Kids menus UGH!

[herbanretreat]

Okay, even though I can't make ADRs for my Feb trip yet I am trying to plan out where we would like to eat. I have a 9 year old DD you enjoys good food, but it seems like the only places that offer anything different that mac and cheese, hot dog or hamburger are the signature restaurants. Don't get me wrong, she isn't a food snob, but this is vacation and I make all that stuff a home! This is making me crazy, if I up her to an adult, it adds like $500+ to our package. We don't particularly love the dinner buffets, but I can see this as a solution to the crappy food options for her, I certainly don't want to do buffet every night though. So assuming I'm there for 5 nights, with one signature and one buffet for dinner, what do those of you with kids like mine suggest for the other nights. I hate feeling like I am at the mercy of the children's menus for my meal choices, but it looks like it might go that way. I mean it her vacation too, she should have to eat the same boring stuff at every meal while we enjoy more varied choices, my 4 year old will love to have chicken fingers evey night!! But the older DD is not going to be a happy camper if I make her eat like that! Please help!

 

[imthatgirl]

i have an 8yo dd who is the same way. give a steak and some broccoli and shes good!!
unfortunately thats not available to her there. so we too are doing 2 buffets and 1 signature. other than that i ahve told her she will ahve to eat 2 kids meals that week and i will buy her a meal one night and one night i will eat the kids meal for her and she can get my adult meal.
that was the best compromise i could come up with

 

[TDC Nala]

Have you considered not using the dining plan? It sounds as though it may not fit your family.

 

[herbanretreat]

i have an 8yo dd who is the same way. give a steak and some broccoli and shes good!!
unfortunately thats not available to her there. so we too are doing 2 buffets and 1 signature. other than that i ahve told her she will ahve to eat 2 kids meals that week and i will buy her a meal one night and one night i will eat the kids meal for her and she can get my adult meal.
that was the best compromise i could come up with

Thanks for the great idea, that might be something I could talk to her about. Glad to see I'm not the only one in this situation.

 

[herbanretreat]

Have you considered not using the dining plan? It sounds as though it may not fit your family.

Actually, I have considered it. I even priced out a few days to see if it was even cheaper to go the non DDP route. It still seems value wise, while my kids still count as kids, t be a better buy, especially if we lean towards DxDP, which will get us extra snacks and more signatures to make up for the slim pickens for my DD.
Now talk to me next year when she's 10 and I don't know . . . . .

 

[3boys4me]

I have the same problem with my 9 year old ds. My 6 year old would eat nuggets and fries everyday if I let him. They both love salad and fruit so I chose mostly buffets. I know it's probably alot of the same, but at least they can have a variety to choose from. Not fancy I know, but it beats the kids menu. Here's what we have Crystal palace, Chef Mickey, Ohana dinner, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Biergarten. Liberty tree Tavern, Ohana breakfast and Kona for Thanksgiving.

 

[mrzrich]

Many places have grilled fish on their kid's menus, not sure if that helps. Here are some other choices for kids at 1 TS eateries:

50's PTC:
Meatloaf

LeCellier:
Grilled Steak

Rose & Crown:
Bangers and Mash
Sheperd's Pie

Tokyo Dining:
Kid's Teppan - includes vegetables, Udon noodles and steamed rice
with chicken breast or large shrimp

Okosama Set - includes vegetables, steamed rice and dessert

Tempura Combo - shrimp and chicken
Teriyaki Chicken
Vegetable Croquette

Spoodles:
Beef Kabobs

Grand Floridian Cafe:
Grilled Salmon, Chicken or Steak

WCC: Child can order the skillet.

 

[deb24k]

Have you considered Teppan Edo. We ate there this past week and my children had: chicken, some steak from mine and my husband's cut, mushrooms, noodles, rice, and green beens I think.

 

[leahbeth]

I'm looking for restaurants on the DDP for Feb 09 also with something a little different to offer, both for me and the kids, 6 and 7. Just a couple suggestions, although I don't have personal experience...just been reading a bunch of menus lately!
Coral Reef at Epcot has fish of the day, Mahi Mahi and grilled chicken on the kids menu.
and Le Cellier (Canada-Epcot) has a steak on the kids menu ($2 upcharge though)
or maybe something like Teppan Edo(Japan-Epcot) where they cook at the table...my kids like those places and think it's really "fancy"
Hope this helps a little!

 

[melissac]

My kids are the same way and we managed on the dining plan very well. I know that you can't eat at Epcot every night but a lot of the restaurants have better kids menus. Le Celliers has steak for $2.00 more, at Teppan my kids had shrimp, Boma has an excellant buffet. If you havn't already looked allears.net you can view all the table and counter service menus. Good luck to you.

 

[herbanretreat]

It is so funny, my lists look like every one else's!! I've been leaning towards Boma and Rose and Crown. As far as the Coral Reef and Teppan Edo, you guys are right, that's why we've been to BOTH on our our last two trips!!! I wa really hoping to find something different this time!!! Everydody is so helpful here, I'm new to posting and I still can't believe what a friendly place this is! thanks ahin for all the suggestions

 

[mrzrich]

I'm pretty sure that you don't have to pay the $2 upcharge if you are on the dining plan. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[shellybaxter]

Additional interesting kids meals

Yak and Yeti
 Veggie Lo Mien
 Egg Roll

Mama Melrose
 Fish of the Day

Chefs de France
 Pan Roasted Flounder

Marrakesh
 Veggie Couscous

San Angles Inn
 Mahi Mahi
 Quesdilla de Pollo

Plaza Restaurant
 Jr. Chef Salad
 Turkey Sandwich

Spoodles
 Beef Kabobs

Shutters
 Prime Rib

Maya Grill
 Fried Ravioli
 Beef Tenderloin Tips
 Grilled Chicken

Whispering Canyon
 Skillet

I don’t think its really that bad of a variety

 

[dzorn]

Le Cellier in Canada you can get steak.
Mama Melrose I think has fish.

Both are just 1 credit.

 

[shane&jakesmom]

I happen to think that the children's food is not a good selection or does it taste good. My kids order off the children menu, but do not enjoy the quality of food. Don't get me wrong I love the adult food selections, just think the children's is limited. I know above is listed children items but my kids do not care for it. Everytime I have tasted their food I didn't care for it.

 

[kcashner]

In July, I was very pleased at the improvement in the children's menus in the table service restaurants. Each restaurant seemed to have a "pre-plated" option that included each of the basic food groups as well as a la carte selections.

At 50s Prime Time lunch there was a pre-plated that included a grilled chicken breast, pasta with red sauce, yogurt and fresh fruit cut up. At Coral Reef there was a fish and rice +? plate. It was excellent! I think these were $7.49 each (could be wrong on that), and were tons of food.