My "kid" was told they couldn't order off childrens menu

[Maryrn11168]

I have to laugh at these boards. I find them very interesting, imformative and quite entertaining. On the cruise thread if you ask if a child could wear shorts into the dining room you will get FLAMES that rules are rules and they are there for a reason and if DCL does not want shorts in the dining room then NO shorts should be worn, but here there is a rule that the children's menu is for 9 and under and everyone wants to dismiss it as if it didn't exist.

Not looking for an argument just find it very ironic.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I have heard that you can order adult portions of food off the kid's menus for an additional price. I'm not sure if that's true ... you may want to start a thread asking that specific question to see if someone can verify it. You can also order items off the adult menu and "dumb it down" be removing sauces, adding fries, etc. I feel your pain on the size of the kid's meals. My DD doesn't eat a lot but I noticed that most of the kid's meals were getting a bit small for her at 11. Even if they allowed her to continue to order, I don't know if it will be enough food for her and she's not even 5' tall yet!

I am the queen of "dumbing" down WDW meals. Between being allergic and growing up picky (because my deadbeat mother, who has been out of the picture since I was 10, was too lazy to decide what I could/couldn't have with my allergies) I never developed the taste for sauces, certain veggies and what most consider great food. All the dining places in WDW that we've been to (lots/most) have been very accommodating for me. As an adult, you may never know that the California Grill has macaroni and cheese to die for--I get a double order of it instead of potatoes and veggies!! I do get fries or mashed potatoes instead of the fancy side most places, and I do scope out the kids menus before the trip to see what I may be able to sub. My fiance will tell you that since we've been going to WDW 2-3 times per year, that I've gotten a little more adventurous and I've tried more things that I normally wouldn't have otherwise. The dining plan has probably played a big role in this because if I were paying OOP, I may not have paid for something that I may not like, but since the DxDDP has so much food--you really don't need to worry about going hungry. Don't ever be scared to ask to adapt a meal--the worst they can say is no--but here's to hoping we never hear that!!

OP--I'm very sorry this happened to you! I have those "I just want a grilled cheese" moments all the time

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

You know what I find interesting....if purchasing from a child's menu for an adult is for health reasons....I naturally think...why?....Are not the children's menus normally consisting of macaroni and cheese, fries, chicken nuggets, etc. This doesn't seem very healthy to me???? The food is either fried or containing processed ingredients.

Oh well....just wondering

 

[LisaTC]

I have to laugh at these boards. I find them very interesting, imformative and quite entertaining. On the cruise thread if you ask if a child could wear shorts into the dining room you will get FLAMES that rules are rules and they are there for a reason and if DCL does not want shorts in the dining room then NO shorts should be worn, but here there is a rule that the children's menu is for 9 and under and everyone wants to dismiss it as if it didn't exist. Not looking for an argument just find it very ironic.

The irony isn't lost on me. However, I will say, if it is available for a children, then they should at least "offer" it if need be as an adult version. I don't think people are arguing they wouldn't pay the adult version for it, just want the option to order it. It wouldn't be any more inconvenience. The assumption is that one is over 9, their taste buds have evolved to more sophisticated level, and they eat substantially more is rather illogical. Most people don't know that taste buds can continue to grow/evolve well into a person's 20's. I know some 16 year old girls who eat like hummingbirds. Menus at all restaurants need to evolve to a "lighter fare," "lighter portion" option. But, you're right. Fussing about the "rules" isn't going to get you anywhere except angry and hungry.

 

[alice99]

I have to laugh at these boards. I find them very interesting, imformative and quite entertaining. On the cruise thread if you ask if a child could wear shorts into the dining room you will get FLAMES that rules are rules and they are there for a reason and if DCL does not want shorts in the dining room then NO shorts should be worn, but here there is a rule that the children's menu is for 9 and under and everyone wants to dismiss it as if it didn't exist.

Not looking for an argument just find it very ironic.

To Maryrn: I find that on these boards people will say the opposite of what you do just for the sake of opposing whatever is being said. Also the Know it all, Holier than thou, crew is out there lurking on every thread, waiting to pounce.
Earlier this week I was accused of a crime because I suggested a kid wear thick soled sneakers to help her reach the 40" mark on a ride!


Kids' Dining - My opinion on this whole topic is that the rules are what they are, you can request to get an exception to the rule.... but you may, or may not, get your way.

Some people on the boards have had the rules bent for them (myself included)...but you cannot EXPECT it !

If I read about a person on these boards getting an unofficial "perk" then I go to my hotel (or restaurant, or theme park) and EXPECT the same treatment , I may be disappointed.

One CM bending the rules for a family does not constitute a policy change.

I consider myself lucky when I am able to get the rules bent a bit for me.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

To Maryrn: I find that on these boards people will say the opposite of what you do just for the sake of opposing whatever is being said. Also the Know it all, Holier than thou, crew is out there lurking on every thread, waiting to pounce.
Earlier this week I was accused of a crime because I suggested a kid wear thick soled sneakers to help her reach the 40" mark on a ride!


Kids' Dining - My opinion on this whole topic is that the rules are what they are, you can request to get an exception to the rule.... but you may, or may not, get your way.

Some people on the boards have had the rules bent for them (myself included)...but you cannot EXPECT it !

If I read about a person on these boards getting an unofficial "perk" then I go to my hotel (or restaurant, or theme park) and EXPECT the same treatment , I may be disappointed.

One CM bending the rules for a family does not constitute a policy change.

I consider myself lucky when I am able to get the rules bent a bit for me.

 

[troynkasey]

I guess I don't see anything different with this compared to substituting items on the menu. If the cost isn't the issue, then I'm not sure why they didn't let it go? Now if you're trying to save money, then I have an issue because they put limits for a reason. Just like the age limits for entering the park. They're there for a reason, however if I had a 13 year old who wanted to eat chicken nuggets and fries instead of a burger and fries or whatever, then why not ask for the burger and fries, but you'd want to substitue the nuggest? Or a better analogy...substitute a grilled cheese. That way you'repaying adult prices, but getting what you want. Then everyone is happy.

 

[shoes99]

DM is on a weight loss plan and when I asked if she could order off the kids menu, it had the portions she needed, it also took a manager and she was told no dessert (she didn't want it anyways.) It seemed that the stipulation was just to make a point that we were annoying them.

Pj

Dave,
We have had similar issues once or twice at The Plaza to the point we quit going there. That feeling of inhospitality isn't worth ruining your lunch.
This past trip we had a member of our group who simply liked the selection better on the kids menu @ Sci-FI. He ordered a kids meal AND he got the drink included (bottled water) AND the dessert. No questions asked and no apologies needed!

They treat senior citizens the same way. I am a senior, light eater and wanted the child's chef salad. They absolutely refused, and said I should order the adult size and leave the rest uneaten. I probably left 3/4 of the salad.
I won't eat there again.

 

[Donnainnj]

My take on this is that each restaurant has to pull in a certain % profit. With the lower prices at the Plaza they need to be more careful. Also if you get a kids meal, dessert is included and they don't have the possibility of that extra. Wouldn't want them to no longer offer this less expensive MK sit-down option because they can't make their numbers.
Donna

 

[akayek31]

I have read many trip reports about the rude service here. I would rather eat CS during my trip then to eat at the Plaza. At least when I eat CS I can have a kids meal if that is what I want.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I bet "Jersey Week" is just a brutal time for WDW CMs.

It's no picnic for the guests either.

 

[tjosmith]

I find this crazy. I am an adult who loves the grilled cheese sandwiches at the Plaza. They do have an ADULT triple decker grilled cheese sandwich that is out of this world. It's not on the menu, but they do have it. I know because I had it two weeks ago! Did they even offer that to your children?

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Oh My God!! I can't believe that.

 

[cymbaldiva]

One of my biggest pet peeves about Disney is the "kid" age issue. I think they should allow kids up to 13 to buy off the kid's menu. I also think kids that age should be able to not have to buy an adult admission ticket.

An idea of a Juniors menu might be something to toy with; what I bolded is what I disagree with - by age 10 the majority of kids are tall enough and mature enough to experience all of the park attractions, so I can completely see why they would be charged the full admission price.

Another restauranter here. You are absolutely right. That is why my family's restaurant does not offer a childs menu. We do the same thing, we have smaller portions for a lower price but that's it.

Of course every one here says they order off the childs menu because of the amount of food but this is the dis, no one ever breaks the rules.
The vast majority of people order off the childrens menu because they don't want to pay the adult price.

In the real world I love the option of a smaller portion being offered for a smaller price - I simply don't want to pay for food I'm not going to eat. I can see I suppose why some would consider the children's menu for that. I too have run a restaurant though, and I feel that for you to classify all (or most) of those who want to order off the children's menu is both a complete generalization and completely tacky.

At Disney for me the children's picks are no longer an option - they are an embarrassment; I truly can't believe what Disney serves. The food quality is in my experience absolutely hideous.

I want a smaller portion and don't want to pay for something I'm not going to eat and throw away. It's simple. It's not a matter of being cheap- it's a matter of being healthy and not wasteful. I find 99% of adult portion meals to be far too much food. Satisfied and full are not interchangable. I am petite, 5'1 and 105 lb. I don't stay this way by cleaning my overfull plate. When I'm finished, I'm finished and with so much poverty and hunger, it blows my mind that amount of food that gets thrown away.

Agreed. I'm not tiny like you - I wish though - but when I was it was by not not overeating.

I have to agree with this one. Going into the situation you are aware of the regulations and the guidelines. Just because you tried to negotiate around them and didn't get things completely on your terms doesn't mean the restaurant is at fault, regardless of what took place at other establishments.

I don't agree with baggage fees on specific airlines, but I don't call to argue those when purchasing tickets. I shop around and find others that fit the needs of my family. We do the same when we book reservations at the many different restaurants in WDW.

...awaiting the flames.

I hope you're not flamed, I think your post is spot on.

As for my personal experience? The only time I ordered of the kid's menu at Disney was wayyyyyy back when - anyone remember Aunt Polly's on Tom Sawyer Island? They had a pb & j sandwich on the menu (this was before the Smuckers Uncrustable things Disney sells now) - I had no problem ordering it. Moving forward to my more recent trips, we had a really hard time feeding the kiddo with us because while she's a pizza and chicken nugget eater, what they're serving now for the child options are so bad. She wouldn't eat them, and once we tasted them? We couldn't blame her - it was hard to feed her on the DDP because the options just weren't good.

As far as the OP? The folks at the Plaza should have been a little more polite I suppose and found an option to satisfy everyone, but they were technically following policy.

 

[Mercedes1]

I always ask before we go to any restaurant if they have a childs menu or any restricitons. IN the end I dont see what the big deal is, they are still getting paid

 

[Tikitoi]

That is why an appetizer as a meal can be ok for kids as well.

 

[udsweetpea]

I personally love ordering off of a kids menu, but it seems Cracker Barrel is the only one to state it's for "kids of all ages".

When I was a server at 1900 Park Fare, we HAD to charge adult prices for anyone 9 and older. There were a few angry parents, but rules are rules. One adult woman came in with a doctor's note saying she recently had surgery and would only eat a child's portion, so she was given the price of a kid's meal.

These rules are in place because so many people have worked the system, and I'm not saying the OP tried to get away with anything. I used to get a lot of very tall, very mature-looking 9 year-olds in my section. A few of them slipped up a few times and said they were old enough to drive.

 

[alice99]

These rules are in place because so many people have worked the system, and I'm not saying the OP tried to get away with anything. I used to get a lot of very tall, very mature-looking 9 year-olds in my section. A few of them slipped up a few times and said they were old enough to drive.

I agree with this. You are 100% right.

Sometimes it can be difficult determining who is what age by looking at them.

My son is 13 years old and is 6'2" tall, he has friends that are 6-9 months older than him that are a full 12-14" shorter than him. Many times, when he was honestly within age range for kids meal, servers would look at him, I would always tell his age.

 

[Euphoria027]

It's their restaurant so it's their rules.

Thank you. I can't stand this 'It's very un-Disney to not give me EXACTLY what I want WHEN I WANT IT'. They're probably just following rules from someone higher up.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thank you. I can't stand this 'It's very un-Disney to not give me EXACTLY what I want WHEN I WANT IT'. They're probably just following rules from someone higher up.

Unless its a rule they WANT to follow, then "It's very Un-Disney to break the rules".