Discuss the "new" menus here

[MarieA]

I was just checking out the menus on the DIS and can't believe what Disney has done to the kids counter service menus. Are they kidding me!!!!! They offer the same 2-3 things at most of the CS locations. I feel sorry for you guys with kids (mine are adults now). My kids would not have been happy with the changes. I also can't believe that the only dessert they now offer is sugar free jello. How is that healthy? Nutrasweet is not healthy, it's not natural. Sugar substitutes give me terrible headaches. I wonder how many kids it will bother too. A little sugar is not going to hurt anyone.

I'm keeping an eye on the adult menus. If they continue to change and become standardized, we will cancel the DDP, dine at non-Disney owned restaurants and for the first time in 17 years we will dine off property.

 

[castleeto]

This is SO frustrating. We 're leaving in a week and a half, and I know this is going to make our vacation difficult. My 2 1/2 yr old has become pretty picky, and simply will not eat something she isn't familiar with. She will refuse to eat and then be grumpy and have no energy! How are we supposed to stand around in long lines with kids who haven't eaten or are grumpy because they can't get what they want? I guess I'll have to find food she will eat offsite and bring it into the parks. What a freaking pain!

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

This is SO frustrating. We 're leaving in a week and a half, and I know this is going to make our vacation difficult. My 2 1/2 yr old has become pretty picky, and simply will not eat something she isn't familiar with. She will refuse to eat and then be grumpy and have no energy! How are we supposed to stand around in long lines with kids who haven't eaten or are grumpy because they can't get what they want? I guess I'll have to find food she will eat offsite and bring it into the parks. What a freaking pain!

I have the same problem with my 3 yr old. We have worked very hard to get him to eat what he does eat which is not much. I will have to buy an Adult meal and split it between the 2 little ones. That is still too much food for them. I am having grocery delivery and had planned on packing sandwiches for the baby most days. I will not have a car so I am stuck dealing with this.

 

[DCDisney]

happy with the changes. I also can't believe that the only dessert they now offer is sugar free jello. :

I saw that on menus as well but people haven't been mentioning it in reports. I wonder if they are allowing kids to have a regular dessert OR the jello? Mostly we didn't eat much of the desserts at CS anyway but some things like the frozen lemonades aren't easy to split up. If they don't separate the credits I foresee many many more people buying their kids adult CS meals due to the jello. I can sell my kids on a PBJ a few times if they can have a dessert but with jello I doubt it

Yvonne

 

[Zoie]

I hate to beat a dead horse here, but we're leaving in 6 weeks, and this new menu thing has really thrown us for a loop. We had been throwing around the idea of getting the dining plan since the beginning and hadn't made up our minds yet but this definitely makes up our minds for us. If we were on the DDP, we'd really be stuck.

As it is, I'm not sure how we're going to feed our child all week... she's going to be miserable!! I'm so glad I'm on this board and found out ahead of time of the problem, at least I can do some thorough searching and try to find places to eat so she always has something she likes without having to eat the same meal over and over all week long. Had we not known about this, though, we would have wasted half our trip wandering around theme parks trying to find a place that served something she likes!!!

I can't imagine that this is going to go over well with very many people. Surely Disney will change this back... I just hope it happens within the next six weeks, for our little one's sake!!

I'm all for healthier options, don't get me wrong! But aren't we always told healthy eating means you eat a variety of foods? Not one of the same three standard meals morning noon and night day after day?? And choices is the key word. Add a healthy meal option or two (varied ones!) to each restaurant and put it on there as a CHOICE. But put stuff kids like on there too, and not just one thing! It's up to their parents to decide whether or not they can choose the unhealthy vs. the healthy meal.

Any ideas for how to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the hotel room? <G>

 

[phyllis1966]

Zoie, I think if you do some buffets, which often have chicken nuggets, and some themed restaurants in the WS section of Epcot, you're little one will be OK. So far, it seems that many, but not all, other restaurants have implemented the new menus for kids, so there may also be other places where your DD will be fine. I sure hope so, for all our kids' sakes!

 

[picantel]

The buffets will still have regular kids meals, and of course kids can eat off the adults menu as well.

I have to say though, I'm really getting tired of seeing the same kids menu from one restaurant to the next.

Went to Kona for lunch yesterday and what do you know... the menu is there as well. So, Kona for lunch and dinner have the same kids menu. Mac & cheese and hamburger are the only 2 ala carte items available. Today, I stopped by LTT and oh, no... the same thing is there too. The exception is that the ala carte menu has mac & cheese and Kid's Feast (which according to the CM is turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans).

If they can offer the Kid's Feast at LTT, why can't they offer something like that in other restaurants? It's not like they don't have the items to make mashed potatoes in many restaurants. Also, it's not that difficult to take a steak and make it into a smaller kids portion.

My kids are practically groaning every time we go to a TS and they see the same thing over and over and over again, both for lunch and dinner. Bleech!!!!

 

[lomillerin]

Has there been update on what 2 ala carte options are at each place and exactly what places have this new menu?

I have read conflicting info. about Mama Melrose... can a child get spaghetti?

 

[saschab]

lomillerin,

If you go to the Dining page link on the top of the page, you can get to the menus for each restaurant.

Please be advised that menus can change at any time, but I would feel more confident about the menu listing accuracy of the newly updated 10/06 ones, than those with old 6/06 menus.

You can click on a restaurant name and see the adult, lunch/dinner, and kid's menu.

Hope this helps

 

[Ethan's dad]

Has there been update on what 2 ala carte options are at each place and exactly what places have this new menu?

I have read conflicting info. about Mama Melrose... can a child get spaghetti?

Also, since not all the menu are updated yet, I have been trying to update the list at the start of this thread as people post more locations with the kids meal and the a la carte options. But I can only list what people post.

 

[StevePSU1]

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

I'm heading to Disney in 4 weeks with my DD8. While I dont like the changes as listed I will give it a shot and roll with the punches. I'm not going to let this ruin our trip, but it may help us make our decision on where to go on our next trip.

As for the memo above, I would translate it as follows:
================================
The Disney Company has recognized that promoting what could be perceived as "unhealthy" eating exposes the company to future litigation. There have been several "test" cases where companies have been sued for promoting obesity. Eventually, one plaintiff will find a sympathetic judge and jury AND be awarded a huge settlement.

In order to defend ourselves from such litigation we will only promote healthy meal choices alongside our powerful brands.
=================================

Hmmm....doesnt Disney license sugared cereal products? Sorry if this went off topic, but everyone needs to understand where this pressure is coming from.

 

[mirlow]

Can I get an email to voice my thoughts about the new menu?

It appears if I want to get my kids some variety I have to pay more by getting an adult meal (which I did last week for CS) or do buffets where my family of five would end up spending $100. I don't do the DDP so now I have to spend $7.99 for my kids to eat at a TS restaurant where it use to cost $4.99. I don't want all those "extras" with their meal.

I don't think it would sit to well for me if we did do the DDP and my younger two got their choice of cold chicken, pita pizza or veggies for dinner while their 11 yr old sister gets to chow down on Shrimp Cocktail, Golden Fried Chicken and topped it off with a Brownie Sundae. Yeah right

Dining at WDW use to be fun. Now it feels like a hassle or at least it did a few times last week. We use to have some "special" places we would go eat at. My kids enjoyed getting the Peanut Butter & Jelly Your Way at the GF. It didn't happen this trip. I was going to go there for a last minute dinner and I took one look at the menu and we headed over to Gasparilla Grill.

Maybe I should thank Disney for the money we saved on this trip We cancelled three sit down meals. We even went back to the resort and made turkey sandwiches with fix ins from the Marketplace. We also ordered a pizza at the resort another day. We spent much less than we would have ordering at a CS and we were much happier. We even saved $$ at the pool. I got draft beer instead of one of their new "specialty" drinks, another thing that I will surely miss.

All was not bad. We had a GREAT time at HDD. I enjoyed my tea at the GF. My dd had a wonderful time at CRT. The food was at all the booths we went to at the F&WF. Most important, they still have the Mickey ice cream bars

There is a reason our family enjoys going to WDW and it's because it's a THEME park. If I wanted to go to an amusement park there are plenty out there. To me part of the theming extends to the meals. Even if you take away the theme I thought Disney was suppose to be in a class by itself. The new quality of dining and the options that are available makes me now wonder how different Disney is going to be?

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

Can I get an email to voice my thoughts about the new menu?

It appears if I want to get my kids some variety I have to pay more by getting an adult meal (which I did last week for CS) or do buffets where my family of five would end up spending $100. I don't do the DDP so now I have to spend $7.99 for my kids to eat at a TS restaurant where it use to cost $4.99. I don't want all those "extras" with their meal.

I don't think it would sit to well for me if we did do the DDP and my younger two got their choice of cold chicken, pita pizza or veggies for dinner while their 11 yr old sister gets to chow down on Shrimp Cocktail, Golden Fried Chicken and topped it off with a Brownie Sundae. Yeah right

Dining at WDW use to be fun. Now it feels like a hassle or at least it did a few times last week. We use to have some "special" places we would go eat at. My kids enjoyed getting the Peanut Butter & Jelly Your Way at the GF. It didn't happen this trip. I was going to go there for a last minute dinner and I took one look at the menu and we headed over to Gasparilla Grill.

Maybe I should thank Disney for the money we saved on this trip We cancelled three sit down meals. We even went back to the resort and made turkey sandwiches with fix ins from the Marketplace. We also ordered a pizza at the resort another day. We spent much less than we would have ordering at a CS and we were much happier. We even saved $$ at the pool. I got draft beer instead of one of their new "specialty" drinks, another thing that I will surely miss.

All was not bad. We had a GREAT time at HDD. I enjoyed my tea at the GF. My dd had a wonderful time at CRT. The food was at all the booths we went to at the F&WF. Most important, they still have the Mickey ice cream bars

There is a reason our family enjoys going to WDW and it's because it's a THEME park. If I wanted to go to an amusement park there are plenty out there. To me part of the theming extends to the meals. Even if you take away the theme I thought Disney was suppose to be in a class by itself. The new quality of dining and the options that are available makes me now wonder how different Disney is going to be?

You can speak for me

 

[saschab]

Hmmm....doesnt Disney license sugared cereal products? Sorry if this went off topic, but everyone needs to understand where this pressure is coming from.

A recent Disney press release announced they were also phasing out their ties to these products.

 

[pbharris4]

Any ideas for how to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the hotel room? <G>

If you're driving take a toaster oven or you can have it shipped ahead. Or buy 1 for cheap at Wal Mart.

 

[pbharris4]

Any ideas for how to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the hotel room? <G>

If you're driving take a toaster oven or you can have it shipped ahead. Or buy 1 for cheap at Wal Mart. You can do fries at the same time. Just make sure to unplug it when you leave the room.

 

[ReggieB]

Just got back we ate at the following TS - Le Cellier, Narcoossee's, Kona Cafe, Les Chefs De France. Only Kona cafe had the new menu, with the Pita etc on. All the other's still seemed to have the old menu's. We stayed at GF, and the Grand Floridian Cafe had the new kids menu posted.

 

[beattyfamily]

Just back yesterday and I have some interesting info to add about the new menus...at least at Sci-fi (I'll have to check my Tony's receipt to see what they did cause I didn't really pay attention) but anyway this is what I wanted to share:

My girls both ordered off the 'new' kids' menu (even though one is 10) at Sci-fi. My younger DD ordered JUST the hamburger and my older DD ordered JUST the pizza. They did not get the side dishes or the dessert. They were charged $3.99 for each of these and not $7.49. I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm dying to find my Tony's receipt now to see what I was charged because my older DD had only the Spag & Meatball with no appetizer and no dessert and my younger DD had the Spag & Meatball and dessert but no appetizer.

 

[kimbac3]

Just back yesterday and I have some interesting info to add about the new menus...at least at Sci-fi (I'll have to check my Tony's receipt to see what they did cause I didn't really pay attention) but anyway this is what I wanted to share:

My girls both ordered off the 'new' kids' menu (even though one is 10) at Sci-fi. My younger DD ordered JUST the hamburger and my older DD ordered JUST the pizza. They did not get the side dishes or the dessert. They were charged $3.99 for each of these and not $7.49. I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm dying to find my Tony's receipt now to see what I was charged because my older DD had only the Spag & Meatball with no appetizer and no dessert and my younger DD had the Spag & Meatball and dessert but no appetizer.

Thanks for posting this!! Good information to know! We leave in 24 days and I'm desperately trying to worry less about this!
Kimba

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, as an update to my previous post, I couldn't find my Tony's reciept but I did find the total on my resort bill. It was for $78. and based on that total and what each of us ordered, I believe they charged me $7.49 for of my girls even though one only had the spag & meatball and the other only had the spag & meatball and dessert. They really should make sure people know when ordering that the appetizer and dessert are included with the entree or charge a lower price if the appetizer/dessert are not ordered, like they did for us at Sci-fi without us even asking.

Just thought I'd share. The restaurants are a bit inconsistant. Maybe because its still so new to them.