O'Hana and a small complaint

[SandrainNC]

But 1) the server never refused a differnt item,

Actually, he kind of did. I asked for a child's menu and at that point he wouldn't give it to me. And then my son had to wait on his order to not even be turned in until we were all eating. So he just sat there.

Also, I always read over the menus on allears, so I knew they had alternatives (this is to your question what if they didn't have an alternative menu). And if they would not have had alternatives, we either would not have eaten there, or I would have brought something with me that he would eat in case he didn't like anything that they had.

It all comes down to what others have said. It is up to us what he eats and not them. I don't care what they were trying to do.

Sandra

 

[Nom]

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.

I'm not flaming, but I will ask the question others have and you have not answered, but do you have children? I don't think so, and you don't realize how tough it can be unless you have them.

I exposed my dd to lots of different stuff, and she was a wonderfully varied eater until this year (age 3). People used to comment over how she would try anything and eat everything we ate. Well, age 3 came, and overnight she was transformed into a picky eater. No veggies (which she used to love). Only very certain foods are acceptable. So the fact that Ohana has this super-secret kids menu that you are only allowed to access after your child has tried the Ohana adult food is very aggrevating to me on many levels.

If you want to have akids menu, great. If not, fine. But whatever you decide, you should make it clear and consistent. Not that depending on what server you get, you might be allowed to get the kids menu without a hassle.

yes, in a perfect world children would eat all their food groups with a smile on their face. But that is not reality... and when I am on vacation, sue me if I want to get my dd a plate of chicken and french fries so that I can enjoy my meal and not have to be begging her to have bites of some strange food. It is vacation.

In summary, don't judge parents until you have been in their shoes. I don't mean this to be a flame, but I just needed to tell you my story, which is far from the generalizations you made in your post.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

In summary, don't judge parents until you have been in their shoes. I don't mean this to be a flame, but I just needed to tell you my story, which is far from the generalizations you made in your post.

Testify!

 

[bavaria]

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.

Ah, but you are judging the parents on this thread who have posted that they requested or would request the children's menu.

Why not let them decide what is best for their family, and not judge their parenting decisions?

As to 'healthy foods' - as an example, some people may think that PopTarts is a reasonable breakfast choice; I do not, but I wouldn't come here and tell them that is not a nutritionally sound decision, unless they specifically asked for my opinion.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Same thing happened to us....I wasn't as nice as all of you and I insisted from the beginning. They wanted the Mahi Mahi from Kona..... I thought that was healthy....

I checked the All Ears menu, and there is no mahi mahi on the children's menu. I think it's tacky to order an adult entree from another restaurant. Ordering from the children's menu aside, if they wanted food from Kona, why didn't you eat at Kona?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm not flaming, but I will ask the question others have and you have not answered, but do you have children? I don't think so, and you don't realize how tough it can be unless you have them.

I exposed my dd to lots of different stuff, and she was a wonderfully varied eater until this year (age 3). People used to comment over how she would try anything and eat everything we ate. Well, age 3 came, and overnight she was transformed into a picky eater. No veggies (which she used to love). Only very certain foods are acceptable. So the fact that Ohana has this super-secret kids menu that you are only allowed to access after your child has tried the Ohana adult food is very aggrevating to me on many levels.

If you want to have akids menu, great. If not, fine. But whatever you decide, you should make it clear and consistent. Not that depending on what server you get, you might be allowed to get the kids menu without a hassle.

yes, in a perfect world children would eat all their food groups with a smile on their face. But that is not reality... and when I am on vacation, sue me if I want to get my dd a plate of chicken and french fries so that I can enjoy my meal and not have to be begging her to have bites of some strange food. It is vacation.

In summary, don't judge parents until you have been in their shoes. I don't mean this to be a flame, but I just needed to tell you my story, which is far from the generalizations you made in your post.

My DF has a son, so I don't technically - legally have kids, I have nieces and nephews as well, and other relatives that are children.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Actually, he kind of did. I asked for a child's menu and at that point he wouldn't give it to me. And then my son had to wait on his order to not even be turned in until we were all eating. So he just sat there.

Also, I always read over the menus on allears, so I knew they had alternatives (this is to your question what if they didn't have an alternative menu). And if they would not have had alternatives, we either would not have eaten there, or I would have brought something with me that he would eat in case he didn't like anything that they had.

It all comes down to what others have said. It is up to us what he eats and not them. I don't care what they were trying to do.

Sandra

Off topic, but I think it's tacky to bring in outside food at a table service restaurant.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

My DF has a son, so I don't technically - legally have kids, I have nieces and nephews as well, and other relatives that are children.

Get back to us when you have kids and speak from experience.

 

[*disgal*]

*This post is not meant to be judgemental in any way.......raising kids is the toughest job out there, bar none! This is just the way I was raised because we didn't have much and you were thankful anything was even on your plate.

I am all for exposing your kids at an early age to a variety of foods. I have 3 children (14,12,8) and although they LOVE mac and cheese (and my son loves chicken nuggets) they are some of the best eaters out there. At home, they simply don't have too much choice. I try to feed them healthy things but I am also trying to please them. We sit down as a family to eat most nights for dinner together. My standard line, said in a calm voice, if they complain about what they are eating is, "if it were monkey brains I was feeding you, I would understand. This is good food and mommy only makes one dinner. You can eat it or go to bed, it is your choice. " Now, I have 3 kids that eat better than their Daddy. (Ignore all this advice if you have medical issues,etc. I don't have that so I can get away with it)

BUT, that is all done AT HOME. At a restaurant, on vacation, with everyone tired and hungry, and tired and hungry people all around you is NOT the place to push things. If my child insists on a certain thing that I KNOW the restaurant has available, why wouldn't I want to give them that? They are on vacation also. I certainly get what I want!

Most of the time when we are on vacation, my kids order pretty well. But if on that day they want mac and cheese for the 2nd time in a row or chicken nuggets instead of cold chicken pieces (like some of the counter service), I say go for it!

And I would also say to the server if they "suggested" that my child try it first, "so, if my child doesn't want it, is the grilled cheese sandwich going to be out in 30 seconds so they get to eat with the rest of the family?

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

*This post is not meant to be judgemental in any way.......raising kids is the toughest job out there, bar none! This is just the way I was raised because we didn't have much and you were thankful anything was even on your plate.

I am all for exposing your kids at an early age to a variety of foods. I have 3 children (14,12,8) and although they LOVE mac and cheese (and my son loves chicken nuggets) they are some of the best eaters out there. At home, they simply don't have too much choice. I try to feed them healthy things but I am also trying to please them. We sit down as a family to eat most nights for dinner together. My standard line, said in a calm voice, if they complain about what they are eating is, "if it were monkey brains I was feeding you, I would understand. This is good food and mommy only makes one dinner. You can eat it or go to bed, it is your choice. " Now, I have 3 kids that eat better than their Daddy. (Ignore all this advice if you have medical issues,etc. I don't have that so I can get away with it)

BUT, that is all done AT HOME. At a restaurant, on vacation, with everyone tired and hungry, and tired and hungry people all around you is NOT the place to push things. If my child insists on a certain thing that I KNOW the restaurant has available, why wouldn't I want to give them that? They are on vacation also. I certainly get what I want!

Most of the time when we are on vacation, my kids order pretty well. But if on that day they want mac and cheese for the 2nd time in a row or chicken nuggets instead of cold chicken pieces (like some of the counter service), I say go for it!

And I would also say to the server if they "suggested" that my child try it first, "so, if my child doesn't want it, is the grilled cheese sandwich going to be out in 30 seconds so they get to eat with the rest of the family?

I agree with your post here. I don't have children (yet!!!) but I am very close to my sister and brother who have kids. My sister's little girl, 2yrs, eats really well. She tries everything and luckily, so far, she loves everything. But there are times she will just want sausages and no veg, or a pizza etc. She eats well in the main so what harm does this do her?
When we've been on holiday together, my niece tried new foods, but also just wanted chicken nuggets or plain cheesy pasta on the odd occasion (I'm from England so don't call it mac & cheese!!!)... my sister and her hubby are on holiday to relax and enjoy themselves, they don't want to be faced with a stressed and hungry little girl because they have forced her to try something they know she won't want.

It isn't up to us, the posters on this board, to tell another parent what they should and shouldn't do with their kids.

I hope the trip to Ohana didn't ruin the rest of your day (I won't say holiday because you're in Disney, it never would!!!)

Julie x

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have 2 kids who would be considered picky eaters. When we are at home, they get to try new things sometimes with alot of fussing and wailing. When I am on vacation, I don't want to cause a huge scene with them screaming because they don't want to try something. If I know they will be happy with stuff on the kids menu, then I will get them that. There is no yelling and other diners are much happier with us.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Well if servers are now going to be in the business of telling customers what they can and cannot eat (as some on this thread apparently think things should be ) then I've got some suggestions.

I think that so having so many meat entrees on menus just encourages adults not to take vegetarianism seriously as an option. And most adults really would like vegetarian food if they tried it, but they just turn their nose up at it before they try it. They are just being picky. And usually vegetarian dishes at a restaurant are significantly healthier than meat. In fact, I think servers should start refusing to get guests a meat entree and keep suggesting, "Why don't you try the vegetarian food first?" Maybe restaurants can even get rid of the non-vegetarian options all together since I don't like their existence.

 

[bavaria]

Well if servers are now going to be in the business of telling customers what they can and cannot eat (as some on this thread apparently think things should be ) then I've got some suggestions.

I think that so having so many meat entrees on menus just encourages adults not to take vegetarianism seriously as an option. And most adults really would like vegetarian food if they tried it, but they just turn their nose up at it before they try it. They are just being picky. And usually vegetarian dishes at a restaurant are significantly healthier than meat. In fact, I think servers should start refusing to get guests a meat entree and keep suggesting, "Why don't you try the vegetarian food first?" Maybe restaurants can even get rid of the non-vegetarian options all together since I don't like their existence.

If a restaurant offers a children's menu, why would a server and a stranger on a message board think that the restaurant should not make that menu available to children on request?

 

[boomhauer]

We went to Ohana on Saturday, 12/15. It was OK. Nothing special. One thing I really dislike about this place is their check-in procedure. DO NOT make reservations for 5:00PM. That's when they open for dinner, and a line starts forming at 4:30 that stretches back to Kona Cafe. You have to stand there waiting to check in instead of sitting down, having a drink.

 

[Jaymie]

I had just the opposite experience from the OP. I wanted my DS2 to try some new stuff, but he's hit or miss when it comes to eating. The server noticed that he really didn't eat anything so she offered to get him a grilled cheese or mac & cheese for him. He got a grilled cheese which was a huge hit with him. We ended up staying in the restaurant for well over an hour, but we found it quite enjoyable. We loved the food, service and entertainment. Can't wait to go back in Jan 08.

But I do have to agree with others, the parents, not the server get to decide what their kid eats. Who cares if the kids eats chicken fingers for a week straight? They're on vacation and who wants to fight with a kid over what they're going to eat on vacation?

 

[hipchickie]

My DF has a son, so I don't technically - legally have kids, I have nieces and nephews as well, and other relatives that are children.

that is the longest "no" I think I have ever seen
I have to try that next time...
"My _______ (neighbor, friend, mailman....fill in the blank) has a _________ (job, mansion, sugar daddy....fill in the blank) , so while I don't *Legally/technically* have a ______, I have seen someone with one, so it is just like having one"

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If a restaurant offers a children's menu, why would a server and a stranger on a message board think that the restaurant should not make that menu available to children on request?

You're rolling your eyes at me on a message board for giving me opinion, I find that rude. I never said they should refuse to serve your children that food, all I said was that your kids should be willing, (unless they have allergies or something,) to try new food, and you should encourage them to do so, and then, if they don't like it, get them grilled cheese or whatever it is they have there.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

that is the longest "no" I think I have ever seen
I have to try that next time...
"My _______ (neighbor, friend, mailman....fill in the blank) has a _________ (job, mansion, sugar daddy....fill in the blank) , so while I don't *Legally/technically* have a ______, I have seen someone with one, so it is just like having one"

That's not what I meant. My DF, (fiance,) has a son, and when we get married, he'll be my step-son. Or does having step-children not count as having kids? I wasn't aware that you had to be blood relatives to count!

 

[hipchickie]

That's not what I meant. My DF, (fiance,) has a son, and when we get married, he'll be my step-son. Or does having step-children not count as having kids? I wasn't aware that you had to be blood relatives to count!

Congratulations on your engagement
However, since you are not his stepmother either, then the answer is still "no"


When you do become his step mother, I think your impression of being a parent will change drastically.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Congratulations on your engagement
However, since you are not his stepmother either, then the answer is still "no"


When you do become his step mother, I think your impression of being a parent will change drastically.

See I don't think that's true either. I know a lot of people who are not married, and count their SO's or fiance's kids as their own.