Interesting Info On Disney's Site about Kids and Ordering from Kids' Menu

[Susan555]

On the pop-up page that explains the dining plan in the online booking engine, it states:

***Dining must be purchased for each package night. Children ages 3-9 are limited to the Children's Menu at table-service restaurants, if one is available.

Is this simply outdated information? I thought I recalled the online pdf brochure stating that kids menus must be used at ALL restaurants, both TS, and CS, if children are 3-9. Perhaps this is one of the sources of people's confusion regarding what is and is not acceptable in using the DDP.

 

[square pond]

That is very interesting?? You might take it to mean that kids 3-9 have to order off the kids menu at Table service but can order anything on the counter service menus?? Wouldn't that be awesome!!!!

 

[trspohr]

HMMM....I never read the fine print. I know that I have seen the CS thing someplace before, but not sure where. I think I am going to do a little digging.

 

[jdd]

On the pop-up page that explains the dining plan in the online booking engine, it states:

***Dining must be purchased for each package night. Children ages 3-9 are limited to the Children's Menu at table-service restaurants, if one is available.

Is this simply outdated information? I thought I recalled the online pdf brochure stating that kids menus must be used at ALL restaurants, both TS, and CS, if children are 3-9. Perhaps this is one of the sources of people's confusion regarding what is and is not acceptable in using the DDP.

I just read this too! Wouldn't that be awesome! My decision about DDP would be made!

 

[klynn]

I am here right now on the DDP. According to the DDP brochure I received at check-in it states "Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children's menu where available". It states this under Quick Service Meals, Table Service Meals, Sginature/Private Dining, and Character Dining.

 

[Tiffany]

On the pop-up page that explains the dining plan in the online booking engine, it states:

***Dining must be purchased for each package night. Children ages 3-9 are limited to the Children's Menu at table-service restaurants, if one is available.

Is this simply outdated information? I thought I recalled the online pdf brochure stating that kids menus must be used at ALL restaurants, both TS, and CS, if children are 3-9. Perhaps this is one of the sources of people's confusion regarding what is and is not acceptable in using the DDP.

The PDF brouchure that is on the Disney site states the following on the FAQ page.
Q. Can guests ages 3-9 order anything off the menu?
A. No. Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children's menu, where available. Many children's menus offer healthy options in addition to kid favorites.

 

[bicker]

I thought I recalled the online pdf brochure stating that kids menus must be used at ALL restaurants, both TS, and CS, if children are 3-9.

This is what you're remembering:

 

[jdd]

Let me ask a question here. There are several menus I've seen that have nothing my kids would eat. There is one with Just Dip It - which is fruit, vegetables and chicken salad (I don't think it's a sandwich, just the chx salad!?) Anyway, I can't imagine any child liking this. That said, this would be fine for me for a light lunch.

So, here's my question. We have 2 adults and 2 children - if we order 2 adult and 2 child meals, does it matter who eats what? My 9 year old is on the child's plan, and would love an adult meal, and I would eat the Just Dip It. I've heard that Disney is okay with people sharing, so is this okay too? Do we have to pretend my son is ordering the child's meal, and then switch when no one is looking? That starts to feel like it's sneaky....

 

[KariC]

I am sure that you could do that. I don't think that it is dishonest (and, for the record, I am an incredibly honest person...often to my detriment). You have paid for those 4 meals, how they are consumed is up to you. Let's face it....if we parents can't "make" our children eat something, Disney can't either. And, it never seems to fail that whenever/wherever we go out to eat, I lose at least half of my meal to a 4 year old (or two), and I have to nibble off the kids' meals to fill up!

Have fun! I don't think the DDP will be confusing once you are there.

 

[jdd]

Thanks! I don't want to seem like I'm trying to "pull something over" on anyone. You're right, we'll probably all end up sharing everything anyway. We're also travelling with a two year old who will probably share for many of the meals.

Another question, does Disney let you pay the difference (OOP) between a child's meal and an adult? I certainly wouldn't mind doing this. For example, it seems like most CS kids' meals are $3.99, and the adult stuff runs around $6-7. I'd be happy to pay the additional $2-3 to get my son a hamburger or chicken strips. (4 chicken nuggets for a 9-year old just isn't going to cut it)

Just a thought...

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Thanks! I don't want to seem like I'm trying to "pull something over" on anyone. You're right, we'll probably all end up sharing everything anyway. We're also travelling with a two year old who will probably share for many of the meals.

Another question, does Disney let you pay the difference (OOP) between a child's meal and an adult? I certainly wouldn't mind doing this. For example, it seems like most CS kids' meals are $3.99, and the adult stuff runs around $6-7. I'd be happy to pay the additional $2-3 to get my son a hamburger or chicken strips. (4 chicken nuggets for a 9-year old just isn't going to cut it)

Just a thought...

That would make it easier for me, but I do not see that happening. My children will be turning 8 & 9 during our trip and they are not happy at all with their limited choices at CS.

 

[salmoneous]

No problem with using "adult CS credits" to feed a kid. I spent many a CS credit getting a double cheesburger and sharing it with my nephew.

But there is no way to "pay the difference" to upgrade a child's CS to adult.

 

[DaveO]

No problem with using "adult CS credits" to feed a kid. I spent many a CS credit getting a double cheesburger and sharing it with my nephew.

But there is no way to "pay the difference" to upgrade a child's CS to adult.

Not technically ... but my plan in two weeks is to order the kids meals for the drinks and snacks then order side of chicken fingers for them to split. It will cost me about $4 to upgrade.

Dave O.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Not technically ... but my plan in two weeks is to order the kids meals for the drinks and snacks then order side of chicken fingers for them to split. It will cost me about $4 to upgrade.

Dave O.

Great idea!!! I did not know you could just buy the main item. Have you had alot of success in doing this?

 

[jdd]

No problem with using "adult CS credits" to feed a kid. I spent many a CS credit getting a double cheesburger and sharing it with my nephew.

Good idea - I have a feeling we're just all going to be sharing this trip Nothing wrong with that.

Some other ideas I had were to make sure we hit the CS restaurants that are a little more "kid friendly". We're definitely doing Pizza Planet at MGM - kids can get pizza here! And our resort (CBR) has great choices at the food court. I just need to be a little more creative this year!

 

[bicker]

does it matter who eats what?

No.

I've heard that Disney is okay with people sharing, so is this okay too?

That has generally been the case in the past. There have been uncorroberated rumblings that that is no longer the case, but I personally doubt that any significant number of restaurants themselves won't grant a waiver from such a policy, if one is actually put forth, for anyone who wants one.

Do we have to pretend my son is ordering the child's meal, and then switch when no one is looking?

I think something in-between would work fine: "My son will order XXX and I'll eat it, and I'll order YYY and my son will eat that." They either allow the swapping or they don't (and again, my understanding is that most if not all restaurants do) ... they won't make you play hide and seek with the plates.

 

[december]

Most of the counter service places have such big servings that 2 can share and be satisfied. Next trip will be me, my son (an "adult" at 10) and my dd who will be 8. I plan to order 2 different adult meals and 1 kids meal. That way we'll all have a drink, and we get to sample several different entrees. We will still throw away alot of food at most places.

 

[frndofpooh]

Let me ask a question here. There are several menus I've seen that have nothing my kids would eat. There is one with Just Dip It - which is fruit, vegetables and chicken salad (I don't think it's a sandwich, just the chx salad!?) Anyway, I can't imagine any child liking this. That said, this would be fine for me for a light lunch.

So, here's my question. We have 2 adults and 2 children - if we order 2 adult and 2 child meals, does it matter who eats what? My 9 year old is on the child's plan, and would love an adult meal, and I would eat the Just Dip It. I've heard that Disney is okay with people sharing, so is this okay too? Do we have to pretend my son is ordering the child's meal, and then switch when no one is looking? That starts to feel like it's sneaky....

FYI - the Just Dip It is gone from most (if not all) of the menus now. They changed them around the beginning of December, and Just Dip It was one of the casualties. Sad - my kids would have liked that more than the replacements!

We were in a situation quite like yours - we have a 9 y/o son who eats more than I do. We regularly switched plates at meals once we saw the portion sizes. The kids meals were just too small for him - he's not a pig, but he's a swimmer and any mother of one of those can tell you that they will eat you out of house and home!!! . We did not think switching was sneaky at all and certainly never got a second glance from the servers. We had paid for two child meals and two adult meals and that is what was brought to the table. It's no skin off their nose who eats what.

Have a great time on your trip!

 

[jdd]

FYI - the Just Dip It is gone from most (if not all) of the menus now. They changed them around the beginning of December, and Just Dip It was one of the casualties. Sad - my kids would have liked that more than the replacements!

We were in a situation quite like yours - we have a 9 y/o son who eats more than I do. We regularly switched plates at meals once we saw the portion sizes. The kids meals were just too small for him - he's not a pig, but he's a swimmer and any mother of one of those can tell you that they will eat you out of house and home!!! . We did not think switching was sneaky at all and certainly never got a second glance from the servers. We had paid for two child meals and two adult meals and that is what was brought to the table. It's no skin off their nose who eats what.

Have a great time on your trip!

I understand your point about your son - mine's not a swimmer, but in the last year his appetite has just grown and grown (and he still never gains a pound - oh, if that were me )

The last menus I've found on line still had the Just Dip It on the menu - it sounded good to me, but my kids are big bread eaters. Are there newer menus posted anywhere? I've looked at Intercot, the DIS and AllEarsnet.

 

[castleri]

as long as you order within your allowed credits say 2A and 2C I don't think Disney cares who eats it. I have never seen any food police around telling a child they can't eat that double cheeseburger while Mom eats the chicken nuggets. We ordered some children's meals during Christmas week without having a child in the line (not on DDP) and no one questioned where the child was. It is sometimes much easier for one person to order and the rest to find a place to sit and I have never been asked to provide an adult or child to prove that is who will eat the food. When we go in Sept with free dining if one of children wants something from the adult area I will gladly swap for the child's meal from the oriental station at Seasons in the Land.