Discuss the "new" menus here

[carone0318]

Just thought that I'd put out there that this morning the Disney Kid's menu made our local news (the ABC - Disney owned station, Philadelphia station).

Also, I just came back from the cafeteria at work and the "Disney Diet" as it was tagged was discussed briefly on CNN.

I personally am not a big fan of the selections, or should I say lack there of. I understand Disney's concept, but one week out of the year is not going to make a difference. The funny thing is a Disney vacation for a week once a year is probably the most active week my children have as far as walking is concerned. It's funny because the menu takes care of children, well I guess that Disney isn't that concerned with the overweight population of adults. We can continue to eat our fatty food, appetizer, entree and dessert - it make me laugh!

I would prefer if Disney would leave food policing to me. Well I guess the point of my post is that it is out there folks, not just on this Dis Board, the general public know what Disney's intentions are - however you choose to see it. But disney doesn't seem to mention that although their menus are healthy, they are the same things at every TS, hope your child enjoys those few select foods because there are no substitutions...

Please do not be shocked if you come into a TS restaurant and you see my ds sitting there eating a CS meal. I may just purchase a CS meal and bring it into TS restaurant, so that he will actually eat something (and I am not just talking about the chicken nuggets and the other satanic foods. DS actually loves the roasted chicken leg with mashed potatoes with the apple sauce that was one of his favorite meals on our last trip.)

I am all for healthy, but what about edible, when did that thought go out the window. How about offering a broiled fish platter, not fried or a pork chop, a steak or pasta. These are foods that kids eat. My children's meals for dinner consist of more than just veggies for dinner with a dip, how about a meat and a starch. There is such a thing called a balanced meal and that is what my kids eat.

I can only assume that the person who came up with the new kid's menu doesn't have kids of their own or hasn't been around children to know what they really do eat. Why does it have to be one way or the other, can't it just be balanced....

Good luck to all with the new dining options. I know how I will be handling our meals when we go, make sure you have your plans in place too.

 

[dbmarie]

Here's a copy of the article that disney released and it says that you can replace french fries at no additonal cost so maybe it might be more flexable then it at first seemed to be.
October 16, 2006
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY INTRODUCES NEW FOOD GUIDELINES TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER KIDS' DIETS


New Policy to Associate Disney Brands and Characters with a More Nutritionally Balanced Range of Foods

BURBANK, Calif., October 16, 2006 -- The Walt Disney Company today introduced new food guidelines aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. The guidelines for licensed foods and promotions aimed at children will govern Disney's business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years.

The new policies call for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar. Disney also announced nutritionally-beneficial changes in the meals served to children at all Disney-operated restaurants in its Parks and Resorts and unveiled a company-wide plan to eliminate added trans fats from food served at its Parks by the end of 2007 and from its licensed and promotional products by the end of 2008.

"Disney will be providing healthier options for families that seek them, whether at our Parks or through our broad array of licensed foods," said Disney President and CEO Robert Iger. "The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them."

The guidelines are based on The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and have been developed in cooperation with two top child health and wellness experts, Dr. James O. Hill, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Specifically, the guidelines governing kid-focused licensed foods call for limits such as the following:

A cap on calories that results in appropriate kid-sized portions.
Total fat will not exceed 30 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 35 percent for snacks.
Saturated fat will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.
Added sugar will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes and 25 percent of calories for snacks.
Disney will continue to license special-occasion sweets such as birthday cakes and seasonal candy as part of its product range but will limit the number of indulgence items in its licensed portfolio to 15 percent by 2010. In addition, most special-occasion sweets will be available in single-serving packets.
"By developing nutrition guidelines for children, Disney is demonstrating a long-term commitment to the health of kids," said Dr. Hill. "The guidelines are comprehensive and consistent with The Dietary Guidelines for Americans," that are issued by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.

"This is some of the best news I have heard in over twenty years of working with families and children as a pediatric nutritionist," added Dr. Ayoob. "Disney is synonymous with fun and can play an important role in getting kids to consume a more balanced diet."

Disney's timetable for implementing its new policies is dictated by existing contractual arrangements, the majority of which will lapse in their current form within two years. Disney expects most of its licensed products and promotional tie-ins to meet the new guidelines by the end of 2008.

Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products which comply with the guidelines. They include breakfast items such as instant oatmeal featuring characters like "The Incredibles" and "Kim Possible," and Disney Garden fresh produce such as kid-sized apples and bananas. Lunch and dinner foods such as Mickey-shaped organic ravioli and other pastas are also now available.

"Families are shopping together more often and we see an opportunity to give parents food choices they can approve of while at the same time satisfying their kids," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.

Beginning this month in U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, kids' meals are automatically being served with low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water along with side dishes like apple sauce or carrots in place of the traditional soft drinks and French fries. Parents will still be able to substitute French fries and soda at no additional cost. Initial tests involving 20,000 kids' meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.

"This is a terrific initiative because it makes it easier for parents, even while on vacation, to offer their children well balanced meals with kid appeal," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007. Disney's U.S. licensing and promotional groups are aiming to meet an end-2008 deadline.

"These are just first steps in an initiative that will evolve over time," said Iger. "But we understand the challenges faced by parents and recognize Disney can contribute to the solution."

About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues of nearly $32 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of $65 billion as of October 13, 2006.

Contacts:

Zenia Mucha -- 818-560-5300
Michelle Bergman -- 818-560-8231
Jonathan Friedland -- 818-560-8306

 

[carone0318]

I guess I should bring this article with me so when they tell me no substitutions, then I can make sure that I can get the french fries and soda.

 

[jakenjess]

I am very concerned about this change. I'm all for healthy options for the kids, but what I've seen so far seems very limited. My very picky DS will have a very hard time finding something he likes, and my not-so-picky DD will get tired of the same thing over and over. I'm going to have to do some careful planning before we arrive to make sure everyone is happy and well fed!

 

[deltachi8]

I just dont understand all the uproar over this. A movie like Supersize Me comes out and people rally against corporation making unhealthy foods, in particular ones aimed at kids. Then perhapps the biggest marketer to kids there is, Disney, changes it's menus to reflect a healthier attitude and people are upset.

That of course doesn't mean you should not voice your opinions, just means I don't get them. My DS is a pretty picky eater too, he looked at the new menu the other night and wasn't happy at first glance. Of course, after some of the choices were explained better as well as telling him that there are still plenty of counter service places to eat as well as buffets, he was like, OK...and it was a dead issue.

I honestly believe that its the minority who are truly complaining. When you are content with something, you dont feel the need to raise the issue. Same reason why there are more storis shared of customer service horror than people being treated as expected.

I have issues with the Menus and am willing to bet they are going to be sticking around for a while...(1) It will reduce the amount of adults ordering children's meals at TS places. This was part of the motivation I am sure - it reduces revenue and profits when that happens.

(2) The push for healtheir choices in menus is not about to end.

and (3) from the article above:

Initial tests involving 20,000 kids' meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.

Disney is not a foolish company, these changes were thought out and tested. The results of which showed it is predicted to be a good move for the company.

 

[carone0318]

Initial tests involving 20,000 kids' meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.

You're right deltachi8 they did test the menu and supposedly it tested well, but I wonder if they tested with the same kids for 7+ nights in a row, did the the same opinions hold up. It can not be expected that kids will want to eat the same 3 meals every night while the rest of their family is picking endless different entrees every night. It doesn't make sense.

I am not against the new menu. I am against the lack of thought process that they put into it. If they know their customers so well, don't they know that most come for a week and how can they expect these kids to eat the same 3 things every day at a TS. As an adult, we wouldn't do it, why discount our children's tastes. Children do eat more than just chicken, chicken is not the only meat that kids eat, but it seems that Disney thinks it should be this way. I guess we should also mention that chicken is probably the cheapest meat too. There are other health meats out there that would afford a little variety, but still be healthy.

 

[dbmarie]

Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007.

The other thing I found interesting was the plan to eliminate all transfats from Disney parks by 2007. I guess that means adult meals will be affected too. I wonder if they've found many adults chosing the healthier option. I would guess not .

 

[deltachi8]

You're right deltachi8 they did test the menu and supposedly it tested well, but I wonder if they tested with the same kids for 7+ nights in a row, did the the same opinions hold up. It can not be expected that kids will want to eat the same 3 meals every night while the rest of their family is picking endless different entrees every night. It doesn't make sense.

.

You mean like the same three meals of chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and kids pizza?

I guess my point here is I felt the menus were somewhat limited before, the biggest change I see is not the number of choices so much as what's being offered.

 

[carone0318]

You mean like the same three meals of chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and kids pizza?

I guess my point here is I felt the menus were somewhat limited before, the biggest change I see is not the number of choices so much as what's being offered.

I think that it would of worked best if they added the "new" items to what they currently served and then it wouldn't even of been a discussion on this thread other than a positive note - hey, look what Disney did, they are offering a larger variety to spice up the kids menu.

But the way I see it they are taking away things on their menu that kids do eat. Looks at their past menus at some of these locations, they offered a roasted chicken with mashed potatoes. Mama Melrose's had a pasta your way selection, Tony's had a pasta primavera and ravioli to name some stuff. Maybe this stuff might stick around, but I can't tell you the last time I cooked up a back of sweet potato fries. It's a little obscure some of the stuff they are trying to pass off. Why not have a few selections of appetizers for kids and dessert, why so ridged with the choices.

The menus in the past might have been a tad bit limited, but the restaurants were willing to work with you if you made a request, now it is cut and dry, no substitutions. This is where Disney is going wrong, not what they are trying to accomplish, but the way they are going about it.

 

[Ethan's dad]

In an effort to provide some information, here is an overview of the new kids menu. To summarize, it appears many, if not all, Table Service restaurants (except restaurants with buffets or that serve family style, and possibly some Signature dining restaurants) will now start serving three set items on all kids menus at restaurants owned by Disney:

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

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

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

In addition to this, there will be at least two other "Kids Pick" (or a la carte) items that include choice of appetizer (generally a salad or soup), entree, and dessert (generally a fruit salad or ice cream). These choices, especially the entrees, vary by restaurant.

Although some initial reports suggested these new menus were being fairly strictly enforced, more recent reports show that some restaurants also have other options for kids not listed on the new children's menus, so you can ask servers for other options. You also can ask for substitutions for specific items in the set meals. Implementation seems to be spotty - sometimes the wait staff is happy to assist in making substitutions, in other cases a strict "no substitutions" policy has been enforced.

The following is a list of confirmed sightings of the new kids' menu, with a la carte choices in parentheses. Again, there may be additional options besides those listed, so ask your server!

(Note: feel free to post additions and I will try to incorporate them into this list)

Magic Kingdom:
Liberty Tree Tavern lunch (Mac & Cheese; Kid's Feast - turkey/mashed potato/green beans)
Tony's Town Square (Mac & Cheese; spaghetti and meatball)

MGM:
Sci Fi (Mac & Cheese; Hamburger)
50's Prime Time Cafe
Mama Melrose's
Brown Derby

EPCOT:
Coral Reef -- seems to have a broader kids' menu, with choices including gilled mahi-mahi, grilled chicken, pasta and cheese pizza
Le Cellier -- also seems to have a broader kids' menu, with choices including
a 6 oz Steak, cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, hotdog, and pasta.

Resorts:
Boatwright's - Port Orleans (Mac & Cheese; Hamburger)
Spoodles - Boardwalk
Grand Floridian Cafe - Grand Floridian (Mac & Cheese; Hamburger)
Kona Cafe - Polynesian (Mac & Cheese; Hamburger)
Concourse Steakhouse - Contemporary (Mac & Cheese; Hamburger)
Olivia's - Old Key West

Downtown Disney:
Cap'n Jack's


Finally, there are reports that the new kids' menu is not being implemented at restaurants not owned by Disney. These non-Disney restaurants are keeping their existing menu. This includes:

EPCOT: Chefs de France, Alfredos, Teppanyaki, Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, and San Angel Inn.
Maya Grill
Rainforest Cafe
Planet Hollywood
Big River Grill
ESPN

 

[Mickey1122]

It seems like the menus are much shorter. I remember seeing several options when we were there over Yom Kippur. It's too bad that things like Mac and Cheese and Pasta, two of the better entees for kids, in our opinion, aren't on every menu. That "Just Dip it" doesn't sound appetizing, but as long as there are other things to choose from, it seems okay.

 

[Quinn222]

(Note: feel free to post additions and I will try to incorporate them into this list)

You may add Grand Floridian Cafe to the list. The a la carte 'options' were the mac and cheese and the burger. We were also at Artist's Point and the menu had not shown up there yet.

 

[phyllis1966]

I don't know - I guess I could kind of understand instituting this very limited menu in less expensive eateries (though I'm not at all happy about this as a permanent change), but in more upscale places it's even more upsetting. We always have lunch on arrival day at the GF Cafe, but I can't see this happening anymore. DD(7) enjoys a varied diet, so 3 standard choices will not please her.

Also, it just so happens that the items included are not to her liking at all - I'd like sweet potato fries, but she won't; of all green veggies, green beans are one of her least favorites; mac and cheese - no way; veggies and dip are a snack, not lunch at WDW; pita pizza with chicken on it - not gonna happen; fruit and yogurt for dessert? This is vacation! She enjoys ethnic foods at ethnic restaurants. She eats a healthy diet all year long - at WDW we like to live it up and pig out sometimes, and that should remain my choice!

 

[saschab]

To summarize, it appears all Table Service restaurants will now start serving three set items on all kids menus at restaurants owned by Disney:

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

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

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

In addition to this, there will be at least two other "Kids Pick" (or a la carte)

Can anyone confirm if this is for lunch and dinner, having the same menu?

 

[saschab]

And if the kid's pick options are the same in most of the parks(excluding Epcot) and in the hotels, then I stand corrected.

I've been advocating that Disney would not totally rubber-stamp the menus across the board. From information gleaned from some of the Epcot restaurant's menus, I took it a step furthur and hoped Disney would offer different Kid's Pick items varying by restaurant.

According to these post, I was assuming wrong. I'm disappointed. I thought Disney was smarter than that. I have no problem with the 3 standards, as long as there's some variety with the Picks. I'm not seeing it here except for EPcot or non-Disney owned restaurants.

I guess Disney feels they "have" you when you're in the parks. And alot of standard hotels have standard kids meals without much creativity, so I'm not surprised.

But for TS restaurants?.....I'm still ever the optimist....I'm hoping the Kid's Picks vary more in the future.

Guess they want us all in Epcot!

 

[Jets fan]

All excited I looked at the new menu for Chefs de France but alas duck is still off the menu. It's a great shame as it was wonderful.

 

[edk35]

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

 

[oogieboogie]

Can anyone confirm if this is for lunch and dinner, having the same menu?

yup, lunch and dinner. same menu.

 

[mousebit]

All excited I looked at the new menu for Chefs de France but alas duck is still off the menu. It's a great shame as it was wonderful.

Yes, it is a shame. When the new menus came out, the first thing I did was check out Chefs to see if they brought back the duck. Mais, non! The second thing I did was call to switch my ADR to Coral Reef. Many of the menu items at Chefs look delicious, but I'd rather try a new restaurant than eat at Chefs again and not have the duck. Really enjoyed it and will miss it. C'est la vie!

 

[erikalk]

I have been following this issue closely, as our family will be traveling in early December. I sent an email to Disney and they tracked down a phone number for me (either hotel or dining reservations) and Annika (sp) just called me. They attempted to assure me that these changes are only affecting certain restaurants. She stated that the World Showcase, Buffet, Dinner Shows, and Signature restaurants would not be affected by this change. The smaller quick service restaurants would be changed, mostly at the resorts. There were only 11 restaurants being updated. She also stated that if my kids were unhappy with the options, that substitutions can be made, just ask your server.

This is somewhat contradictory to what we have all seen on the forums, as I see about 50% of the resturants are in the parks. We will be lucky though, as 50's Prime Time Cafe is the only restaurant that is on the new menu.