Eating off the kids menu

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hello strange question....I am an adult woman and have a inflammatory bowel disease as well as arthritis. I have a very bland diet as I find this helps. Most of the time I find it easier to eat from childrens menus as they are more simple kind of dishes without spices etc. But I like the atmosphere of the different restaurants and also so my partner can have what she wants. if I offer to pay full price do you think Disney will allow this? I also dont mind the smaller portions as tend to eat little and often rather than big meals.

 

[ttintagel]

I'm pretty sure that, unless you're on the Disney Dining Plan, you can order whatever you like.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Great thanks. Not having a dining plan.

 

[I Love Pluto]

This is exactly why we DON'T get the dining plan. Too many rules.

I was a Pop. We were eating lunch. I had a yearning for the PB&J sandwich they have in the refrigerated section. I was told that I was NOT PERMITTED to have that sandwich. I had to buy a big girl adult sandwich instead.

We were also repeatedly "sent back" like little children for our drink and/or dessert which was not on our tray. I argued with a woman (about 35 yrs old) who said that I MUST get a dessert whether I wanted it or not. If I didn't, then I would come back later & want it. First of all - I did not want it. Secondly, I had no plans to return to claim my dessert at a later time. We were both on Nutrisystem, so dessert was not in the picture for us. Pop would not allow us to substitute fruit for dessert, only a pastry product.
(We did get dessert - then threw it out or offered it to someone nearby.)

This was our first - and LAST - use of the QS Dining Plan. It just didn't work for us.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have never had a DP but what you have just said is everything I feared! If you have paid for something surely its up to you if you want it or not! One evening it was free refills of sodas in one restaurant ( wasn't on the DP )and I was made to be like a freak because I couldn't consume my own body weight in cola....They just would not stop refilling my glass even though it would just sit there and go to waste. They kept saying ' but its free ' and I kept saying ' but I have had enough thank you ' How silly in this economic environment.

Anyway no way. I will just pay as I go thanks!

Paula

 

[mag73]

I'm pretty sure you can. My dd has been ordering off the kids menu for few years now even though is is a Disney adult

 

[PatsMom]

I am diabetic so small portions are sometimes a very good thing. I've never had a problem ordering from the child's menu. I offer to pay an adult price but I have never been charged it. We do tip as though I ordered a full meal.

Another option to remember is that the restaurants will accommodate many special requests. For example, my daughter is not a fan of mushroom but she loves a good filet. At Le Cellier she orders the mushroom filet with no mushroom and substitute mashed potato for the risotto. Never a problem with requests like that.

Sharing meals is also a good strategy if you are not on the dining plan. Or ordering an appetizer/salad as your entree.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thank you I find these posts very reassuring! Good point about tipping I will make sure our server does not loose out!

 

[ttintagel]

How silly in this economic environment.

Soda costs the restaurant pennies a glass. I wouldn't worry that they're wasting money on bringing you refills you won't drink.

 

[lanejudy]

Pop would not allow us to substitute fruit for dessert, only a pastry product.

I'm very surprised they didn't allow a piece of fruit as dessert. We haven't used the DDP (QSDP) since 2010, but at that time we were told anything that is considered a snack could be selected as a dessert - at the POP dining room (maybe not in the parks where the meals were more specific).

However, we also do not use the DDP because it just doesn't suit our dining style. I prefer to pay OOP for what we want.

 

[I Love Pluto]

We were told SOOOOOO loudly, with shoulders moving back & forth to emphasize who is boss - that I will never ever buy the QS Dining Plan ever again. NEVER!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I dont blame you! Neither will I! How rude! Not very Disney at all.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We used the dinning plan and my daughter ( who is an adult by Disney standards, but not mentally) did not like many of the adult offerings. At TS she was allowed to order off the children's menu with no trouble. They brought her larger portions and charged her the adult credit. At CS locations she was allowed to chose which ever meal she wanted.
If paying OOP they will allow you to do the same. If at a CS they will never know who you are ordering the kids meal for, but at TS if they give you a hard time you may want to ask for a manager and discreetly explain your situation.

 

[disney212]

Sorry to hear you also suffer IBD. I have Crohn's and have never had an issue finding food at WDW. On table service ADR's I just note my restrictions in the the allergies section. The chefs always make me something wonderful. At CS I normally stick with a turkey sandwich since I find the kids meals to be fried and a bit hard on my system. I have ordered from the kids menu at CS with no issue but never tried at a TS. I do sometimes order an appetizer as an entree at TS but the servers have never batted an eye or been anything less than gracious.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi Disney212. Thanks for your reply. That is very useful. I have UC but just recently they thought it might be crohns. I am just about to start Remicade infusions next week in fact! I never considered having appetisers that is a wonderful idea! Quite often they are just what I want. Thank you I hope you are well at the moment!