Fyi

[PortieOwner]

At the rate Disney is going, once my boy turns 3 we'll have to stay off-site and eat all our meals off-site. How much of a dent can a 3 year old put in even a kid's meal, and can a 10 year old eat even half what an adult can?

Portie

 

[Mysteria]

I do not have children myself so this does not effect me. I do however think the junior pricing is a wonderful idea. Let's write to Disney and suggest it. If they don't know what people want or haven't thought of it they won't make changes.

Myst

 

[jennyf10]

This concerns me. A lot has been said on other boards about paying OOP for a 3-9 child and using their TS credit towards an adult meal. A Disney dining CM told me this was not allowed although I know from other boards that people are doing it anyway, since all of the meals are pooled, with no distinction between a child and an adult TS. What she did tell me was that I could pay OOP for my DD10 and user her credit towards an adult TS meal since I paid the adult price for her but she's young enough to qualify for children's prices. This policy will only encourage people to pay OOP for their 3-9 year olds, against Disney policy, and use the TS credit for an adult meal instead of using the plan as allowed.

 

[elgerber]

This concerns me. A lot has been said on other boards about paying OOP for a 3-9 child and using their TS credit towards an adult meal. A Disney dining CM told me this was not allowed although I know from other boards that people are doing it anyway, since all of the meals are pooled, with no distinction between a child and an adult TS. What she did tell me was that I could pay OOP for my DD10 and user her credit towards an adult TS meal since I paid the adult price for her but she's young enough to qualify for children's prices. This policy will only encourage people to pay OOP for their 3-9 year olds, against Disney policy, and use the TS credit for an adult meal instead of using the plan as allowed.

If this is why Disney is doing this, because people are using their kids TS credits as adults, then Disney needs to find a better method of doing the dining plan. They need to find a way to keep track of child vs. adult credits, rather than start charging all of us adult prices for our kids that can't eat like adults!

 

[PatsGirl]

I love the idea of a "junior" plan, but I have to say that the character meals are priced for the "character". I hate to spend the $$ on breakfast buffets where I only have coffee and maybe an english muffin or piece of fruit but I do so that my kids can see the characters. Of course, dinner is a different thing but again, if I had a choice , which of course I don't I wouldn't be eating at the buffets then either. I cannot eat $25 worth of food at any restaurant but prefer to pay for ambience and atmosphere with a nice filet for $25 than a buffet which again I'll probably eat very little (I don't really care for buffet food -- but I'm rethinking about Boma).

As for charging double for kids' plates at the counter service or non-buffet meals, this is highway robbery!!!! If I want to order chicken fingers (which will happen when he** freezes over) off the kids' menu, I want to pay $5. This policy is ridiculous -- what am I paying double for????

Just my HO -- blocking all flame-throwers

 

[Philly81]

As for charging double for kids' plates at the counter service or non-buffet meals, this is highway robbery!!!! If I want to order chicken fingers (which will happen when he** freezes over) off the kids' menu, I want to pay $5. This policy is ridiculous -- what am I paying double for????

Just my HO -- blocking all flame-throwers

No flame throwing here. I agree. Someone mentioned it's not the cost of the food consumed, it's overhead such as cleaning the table, napkins, washing the forks and knives......that add up. I'm sorry, but do you think if a person over 9 who simply is only hungry for something on a kids menu is going to cause less overhead cost than an 8 year old? I see out of respect for fine dining places that you won't all walk in and order water to drink and a kid's meal for each adult but if a person over 9 wants a cheeseburger and fries it shouldn't matter what age they are. Have they stopped giving out plates and utensils to under 9 year olds? That's silly. In fact my 80 year old mother only orders off the kid's menu due to lack of appetite sometimes. She never asks for refills but my 9 year old sure will run them to death. I just don't understand the logic. Other than another way to inflate the bill - like they need inflating. I love WDW but sometimes I hate it when they try to insult your intelligence with some of their policies.

 

[hookedonthemagic]

I too, have a 10 year old that eats like a bird. We just returned from WDW in May and I can't even imagine paying adult menu prices for him. We ate at San Angel and he barely even ate the chicken strips! We will never do a buffet again! It was already highway robbery for the amount of food he ate, but UGH!
Here's my suggestion:
McDonald's and Burger King both have a "big kids" menu that has slightly larger portions than the regular kids menu but not as big as the adult portions. I don't think Disney would have a revolt if we were given a more feasible option such as that.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks Philly81 for backing me up on this one. And your "senior" example only goes to prove the point -- anyone who cannot eat the portions served today or chooses not to should pay only the price the establishment has determined to charge for that particular meal. Of course, restaurants should be charging a fair price for their kids' "size" meals and making them available to everyone.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I eat just a little bit more than my son and my son doesn't eat that much either. And that is why we don't do too much sit down dining because it is not worth it to us, especially to do a buffet. We only go once to the bar and the plate would be half full. We do more counter service, this way, I can also order a kids' meal. They wouldn't know if I have 3 children or 2. I usually let my children just have a seat rather than drag them with me in line.

I wonder what's next. Maybe next time Disney will start charging extra if the child is 10 and over and there's already 2 adults in the room.

 

[mlwear]

First, thanks for the information. I did not know and will have to make some changes in AR's for our August trip. $25 for a child to eat from a buffet is crazy. We did purchase the dining plan. I was planning to pay OOP for my kids and use their TS credits at other meals. One DS is 10 years. So, I will have to recalculate and make decisions.
I do have a few thoughts on the many replies...first my 7 year old eats way more from a buffet than my 10 year old. (So, I guess we'll get our $ worth afterall ) I did think the whole dining plan seemed odd -- we had to pay for the 10 year old to have adult meals, but he still qualified to eat as a child. I agree completely with the comment of the our children overeating. Of course you can control it to some extent, but the TS for my 10 year old includes appetizer, entree and dessert! This is too much food for an adult IMO, let alone a child. But, honestly, we'll probably order it because we paid for it.
As far as kids meals for adults...I am in the minority on this one. For TS, I don't think adults should be able to order from the kids menu. I think the kids menu is more of an enticement to get parents in the restaurant. The restaurant plans on making the $ on the adult meals not the kid meals. Usually the kids meals aren't priced fairly, but at a discount. I also don't think people should just order a dessert or coffee and linger over it forever when the restaurant is busy and others are waiting for the table. Just MHO. I know others will disagree. I do think there should be a seniors menu, though. I know I am contradicting myself a bit. But, these menus still are priced higher than a kids meal and it is just respectful.
So for all of us who thought we might be able to side step the system with those meal credits by paying OOP for our 10 year old and up kids, I guess Disney figured us out. I bet it isn't long before the child and adult credtis aren't put all together without distinction either.

 

[Lizzybee]

My 11 yr old is very small for his age, although he eats a good variety of healthy foods, he doesn't eat huge quantities. He also happens to be very "socially conscious" and has a problem ordering from kids menus when they specify an age (example last night I took my parents and two kids to Outback Steakhouse...ok I am NOT going to pay $20 for my son's dinner, his solution...he ordered an appetizer, he adores coconut shrimp anyway). He can be very touchy about his size though (unless it means winning a prize at Great America then he doesn't care if they guess that he's 8) so I'd hate to have an issue at a restaurant with how old he looks and how old he is. He got stopped at Epcot because they didn't think my son looked old enough to be using a ticket for 10 and over. It's a shame that it's like this but we pretty much just go to Counter Service where anyone can order anything and pay for the food they want. I don't know when we'll be back at WDW and how old he be by then, maybe my 7 yr old will be old enough to have to pay adult prices for by then.

 

[jgreen]

So for all of us who thought we might be able to side step the system with those meal credits by paying OOP for our 10 year old and up kids, I guess Disney figured us out. I bet it isn't long before the child and adult credtis aren't put all together without distinction either.

My plans weren't so much trying to sidestep the system as it was to pay what I consider to be a fair price to what was ordered and eaten. For arguments sake, take the free out of the dining plan for a moment. Our family with DS11 and DD8 were going to go to WDW this late August-early September regardless, and were planning to book with the dining option. DS qualified as an adult and would be charged $35/day as would my wife and I. Ds is an extremely picky and light eater. This being the case why should I expect him to order off the adult menu, and with an appetizer and dessert to boot. The food would just go to waste.

My plan was to pay OOP for DS and have him order off the child's menu along with DD. Then we would use the saved TS credits to use towards a Signature dining experience. Why should this be wrong? Wouldn't I have been paying the adult price, and thus be entitled to use it for an adult purpose.

It just so happens to just prior to booking our trip through our TA that Disney came out with the free dining offer. Why should this change anything. Just IMHO.

Now I figure to do what I want to do, I will feed DS at a counter service place so he can have his burger, or chicken fingers, PBJ, etc., and then he goes in with us to the restaurant of our choice and while DW, DD, and I order our regular meals he can just drink my non-alcoholic beverage and have a dessert . I don't feel by doing this we would be keeping the table from someone waiting to eat as we would not be lingering over just coffee and dessert.

 

[LARABABE]

I have to join in on this one, too. I agree Disney needs a junior option....We just got back , LOVE to eat at Boma and do on every vist. This time when we checked in for our PS we were told that our DS12 would be charged the same as adults, $24.99!!! We said fine, but I was thinking that $24.99 is a lot of money for mac n cheese and some fries.....When our server came to the table I told her our son would only be eating a small amount of mac n cheese and some fries, was there anyway that he could be charged the kids price, $10.99 (still a lot for this amount of food) She explained the rules and said she'd see what she could do. After many trips past out table looking at what our son had eatten, she brought our bill and said her manager OK'd the kids price. I was really pleased and I tipped her well, but it shouldn't be that hard. I think if a child eats like a bird then, at least thru 12 years old, they should be able to get a kids meal...I think they want everyone to start buying the "my way dining plan"...

Those staying off-site are not allowed to use the Magic My Way Dining Plan...right? I think they want to force us into staying on-site.

 

[clombardi]

Well, I just changed a bunch of character meals to sit down meals so that I don't have to pay adult buffet price for my 11 year old daughter. Now, I just have to hope that they will still let her order from the kid's menu at the sit downs.

Ugghh! Leaving in 15 days and the air in my balloon is slowing leaking. If I just had the willpower to stay away from the DIS until I get back, I might have a chance of still being excited for the trip!

 

[TDC Nala]

Sometimes I'm not interested in eating a whole lot at table service places, so I'll order an appetizer.

Couldn't get away with that at buffets though.

 

[mlwear]

My plans weren't so much trying to sidestep the system as it was to pay what I consider to be a fair price to what was ordered and eaten. For arguments sake, take the free out of the dining plan for a moment. Our family with DS11 and DD8 were going to go to WDW this late August-early September regardless, and were planning to book with the dining option. DS qualified as an adult and would be charged $35/day as would my wife and I. Ds is an extremely picky and light eater. This being the case why should I expect him to order off the adult menu, and with an appetizer and dessert to boot. The food would just go to waste.

My plan was to pay OOP for DS and have him order off the child's menu along with DD. Then we would use the saved TS credits to use towards a Signature dining experience. Why should this be wrong? Wouldn't I have been paying the adult price, and thus be entitled to use it for an adult purpose.

It just so happens to just prior to booking our trip through our TA that Disney came out with the free dining offer. Why should this change anything. Just IMHO.

Now I figure to do what I want to do, I will feed DS at a counter service place so he can have his burger, or chicken fingers, PBJ, etc., and then he goes in with us to the restaurant of our choice and while DW, DD, and I order our regular meals he can just drink my non-alcoholic beverage and have a dessert . I don't feel by doing this we would be keeping the table from someone waiting to eat as we would not be lingering over just coffee and dessert.

Well, maybe sidestep wasn't the right word. We weren't trying to get anything for free (BTW, out trip doesn't fall during free dining plan, not sure if yours does or not and it doesn't matter), but we were planning on a Character Breakfast and buffet that we would pay OOP for kids and then, we too, would use extra credits for signature (Spirit of Aloha). I even thought about having 10 year old order from kids menu at another TS or two and giving/sharing my dessert with him and doing another signature. I have it all calculated, would have to look at my tally marks to see exactly what I had figured I'm with you, food is going to go to waste. Our family usually shares one appetizer OR one or two desserts we never get both and never that much.

Let me clarify one thing. I think it is OK to linger over coffee and dessert if you had a meal, but if a place is crowded and you go in ONLY for a coffee and dessert running up a tab of less than $10, then I personally don't think it is fair to keep the table from others for a long period. 1) the waiter doesn't make much tip $, 2) the restaurant is not making $ 3) others are waiting. IMHO. But, if you have a have a meal...enjoy.

 

[Acklander]

As for charging double for kids' plates at the counter service or non-buffet meals, this is highway robbery!!!! If I want to order chicken fingers (which will happen when he** freezes over) off the kids' menu, I want to pay $5. This policy is ridiculous -- what am I paying double for????

Just my HO -- blocking all flame-throwers

You wouldn't be paying double for a kid's meal at a counter service - you just go up and buy the kid's meal and pay the price listed on the menu. They don't see who eats it. It's when you sit at a table and are waited on that you pay double for the kid's meal if you're over the age listed on the menu. While I wouldn't pay double for a kid's meal at a sit down restaurant, I know there are many restaurants that won't even let you order off of a kid's menu unless you were in the age range stated. So I guess that leaves it as a personal choice. For those with kids that are light eaters, can't they just share a meal with another child or with one of the adults at the Table service restaurants without extra fees? Disney has lots of choices as far as restaurants go, I guess you just have to pick the ones that work for you and your family's appetites. If your kids are light eaters, or will only eat chicken fingers, just do the counter service restaurants, they don't need a full table service restaurant for that.

 

[mlwear]

Well, I just changed a bunch of character meals to sit down meals so that I don't have to pay adult buffet price for my 11 year old daughter. Now, I just have to hope that they will still let her order from the kid's menu at the sit downs.

Ugghh! Leaving in 15 days and the air in my balloon is slowing leaking. If I just had the willpower to stay away from the DIS until I get back, I might have a chance of still being excited for the trip!

Will you let us know if you were charged kid or adult price for 11 year old on those character meals?

 

[Angelgirl13202]

So I guess that leaves it as a personal choice. For those with kids that are light eaters, can't they just share a meal with another child or with one of the adults at the Table service restaurants without extra fees? Disney has lots of choices as far as restaurants go, I guess you just have to pick the ones that work for you and your family's appetites. If your kids are light eaters, or will only eat chicken fingers, just do the counter service restaurants, they don't need a full table service restaurant for that.

So your saying if a parent has a pickey eater they should get cheated out of a table service. who is going to go on vacation know these restarants are thier and want to eat their but say oh we cant Little susy wont eat enough to be worth the money. that is the whole point of a childs menu. Personally I think the age should be 18 for a childs menu as you are still legally a child until your 18th birthday. But still even for those familys like mine who all but one person wants to eat at a certain place should that one person have to eat on thier own at a cs restarant and than do something on thier own while thier family finishes dinner at the nice sit down restarant that they didnt think they would like the food. What if the adult isnt an adventuarus adult and only eats chicken and burgers like a child would. Disney is wrong for charging double espesially to a 10 year old. My sister is ten and I know how much she eats certanly not 25 dolllars worth like at a buffet.

 

[clombardi]

Will you let us know if you were charged kid or adult price for 11 year old on those character meals?

I'll definitely let you know everything when we get back.