and thinking about it, this is what I decided to do. First, I would have no problem ordering an adult meal (CS) for my kid if that was all that was on the menu that he liked and if I felt like dealing with having my family sit down while I deliver all the food. But regardless of that, I am just gonna order what everyone wants. Give them the card, and if they want to charge me OOP for something then I'll just pay it. Because as much as I'd like to disagree with the choices they offer, and as much as I like to argue in general well, I'm gonna be in Disney and just want to have it easy going with no arguments over a few dollars here and there.

That sounds like the best idea and what I'll do too. No need to stress. Enjoy.

 

[gigi1313]

Who's to say an adult wouldn't use two CS credits at the same time for 2 adult meals for themselves? I can't imagine doing it but I'm sure there are people who could and would.

actually, i'm one of those people who could and would or at least tried... it was at CS in Mexico/Epcot and dd (11yo) and i tried to order three adult meals (one of which was nachos, not, imo a "meal" but the menu said it was... it was something we wanted, we had the credits available, had breakfast very early that morning and had a very late ADR for dinner and were HUNGRY!), our card read 2A, yet we were hassled, told no, had to call in a manager, etc... it was quite the debacle, yet, imo, should not have been one!

 

[Delaware Mike]

...our card read 2A, yet we were hassled, told no, had to call in a manager, etc... it was quite the debacle, yet, imo, should not have been one!

IMHO, the card with xA and/or yC represents money (Disney offers a Dining Plan for a set price...even the free dining plan. Disney set the price....I didn't.) Now, as long as I'm not breaking any published rule, or the law, or performing any amoral behavior, why should anyone dictate how or where I spend my hard-earned money?

Why in the name of all things fair can't Disney publish ONE set of rules for everyone (including the CMs at CRO, and CMs in the restaurants, and Disney's guests) to follow? Simply let me know within which parameters I have operate, and I'll decide to follow along (by buying the plan) or not (by paying OOP)!

Come on, Disney, make a decision and stick with it. I believe everyone is growing tired of all the differing interperations of the plan.


(climbing down from my soapbox ...geez, I feel so much better now.)

 

[frayedend]

IMHO, the card represents money (Disney offers a Dining Plan for a set price...even the free dining plan. They set the price....I didn't.) Now, as long as I'm not breaking any published rule, or the law, or performing any amoral behavior, why should anyone dictate how or where I spend my hard-earned money?

Why in the name of all things fair can't Disney publish ONE set of rules for everyone (including the CMs at CRO, and CMs in the restaurants, and Disney's guests) to follow? Simply let me know within which parameters I have operate, and I'll decide to follow along (by buying the plan) or not (by paying OOP)!

Come on, Disney, make a decision and stick with it.


(...geez, I feel so much better now.)

Disney should in all their ultimate wisdom know how to plan for plans such as the Dining Plan. (edit, oh my, I just realized that I used the word "plan" 3 times in one sentence ) All they need to do is announce it here on the boards a good month or so prior to launch. One post from Disney like this....

We are gonna offer a new dining plan. Here is the idea...(explain dining plan).... Any questions?

After they post that, they just wait. Every possible scenario, rule, idea, moral standard, and anything else that they may need to work out will surely come up within a few days of the OP. Don't you think? Then they could work out all the kinks prior to launching any program.

 

[jmurphy625]

Has this been a problem for any of you all on the dining plan? You sit down to a burger or other counter service and your kid gets cold chicken or mac and cheese..... this may be fine for smaller kids, but I don't see this working well for 7 - 9 year olds..... my son will die if I'm choosing burgers and he is choosing PBJ and cold chicken. Might work with my 5yo daughter, maybe.

What CS have the better meals for the bigger kids.. 7, 8, 9 year olds?

I was very surprised with the lack of choices at the CS...I never remember it being a problem in the past. Maybe my kids tastes...they do not eat alot (7 & 9 yo) but one likes burgers, mac n cheese, pizza & the other grilled cheese, peanut butter (no jelly!) and fries. ....Most places we went into had one or none of these for kids...Never found grilled cheese on any CS menu.

When we're eating at a CS we were not looking for a big production or preplanning...want something quick in the general area. Usually we would find something that one child liked but not the other (either from the adult menu or childs menu)...we each ate alone quite a bit. We also ordered burgers from the adult menu quite a bit for my 9 yo son...seemed kind of silly that this wouldn't be on a kids meal.

MARA at akl was great...We asked if they would make a grilled cheese and they had no problem (my son asked why they had a key for it on the register if it wasn't on the menu and the CM said they get requests for it all the time)

We were not on the dp...but to the op, I think the cs at the hotels have a bigger selection. And also it can't hurt to ask for something that's not on the menu..maybe some of the bigger cs could accomodate. (not sure if it dp would cover it?)

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I never noticed how limited the children's menu was until I saw this thread. I just looked at CS menus we usually eat at and man they are limited!

Our oldest dd is 4. She is not a meat eater. She will do an occasional chicken nugget but wouldn't choose it. She won't touch pizza, doesn't like fries. I know she won't touch cold chicken. LOL

So, what does that leave? Mac-n-cheese or PBJ. Oh well. I am very glad to see that applesauce is an option with most of the meals. DD will like that. I wish they had more stuff like rice and veggies, fruit cups, or even grilled cheese.

Last time we were there I think we just let her share from my plates (not a big meat eater either) and bought her a side of fruit.

Looks like we will do our best with the CS kids meals and make up for it at the TS meals YUM!!! A day after we are home dd won't even remember what she ate anyway.

--this observation is based on the CS places we usually go----

 

[ZPT1022]

I was talking to my husband about the whole adult vs. child meal credits this morning and here's his take. Bear in mind he works in management for a large company and also knows his stuff about computers and programming. He said: Disney knows what they are doing. A few lines of code could easily close the loophole of no separation between adult and child credits. It would take an experienced programmer less than an hour to do it. Updating all the systems might take a little longer but it wouldn't be that hard to do. WDW is doing it because it means that you're staying onsite. The two major things that WDW has started in the last 2 years are Magical Express and the Disney Dining Plan. Think about it- both are designed to keep people (and their money) from straying too far from WDW property. ME keeps you there by default- no towncar with a grocery stop on the way, no rental car to take to USF or Walmart for cheap souvenirs or the grocery store or the plethora of offsite (cheaper) dining. The DDP, even if someone were to stretch it by a few dollars still keeps people on site. When people don't have to shell out any cash for a meal, it makes them feel more free to add on drinks, or sides or whatever, because the bill you get at the end of the meal is small. Maybe without DDP you wouldn't be in that restaurant at all, or you wouldn't order drinks. Or you'd go back to your resort and make a PB&J for lunch every day. Basically Disney does this because they know that they have you there and they've just created for themselves a captive audience. He also pointed out that a lot of times it's the add ons that are really worth a lot of money to the company. He works at Home Depot and said that for them, they focus on selling someone the total project. Because while it's great that you're in there buying paint, that's not where the money is. The money comes in when you start buying drop cloths and paintbrushes and painters tape- so they are more than happy to offer a sale on paint to get you in the door to buy not just that but all the little things with the higher % markup. He thinks WDW might just be doing something like that. Sure, your meal is included in the plan, but now you're ordering a bottle of wine with it's 300% markup. Make sense? I thought he had a good point. Not trying to debate the ethics of the situation but interesting to try and think about it from WDW's perspective

 

[ZPT1022]

Also, you know what- Disney tells me I can use my credits in any way I see fit. So if I felt like expending all of my credits in one day that's my business. If I want to order an adult meal and give it to my child, that's my business. Later that same week if I want a kids meal for my lunch, that's my perogative too.

 

[Delaware Mike]

I was talking to my husband about the whole adult vs. child meal credits this morning and here's his take. Bear in mind he works in management for a large company and also knows his stuff about computers and programming. He said: Disney knows what they are doing. A few lines of code could easily close the loophole of no separation between adult and child credits. It would take an experienced programmer less than an hour to do it. Updating all the systems might take a little longer but it wouldn't be that hard to do. WDW is doing it because it means that you're staying onsite. The two major things that WDW has started in the last 2 years are Magical Express and the Disney Dining Plan. Think about it- both are designed to keep people (and their money) from straying too far from WDW property. ME keeps you there by default- no towncar with a grocery stop on the way, no rental car to take to USF or Walmart for cheap souvenirs or the grocery store or the plethora of offsite (cheaper) dining. The DDP, even if someone were to stretch it by a few dollars still keeps people on site. When people don't have to shell out any cash for a meal, it makes them feel more free to add on drinks, or sides or whatever, because the bill you get at the end of the meal is small. Maybe without DDP you wouldn't be in that restaurant at all, or you wouldn't order drinks. Or you'd go back to your resort and make a PB&J for lunch every day. Basically Disney does this because they know that they have you there and they've just created for themselves a captive audience. He also pointed out that a lot of times it's the add ons that are really worth a lot of money to the company. He works at Home Depot and said that for them, they focus on selling someone the total project. Because while it's great that you're in there buying paint, that's not where the money is. The money comes in when you start buying drop cloths and paintbrushes and painters tape- so they are more than happy to offer a sale on paint to get you in the door to buy not just that but all the little things with the higher % markup. He thinks WDW might just be doing something like that. Sure, your meal is included in the plan, but now you're ordering a bottle of wine with it's 300% markup. Make sense? I thought he had a good point. Not trying to debate the ethics of the situation but interesting to try and think about it from WDW's perspective

You've hit the nail squarely on its head!

Ever wonder what companies mean by offering "value add" services? It doesn't always mean added value to the consumer... It can mean added value (money, margin, profit) to the company offering the service.

Disney wants its guests on their properties. If guests stay there, instead of going a little down the road to a competitor, the chances of increased revenue rise dramatically.

 

[mlwear]

ZPT1022 --Your DH is a wise man.

 

[punkin]

ZPT1022 --Your DH is a wise man.