No Appetizers for Kids on DDP!

[traviesojmt]

There are 6 of us going to Disney in Aug (4 adult/2 children), all on the dining plan. While there is no way that we would or want to order 6 appetizers, I completely understand the OP's point. I am one who likes to know the rules before I participate in anything. For me, the answer (do they get appetizers or don't they) is less important than consistency of the plan. To be honest, I just like knowing what to expect rather than each rule having its own plan. Some DP restaurants have fruit plates listed as appetizers, which my daughter loves. I think Disney should put out brochures defining adults DP and a separate one defining a chiild's plan. Again, it isn't so important to me whether or not they get it. It just helps everyone when the rules are very defined.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think Disney's perspective is this:
If there ARE appetizers on the kids menu, then kids get an appetizer included. If there are NO appetizers on the kids menu, then they don't get one. They MUST order from the kids menu, which thus restricts them from getting an adult appetizer as part of the plan.

The language is a bit ambiguous.

We went to Concourse Steakhouse specifically because they have kids appetizers. DS didn't really care one way or the other. And really, we tried to pay cash for DS at places with menus because the buffets were more expensive and we had more TS ressies than we had dining credits. Better to pay cash for a $6 burger and save the credits for the $14 character meals.

 

[mommy2twingles]

I am hoping my children will be able to get appetizers when we are done in December. In our case my youngest will be 1 month shy of turning 3. She is a healthy eater but we are unable to get the dinning plan for her since no ticket is needed for her. I was planning to use split the 2 older childrens meals between the 3 kids. The appitizers along with meal will make sure that everyone gets plenty to eat.

 

[jjohnson]

FYI. Most non disney owned restaurants do not include a childs appetizer on their menu. The only disney restaurants without a child's appetizer are WCC, Kona, AP & Boatwrights.

 

[DisFan331]

I think the app's depend on the server in some cases. We ate at Wolfgang's twice on our December trip and the first time the kids got one and the second time it was not allowed. It was no big deal because there was plenty of food, but just strange that in the course of one week the policy changed! We did have several meals where the kids could order and appetizer though, and a couple where they had kids appetizers too. We are doing the DDP for free this time though and I am wondering if they are a little more restrictive during these promos.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My one dd does like an appetizer with her meal - lots of the restaurants are starting to offer a kids salad or kids cheese and fruit plates. At Kona Cafe my kids were allowed to order off the adult menu for an appetizer. They love the sticky wings. We ordered one order of the sticky wings for all three to share because we knew that would be enough for them. The CM there did tell us that the kids could all order an appetizer off the adult menu if they wanted one.

 

[disneymom3]

I don't think the OP was complaining, she was reporting that her experiences were different than some of the discussions she had read on this board.

I did not know that "saving" children's TS credits by paying for them OOP was "cheating" the system. I'm not flaming you, OP... I really didn't know that. At another board that is discussed all the time. I guess I'lll have to go over there and clarify that position. I had planned to do that, but I didn't know it was "cheating".

Thanks for your report.

The saving and paying OOP is only cheating in the eyes of the DIS morality police. Disney does not make a distinction.

Back to your regularly scheduled argument now.....

 

[lookingforward]

Just want to add my two cents: I will be using the Dining plan in September (yup it is "free" but we are paying rack rate so not sure if it is "really" free), but I want to know exactly what the dining plan does and does not include. Here is why: my 7 year old LOVES to act like her older brothers (13 and 15) and she loves different foods (sushi, appetizers,etc). She would be so excited to have an appetizer, even a small little salad or apple sauce, etc. It would be nice to have consistent rules and ways of doing things. One, to let her know her options and two to budget our expenses if we have to pay for something that is not included. For instance, if only the chocolate moose is offered and she does not like that I might want to pay out of pocket for her dessert, etc. It is only fair that the rules be clear and understandable, in my opinion. Yes, the dining plan is a great deal but remember the extra costs involved with getting it: rack rate, mandatory ticket purchase, etc. I am not complaining but sometimes people think it is a gift from disney. It is a perk that they make up for in other ways. (Again, I am not complaining!!

 

[Lewisc]

Buffet restaurants like Boma will let your daughter eat whatever she wants.
The official rule is she can only order what's on the kids menu. Concourse Steakhouse has a decent kids menu, many other restaurants don't. Remember the meal plan normally costs $11 for kids. You really shouldn't be expecting a $10 shrimp cocktail or $5 dessert.

The rules are pretty clear. The issue is some CMs extend a courtesy to some guests and others feel cheated if they don't get the same exceptions. As an example the skillet meal at WCC includes a salad. That's your appetizer. If you're paying cash and want a different appetizer you don't get a credit if you ask them to hold the salad. Some servers will serve dining guests an additional free appetizer but you shouldn't plan on that.

Assume your daughter can only order off the kids menu, plan on paying cash for some items and be pleasantly surprised if a CM decides to be cut you some slack.

You might also order appetizer and dessert samplers and share them.

Just want to add my two cents: I will be using the Dining plan in September (yup it is "free" but we are paying rack rate so not sure if it is "really" free), but I want to know exactly what the dining plan does and does not include. Here is why: my 7 year old LOVES to act like her older brothers (13 and 15) and she loves different foods (sushi, appetizers,etc). She would be so excited to have an appetizer, even a small little salad or apple sauce, etc. It would be nice to have consistent rules and ways of doing things. One, to let her know her options and two to budget our expenses if we have to pay for something that is not included. For instance, if only the chocolate moose is offered and she does not like that I might want to pay out of pocket for her dessert, etc. It is only fair that the rules be clear and understandable, in my opinion. Yes, the dining plan is a great deal but remember the extra costs involved with getting it: rack rate, mandatory ticket purchase, etc. I am not complaining but sometimes people think it is a gift from disney. It is a perk that they make up for in other ways. (Again, I am not complaining!!

 

[kaysmommie]

The kids menu is pure junk at most of the restaurants. If dining wasn't free, I would not get the dining plan because my DC don't need to eat mac and Cheese all week long. I'm going to try to find places with better kids menu's.

 

[crisi]

The kids menu is pure junk at most of the restaurants. If dining wasn't free, I would not get the dining plan because my DC don't need to eat mac and Cheese all week long. I'm going to try to find places with better kids menu's.

The signature places usually have really good kids menus. But they are two credits on the dining plan. This is one of the reasons the dining plan isn't a solution for everyone. We have a seven year old who can eat like an adult and gets bored with chicken fingers and hot dogs. This year we are cruising - which will be good for him. And our next trip will involve the DDE, not the DDP, in part because he wouldn't do well with the limited choices on the kids menus.

 

[formernyer]

The rules are pretty clear.

Clear as mud. Obviously if it was clear you wouldn't have so many people disagreeing with your personal interpretation.

And I'll ask you a third time...

Where is the literature to support this statement:

Disney has said the description (appetizer/entrée/dessert/drink) of a TS meal refers to what adults get to order.

I've provided you a .pdf link to the brochure that Disney distributes and nowhere does it state that the definition of TS applies only to adults. All it says states is WHAT four components comprise a TS meal. It refers to "per person" but not "per adult."

We all agree that children must order from the children's menu if it is available; however, the fact that a component of the TS is omitted from the child's menu doesn't mean that the child isn't entitled to something. Like I suggested earlier, why not just make a "soft drinks only" child's menu and not allow the kids to eat at all for their TS? That's what your logic suggests would be acceptable.

CLEAR AS MUD.

 

[formernyer]

The kids menu is pure junk at most of the restaurants. If dining wasn't free, I would not get the dining plan because my DC don't need to eat mac and Cheese all week long. I'm going to try to find places with better kids menu's.

I don't necessarily agree with this.

My DD will almost always choose pizza or something junky, but my DS prefers "real" food and he was able to get it. He had a nice grilled chicken meal at Sci-Fi, which came with a whole chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and vegetable. At Coral Reef he had a small steak (probably 5oz. - 6oz.) with mashed potatoes and broccoli. It wasn't on the menu, but was offered to us without asking.

 

[mlwear]

Last year I believe every TS we went had some sort of child app.

I have two DS's--one is 8 and one is 11. It would really stink for the 8 year old to watch big bro eating an app while he goes without. Granted, in some cases we could all share, but not all apps. are easily shared. If no app. was provided I would pay OOP for a small salad for 8 year old (his favorite anyway). TS's really do need to come up with some sort of apps. for the kids with this dining plan, doesn't have to be much: a little salad, some fruit, veggies and dip. Does food get wasted with a little one having an app., reg. meal and dessert, heck yes. Does food get wasted with an adult having an app., meal and dessert, you betcha.
Because my 8 year old wants something near to what the family gets (the three courses) is why I will use his TS credits for him and not just get him a kids meal and pay $5 OOP.
If a restaurant doesn't have a child's app. can't they just give a smaller portion of the adult size? I know, people would complain, but it seems to me that it would be easy to say "we don't offer child-specific apps, but have this, this and that , that we can offer as choices in a child size portion".

I can't help but think it's funny that perhaps some families are scheming to get all the shrimp cocktail they can. Reminds me of Seinfeld "George, the ocean called, they are running out of shrimp"

Hopefully, those wanting an app. for their child are just wanting something for the kid to eat while the rest of the table does. At least, that is how it should be, IMHO, and DDP should provide them with something.

 

[lookingforward]

Buffet restaurants like Boma will let your daughter eat whatever she wants.
The official rule is she can only order what's on the kids menu. Concourse Steakhouse has a decent kids menu, many other restaurants don't. Remember the meal plan normally costs $11 for kids. You really shouldn't be expecting a $10 shrimp cocktail or $5 dessert.

The rules are pretty clear. The issue is some CMs extend a courtesy to some guests and others feel cheated if they don't get the same exceptions. As an example the skillet meal at WCC includes a salad. That's your appetizer. If you're paying cash and want a different appetizer you don't get a credit if you ask them to hold the salad. Some servers will serve dining guests an additional free appetizer but you shouldn't plan on that.

Assume your daughter can only order off the kids menu, plan on paying cash for some items and be pleasantly surprised if a CM decides to be cut you some slack.

You might also order appetizer and dessert samplers and share them.

Thanks for your comments...I certainly don't "expect" anything so I am not sure where this comment came from, no offense. It seems when people question the dining plan kid policy certain people are anxious to point out how little it costs. Most people, including me, are not out to "beat" the system or demand more than they paid for. I still feel that there should be clarity. We don't really enjoy buffets so that is not an option for my family (except the occassional character meals and when there is no other choice).

There are many ways to utilize the dining plan, it is just nice to understand how it works...from Disney's perspective, not individual's interpretations.

 

[jjohnson]

If everyone is concerned with their child getting an appetizer, just make ADR's at the 16 restaurants that offer them & there won't be a problem.

 

[Luvamouse]

First, to the OP, thanks for the heads up to all who may have wished to order an app for their child. I think the reasons given are very good ones.

Second,

I agree with jackskellingtonsgirl

I think Disney's perspective is this:

If there ARE appetizers on the kids menu, then kids get an appetizer included. If there are NO appetizers on the kids menu, then they don't get one. They MUST order from the kids menu, which thus restricts them from getting an adult appetizer as part of the plan.

I would assume when it says that children must order from children's menu, then no app-- they don't get one. Not arguing, just saying I never would have thought it meant anything else.

 

[Lewisc]

I see you're no longer claiming that the brochure clearly guarantees children an adult appetizer. That was your claim a week or so ago. I continue to be amazed with how much misinformation you post. I already said your interpertation wasn't outrageous, just doesn't match Disney's.

Take the time to carefully read my post. I ignored your first two replies thinking you'd take the time to read before posting more gibberish. Several posters sent Disney an email regarding child appetizers and I paraprhased the response. Take the time to do a search if you want to locate the original posts,or not.

The fact is several restaurants aren't providing child appetizers supports that interpertation of the plan brochure. It gives a general explanation as to what's covered but goes on to limit what children order. I believe, but I'm not 100% certain, that at least one CS doesn't even offer an adult dessert. Dine there and you get no dessert.

Clear as mud. Obviously if it was clear you wouldn't have so many people disagreeing with your personal interpretation.

And I'll ask you a third time...

Where is the literature to support this statement:



I've provided you a .pdf link to the brochure that Disney distributes and nowhere does it state that the definition of TS applies only to adults. All it says states is WHAT four components comprise a TS meal. It refers to "per person" but not "per adult."

We all agree that children must order from the children's menu if it is available; however, the fact that a component of the TS is omitted from the child's menu doesn't mean that the child isn't entitled to something. Like I suggested earlier, why not just make a "soft drinks only" child's menu and not allow the kids to eat at all for their TS? That's what your logic suggests would be acceptable.

CLEAR AS MUD.

 

[crisi]

Thanks for your comments...I certainly don't "expect" anything so I am not sure where this comment came from, no offense. It seems when people question the dining plan kid policy certain people are anxious to point out how little it costs. Most people, including me, are not out to "beat" the system or demand more than they paid for. I still feel that there should be clarity. We don't really enjoy buffets so that is not an option for my family (except the occassional character meals and when there is no other choice).

There are many ways to utilize the dining plan, it is just nice to understand how it works...from Disney's perspective, not individual's interpretations.

I don't think people are trying to cheat the system. But I do think that if an appetizer is important to you and not on the plan, pay out of pocket. That was what my comment on price was addressing. Or choose adult appetizers that are easily shared. Disney usually does a great job of splitting - at Le Cellier we get one cup of soup, but I eat half and my son eats half - they are happy to put it in two bowls.

And I agree it would be nice if Disney were consistant - unfortunately or fortunately, CMs seem to be granted a lot of leeway - I suspect this helps them create magical special moments - and those aren't easily turned into standard processes. But when the magical special moment occurs, the internet lets us share it and it becomes an expectation.

 

[gigi1313]

I see you're no longer claiming that the brochure clearly guarantees children an adult appetizer. That was your claim a week or so ago. I continue to be amazed with how much misinformation you post. I already said your interpertation wasn't outrageous, just doesn't match Disney's.

Take the time to carefully read my post. I ignored your first two replies thinking you'd take the time to read before posting more gibberish. Several posters sent Disney an email regarding child appetizers and I paraprhased the response. Take the time to do a search if you want to locate the original posts,or not.

The fact is several restaurants aren't providing child appetizers supports that interpertation of the plan brochure. It gives a general explanation as to what's covered but goes on to limit what children order. I believe, but I'm not 100% certain, that at least one CS doesn't even offer an adult dessert. Dine there and you get no dessert.

i would just like to chime in and say that i've read this and many others (some w/comments, some w/out) and i fully concur with lewisc