Kids Meals rant (specifically at the Pepper Market)

[Dallas_Lady]

Am I correct in seeing that there are only the same tired meals offered here for kids? This food court has a HUGE menu for adults, but all the kids can get are chicken strips, hot dogs, pizza and pasta? No kids tacos, quesadillas or anything like that?

We are debating staying at CSR and doing the QSDP for our next trip (it will be a short trip following a cruise). For DH and myself, there is enough variety for us to be satisfied doing QS for a few days. But for the kids, all they'll be able to get the whole trip are chicken strips, hot dogs, pizza??

 

[TDC Nala]

One of the tradeoffs of doing the dining plan is that you have the kids' plan, which is inexpensive, but they're stuck with the kids' menus. There are a few restaurants that don't have kids' menus and they can order anything at those. (I am pretty sure all of those are at parks - none are in resorts.) There are also some that have offerings outside the typical "kids meal" - at the top of the board is a sticky with a list of menus you can review.

The adult portions are pretty large, you might also be able to share your meals with them.

 

[tinka-belle]

I have a client who used the kid's CS meal credits for family snacks. Not as a snack credit, but getting a full kid's CS meal and a they would all munch on it, well just a few bites each I guess! They used the leftover child CS credits this way.

Their son is a big eater and didn't like the normal child menus offered, so they just paid OOP for an extra adult CS meal or shared theirs with him.
Other times if an adult wasn't too hungry that person ate the child meal and used the adult credit for the kid. The food police won't check to see who is eating which meal, and the CM's just pay attention to the # of adult/child meals ordered as listed on your KTTW card.

 

[2Tiggies]

I have a client who used the kid's CS meal credits for family snacks. Not as a snack credit, but getting a full kid's CS meal and a they would all munch on it, well just a few bites each I guess! They used the leftover child CS credits this way.

I found that the above, and using CS locations that offer something different for the kids to be very effective. A kids chicken salad/wrap also makes a good appetizer to share, while sharing the adult meal.

 

[JerseyDisneyGirl]

I couldn't agree more, I think the kids meals at WDW leave some thing to be desired. We will be going next year during free dining. DD is very happy with the kids meal, a week of mac and cheees is ok with her. DS not so much...he is a great eater, he will be 8 when we travel. I mentioned this to the agent when I was making my reservation. For an extra $25 for the whole trip we upgraded him to an adult plan, they changed his age to 10. He is a big kid, will easliy pass for 10. He is very happy that he will be able to order from the adult menu. Another way to get around this is to eat at lots of buffets. They are still stuck on the QS menu, but at least once a day they will be able to eat what they want. Last trip DD was 2, so we gave her the kids meal, and let DS order what he wanted and paid out of pocket.

 

[teetee830]

I agree with this thread 100%! DS is 4 and we eat pretty healthy, very little processed or fast foods so a week of it isn't our norm. I wish they woulkd at least change up the menu at table service. The kids meals are overall the no matter quick service or table service. I know there are some that offer different choices but the majority do not, and neither one of it makes buffets our first choice. Its my one frustration with DDP.

On a different note we went in December without the DDP and we could share a lot so that was good.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

ra $25 for the whole trip we upgraded him to an adult plan, they changed his age to 10. He is a big kid, will easliy pass for 10. He is very happy that he will be able to order from the adult menu. Another way to get around this is to eat at lots of buffets. They are still stuck on the QS menu, but at least once a day they will be able to eat what they want. Last trip DD was 2, so we gave her the kids meal, and let DS order what he wanted and paid out of pocket.


You should double check this.. This doesn't make sense... 25.00 a day extra I would think but even that doesn't add up.

 

[TDC Nala]

You should double check this.. This doesn't make sense... 25.00 a day extra I would think but even that doesn't add up.

The previous poster was probably using the free dining promotion, so they only had to pay the difference between a child and adult park ticket. Without free dining, the cost for upgrading a child to 10 would include the park ticket plus the difference in the cost between an adult and child dining plan, per night.

 

[dntd]

I plan on using just 2 of three kids credits at a time. If I order my meal, and the kids have a meal each that's too much food. So ordering 2 kids meals with a healthy side like grapes, my youngest can eat off my plate, she's a good eater and would be a bit off if she had to just eat kids foods. She's an adventurous eater loves sushi and has even been known to enjoy 100 year eggs( eww). In the summer heat we tend to eat alot less, having one huge meal and snacks is enough for us.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I agree that the kids options at most CS places is sad. That being said, it is reflective of what you are paying for kids on the Dining Plan. The good news is that you have two options. 1. You can upgrade your child to the adult plan. This can be costly because you will also have to upgrade their Park tickets to adult as well. If you are taking advantage of Free Dining it can be painless (as the other pp mentioned). Or 2. You can skip the Dining Plan and be free to order what you want from any menu.
The upside to the Kids Dining Plan, is that it is a great value for TS meals (especially if you are planning on any character meals). I think it would be very difficult to feed your child better, at Disney, for less than $12.00 a day.

 

[DCDisney]

We had good luck when my kids were in that in between age to use the kids meal credits for breakfasts. The kids breakfast comes with 2 mini Mickey waffles, bacon or sausage, grapes or applesauce, and juice or milk. We could all eat off 2 kids meals and have enough to get by until our early lunch. They also have a kids eggs meal and some have fruit and yogurt. Then for CS lunch my kids would split 1 adult meal. It was cheaper than ordering them 2 kids meals, they liked the food better, and there was a better size serving of the protein part of the meal.

 

[TinkerBrie]

Am I correct in seeing that there are only the same tired meals offered here for kids? This food court has a HUGE menu for adults, but all the kids can get are chicken strips, hot dogs, pizza and pasta? No kids tacos, quesadillas or anything like that?

We are debating staying at CSR and doing the QSDP for our next trip (it will be a short trip following a cruise). For DH and myself, there is enough variety for us to be satisfied doing QS for a few days. But for the kids, all they'll be able to get the whole trip are chicken strips, hot dogs, pizza??

I agree with everyone, that the kids selection reflects the price. That being said, we just returned from CSR and the adult portions at the Pepper Market are HUGE!!!!!! My daughter is 9, so as you can imagine she was less then thrilled with the "kids menu"!! She shared from my husband and I, and we still in my opinion, threw away sooo much food!! I think the Pepper Market is a great value for the dining plan, especially if you are using the counter service plan! We loved the concept of it and it felt a lot like table service. We thought the food was definitely better then counter service quality!!!!!

 

[juliebean]

I couldn't agree more, I think the kids meals at WDW leave some thing to be desired. We will be going next year during free dining. DD is very happy with the kids meal, a week of mac and cheees is ok with her. DS not so much...he is a great eater, he will be 8 when we travel. I mentioned this to the agent when I was making my reservation. For an extra $25 for the whole trip we upgraded him to an adult plan, they changed his age to 10. He is a big kid, will easliy pass for 10. He is very happy that he will be able to order from the adult menu. Another way to get around this is to eat at lots of buffets. They are still stuck on the QS menu, but at least once a day they will be able to eat what they want. Last trip DD was 2, so we gave her the kids meal, and let DS order what he wanted and paid out of pocket.

This is a really smart thing to do when you have a kid that is on the brink of being too old for the kids meals (or dislikes them). My daughter is almost 9 and I am hoping that she'll be okay with the kids meals. Sadly, we are not going during free dining. But, it is a great idea if you are going when it is offered!

 

[EvilQueenT]

i feel your frustration. i agree with the problem of kids menus at wdw as a whole, not just the pepper market. i know so many kids are only going to eat the kinds of foods that are offered but i think having at least one or two options that are venue appropriate would make it better. i think the pepper market should have some form of taco, fajita or quesidilla on the kids menu along with the other things mentioned in prior posts. i think for instance narcoossee's does an ok job with their menu. it has steak, fish, burger, pasta w/red sauce, mac n cheese, and chicken nuggets as their kids menu. i get it that they keep the number of things offered lower to prevent lots of waste so this menu seems ok to me as it gives a little more variety. i hate it when all you can get is pb&j, pizza, nuggets, or mac n cheese...why not a turkey sandwich or something else less cholesterol fat calorie laden? it seems like all most of the venues offer is a heart attack on a plate... i know it's vacation but if that's all kids eat all the time and therefore on vacation then they won't be able to fit on the rides by the time they're 10 years old. because we eat a fairly well balanced healthy diet at home we often end up ordering things that my granddaughter will like (salads, steak, seafood, whatever) and sharing part of our meal with her when we're on the dining plan. she sometimes eats the kids meals but usually just bits and pieces of it. our last trip i booked our room and the tickets and dining plan for the adults, i then just did the ticket for my granddaughter and paid out of pocket for her meals. she'll eat steamed broccoli, caesar salad, and a steak or seafood before she'd eat pizza or a happy meal so it works better for us.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I have to agree as a whole Disney does a terrible job of offerings for kids. (Especially since it is a place that caters to kids.) My daughter is 4 and she is much more adventurous then what there menus offer. The signature places have a better selection but how many places have meaty macaroni, hamburger, hotdog, nuggets, or pizza. I'd be fine if at least they varied a little from place to place. Buffets and fix priced places seem to be the best option for her since she gets so tired of chicken nuggets. I think that Disney needs to try to make some healthier alternatives for kids. Adding fruit instead of dessert does not make a meal healthy... it just gives the appearance that it is. How about some vegetables?! Some kids like them... gasp! And most parents require them to eat them! I'd be willing to pay a few dollars more for my daughter to receive a meal that is nutritious and that she would enjoy.