Embarrassed to ask the dumbest question ever

[ErinInCT]

But no question is too dumb right?

Family of 4, DH, me, DD10 (she will JUST have turned 10 2 months b4 our trip and doesn't eat like an adult), DD6

If we pay OOP for meals can we buy whatever we want from the CS restaurants? Like could we get 3 kids meals for me and the girls?

I'm assuming at any buffet we'd have to have adult meals for the 3 "adults" and only my 6yr old could get the kids meal, right? But what about Table Service? Can my 10 yr old order from the kids meal if we pay OOP? Or do you have to show your ticket to show she is an adult?

I think I know the answers, but figured it can't hurt to ask the experts?

 

[Sammie]

At counter/quick service you are pretty free to order as you wish from the menu. So yes an adult can order a child's meal.

At sit down/full service and buffets adults will not be allowed to order from the child's menu.

As to the 10 year since she is right on the edge of cut off, she might be allowed to order from the child's menu and truly it is up to the wait staff to decide at full service sit down. At buffets she will be required to pay the adult price.

They will not require you to show your ticket, it is left up to the honesty of the adults and the discretion of restaurant.

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

At CS places you can get whatever you like, not everyone is usually in line with you so they don't know who you are buying for. TS your DD10 shouldn't have any problem getting a kids meal but you won't be able to. My son is 11 and somethimes still gets the kids meals, they don't ever ask how old they are.

 

[honeymo78]

Adults can generally order off the kids menu at table service restaurants. I have done it several times as has DH. However you will be charged more than the kids menu price but generally you get a larger portion if that's what you want.

 

[FireDancer]

But no question is too dumb right?

Ooo, I love chances to use demotivators:

I am, of course, joking.

 

[debilovesmickey]

Hi,
This isn't exactly what you are asking.. but we went to Akershus for dinner in Epcot and my 15 year old son (at that time) did not care for the adult menu offerings. We didn't say anything, but when he had trouble deciding, the waitress suggested he order the kids' pizza... not sure what we were charged as we were on the Dining Plan.

I don't think it hurts to inquire at table service restaurants.
Hope this helps!
Debi

 

[ErinInCT]

at the Demotivator!!!!

At a TS restaurant I don't want to order off the kids meal, but figured dd10 might. Good to know it won't be an issue. We made sure to get the adult ticket since we didn't want to cheat and because she looks older than she is, but I just cringe at the thought of paying adult prices for her to leave half her meal on the plate! I don't even mind paying the adult price for her at Chef Mickey and Princess Breakfast. I'll just make sure DH eats way more than he should!!

Thanks so much for the responses.

 

[ErinInCT]

At a TS can I buy an adult meal to split for my 2 girls? Chances are it'll be more expensive than the kids meal anyway.

I'm pretty darn sure we'll be doding DDP but I like to check all my options to see which is most cost beneficial. Or maybe I'm just an obsessive planner...or bored!

 

[honeymo78]

I would still be prepared to pay more than the kids meal price just in case. Im certain you will have no problem getting her the kids meal (remember these are not just scaled down versions of the adult menu but a few kid favorites) but no guarantee on the lower cost.

 

[bangzoom6877]

At a TS can I buy an adult meal to split for my 2 girls? Chances are it'll be more expensive than the kids meal anyway.

I'm pretty darn sure we'll be doding DDP but I like to check all my options to see which is most cost beneficial. Or maybe I'm just an obsessive planner...or bored!

I asked this question once and people told me it should be no problem. People have reported sharing entrees at a la carte TS restaurants without a problem from the waitstaff. I consider doing this for my boys if there is something on the adult menu they would both like to eat.

 

[FireDancer]

At a TS can I buy an adult meal to split for my 2 girls? Chances are it'll be more expensive than the kids meal anyway.

I'm pretty darn sure we'll be doding DDP but I like to check all my options to see which is most cost beneficial. Or maybe I'm just an obsessive planner...or bored!

I think it is ok. Just make sure for the love of God that you don't ask if it is ok to share meals at a buffet. This is especially true if you plan on doing it while pool-hopping and using the mug you got back in 2004 after you just got back from the parks where you told the CMs your 10 year old was actually 2 and had the nerve to get her a stroller.

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi,
This isn't exactly what you are asking.. but we went to Akershus for dinner in Epcot and my 15 year old son (at that time) did not care for the adult menu offerings. We didn't say anything, but when he had trouble deciding, the waitress suggested he order the kids' pizza... not sure what we were charged as we were on the Dining Plan.

I don't think it hurts to inquire at table service restaurants.
Hope this helps!
Debi

Akershus is a fixed price restaurant and you pay per person...whatever you would normally pay, you will pay even if your teen eats from the child's menu.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Just say she's 9! Its not like you are getting a kids price for an adult meal..its a kids meal,. Thats not cheating!

My son has always been a giant. He looked 15 at age 8. I got plenty of looks when I asked for the kids menu for him. I got over it!

(Hes on the left at age 14!!!)

 

[Belle5]

Just say she's 9! Its not like you are getting a kids price for an adult meal..its a kids meal,. Thats not cheating!

(Hes on the left at age 14!!!)

There is no need to lie about your child's age. It is not a problem for anyone who looks youngish to order a kid's meal when you are paying OOP. If you are an adult trying to order a child's meal at a TS, often they will tell you that you will be brought an adult portion of the chicken fingers (or whatever) at an adult price.

 

[rainydayplay]

Just say she's 9! Its not like you are getting a kids price for an adult meal..its a kids meal,. Thats not cheating!

My son has always been a giant. He looked 15 at age 8. I got plenty of looks when I asked for the kids menu for him. I got over it!

(Hes on the left at age 14!!!)

Totally OT, but my first reaction to the reflection of the light on the floor was that your son was giving the other guy rabbit ears.

On-topic...sounds like the OP won't have a problem with the DD ordering from the kid's menu.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As long as you are not on a dining plan it does not matter what is ordered for whom at either CS or menu table service.

If you go to any of the buffet or other All You Can Eat locations (including the Skillet at WCC) there is no difference in the food available to anyone. However, you will have to pay the adult price for the ten year old.

 

[madalex]

At sit down/full service and buffets adults will not be allowed to order from the child's menu.

As to the 10 year since she is right on the edge of cut off, she might be allowed to order from the child's menu and truly it is up to the wait staff to decide at full service sit down. At buffets she will be required to pay the adult price.

Just returned from WDW with my daughters, ages 16 and 10-1/2. We were not on the dining plan, we did not go to any buffets, but we did do sit down meals every night for dinner and sometimes at lunch. Younger daughter ordered off the kids meal many times and there was never an issue. On past trips, older daughter ordered off the kids meal until she was 13 without any issues. If you are paying out of pocket, anyone of any age can order off the kids menu.

 

[Dizzyworld]

I have a very petite DD who is almost 15. She weighs 90 -95 lbs. She is just not into food except very basic, plain food and small portions. We used to kid her that a Happy Meal would last her all week.

I emailed WDW 3/2010 and asked them what the policy was if she wanted to eat off the children's menu (at non-buffet meals and that we would not be using the DDP) since I keep hearing changing stories. (Although in the past we have never been told no for her.)

This was the response....

"Most of the restaurants will be happy to work with you, but we cannot speak for each one. Please inquire of the cast when you arrive at the restaurant, because we are unable to say if this is true for all of them."

 

[jamstew]

At a TS can I buy an adult meal to split for my 2 girls? Chances are it'll be more expensive than the kids meal anyway.!

Yes, even two adults can split an adult entree at a TS restaurant (except buffets & all-you-can eat). I've done it many times, because I find most of the adult portions to be too much food.

 

[SunnieRN]

What I always found with my girls, was that buying them one adult meal to split often worked better than two kids meals. At a CS type restaurant I would order one adult meal and one child meal and we would all split it. If we were still hungry, we would order another childs plate. As a matter of fact, I don't think we ever had to.