Discuss the "new" menus here

[Ethan's dad]

I had heard on the news about this but it seems to be an uproar on the Dis Boards. SO can you not get corn dogs, fries, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and hotdogs for your kids now anywhere in WDW??? I wonder how they are changing up the buffets for kids too like at Chef Mickeys and all??? Any input would be appreciated. I guess my two boys will starve this Jan. LOL

Denise

There are many posts about this in the forums, so you can do a search and find lots of info and reports about it. Buffets are not affected by the new kids menus at all. Hamburgers are an a la carte pick at several table service restaurant. Also, I think several of the counter service locations continue to sell fries, nuggets, etc...

 

[edk35]

as far as eating healthy goes...THEN CHANGE THE SCHOOL LUNCHES. I live in MD and the lunches are nothing more than fast food. That is where change is necessary because kids are eating that stuff every day for 9-10 school months. I see no reason why Disney can't just add healthy alternatives but leave the junk because it is a vacation...and most people deviate from their healthy eating while on vacation...NOT EVERYONE....but most will enjoy themselves.

 

[CathrynRose]

yup, lunch and dinner. same menu.

Yep - and lets post a picture of that lovely, oh-so-appetizing menu, shall we?

Mmmm - cold chicken.

 

[d-r]

I looked at that picture.

These seem like diet meals.

I appreciate that it is great to make this low-fat diet meal available for children who are on low-fat diets.

My two-year-old is not on a low fat diet. Quite the opposite. It is not appropriate to limit fat intake for children two and under. In general. Fat is essential for mylenization. My son in particular has always been low in weight, pushing to drop off those stupid growth curves. We are constantly trying to sneak calories in to him, not away from him.

I am 38, 5' 11.5" and weigh 175-180 lbs. I don't eat a low-fat diet at home in regular life, and I'm not going to on vacation. My son is 36" tall and weighs 28 pounds. He doesn't eat a low-fat diet at home, and will not on vacation.

Again, I think it is great that these low-fat diet options are available, but it is bizarre to make them the same options available at so many restaurants. It seems to me it would be a better plan to take these three low-fat meals and make one available at 3-4 of the restaurants, another available at 3-4 other restaurants, and so on. If a kid is staying a week, how many times are they going to be seeing this? That is nuts.

I'll break this down for my own kid.


Pita Pizza - with diced chicken and mozzarella cheese, served with shredded vegetable salad and brown-sugar apples $7.49

Not going to eat a chicken pizza. Why not just a cheese pizza? That's not on a pita. Not going to eat a shredded vegetable salad. Would eat the apples. Why put brown sugar on them??

Just Dip It - assorted fruits, vegetables, chicken salad and yogurt $7.49

That picture looks bizarre. This is a snack, not a meal. My son would like the fruit and yogurt, oh, except he is allergic to strawberrys. Would pick at vegetables, but not a meal. Chicken salad? No way.

Chicken Strips - served with barbecue sauce, sweet potato sticks, green beans, carrots and yogurt parfait $7.49

He would eat chicken fingers, if they were battered and fried. He wouldn't touch those. Sweet potato sticks?? You are kidding. Those green beans don't look like the are cooked, he wouldn't eat that. He'd love the yogurt, oh, except it is covered in strawberrys.

What kid would eat this stuff?

Basically if a kid won't eat chicken that isn't breaded and fried they'd be SOL.

Not to mention that kids are going to be burning calories like crazy in the pool and running around.

Again, it is great that they are making diet meals available, but to assume that everyone with a child under 9 is going to be able to feed their kids diet meals for a week is nuts. With three to choose from? Oh, plus macaroni and cheese. Well, my kid will love that, but every meal?

I'm sorry, this is nuts and will not work.

 

[CathrynRose]

Not to mention that kids are going to be burning calories like crazy in the pool and running around.


I'm sorry, this is nuts and will not work.

I agree with you 100%.

I ate NON Low Fat.... including breakfasts of Cinnamon rolls with icing literally poured over the top, left over apple pie from the night before... .not including all the dining plan app's and desserts - and fatty meals.

And *I* came back THINNER and I wasnt running around. I "laid" by the pool - I didnt swim... I casually walked everywhere, I didnt scamper.

This is insane.

 

[Bonnie151]

I looked at that picture.

These seem like diet meals.

I appreciate that it is great to make this low-fat diet meal available for children who are on low-fat diets.

My two-year-old is not on a low fat diet. Quite the opposite.

That was exactly my reaction (just replace 2 year old with 4 year old) - diet meal. DS is 95th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight - he'd still be hungry after one of the new healthy meals. Tonight he had a whopping plate of shepherds pie (lamb mince, mash, carrots, onion). *That's* a healthy meal for a 4 year old who can't seem to eat enough to keep his ribs from being clearly visible, not a few bits of grilled chicken & veg.

I think it's wonderful that Disney is trying to offer some healthy meals for children but I think they've gone too far in their concerns over calorie counting - certainly the meals aren't suitable for our family. And on the other end of the spectrum, DS isn't keen on hotdogs/hamburgers etc so we'll be eating at a lot of buffets and avoiding restaurants with the new menu like the plague.

 

[akalittleeva]

That was exactly my reaction (just replace 2 year old with 4 year old) - diet meal. DS is 95th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight - he'd still be hungry after one of the new healthy meals. Tonight he had a whopping plate of shepherds pie (lamb mince, mash, carrots, onion). *That's* a healthy meal for a 4 year old who can't seem to eat enough to keep his ribs from being clearly visible, not a few bits of grilled chicken & veg.

I think it's wonderful that Disney is trying to offer some healthy meals for children but I think they've gone too far in their concerns over calorie counting - certainly the meals aren't suitable for our family. And on the other end of the spectrum, DS isn't keen on hotdogs/hamburgers etc so we'll be eating at a lot of buffets and avoiding restaurants with the new menu like the plague.

Now replace 4 yo with 8 yo. We're on the DDP and will end up sharing and paying OOP with dd to supplement/replace these meals - its to late for us to change our ADRs or cancel DDP without a penalty. I don't have a problem with WDW trying to offer healthy meals, I just don't think they've done a very good job of it. Now seeing that the 2 al a carte items really are not varying from place to place, I don't feel this menu is at all healthy or practical. I think the previous menus were not that bad at all. We chose our ADRs based on a balance of good/fun choices and 5 of them have switched to this menu when I think the menu they had before was fine. I also don't like the calorie restriction thing, either - ridiculous to implement something like that for kids - 3 - 9 is a huge age range when it comes to calorie needs, I'd like to hear a nutritionists view of the new menu, taken in the context that it would/could be offered repeatedly over a week or more - this would be a fine offering for one meal, but not an entire vacation. Variety is the key to good nutrition, and we all know if these menus are spread throughout Disney owned TS, that variety will not be available.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
My children are grown now, but I have a 4 year old DGD who would not eat those meals. So I e-mailed Disney the other day but haven't heard anything back from them. Even if I don't, at least I got to explain how I feel about these preplated meals. I don't think anyone would want to eat that every night of their vacation. Hand that menu to the CEO of Disney every night for 10 nights and see if he would eat it. I don't think so. There isn't enough variety. I like the idea of them thinking that these meals are healthy, which they might be, but where is the fun?? Where's the good desserts?? I know when we go next summer, we'll either be doing buffets or eating offsite.

 

[Amyrlin]

The changes at CG are making it look more like a 1 TS resturant, I can understand some of the Sushi being classed as entree, but they have also downgraded the meals, with cheaper ingedients and easier to make, no large steak and the salmon with the cornbread souffle have gone, the salmmon is still there but a reduction in price and not such a good menu. If anyting I'd rather the opposite ans see it come off of the DDP

The menu looks smaller as well when you allow for the sushi (and the cheese platter?) as entrees, this is penny pintching at its worst.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just a note that we're in the process of gathering and updating many of the "new menus". Those from Epcot are already up. Also from the MK, the Poly restaurants, and a few others as well. Just get on our "menus" sticky and go from there.

 

[kathyg]

I have to agree with Amyrlin...the new CG menu is awful...who eats a cheese plate for dinner? I was so looking forward to trying CG for the first time, but I have definitely changed my mind. I'm certain that more and more restaurants will be following suit. The dining plan is ruining everything good about dining at Disney...it is becoming mediocre at best. Dining at Disney used to be (at least for us) a major, major part of our vacation. We are six foodies who enjoy our meals as much as we enjoy the rides and the parks.

All I can say is shame, shame, shame on Disney.

 

[Amyrlin]

We are foodies as well, and it is nt just what is now being classed as an entre, it is the menu change, it is so blanatly a cost cutting exersise and the only reason is likey to be the DDP. Now, you may be just as well going to Le Cellier for only 1 TS, it is starting to look like a waste fo a 2 TS meal and not attractive at all.

 

[Aquagirl]

I am not sure if this has already been posted. I know that I have seen threads discussing the new menu and I thought that some of you might be interested in this. It is a memo for castmembers.




Disney’s New Food Guidelines for Kids

10/16/2006 -
I am pleased to tell you today that Disney is moving in a positive new direction by providing a healthier range of food choices for parents and kids.
We have all experienced the power that our brand and characters have and because of that, our company is in a unique position to market foods that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them. Families, including my own, are looking for better nutritional options, whether they are picking up groceries at the local market or buying lunch at our Parks and Resorts.
The new policy calls for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific food guidelines, which are based on USDA recommendations and which we developed with the help of two top child health experts. These guidelines will be met by most of our licensed food and promotions aimed at kids by the end of 2008.
It will take some time to put these plans fully in place, particularly overseas. But already at the U.S. Parks we have introduced new kid's menus that automatically come with healthier sides and drinks (although parents and kids can still get fries and a soda at no extra charge).
We hope too to eliminate all added trans fats from the meals we serve at the U.S. Parks by the end of next year and for all Disney food products sold or licensed in the U.S. by the end of 2008.
These steps are an important undertaking for the company, and the first step in a global effort to provide families with the best possible array of eating options. I am proud that we are doing this and I hope that you will be too.
Bob

 

[polixeny]

I spoke to guest services and was told that "the new menu will not be completed and finanlized until the end of next year". He would/could not answer any questions. I was told that the new menu is not out yet. I told him that I had "friends" that just came back and even have a picture of the new menu.. he still denied it and read me off the new menus. He wanted my friends name and number (so he can check where they ate????)

I then told him that when guests plan as a family 180 days out they should honor the menus at time of booking. He then said something about health experts so I countered with so then the health experts think that a 3 and 9 year old need the same amount of calories? to which I got no answer.

My kids will not eat off the new menu and were looking forward to some dishes that are no longer there. I guess I just need to hope for the best because we soon.

 

[Aquagirl]

CM friend shared this memo about kids menus:

Disney’s New Food Guidelines for Kids

10/16/2006 -
I am pleased to tell you today that Disney is moving in a positive new direction by providing a healthier range of food choices for parents and kids.
We have all experienced the power that our brand and characters have and because of that, our company is in a unique position to market foods that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them. Families, including my own, are looking for better nutritional options, whether they are picking up groceries at the local market or buying lunch at our Parks and Resorts.
The new policy calls for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific food guidelines, which are based on USDA recommendations and which we developed with the help of two top child health experts. These guidelines will be met by most of our licensed food and promotions aimed at kids by the end of 2008.
It will take some time to put these plans fully in place, particularly overseas. But already at the U.S. Parks we have introduced new kid's menus that automatically come with healthier sides and drinks (although parents and kids can still get fries and a soda at no extra charge).
We hope too to eliminate all added trans fats from the meals we serve at the U.S. Parks by the end of next year and for all Disney food products sold or licensed in the U.S. by the end of 2008.
These steps are an important undertaking for the company, and the first step in a global effort to provide families with the best possible array of eating options. I am proud that we are doing this and I hope that you will be too.
Bob

 

[pepperw23]

CM friend shared this memo about kids menus:

Disney’s New Food Guidelines for Kids

10/16/2006 -
I am pleased to tell you today that Disney is moving in a positive new direction by providing a healthier range of food choices for parents and kids.
We have all experienced the power that our brand and characters have and because of that, our company is in a unique position to market foods that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them. Families, including my own, are looking for better nutritional options, whether they are picking up groceries at the local market or buying lunch at our Parks and Resorts.
The new policy calls for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific food guidelines, which are based on USDA recommendations and which we developed with the help of two top child health experts. These guidelines will be met by most of our licensed food and promotions aimed at kids by the end of 2008.
It will take some time to put these plans fully in place, particularly overseas. But already at the U.S. Parks we have introduced new kid's menus that automatically come with healthier sides and drinks (although parents and kids can still get fries and a soda at no extra charge).
We hope too to eliminate all added trans fats from the meals we serve at the U.S. Parks by the end of next year and for all Disney food products sold or licensed in the U.S. by the end of 2008.
These steps are an important undertaking for the company, and the first step in a global effort to provide families with the best possible array of eating options. I am proud that we are doing this and I hope that you will be too.
Bob

It is rare that I get this upset with Disney, but I have to say it. It looks like "Bob" does not have a clue. I mean, really, c'mon, do they really think kids are going to eat this? And on vacation? Heck no the ain't. They want all the junk they are not allowed to have the rest of the year. Having healthy choices is not a bad thing, don't get me wrong....but the key word is "choices" This menu really limits parents. Kids are picky eaters, they will starve themselves if necessary....you better believe it.....and they will NOT be happy about it. Give the kid a french fry (hey, it's a potato) and let them have some fun. Grrrr this really infuriates me!

 

[dbenlee]

Interesting. Where did you find this memo?

 

[mitchwebb]

I'm all for my kids eating some heathly meals on a long vacaton but it needs to be my choice. These menus are so limited, whats wrong with a turkey sandwich or a cheese pizza and carrot sticks. My girls would all like the veg and fruit plate but chicken salad with it ??????


We will be eating more at Rainforest cafe and other non Disney resturants.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

to be able to go. Everyone should be allowed their special treats. Edk is right, I'd be much happier if all the school systems did this (one reason why we pack all our lunches/too bad I might now have to do that for our Disney trips!!) I am all for no trans fats, that is easy to do. We serve baked chicken nuggets at home, all white meat, no trans fats-can't they do the same??? We would love to see baked fries, and cooked vegetables offered....We eat healthy all the rest of the year; Don't want to worry about it on VACATION!! Everyone should be allowed treats on vacation--especially kids! Let's hope they get it together and allow some healthy choices/NOT cold chicken and some VACATION choices!

I also don't really want to pay thousands of dollars for a vacation and then have to play "lets make a deal" with a server who may or may not be able to get us what we want....That is ridiculous!... maybe, if they have the ingredients we could maybe get a PB&J...are you kidding.....We don't settle at home for subpar food choices, we certainly won't on vacation!

 

[akalittleeva]

I also don't really want to pay thousands of dollars for a vacation and then have to play "lets make a deal" with a server who may or may not be able to get us what we want....That is ridiculous!... maybe, if they have the ingredients we could maybe get a PB&J...are you kidding.....We don't settle at home for subpar food choices, we certainly won't on vacation!

That's my issue, too - I don't think I should have to negotiate with a server/manager to give my dd8 something to eat - she will see this menu 5 times in 9 days, it is too late to change our ADRs - they were made 6 months ago. I am not the type who likes to ask for anything extra/different, but under these circumstances, it looks like I may have too. I've never had a problem feeding her at any restaurant we've gone too, ever, but with the limited new menu it will be the first and I'm not very happy about it. We are easy to please people, but I think the new healthy approach Disney has taken with this new menu is ridiculous and I don't feel it as actually that healthy - they could have done a lot better.