Kids menu question

[closetmickey]

I really don't care about the cost. I'm asking if it's ok for my kid who eats very little to order from the kids menu. That's it. I'm not a liar, or cheap, or wanting something for nothing. I'm wanting to know if my kid who isn't a big eater, can order from the kids menu as it states in my original post.
But thanks for the judgement

Yes. You can. And it's highly unlikely they will ask her age. So no worries- enjoy the parks!

 

[SMD]

Disney prints the policy for kids menus on the menus so that CMs aren't put in the position of having to make exceptions to their company's policy or question guests. Banking on the fact that a child looks 7 and won't be questioned is lying by omission. You asked if and how you could get around rules that you were aware of, if you feel judged, that's on you. Planning ahead to get around the printed policy indicates intent. Judgement would have been saying something like your concern about wasting food seems hollow when the outcome of your intentional deception is also saving money.

 

[CandMmommy]

Disney prints the policy for kids menus on the menus so that CMs aren't put in the position of having to make exceptions to their company's policy or question guests. Banking on the fact that a child looks 7 and won't be questioned is lying by omission. You asked if and how you could get around rules that you were aware of, if you feel judged, that's on you. Planning ahead to get around the printed policy indicates intent. Judgement would have been saying something like your concern about wasting food seems hollow when the outcome of your intentional deception is also saving money.

I'm really glad you know so much. Thanks for clearing that all up for me.

 

[offwithyourhead]

Disney prints the policy for kids menus on the menus so that CMs aren't put in the position of having to make exceptions to their company's policy or question guests. Banking on the fact that a child looks 7 and won't be questioned is lying by omission. You asked if and how you could get around rules that you were aware of, if you feel judged, that's on you. Planning ahead to get around the printed policy indicates intent. Judgement would have been saying something like your concern about wasting food seems hollow when the outcome of your intentional deception is also saving money.

You're spinning this into something sinister when all the OP wanted to know was if Disney is strict with their age limits or if it's a suggestion based on portion size. She's not asking how to cheat the system to get more for less, she's simply asking if she's allowed to order the smaller portion for someone who isn't (by Disney's standards) a 'child'. She's not asking to take her 10 year old to a buffet and pay the 9 and under price. Why would you take a child who 'eats like a bird' to a buffet anyway? They wouldn't get their money's worth whether they paid the children's price or the adult's.

It is highly publicized as a 'tip' for all ages to order kids meals at CS restaurants instead of adult sizes if you're not very hungry. I would consider it right to ask at TS restaurants if it's okay if someone of adult age to order from the kids' menu because of tipping, but at CS restaurants, who cares? The cast members don't care. As far as I'm concerned, the 9 and under thing is entirely a suggestion, and Disney is not going to sour your vacation over telling you that you may not order the meal that comes with 3 chicken nuggets instead of 5 because you're 10 years old or older.

OP is not trying to scam anyone, get her kid in on a child's ticket when they need an adult one, or anything else. She's not so much saving money as trying not to waste it. Why pay $14 for a meal your child will only eat half of, or $8 for one they can finish? It's ridiculous and wasteful, just like ordering an XL drink and then throwing out 3/4 of it would be, regardless of your age. You would tell someone who did that that they should have just ordered a small if they knew that's all they could drink, wouldn't you?

Getting worked up about ordering CS kids meals is about as ridiculous as having an issue with an adult ordering a Happy Meal at Mcdonalds. It hurts nobody.

 

[disneychrista]

Disney prints the policy for kids menus on the menus so that CMs aren't put in the position of having to make exceptions to their company's policy or question guests.

One could also say they are suggestions for the ages that would enjoy those meals.

 

[SMD]

You're spinning this into something sinister when all the OP wanted to know was if Disney is strict with their age limits or if it's a suggestion based on portion size. She's not asking how to cheat the system to get more for less, she's simply asking if she's allowed to order the smaller portion for someone who isn't (by Disney's standards) a 'child'. She's not asking to take her 10 year old to a buffet and pay the 9 and under price. Why would you take a child who 'eats like a bird' to a buffet anyway? They wouldn't get their money's worth whether they paid the children's price or the adult's.

It is highly publicized as a 'tip' for all ages to order kids meals at CS restaurants instead of adult sizes if you're not very hungry. I would consider it right to ask at TS restaurants if it's okay if someone of adult age to order from the kids' menu because of tipping, but at CS restaurants, who cares? The cast members don't care. As far as I'm concerned, the 9 and under thing is entirely a suggestion, and Disney is not going to sour your vacation over telling you that you may not order the meal that comes with 3 chicken nuggets instead of 5 because you're 10 years old or older.

OP is not trying to scam anyone, get her kid in on a child's ticket when they need an adult one, or anything else. She's not so much saving money as trying not to waste it. Why pay $14 for a meal your child will only eat half of, or $8 for one they can finish? It's ridiculous and wasteful, just like ordering an XL drink and then throwing out 3/4 of it would be, regardless of your age. You would tell someone who did that that they should have just ordered a small if they knew that's all they could drink, wouldn't you?

Getting worked up about ordering CS kids meals is about as ridiculous as having an issue with an adult ordering a Happy Meal at Mcdonalds. It hurts nobody.

And I shared my opinion that given the cost of the whole vacation it's not worth the food wasting concern. I used the word lying because it's a single word that is easy and fast to type and accurately describes the situation. If other people feel that is harsh or feel judged then they can express that, but it's still the word I used.

If McDonald's wants to allow adults to order a Happy Meal, they can run their business that way. If Disney wants to charge double for people over 10 who order off the kids menu at TS places they can run their business that way too. Maybe in the future Disney will scan tickets when ordering. It will suck for people who order kids meals, but it would be a fair way to run their business.

 

[disneychrista]

And I shared my opinion that given the cost of the whole vacation it's not worth the food wasting concern.

What does cost have to do with wasting food?

 

[CandMmommy]

You're spinning this into something sinister when all the OP wanted to know was if Disney is strict with their age limits or if it's a suggestion based on portion size. She's not asking how to cheat the system to get more for less, she's simply asking if she's allowed to order the smaller portion for someone who isn't (by Disney's standards) a 'child'. She's not asking to take her 10 year old to a buffet and pay the 9 and under price. Why would you take a child who 'eats like a bird' to a buffet anyway? They wouldn't get their money's worth whether they paid the children's price or the adult's.

It is highly publicized as a 'tip' for all ages to order kids meals at CS restaurants instead of adult sizes if you're not very hungry. I would consider it right to ask at TS restaurants if it's okay if someone of adult age to order from the kids' menu because of tipping, but at CS restaurants, who cares? The cast members don't care. As far as I'm concerned, the 9 and under thing is entirely a suggestion, and Disney is not going to sour your vacation over telling you that you may not order the meal that comes with 3 chicken nuggets instead of 5 because you're 10 years old or older.

OP is not trying to scam anyone, get her kid in on a child's ticket when they need an adult one, or anything else. She's not so much saving money as trying not to waste it. Why pay $14 for a meal your child will only eat half of, or $8 for one they can finish? It's ridiculous and wasteful, just like ordering an XL drink and then throwing out 3/4 of it would be, regardless of your age. You would tell someone who did that that they should have just ordered a small if they knew that's all they could drink, wouldn't you?

Getting worked up about ordering CS kids meals is about as ridiculous as having an issue with an adult ordering a Happy Meal at Mcdonalds. It hurts nobody.

You are exactly correct. And honestly I posted this b/c I didn't know if it's a rigid 10plus rule or a loose suggestion. If she ate an adult size portion, I would order her that. But she doesn't. Which is why I came here to where people with more experience could tell me-Yep, it's a rule 100% or nope, they are flexible and it's not a huge deal. Since posting this I've read a number of people suggesting " order a kids meal" even for adults on other threads about saving money on meals.
Planning is part of the fun for me, as we live where driving is 20 plus hours so it's not a regular trip. It stinks to have people turn you into a villain for wanting to have your ducks in a row for a fun trip.

 

[disneychrista]

I came here to where people with more experience could tell me-Yep, it's a rule 100% or nope, they are flexible and it's not a huge deal.

And regardless of what the "rule police" say, it is NOT a hard & fast rule (like admission is). I would guess if you went to, say Carnation Cafe and told them "Suzy is 10 but would like to order the kids PB&J Painters Palette" the server would say OKAY. My daughter ordered it at age 14 and they didn't blink an eye.

 

[CandMmommy]

And regardless of what the "rule police" say, it is NOT a hard & fast rule (like admission is). I would guess if you went to, say Carnation Cafe and told them "Suzy is 10 but would like to order the kids PB&J Painters Palette" the server would say OKAY. My daughter ordered it at age 14 and they didn't blink an eye.

Yes. That's exactly what I'm asking. My big girls were 6 and 3 the last time we went, so ordering off the kids menu was the clear choice. And even then they didn't finish their food.
Thank you for your help.

 

[SMD]

What does cost have to do with wasting food?

That was the context of my original post. I said it's not worth worrying about food waste for what will amount to a few meals on vacation. I don't see anyone ever worrying about food waste at buffets or BTR BBQ. Just when they want to order off a kids menu at TS which happens to cost less. But in my post that I was describing I only mentioned that in the context of a vacation the food waste is minimal if it's not habitual.

And regardless of what the "rule police" say, it is NOT a hard & fast rule (like admission is). I would guess if you went to, say Carnation Cafe and told them "Suzy is 10 but would like to order the kids PB&J Painters Palette" the server would say OKAY. My daughter ordered it at age 14 and they didn't blink an eye.

Carnation is the one place we got the most push back. At first they didn't want to give us the kids menu, although I believe that the seater didn't see the almost 10 year old at first, so I don't think that's the norm. Then my friend didn't want to let her 15 year old picky eater order off it, but she did. We got the double portion/double price mac & cheese. It was an awful amount of broccoli. I felt bad watching her kid be forced to eat it. I was happy to be an adult because I didn't want to eat that much steamed broccoli either.

And I think asking is fine. But pretending that your kid is under 10 and hoping you're not questioned is different than asking and accepting that the answer might be no, or there might be an upcharge. If you're not prepared for the answer to be no, make alternate plans.

 

[Malcon10t]

Here is how it will go down at table service restaurants. You will check in. They will ask you how many children 9 and under. You will then wait to be called to be seated. When you are seated you need to ask your server for a kids menu. They will then advise you the policy they are following.

I have never encountered push back. I just explain she prefers the mac and cheese over adult food. My nieces and nephews have always prefered "adult" food, so even when they were 8 and 9, we bought adult meals for them. One adult meal, and an extra plate to split.

 

[aussiegirls]

Wow, who would have thought that this thread could turn nasty.

For what it's worth, my kids almost always order off the kids menu, no matter where we are. Last year in Disneyland they were 15 and 12 and ordered off kids menus often. We have never had any problems with it. We have never been questioned about ages and I have never lied about their ages (it is very evident just by looking at them that they are not under 10) and no servers have ever had a problem with it. We are on vacation and I will allow my kids to order whatever they want, it's their vacation too. Disneyland doesn't seem to have any issue with it.
I'm not going to force my kids to order something they don't want from an adult menu, and I have never had a server offer double portion of a kids meal, they have just brought the regular meal. Having said that, if it was offered I would only say yes if I knew they would be able to finish it.
Who does it benefit to force someone to order too much food? It's of no benefit to disneyland because they are making food that's going in the trash. It's of no benefit to the person ordering as, yes, they are wasting money. It's not about trying to rip Disney off by ordering a smaller meal. You pay less so you get less food. Is kind of irrelevant who is eating it.
So OP don't worry about it and let your daughter order what she wants. When we are there next, my oldest will be 16 and in pretty sure we will have at least a few orders from kids menus from her. If they ask how old she is I'll tell them, but I'm still going to let her order whatever she wants.
Buffets/character melas are a different story. We just pay adult price and Disney totally wins on that deal because they eat like sparrows LOL

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Like others said, CandMmommy, you shouldn't have any problem ordering from the child's menu.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I second the thought that you will not have any issues ordering off the kids menu. My very light eater 14 year old does it all the time when we go. We are given regular menus when we sit down and then just ask for a kids menu. Only at the Blue Bayou were we told there would be an extra charge but that was fine with us as she did get more food. They were super nice about it.

Never once have we been judged or told no we can't have a kids menu or anything of the like. At buffet places we pay the adult price for her but again we don't mind doing that since it's a buffet.