Not on dining plan? Beware the chocolate milk!

[dis-happy]

We just got back from a trip to VWL last week and mainly ate in our room, plus a few CS meals. But we also did two TS meals, including Mama Melrose. I was happy to get one more sit down dinner in before our DDE card expired.

ANYWAY, being one of our few big meals out, two of my kids went ahead and ordered chocolate milk with dinner. It seemed harmless enough, until the bill arrived. Soda: $2.19. Chocolate milk: $5.38 (not exacty sure of the cents off the top of my head). WOW!!!! I had NO IDEA there was such an upcharge for chocolate milk, especially because we're a family that usually orders only water. Of course, they don't put these prices on the menus!

So, buyer beware of the chocolate milk.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We just got back from a trip to VWL last week and mainly ate in our room, plus a few CS meals. But we also did two TS meals, including Mama Melrose. I was happy to get one more sit down dinner in before our DDE card expired.

ANYWAY, being one of our few big meals out, two of my kids went ahead and ordered chocolate milk with dinner. It seemed harmless enough, until the bill arrived. Soda: $2.19. Chocolate milk: $5.38 (not exacty sure of the cents off the top of my head). WOW!!!! I had NO IDEA there was such an upcharge for chocolate milk, especially because we're a family that usually orders only water. Of course, they don't put these prices on the menus!

So, buyer beware of the chocolate milk.

I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone will come by and let me know if I am, but I think Disney gets all their soda products free (or something close to it), so they can afford to charge less for soda. It's still a definite shock to the system when that bill comes, but I think that's why the chocolate milk is much more expensive.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your vacation.

 

[Justsyd2]

Disney does not get soda for free. I think this rumor got started because they have free soda in Epcot (Club Cool, or somthing like that).

$2.69 (x2) for chocolate milk is very reasonable. I guess I don't understand your warning? That's the typical charge at any TS restaurant.

 

[kimpossible]

Disney does not get soda for free. I think this rumor got started because they have free soda in Epcot (Club Cool, or somthing like that).

$2.69 (x2) for chocolate milk is very reasonable. I guess I don't understand your warning? That's the typical charge at any TS restaurant.

I was under the impression the OP meant for 1 choc milk. Now for 2...that would make more sense.

 

[dis-happy]

Just to clarify, it was $5.38 for one chocolate milk, more than twice the cost of a soda. It seemed like a lot to me, especially with no warning of the price on the menu.


Note: I just checked my receipt again. The price is $5.38 per person. However, there is a 2 in front of each one; if they both got a refill maybe we were charged $2.69 per glass??? Even so, then I felt that somewhere we should have been told that ordering chocolate milk did not include refills. Thank heavens our server was non-existant for half the meal, or I could have racked up a chocolate milk bill that rivals alcholic beverage prices!

 

[Colleen27]

Just to clarify, it was $5.+ for one chocolate milk, more than twice the cost of a soda. It seemed like a lot to me, especially with no warning of the price on the menu.

Did your kids get refills of the milk? That really does sound like the price of 2. It has been a while since we were OOP for a meal at Disney, but when we were, it was usually about 50 cents more for milk than for soda.

ETA: That's what drives me nuts about milk, chocolate or white. You get unlimited refills on soda, but get charged for every drop of milk.

 

[Justsyd2]

ANYWAY, being one of our few big meals out, two of my kids went ahead and ordered chocolate milk with dinner.

In your first post it says that two of your kids got chocolate milk. If it was just one that ordered, then I would have questioned the charge at the restaurant, as it sounds like an accidental overcharge.

 

[Tbelle1976]

I would have said something to my server as to why I was not notified that chocolate milk was going to be over $5 per glass. I'm a server myself and would have definitely mentioned this to a parent. I don't really agree with going out to eat and just ordering water just to get something for free (although there is no free water at the restaurant I work at), but I would have not been happy for a $5 childs chocolate milk!

 

[jb01]

That is a little outrageous (+5) for a glass of milk. I think I would have disputed that.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Disney does not get soda for free. I think this rumor got started because they have free soda in Epcot (Club Cool, or somthing like that).

$2.69 (x2) for chocolate milk is very reasonable. I guess I don't understand your warning? That's the typical charge at any TS restaurant.

Actually it was something I read on a refillable mug thread that I misinterpreted. Thanks for clearing this up.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just to clarify, it was $5.38 for one chocolate milk, more than twice the cost of a soda. It seemed like a lot to me, especially with no warning of the price on the menu.


Note: I just checked my receipt again. The price is $5.38 per person. However, there is a 2 in front of each one; if they both got a refill maybe we were charged $2.69 per glass??? Even so, then I felt that somewhere we should have been told that ordering chocolate milk did not include refills. Thank heavens our server was non-existant for half the meal, or I could have racked up a chocolate milk bill that rivals alcholic beverage prices!

Around here too, you rarely get free refills on milk. I've gotten in the habit of asking "are refills complimentary" when a server asks if I'd like a refill. When requesting refills on milk I always inquire about price first. If they aren't free I order water.

 

[Sappy115]

The mark up on soda is crazy. That's why gas stations get away with charging 59 cents for any size soda. No, it's not free but it's close.

 

[MasterChief]

Must have been a mistake on the bill, or your kids had more than one serving.
For example, chocolate milk is $2.00 at '50's Prime Time Cafe
http://allears.net/menu/menu_ptcd.htm

 

[dis-happy]

I would have said something to my server as to why I was not notified that chocolate milk was going to be over $5 per glass. I'm a server myself and would have definitely mentioned this to a parent. I don't really agree with going out to eat and just ordering water just to get something for free (although there is no free water at the restaurant I work at), but I would have not been happy for a $5 childs chocolate milk!

Just wondering: why do you feel it's not okay to ask for water at a TS meal? Most of the time I feel that my kids don't need the extra sugar associated with soda (we really limit our intake at home), and water is one of the best things you can drink during a hot day at the parks. They also don't need the caffeine associated with coffee or tea, lol. Plus, it saves us over $10. per TS meal for a family of 5 to have water (although my dh will almost always get a cup of coffee). Usually, all I really want is water; I was restricted from caffeine for several months (due to irreg. heartbeat) and don't need the calories from soda....when you subtract all those choices you really aren't left with much to be able to order.

As a server do you feel you're being hurt when there isn't a drink order other than water? A lot of places include both when you order, so there's still as much work involved. We always tip very well in general (drinks or no drinks) so I'm trying to understand where you're coming from.

 

[MasterChief]

[/B]
Around here too, you rarely get free refills on milk. I've gotten in the habit of asking "are refills complimentary" when a server asks if I'd like a refill. When requesting refills on milk I always inquire about price first. If they aren't free I order water.

I don't think there has been one place I've gone out to eat that would offer free milk re-fills or even on juice! They usually only give free re-fills on items that contain a lot of water and thus don't cost them all that much...such as tea, soda, and lemonade.

 

[MasterChief]

Just wondering: why do you feel it's not okay to ask for water at a TS meal? Most of the time I feel that my kids don't need the extra sugar associated with soda (we really limit our intake at home), and water is one of the best things you can drink during a hot day at the parks. They also don't need the caffeine associated with coffee or tea, lol. Plus, it saves us over $10. per TS meal for a family of 5 to have water (although my dh will almost always get a cup of coffee). Usually, all I really want is water; I was restricted from caffeine for several months (due to irreg. heartbeat) and don't need the calories from soda....when you subtract all those choices you really aren't left with much to be able to order.

As a server do you feel you're being hurt when there isn't a drink order other than water? A lot of places include both when you order, so there's still as much work involved. We always tip very well in general (drinks or no drinks) so I'm trying to understand where you're coming from.

Definitely order water. At least you can something healthy for one part of your meal, lol. Just don't try to get a lemon and sugar packets and make ghetto lemonade!

 

[dis-happy]

Thanks for the reminder that refills on milk (chocolate or otherwise) are not free. I honestly did not know, and didn't even consider it. (the places where we do eat out and occaisionally order milk give us free refills). I want to say that in years past we did get free refills on milk at WDW, but maybe that was just a gift from the waitperson or possibly a change on policy over the years. The bottomless milkshake at WCC last October was only seven or eight dollars , so in comparison the chocolate milk still seems expensive to me.

Live and learn, right!

 

[Tricia1972]

I don't think there has been one place I've gone out to eat that would offer free milk re-fills or even on juice! They usually only give free re-fills on items that contain a lot of water and thus don't cost them all that much...such as tea, soda, and lemonade.

That's my experience as well. Our local IHOP gives the boys free milk refills, but that's the only place I can think of around here.

 

[pooh2001]

You must have been over charged. IF you still have your receipt, why not contact WDW. Below are some milk prices:

The Lunching Pad - Tomorrowland - Magic Kingdom - at RocketTower Plaza
Whole or Chocolate Milk - $1.99

Sunshine Tree Terrace - Adventureland - Magic Kingdom
Whole Milk or Chocolate Milk $1.99

Tony's Town Square - MK
Milk - $2.19

Rainforest Cafe - Animal Kingdom - Downtown Disney
Kid-sized portion of milk in a souvenir cup for $1.99

Pepper Market - Coronado Springs
Milk - $1.29

T-Rex Kids Menu- DTD
Kid-sized portion of milk in a souvenir cup for $1.99

Planet Hollywood - DTD
Milk - $1.50

Wolfgang Puck Cafe - DTD
Milk Flight (assorted chocolate and strawberry milks) $3.95

 

[mickey2000]