DDP for kids is terrible!!!!!!

[La2kw]

A big problem is that many counter service restaurants specialize in foods that kids love, but then don't put them on the kids' menu. So you have situations like the burger place where kids can't get a burger, a pizza place where kids can't get pizza, and a fried fish-and-chicken place where kids can't get fried chicken fingers. If you're on the dining plan, you wind up either buying the kid a meal out of pocket or sharing your own meal.

Disney wants you to buy that burger for your kid. That's probably why they cost more and aren't on a kid's menu. It's all about maximizing profits nowadays. IMO, the food quality overall at WDW has definitely gone downhill, not just with the kid meals.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

Wouldn't it be easier for the CS places to offer all the same food to kids and adults and offer smaller portions for kids? It seems like that would be less work.

Any adult can order a kids meal now. There is nothing stopping them.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The new menus are great for vegetarian kids. But for the vast majority of kids, these menus are horrid. I don't know what Disney was thinking.

 

[Sammie]

There are several places to get hotdogs, etc. Caseys at the MK, pizza at Pizza Planet at MGM and McDonalds at Epcot offers chicken nuggets. These things are still there you just have to shop around.

 

[S.Poppins]

We just returned from WDW last night. While we had to sign TWO seperate receipts at TS meals...one for DS and one for us (adults), we didn't at the CS places. One CM actually told me that a CS meal is a CS meal...doesn't matter if it's child or adult. They are lumped together.

We stopped one day to eat at Pecos Bill and there was NOTHING on that children's menu DS would eat. Outside was a cart selling hot dogs and chips, so I went there to get DS's lunch. I planned on paying for it (charging to the room). When I ordered the "meal"...hotdog, chips, and a drink...I gave the CM my card. She said she could do it as a CS meal. I told her it was for a child (my son was with me) and she said it didn't matter because all CS meals were the same.

Later that week, we stopped at Columbia Harbor House and DS wanted chicken so I ordered him the adult meal and it wasn't a problem.

I thought all this had changed. There are not separate CS adult and children tickets? Also, get your flame suit on. There are many on these boards that think this is very wrong. I have had several people (including CMs)tell me to use my son's CS credits to order him an adult CS meal if there was not a good option on the children's menu. This is what I was planning to do, but I heard that had changed and it was no longer an option.

 

[WDWBetsy]

I thought all this had changed. There are not separate CS adult and children tickets? Also, get your flame suit on. There are many on these boards that think this is very wrong. I have had several people (including CMs)tell me to use my son's CS credits to order him an adult CS meal if there was not a good option on the children's menu. This is what I was planning to do, but I heard that had changed and it was no longer an option.

If she went up to a cart that accepts the DDP and still has no children's menu, I don't see why she can't order what she did. Especially since the CM offered which complies with the DDP brochure stating that "Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu where available." Plus her son was right there. I see no reason for her to have a flame suit on. She did nothing wrong.

EDITED TO ADD: My bad... I totally misread the part about the chicken at Columbia Harbour House. I do think that Disney is more concerned with adults using child TS credits for adult TS meals, not the CS meals. Time will tell if they separate this. SORRY!! This cold medicine is clouding my head - time to go to bed!

 

[maggs]

My problem in WDW has always been a different one. In fact when I showed the kids menus to my now teenagers, they said 'I wish it had been like that for us all those years ago'. I have always fed them healthy adult style food (no judgement on others here - its just what we like!) and they have grown up as salad and fish lovers and hated burgers, hot dogs and fries. For them it was impossible to get anything they liked on their WDW visits from the kids menu. I have always had to buy from the adult menu, except at buffets, so it has cost me a fortune in the past. However it looks af if Disney have gone a bit over the top with some of the menus.

Maggs

 

[robinb]

I thought all this had changed. There are not separate CS adult and children tickets?

I had the dining plan through 1/3/07 and the CS credits were still pooled. YMMV on whether the CM will allow you to order more Adult meals than show on your key card.

 

[The Sweetness]

and is there anything wrong with that?.... What if an adult is truly not all that hungry and just wants something small. I know it was so hot when we went to the parks in May that none of us really wanted to eat much at all....

The restaurants are there to provide a service, but also to make money. If anyone who wants to is allowed to order a half sized portion of a $10 entree, for $5, this would cut into the proffits. Kids meals are supposed to be for kids, in this case, those under the age of 10. Any exceptions (allowing my 15y old DD to order the kids mac and cheese, because she wants that instead of whatever's on the adults menu, should be a privalege, granted or denied, once I or my DD have asked for permission to have it as an EXCEPTION to the rule.)

Someone who *wasnt that hungry* could share a meal, or just order something lighter, such as a salad, or just a sandwich, w/ out the fries. Also, someone who isnt hungry when others from their group are eating a CS lunch for example, can relax with a coke or dessert, or just meet up with the group after visiting a nearbly attraction or ride, or just doing a bit of shopping
This is JMO, ofcourse

 

[NMW]

So am I understanding this right? Adult and child credits are seperate for all TS meals, but NOT CS meals? Are they working to change this, or have they decided to leave the CS thing alone? I know the price difference between adult and child CS is only a few dollars, where as the difference with TS entrees in considerable. Do you think that's why? Also, so many people complain about the 2 kids CS choices you get at each CS restaurant (trust me, I've heard it in person). Maybe they want the CM's to have the ability to give a child who is allergic to peanut butter and hates mac n cheese, the option of a burger? This is just a guess??

I don't understand why they wouldn't seperate both CS and TS.
Does anyone have some info on this?

 

[Selket]

My youngest child (who will be 5 next time we go) is a type 1 diabetic and extremely allergic to peanuts and nuts. We are thinking of doing the dining plan and I can see that some the CS meals would be a problem for him.

Even if the CS credits are divided into adult and child CS I just plan to order whatever he can eat from my adult credit and order some child meal that he might eat part of and I can eat the rest. In other words, I figure that I'll end up sharing some of my meal with him and take some of his in return in order to get him something he'll eat.

I suppose as long as all the credits are being used no one is going to care if we order 2 adult meals and 2 kids meals and split them all up according to who likes what...right?

I realize some restaurants have meals he'd eat (which is mostly hot dogs!) but in my experience - depending on how busy the parks are - it takes too long to get a meal from this place and a meal from that place, etc.

 

[akrake]

you aren't going to walk to another section due to crowds, or Fast Past times, etc., the choice you have to make is right where you are. This happens to us A LOT. Sometime you have to eat at a certain spot.

actually....I do walk from one section of the park to another....at AK we were in Dinoland when we got hungry & we walked all the way to tusker house because I HATE Flaming Tree & Pizzafari (no vegetarian options). i find that you just have to do what you have to do....and do what works for you.

 

[jodifla]

My youngest child (who will be 5 next time we go) is a type 1 diabetic and extremely allergic to peanuts and nuts. We are thinking of doing the dining plan and I can see that some the CS meals would be a problem for him.

Even if the CS credits are divided into adult and child CS I just plan to order whatever he can eat from my adult credit and order some child meal that he might eat part of and I can eat the rest. In other words, I figure that I'll end up sharing some of my meal with him and take some of his in return in order to get him something he'll eat.

I suppose as long as all the credits are being used no one is going to care if we order 2 adult meals and 2 kids meals and split them all up according to who likes what...right?

I realize some restaurants have meals he'd eat (which is mostly hot dogs!) but in my experience - depending on how busy the parks are - it takes too long to get a meal from this place and a meal from that place, etc.

But then you'd be stuck with kids' meals? Ick!

For many people, the DDP is going to be the whole family sharing the adult meals or paying OOP for extra adult meals, while the Kids meals go in the trash.

 

[minniebeth]

But then you'd be stuck with kids' meals? Ick!

For many people, the DDP is going to be the whole family sharing the adult meals or paying OOP for extra adult meals, while the Kids meals go in the trash.

Exactly, but I'm sorry, for as much food as there is, and how expensive a WDW vacation is for us, I am unwilling to pay OOP for meals...am I in the minority here?

 

[Lewisc]

Exactly, but I'm sorry, for as much food as there is, and how expensive a WDW vacation is for us, I am unwilling to pay OOP for meals...am I in the minority here?

Although I think the problem is over-stated, some (older) kids don't like the kids CS menu. Paying OOP for an extra adult burger, de-combo the adult meal and use the kids meal for the drink and fries, is cheaper than paying for adult passes and paying the adult dining plan cost for a 9 year old. Paying OOP for a few items may be cheaper than the alternatives.

Many CS restaurants, particularly in the resorts, are allowing kids to get some items not on the kids menu.

 

[minniebeth]

Although I think the problem is over-stated, some (older) kids don't like the kids CS menu. Paying OOP for an extra adult burger, de-combo the adult meal and use the kids meal for the drink and fries, is cheaper than paying for adult passes and paying the adult dining plan cost for a 9 year old. Paying OOP for a few items may be cheaper than the alternatives.

Many CS restaurants, particularly in the resorts, are allowing kids to get some items not on the kids menu.

Ok...I'm listening....we've never used the DDP before so I am trying to figure how it will all work for us, especially with a picky eater and allergic 9yo.
I'm a little s.l.o.w. on catchin' on to this...can you explain to me about de-combo-ing a meal? Thanks!

 

[Ellester]

Ok...I'm listening....we've never used the DDP before so I am trying to figure how it will all work for us, especially with a picky eater and allergic 9yo.
I'm a little s.l.o.w. on catchin' on to this...can you explain to me about de-combo-ing a meal? Thanks!

It is possible to just get a burger (or whatever entree) off the CS menu and not get the drink and side. It may not be on the menu, but you will be charged less than the combo price. Some people are suggesting that if your child wants and adult entree, say a cheeseburger at Pecos Bill's, you can order a kid's meal, scrap the sloppy joe and your child can have the drink and fries and you only pay for a sandwich OOP. Does that make sense?

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

Exactly, but I'm sorry, for as much food as there is, and how expensive a WDW vacation is for us, I am unwilling to pay OOP for meals...am I in the minority here?

No I agree with you. With all of the money I am paying for my trip I hate to think I may have to pay for extra food for my DD but I will also have a 2 yr old not on the dining plan that I will have to buy food for and so I will split the meals between them. Hopefully it won't be too much extra food.

 

[Lewisc]

The adult meal plan costs $39 and the kids plan only costs $11. Many TS are buffet or all you care to eat. The kids can eat the same as the adults. Other TS restuarants have at least some items on the kids menu that's the same as the adult menu. The kids skillet at WCC for example.

The "problem" is with the menu at CS restaurants. Again some restaurants, particularly at the resorts, will accomodate kids. There are even theme park CS restaurants that seem to be flexible.

For those CS meals that are a problem just spend $4-$5 for an adult burger. Even if it's not on the menu ask, you can buy it without the fries. Use the kids meal for the drink and fries.

Call Disney dining about the food allergies. Disney will work with you.

Ok...I'm listening....we've never used the DDP before so I am trying to figure how it will all work for us, especially with a picky eater and allergic 9yo.
I'm a little s.l.o.w. on catchin' on to this...can you explain to me about de-combo-ing a meal? Thanks!

 

[Selket]

Well, I don't mind eating part of a kid's meal I guess - while my son has part of my adult meal. I really do make up for it with the TS meal - gives me a good excuse to get that extra dessert

I really do think you should be able to get a kids meal themed to the restaurant you are at - that seems like something Disney definitely needs to rethink. I have never found the kid's meals (before the DDP came into existence) to be ALL that great in most CS places. I really haven't researched to a great extent what the CS kids meals have changed to these days.

We often have used the CS meal at our resort - like the POR food court. I wonder if the kid's meals at the mods are any better or if they've limited those as well. We often had to substitute with the kids meals (we paid for OOP) for things that were safe for the younger one - we never had a problem doing that before. Some things, like the mickey shaped cheese crackers that came with the meal were "may contains" for example - and they let us substitute some chips.