Disney Needs a "Tweens" Menu

[rlovew]

My daugher will eat just about anything and she will be 13 but the one thing I think they do need is to offer something on the DDP for that age group. I just don't think they can eat as much food as an adult.

Your 13 year old daughter might not be able to eat what an adult does but most teen boys will eat significantly more than an adult. The more they break down the dining plan to additional meal categrories the more problems people will have with it. I would say that if I was going to make a category for teens I would make it more than an adult not less.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I do think there is a bit of gap that could be filled. My DD9 would like to eat some of the adult choices, but the portions are too large for her. She likes things on the kids menu, but it get repetitive after a week.

I think there would be a market for a "junior" menu, for kids with bigger appetites or wider culinary pallettes. I know several of the restaurants in my area have a "big kids menu" with smaller portions of some of the less adventurous adult items, and larger portions of some of the more traditional kids fare. I think it could be a great addtion to the Disney restaurant offerings. The "kids menu" could still be for 9 and under, and the Junior menu could be for kids up to 13, and if kids 9 and under wanted to order from the "junior" menu they could for a small upcharge to the dining plan. I would personally welcome it. There are many times my daughter would have preferred salmon or something like that, but the adult entree was way too large, salmon was not on the kids menu, and she was tired of pizza. This would have been a perfect fit for her, and probably lots of other kids in the 8-13 range.

While I like this idea, I think it is impractical with the current Dining Plan. My DD12 is a pretty adventurous eater and frequently asks for half portions of adult entrees at local restaurants. I would love to see Disney offer half portions, but it's not likely with the DDP. DD12 usually orders an appetizer as her entree, which is one reason we don't do the dining plan. She wants something interesting, but she doesn't want a huge meal.

 

[disnut8]

I've read a lot lately about kids over 10 not being able to order off of the kids menu, which is Disney policy, but I never had a problem with it. Sounds like they may be enforcing that in some restaurants. The problem I have is that it's difficult to feed my 12 - 16 year olds at Disney TS restaurants at times. (We are not buffet fans). The adult menus at many places have too many sauces and things that they just do not like, and I'm hard pressed to spend $30 on a meal for a kid that's only going to eat a small portion of it. Yet, the kids menu is too limiting as well - sure, my kids like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, but those meals are designed for young children, not teenagers. I think having an "inbetween child and adult" menu would serve Disney well. It would be very easy to create as well - several protein and side options, that are larger than a childs but not quite as big as an adults, nothing too fancy in saucing, and vegetables that are more teenager friendly than an adult menu would contain.

Do you realize that your kids can order just about anything without sauce? And they can switch sides with anything else that's on the menu? We do this all the time at Disney World. All you have to do is ask and the servers will do so much for you. Heck, I once had a friend ask for a turkey sandwich without the turkey (see is a vegetarian) and the response was four options not even on the menu. She had a veggie burger and fries. My husband has substituted so many things on a Disney menu, it's not even funny.

Disney doesn't need more menus - they just need people to speak up and ask for alternatives.

 

[Jenngoofys]

My 10 year old is thrilled she no longer has to order off the "kids Menu". I personally am happy she doesnt have to order off that menu too!! I mean Chicken Nuggets, Mac and cheese, hot dogs, pizza REALLY? Thats all kids eat these days? You can save yourself time and money by eating Quick Service meals!! Dont you want your child to experience new and exciting things? Personally I feel that by 10 years old a child should be capable of enjoying a steak, real chicken, a variety of fish, salad, or any other adult meal. Sure they may still enjoy chicken nuggets, pizza, and such but they dont need them to be an every meal food. Live a little try something new!! Do you eat only chicken nuggets, pizza, mac and cheese, etc? No? Well why not? Because you at some point in your life had to try new things. I know my parents gave me opportunities to try new things, and didnt limit my menu to chicken nuggets and such (thank Goodness!!). Actually my Mom and Dad cooked a real meal every night. Fast food has become the norm, so much so that Disney finds that these are "the foods for kids". I remember when I was a kid going out to eat and the "kids Menu" consisted of smaller portions of the "Adult Menu". Vegetables and all!! I think Disney is right on track. Keep up the good work.

 

[si-am]

I would be highly offended at 16-- considering I was a junior in high school-- to have been offered a "tween menu" that contained dumbed-down adult entrees.

 

[kath2me]

My DD is 20, she is a very fussy eater, we will be there in Feb 2012 for her 21st birthday, she most of times eats off the kids menu, no problems in the past, she doesn't eat alot

 

[vinotinto]

Hi Uno_mas, I see you're in Charleston. Charleston has some great restaurants. What do your kids do when you go out to dinner back home? I've never seen a tween menu and many places don't even have a kids menu. What I am saying is that I would apply the same dining philosophy at Disney that you do at home. We usually get apps that are appealing to the kids (think cheese board, fried calamari, dips) and share some of our entrees. That helps supplement their meals.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

My DH is a very plain eater and never has a problem getting anything off the menu...He asks for his food to be cooked without the spices or gravy/sauce and it comes out beautifully....

 

[Nettester]

Options are always good. I would NOT be happy with a restaurant or server dictating what menu my family can or cannot order from. We never do the DDP. My kids are all over the board with restaurant eating. My 11 year old sometimes wants regular adult style food, sometimes just a smaller kid sized, not a half pound hamburger or she just gets an apetizer. My 9 year old is a vegetarian, so she sometimes just share some of her Dad's (also a vegetarian) meal. I generally dislike kid's menus, always the same chicken nuggets, hot dog, etc. While that is OK every once in awhile. Even my kids who like that stuff can't eat that fried stuff every meal day after day. Buffets are great for food selection, but pricey for families with younger "adult priced" kids.

 

[minniebride]

I've read a lot lately about kids over 10 not being able to order off of the kids menu, which is Disney policy, but I never had a problem with it. Sounds like they may be enforcing that in some restaurants. The problem I have is that it's difficult to feed my 12 - 16 year olds at Disney TS restaurants at times. (We are not buffet fans). The adult menus at many places have too many sauces and things that they just do not like, and I'm hard pressed to spend $30 on a meal for a kid that's only going to eat a small portion of it. Yet, the kids menu is too limiting as well - sure, my kids like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, but those meals are designed for young children, not teenagers. I think having an "inbetween child and adult" menu would serve Disney well. It would be very easy to create as well - several protein and side options, that are larger than a childs but not quite as big as an adults, nothing too fancy in saucing, and vegetables that are more teenager friendly than an adult menu would contain.

I'm in my 30's (far from being a teen lol!) and I am a pretty picky eater, especially when it comes to sauces. I don't like most of them. I just ask for the sauce on the side wherever I eat & Disney has always been able to accommodate me. Can't you just do that? Or if the portion is too big, they could either split a meal or order an appetizer? I think adding a tweens menu might be more of a hassle than Disney thinks it's worth.

 

[RMulieri]

I disagree.When I was that age( heck younger than that even).I ate what my parents ate or I went hungry, and back then most disney World Showcase restaurants didn't even HAVE A KIDS MENU..I am not talking about kids with sensory or medical issues, because that is a different story.FWIW, Disney is pretty dang good at making things plain or catering to the picky eater.

 

[Hopefully]

I also disagree about adding another menu choice to TS restaurants.
Like the PP, as a tween I ate what my mother cooked for the family dinner, vegtables and all, or I went hungry.
I am not a picky eater as an adult, but I am not overly adventurous either. I sometimes ask for substitutions for sides or sauces on the side and it has never been a problem.
I think Disney offers plently of choices and works well with requests for substitutions.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I think Disney offers plently of choices and works well with requests for substitutions.

I disagree, where Disney fails a bit is in it's offerings for children under 10! Where is is defined or written that a kids meal shouldn't be regular food. What happened, primarily in America that a kids meal consists:

Chicken Nuggets (pieces and parts, too boot!), Mac & Cheese, Pizza, Hot Dog, Hamburger & fries!

I applaud Le Cellier for offering a kids steak, Coral Reef for offering grilled mahi-mahi but the wholesome food selections for kids are too few.

There are children out there who eat their vegetables, who eat actual chicken breast rather than pieces and parts and fish that doesn't come in the form of a stick full of breading. Providing children under 10 smaller portions of regular so called adult fare would be the right thing to do. It could easily be done along with the nuggets,e tc.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I could not disagree more. There are plenty of options in plenty of places in every resort and park to please the palates of everyone. Exactly. There are soooo many options at Disney. If, out of all the restaurants in epcot, you still cannot find anything to eat, then I really dont know what to say to that.

There have been isolated incidents reported on these boards recently about over 10s not being permitted to dine off the kids menu. I think those incidents are few and far between. In 10 years of going to Disney with children over age 10 (spread over more than a dozen trips), I have never once been told that an older child could not order off the kids menu. >>>I agree. I've never had a problem with it either! As a result, I do not think it is Disney's official policy that older kids may not do this.

As such, I don't see much need for a "teen menu.">>> Ditto!

You have options...
You can ask for the "sauce" on the side and ask for fries instead of.....
most will accomodate you.>>>I "customize" my meals all the time! not cause im picky, but just because! Instead of alfredo, i want rose sauce. Or i'll ask for the steak sauce on the side. I never had a problem with it! If you are looking for a large amount of chicken nuggets then have him order an appetizer or a side at a TS and order what he wants at a CS later or before or simply eat at Buffets more often they are not the same as your local ones by far.

If it's the sauces that are the problem, most TS restaurants, if asked, will leave off the sauce or serve it on the side and provide a plain entree. In most cases, sides can be substituted. French fries are a popular side with tweens and if the restaurant serves them they can often be substituted for other sides.>>Exactly!

I don't remember Disney TS ever offering half portions of entrees, but if I want a smaller portion I generally order an appetizer. If that isn't enough, I can get another appetizer.>>> I think this is the perfect solution. If you want a lighter meal than the adult portion, order an appetizer! If appetizers dont appeal to you, split an adult portion with someone. Simple solution.

I disagree.When I was that age( heck younger than that even).I ate what my parents ate or I went hungry,>>>Yup, me too. If i didnt like what was on the table, too bad for me. and back then most disney World Showcase restaurants didn't even HAVE A KIDS MENU..I am not talking about kids with sensory or medical issues, because that is a different story.FWIW, Disney is pretty dang good at making things plain or catering to the picky eater.>>Disney is PHENOMINAL at catering to the picky eater and ppl with allergies! A tween menu is completely unnecessary in my opinion.

I disagree, where Disney fails a bit is in it's offerings for children under 10! Where is is defined or written that a kids meal shouldn't be regular food. What happened, primarily in America that a kids meal consists:

Chicken Nuggets (pieces and parts, too boot!), Mac & Cheese, Pizza, Hot Dog, Hamburger & fries!

I applaud Le Cellier for offering a kids steak, Coral Reef for offering grilled mahi-mahi but the wholesome food selections for kids are too few.

There are children out there who eat their vegetables, who eat actual chicken breast rather than pieces and parts and fish that doesn't come in the form of a stick full of breading. >>the thing is, most children arent that adventurous. I dont know many 6 or 7 yr olds that will eat mahi mahi! Yes there are children who will eat it, but I wouldnt say an overwhelming amount of kids prefer eating those things. Most prefer the simple foods. If your children prefer something from the adult menu, why not just let the two split an entree? Providing children under 10 smaller portions of regular so called adult fare would be the right thing to do. It could easily be done along with the nuggets,e tc.

I personally dont see the need for a tween menu. I have a tween myself, he's 11 yrs old. He isnt very picky, and he can eat an adult entree most of the time. Of course, he's a boy! Lol. But nonetheless, there are alternatives, which is why a tween menu is totally unnecessary. 1) split an adult entree between two kids, or the tween splits and adult entree with another adult...another side can be ordered if the adult isnt full enough 2) order your tween an appetizer instead of an adult entree.

 

[LilyWDW]

I disagree, where Disney fails a bit is in it's offerings for children under 10! Where is is defined or written that a kids meal shouldn't be regular food. What happened, primarily in America that a kids meal consists:

Chicken Nuggets (pieces and parts, too boot!), Mac & Cheese, Pizza, Hot Dog, Hamburger & fries!

I applaud Le Cellier for offering a kids steak, Coral Reef for offering grilled mahi-mahi but the wholesome food selections for kids are too few.

There are children out there who eat their vegetables, who eat actual chicken breast rather than pieces and parts and fish that doesn't come in the form of a stick full of breading. Providing children under 10 smaller portions of regular so called adult fare would be the right thing to do. It could easily be done along with the nuggets,e tc.

Because, through their surveys and guest feedback, MOST people asked for the items they serve. Remember, these boards are a minority of the people who visit Disney... a very vocal minority, but still a minority. Disney can only go by what the majority wants.

I remember when Disney went with a "healthier" menu for kids. These boards lit up with people wanting them to go BACK to chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, hotdogs, ect. So, no matter what happens, someone is going to be upset about it. Disney, or any company actually, will never be able to make all people happy.

If your child wants adult food, order adult food. You have that option. You may not like it, but it IS there. Split a meal between people. Get an appetizer to make up for the split... but you have an option.

Oh, and as a tween, I LOVED the food on the adult menus. Yes, I often didn't eat it all (unless it was Prime Rib or something lol), but that was what it was. Luckily, my parents didn't worry to much if I couldn't finish it all. It was more important that I be able to try new foods and enjoy the experience. Heck, that was even true when I was a KID. I rarely ordered off the kids menu!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Most chidren aren't that adventurous!

There's nothing adventurous about turkey, chicken, pork, green beans, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, cucumbers! These "un-adventurous" children , are they consuming chicken nuggets, mac&cheese and pizza every day, every noon and night, Monday through Sunday and is that what their parents are fixing for dinner and are they eating it too! My Mom didn't cook two different meals and I certainly never have!

No, there doesn't need to be a tween menu but there does need to be regular food included more often in the kids menu, it shouldn't all all be cheesy, processed, battered and fried! (and there's an obesity crisis in the U.S. because, let me see...Uhm!)

Sure there are ton's of picky eaters but there are also tons of children who eat the "regular" food that their parents prepare, and yes there are some adventurous ones too but their current choices are very limited and ruled by a picky eaters menu!

As I've said, I luckily never had these issues but I do love these threads and the opinions expressed!

Frankly, I"m declaring myself a picky eater, I wouldn't touch a chicken nugget made of funky chicken parts or the glop Disney calls Mac & Cheese ( what cheese, more like processed cheese product) unless my life depended on it!

 

[bytheblood]

In general, Disney does not cater to tweens or even young teens. That includes meals, clothing, souvenirs, etc.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

If your child wants adult food, order adult food.

and just for giggles, what is "adult" food?

I've been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971, the days when all there was for food was hamburgers and hot dogs!

Dining came in and the "kids meal" was born, if you have a picky eater I'm not against the choices they have now, but I certainly think Disney (and it's not only Disney) should offer 2 or 3 other choices (not asking for the moon) for those in the "minority" who have children who eat regular food. I'm not suggesting they put oysters rockefeller or lamb shanks provencial as a kids entree, no, just regular food, every day food that's already on their menus, just children's portion size!

But in the world of Disney where they are producing food for the masses, the cheapest way possible, change is not likely to happen, but hope lives eternal!

 

[LilyWDW]

and just for giggles, what is "adult" food?

I've been going to Disney World since it opened in 1971, the days when all there was for food was hamburgers and hot dogs!

Dining came in and the "kids meal" was born, if you have a picky eater I'm not against the choices they have now, but I certainly think Disney (and it's not only Disney) should offer 2 or 3 other choices (not asking for the moon) for those in the "minority" who have children who eat regular food. I'm not suggesting they put oysters rockefeller or lamb shanks provencial as a kids entree, no, just regular food, every day food that's already on their menus, just children's portion size!

But in the world of Disney where they are producing food for the masses, the cheapest way possible, change is not likely to happen, but hope lives eternal!

I guess I should have said "If your kid wants an item off the adult menu, then order them something from the adult menu."

In the long run, I actually DO agree with you. I have seen to make kids who have been catered to and not made to try new things. I actually had a "talk" with my cousin about that and her baby (we ended up laughing about it, but we have that type of relationship). I told her she better be ready for his "aunt" to make sure he tried some awesome food!

I do think kids should be able to try new foods, even MADE to try new foods. By limiting them so much, one is only making it harder for them in the future. There are only a few foods I do not like. Beef liver, chicken livers (though I like chicken liver pate... just not the livers themselves), and... ummm... yea. That is about all I can recall. Why is this? Because I ate what I was served at dinner or I went hungry. I wasn't limited to what is on the kids menu, but could order what I wanted. I was allowed to experience new foods!

Still Disney is a business and won't do much that will harm the bottom line. They will follow what the vocal majority want and, according to the information they have collected, that is the kids menu that they now have in place. Could it change? I'm sure it could if enough people want it to... but I wouldn't expect it unless they do see a change in what people want.