Picky DS10 - Can he still use kids menu?

[gcferg]

My DS10 is extremely picky and will not eat most things on an adult menu. My questions is if we do the dining plan, and pay for him as an adult, can he order off of the kids menu if there is nothing on the adult menu he will eat?

Also, if we do not do the DDP will we be able to order off kids menu or will they question his age? He is pretty tall for 10 year old.

Thanks

 

[danceintherain]

In both cases, they may or they may not.

If you purchase the Adult Dining Plan for him, kid's meals would not be a good value. Something that comes to mind to do in this situation would be pay OOP for his kid's meals, and save the adult credits for meals later. Though again, they might not let him order off the kid's menu.

If you are paying out of pocket, it will vary. It will probably be easier to pass him off as a 9 year old in this situation if they do care. I know some restaurants allow fully grown adults to order off the kid's menu. In some cases, it varies from waiter to waiter.

 

[ebtbmom]

My DS is like this too and they always let him order off the kid's menu. I would hate to pay for the adult DDP for him though if he won't be using it. Maybe it would be a better deal for you guys to pay out of pocket? It usually is for us since DS doesn't always eat adult meals.

 

[amykay9377]

In both cases, they may or they may not.

If you purchase the Adult Dining Plan for him, kid's meals would not be a good value. Something that comes to mind to do in this situation would be pay OOP for his kid's meals, and save the adult credits for meals later. Though again, they might not let him order off the kid's menu.

If you are paying out of pocket, it will vary. It will probably be easier to pass him off as a 9 year old in this situation if they do care. I know some restaurants allow fully grown adults to order off the kid's menu. In some cases, it varies from waiter to waiter.

We are planning on doing this with our daughter, who is still picky at 13. We'll use her dining plan credits so that we can all go to a Signature or two during our stay (where she will order off the Kids Menu and we'll pay OOP with the TiW card). I've heard lots of people say that they do this, so hopefully there won't be an issue. It would throw my whole dining plan plan out the window!

 

[sharadoc]

Another option that we found is they will make an adult portion of anything on the kid's menu. DS got the biggest bowl of mac & cheese at 50's PT once, and last trip, we ordered kid's stuff a-la carte for him. One order of nuggets, one fries, one mac & cheese and ice cream. If he's picky, but wants to eat more than a regular kid's portion, then that is a great option.

CS kid's meals are usually only a couple dollars cheaper than adult meals, so I wouldn't worry about using a CS credit on a kid's meal there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The one time we did the dining plan, we were three guests aged 10 and over. We were at Typhoon Lagoon and my son wanted one of the grilled cheese pretzels (one of the kids meals). Since we had no guests age 3-9 on our dining plan, they would not sell him one. He had to pay cash for it. He was only 11 or so at the time and not that tall at that time.

So, sometimes you might be able to do it, sometimes you won't.

 

[hildarumpole]

Anyone of any age can order from the kids menu. A few times on our last trip my DS16 ordered an appetizer from the regular menu and an entree from the kids menu when none of the adult entrees appealed to him. Not a single server questioned it. If you're on the DDP, some restaurants may give your child a bigger portion of a kids meal, but some may require him to order from the regular menu. Even if he gets a larger portion of the kids meal, it's not a very good value for the cost of the adult DDP.

Appetite also can play a part in choosing kids meals over adult entrees. My DD13 occassionally orders an adult entree, like steak if it's not available as a kid option. However, it's too much food for her, so DH, bravely, finishes her meal.

If your child primarily eats kids foods, the DDP may not be the best option for your family, unless you plan on doing lots of character meals and buffets.