Disney Dining with a 12yo PICKY eater.....HELP...

[Jillnkids]

We (I) are planning a trip in October 2007. I can't decide about the dining plan for us. I know it would probably pay for itself, but I'm concerned about the PICKY eater in our family. My 12yo is very picky and not very adventurous. Here are my questions:
1. If we are NOT on the dining plan, could he order from the kids menu even though he is too old? At a table service meal? I do realize that we would be charged an adult price at a buffet. I am more concerned with other sit down meals.

2. If we are on the dining plan, what are our options if we are eating at a table service meal and he can't find anything he'll eat? In other words, are we going to be stuck eating at only places he will eat at?

Help me decide! My DH wants no part of the planning process as he thinks I'm obsessed with our upcoming trip. I am but that's not the point!

I just thought of 1 more question, how early can I make dining reservations? We will be staying at the WL.

Thanks for your help.

Jill

 

[powellrj]

at many resturants they will make an adult serving size of a childrens menu item.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd, now 13, has been eating from the kids menu since she turned 'adult' by Disney standards, three years ago. Since you will be paying adult prices for her when on the DDP, Disney just doesn't care if she orders off the kids menu. My dd did it in Oct at almost every non-buffet meal. She has a very limited meal repetoire...trying to work on that...so she exists on cheeseburgers, mac and cheese and the occasional hot dog while at WDW!!!
Your dd should be fine.

 

[Jillnkids]

Thanks so much for the quick replys powellrj and goofy4tink. I was almost in a panic thinking about the "food" issues. I'm leaning towards the dining plan. I'm pretty sure it will pay for itself. I know we want to do Chef Mickey's (missed it last time) and Crystal Palace (loved it). I would love to surprise my DD (9) with 1900 Park Fair. She would just LOVE it!

Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

Jill

 

[NMW]

As to the first part of your question, (can a 12 yr old order off the kids menu) I think it depends on the CM, the restaurant's policy, the manager working, etc. A CM at Brown Derby told me before that they often let older kids order off the kids menu, because so many kids don't like their adult menu, especially at lunch time. I guess my kids are weird, they WANT to eat off the adult menu.

A couple of years ago I saw a really large kid that wanted chicken fingers off the kids menu. I think it was Yachtsman Steakhouse. The parents were saying he was only 11, I thought he looked 17 and could eat most of the NFL offensive linemen under the table. Actually, that was my husbands comment. The CM very nicely pointed out that the childrens menu was reserved for children under what ever age it was back then. The family grumbled a little, but I believe the kid did order from the adult menu.

On the other hand, my friend has two daughters that eat practically nothing- ages 10 and 12. They bought the dining plan but ordered off the kids menu a lot-using adult credits in early Nov. Sometimes one of the girls ordered an adult meal and switched with her 8 year old brother who does like to eat. Other times they ordered an adult appetizer (they are huge ceasar salad lovers) and dessert, but kids entree. I don't think CM's would care about this as much since the family paid for an adult plan. In a sense, they are ordering down, not up. At CS, I think the girls ordered chicken ceasar salad everywhere they could, so that wasn't really an issue. That could be an option for your family.