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

[Mrs. Whoever]

There are places where my kids would love to go that my husband and I have decided they aren't ready for. We got a sitter when we went to Napa Rose and Club 33 because enjoying the meal would have been compromised by my kids. We don't generally do Asian food because my kids don't like it.

My oldest is 8, has read several biographies of Walt Disney, researches the making of Disneyland and Disney history in her free time and has a long-term goal of eating at Club 33. We are making a concerted effort to establish her table manners and develop her palate so that she'll be ready if the opportunity presents itself in a few years.

Some people are into food. I'm one of those people. It is important to me that my kids get to a point where I can enjoy dining with them, so we work on it in the same way other kids teach their kids to play sports.

Personally, I am fine with the variety of menus available. We know there is a quick fix of corn dogs when we need it and a delicious balanced TS meal when we want to spend the time. When my middle kid was two and eating nothing but popcorn and eggs, we would make sure she had a heavy snack before we went to a meal where she might just pick at her food. Then we could all enjoy the meal and the ambiance.

I will second the concern with the Ariel's Grotto menu. I think the kid choices there are really bizarre. If there is anywhere I would have expected a fish option for kids, this should be it. And no, an octopus hotdog doesn't count.

Not to get political, but kids are picky. They like what they like. It is a rare child that never goes through a phase of preferring what they know they like, be that edamame or french fries.

 

[tdhickey]

This thread is a perfect example of the "you can't please everybody" sense in the food industry.

Taken kids there many times, never ever had a problem with the food choices. Once or twice made the odd substitution at the restaurants (e.g. no sauce on pasta, fries by request), we've done every restaurant inside the parks and managed just fine. Our kids are moderately picky just like any other, so I think it comes down to personal preferences. I will say, compared to say Red Robin or standard USA kids meals DLR does try to make it a bit healthier, if only the slightest.

This is from their online menu, not sure what the concern is?

Ariels Grotto - Lunch/Dinner menu for kids has 4 items for example:

Whozits and Whatzits Fries and Nuggetz
Chicken Nuggets and French Fries served with fresh Fruit, Vegetables and an indvidual Dessert and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water

Ursula's Octo-Dog
served atop Macaroni & Cheese with fresh Fruit, Vegetables, and an indvidual Dessert and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water

Kids' Mickey Check Meal - Clammy Turkey Sammy
served with fresh Fruit and Vegetables and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water.

Kids' Mickey Check Meal - Angel Hair Pasta a la Dinglehopper
served with fresh Fruit and Vegetables and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water

 

[GatorChris]

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?

I was thinking about this as well. I always look at menus because I have some picky kids. One kid will eat anything while the others need the regular kid's food. We haven't gone to Cafe Orleans because the menu didn't look real friendly for the picky ones. I'm sure I'm missing good food, but I can eat anything - the kids can't/won't.

 

[Mrs. Whoever]

This thread is a perfect example of the "you can't please everybody" sense in the food industry.

This is from their online menu, not sure what the concern is?

Ariels Grotto - Lunch/Dinner menu for kids has 4 items for example:

Whozits and Whatzits Fries and Nuggetz

Ursula's Octo-Dog

Clammy Turkey Sammy

Angel Hair Pasta a la Dinglehopper

I just think it odd and a missed opportunity to add gimmicky names implying seafood and not have a fish option for kids. That and when you put an octopus hotdog and goldfish crackers on top of mac and cheese (all things kids love, individually) it just ends up a little strange. I get that the point is the princesses, but I actually enjoy the adult food here and wish the kids had some better options than what feels like CS with cute names for $20.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Can't delete but nothing to say.

 

[Malcon10t]

Ours usually ordered the kids version of the tri tip when they had that. At least they could have fish and chips.

 

[tdhickey]

I just think it odd and a missed opportunity to add gimmicky names implying seafood and not have a fish option for kids. That and when you put an octopus hotdog and goldfish crackers on top of mac and cheese (all things kids love, individually) it just ends up a little strange. I get that the point is the princesses, but I actually enjoy the adult food here and wish the kids had some better options than what feels like CS with cute names for $20.

Maybe it's the whole, you know, don't eat Ariel's friends thing lol? At least for the kids anyway...

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Hopefully someone has mentioned this in this 5 page thread of silly, but why would ANYTHING a kid eats in the Parks be cause for worry or complaint? There is definitely something for everyone and I'm consistently impressed with the variety of choices, from healthy to junk. If your kid is that picky, then I guess you should just kowtow to the kid and eat where he can get something that will satisfy him. If you are that picky and want your kids to eat only very specific foods, get a hotel room with a kitchen, drive to the grocery store and buy what you need, then take it back and cook it. Sheesh. I assume this is mostly parents pouting; kids are great about eating until adults get involved.