Discuss the "new" menus here

[Cameo]

I hope I am understanding this wrong. I've been reading the information about the kids' menus and I'm shocked. I have been hanging around WDW for about 15 years off and on, without and with children. I have seen many changes, missed out on some food favorites that have gone away, but nothing is as crazy as this in my estimation.

Does this mean that there is no longer a kids' steak or hot dog at Le Cellier, no kids chicken breast at Coral Reef??? Is it this SAME menu at all these restaurants??? I hope I am wrong!

A BIG part of going to WDW for us is trying new foods at new places. My DS6 all time favorite meal ever is a hot dog at Le Cellier - go figure! Plus, my DD9 (thank goodness she's almost an adult) loves to try the steaks and chicken breast entrees. Will I now be forced to purchase an adult size portion for her? She will then be tempted to eat it all and that is unhealthy too!!

I totally understand the need and desire to present children with healthier alternatives. It is an admirable option. But, why in the world would you make the same menu available at every restaurant??? Children deserve to have choices and to have the fun of trying new foods and different restaurants - not the same thing everywhere. If they subjected adults to these limiting choices, I would be forced to eat off property.

Please, someone explain to me that I am understanding this wrong.

And if I'm not, what is the address where I can write about my displeasure with this limiting plan?

[B](I notice I am now part of a larger thread. Some of my questions are being answered by reading this thread and some are not. I am going to write to WDW Guest Relations and express my opinion. Thank you.)[/B]

 

[mamacatnv]

I am not sure about every restaurant, but I am not reading rave reviews about the new kids menu.

Many people are looking more towards the buffets to avoid the new fixed menu.

At this point I am very thanful we chose not to do the DDP and figure I will be ordering DD many "adult" meals.

 

[jakenjess]

From my conversation last week with a Disney rep, the new menu is in effect at 11 restaurants. The World Showcase restaurants are not included in that. I'm not sure about Coral Reef.

The address to e-mail Disney about the new menu is
<wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com>

 

[kaytieeldr]

I also have a ADR at Morocco in Epcot and I just saw somewhere it's not a Disney Restaurant, does that mean it's not a participating rest. in the dining plan, this would be out of pocket? If that is the case, I'm cancelling that one. Anybody know?

Restaurant Marrakesh may or may not be owned by Walt Disney World, but it IS on the Dining Plan.

 

[bellenbuzz]

We are eating at Marrakesh in Morocco this Saturday for the first time. The reason we wanted to try it is because we have the Dining Plan and are using one TS credit.
Thanks for verifying for me too!! Whewwwwww Thank Goodness !!

 

[disneymoss]

I sent an email to WDW guest relations and I received a phone call to them today. I wasn't home but the kind lady left a very detailed message on my machine. I did my ADR's and have all Buffet or Family Style meals except for Sci-Fi and Coral Reef. The lady said that she had checked all of my ADR's and the only rest. with the change was Sci-Fi and a hamburger and fries for kids is still available.

She also said that they are taking everyone's concerns seriously and they will be making changes according to the complaints and concerns. Tell them all about it. Don't hesitate to email them or call them they really want to hear our concerns. How else are they going to fix the problems?YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.comOLOR]

 

[elainabelle]

I don't allow my kids to have sugar substitute. I was looking at the kids desserts on the new menu's and it seems to me that the only option is a sugar free jello. Does anyone know if they are willing to substitute something else for the sf jello? In particular at Cosmic Rays in MK? That has always been my kids favorite CS at MK.

 

[Mcqueen Fans]

On another post someone told me they were able to get the choc. cake instead of the jello at cosmic Rays. That is good because my boys do not eat jello.

 

[SamanthaL]

I sent an e-mail to Disney and I am waiting to hear from them. I then called the dining line. Not sure how much this gentleman knew but it didn't seem like much. At first he ask "what new kids menus" I was referring to. I told him and then he asked where I got my info. I told him the web and the DIsney press releases. At first it seemed like he was trying to avoid the concern all together. When I answered all his questions I explained that I was concerned about lack of variety. Not fair that my DD and DS should go to a Canadian steak house and eat a dip plate.
He assured me ( all of a sudden he knew just what I was talking about ) that these are just additions. He said the old items are still on the menu. We know that isn't true. How the heck do you get your point across if everyone denies the truth about these menus.

Hopefully someone more honest and knowledgable will answer my e-mail.

 

[StevePSU1]

I sent an e-mail to Disney and I am waiting to hear from them. I then called the dining line. Not sure how much this gentleman knew but it didn't seem like much. At first he ask "what new kids menus" I was referring to. I told him and then he asked where I got my info. I told him the web and the DIsney press releases. At first it seemed like he was trying to avoid the concern all together. When I answered all his questions I explained that I was concerned about lack of variety. Not fair that my DD and DS should go to a Canadian steak house and eat a dip plate.
He assured me ( all of a sudden he knew just what I was talking about ) that these are just additions. He said the old items are still on the menu. We know that isn't true. How the heck do you get your point across if everyone denies the truth about these menus.

Hopefully someone more honest and knowledgable will answer my e-mail.

I have not been able to verify with ANYONE who has had first hand experience from Le Cellier that has said the kids steak is no longer offered. How do you know this isnt true? Just trying to sort out fact from fiction....and there is a TON OF FICTION.

 

[pepperw23]

If someone has the proper email address I need to send one to, could you please PM me? Dont' post it on here cause I don't think it is allowed.

thanks!

 

[disneymoss]

SamanthaL you should be receiving a phone call for the Executive Offices of Disney. I emailed them about the children's menu and two days later I received a phone call from them. Unfortunately I wasn't home and she spoke to my answering machine, but she left a very detailed message. She looked up all my ADR's and confirmed that the only place that we have ADR's for that have utilized the new children's menu is Sci-Fi and she said that a child's hamburger and fries are still available.

She also mentioned that that they are taking all concerns, complaints and comments into consideration and will probably making changes in the future due to the huge response. So send in those emails, IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Angela Kay]

I keep hearing you can get fries and nuggets, burgers...etc...at this place or that place. No disrespect to anyone posting this...I know it's done in an effort to help. But as much money as we pay to go to WDW we shouldn't have to be running from place to place trying to find a meal our kids will eat! We should be able to go in, sit down, relax and enjoy our meal. It shouldn't be a stressful event. That's what this new kids menu has become to a lot of families. We don't leave for vacation until June and I'm dreading it already!

I spoke with someone from the executive offices and was basically told the same thing. It "only" affects 11 TS restaurants...a lot of which we'll be visiting. She did assure me that they listen to all of their feedback and they've had a lot of complaints about the new changes...so keep sending those emails. She also told me to write a complaint after our visit to WDW.

I would love to hear from anyone who's been recently and how the restaurants handled any substitutions.

 

[d-r]

I saw someone mention that the menus were not the same at every restuarant. I was looking at the menus. Among the table-service restaurants affected by this, each of them has the same three low-fat options at both lunch and dinner. I *think* 7 of the restaurants have the same two non-low-fat options (mac and cheese, hamburger) as the others. Among those few other of the affected restaurants that have a "localized" option, at least 3 have one of the options being mac and cheese. So basically, you have the same three low-fat options, or mac and cheese at 10 of the locations, or either a hamburger (9 locations) or local special (3; 2 = spaghetti, one = kid's feast) at these affected restaurants, for both lunch and dinner. I have to admit I may have made an error looking at the menus, but the trend seems pretty clear.

Edited to add: actually, I counted concourse steakhouse as one of the restaurants that had something else, but from reading this board it looks like the have mac and cheese or hamburger as well. So make it 8. The only ones that seem to have something different as far as I can tell are Tony's, Mama Melrose, and liberty tree tavern lunch (kid's feast). The menu doesn't list what the two options are at Tony's, but I've read that they have spaghetti and meatball. Mama Melrose's has spaghetti or hamburger. I edited the numbers above.

I think it would have been better if they had taken the three low-fat-diet options (or here is a crazy idea, come up with more than three standardized low-fat meals), and add other non-low-fat-diet options, and "spread them out" more across the restuarants. Each restaurant could have had one or two of the low-fat-diet meals, as well as two or three non-diet meals, and there could have been variety. That way it wouldn't be the same thing at every restaurant for both lunch and dinner, and there would be something for families with children who are on a low-fat diet as well as more variety than two options at seven restauarants for families whose children are not on a low-fat diet. Having a variety of choices would benefit all children and their families, and could be done in a way that doesn't require each restaurant to have more than the current number (five) of options - just have different options available at different restaurants.

I do not think it is appropriate to call these reduced-calorie diets "healthy" because not all children should appropriately be restricted to low-calorie diets. Many children need calories to gain or maintain weight, especially when on a high-energy vacation. And so it is the opposite of "healthy" to restrict calories for these children. Also, I do not think it is appropriate for children under three to be restricted to low-fat diets, because fat is essential for myalinization. Also, the calorie needs of a seven- or eight-year-old are very different than those of younger children. Finally, *diversity* in menu options is often noted as an important aspect of a healthy diet, as opposed to a restricted range of choices.

 

[kaytieeldr]

non-low-fat options (mac and cheese, hamburger)

To the best of my knowledge, Disney's issue, and the accompanying changes, are not calorie, fat, cholesterol, etc. related. The changes are due to Disney's goal of eliminating partially hydrogenated trans fats from its food, its food prep, and all retail foods that refer to Disney.

 

[d-r]

I don't know about cholesterol, but it is fat and calorie. Yes, eliminating trans-fat is part of it (and that is a good thing). Beyond that, though, these are low-fat diet meals. Plain and simple.

Here is a portion of the press release:

LOS ANGELES - The Walt Disney Co. will begin serving more nutritionally balanced meals at its domestic theme parks and will sign movie and other endorsement deals only with restaurants that limit fat and sugar in menu items, the company said Monday.

Trans fats will be eliminated from meals at domestic parks by the end of next year, and will not be included in licensed and promotional products by 2008, Disney said.

(snip)

• Place a cap on total calories, which will result in smaller portion for children.

• Limit fat to a maximum of 30 percent of calories for entrees and side dishes, and 35 percent for snacks.

• Cap saturated fat at 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.

• Limit sugar to 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes, and 25 percent of calories for snacks.

The company will keep licensing sweets for special occasions, such as birthday cakes and holiday candies, but will limit the number of "indulgence" items in its total food portfolio to 15 percent by 2010.

Starting this month, kid's meals at Disney's domestic parks are being served with low-fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice, or water, along with side dishes such as apple sauce or carrots in place of french fries and soft drinks.

 

[saschab]

Just wanted to update my post.

After reading the Menus sticky above (Thanks, Bicker!) I called WDW Dine about my Tony's reservation. The CM I spoke to (very nice by the way) checked with Guest Services for me and swears that there will be two pasta alternatives for children on the DDP at Tony's.

Can't swear to it since I haven't been yet, but she did put me on hold to check specifically for Tony's and CG. The stated menu items for CG were exactly the ones reported here on the menu sticky, by the way.

Hope this helps someone!

Just a heads up to add to the confusion. I'm not sure if you were referring to adult or kid's menu...but we were at Cali Grill on 11/5. The menu was not the same menu in the sticky above.

The sushi options were still listed as appetizers, although the two largest one's were not allowed on DDP. The cheese plate was offered on the dessert menu, and my husband was able to order it as such on DDP.

Maybe these new menus are on their way, but it was the old menu on 11/5.

 

[Kath2003]

I don't understand the limiting the calories thing when you're catering for children aged 3-10. A ten year old is going to need a FAR higher number of calories than a three year old. They're also going to be able to eat a lot more.

 

[PoohFan97]

I don't understand the limiting the calories thing when you're catering for children aged 3-10. A ten year old is going to need a FAR higher number of calories than a three year old. They're also going to be able to eat a lot more.

I totally agree. My ds9 will often eat more than I do. I don't expect to get adult-size portions for the price of a kid's meal. But you're absolutely right that a 9yo needs more calories than a 3yo. It's only logical.

 

[drag n' fly]

I was reading yesterday that Disney is planning to expand the children's menus due to all the complaints. Has anyone heard of what might be included?