Fussy Kids Effecting Restaurant Kid Menus? Are Parents to Blame?

[CHEMISTSP]

So I just watched the new WDW Discussion (04/24/2018) and found their discussion about their Best & Worst Restaurants on site really interesting. During the dialogue, Corey mentioned his experience at the Skipper Canteen, where there was "nothing for his kids to eat" (he stated that he stopped at a fast food restaurant afterwards). In a previous episode last year, Julie trashed the new Pecos Bill's menu because "there was nothing on their menu for her kids to eat". I do not mention Julie & Corey to single them out specifically because I genuinely appreciate the family perspective they bring when discussing topics (as no one else in the current group on DIS has younger children). Instead, in this case, Corey & Julie are examples of families that have children that seem to eat very limited things (which I know is very common). That said, kid menus are greatly effected because of these fussy kids - where it seems every kid menu has chicken nuggets or strips, macaroni & cheese, a Crustable sandwich and burgers as their only choices. I would argue that I wish there was MORE variety for kid menus.

I am blessed with 3 sons (17, 15 & 11). I raised my older boys with a wide variety of food of different nationalities from a young age. My youngest is my step son, and he definitely falls into the category of the fussy kid that will only eat chicken fingers everywhere we go. He was exposed to as many foods growing up and he has always been allowed to fall back on safe choices and not forced to try other varieties of food. In contrast, when my sons were younger, I had them eating off of my plate at restaurants because the kid menu selections were always the same distilled choices we constantly see. Now that my sons are older, they no longer eat off of kid menus. But for those of you that have younger children that still do, are their any parents that wish the kid menus had some better selections and don't suffer because other people have fussy kids? Is it not up to the parent to diversify their children's pallet instead of kowtowing to the 3 things they like?

 

[mom2rtk]

First, I don't think kids who tend to like a limited number of things are "fussy".

Every kid is different. My kids have all been exposed to the same foods, yet one of them is more limited in what they like. I didn't expose them to different rules or choices. Just different kids.

Honestly, if someone eats at a restaurant without checking the menu ahead of time, they get what they get. That goes for those who don't find the "safe" choices they want as well as for those who think the choices are too limited.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I definitely find the kid's choices to be limited. My boys (11 and 8) don't mind chicken fingers or pizza once in awhile, but they certainly don't want those for every meal. They usually want to order off the adult menu, but I hate paying the adult price when I know they can't finish the portion size. The perfect solution, IMO, would be for every restaurant to allow kids to order a child size portion (at a reduced price) of every adult meal on the menu.

 

[NMAmy]

Yes, the menus are way too limited. I really wish they had more vegetarian options for both kids and adults. It's made finding a CS that works for both DH and I (omnivores) and DD's family (vegetarians) quite difficult.

I don't know that I blame parents, though. I think that even kids that are exposed to a lot of different foods can go through fussy stages. And when kids are outside their usual routines, say at a theme park vacation, they can tend to balk at unfamiliar foods and want their old favorites.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I wouldn't necessary call kids who don't eat a wide variety of adult food fussy because I think they are the norm and kids who will try a wide variety of things the exception. I exposed my kids to a wide variety of foods when they were little. As very young toddlers they were eating things like hummus and a wide variety of vegetables. All 3 of them stopped eating anything adult or complex or with any spice other than chili powder for many years. My two oldest started eating more complex foods again at around 6 or 7 but still won't touch anything with spice. It just takes time to develop their palates. In some cases it's a slow process (and some never diversify).

I think Disney needs to cater to typical kids palates. I do see a lot of places that will have 1 meal that's a little more adventurous (which I applaud) and you can always order them an adult meal or let them eat off your plate.

I wish Epcot had more typical kid options at the QS places. There are so many I want to eat at and can't because the kids options are too limited and have more adventurous options. We'd have to go to two different places for lunch which just isn't happening.

 

[pixiemama91]

I have 2 kids and one is very adventurous and the other not quite so much so I think it can be just as much the kids preference vs. the menu. My oldest who is 8 often times now eats off the regular menu but will still choose the kids menu as well. she is adventurous and eats more like an adult than a kid but my youngest is more picky. Neither usually eat huge portions they are both more of a snacker than sitting for a larger meal. Both raised with the same foods.

I would like to see restaurants move away from the traditional kids menu and just offer smaller "kid sized" portions of their regular menu items. They can still have the some of the staple items like pizza or chicken nuggets.

 

[Lovetherodent]

Interesting question. I do lean toward the side of "blaming," for lack of a better word, parents for kids who are very fussy eaters. (Is it safe to assume we're not talking about toddler's here but preschool and school aged kids? Cuz toddlers can love something one day and hate it the next.) However, were I the kind of parent who catered to my kids' whims, I would probably be one to check menus before hand and not take the kiddos to places where everything was "yucky." Even as adults we all have food preferences, but we've learned (and if we learned it, somebody taught it) to adjust, to find something on the menu we can eat. Maybe your kid doesn't like broccoli in his mac and cheese (an item on the Skipper's kids menu). I am also not a fan and realize you can't make anybody like broccoli. But at some point, shouldn't you have been encouraged to pick out the broccoli instead of going hungry? I get fast food after dinner when you went to some relatives house and the one choice wasn't going to cut it (had a sister in law who tried to serve rare turkey once - McDonald's, here we come), but there are always choices at a restaurant, especially a Disney restaurant. Skipper has 5 items on the kids menu, and one is the very ordinary chicken noodle soup.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think CS restaurant are between a rock and a hard place in terms of menu selections for kids. They need to keep staples that most kids will eat, keep the costs low because how many parents buy lunch and toss most away after the kid only has two bites? And they need to be fast.

The TS restaurants seem to have a balance, IMO, nuggets, Mac and Cheese and something that is in line with the adult menu.

WHen my DGD was younger she was always allowed to order what she wanted, but she had to eat what she ordered. If she wanted steak, we ordered her the adult meal. We did nto expect her to eat an adult portion, but best not put her nose up at it when the meal arrived. If she wanted the kids meals, nuggets, or her personal favorite (still is at 16 BTW) Mickey Mac anc Cheese, she got that.

I kind of resent people insisting that kids who have preferences are picky, and that there is somehow a blame to be attached to that. I am still one of those "clean plate club" folks whose parents insisted I eat what in front of me, and boy, was that a mistake! As adults, we should be responsible for where we choose to eat. WHy choose a restaurant known for "exotic" cuisine if you knwo there are members of your family, adults or children, who will not find anything they like? Pick a restaurnt everyone enjoys, and problem solved.

 

[skittles67]

Yes, they need better choices for the kids menu! Our DD will order an adult entree because she does not like chicken nuggets/tenders or those crustable things. Her idea of a perfect meal is a steak, baked potato, and broccoli. Oh and throw in some crab legs and she is in heaven!

 

[loves to dive]

I think it depends on the kid really. My honey will only eat meat and starch, no vegetables for him. Every once in a while he will eat a salad with steak in it and on holidays will eat corn or green beans but that is it. Potatoes and white rice are his sides of choice and if he is eating a baked potatoe better not put any sour cream near it. His parents don't eat like that, they are country folk and vegetables are always on the table. It's just his palette. My son, will eat just about anything you put in front of him and almost always was like that. He did go through phases when he was a toddler, every day for lunch for about 6 months he had to have ham and bean soup and watermelon, every. single. day. He went through a phase when he had to have a hot dog for lunch every day, now he rarely eats hot dogs. I didn't look at menus before we went somewhere to eat, if there wasn't a kid's menu he ate something off my plate. When I was growing up you ate what was on the table or you didn't eat. Mama didn't cook anything special for any of us, we had 6 kids and that would have been next to impossible. I didn't like mushrooms (love them now) and she put them in spaghetti sauce so on spaghetti night I had salad, bread and noodles with butter on them. That was what was on the table. On the nights she made hamburger steak with mushroom gravy, I ate the vegetables that she cooked and no meat. I also didn't like casseroles, she made a lot of those and sometimes those didn't come with vegetables on the side but she always made a salad so those nights I ate salad and bread. I don't think there is anything wrong with having picky kids, you get them to taste something and if they don't like it, they don't like it, you can't force someone to like something. I'm not a fan of fried food, I wouldn't expect my family to not eat somewhere that had it just because I don't like it, there is always something on the menu that even picky people can eat.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Yes, they need better choices for the kids menu! Our DD will order an adult entree because she does not like chicken nuggets/tenders or those crustable things. Her idea of a perfect meal is a steak, baked potato, and broccoli. Oh and throw in some crab legs and she is in heaven!

I think your DD and my DS11 must be soulmates! He would eat those exact things for every meal. He would also do scallops and brussel sprouts with the steak and potato

 

[DLgal]

For starters, Cory and Julie have a son with Down's syndrome, and kids with developmental disabilities often have food aversions or difficulties eating. As a parent of two autistic children who have food PREFERENCES and various aversions, I have learned to never judge either a picky eater or the parents of one. You never know why a kid is picky, but there is solid reasoning behind why so many kids who won't eat much else WILL eat chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, pizza, hamburgers. It's essentially down to blandness, textures, and ease of chewing.

Heck, one of my sons is such a supertaster, he will only eat certain foods the day you open the package because he can detect the "aging" (oxidation) that happens once something has been opened and the flavors start to go "off." Blows my mind, and makes things quite difficult.

I appreciate WDW's kids menus or we would never eat at any TS restaurants. As it stands, we can't eat as a family at many of my favorites because of their kids menu options.

 

[quandrea]

First, I don't think kids who tend to like a limited number of things are "fussy".

Every kid is different. My kids have all been exposed to the same foods, yet one of them is more limited in what they like. I didn't expose them to different rules or choices. Just different kids.

Honestly, if someone eats at a restaurant without checking the menu ahead of time, they get what they get. That goes for those who don't find the "safe" choices they want as well as for those who think the choices are too limited.

I agree with this. I cook a wide variety of foods—used to be a caterer—so I know my way around a kitchen. My kids all have different likes and dislikes. One daughter is destined to be vegetarian, my son hates fruit, but loves all veggies, my eldest eats pretty much anything. My son is the toughest. Getting enough plant based food into him is tough. They’ve all been raised the same, but each presents his or her own challenges.

 

[Minniemouse07]

For starters, Cory and Julie have a son with Down's syndrome, and kids with developmental disabilities often have food aversions or difficulties eating. As a parent of two autistic children who have food PREFERENCES and various aversions, I have learned to never judge either a picky eater or the parents of one. You never know why a kid is picky, but there is solid reasoning behind why so many kids who won't eat much else WILL eat chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, pizza, hamburgers. It's essentially down to blandness, textures, and ease of chewing.

Heck, one of my sons is such a supertaster, he will only eat certain foods the day you open the package because he can detect the "aging" (oxidation) that happens once something has been opened and the flavors start to go "off." Blows my mind, and makes things quite difficult.

I appreciate WDW's kids menus or we would never eat at any TS restaurants. As it stands, we can't eat as a family at many of my favorites because of their kids menu options.

My 12 year old is autistic and also has very defined food preferences and aversions. He doesn't eat meat of any kind, mostly because of sensory issues w/ it...but will eat his weight in broccoli, corn, peas, or cauliflower!

I scour the menus looking for pasta, pizza (not flatbread), grilled cheese, & quesadillas... you would be surprised how few menus have at least one of these items on them. FWIW, not one CS in MK has any of these outside of BOG, which is really a hybrid CS/TS and difficult to walk up to. On our two MK days we are opting for the Plaza so he can have grilled cheese.

My family just doesn't eat at many of the popular restaurants because of their limited offerings. No Ohana, Hoop De Doo, Skipper Canteen, Satu’li Canteen, etc and many times our TS meals are mixtures of different locations so the adults aren't restricted in their choices. When he was younger we opted for buffets so the adults could have a wider choice and there was always pasta somewhere...but at 12yo we are now paying adult dinner charges and I can't bring myself to pay $40+ for a plate of pasta for him.

Personally, I would love it if every restaurant would be required to have at least one of those four things. Some posts here are complaining about chicken nuggets and burgers everywhere...and neither choice helps us at all. It really isn't hard to make sure you have some kind of plain pasta available.

Thankfully, breakfast isn't too much of an issue because ds is a huge fan of pancakes and waffles

 

[IceQueen182]

I wouldn't necessary call kids who don't eat a wide variety of adult food fussy because I think they are the norm and kids who will try a wide variety of things the exception. I exposed my kids to a wide variety of foods when they were little. As very young toddlers they were eating things like hummus and a wide variety of vegetables. All 3 of them stopped eating anything adult or complex or with any spice other than chili powder for many years. My two oldest started eating more complex foods again at around 6 or 7 but still won't touch anything with spice. It just takes time to develop their palates. In some cases it's a slow process (and some never diversify).

I think Disney needs to cater to typical kids palates. I do see a lot of places that will have 1 meal that's a little more adventurous (which I applaud) and you can always order them an adult meal or let them eat off your plate.

I wish Epcot had more typical kid options at the QS places. There are so many I want to eat at and can't because the kids options are too limited and have more adventurous options. We'd have to go to two different places for lunch which just isn't happening.

I agree with all of this- my kids were both exposed to a wide variety of foods from very early ages. My DD 6 became very particular about what she'll eat, and my DS 2 is more adventurous. Different kids, different tastes. I don't think it's anything to "blame" someone for, it's letting kids develop their own preferences (so long as they are eating healthy!). I like how Disney has the Mickey Check menus, which tend to have more interesting choices, and "regular" kids meals available - it would be great if all of the restaurants were structured with at least a few basic options like cheese pizza. We check menus beforehand, and if there isn't anything I think my DD will even try on the menu, we go elsewhere.

 

[DLgal]

My 12 year old is autistic and also has very defined food preferences and aversions. He doesn't eat meat of any kind, mostly because of sensory issues w/ it...but will eat his weight in broccoli, corn, peas, or cauliflower!

I scour the menus looking for pasta, pizza (not flatbread), grilled cheese, & quesadillas... you would be surprised how few menus have at least one of these items on them. FWIW, not one CS in MK has any of these outside of BOG, which is really a hybrid CS/TS and difficult to walk up to. On our two MK days we are opting for the Plaza so he can have grilled cheese.

My family just doesn't eat at many of the popular restaurants because of their limited offerings. No Ohana, Hoop De Doo, Skipper Canteen, Satu’li Canteen, etc and many times our TS meals are mixtures of different locations so the adults aren't restricted in their choices. When he was younger we opted for buffets so the adults could have a wider choice and there was always pasta somewhere...but at 12yo we are now paying adult dinner charges and I can't bring myself to pay $40+ for a plate of pasta for him.

Personally, I would love it if every restaurant would be required to have at least one of those four things. Some posts here are complaining about chicken nuggets and burgers everywhere...and neither choice helps us at all. It really isn't hard to make sure you have some kind of plain pasta available.

Thankfully, breakfast isn't too much of an issue because ds is a huge fan of pancakes and waffles

Your son sounds like my oldest. No meat, prefers carbs, cheese, and veggies.

My youngest is the total opposite ...likes meat, fruits, and bread only, will NOT eat pasta or rice or cheese. He only recently started eating pizza at age 12 (hallelujah!).

Eating out is an ordeal. If a restaurant has hamburgers and chicken tenders (older son won't eat those really), it won't also have pizza or mac and cheese. And vice versa. It sucks when a kids menu has something one kid will eat but not the other and WDW has a LOT of those restaurants.

I always wonder if people who complain about the kids menus actually LOOK at all of them, because there are more than a handful with items like steak, grilled fish, grilled chicken, etc. as the ONLY types of options.

We could probably go to Ohana (finally) because my one son would love the noodles and veggies and the other would love the pineapple bread and grilled chicken, but I can't stomach paying $40+ for that meal for what little they will eat.

 

[Nancyg56]

There are so many restaurants in wdw. They all should not have the same options, although I understand why it would be nice.

I look at restaurant menus in much the same way I look at resort choices, etc. if I have a consideration in my family I need to make a choice: pay for it or Compromise. I do not see that people with preference are picky or fussy, and I don't "blame" anyone for any of it.

I have three adult children, all married. I still cannot remember what any one of them would or would not eat, but would remember one hated fish, another would not touch one piece of food with her fingers( I know that one, at 40 she still won't)

We refrain from choosing anywhere that does not have non seafood on the menu. We don't shame anyone for preferring one kind of Mac and cheese over another, and we pay if one of the kids wants something on the regular menu, although if you do your research, there are plenty of choice that have "real" food.

Disney cannot win. They have added and subtracted from kids menus only to be inundated with complaints from the "other" side. Too exotic, not fresh, not healthy, too bland, too expensive, to prepackaged, too generic, not unique.

I say manage your own family, stop worrying about how others choices might have impacted your family. Odds are pretty good those folks are wondering if your choices impacted them. If you need to address specific concerns regarding a food allergy or texture issue, Disney is awesome. If you simply want more choices than the restaurants you are looking at offer, decide what is more important: atmosphere or dinner. I still remember a person whose traveling companion wanted seafood, he did not. He wanted Cape May Cafe, but would not eat anything on the buffet( he really wanted his meal prepared ala minute, but wanted CMC too. That's where decision making is key, imo

 

[mombrontrent]

My issue with the kids meals is that they rarely offer a vegetarian choice and often if they do it’s most likely an uncrustable which my daughter never liked. So what usually happened is me and her would split an adult meal as it was always enough to split but then we’d have to agree on a choice. She’s usually very easy going and willing to eat almost anything so that helps. It still would be nice if all kids menus offered at least one veggie choice, TS and CS. She doesn’t really like cheese and most kid options without meat are usually Mac and cheese, cheese pizza, grilled cheese ect. Which never helped her.

 

[MamaJessie]

I would like to see restaurants move away from the traditional kids menu and just offer smaller "kid sized" portions of their regular menu items. They can still have the some of the staple items like pizza or chicken nuggets.

That would be GREAT. When my now 11 yo had her last trip as a Disney kid with the Disney dining plan she was so frustrated eating kid food the whole time. She preferred the QS because at least she could find some interesting food.

A 'junior' portion of menu items seems so easy to accomplish!

I make dinner for the whole family so my kids eat a variety of foods, never catered to a 'chicken nugget mac and cheese' life. I don't really care what other people do though.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I don't think it fully binary.

Kids, like anyone else, do have preferences. I can tell you stories about my sister in law, who is a grown woman, and the litany of things she won't touch vs. the short list of things that are okay. Her brother is totally different in that regard, so I don't know that it's anything to do with exposure.

That said, a lot of people and a lot of parents don't expose their kids to much. I remember when I was young on a camp out, one of the dads insisted his girls be given hamburgers, rather than the steaks we were making for the rest of the troop and parents, because he'd told the girls "they wouldn't like steak" because they didn't want to buy it for the girls regularly while the adults ate it (cost). Or parents who hesitate to let kids try new stuff because they might not like it and they'll have to get them something else. I know parents who believe that nuggets are what you feed kids, and somehow magically at puberty the kids will want sushi and kombucha.

The thing is, stuff like nuggets doesn't take exposure or multiple tastes to decide if one likes them. They are salty and breaded! Salt tastes good! A good number of the "dumb foods" fall into that category, where they don't even necessarily qualify for how with infants you need to have them try things at least 3 times before throwing up your hands about them liking it or not.

I always note that the average child in any number of non-US nations does not think chicken nuggets are a dietary staple, so there is absolutely an element of culture, exposure and socialization, even in preferences.