Feeding a 10yr old, how strict on age for kids meals?

[maxsmom]

So there is basically no way my 10yr old daughter is going to eat more than a fraction of the food from the adult menus. One she doesn’t like it and two it’s enough food for for her do the entire day in one one of those meals. How strict are they with the kids menus? I noticed when looking at menus online that they always say for 9 and under. If they won’t let her I’m not sure what to do some places. I guess at some I could order one meal for her and I to split but I don’t really always want to order only food that she likes. This is my biggest concern this trip. This is just for table service meals. Thanks!

 

[powellrj]

They won't mind if she orders from the kids menus as long as its not on a buffet, family style or any type of all you can eat restaurants.

 

[ToxicRoyalty]

I've ordered kids meals since probably 15 without an issue. Since there's a lot of reasons an adult might want a kids meal, from portion size to just taste, I doubt they would really ever say something. The only scenario I can imagine them really causing a fuss is if the same item is on both menus, one is just bigger/more expensive, and then you might just have to give in. But if it's a kids only menu item, if they give you any trouble, I would just point out it's the only thing she'll eat.

 

[Lisa F]

I've ordered kids meals since probably 15 without an issue. Since there's a lot of reasons an adult might want a kids meal, from portion size to just taste, I doubt they would really ever say something. The only scenario I can imagine them really causing a fuss is if the same item is on both menus, one is just bigger/more expensive, and then you might just have to give in. But if it's a kids only menu item, if they give you any trouble, I would just point out it's the only thing she'll eat.

I haven't even had that issue, at least at Disney owned restaurants. Kid's pot roast was served to me without question and with a smile at liberty tree tavern. Some of the non disney restaurants may have their own rules but honestly i have not had an issue ordering kid meals for myself outside the world at chains either. Sometimes at small locally owned restaurants but I bet they have a harder time profiting.

 

[KenHutch]

My 17 year old daughter still orders about half of her meals from the kids menu. I have learned to pay OOP for her meals like this and save the credits for signature dining (she loves steak).

 

[supersnoop]

Even adults can order off the kids menu. She won’t have any problems.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

My mom orders them all the time, should be no problem. Occasionally I've heard of non-Disney restaurants in Epcot refusing.

 

[MomOTwins]

She can always order the kids menu, but if you are at a prix fixe restaurant (like BOG or CRT), or if you are purchasing the disney dining plan, she will have to pay full adult price.

 

[ElsasFan]

My ten and twelve year olds ordered off of the children’s menu at San Angel Inn with no problem. We also dined at Tutto Italia and felt that the waiter gave us attitude about it, although he did let them order off of the kids’s menu. It really put a damper on our evening, though, and consequently, we cancelled our reservations for Yak & Yeti because we were concerned that they wouldn’t let us, or that it would be an issue or just plain difficult, which would mar our dinner there, too.

The problem that I have with many of the adult menus is that there is just very little that my kids will eat on them. On the Tutto Italia menu, for instance, they would only eat the spaghetti, without sauce. I just can’t justify spending $25 for a plate of plain spaghetti.

I understand that saying the kids’ menu is for kids under ten is a way for Disney to maximize their revenue, but I wish that it were clearer to the guest whether everyone can really order off of the kids’ menu or if it is up to the restaurant and/or server.

 

[Mousefan mom]

It was my understanding they made them order off the adult menu. I know we were told no one time--I think it was Kona--but this was years ago.

 

[Lisa F]

It was my understanding they made them order off the adult menu. I know we were told no one time--I think it was Kona--but this was years ago.

no one is ever made to order off the adult menu. Just sometimes you will get more of the kid food at a full entree price. But Disney doesn't tell picky eaters they can't have the kid food, ESPECIALLY not 10 year olds. If the server does, I'd ask to talk to a manager.

 

[tinkerhon]

Even adults can order off the kids menu. She won’t have any problems.

This ! I am obsessed with the quesadillas from "Satu'li" and order them every time !

 

[Mousefan mom]

no one is ever made to order off the adult menu. Just sometimes you will get more of the kid food at a full entree price. But Disney doesn't tell picky eaters they can't have the kid food, ESPECIALLY not 10 year olds. If the server does, I'd ask to talk to a manager.

Good to know. Our youngest and pickiest will be 10 next year. I knew they didn't care at QS meals--but I thought it was a big deal at the TS restaurants. I do know Ohana offered to make a cheeseburger for him one year because they observed he wasn't eating much.

 

[Lisa F]

Good to know. Our youngest and pickiest will be 10 next year. I knew they didn't care at QS meals--but I thought it was a big deal at the TS restaurants. I do know Ohana offered to make a cheeseburger for him one year because they observed he wasn't eating much.

yeah, I've heard the OCCASIONAL report of someone being refused a kid portion of kid food, but not being refused the actual food... so they will get an adult sized portion of a kid meal at an adult price (usually about 2x the kid meal in both size and price). Disney is REALLY really good about substituting sides too, I "plain down" adult entrees for my son all the time... he just turned 10 but already on our last trip some kid portions were too small for him. his favorite meal in the whole world is filet mignon with mac and cheese at CA Grill. This is not a combo on the menu but it's a side off another dish. But I had gastric sleeve surgery and had kid meals at some places and no one batted an eye or asked me why or what or how... just brought it. Disney is heaven for picky eaters as they really are quite accommodating and MOST of the restaurants allow kids to order off the kid menu. Also Disney servers DO understand that a 10 year old is still a kid and don't suddenly treat them like an adult.... they just charge them like they are!

 

[JerseyJanice]

@ElsasFan FWIW, Yak & Yeti is owned and operated by Landry’s, not Disney. We ordered sides of fried rice and egg rolls for our under 3 crowd, and the servers were sweet as pie.

Via Napoli is operated by a different company altogether. I read numerous comments over the years about rude servers there who refuse any flexibility on the Disney Dining Plan. I wouldn’t judge other Disney eateries based on your experience there.

 

[mom2rtk]

Good to know. Our youngest and pickiest will be 10 next year. I knew they didn't care at QS meals--but I thought it was a big deal at the TS restaurants. I do know Ohana offered to make a cheeseburger for him one year because they observed he wasn't eating much.

That depends on the TS restaurant. All you can eat, family style (like Ohana) and buffets are probably not going to allow kid pricing for 10 and over.

 

[maxsmom]

The problem that I have with many of the adult menus is that there is just very little that my kids will eat on them. On the Tutto Italia menu, for instance, they would only eat the spaghetti, without sauce. I just can’t justify spending $25 for a plate of plain spaghetti.

THIS is my concern. We have this booked as of now. The rest of the family will order a pizza the split. She doesn’t like any kind of sauce. She will eat a smal bowl of spaghetti w/ no sauce. She wouldn’t come close to eating an adult size plate. Maybe we should just switch this one.

Thanks for your experiences everyone. Yes, I’m aware at family type and buffet meals she’lol be charged as an adult. That’s why we don’t have any of those planned.

 

[ElsasFan]

@ElsasFan FWIW, Yak & Yeti is owned and operated by Landry’s, not Disney. We ordered sides of fried rice and egg rolls for our under 3 crowd, and the servers were sweet as pie.

Via Napoli is operated by a different company altogether. I read numerous comments over the years about rude servers there who refuse any flexibility on the Disney Dining Plan. I wouldn’t judge other Disney eateries based on your experience there.

That’s good to know. Maybe we’ll give Yak & Yeti a try next time. Everyone else seems to love the restaurants that are part of the Tutto Italia group, but we haven’t had a great experience at one of them yet. (I think. San Angel Inn is not owned by the same company, right? We have had two great meals there.)

 

[Ginger R]

yeah, I've heard the OCCASIONAL report of someone being refused a kid portion of kid food, but not being refused the actual food... so they will get an adult sized portion of a kid meal at an adult price (usually about 2x the kid meal in both size and price). Disney is REALLY really good about substituting sides too, I "plain down" adult entrees for my son all the time... he just turned 10 but already on our last trip some kid portions were too small for him. his favorite meal in the whole world is filet mignon with mac and cheese at CA Grill. This is not a combo on the menu but it's a side off another dish. But I had gastric sleeve surgery and had kid meals at some places and no one batted an eye or asked me why or what or how... just brought it. Disney is heaven for picky eaters as they really are quite accommodating and MOST of the restaurants allow kids to order off the kid menu. Also Disney servers DO understand that a 10 year old is still a kid and don't suddenly treat them like an adult.... they just charge them like they are!

I agree, your child over 10 will most likely get charged the adult price if it's a buffet or character meal. We just did bon voyage breakfast last week. My daughter is 10. My husband tried saying 2 adults and 1 child. The girl asked my daughter how old she was. She said 10. The girl said well your a Disney adult for the purposes of the meal. We weren't even on the DDP. She ordered off the regular menu. Also a Disney adult for Cape May cafe character breakfast. So while you can still order off the kids I'm sure, its likely the child will be charged adult.

 

[Lisa F]

I agree, your child over 10 will most likely get charged the adult price if it's a buffet or character meal. We just did bon voyage breakfast last week. My daughter is 10. My husband tried saying 2 adults and 1 child. The girl asked my daughter how old she was. She said 10. The girl said well your a Disney adult for the purposes of the meal. We weren't even on the DDP. She ordered off the regular menu. Also a Disney adult for Cape May cafe character breakfast. So while you can still order off the kids I'm sure, its likely the child will be charged adult.

Yes, I meant at a la carte places.

at buffets/preplated/aycte your child is an adult at 10. I think this question was about regular table service where there may not be anything on the adult menu a child likes or an adult has a smaller appetite.