Disheartening news

[robinsegg]

I just got an email from WDW in answer to my question that says "Although we appreciate your interest, please know the children's menu is
exclusively for our Guests age 3 to 9. All Guests age 10 and older must
order from the adult menu."
This is bad news for me, because my (then) 10yo is very picky and *won't* eat many of the adult offerings at TS restaurants. :sigh: I replied with how unfortunate it was that WDW was so unaccomodating of older children. Now I'm going to have to rethink our dining options. Well, at least I have about 6 months before I can make reservations.

 

[TDC Nala]

Despite this response, most posters have reported being able to order from children's menus no matter what age they are. I've never done it in a TS but I order those from CS all the time. They don't care who you order it for at CS, you will not be asked for proof of age for the person who will eat it.

If you're still worried, then book buffets as much as possible.

 

[Tricia1972]

Though that is the official word from Disney, I've never ever heard of Disney enforcing the rule.

Perhaps it is something that they are doing in 2010?

At any rate, Disney will generally make an adult size portion of a kids menu item at an Adult rate, so all may not be lost to you.

 

[stitch1094]

I just got an email from WDW in answer to my question that says "Although we appreciate your interest, please know the children's menu is
exclusively for our Guests age 3 to 9. All Guests age 10 and older must
order from the adult menu."
This is bad news for me, because my (then) 10yo is very picky and *won't* eat many of the adult offerings at TS restaurants. :sigh: I replied with how unfortunate it was that WDW was so unaccomodating of older children. Now I'm going to have to rethink our dining options. Well, at least I have about 6 months before I can make reservations.

We went in July and my 12 year old and 11 year old were allowed to order off the kids menu. I think the 12 year old did it once and the 11 year old did it several times.

Another option, do buffets. Most buffets have a "childrens" section that anyone can select from.

 

[MickeyNicki]

My 13 year old niece ordered off the menu without a hitch...dont fret about it, you will be able to order off the kids for 10 year old

 

[tony67]

I would not worry about this too much.

The wait staff wants you to enjoy yourself.
They do not want you to order something you will not like, especially kids.
They want to be tipped. If you’re unhappy you may not tip as well.

If you’re on the DDP, then they can make an adult portion of items on the kids menu many times.

For all the negatives I have about Disney dinning, I do think they will work with you as much as possible as long as you are polite.

As for CS meals they do not care. A friend (50+) is a diabetic and often gets a kids meal as a snack to keep him going without overdoing it.
Of courser there are more options for kids on the adult CS menus.

 

[ShannonMB]

Okay, I must know -- are you planning on any of the dining plans?

I think it would kill me to pay for my kid to be on the adult plan and have to use an adult TS credit for a kid's meal (unless they WOULD give you an adult-size portion). I don't know why, I guess if it's a meal they like, it would be worth the credit. Doesn't the young fella like STEAK, or anything like that?? I would seriously look at the menus and find adult entrees he would like, or I would seriously consider not doing the dining plan this trip. $40-ish dollars a day for chicken nuggets or grilled cheese probably won't work out to be the most economical for you.

If you are not on the dining plan, then the restaurant will never know how old your son is when you order.

 

[2Tiggies]

Another point for consideration is that the Disney info given when you email or call is often completely different to what you are told at the restaurant/resort/parks. I'm not saying they are wrong in this instance as they may indeed be bringing in a new policy, but consider also that they may have interpreted your question incorrectly. Very commonly people ask if their kids close to the cusp can use kids credits on the DDP to purchase an adult meal and the answer to this is no for obvious reasons.

Also, if you are paying OOP for your meals it is less likely to be a problem. There are more rules about using dining credits than about paying OOP as guests have then already paid for their meals ahead of time and have to stick to the categories they have paid for. If you are paying out of pocket they are, from my experience, more flexible. Don't dispair. I am sure a host of people will come on the board and reassure you that they have had success recently and as for next year, we will have to wait and see. Buffets, as a previous poster mentioned, give you great flexibility too. When are you going?

 

[FinallyDisney]

In both 2007 & 2008 my children were allowed to order from the children's menu. We were on the DDP so the waitstaff charged us as adults but served them children's meals without flinching. They are super accommodating!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We have always been allowed to order off the kids menu for DD, no one ever asked how old she was although she was 10 on two trips. Although we were on the DDP we paid OOP and saved her credits for another meal. I would NEVER use two credits for her at a signature restaurant. She's already decided at Jiko she will have the mac and cheese on the kids menu and at CG she will have one of the flatbreads off the apps menu. At other restaurants ie: Le Cellier they made her a chicken ceasar salad which was not on the dinner menu and again we paid OOP and saved the credits. If we are turned down so be it, she'll find something she likes on the apps menu I'm sure.

 

[mommy*RN]

We ate at CRT on 11/3 and I overheard the table next to us asking their waiter if one of the children at the table could have the kids chicken versus any of the other "adult" offerings. The waiter said of course, no big deal. The child ordering the chicken dish was obviously over 9 years old...maybe 13 or 14? I don't think it will be difficult for your child to order off the childrens menu at all.

 

[tony67]

Just an additional comment.

If you are on the DDP and order from the kids menu it may be worth paying OOP for the kids meal and using those adults credit for another meal like a character breakfast.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My wife used to always order off the kid's menu at the Contemorary Steakhouse. They had a 4oz Filet meal available, and she considered that sufficient.

I have never heard of restricting people at WDW from ordering children's items. I have heard of them offering a larger portion at a higher price.

But if using DDP for a person age 10 or older then an adult meal credit will be used.

 

[MissionMouse]

If you are paying OP you can order what you wish. If you are under a Dining plan then you fall under the definitions and restrictions of the plan. I do have an issue with Disney when it comes to the age distinctions with their plans. At this Disney adult age children are technicaly able to dine alone too. If you are paying the "adult" DDP rate Disney will never have an issue with you selecting from the child menu, since it increases their profit and you are "happy." Just realize everytime you do this you are more likely not to getting the savings pitched by Disney.

 

[kiwicassie]

I just got an email from WDW in answer to my question that says "Although we appreciate your interest, please know the children's menu is
exclusively for our Guests age 3 to 9. All Guests age 10 and older must
order from the adult menu."
This is bad news for me, because my (then) 10yo is very picky and *won't* eat many of the adult offerings at TS restaurants. :sigh: I replied with how unfortunate it was that WDW was so unaccomodating of older children. Now I'm going to have to rethink our dining options. Well, at least I have about 6 months before I can make reservations.

My brother is the PICKIEST eater on the face of the Earth. He's 25 and ordered children's food at Cinderella's Royal Table. (He was given a hotdog, chicken nuggets, corn, and mashed potatoes ) So I wouldn't worry!

 

[disnut8]

Technically, you aren't supposed to take in food or drink to a park either but that rule certainly is not iron-clad. Disney has to have their official rules so in cases of extreme circumstances, they can be enforced. I can't think of any reason why an adult couldn't order off the kids menu if there were no other options but you were quoted the official rule. I wouldn't worry about it that much at all.

 

[mpetti]

We just went in Aug and my 11 year old DS is very picky and most times ordered from the children's menu without any problem. I even asked when I added on the dining plan and was told it wouldn't be a problem. Once you have the credits on your key card they don't care how you use them. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[purpliequeen]

I would play it by ear. The restaurants usually are lenient in allowing adults to order off the children's menu. When we were at Coral Reef the last trip it was very very busy (it was the day before NYE) and my dad said that he wishes he could get a children's ice cream sundae for dessert. The waiter overheard and brought him out just that- identical to the sundaes that the children 1/6 his age were eating. It was cute, and he was happy. Honestly, it's up to the waiter/waitress and how generous they're feeling. It's not that much harder to write down a children's order on your note pad than it is to write down an adult's order. Furthermore, from the point of view of the restaurant, it's cheaper to produce a children's meal than it is to produce an adult's meal (come on, mac and cheese vs. a 10 oz. sirloin steak?!). I seriously wouldn't worry about this. And of course Disney's going to tell you (the OP) what they sent you.... they want to sound (and be perceived) as if they're really in control of their policies, which they should be.

 

[tfoster]

Technically, you aren't supposed to take in food or drink to a park either but that rule certainly is not iron-clad. Disney has to have their official rules so in cases of extreme circumstances, they can be enforced. I can't think of any reason why an adult couldn't order off the kids menu if there were no other options but you were quoted the official rule. I wouldn't worry about it that much at all.

Really? I thought you were allowed to bring in food and drinks but that there was a rule about how you could bring it in - no coolers on wheels and maybe not bigger than a certain size??? It's hard to imagine there would be a rule that would prohibit families from bringing in snacks and drinks for their young children.

Weird rule.

 

[tlenzendorf]

We had the DP in August this past year and DD ordered off the kids menu. She was given adult size portions, got the adult size drink and got to pick adult menu dessert. It really ticked DD9 off... that was a whole different adventure in itself...