Kids /"Adults"

[DISNEYDADINOREGON]

We are going in April and have booked the plan. My 12 year old is still pretty picky and will not eat most nicer menu items at the TS meals. So I will be ordering an appetizer at some meals or asking if he can have a kids meal selection and paying OOP. I have done this I the past and never an issue. I am not going to waste the meal when I know kind of reaction he will have to the menu. Our focus this trip is to eat only at places we have not been before. So, MARRAKESH is one meal that I will be paying OOP. What are your thoughts? Have not been since Oct 2005...

 

[bicker]

Remember that back in October 2005, your 12 year old was younger. That might make a difference. Some of the restaurants may elect to enforce the "child meals are for our guests 3 - 9 year old" rule, so be prepared for that in case you encounter it. Otherwise, just with regard to splitting a table between some Dining Plan meals and some paid OOP, there have been only a few rumblings of problems with that, not too much to be concerned about IMHO.

 

[NMW]

I think it might depend on the restaurant and honestly how old your child "looks" may make a difference at some places. Just know that they have the right (it says so right on every menu) to limit child meals for those 3-9.

Also, with the new DDP changes they may want you to order what your card "says" at TS places. For example 3A/1C. The whole saving child credits to use for adults later enforcement wouldn't apply as your child is over 10 and his credits are "adult" credits. However, some places may want him to use an adult credit to eat. They may offer a larger portion of a child entree and want you to use the credit.

I would just be prepared to adjust. Different restaurants have different policies.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

There is such conflicting opinions on this. I have a special needs son who is extremely picky and even though he will be 11 years old when we go there are items on the childrens menus he will be fine with but not on the adult menus. We have chosen a lot of buffet places but there are other places we want to eat at as well and I will not be happy if they refuse to let us order what we want. If you are paying for it why are you not allowed to order a childs meal even if they are over 9. I have been told its OK, even by someone who is a CM to whom I have been e-mailing as a pen friend.

 

[bicker]

If you want to rely on what you're being told, be sure to get it, in writing, on Walt Disney World letterhead, and make sure it covers your explicit scenario. Otherwise, as NMW recommended, be prepared to adjust to what you may encounter.

 

[DISNEYDADINOREGON]

I think last time we had 2 10 year olds and a 12 year old at the time and they did make a special kiids meal but charge us more... Probably the same exact thing the kids was suppose to be. I love WDW with all my heart...but really thinking a 10 year old is suppose to not want a kids meal especially since the portions are decent is insane...And I want to experince the places that sound fun that I have not yet. Thanks for all your input!

 

[bicker]

It is interesting sitting back and watching some of these threads go by. You alternatively read messages from parents of children up to 11 years old saying, "Why oh why isn't my 11 year old considered a child? Why oh why can't s/he order child meals?" And then you read messages from parents as young as 7 years old saying, "Why of why doesn't Disney offer adult meals selections for my children? Why oh why can't s/he order adult meals?"

They can't win.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I just returned yesterday from an 8 day trip. I have dd's who are 10 and 11 and neither one weigh more than 60 pounds soaking wet. The TS with a varied menu did not object to us ordering off of the kids menu, in fact the very nice gentleman at Kona Cafe said we could all order kids meals if that's what we wanted. So I do think it depends on the restaurant. The thing that left a bad taste in my mouth was paying $28 at Whispering Canyon for my dd to eat mashed potatoes and one piece of chicken or the $28 meal at Crystal Palace at which the only thing either of them consumed was chicken fingers and ice cream. Poor Disney, they just can't win.