DDP for Kids 3-9 A Bargain?

[MickeyMaz]

I was going over the menus and see that the choices for the kids 3-9 are very limited. The way I read the rules of DDP, the kids need to choose the Kids Meal off the menu. OK, once they have had PB&J, Chicken nuggets, Pizza, Dogs or Burgers, they are pretty much done. And that is for CS and TS meals both. I find myself deciding on places to eat based on the kids menus. Am I missing something?
Another quick question from those that have used the DDP. It is basic but will clarify something for me. The Wife and I use a CS each for Yakitori. The kids don't like the Child menu choice, can I get them chicken nuggets at Liberty Inn while the wife gets our meal at Yakitori?

 

[JimMIA]

What you're missing is character meals. That's what makes DDP worthwhile with kids. All but CRT are one TS, whethe they are breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Can you use the plan at two restaurants for the same meal? Sure.

 

[MickeyMaz]

We are going to the Ohana Bkfast. My thought on that was to not use the DDP TS for this meal because of the cost. I would rather pay out of pocket for the 18.99 it'll cost for an adult and save the TS for the $31 filet mignon the $9 shrimp cocktail and dessert at the coral reef or another restaurant like that.

I am still bumming out over the low choice of different types kid's meals.

 

[Lila95]

The lack of variety on the kids menu is one of the reasons we are doing a lot of buffets or family style dinners. DS7 would be fine...all he eats are chicken nuggets and mac&cheese. DD9 could last for about a day on that. She doesn't have the appetite for an adult meal, but she likes the variety. There are only a few nights she will have to eat a kids menu TS. I'm planning to use her CS for breakfast and let her pick whatever she wants for lunch and pay OOP.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Just wanted to make sure that I am not the only one thinking this way.

 

[n2mm]

A lot of restraurants have pretty decent kids meals. LeCellier has a steak meal for kids and is a pretty generous size. The 50s Prime Time will do any of their adult meals in a child's version too. As for CS, yes you can get meals at one location and then get meals at another location. We do this often. Just because you stop at Japan CS, doesn't mean you have to get all of your meals there. I have found the kid's choices at CS to be very limited.

BTW: The coral reef does not have filet mignon anymore. The menu changed this spring. The only beef they sell is the NY strip...not my favorite cut. You have to go to: LeCellier, Kona's, Maya's, and Concourse for filet mignon under a 1 TS credit.

 

[Lewisc]

You're correct. Older kids, who have adult tastes might not do well under the plan BUT The snack credit is worth $2-$4. Are you doing character TS meals, FDP, or other buffet/all you care to eat restaurants. You'll get more than your monies worth. Most of the kids character meals cost as much as the meal plan before you add tax, tip.

Even if Disney separates CS credits and you have to skip all of your child's CS credits you'll still come out ahead. If the credits are separated just get a kids meal (with drink and dessert) and pay for an adult item. Even though the menu only shows combos you can just buy an adult burger to go with the fries and drink that's in an child's CS meal.

 

[Tam1067]

My kids did fine with the kids' meals although my oldest was nearly in tears near the end of vacation because he was so sick of chicken strips. But really, this would happen anytime you're eating out in restaurants for that many days in a row.

CS meals were really lame by and large for kids. TS were better. Some of the items my kids had on TS meals were pasta with meatballs, pizza, chicken strips, burgers, mac 'n' cheese, and grilled cheese. They did fine really.

Here's what we did when we were frustrated with awful kids' meal offerings at MK: we took the Monorail back to our resort (the Polynesian) and ate there. The kids had better luck at the temporary Captain Cook's CS than they did in the park. You could go to other resorts at lunchtime, too, and get different things as CS meals; we found the resort was a lot less crowded, cooler, and calmer than the parks at that time of day, too.

 

[HaleyB]

I was going over the menus and see that the choices for the kids 3-9 are very limited. The way I read the rules of DDP, the kids need to choose the Kids Meal off the menu. OK, once they have had PB&J, Chicken nuggets, Pizza, Dogs or Burgers, they are pretty much done. And that is for CS and TS meals both. I find myself deciding on places to eat based on the kids menus. Am I missing something?

I see people say this all the time
Well actually more often people complain burgers are hard to find on CS kids menus (which they really are).

For CS we have had lots of things besides what you list

In AK Flame tree has chicken wings, MGM fish and chips and veggie stir fry, in Epcot all sorts of things, MK we find the least CS variety for the kids but mine like hot dogs (which are easy in the MK).

AS for TS meals try the buffets if you want choices for the kids. They can select anything they want. But we find fish and steak pretty often, and lots of places offer pasta. Plus many places will do a child size portion off the adult menu.

If you use the CS credit just for the drink, side, and dessert and then order an adult item OOP, and use the TS credit for just a drink and dessert and order an adult entree OOP, plus the snack credit, you are saving money. So it is hard to lose on the kids DDP.

 

[KellyFam]

Where did you find the hotdogs, in MK? I was reviewing all the menus, and other than corn dogs, I didn't think I saw the reg hot dogs? I can get my kids to live with a hotdog, if it comes with fries and a drink.

Thanks!

 

[OKWMom]

I had a similar concern regarding the choices on the kids menus prior to our trip last December. But really, the kids were fine with their choices, except for a couple of CS places. They were really in it for the desserts anyway and were tickled to death to be able to order a dessert with their dinner each night and have one with their lunch too. When we added the snack option it is a flat out miracle they were not orbiting SE with their sugar buzz.

My point is, the kids never complained about the plan and were excited to know we are getting it again.

 

[salmoneous]

The child's DDP is such a screaming bargain that you come out ahead even if you don't like all the CS child's menus. Compare the price of a snack plus a character meal to the daily price for the plan. Heck, even if you just get the drink or desert off the child's CS meal, you are still way ahead.

 

[carone0318]

Where did you find the hotdogs, in MK? I was reviewing all the menus, and other than corn dogs, I didn't think I saw the reg hot dogs? I can get my kids to live with a hotdog, if it comes with fries and a drink.

Thanks!

Casey's is a hot dog place on Main St. Great hot dogs by the way!

 

[KellyFam]

Thanks, I see that now.... I wasn't that stressed, since we are only spending 1 day in the parks and the hotel CS seems to have a better selection.