O'Hana and a small complaint

[OhioDisneyDad]

I didn't say that the server should refuse to serve the food you want. I was just adressing the fact that you are all complaining about the servers encouraging your kids to try new foods. And there is a big difference between being a vegetarian and a child being picky.

You're missing the point. It's not the server's place to suggest ANYTHING to MY kids if I already told the server what I wanted them to have! What if the server suggested that the kids should try shellfish? That could be knew but it could also kill them if they're allergic! Maybe a nice PB&J would work - unless they're allergic to peanuts. How about a nice expresso nightcap, kiddies?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

You're missing the point. It's not the server's place to suggest ANYTHING to MY kids if I already told the server what I wanted them to have! What if the server suggested that the kids should try shellfish? That could be knew but it could also kill them if they're allergic! Maybe a nice PB&J would work - unless they're allergic to peanuts. How about a nice expresso nightcap, kiddies?

I think you're blowing what I said way out of proportion. How is a server suggesting something rude? By that theory the server I had at Kona recommending the special is rude. Obviously if someone were allergic that's a very good reason not to eat something. But to not try something new just because of the way it looks, sounds, is just pickiness.

Maybe your kids would like something new, but they don't because you don't think they'd like it. I'm sure a lot of parents think they are helping their kids that way, but they're really not.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I think you're blowing what I said way out of proportion. How is a server suggesting something rude? By that theory the server I had at Kona recommending the special is rude. Obviously if someone were allergic that's a very good reason not to eat something. But to not try something new just because of the way it looks, sounds, is just pickiness.

Maybe your kids would like something new, but they don't because you don't think they'd like it. I'm sure a lot of parents think they are helping their kids that way, but they're really not.

Once again - you're still not getting it (I'm guessing you don't have kids - or you're the school lunch lady). Suggesting something to an adult is one thing but to keep suggesting something to someone's kids after the parent has ALREADY said what they wanted THEIR kids to have is TOTALLY inappropriate. I've never been to restaurant where I had to "discuss" my menu choices with the server. It may be "pickiness" as you put it but that's for me to decide and not the server. THE END!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Once again - you're still not getting it (I'm guessing you don't have kids - or you're the school lunch lady). Suggesting something to an adult is one thing but to keep suggesting something to someone's kids after the parent has ALREADY said what they wanted THEIR kids to have is TOTALLY inappropriate. I've never been to restaurant where I had to "discuss" my menu choices with the server. It may be "pickiness" as you put it but that's for me to decide and not the server. THE END!

But 1) the server never refused a differnt item, and 2) you're already paying for it, so why not try it?

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

But 1) the server never refused a differnt item, and 2) you're already paying for it, so why not try it?

You should become a server at Ohana - you'd fit right in.

 

[Tissa]

I've written this place off. Too much money for mediocre food and wait staff.

 

[bavaria]

I don't get how you can compare vegetarians to picky eaters, the two are completely different. One is a life-style, the other is not. If the parents would have their kids know at home that they are expected to try new things, then it wouldn't be an issue when eating out.

I would suggest that we leave parenting decisions TO THE PARENT, not the server, nor the readers of a message board.

I made a decision at age 5 not to eat certain meats, and became a vegetarian not that many years later for health reasons due to a chronic illness. My parents respected those decisions, even if they did not always agree.

As an adult I feel no need to explain my reasons to a server (or to anyone here) as to why I cannot eat certain foods. Nor should a parent have to explain why they are requesting alternate food for their child.

 

[Tara]

Funny thing is, we just went to Ohana this week for the first time ever. I thought the service was good! When our server (the main server, not the skewer guy) came over to take our drink order, I asked if they could make a grilled cheese, totally expecting that they couldn't. He said they could and never in any way acted like it was an imposition or a bother or suggested that my son should try something else.

Oh, and we had a great view of the castle from our window table.

Guess we just got lucky.

 

[chamonix]

I would suggest that we leave parenting decisions TO THE PARENT, not the server, nor the readers of a message board.

I made a decision at age 5 not to eat certain meats, and became a vegetarian not that many years later for health reasons due to a chronic illness. My parents respected those decisions, even if they did not always agree.

As an adult I feel no need to explain my reasons to a server (or to anyone here) as to why I cannot eat certain foods. Nor should a parent have to explain why they are requesting alternate food for their child.

excellent point, bavaria.

There is no way I would allow a server to even attempt to dictate my child's meal choice. (I do understand though, how it could take you by surprise and you may not respond strongly enough at first!)

Really, it's a very simply thing: either they offer a children's menu or they don't. What the server or management would prefer you order and eat is of no concern and I would not let them make it mine. "do you have a children's menu? Yes? Great, I'd like to order from that menu for my child". No matter how many "but, but.." they give you, just keep repeating that until they take your order.
I would simply repeat over and over until the server understood "do you have a children's menu?" ignoring any reply except "yes" or "no". LOL If they kept up in their refusal to bring me a children's menu, I would then change to say: "Is there someone else who can take my child's order--is this not something you are allowed to do/capable of doing? I would like to speak to whomever does the children's menu orders". Something to that effect.

No way would I let a server get away with telling me what he would "like" my child to try to eat. Thankfully for me, my child loves Ohana's food though, so we've never had to ask for the children's menu!

 

[noahdove]

me too...I'm happy to hear that they do have kids menus. I don't like to waste food or money

 

[disneyfav4ever]

So what if Ohana didn't have a children's menu then?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Funny thing is, we just went to Ohana this week for the first time ever. I thought the service was good! When our server (the main server, not the skewer guy) came over to take our drink order, I asked if they could make a grilled cheese, totally expecting that they couldn't. He said they could and never in any way acted like it was an imposition or a bother or suggested that my son should try something else.

Oh, and we had a great view of the castle from our window table.

Guess we just got lucky.

I've had very good service at Ohana too, so I don't get what all of the fuss is about.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I would suggest that we leave parenting decisions TO THE PARENT, not the server, nor the readers of a message board.

I made a decision at age 5 not to eat certain meats, and became a vegetarian not that many years later for health reasons due to a chronic illness. My parents respected those decisions, even if they did not always agree.

As an adult I feel no need to explain my reasons to a server (or to anyone here) as to why I cannot eat certain foods. Nor should a parent have to explain why they are requesting alternate food for their child.

I am NOT telling you how to raise your children! I am simply saying that it has never hurt a child to try new foods.

 

[chamonix]

So what if Ohana didn't have a children's menu then?

not sure if you're asking me....? But if it were me, and IF I had a child who wouldn't eat the regular menu at Ohana (my dd does eat it though!) I would either:

1)not eat there
2)inquire about how much it costs to bring my child there even if they aren't eating, and then pay that fee and just make sure they have eaten just before we go (have heard this is possible at other restaurants like character buffets--not sure if it's true though)
3) eat there but leave my child at the Neverland Club or arrange someone to watch them while dh and I were there
4)eat there, pay full price for non-eating child and just consider it the cost of going there (not ideal for most families) of course, also making sure my child had eaten before we go

Can't think of other options, but that seems to cover the options for those who have children who don't eat the regular menu items.....

As I said, it's not an issue for me, my dd loves Ohana food.

There are certainly plenty of options if they don't offer children's menu items, but if they do, most folks don't think it's appropriate for the server to decide what your child should or shouldn't eat, and have a right to expect they can order from the children's menu at their discretion, not the servers.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've had very good service at Ohana too, so I don't get what all of the fuss is about.

Me neither. Every time we've gone to 'Ohana (and we've eaten three times within the past 8 months) we've had excellent service. In August my uncle wanted tomatoes with his salad and our server went over to Kona Cafe, got some tomatoes and put them on a new bowl of salad he brought out. Now THAT's service! Any restaurant can have bad servers but 'Ohana has been consistently excellent for us.

Just an FYI, as for kids menus, if a good server wants your business, they'll go above and beyond to accomodate your child's food tastes. I've eaten at restaurnants that didn't have a child's menu but they asked what foods my child liked and made something up for her.

BTW, to the OP, you were way calmer than I would have been.

 

[Tara]

I am NOT telling you how to raise your children! I am simply saying that it has never hurt a child to try new foods.

That is your opinion, which you are entitled to. In my son's case, this isn't exactly true. Just as bright, flashing lights cause him a discomfort I can't really understand, so to do unknown food textures. And in general, I think what people are saying is that it is up to the parents when they have children try new foods, not the server.

 

[cmonroe]

I am not a big fan of giving our children choices when we are eating meals at home. We make what we eat but those choices usually take into consideration what kinds of food each of us likes. We like our children to eat something healthier whether from the kid's menu or not. That being said, I disagree with some of the posters here saying your children should try the food rather than order from the kid's menu.

The fact is, Disney provides an alternate menu for children. If they did not provide the alternative, then the children would have to eat something off of the normal menu. But in no case is it acceptable for a server to tell me what is ok for my child to eat. Suggest yes, but dictate no. Once they suggest, and I decline, there should be no more discussion in the matter. I am a customer at their establishment. They are serving us our meal with their provided menu(s).

And before anyone flames me, my wife is a server, so do not take my opinion as being snobby. I don't pay thousands of dollars for a vacation and meals so someone can tell me what meal my kids should eat. Many posters have said, "I know what my kids will eat and what they will not eat". Exactly! Parents know what foods their kids will eat. Not some stranger.

Encouraging your child to try new food is the way to go in my opinion, however, forcing my three year old to eat something I know he does not like is not my opinion of a good time, especially on vacation.

Other than that, I don't really have any strong feelings on the matter

 

[bavaria]

I've had very good service at Ohana too, so I don't get what all of the fuss is about.

'the fuss' is that a server does not have the right to make child rearing decisions

I am NOT telling you how to raise your children! I am simply saying that it has never hurt a child to try new foods.

well, yes, it DOES hurt some children to try new foods. I am in excruciating pain right now from an illness which is sometimes exacerbated by certain foods. My parents would never force me to eat meat or items which I could not eat, or would increase my pain.

I believe that you are a young person with no children; perhaps it is best that we let the parents here decide for themselves what is best for their family and their children.

 

[cmonroe]

Crikeys,

I forgot to give my opinion on Ohana's.

We love Ohana's! We make it a point to eat there on each trip. However, on our last trip, our breakfast was less than spectactular, but that has been the exception. We love the atmosphere, the congo line, the characters (you have to love chip and dale as they are staples there), etc. I have heard and read complaints this past year though. Hopefully this is something that Disney management is dealing with. We will continue to eat there until we have a bad experience.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

well, yes, it DOES hurt some children to try new foods. I am in excruciating pain right now from an illness which is sometimes exacerbated by certain foods. My parents would never force me to eat meat or items which I could not eat, or would increase my pain.

I did say in one of my previous posts that there were of course certain exceptions like allergies.

My problem is with children who refuse to try new things for no reason. I'll probably get flamed for this but if no restaurants had "special" menus for children, this problem could be avoided all together, but children are now catered too, and that is a problem. I'm all for having child size potions at a lower cost, but having an entirely seperate menu just encourages pickiness. It's also a problem at home if the adults are eating one thing and then making a seperate meal for children. It would also probably be healthier too, since I know that the childrens menus at most restaurants include some sort of the following; chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, hot dog, hamburgers, spaghetti, pb&j, and grilled cheese. None of those are exactly the healthiest foods.