WTHeck... is up with kids meals

[jenjersnap]

I don't understand why kids meal = chicken nuggets or pizza or maybe mac and cheese. And that's it. None of them are good nutritionally and I cannot believe that American kids will eat nothing else!!

Many kids will eat much more than that! This is about costs, cheap food to keep kids meals prices at an acceptable level. This is true at many American restaurants, including Disney. Unfortunately, kids become used to eating this junk and think it is normal, the restaurants (and parents) keep serving it and it becomes a vicious cycle.

We too eat at many buffets so the kids can get salads, fresh fruit, salmon...

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not entirely about costs. They changed all the kids menus once, right after the dining plan came out. Everything at most QS and TS was grilled chicken or a turkey sandwich with an "appetizer" of raw vegetables and the kids couldn't get desserts other than fruit or yogurt or artificially sweetened jello. None of this was really costly either, but they're not going to put something costly on a kids menu because of the prices.

That didn't last very long. People wanted chicken nuggets and pizza and proper desserts.

 

[jenjersnap]

It's not entirely about costs. They changed all the kids menus once, right after the dining plan came out. Everything at most QS and TS was grilled chicken or a turkey sandwich with an "appetizer" of raw vegetables and the kids couldn't get desserts other than fruit or yogurt or artificially sweetened jello. None of this was really costly either, but they're not going to put something costly on a kids menu because of the prices.

That didn't last very long. People wanted chicken nuggets and pizza and proper desserts.

I remember those days. It still seemed like ultra-cheap food to me.

 

[prudence64]

I saw one person mention that they asked for and received a child sized portion of an adult meal, but I can't remember what restaurant and if they accepted the dining plan. Might be worth a call ahead to see if it's possible.

 

[ajwolfe]

Yep.

Those threads drive me insane.

Ditto!!

 

[jenjersnap]

I saw one person mention that they asked for and received a child sized portion of an adult meal, but I can't remember what restaurant and if they accepted the dining plan. Might be worth a call ahead to see if it's possible.

It was 50s Primetime. It seems you can get a kid's portion of fried chicken even though it is not on the menu. They seem to be one of the only, if not the only, restaurant to do this. Not sure if DDP matters but the times I have seen it ordered in the review threads, they were not on the DDP.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Trying to appeal to the masses. I'm always amazed at how many threads pop up complaining about BOG which has a much different selection than your average TS.

Or how many threads pop up with 'my kids will only eat chicken fingers and macaroni.'

Yep, it amazes me too. I just dont get it. People were complaining that kids meals included too much junk. Yet when BOG introduced healthier options, people were outraged and started bringing in their own nuggets! Like WTH??

 

[aaarcher86]

Yep, it amazes me too. I just dont get it. People were complaining that kids meals included too much junk. Yet when BOG introduced healthier options, people were outraged and started bringing in their own nuggets! Like WTH??

I know. Drove me bonkers!

 

[blbrodger1]

My daughters are thrilled to order from the adult menu and I'm happy to know that you can order a smaller portion of an adult meal for children. Another solution that we have found is to order an appetizer as an entree.

Chicken nuggets and pizza every day is horrible!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I know. Drove me bonkers!

I guess this proves that ppl will complain no matter what!

 

[CluelessDisFan]

We are looking at the same problem, and to offset it are doing almost all buffet meals also. But because I want to go to Hoop Dee Doo this time around, and that will cost us two TS credits. I'm looking for one cheaper TS meal to pay out of pocket. I was thinking Beaches n' Cream. But the kids menu is awful, they only have 3 Mickey Check meals, which is suppose to be the healthier option, but really my kids aren't going to be happy with a turkey sandwich for dinner. We'll probably have them split an adult meal, since we won't be using our dining credits there.

We'd be happy with the healthier options if they were more substantial, or included at least one option that was a classic from the adult menu, as in the case of BOG. If they just added one option from the adult menu to the kids menu at each TS that would give the restaurants some variety for kids. All I have to say is Thank Goodness for Buffets!

 

[mrsp1030]

We are also the same way as we have 3DS and one is picky but loves fruit and veggies ad I feel at least at buffets we have a shot at getting more of these than other places.

 

[Lolsmum]

And this is why we do so many buffets.

My daughter does not like tomato sauce, so pizza and most pasta choices are out, and for some reason really dislikes the chicken nuggets. She really hates the kids' meal options at most of the restaurants. I don't know why they cannot provide a smaller portion of the adult entrees a bit more often. We could avoid eating pizza and burgers when we wanted to, yet that was pretty much the options the kids had everywhere.

They have requested "lots and lots of buffets" on our next trip.

 

[fbb]

Yep, it amazes me too. I just dont get it. People were complaining that kids meals included too much junk. Yet when BOG introduced healthier options, people were outraged and started bringing in their own nuggets! Like WTH??

Different 'people'. Obviously neither side spoke for the other.

 

[DVCJones]

This is one of the reasons we stopped doing the dining plan. And started using TIW. My 2 kids are sick of Mac and Cheese, nuggets and pizza by the third day. We now often times have them split an adult meal. They are not big eaters and we find that splitting an adult meal combined with snacks throughout the day keeps them happy. We sprinkle in a few buffets and everyone is happy.

 

[Later_Mater2009]

Well thank you everyone I think I have come to the conclusion BUFFETS it IS.. and Im glad to know Im not the only one who like their kids to eat or have an option to eat just something different... I will try Ohana this time, we never did the dinner... Kids with probably like it, and my 15 year old can enjoy the all you can eat meat.. HAHA
as for all the other folks on this thread talking about people complaining etc etc... and BOG and chicken nuggets.. I have no idea what you are talking about seems to be some animosity there so Im not replying to whatever you are conversing about... I dont get it and I can complain and seek out alternatives if I want to.. seems I am not alone in looking for new and different ideas ..

 

[JUS915]

San Angel Inn has a different kids menu. That might be an option if you/they like Mexican food.

 

[LilyWDW]

My daughters are thrilled to order from the adult menu and I'm happy to know that you can order a smaller portion of an adult meal for children. Another solution that we have found is to order an appetizer as an entree.

Chicken nuggets and pizza every day is horrible!

You MIGHT be able to and it is not something to count on. Sometimes a server may make an exception, but I wouldn't call this a normal practice.

 

[2girlsmom]

yep, we had similiar issues when my girls were young, and we did a LOT of buffets on the DDP. Now, they are both older (16 and 13, so disney adults) and we have TIW. My 16 year old is autistic and somewhat picky, though we do continue to encourage trying new things with varied success. BOG lunch is tough for her, usually she ends up with a bowl of soup and an order of french fries, then sometimes eats a few bites of whatever the rest of us get, last time she actually did like the Quinoa salad. But at most restaurants we now split meals or let her just order an appetizer, etc.

 

[RogueKnits]

I don't understand why kids meal = chicken nuggets or pizza or maybe mac and cheese. And that's it. None of them are good nutritionally and I cannot believe that American kids will eat nothing else!!

Some kids apparently won't, if my nephew is any indication. I don't have an issue with those items being offered, but I don't understand why there can't also be a kids portion of some of the adult fare for the more adventurous eaters. It wouldn't cost them anything because they have the same ingredients on hand. I'm sure there are plenty of kids who would eat seasoned grilled chicken and a veggie side. Heck, when we were kids my brother was always asking for steak when we ate out and very disappointed that he wasn't allowed to order off the adult menu.