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

[leebee]

Disney restaurants used to do half-portions of adult meals, at half-price plus $1 or $2, maybe 10 or so years ago. This was perfect for DD; at 10, while not an entirely adventurous eater, she tired quickly of the nuggets, burgers, dogs, fries that seem to make up much of the children's menus. My mil was also happy to be able to order a smaller portion of the adult meals, as she simply no longer could consume a full adult meal. It's too bad they don't do this anymore. The certainly wouldn't lose money on the food they served, although their bottom line might be lower. OTOH, they'd have happier customers.

Regarding junior prices, Disney also used to have a junior category for kids staying onsite; can't remember the age, but I think kids used to go to age 11 and juniors were 12-17? I don't know the breakdown, but I know it was cheaper to take teens to Disney that it was to take an adult.

I don't think you'll ever see a junior park pass. I agree that most "juniors" are old enough to enjoy the attractions so why give them a discounted admission? However, if you are going to give discounts to those too short to enjoy all attractions, what about those of us who can't enjoy all the attractions because of motion sickness or vertigo? Should we get a discount, too? This would open a whole can of worms for Disney. If anything, they could perhaps offer a discount for kids too short to ride all the attractions. It IS a little annoying to pay full price for my 9 year old niece who still isn't tall enough to get on things like Kali River Rapids! I don't see it happening though, although it'd be kinda funny... these days you see parents stuffing kids shoes and giving them "high hair" to be tall enough to go on certain rides; how would they shrink their kids to get them into the parks for a discounted price???

 

[lady_bug_888]

I have learned to just manipulate the menu a bit. I've never been to WDW (32 more days...) but I have eaten at a LOT of restaurants (way more than I should). My trick is if I want something I order something else and make it into what I want. If the restaurant is putting up a fuss because DS wants a grilled cheese sandwich and they won't let him order one, I will order a cheeseburger with no meat patty, condiments or fixings (or something similar...sandwich with no fixings or meat but heated). They look at me pretty weird when I do stuff like this, but I end up getting my grilled cheese sandwich, albeit in a different form than what I would usually get. DS is happy and eats...so I'm happy! It's not about money, it's about feeding DS.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

So people willingly eat less food and cause themselves to be hungry later, just to save money? Hmm. At Disney that causes a person to go in search of more food later, which could end up costing more than eating a bigger meal up front.


I found the kid's menu offerings to be nasty at WDW, but at DLR there are a few things on the kid's menus that are actually quite tasty. Since I generally just don't get very hungry at Disney, it's just perfect. At Disneyland's plaza inn, hubby and I have shared the adult portion of penne pasta, plus a side salad. The pasta comes with one breadstick. I realized that we could get a kid's meal of the pasta, with almost half of the adult portion, plus carrot sticks and an apple slice bag and a small water, and it comes with half a breadstick. So actually healthier (with the extra veggie and fruit), nearly the same portion as half the adult's meal, with less opportunity to drastically overeat. Absolutely awesome.

And also at disneyland there's a kid's bean and cheese burrito that is just *perfect* proportion-wise.


So I'm confused by what your experiences have been in your restaurant, but for me if I order a kid's meal (Disneyland is the only place I do it) it's because of portion size, not money.

 

[Tiger926]

So people willingly eat less food and cause themselves to be hungry later, just to save money? Hmm. At Disney that causes a person to go in search of more food later, which could end up costing more than eating a bigger meal up front.


I found the kid's menu offerings to be nasty at WDW, but at DLR there are a few things on the kid's menus that are actually quite tasty. Since I generally just don't get very hungry at Disney, it's just perfect. At Disneyland's plaza inn, hubby and I have shared the adult portion of penne pasta, plus a side salad. The pasta comes with one breadstick. I realized that we could get a kid's meal of the pasta, with almost half of the adult portion, plus carrot sticks and an apple slice bag and a small water, and it comes with half a breadstick. So actually healthier (with the extra veggie and fruit), nearly the same portion as half the adult's meal, with less opportunity to drastically overeat. Absolutely awesome.

And also at disneyland there's a kid's bean and cheese burrito that is just *perfect* proportion-wise.


So I'm confused by what your experiences have been in your restaurant, but for me if I order a kid's meal (Disneyland is the only place I do it) it's because of portion size, not money.

Eliza and I both mentioned that our families' restaurants have reduced sized portions (quarter or half), but no kids' meals. Kids meals are offered at a reduced cost, as a loss leader, as a way to help out the parents. Restaurants don't have to offer kids' meals at all. By offering quarter or half options, my family's restaurant can offer this to any customer, not just kids.

Many people do order kids' meals to save money. Right now people may be discussing portion size, but honestly, it's usually all about the money, as kids' meals are reduced in price, but in many restaurants, they aren't reduced portions; therefore, adults would get away with paying a much reduced cost for a larger portion of food, and if it's a restaurant with bevarages and dessert, that's even more of a loss. I come from a province where the minimum wage is almost $11.00/hour, plus health benefits in many cases, so allowing adults to eat reduced cost kids' meals, would close my family's doors, as well as many other restaurants.

With the cost of Disney, I'm sure many people are trying to order kids' meals to save money. TS kids' meals are now $8.59, which includes an appetizer, entree, beverage and dessert. CS meals are between $4.00 - $5.00, so those are pretty low costs. Many here are saying they want to order kid meals for the diet reason, but I'm sure the financial aspect is what drives most people, and thus, the age limit. Perhaps Disney should have half portions in which anyone can order?

A very good point has been made in this thread about kid food offerings, and that is legitimate. We've been discussing this for years, that many people would love to see better variety, and mini versions of adult specialities, but unfortunately, Disney, like many other restaurants, offers a lot of the same junky crap.

We pick and choose our WDW restaurants very carefully, and if the kids' menu is not appropriate, we order adult meals, but we normally pay cash. For those on DP, this would be an issue, so that is a very valid concern that has been brought up on this thread.

Tiger

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Eliza and I both mentioned that our families' restaurants have reduced sized portions (quarter or half), but no kids' meals. Kids meals are offered at a reduced cost, as a loss leader, as a way to help out the parents.

I would LOVE it if WDW would offer quarter or half portions for anyone- including the kids. The same basic menu, night after night offered to the kids with a few variations- that is so similar to a CS menu too... urgh. Especially in WS places, it would be great to expand their horizons a bit!

 

[nytimez]

The kids' menu is dreadful across the board and anyone who is told they can't order from it should count their blessings.

As mentioned in another thread, however, I do believe that WDW should make smaller portions of all its entrees available to kids (and ideally adults... but I'd be thrilled if they were there for kids).

And then scrap the some kind of nugget/some kind of sandwich/some kind of pasta options that dominate the kids' menus across the property. If you want those things, go to counter service.

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

I had a terrible customer service experience at the Plaza about two years ago and won't go back, so it doesn't surprise me to see that they're still up to their old tricks.

Like the OP, however, I'm in the same boat with my son, who is now 11 and only wants to order off the child's menu. He's a picky eater; it's all chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and pizza, and he eats tiny, tiny portions, so even an adult portion of a child item will be wasting food. If that's what is forced upon us, then so be it but, like another poster said, I think it's ridiculous that Disney cuts off the "child" age at nine. Thirteen would make more sense, IMO.

Also, I do agree that Disney portions are large, but I think portions at many places are large. I can't finish a full Whopper meal from Burger King on my own, normally, so a lot of my meals while at WDW tend to go half eaten. I'm bringing another female friend with me this fall and I'm looking forward to finally having someone to split counter-service meals with, since my partner tends to have a big appetite and wants a meal all to himself.

 

[si-am]

The kids' menu is dreadful across the board and anyone who is told they can't order from it should count their blessings.

As mentioned in another thread, however, I do believe that WDW should make smaller portions of all its entrees available to kids (and ideally adults... but I'd be thrilled if they were there for kids).

And then scrap the some kind of nugget/some kind of sandwich/some kind of pasta options that dominate the kids' menus across the property. If you want those things, go to counter service.

Oh wow, this would result in mass outrage here on the Dis. There are apparently many kids who will not eat anything except nuggets.

 

[nytimez]

Oh wow, this would result in mass outrage here on the Dis. There are apparently many kids who will not eat anything except nuggets.

I know. Apparently, some also suffer from health problems or social disorders that can only by corrected by three daily servings of chicken nuggets.

 

[rentayenta]

I know. Apparently, some also suffer from health problems or social disorders that can only by corrected by three daily servings of chicken nuggets.

 

[alice99]

I know. Apparently, some also suffer from health problems or social disorders that can only by corrected by three daily servings of chicken nuggets.

 

[tinkerone]

i read the fist page, skimed the second page and am now going to maybe be flamed by my response.
isn't this just another example of 'rules don't apply to me'? right or wrong, if the menu says under 10 then its under ten. we don't get to decide if the restaurant is being fair. they are doing what they are entitled to do. so what, pay the price and don't complain about it. you got the grilled cheese and that is what you say you wanted. done.
if you ask for a special accomadation and you get it don't complain and make no mistake. it was a special accomadation if the grilled cheese was not on the adults menu.
imo

 

[Alsobrook]

i read the fist page, skimed the second page and am now going to maybe be flamed by my response.
isn't this just another example of 'rules don't apply to me'? right or wrong, if the menu says under 10 then its under ten. we don't get to decide if the restaurant is being fair. they are doing what they are entitled to do. so what, pay the price and don't complain about it. you got the grilled cheese and that is what you say you wanted. done.
if you ask for a special accomadation and you get it don't complain and make no mistake. it was a special accomadation if the grilled cheese was not on the adults menu.
imo

I agree with you.

And I think any rudeness on the part of the staff is, of course, uncalled for. I'm a big believer that if you can politely ask for an explanation, and you get one...you have to give some careful consideration before you escalate. This was a special accommodation, and one that I think most of the places at WDW are probably happy to make, no questions asked. But sometimes, they don't.

From the description on page one, though, I was kind of confused that maybe something was lost in translation. I gather the original poster was not concerned about the cost issue, but rather the ability to order the sandwich. So in the end.... win win?

Wow, 8 pages on this topic. This place truly is amazing. (That's not a crack at all.... I seriously am amazed at the depth of discussion that folks have here on literally all things Disney).

 

[bumbershoot]

i read the fist page, skimed the second page and am now going to maybe be flamed by my response.
isn't this just another example of 'rules don't apply to me'? right or wrong, if the menu says under 10 then its under ten. we don't get to decide if the restaurant is being fair. they are doing what they are entitled to do. so what, pay the price and don't complain about it. you got the grilled cheese and that is what you say you wanted. done.
if you ask for a special accomadation and you get it don't complain and make no mistake. it was a special accomadation if the grilled cheese was not on the adults menu.
imo

FWIW, Disney is well known for making special accommodations for requests. And there are restaurants out there who will let anyone use the kid's menu. So I don't think it's awful to want something like this.

 

[Lisa3]

This is really a sore subject with me. Three years ago we ate at ESPN. My kids at the time were 11, 13, 15. Two wanted to order chicken fingers and one grilled cheese which were only offered on the kids menu (12 and under). Both my husband and I ordered full adult meals. The waitress took our order, delivered our drinks and only then made such a huge stink about the kids meals asking how old the kids were. I was told that I would be charged adult prices for their meals and said that was fine for the two older ones if they were made into adult portions (meaning adding a side or fries to the meal as on the adult menu). They said no I would only get the child's portion. I told the waitress that I would not pay more for the same thing (plus the cost of the drink which I expected) just because they were older. She then proceeded to tell me my youngest child (who is tall for his age) could not be only 11 (he is now 14 and 6'3"!). She finally gave us the kids meal at the kids price (plus cost of drink) but told the kids not to let the manager see them eating because she would get in trouble! My kids are very shy and strict "rule followers". By the time the meal came they were so upset they couldn't even eat. My daughter was crying and begging to leave. My older son ate about 2 bites and kept looking around the room as if someone was going to yell at him. If they had offered the same items on the adult menu we would have ordered it but they did not like anything on the adult menu and nothing was said when the order was placed. If the waitress was worried about how the cost of the meal would be reflected in her tip, she should have thought twice about calling me a liar concerning my youngest child's age. That is what ultimately caused her to receive NO tip at all.

 

[LilyWDW]

FWIW, Disney is well known for making special accommodations for requests. And there are restaurants out there who will let anyone use the kid's menu. So I don't think it's awful to want something like this.

To want? No...

But then to be that upset when you don't get it? That is a bit silly.

If the menu says "for kids x and under" then the location has every right to follow that. You can always ask if it is possible, but you should never EXPECT it. When you assume something, you are often disappointed.

 

[alice99]

This is really a sore subject with me. Three years ago we ate at ESPN. My kids at the time were 11, 13, 15. Two wanted to order chicken fingers and one grilled cheese which were only offered on the kids menu (12 and under). Both my husband and I ordered full adult meals. The waitress took our order, delivered our drinks and only then made such a huge stink about the kids meals asking how old the kids were. I was told that I would be charged adult prices for their meals and said that was fine for the two older ones if they were made into adult portions (meaning adding a side or fries to the meal as on the adult menu). They said no I would only get the child's portion. I told the waitress that I would not pay more for the same thing (plus the cost of the drink which I expected) just because they were older. She then proceeded to tell me my youngest child (who is tall for his age) could not be only 11 (he is now 14 and 6'3"!). She finally gave us the kids meal at the kids price (plus cost of drink) but told the kids not to let the manager see them eating because she would get in trouble! My kids are very shy and strict "rule followers". By the time the meal came they were so upset they couldn't even eat. My daughter was crying and begging to leave. My older son ate about 2 bites and kept looking around the room as if someone was going to yell at him. If they had offered the same items on the adult menu we would have ordered it but they did not like anything on the adult menu and nothing was said when the order was placed. If the waitress was worried about how the cost of the meal would be reflected in her tip, she should have thought twice about calling me a liar concerning my youngest child's age. That is what ultimately caused her to receive NO tip at all.

What a terrible experience! I can totally sympathize ! My kids are also rule followers and your story is very upsetting to me, they would have reacted the same way your kids did.
This story turns my stomach.

 

[cymbaldiva]

To want? No...

But then to be that upset when you don't get it? That is a bit silly.

If the menu says "for kids x and under" then the location has every right to follow that. You can always ask if it is possible, but you should never EXPECT it. When you assume something, you are often disappointed.

This. Very well said

 

[tinkerone]

This is really a sore subject with me. Three years ago we ate at ESPN. My kids at the time were 11, 13, 15. Two wanted to order chicken fingers and one grilled cheese which were only offered on the kids menu (12 and under). Both my husband and I ordered full adult meals. The waitress took our order, delivered our drinks and only then made such a huge stink about the kids meals asking how old the kids were. I was told that I would be charged adult prices for their meals and said that was fine for the two older ones if they were made into adult portions (meaning adding a side or fries to the meal as on the adult menu). They said no I would only get the child's portion. I told the waitress that I would not pay more for the same thing (plus the cost of the drink which I expected) just because they were older. She then proceeded to tell me my youngest child (who is tall for his age) could not be only 11 (he is now 14 and 6'3"!). She finally gave us the kids meal at the kids price (plus cost of drink) but told the kids not to let the manager see them eating because she would get in trouble! My kids are very shy and strict "rule followers". By the time the meal came they were so upset they couldn't even eat. My daughter was crying and begging to leave. My older son ate about 2 bites and kept looking around the room as if someone was going to yell at him. If they had offered the same items on the adult menu we would have ordered it but they did not like anything on the adult menu and nothing was said when the order was placed. If the waitress was worried about how the cost of the meal would be reflected in her tip, she should have thought twice about calling me a liar concerning my youngest child's age. That is what ultimately caused her to receive NO tip at all.

i am confused as to how you would be asked to pay the adult price of the meal if there was no such meal on the menu. was someone going to make up a number? this senerio is kind of odd. did you not question this? i sure would have. another odd point is that you were at espn and they didn't offer an adults chicken fingers. the grilled cheese maybe i could see but every sports bar in the world offers chicken fingers on their adult menu.
just a thought.....

 

[jjsdad]

Can an 11 year old order off of the menu at a signature? I know their menu only says 9 and under, but my ds11 probably would rather something off of jikos kids menu, and to be honest, I'd rather not drop $50 on him for dinner when he'd be happy with the kids menu they have. I'd also ask this same question about teh flying fish if anyone has an answer.