Counter Service Kids Menus ?

[TwinkieMama]

At the end of the month I will be taking my twins to WDW for a surprise trip for their 5th birthday. One twin is The World's Pickiest Eater and the other was eating salsa with a spoon before she was 2!

My understanding is Disney's applaudable decision to offer healthier options for children combined with the recent changes to the computer system in handling the dining plan has resulted in very limited children's choices at most places (the menus I have seen basically have 2 kids choices)... so how and why this happened is not my point.. .I am afraid of hauling hungry tired children through the world in search of something to eat only to find that no matter where we go one child is miserable.

So does anyone have suggestions of the best CS meals for kids? or better yet a spreadsheet of all kids choices by location??? (I am kidding but if someone does please share!!!!) and where are the un -healthy kids choices? We do, at some point, really want burgers and fries!!!

Thanks!

 

[janets]

Twinkiemama, didn't know you were headed down to the world...haven't read too many trip reports lately to see your schedule.

I don't really know of any CS places that offer a kids burger. As a matter of fact, most places don't have a kids meal that matches their "theme" (pecos bill doesn't have kid burgers, CHH doesn't have kid fish, etc.). That said, at least at this point, Pizza Planet at MGM still has pizza (no defined kids meal), Casey's has hot dogs (no defined kids meal). I know that Cosmic Ray's has nuggets (at least in November they had them), ABC Commissary is said to have nuggets, kid fish or veggie noodle stir fry (I happen to like that so I swap with the kids), Tusker House has a kids chicken drumstick w/ mashed potatoes.

That said, what we usually do is split 2 A meals between the four of us. We'll use the kids credits for breakfast or something from perhaps the Main Street Bakery, if we can't find a kids meal either of them will like.

I agree that this is difficult for most parents. I find that if we share lunch and use our snacks, we have enough so we're not starving for dinner (but can still enjoy it fully).

Not sure if this helps you in any way. I personally find the kids selections at lunch awful. My kids don't eat pb&j, 1 doesn't like the m&c, would never touch chilled chicken (especially if dad and I are eating the fried chicken/fish basket from CHH, or the cheeseburger from PB). I'm going to look into Lewis's suggestion of perhaps ordering the kids meal for the fries/drink and "decombo-ing" an adult burger if needed.

When will you be there? We'll be down the first weekend of February (2/3-2/6) for ds's 9th bday.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I couldn't tell if you were on the dining plan or not. I do agree the choices are limited and repetitive for the kids counter service meals. We were able to get the adult version of most things for our 9 year old. There is no way she would have eaten mac and cheese for 8 days straight. I think at times she felt guilty taking the adult meal. She is a rule follower and had a hard time understanding why the choices were limited. She felt she was breaking the rules since she was 9 and should have been ordering off the children's menu. She is glad to know that she'll be an adult on our our next trip to Disney. I do feel bad for the paying customer though.

 

[TwinkieMama]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll be there 1/27 through 2/3.... and yes we will be on the plan. I have loved the DDP in the past and just checked this board today on a whim.... the news that the kids meals don't match the theme of the restaurant is what got me concerned! I would have totally expected to find a kids pizza meal at pizzafari etc etc! They are not big eaters so the amount of food isn't a problem...it is the choices! Sometimes they eat mac-n-cheese, sometimes no. My picky one will always eat a hamburger (with nothing on it!) but won't eat any other type of meat (ever)and neither one likes the uncrustables pb&j (too much pb in the center) so I am getting worried. I am sure we will be fine with our TS options. They love breakfast foods so maybe we will do that for our CS.... how late can you get breakfast? can we have breakfast at 10:30 am for a brunch each day? We are used to using our mornings for rides not food!

 

[bkfree]

We are going in 11 days and my two are also somewhat picky eaters that do not eat PB and J or Mac and Cheese either. So after my minor freak out over the changes and yes, we do the DDP this is what the reality was. After perusing all the CS places I came to this realization. At some there was at least something on the Kid's Menu that one of mine would eat and I will gladly pay $5 or $6 to make the other one happy. Some places they can share 1 adult entree and 2 drinks for about 8 bucks.This is only at MK, I easily found stuff for them at the other 3 parks. Now we are spending 2 days out of the 6 at MK and only one of them will actually require is to have a CS meal there. We have a TS dinner each day and one of the days at MK we are doing a late breakfast/brunch at 10:00am at Chef Mickey's. So I was freaking about one meal on one day to the tune of less than $10 at the very most. Totally No Big Deal. I cannot believe how much time and emotion I spent on this. Group Hysteria at work.
Even if we end up buying several OOP meals for our kids, we still save a huge amount of money on the DDP.

Chef Mickey's does not serve lunch and take ADR's for late breakfast until noon I believe. We always do a 10 or 11 am brunch here.

 

[honeymo78]

Just a quick question related to this thread. How "new" is it that places like Pecos Bill's don't have burgers on the kids menu, CHH no fish, etc? It's been a while since I've ordered kids meals but I don't remember seeing theme food on the menu for quite some time.

 

[jodifla]

At the end of the month I will be taking my twins to WDW for a surprise trip for their 5th birthday. One twin is The World's Pickiest Eater and the other was eating salsa with a spoon before she was 2!

My understanding is Disney's applaudable decision to offer healthier options for children combined with the recent changes to the computer system in handling the dining plan has resulted in very limited children's choices at most places (the menus I have seen basically have 2 kids choices)... so how and why this happened is not my point.. .I am afraid of hauling hungry tired children through the world in search of something to eat only to find that no matter where we go one child is miserable.

So does anyone have suggestions of the best CS meals for kids? or better yet a spreadsheet of all kids choices by location??? (I am kidding but if someone does please share!!!!) and where are the un -healthy kids choices? We do, at some point, really want burgers and fries!!!

Thanks!

Are you on the DDP? If you are, this is quite limiting.

Since we pay OOP, we plan to just order an adult meal for our son, so he's not pigenholed into the lousy kids CS menus. Particularly now that they've jacked up the kids prices (by adding carrot sticks and jello, and calling it three courses!!!) the kids meals aren't much of a value, anyway.

So in Epcot we can get him fish and chips, which he likes. At the MK, we can get him a hot dog from Casey's or the chicken strips meal at CHH.

Not having the DDP will give you lots of freedom to choose meals your picky eater will eat.

 

[janets]

These places have not had these items for quite a while, but with the DDP, there have been additional changes to the kids meal selections, and they are really awful now (worse than before). Most places that might have had chicken fingers do not. Pizza is non existent in most places. I guess I totally understand the thought that "DDP is not for everyone" and if it doesn't work for your family, then you don't get it. But at the end of the day, the selections for kids is the issue. If my child is under 10, I should not HAVE to order him something from an adult menu to keep him happy. The items on the kids menu should appeal to most kids. To go to a fish place and not have fish, a pizza place w/ no pizza, a burger place w/ no burger, these issues have bothered me for quite a while.

I also understand that one can get a kid selection for the drink and fries, then ask to "de-combo" an adult meal for the main item. That's a great option, but if I recall correctly, the single cheeseburger meal at Pecos Bill is somewhere near $6.99 or $7.99. So they take off $1.50 for the fries and I'm left paying well over $5 for just a burger. Not a great price in my book, but if it will keep my kid happy, a small price to pay I guess.

Twinkiemama, I think we'll be seeing more reports coming out over the next week or so, and I'm hopeful that you'll have a better idea of where to take the twins. Too bad we won't be overlapping. We arrive around 10:30 on Saturday morning and I expect you'll be ready to head out at that time.

 

[honeymo78]

I agree that those places should have more options for kids and that you shouldn't have to order an adult meal. Most fast food places have figured out how to offer smaller sized meals for kids that are the same as the adult ones - KFC has chicken, LJS has fish.

I was just confused because I keep seeing people shocked by the CS changes on other threads and I thought I missed some new changes - now I realize much of it is DDP child credit related.

Sorry Twinkie for hijacking the thread. I hope you can find something for the kiddos without have to pay OOP. See you over on the peeps thread.

 

[Lewisc]

I think one of the reasons for the new kids menus is to reduce the number of older kids and even adults who want to order kids meals as a budget saving measure.

I'll agree the menus are now oriented toward younger kids.

Non-DDP guests can simply purchase an adult meal(s) to share with their kids. DDP can simply use the plan for their kids drink, fries and just pay Cash for an adult burger. Disney lets you de-combo an adult meal even if the menu doesn't have a price.

Particularly now that they've jacked up the kids prices (by adding carrot sticks and jello, and calling it three courses!!!) the kids meals aren't much of a value, anyway.

 

[Desnik]

My DD(8) is picky and also lactose intollerant. DS(3) will eat pretty much anything. While planning our Nov 2006 trip I was so worried about the new kids meals. We weren't on the DDP, but we will be on our upcoming trip. In Nov my kids always found something to eat they liked. We never had to order an adult meal for them. As for CS, again there was never a problem. Also, the refreshment port at Epcot had McD's nuggets and fries! That was great for DS. I checked the menus at allearsnet and there are a few CS places you can get a burger, alot have nuggets. I also like the idea someone said they did where they used one adult credit for their kids to share if they didn't like the kids offerings, then used the unused kids credits for breakfast items. That might work for you.

 

[maminnie]

As I posted in the other thread regarding "not happy with children's menus on DDP" I find the children's menus for the counter service so limited and really rediculous at some restaurants.

Having been to Disney many times, I just find it so amazing that a corporation like Disney created such menus!! I realize the DDP price for 3-9 is priced very reasonable but if the plan doesn't work for many of the kids and makes the parent's life at Disney while on vacation more difficult, what good is it. Healthy options are wonderful but salty processed mac and cheese and Uncrustables really don't fall in that category. Offering both 'true healthy' and more traditional counter service foods would be a more reasonable approach. If the price is an issue then maybe they need to increase it a bit and give the children what they want to eat. I would have to believe though that Disney is making some pretty good money on those 10+ year old kids that don't eat $38.99 of food per day!! I know mine won't and one of the reasons in addition to the kids menu for my daughter why I am considering not going with the plan. I am also concerned if I miss a dining reservation for table service that I won't be able to get into some of the restaurants of choice as we are going during a busy time.

Still trying to decide.
maminnie

 

[susieq76]

Twinkiemama- we'll be there the 20th to 29th with our twins! They'll be 5 Feb 23rd. Maybe we'll see each other- we're splitting b/t WL (7 nights) and POR (2 nights).

I think the only place you'll have CS problems is the MK. We like to eat at Cosmic Rays- they have nuggets there and the kids like my roasted chicken too. Makes everyone happy

The other parks seem to have much better CS options.

Have fun!

 

[S.Poppins]

Hey TM! I am so excited about your upcoming trip - might we expect a trip report - I think you owe us a few!

I am having the same concerns about my DS 7 - he is a big eater (likes 10 pc. nugget meal at mcD). But he usually sticks with chicken nuggets or hotdogs. He also likes pizza. I have looked at this topic closely. I have discovered that there is a McDonalds in AK and Epcot where you can get Chicken nuggets. At MK there is Casey's Corner where there is no kids meal, so he can get a hotdog. At MGM, he can get a pizza at Pizza Planet. I believe Cosmic Rays has chicken nuggets on their kids meal - but for dessert he will have to eat applesauce while we eat something good! I also wrote down Rosies Cafe in MGM but I can't remember why - probably chicken nuggets. Anyway, I feel like I have found a place at each park. However, these are not places the rest of us would want to eat - so we will have to get his and then go somewhere else for ours.

Hope this is helpful. Have a great trip!

 

[jodifla]

Hey TM! I am so excited about your upcoming trip - might we expect a trip report - I think you owe us a few!

I am having the same concerns about my DS 7 - he is a big eater (likes 10 pc. nugget meal at mcD). But he usually sticks with chicken nuggets or hotdogs. He also likes pizza. I have looked at this topic closely. I have discovered that there is a McDonalds in AK and Epcot where you can get Chicken nuggets. At MK there is Casey's Corner where there is no kids meal, so he can get a hotdog. At MGM, he can get a pizza at Pizza Planet. I believe Cosmic Rays has chicken nuggets on their kids meal - but for dessert he will have to eat applesauce while we eat something good! I also wrote down Rosies Cafe in MGM but I can't remember why - probably chicken nuggets. Anyway, I feel like I have found a place at each park. However, these are not places the rest of us would want to eat - so we will have to get his and then go somewhere else for ours.

Hope this is helpful. Have a great trip!

At CHH, I normally get the chicken and fish basket, and I eat the fish while DS eats the chicken.

 

[TwinkieMama]

Thanks everyone! I would welcome more specific suggestions of where to eat counter service!

My 2 cents on the dining plan which I have used twice now (paying for each time so I have been more attuned to the "value").....

I like the pre-paid aspect. I like feeling like I am on "vacation"... sure get a cola honey! get a dessert too!.... I could certainly feed my family for less but I am aware we are getting a huge discount on the food we do eat. I liked it *because* my girls were such grazers.... they don't eat big meals but they do eat 4-5 times a day which is perfectly appropriate for tiny active children.

Last trip I was excited to see pb&j on the menu so many places since that is a daily staple at our house but they just don't like the uncrustables.

So I was planning on having them split a CS meal at like 10 am and then again at 2 pm which which leave them ready to eat a good dinner at 5pm. After seeing the new limited menus I guess I can modify that plan... it just requires basically knowing what is on the menu at every CS place which doesn't even make sense based on the name/theme of the place. That is what is ridiculous to me... that each place has only 2 options for children... dining plan aside, many many children visit WDW so I bet many parents are in the boat of standing in line to order only to find out that Junior doesn't want another uncrustable or mac-n-cheese.

I do get that I didn't have to buy the DDP and I still can order whatever I want (and I am willing to pay for )..... last trip it was a great value for us and we enjoyed it.... DH says he never wants to go to WDW without it and if it is a good value for the adults and I can make it work for the kids I am willing to do the extra planning needed to find non-monotonous meals for the littles.

Again, thanks for all the responses! Keep the specific suggestions coming!

 

[S.Poppins]

At CHH, I normally get the chicken and fish basket, and I eat the fish while DS eats the chicken.

This is a good idea - I had not thought of that. We enjoyed CHH last year, but I had decided not to return because even last year the kids' selection was so bad - we threw it away. Maybe we will give it another chance. Thanks.

 

[S.Poppins]

TM, we return on January 19. So I will let you know more first-hand specifics when we return. While standing in line I can make notes - because my DH is not totally convinced that I am insane.

 

[TwinkieMama]

Thanks S.Poppins! Tell your DH that I am at least as insane as you are if not more so.... but.....I have decided to use my superDISgeek powers for good not evil.........and here (based on this site and allears) is what I have come up with:

Kids Counter Service Choices at the MK

Main St Casey's hot dog or corn dog nuggets
Liberty Sq Col. House mac-n-cheese or chilled chicken
Adventure Pirata y Perico taco
Frontier Pecos Bill sloppy joe or chilled chicken
Fantasy Pin. Village H PBJ or mac-n-cheese
Tomorrow Terrace Noodle PBJ or mac-n-cheese
Cosmic Rays mini corn dogs, chicken salad, chicken nuggets, chicken noodle soup,



We were planning on spending most of our time and thus most of our CS meals at the MK. It does look like the pop food court is going to offer the most (and best) choices. I like the idea of getting up at the wee hours to get the kids breakfast (Mickey waffles ) and using snacks for lunch before an early dinner. I will have to see how that works with our touring plan and my kids natural eating times. Another happy thought is it has been 14 months since the girls went to WDW and they haven't even seen an uncrustable in that whole time so maybe they will like them now

 

[S.Poppins]

If they like McD fries - there is a place in Fantasyland where you can use snack credits for McD fries.