Lack of kids food in kids meals, being healthy has gone too far!

[adSimba]

Just got back, before we got to DL I told DS6 that he could have whatever he wanted for every meal. We usually make him eat a variety of healthy foods at home, but for the trip he could decide for himself.

Based on many comments I was under the impression that the sit down restaurants my wife and I wanted to go to would have the usual child's fare of hot dogs, hamburgers or chicken nuggets. This never happened!

at the blue bayou he got a very grown up version of Macaroni and Cheese, but that was the most kid friendly thing they, or anyone else had.

Other meals his best option was crusted salmon, or roast chicken, there were even things like chicken scallopimni, and tiny steaks. He was fine with those, but by the end of the week, I found myself getting things like a corn dog and insisting to the CM's that he would eat that while my wife and I had grown up food.

I think the worst was the Carthay Circle WOC meal, where he had the crusted salmon, which was the most kid friendly kid item, and I had an elaborate burger, I gave him my fries, because his came with steamed vegetables.

Why is Disneyland so bad at feeding kids?

 

[dtnrhi]

Because people (like myself) have a hard time spending such money on macaroni and cheese or chicken tenders. Their options aren't the most kid-friendly, but it helps justify to parents that they are getting their "money's worth".

 

[bumbershoot]

He was fine with those, but by the end of the week, I found myself getting things like a corn dog and insisting to the CM's that he would eat that while my wife and I had grown up food.

If he was fine with it, why did you do that?

I gave him my fries, because his came with steamed vegetables.

Why is Disneyland so bad at feeding kids?

You probably could have bought him his own fries.

Disneyland follows the CA guidelines that govern places like schools. They have forgotten that when on vacation one tends to splurge, and we don't have to feed our kids how we do at home. I never make french fries at home, we never have them here. But on vacation he can have them. They have forgotten this.

I think it was October 2012 (maybe '13?) that I found out that the kid's bean and cheese burrito meal at the Mexican restaurants had changed to be inedible. They changed the tortilla to a huge whole wheat thing. They changed the Spanish rice to WHITE rice with peas. UGH. DS was not raised with white rice and peas; at grandma's he gets sticky rice with soy sauce and sesame oil, and at home he gets brown rice, but never Uncle Ben's with mushy peas. Bleah. And whole wheat tortillas are, IMO, an abomination. We were eating at night and it was dark and I didn't see his meal, and he was complaining. Since he was hungry this caused me to pay attention. I took a bite. INedible.

I complained solidly while at DCA; the biggest point I had was that it doesn't do any good to follow some rule of "healthy" eating to keep kids healthy, when it is SO bad it ends up in the trash. That doesn't keep kids healthy at all. And a huge whole wheat tortilla, when you're not diabetic and you're an active kid *on vacation*, isn't going to help anything.

 

[NannyBeBe]

This whole eating healthy thing for kids is getting ridiculous. My daughter teaches 3rd grade. The kitchen supervisor at her school told my daughter that she has the healthiest garbage can in the city. The kids are throwing most of the food away, not only because they do not like kale but because everything is prepared with no seasoning and no fat. Sounds like DLR is doing the same thing. The government needs to keep its nose out of our business. The only way to change the kid meals at DLR is for parents to stop buying them and complain to DLR.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've never had that problem at Disneyland. Did you only eat at ts restaurants? The cs places are full of junk.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

This is a very interesting conversation! I need to respectfully put in my appreciation of Disney's effort to provide kids with healthier options. We are from Canada, where perhaps we eat a little differently than Americans? My kids are used to whole wheat tortillas, mushy peas, salmon and chicken breasts and ordering veggies and dip when we go out. For us, treats are just that, treats, and they get treats when we are on holidays, but usually that means they get to order chocolate milk instead of white milk at dinner, and perhaps have an ice cream once during the day lol!

When we come to Disneyland we are there for five or six days at least in order to make the most of the trip. A few travel days and usually around 4 days in the park. When we are spending THAT much time away, and doing full days in the park we want our kids to feel their best. We want to nourish them with healthy, good food that will keep them happy and energetic through out the day. Of COURSE we treat them while in Disneyland, to churros and ice cream and hot dogs and fries (ALL which are STILL available in both parks). But we like to even things out with healthy, well rounded nutritions food as close to possible as what we might find at home, and I am always thrilled with the options that Disneyland provides.

We fly from Vancouver BC, and then stay as close to Disneyland as possible. We cannot bring a lot of food with us from Canada, other than granola bars etc. We usually shop at the little store in the hotel for things like milk and fruit and smoothies etc for mornings. During our day in the park we usually bring granola bars for snacks, and then budget to buy fruit or veggies in the park. I was SO happy with places like Fairfax Market, which provided watermelon slices (Huge ones!) Apple slices, apple chips, hummus and veggies, etc. All great options.

For lunch and dinner we usually will do a counter service, and depending on what we feel like we might want a healthier option, like salmon or chicken, or we might like to have some fun, like a hot dog from award wieners.


But usually we like to balance it out throughout the day so that we are all getting the nutrition we need to last the week.

We tried eating off site a few times, but actually found the food in Disneyland to be a better/healthier option for our kids that what was provided at McDonalds, Ihop, Captain Kidd's etc, so now we just budget to always eat in the park.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

It sounds like you were eating at several TS locations. The CS locations offer several options that are more kid friendly.

I think Disney's way of thinking about this, and it kind of makes sense to me as well, is that if you are choosing to do a TS meal, you are expecting a higher level of food, service, expense, etc. You are likely choosing that TS meal precisely because you want to avoid the cheaper junk food served elsewhere. So, there is a greater level of sophistication provided.

If you're choosing CS, it's because you want a meal where saving time and money are the more important factors, nutrition not so much.

Thankfully, there are a few "in between" places. For example, at Red Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland, you choose your food cafeteria style and there is usually ample seating right there. You can go healthy with prepared salads and water, go unhealthy with pizza and soda, or somewhere in between with pasta and chocolate milk (my personal favorite!).

My advice for the future would be to have more CS meals! Also to maybe read up on the current menus right before you go. I would love to have a nice meal at Carthay Circle sometime, but every time I look at the menu I don't like a single thing on it, so it's a pass for me until it changes again.

 

[DizMe]

I'm on the opposite end of this opinion. I have, for a very long time, been disgusted with what has been offered to kids in the kids meals. Chicken nuggets, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, fries. Really? My kids won't touch that stuff and I agree with a PP that I refuse to pay good money for that garbage. We generally just skipped the kids meals because they were so bad and for the same money, the kids could share an adult meal.

I don't have anything against people who want to buy their kid nuggets or a hot dog, but there are plenty of kids who want something better and parents like me who want them to have more choice than that. I once tried the "macaroni and cheese" and just about gagged. I make mac & cheese at home so my kids were expecting the real thing, not soggy pasta with cheese sauce. They refused to eat it and I was glad.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm not sure why Stouffer's is considered adult Mac and Cheese. We have one thread going where people are upset that kids meals are all chicken nuggets and Mac and Cheese, and another that kids meals are too upscale. Carthay Circle has noodles with either a spaghetti sauce or a butter sauce. There are also Mini tacos (chicken) on the menu, not sure why salmon was selected if the child didn't like it. I don't think anyone would expect a hot dog there even for a child. While I am not happy with the all the choices for kids meals, I am glad there are healthier options available. There are plenty of burgers available in the park. If that is what you wanted to feed him, then that was where you should go. Did you look at table service menus before you went? Did you go to Carnation Cafe? They have a great menu for both adults and kids. Our crew loves the Build your Own PBJ. Did you ask to substitute fries for the veggies? We do that often.

 

[quinnc19]

While our first trip to Disneyland is a few weeks away, count my DD and I as being in the camp of those who appreciate WDW's approach to kid's meals. We'll take salmon any day over a hotdog, hamburger, or chicken fingers. The vegetables are usually the first things gone from her plate. We wish more restaurants would go this route, but I understand we are in the minority.

 

[4under4]

Change is hard, but I know from our school workers that over the course of the year, a lot less it tossed in the trash, and is actually eaten instead. Kids eat what they are given. Maybe not the first or second time, but eventually. All of my kids would rather have fresh veggies over fries, and a grilled chicken sandwich over a hamburger.

 

[tanyaegangibson]

While our first trip to Disneyland is a few weeks away, count my DD and I as being in the camp of those who appreciate WDW's approach to kid's meals. We'll take salmon any day over a hotdog, hamburger, or chicken fingers. The vegetables are usually the first things gone from her plate. We wish more restaurants would go this route, but I understand we are in the minority.

I--and my kids--agree. We were just going over the menus for our July trip (working out where to eat), and DS6 was bummed out about the kids meal choices at Ariel's Dinner (WOC dinner). Sure, he could get pasta, but he could get that at home, too. He was hoping that they would have fish there, as they do on the kids' menu at a lot of other TS restaurants. DD10 and I told him we'd both order fish and give him part of ours.

It's not that my kids don't eat burgers, pizza, etc., at home. They do, although neither is a fan of fried foods. But when we're going to a nice restaurant, they don't expect or want to eat that kind of food. (At non-Disneyland restaurants, they usually split an adult entree rather than order from the kids' menu.)

 

[Mousequake]

I'm on the opposite end of this opinion. I have, for a very long time, been disgusted with what has been offered to kids in the kids meals. Chicken nuggets, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, fries. Really? My kids won't touch that stuff and I agree with a PP that I refuse to pay good money for that garbage. We generally just skipped the kids meals because they were so bad and for the same money, the kids could share an adult meal.

I don't have anything against people who want to buy their kid nuggets or a hot dog, but there are plenty of kids who want something better and parents like me who want them to have more choice than that. I once tried the "macaroni and cheese" and just about gagged. I make mac & cheese at home so my kids were expecting the real thing, not soggy pasta with cheese sauce. They refused to eat it and I was glad.

Very, very much this. I recently did a podcast trip report where I spent a large portion of the show talking about how impressed I was that Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou's kids' menus were not just he usual kids' fare, but was really more a stripped down version of the adult menu. There are PLENTY of other places in the parks where they can get the usual stuff. My kid, who has had eating issues her entire life miles beyond the typical "my kid's a picky eater" complaints, was absolutely thrilled that she could order salmon and broccoli at Carthay Circle and strip steak at Blue Bayou. She was in heaven, as was I watching her eat it.

 

[tiffjoy]

That's interesting. I've never seen a shortage of "kid friendly options" at DLR. I'm always grateful when they have the supposedly less kid friendly options because that's what my kids eat. I think they are very good at providing a pretty wide range, especially for a theme park.

There's also always the option to do what we often do- each of us split an adult entree with our kids or have them split one together.

I let my kids eat what they want on vacation. they still won't touch a nugget. We just went to Japan, and one thing I loved was the lack of kids meals (only place they had them was DisneySea). Our kids ate what we ate- we dined family style, almost. I honestly don't care for the American style of assuming kids will only eat burgers and nuggets and fries. Kids meaks should be reflective of the restaurant and be smaller portions of what is on the adult menu.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree with OP...DLR needs to add variety to their kids menu. So many CS places offer.."yummy toddler macaroni" My child has special needs and sensory issues. She will not eat anything not on her list of foods. ( It is a texture issue and rigid routine issue) so our trips consist of me or hubby running to one of the places that serves food she likes and bringing it along to OUR dinner. We know the places that serve foods she will eat. Also, We pack our own healthy snacks that we know she will eat. While I understand DLR cannot accommodate EVERY child, I do wish they would offer typical kid food along with more upscale offerings. Not every child has a sophisticated palate.

 

[Gisele]

This is a very interesting conversation! I need to respectfully put in my appreciation of Disney's effort to provide kids with healthier options. We are from Canada, where perhaps we eat a little differently than Americans? My kids are used to whole wheat tortillas, mushy peas, salmon and chicken breasts and ordering veggies and dip when we go out. For us, treats are just that, treats, and they get treats when we are on holidays, but usually that means they get to order chocolate milk instead of white milk at dinner, and perhaps have an ice cream once during the day lol!

When we come to Disneyland we are there for five or six days at least in order to make the most of the trip. A few travel days and usually around 4 days in the park. When we are spending THAT much time away, and doing full days in the park we want our kids to feel their best. We want to nourish them with healthy, good food that will keep them happy and energetic through out the day. Of COURSE we treat them while in Disneyland, to churros and ice cream and hot dogs and fries (ALL which are STILL available in both parks). But we like to even things out with healthy, well rounded nutritions food as close to possible as what we might find at home, and I am always thrilled with the options that Disneyland provides.

We fly from Vancouver BC, and then stay as close to Disneyland as possible. We cannot bring a lot of food with us from Canada, other than granola bars etc. We usually shop at the little store in the hotel for things like milk and fruit and smoothies etc for mornings. During our day in the park we usually bring granola bars for snacks, and then budget to buy fruit or veggies in the park. I was SO happy with places like Fairfax Market, which provided watermelon slices (Huge ones!) Apple slices, apple chips, hummus and veggies, etc. All great options.

For lunch and dinner we usually will do a counter service, and depending on what we feel like we might want a healthier option, like salmon or chicken, or we might like to have some fun, like a hot dog from award wieners.


But usually we like to balance it out throughout the day so that we are all getting the nutrition we need to last the week.

We tried eating off site a few times, but actually found the food in Disneyland to be a better/healthier option for our kids that what was provided at McDonalds, Ihop, Captain Kidd's etc, so now we just budget to always eat in the park.

 

[VandVsmama]

I respectfully disagree with the notion that the DL CS places only have junk and that you'd only eat at CS because nutrition wasn't important to you and for budgetary reasons.

Frankly, the DL CS places often have great options for people who want something different than the standard hot dogs and hamburgers theme park food. The CS salads are great. There are SO many options at DL for vegetarians, for example...options that go beyond just having a salad. My DH is a vegetarian. My kids, on the other hand, don't like the TS kid menu stuff like salmon. Nor do they care for the DL macaroni & cheese. They are somewhere in the middle.

I understand where the OP is coming from. Because of my children's ages and how they usually don't care much for the fancier kids' fare at a lot of the TS restaurants, so for the time being we just skip those places and either eat at CS or at a TS place that has options that will satisfy everybody in our family. At least on the bright side, DL does have quite a few options for people of widely different palates. There's everything from 4-star sit down restaurant dining to just chicken nuggets & fries and everything in between.
Now it's time to sit back and while parents brag about what super duper eaters their kids are. Let's please not turn this thread into that. Every child has certain quirks. For some kids, it's eating certain foods. For other kids, maybe they're the ones who are having epic melt downs waiting in line to go on a ride. We've all been there in one way, shape, or form. No need to get preachy.

 

[LizzyS]

I'm not trying to be snarky with this comment, so please don't take it that way, but it seems like your want to dine at mostly TS restaurants (which will generally be more "fancy") led to your disappointment. Did you check out the kid's menu at the places before you decided to dine there?

 

[adSimba]

I've never had that problem at Disneyland. Did you only eat at ts restaurants? The cs places are full of junk.

mostly yes, I discussed this with my wife last night, ironically the one cs restaurant that we went to was Pizza Port, I remember it being awful but I hear good things about it, and it has been 10 years, Anyway, my kid ate about 5 bites of the peperoni pizza and couldn't bring himself to eat more, I tried it, and could see why, it was terrible, the boring looking pasta that I got however was really good.

 

[adSimba]

I'm not trying to be snarky with this comment, so please don't take it that way, but it seems like your want to dine at mostly TS restaurants (which will generally be more "fancy") led to your disappointment. Did you check out the kid's menu at the places before you decided to dine there?

sadly no, I knew what I wanted to eat, and have been hearing nothing but how unhealthy the kids meal foods were, so I imagined that my child would usually have his pick of traditional child centric options. I never read anyone saying what I said in my original post, and had no idea I would need to ask. that is a big part of why I made the post.