Not much variety. This is what my kids will be eating:

[brymolmom]

I am so glad to hear this. I will get my twin the child selection if it is something they like - but I think it is great that I could order an adult meal for them to share. Watching thier big brother get a good desert while they get fruit or jello could be a problem.

Don't forget your snack credits...if your child doesn't like the jello thing - use a snack credit for an ice cream after the meal.

That whole thing about 'bad' desserts for kids CS meals is interesting to me....after we have a snack of a popsicle or mickey bar during the HEAT of the day PLUS after they have their ice cream sundae after their sit down meal (TS desserts for kids are great), I'm not really concerned about any of us having another 'good' dessert during that same day. If I get a piece of chocolate cake I'll have no problem letting everyone have a few bites each. I sure don't need any MORE desserts in one day.

 

[rentayenta]

Don't forget your snack credits...if your child doesn't like the jello thing - use a snack credit for an ice cream after the meal.

That whole thing about 'bad' desserts for kids CS meals is interesting to me....after we have a snack of a popsicle or mickey bar during the HEAT of the day PLUS after they have their ice cream sundae after their sit down meal (TS desserts for kids are great), I'm not really concerned about any of us having another 'good' dessert during that same day. If I get a piece of chocolate cake I'll have no problem letting everyone have a few bites each. I sure don't need any MORE desserts in one day.

That's what I was thinking too. If my kids don't want the sugar-free Jello, which they won't as they hate Jello, they can share mine. Between mine, DH's, and the snacks, they will get plenty and probably too much dessert.



TheDisneyClan, thanks for the info!

 

[GreatLakes5]

Though I realize I'm asking "can I please spend more money...." I'm wondering if anyone has (or has heard of) paying to have a "child" by DDP standings be made an "adult" on DDP?

I have an 8 year old who is sized about 3 years older than he is and therefore eats about 3 years older than he is. Not only is he often disappointed by his child choices, he is not filled by the amount.

 

[rentayenta]

Though I realize I'm asking "can I please spend more money...." I'm wondering if anyone has (or has heard of) paying to have a "child" by DDP standings be made an "adult" on DDP?

I have an 8 year old who is sized about 3 years older than he is and therefore eats about 3 years older than he is. Not only is he often disappointed by his child choices, he is not filled by the amount.

As far as I know, which isn't much , you would also have to make his ticket an adult one too.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I don't have a concern about how many deserts my boys get - but I have an 11 year old adult and two 7 year old twins. I can hear the "that's not fair" whining already. And since they have done DDP before and were allowed same desert as an adult, it is a little hard to explain to them.

 

[rentayenta]

I don't have a concern about how many deserts my boys get - but I have an 11 year old adult and two 7 year old twins. I can hear the "that's not fair" whining already. And since they have done DDP before and were allowed same desert as an adult, it is a little hard to explain to them.

It looks like with their CS, they can get adult items which hopefully make them feel better. What is it with kids and the "not fair" thing? Mine do that constantly and it drives me batty!

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

It looks like with their CS, they can get adult items which hopefully make them feel better. What is it with kids and the "not fair" thing? Mine do that constantly and it drives me batty!

It drives me crazy too, but in this case I kinda think it's not fair either . We eat very healthy at home and part of the fun of being on the DDP is being able to get deserts and try new foods. I still know we will get our moneys worth out of the DDP, but wonder if it will be as much fun as last time.
I need to remember that I CAN pay for something out of pocket, eliminate the whinning and still come out ahead on the DDP.

 

[rentayenta]

It drives me crazy too, but in this case I kinda think it's not fair either . We eat very healthy at home and part of the fun of being on the DDP is being able to get deserts and try new foods. I still know we will get our moneys worth out of the DDP, but wonder if it will be as much fun as last time.
I need to remember that I CAN pay for something out of pocket, eliminate the whinning and still come out ahead on the DDP.

Absolutely and a $6 dessert is priceless if it stops the green eyed monster and the whines!

 

[Forevryoung]

I don't have a concern about how many deserts my boys get - but I have an 11 year old adult and two 7 year old twins. I can hear the "that's not fair" whining already. And since they have done DDP before and were allowed same desert as an adult, it is a little hard to explain to them.

I have a better idea- instead of telling them that at a counter service the 11 year old gets to pick a dessert and your 7 year olds dont, why don't you say "between the 5 of us we can pick THREE deserts to share" Nobody in my family ever gets their own dessert anyway and that way you all get to try new things...

Don't make the plan about "this is yours and this is yours" make it about "this is what we can get total between the group. How are we splitting this meal up??"

 

[Disneyhappy]

My kids have been over nine and over for a few years now so I have not been following the various threads on children's meal choices, but I had to chuckle to myself when my mouse rolled over the thread and saw the list made by the OP. For my kids, that would have been too much of a variety. My kids would only eat the basics - PB & J, pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese (with a few furits snuck in there). And during our trips to WDW during this age, they would order chicken nuggets for every meal except for buffets where they would also eat pizza and mac & cheese. I was worried they were going to grow up with bad eating habits and be unhealthy. Finally at the age of 10, they started to like their veggies and ate a lot more furits. Believe me, it was not from a lack of trying because I make green vegetables and salad with every meal as well as a variety of fresh fruits available at all times. However, now I can't even try to sneak in a quick meal without the veggies so at least they have turned out to be healthy eaters in the end. How have all of you been able to get your kids to eat healthier and such a variety at younger ages. Maybe it is something with the way we raise our kids in this area because all but one on my 21 nieces and nephews were the same way. The one who was the exception would only eat fruits and veggies from age 4 on up - go figure!

 

[Colleen27]

Great thread. I will share my kids' options. One DD is 10 and luckily for her she counts as an adult because she loves good food. DD8 and DS5 could sustain on chicken noodle soup and mac n cheese if I'd let them. I chose some of our ADRs based on a little variety for the kids (not that they'll eat anyway).

DS9 is magically going to be 10 a few weeks early for the purposes of our trip, because he loves good food too. Not to say there will be any variety - in looking at menus, he commented on the steak & shrimp at Ohana, the maple filet at Le Cellier, the steak & lobster at Narcoosees, the filet and the sushi at at Cali Grill, the steak & shrimp combo at Teppanyaki, etc.

DD5 will almost surely want veggies & dip and chicken of some sort at every meal. She's adventurous to the point of trying whatever DH & I order, but for her own meal she wants the safe, familiar option.

 

[Colleen27]

Though I realize I'm asking "can I please spend more money...." I'm wondering if anyone has (or has heard of) paying to have a "child" by DDP standings be made an "adult" on DDP?

I have an 8 year old who is sized about 3 years older than he is and therefore eats about 3 years older than he is. Not only is he often disappointed by his child choices, he is not filled by the amount.

Hi there, fellow Michigander!

You can make a younger child an adult for the purposes of the dining plan, but you have to upgrade their ticket to adult too. We're doing that for DS9 on our December trip. Like your son, he's big for his age and a big eater, plus he's pretty adventurous by virtue of being my oldest and getting hauled around to a lot of ethnic restaurants or getting take out when it was just the two of us. A toddlerhood of Mexican and Indian and Thai has quite spoiled him for typical kids' meal fare.

 

[Colleen27]

How have all of you been able to get your kids to eat healthier and such a variety at younger ages.

Luck, I think. They never knew any differently, so they learned to eat the way we do, and neither of my kids ever resisted trying new things or eating veggies. I can't even pretend it had anything to do with my parenting, because we're really laid back about food. No "eat your veggies" or "clean you plate" rules here! DS is definately more open minded than DD, but they're both happy to try new things. I've gotten some amusing comments at times when we're out having something kids don't usually like, like sushi (which both my kids love!).

Desserts aside, I really like the new kids' menus cause they're more the way my kids eat than the standard chicken nuggets/hot dog/cheeseburger options that so many places offer. The much-maligned chilled chicken at Pecos Bill sounds like something DD would eat for every meal, given the opportunity.

 

[rentayenta]

DisneyHappy, I think I just got lucky. My kids literally bicker over who gets the last tomato in the salad. Grilled asparagus lasts 2 seconds around here and nobody but me puts butter on their bread but me.

 

[annaaidan99]

Here is what my DS will probably opt for:

Day 1- Teppanyaki- Shrimp with Grilled Vegetables and Rice
Day2- Kona- Grilled Fish of the Day
Day 3- San Angel- Quesadilla
Day 4- Rose and Crown- Grilled Chicken
Day 5- Hollywood Brown Derby- Chicken Strips
Day 6- LeCellier- Grilled Steak
Day 7- California Grill- Grilled Filet
Day 8- Concourse Steakhouse- Pita Pizza
Day 9- Coral Reef- Grilled Mahi Mahi

All in all, a lot of variety for an 8 year old. I'm pleased about TS. CS are another story!! My DS will not eat chilled chicken or franks and beans, so we have to study CS menus and plan ahead.

 

[TheDisneyClan]

All in all, a lot of variety for an 8 year old. I'm pleased about TS. CS are another story!! My DS will not eat chilled chicken or franks and beans, so we have to study CS menus and plan ahead.

FYI
You can get your son adult selections at CS locations. Reread this thread to learn how. Enjoy!!!

 

[annaaidan99]

Thanks for the tip! That may come in handy!

 

[GreatLakes5]

Luck, I think. They never knew any differently, so they learned to eat the way we do, and neither of my kids ever resisted trying new things or eating veggies. I can't even pretend it had anything to do with my parenting, because we're really laid back about food. No "eat your veggies" or "clean you plate" rules here! .

We ended up the same way with our kids....we don't have clean your plate rules because of obesity that runs in dh's family - we want them to grow up knowing what "full" tastes like & stopping there. That said, I do not make multiple dinners. What I make is what is served. My kids are certainly varied - one bordering on vegetarian already because she just doesn't like meat (at 6) - but they have grown into really good "tryers" - no saying you don't like something before you try it. After that they are free to say "I don't like chickpeas or liver or lima beans"....oh wait - that's me

Thanks for the tid bit on upgrading my son to an "adult" (the one time as a mom I care to do this)....I think we will pay the additional $ for the ticket, etc. to do so....with the amount he'll eat Disney won't know what hit 'em

 

[TruBlu]

Luck, I think. They never knew any differently, so they learned to eat the way we do, and neither of my kids ever resisted trying new things or eating veggies. I can't even pretend it had anything to do with my parenting, because we're really laid back about food. No "eat your veggies" or "clean you plate" rules here!

It's the same with us. I think we were lucky too. Although, I did follow all the guidelines about starting your baby with veggies and waiting a month or two more before giving fruit. That really seemed to work because both of my boys liked spinach much more than any fruit, but sadly they grew out of it. They still eat more veggies than most kids, but they also love a good nugget!

 

[Katiebell]

It looks like with their CS, they can get adult items which hopefully make them feel better. What is it with kids and the "not fair" thing? Mine do that constantly and it drives me batty!

Just wait until they are 15 and it's "not fair" that their older brothers can drive, vote, drink alcohol, and live with their girlfriends. Sorry, kiddo, there's a few things you will just have to wait for...

I have a better idea- instead of telling them that at a counter service the 11 year old gets to pick a dessert and your 7 year olds dont, why don't you say "between the 5 of us we can pick THREE deserts to share" Nobody in my family ever gets their own dessert anyway and that way you all get to try new things...

Don't make the plan about "this is yours and this is yours" make it about "this is what we can get total between the group. How are we splitting this meal up??"

Great idea The best plan I've read on these boards was from a dad who said he and his family would just order 2 adult meals, 2 kids' meals, put all the food in the middle of the table, and everyone would just eat!

You can make a younger child an adult for the purposes of the dining plan, but you have to upgrade their ticket to adult too. We're doing that for DS9 on our December trip. Like your son, he's big for his age and a big eater, plus he's pretty adventurous by virtue of being my oldest and getting hauled around to a lot of ethnic restaurants or getting take out when it was just the two of us. A toddlerhood of Mexican and Indian and Thai has quite spoiled him for typical kids' meal fare.

Thanks for the tid bit on upgrading my son to an "adult" (the one time as a mom I care to do this)....I think we will pay the additional $ for the ticket, etc. to do so....with the amount he'll eat Disney won't know what hit 'em

It might be worth it for an older kid who really will eat as much as an adult. For younger kids who might just want an occasional adult dessert or once or twice might want an adult entree instead of the kid's choice, it's important to keep in mind that upgrading your child to an "adult" for the dining plan will cost the increase in the admission ticket price, but also $28 more per day for the adult plan. Any buffets or all-you-care-to-eat meals (including most character meals), your child on the child's plan paying the child's price will be able to eat all the same foods as the adults, and as much as they want. So you might want to look at how many NON buffet/AYCE meals you have planned, and figure out what it would actually cost to just buy your child a menu item or two OOP.