Worried about kids selections for DDP

[IBLarsen]

We are leaving in 12 days and we have the regular DDP. I was just now reading in the unofficial guide peoples comments about the limitations on kids meals; stating that almost every meal weather TS or CS for kids are limited to chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. Is this true?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Not totally. CS meals can be very limiting. For example some CS locations in DHS have one or 2 options for kids. I'd look at the menus on allears.net and find the places that have more options so you know where to look for some variety in CS meals. You can also look at the TS locations you'll be eating at and seeing what the kids options are there too. We opted for more buffet type meals so our kids could eat more adult foods, plus we have an almost 10 year old that wants to eat more grown up dishes and an almost 3 year old that eats as much as my 6 yr old, so financially it makes sense.

 

[IBLarsen]

So is it safe to say that the kids can order anything on the kids menu while on the DDP? If that's the case, then I'm not worried, I just wanted to be sure that it wasn't further restricted than even the regular kids menu.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

So is it safe to say that the kids can order anything on the kids menu while on the DDP? If that's the case, then I'm not worried, I just wanted to be sure that it wasn't further restricted than even the regular kids menu.

Nope, they aren't limited. Even at places like Whispering Canyon where the kids skillet is $2 more, you can still order it on the DDP.

 

[maxiesmom]

Click on the Dining link at the top of the Disboards. You can see pretty much every menu for every restaurant at WDW. Some places do offer thing besides chicken strips and mac&cheese for kids, but it may take a bit of research to find those places.

My youngest niece loved the salmon on the kids menu at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[brymolmom]

I have to say the CS (and some TS) offerings for kids are VERY limited. However, that said - since the kids regular DP is only $12 a night and going to Chef Mickey's once costs MORE than that (and you get a CS and a snack for that day too), it is very easy to understand why Disney has to significantly limit the kids offerings - it is SO CHEAP to buy it and you would even make out ahead of the game on most days even if you opted to BUY an adult CS if your child didn't like the kids offerings at that location.

We have used the regular DP multiple times with 2 kids and there are ways to do it without getting chicken nugget'd to death. Some things we do:
1) Split CS meals - we almost always split 2 - 3 meals between the 4 of us - that way the kids get some adult offerings. SOmetimes we use an extra snack credit or two to stretch the food.
2) Use the kids CS credits for breakfast and/or dinner at the resort food court - Some of the best variety, IMO, is at the food courts for kids.
3) CHoose places that have the best variety for kids menus - Sunshine Seasons, Wolfgang Puck Express and Main ST Bakery (no kids menu) - by going to 1 or 2 of these during a trip it gives the kids some non-nugget options.
4) Finally, have a nugget meal or two thrown in there. Not EVERY meal but they end up with a couple during our trip.
5) Do lots of BUFFETS - kids can have a ton of variety at buffet TS meals so I don't worry so much about what they've eaten the rest of the day.
6) Don't be afraid to buy a CS meal or two on your trip - if you end up at a location that has options that don't appeal to your kids - as I explained above, you are still likely 'making money' on the deal since your TS for that day likely will cost more alone than the cost of the kids DP for that day. However, we never end up having to do this, but I could see it if the kids are very picky.

It is very doable. Don't worry about it!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a kids credits sticky that has some of the places you can find alternatives for children with no nuggets or mac and cheese.

 

[ajcolorado]

Here's an article that lists some of the better quick-service locations - most of the listings give some information about kids meal options:

http://www.squidoo.com/best-disney-world-quick-service-meals

 

[squirrel]

The TS meals usually have items like-pizza, pasta, fish, chicken breast, etc. Then they get an appetizer-celery and carrot sticks, soup. Dessert is things like-fruit salad, ice cream sundae, apple slices with cinnamon.

They don't seem to mind if the kids have two dessert items and the entree. One of my nieces doesn't like any of appetizers so she usually got fruit salad and then her tofutti ice cream.