McDonalds in Epcot, did you know this!!?

[Pooh Friend]

I agree - the fries, food, of McDonalds where I live are normally disgusting. However, the fries at Epcot are the best I have ever had in my life. They are always hot, salty and crispy -- done to perfection. The adults in my group all look forward especially for the fries. I know they are really not good for you on a regular basis, but on vacation, and really I only eat them at WDW, I think its great!

 

[princessjv]

It's all about moderation. I agree that McD's is not the best thing for our kids (or us). But either is candy, soda, popcorn with butter...and the list can go on and on. Again what is important is teaching them that they can have not so good things sometimes and in moderation. Teach them to make healthy choices too. I tell my kids that they can have McD's, but then they will need to get milk to drink or sometimes apples instead of fries or later in the day when they ask for a 'treat', I tell them to make a healthy choice (fruit/cheese etc.).

As a PP asked - Does anyone know if we can use a childs credit for this? As is, I often get the Mighty Kids nugget meal and have my kids split it.

 

[aes74]

I am a little sad to see McD there, not because I care if your kids eat there or not, but because I think of Disney as being "out of the world." I like being on WDW property the whole time, away from the problems and stresses for a few short days. Passing a McDonald in my "real life" happens every day, so I was a little bummed to see it right in the middle of a wonderful fantasy place. Forgive the dramatics, but those golden arches were a bummer of a reminder of what I would be getting back to in too short of a time.

I have two kids, and we don't have a problem passing the McDonalds by.. My kids certainly aren't perfect food angels, and we go to Mc Donalds occasionally, but we eat different foods all the time, so they are used to new things, maybe. We've taken them to different countries and encouraged them to try different things, and they really enjoy it. Of course if they wanted some fries also, on occasion, I don't have a problem with it.

As far as the chain restaurant discussion, I don't think people's problem with the chain is that it is a chain itself, but some of us really like fresh ingredients and something indigenous to where you are staying. Not to say I don't love to go to Carrabas, I'm certainly no snob, but I love restaurants with fresh, local ingredients. I think "Supersize Me" was a great movie because it personally helped to wake me up about food choices. I am much more aware of ingredients in products, and make better choices. Before I think it was too much about efficiency and speed. I cook more now, and I pack my kids' lunch to have a little more control over what they are eating each day.

Of course, I must admit we went to France for a month, loved it, loved the food, tried everything. But there was one night, after about 3 weeks, when we hit a Hard Rock Cafe. I just had to have a big, disgusting cheeseburger, greasy french fries, and a huge soda. Heaven.

 

[maminnie]

I think many of us would agree that if the Disney restaurant's CS selections for children were better offering healthy as well as traditional selections for our children, many of us would much rather choose Disney CS restaurants instead of McDonalds which we can get any day of the week at home. But if the Disney CS selections are not appealing to our children then we are going to head to the golden arches just to make our kids happy and make sure they have eaten something.

Disney really needs to re-evaluate the CS children's selections as many of these menus seem to not be meeting the needs of their customers.

maminnie

 

[bicker]

I think that will be driven only by a change in guest perspective, specifically, a general willingness on the part of guests to pay a lot more for meals for children. As inexpensive as these meals are now, I doubt we'll see any significant changes. You talk about the needs of the customers, but are they really "needs" if the customer doesn't associate a significant value to them?

 

[maminnie]

bicker:

The bottom line is that my children need to eat when at Disney. If the children's menus whether I am on the DDP or not, do not provide selections that make the 3-9 year old group happy and fed then these menus need to be fixed and revised. If Disney has a financial issue with the DDP for children then maybe they do need to raise the price a bit and give the kids what they want to eat. Or are they giving the children's food away only to make plenty of money on the 10+ children at $38.99 a day and the adult meals at $38.99. I can't imagine that Disney would have this plan if they were not making significant money; certainly not Disney's style. They have also created a plan that keeps people 'in Disney' rather than outside of Disney.

Once again menus that provide healthy and traditional options for the children are what is needed at the CS restaurants at Disney. As a parent I do not want to be searching for food that will make my children happy. And no my kids are not bad eaters; they eat very healthy as well as a significant variety of foods. But I must admit they do not want 'chilled chicken' 'sloppy joes', 'processed mac and cheese', or 'Uncrustables' when at Disney.

maminnie

 

[Madsofa]

My friend just got back and at the McDonalds stop near Canada, she got a 9 pc nuggets, large fries, soda and McFlurry for one CS credit! What a great meal for kids to share!

Thanks for the update. My kids love McD's and eat there as a treat every couple of weeks. They could share this meal and be full! I'm not in for the debate. This works for my family and others will do for their family as they see fit.

 

[bicker]

The bottom line is that my children need to eat when at Disney. If the children's menus whether I am on the DDP or not, do not provide selections that make the 3-9 year old group happy and fed then these menus need to be fixed and revised.

I'm sorry. Perhaps I'm not writing things clearly enough. I definitely see your need for a solution to your issue, with regard to eating at WDW. I didn't mean to imply that I didn't understand your personal quandary. My only point is that if the vast majority of people are keeping Disney's eateries fully patronized -- iow, if Disney cannot do much better financially by making a change -- they wouldn't.

If Disney has a financial issue with the DDP for children then maybe they do need to raise the price a bit and give the kids what they want to eat.

Absolutely. Again, my point is what if they don't have issues -- if all their research shows that this is the best way of things being, all factors taken into consideration. A lot of young families, perhaps more than any of us know, are very sensitive to price. Disney didn't raise the young child price of the Dining Plan, even though they raised the regular price of the Dining Plan. I think they foresaw a big down-side if they raised that price, even though a bunch of guests "want" better food for their children.

Or are they giving the children's food away only to make plenty of money on the 10+ children at $38.99 a day and the adult meals at $38.99.

That's a good point. I wouldn't have suggested that myself, but perhaps the reality is that the market simply is such that people don't care what cheap stuff is available for young children. My sister-in-law and I discussed this a few weeks ago, and she relayed that the food quality wasn't a real consideration for her children until they were about 9 years old. Maybe that's what drives how things are, not only at WDW, but everywhere, with children being offered only simpler, cheaper food choices.

 

[aes74]

bicker:

Once again menus that provide healthy and traditional options for the children are what is needed at the CS restaurants at Disney. As a parent I do not want to be searching for food that will make my children happy. And no my kids are not bad eaters; they eat very healthy as well as a significant variety of foods. But I must admit they do not want 'chilled chicken' 'sloppy joes', 'processed mac and cheese', or 'Uncrustables' when at Disney.

maminnie

Seriously, what do they want to eat at Disney? I am not being sarcastic, I really want to know. My kids don't get much processed food, so they think the Uncrustables are awesome. Not that I am super thrilled...but....

 

[maminnie]

I simply am suggesting a bit of variety for the children and not limiting the menus to two things. Healthy as well as traditional options at CS restaurants like chicken fingers, hotdogs (not corn dogs), hamburgers, grilled chicken, etc. would make my 8 year old happier at Disney. I can't imagine that many others would not admit that at Disney this is the type of counter service foods their children want to eat. My children do not eat processed mac and cheese that is of the full fat/salt content or Uncrustables simply because they do not like the taste not that I am a fanatic and will not give it to them. To them the mac and cheese at Disney is way to salty and not like what they eat at home and the Uncrustables is stuffed with way to much peanut butter and jelly. I think many of us would have to agree with them.

As you can see from other threads parents are having to search and review counter service menus to find restaurants that have food their children will eat when at Disney. It is one thing to do this for table service restaurants but not for counter service restaurant. In my opinion, it should not be that difficult.

At this point, we will just have to tolerate these menus as I doubt they will be any better by the time we visit. As others have pointed out the price is very reasonable for the 3-9 year old group and we will just deal with the menu selections. I too will be reviewing menus further to determine where my 8 year old and my 2/4/6 year old nieces and nephews food needs can be met. All I know I do not want to be roaming the parks looking for food for hungry children.

I have been commenting on these menus for the past few days as it really does amaze me that Disney has created these menus. As I have said in other posts, I believe Disney wants to limit older children and adults from buying children's portions of the more traditional foods at the counter service restaurants so they therefore provide choices that would not interest them such and Uncrustables and processed mac and cheese.

maminnie

 

[bicker]

I can't imagine that many others would not admit that at Disney this is the type of counter service foods their children want to eat.

No one would; no one has. What we're saying has nothing to do with what children want.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Well my picky bottomless pit teen will be thrilled with the nugget and mcflurry. DH and I DO NOT do Mcdonalds and he only gets in with friends. He also is not trilled with a lot of the counter service in the WS so this will make everyone happy. Certainly not something we would do every day bit we are on VACATION. Normaly it is a burger or chicken from the American area so this can not be any worse.

Ms SAndra

 

[disneyvacalover]

bicker:

The bottom line is that my children need to eat when at Disney. If the children's menus whether I am on the DDP or not, do not provide selections that make the 3-9 year old group happy and fed then these menus need to be fixed and revised. If Disney has a financial issue with the DDP for children then maybe they do need to raise the price a bit and give the kids what they want to eat. Or are they giving the children's food away only to make plenty of money on the 10+ children at $38.99 a day and the adult meals at $38.99. I can't imagine that Disney would have this plan if they were not making significant money; certainly not Disney's style. They have also created a plan that keeps people 'in Disney' rather than outside of Disney.

Once again menus that provide healthy and traditional options for the children are what is needed at the CS restaurants at Disney. As a parent I do not want to be searching for food that will make my children happy. And no my kids are not bad eaters; they eat very healthy as well as a significant variety of foods. But I must admit they do not want 'chilled chicken' 'sloppy joes', 'processed mac and cheese', or 'Uncrustables' when at Disney.

maminnie

Maminnie

I couldn/t agree with you more!!! Disney IS making tons of $$ off this plan. My family usually stays at Disney w/ an annual passholder rate, and we buy ticket broker tickets. NOW because the dining plan offers us something a way to eat TS everyday and a little flexibility (by that I mean we can all order apps and dessert-a VERY RARE TREAT for my children) we do a package. Believe me it costs us more than the $!0.99/ day and $38.99/ day price we pay for the actual dining.

Next year my second child will turn 10. I'm not sure I will continue to get this plan as it will just be a HUGE rip off. As it is now my 9 and 6 year olds can split a kids meal. Sorry, I know this is not debate about ages, however DISNEY IS MAKING LOADS OF $$$ on this! I'm sure many family that would normally use AP discounts and room only rates forgoe it for the dining plan.

 

[bicker]

DISNEY IS MAKING LOADS OF $$$ on this!

And they probably could (and perhaps should) be making a lot more money on it. The Dining Plan is insanely popular and very well-regarded by, perhaps, more guests than Disney can handle. Doing anything to make the Dining Plan an ever better value would be a Bad Thing from the perspective of a lot of people: It would make the restaurants even more crowded. Also, making something which is already a great value in the minds of many guests an even better value would put a combination of downward pressure on many aspects of quality and upwards pressure on prices. I sure don't want to see the Dining Plan increase in price, and I know a lot of families worry about the Dining Plan being pretty close to the edge of affordability now.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have worked in MANY restaurants, in 4 different states, in all areas from server, to cook, to manager, to bartender. Let me assure you that things like that can happen anywhere from fast food to fine dining. I do understand that things like that are more likely to happen in a fast food because of (usually) lower skill level and lower pay. If you truly are worried about something like that, you might want to consider never eating in a restaurant ever!!

I see nothing wrong with giving kids some french fries if that will make them happy. Are the adults who are getting so worked up about it only eating the veggie plate for dinner with fruit for dessert??

You know a tablespoon of ranch has almost as much fat as a Big Mac.

I don't doubt this is true. To stay completely safe, the alternatives are 1) prepare all your own food or 2) monitor how someone else prepares all your food.

Kind of difficult unless you're the Queen of England. And I bet she wouldn't even do it herself, she'd hire somebody to do it, and then she'd have to trust them.

 

[Erin1700]

We will be on the DDP for the first time in Nov2007 and I am worried about what my DD6 will eat. I could see us going to the McD's place in AK but not Epcot. She likes the Chinese food CS even though we have to order her an adult meal to get rice and chicken and veggies. I think the kids meal there is just egg rolls. Anyway, we will be glad to eat McD's once on our trip. Although I tease her that she is going to turn into a chicken nugget, she does eat healthy, just not the new kids menu choices at Disney. Pasta, baked potaote, rice, cooked veggies, grilled chiceken or other meats, okay but not mac and cheese or uncrustables or cold chicken!

 

[maminnie]

Erin1700:

I think your description of the healthy foods your child eat were great; mine eat similar. They really are good eaters for an 8 and 12 year old. As a matter of fact compared to some of their friends they are fantastic eaters. I have to admit they do love nuggets, hotdogs, hamburgers and fries at times and at Disney they probably eat a few too many but I chalk it up to vacation. Having healthy choices like the ones you describe would be great and all of which my children would also select and enjoy. Processed mac and cheese, Uncrustables, Sloppy Joes, and chilled chicken are just not on their lists of preferred foods especially when they are at Disney! I know myself I enjoy a few too many hamburgers (not hotdogs I must admit) and fries when I am at Disney hence the vacation weight gain!!!!

Disneyvacalover:

Thanks for your support. The jury is still out as to whether I will go with the plan as the children's menu is way too limited for my 8 year old daughter and I don't know if my 12 year old son will eat $38.99 worth of food.

Having worked in the corporate world for many years, I am often amazed at the decisions corporations make regarding meeting the needs of their customers. So many of them simply make absolutely no sense but I'm sure there is a monetary reason for them. I can't imagine Disney would be doing any type of dining plan if there wasn't plenty of money to be made!!

maminnie

 

[pperfectmom]

OT here, but I think this is funny. I was talking to DD about eating at CRT when we go to the MK on our trip and playing up the whole "castle" thing and eating with Cinderella. Well, she was watching Cinderella a day or two later and asked me where the ugly stepsisters ate. My response was "McDonald's". I hope I can get them through childhood without thinking that McD's is any better or worse than other fast food joints. I do think even on the DDP that we can find better options in Epcot.

 

[asmit4]

I don't have kids yet, but when I was a kid, on vacation, I could eat pretty much whatever I wanted. I remember getting a waffle that was a chocolate chip waffle, with chocolate syrup and whip cream for breakfast around age 8 when I was in Florida It's one of those things that I remember as a happy memory.

While I don't support McDonalds as a meal to eat 4 times a month, I do think that when kids are on vacation, they should (within reason) be able to eat what they want.

Heck, I'm an adult and that meal deal sounds great for my mom and I to split! A great use of a credit!

 

[avic77]

i was thrilled to learn there is a couple McD outlets around the World not for my sake or my children but for my husband. He has sever food allergies, especially to rich sauces. Anytime we eat out he has a burger, steak, or Chicken with no seasonings or suaces. So it's very welcome news to know he can grab a McD fries for a snack. I however have a bad reaction to McDonalds and cant eat there unless i want to spend an hour in a nearby bathroom so I will enjoy the other food venues available.