Rant: Kids Menu= Horrible Diet

[gr8mommy]

There is a need for it. There are plenty of posts on this thread from parents who have said they wish there was more variety and better choices. That demonstrates a need. And expressing that need isn't whining.

As someone else mentioned, it demonstrates a want, not a need. Besides, expressing one's preference to the powers that be (in this case WDW food management) isn't whining. Complaining over and over again to a bunch of folks on a message board who can't do anything about it is.

 

[Bell30012]

maxiesmom, I think you totally miss the point made by some including myself. So, I'll be blunt. The kid's menus at the Counter Service restaurants at Walt Disney World suck.

There is a total lack of variety and they choices don't even come close to matching the adult meals. Why have a burger restaurant that doesn't have burgers for the kids? There are even signs showing the way to the burger station. Why go to a pizza restaurant and not offer pizza to the kids? The Village Haus has pizza but cheese is the only option?

When you come back with I can feel free to order for my child off the adult menu... I do frequently, but shouldn't have to. The truth is I look at the DDP for the convenience. It is convenient to have the airfare, tickets, lodging and meals all taken care of months before I travel to WDW. I loved it back when the tip was included. We could actual visit the parks and not bother to take money.

In the menus you quotes you show the lack of variety problem, great examples. Of the four menus you quote three have chicken salad, three have mac and cheese AND three have PB&J... So on the four menus how many unique items were there? Oh, only two. Wow, what variety. Now how many of those items are there an adult version?

 

[dburg30]

Also if you check out 'creating magic' by lee cockerell one of the things they talk about was how all the dining spots use to have their own thing going on. Well they decided that wasnt efficient and started making things the same across the world. Well, there ya go

 

[Ceila]

When you come back with I can feel free to order for my child off the adult menu... I do frequently, but shouldn't have to. The truth is I look at the DDP for the convenience. It is convenient to have the airfare, tickets, lodging and meals all taken care of months before I travel to WDW. I loved it back when the tip was included. We could actual visit the parks and not bother to take money.

I think people are forgetting that Disney does not need to cater to every single guest's wishes. They are a business, responsible to their shareholders. There are other options for feeding your family if you don't like the children's menus. The DDP does not need to conform to what, I can surmise, Disney feels is the minority standard. The DDP and the children's menus are designed to maximize profits.

FTR, I say this as someone who has done the DDP twice (once when both kids were under 10, once when our son was 10). Sometimes the kids ate from the children's menu, and sometimes they ate off of the adult menu, which we were happy to pay for OOP. We encourage healthy eating but also allow some less healthy options on occasion, especially on vacation.

 

[jodifla]

maxiesmom, I think you totally miss the point made by some including myself. So, I'll be blunt. The kid's menus at the Counter Service restaurants at Walt Disney World suck.

There is a total lack of variety and they choices don't even come close to matching the adult meals. Why have a burger restaurant that doesn't have burgers for the kids? There are even signs showing the way to the burger station. Why go to a pizza restaurant and not offer pizza to the kids? The Village Haus has pizza but cheese is the only option?

When you come back with I can feel free to order for my child off the adult menu... I do frequently, but shouldn't have to. The truth is I look at the DDP for the convenience. It is convenient to have the airfare, tickets, lodging and meals all taken care of months before I travel to WDW. I loved it back when the tip was included. We could actual visit the parks and not bother to take money.

In the menus you quotes you show the lack of variety problem, great examples. Of the four menus you quote three have chicken salad, three have mac and cheese AND three have PB&J... So on the four menus how many unique items were there? Oh, only two. Wow, what variety. Now how many of those items are there an adult version?

It's a financial decision, folks. If the kids meals were GREAT and CHEAP, then ADULTS would order them.

That's why they don't have burgers and pizza at the burgers and pizza places. THey want these meals to be for young, unadventurous eaters so nobody else is tempted to get them.

 

[skater]

As someone else mentioned, it demonstrates a want, not a need. Besides, expressing one's preference to the powers that be (in this case WDW food management) isn't whining. Complaining over and over again to a bunch of folks on a message board who can't do anything about it is.

But would you want a message board with no complaints? Or no differing opinions? It would be really boring to get on here every day and hear nothing but the good . I personally like to read other people's views.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

That shows a want not a need.

Lol, if one can't afford to feed their children that isn't
disney's fault. Save a year more. Cut back somewhere else. Bring in healthy sandwiches, fruit and veggies or
wraps. Disney doesn't owe anyone anything. It also isn't disney's fault
if kids like eating pizza, chicken nuggets and pb & j. If you have a problem with the culture and eating, a theme park is the last place I'd start.

I'm sorry , but if you can't afford to feed your children maybe going to Disney shouldn't be a priority at all. The price isn't the point. It's the idea of variety and health. Adult portions are WAY over sized.

 

[bicker]

Actually, imho, a discussion board isn't a place for complaints, per se. It is a place for us to share information and perspectives. Complaints, by their very nature, imply an expectation for remediation, and afaic this isn't the venue where complaints may be considered for remediation. Instead, I would like to think of this as a place for reviews: "I don't like that ..." And information: "You should be aware that ..." And comparison: "XXX is better at this than YYY ..." And for learning: "Where is the ...? How do I ...? When should I ...? etc." I would prefer seeing us focus on helping each other get the most out of our vacations, as they're available to us, and leave Disney to handle their own customer satisfaction issues.

 

[powellrj]

There is a total lack of variety and they choices don't even come close to matching the adult meals. Why have a burger restaurant that doesn't have burgers for the kids? There are even signs showing the way to the burger station. Why go to a pizza restaurant and not offer pizza to the kids? The Village Haus has pizza but cheese is the only option?

I think you answered your own question. The reason is because they already offer them for standard menu and so to offer them again on the kids is redundant.

My local chinese resturant has a childrens menu but it doesn't have any chinese food offering. They offer things like hot dogs and chicken nuggets.

Same with my local steak house. They offer things on the kids menu you can't get on the adult menu for picky eaters who don't want what is on the standard menu.

There really weren't many places that offered kids menus when I was a kid, so we grew up eating off the standard menus when I was a kid. I have noticed more and more places offering a kids menu as my kids have gotten older, but I always assumed it was to offer an alternative to parents of picky eater. I have always ordered off the standard menu for my kids, even when they were smaller because they like those offerings.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

I agree, believe it or not. My frustration with the OP is her assumption that parents don't try. In a big family you have all kinds of tastes. My funniest is my 11 year old who doesn't like hot spices. Freakish in this house of Indian, Mexican, and Thai food. The OP will find that she can place some foods in front of her daughter a million times, and never see it enjoyed. Her idea that she is the parent, and the child is subject to her will, has a huge potential of blowing up in her face. I hope the poor little thing really does enjoy everything.

My husband grew up in a home with huge variety and a mom that cooks exremely well. He loved going to his best friend's house with over cooked veggies and endless junk food. His bff, loved eating at DH's house. Maybe the camp kids threw away food because it was nasty. Or maybe they threw it away because it is just like home and they wanted junk because that is what camp is all about
Vacation and going out food is about fun. My kids eat pizza and hot dogs when we are out. I make pizza at home, but I hate hot dogs! They love them. There is no way my kids could eat from the kid menu for a week. I don't get the dp because of that. It isn't for us.

Huge potential to blow up in my face? Why because I'm not letting my child control my house? She is the child and I'm the parent. She is subject to OUR will. I'm not going to force feed her and OBVIOUS if there is something she truely doesn't like i'm not going to force her to eat it. It's about setting a level of control as a parent and like previous poster said, picking your battles. I also only have one child so it will be a bit "easier" for me to control the situation because I don't have to deal with 2 or 3 other kids and what they may enjoy too.
You seem to have taken this personally. If you read some post I'm not the only one that feels like sometimes people give up.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm sorry , but if you can't afford to feed your children maybe going to Disney shouldn't be a priority at all. The price isn't the point. It's the idea of variety and health. Adult portions are WAY over sized.

Actually the price is the point. If you look at the cost of the DDP for children it is less than $12 per day. If you increase the price you will please a number of fo;ls but I believe that the majority would be complaining that now they are not able to purchase the plan. Their kids only eat nuggets and fries......why pay more for burgers to appease those families whose children eat steak? Increase the price of the children's menu and there will be an outcry that the cost is too much for a child's pizza or for mac and cheese ane that is all Little Johnny eats so why pay for halibut? I believe that Disney along with a multitude of additional restaurants responded to how much patrons will pay for a child. Those who are willing to pay more will simply order off of the adult menu or will manage to include an appetizer to stretch an adult entree.

 

[jrmasm]

Hate to says it folks but your beloved DDP killed all the menus. They may not have been healthier but there was a lot more variety on all menus before the DDP and free dining were introduced.

 

[DawnM]

we don't do the dining plan, ever, as we don't stay on property, but we have found that IF we eat in the parks, we like to eat at Sunshine Season Food Fare (at the Land) in Epcot as they do offer kids' meals like chicken, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, and apple sauce or they offer sweet and sour chicken with rice and apple sauce. They are fairly well portioned as well.

My kids don't care for the nuggets at and they are not filling for any child over age 4 or 5, so we don't even bother.

We also bring a lot of food in to the parks with us.

Dawn

 

[brymolmom]

Count me in for someone who does NOT DISLIKE the kids DDP. It is a HUGE, HUGE deal - just going to Chef mickey's for one meal that day covers the cost - so anything on top of it is just bonus, IMO.

We do keep some level of variety for my 2 kids by using their credits on breakfasts at POP food court (or dinners too - tons of variety there), sharing some adult selections (burgers or pizza at the places where kids aren't offered) and choosing the handful of CS restaurants that offer better options (WPE, Sunshine Seasons, Main St Bakery) and then, a couple times during the week - the kids get the standard choices at regular CS places. Of course, I also allow 'ice cream for lunch' once or twice on our vacation (since it IS a vacation) so I guess I do allow straying from healthy choices for the week.

With carefully selected TS and CS locations (lots of buffets - they get to eat just like me!), I think that the kids DDP plan is just about the best deal around. I could barely feed my child for that at home if we went out just one time. And this way - they get character meals and WDW environment!!

Personally, I don't think it's any different than eating out at restaurants for a whole week anywhere...oftentimes there are way more unhealthy than healthy choices at the majority of restaurants everywhere, IMO.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Hate to says it folks but your beloved DDP killed all the menus. They may not have been healthier but there was a lot more variety on all menus before the DDP and free dining were introduced.

It makes sense. You get something, something is taken. As many have said, it comes down to money. A theme park has nothing to do with eating healthy. Or good deals. For them a good deal is a deal that keeps people in the parks. You get what you pay for. It usually works that way in life.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Actually the price is the point. If you look at the cost of the DDP for children it is less than $12 per day. If you increase the price you will please a number of fo;ls but I believe that the majority would be complaining that now they are not able to purchase the plan. Their kids only eat nuggets and fries......why pay more for burgers to appease those families whose children eat steak? Increase the price of the children's menu and there will be an outcry that the cost is too much for a child's pizza or for mac and cheese ane that is all Little Johnny eats so why pay for halibut? I believe that Disney along with a multitude of additional restaurants responded to how much patrons will pay for a child. Those who are willing to pay more will simply order off of the adult menu or will manage to include an appetizer to stretch an adult entree.

opps i meant for us. I agree though, little Johnny has ruined everything.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Huge potential to blow up in my face? Why because I'm not letting my child control my house? She is the child and I'm the parent. She is subject to OUR will. I'm not going to force feed her and OBVIOUS if there is something she truely doesn't like i'm not going to force her to eat it. It's about setting a level of control as a parent and like previous poster said, picking your battles. I also only have one child so it will be a bit "easier" for me to control the situation because I don't have to deal with 2 or 3 other kids and what they may enjoy too.
You seem to have taken this personally. If you read some post I'm not the only one that feels like sometimes people give up.

Personal, no. It is merely a conversation on a msg. board to fill the time. You won't always be able to control your daughter. I've seen it tried. You have never addressed the question of what you will do when she says "no." Stuff it down her throat? Or do you really believe she will always do and like everything you tell her to do and like? Whether you have one or five, you still can't control everything. Parents who try to are my big money maker, lol.

You sit in judgment of people when you haven't walked in their shoes. You imply that your way of parenting would solve the problems of diet, and health in america. You assume people don't try. You assume that you know more about parenting...Not cool. People have given real life examples of the "whys" and possible reasons for what you have seen and experienced in your little camp example, but you ignore it all.

As for the food at the parks, your points keep changing. Now it is the size of adult portions, lol.Use your money to speak. Don't go if you don't want to. Don't buy kid's meals if you don't like. No one is twisting your arm or holding a gun to your head.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree though, little Johnny has ruined everything.

Indeed he has

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Personal, no. It is merely a conversation on a msg. board to fill the time. You won't always be able to control your daughter. I've seen it tried. You have never addressed the question of what you will do when she says "no." Stuff it down her throat? Or do you really believe she will always do and like everything you tell her to do and like? Whether you have one or five, you still can't control everything. Parents who try to are my big money maker, lol.

You sit in judgment of people when you haven't walked in their shoes. You imply that your way of parenting would solve the problems of diet, and health in america. You assume people don't try. You assume that you know more about parenting...Not cool. People have given real life examples of the "whys" and possible reasons for what you have seen and experienced in your little camp example, but you ignore it all.


As for the food at the parks, your points keep changing. Now it is the size of adult portions, lol.Use your money to speak. Don't go if you don't want to. Don't buy kid's meals if you don't like. No one is twisting your arm or holding a gun to your head.

My point's aren't changing I'm just adding to them.
I'm pretty sure I answered the "if she says no" question but I will repeat: Sitting at the table till she tries it. Am I supposed to give in to her every "NO", no but there will be a balance. Can I control everything, NO but for the first few years I'm 95% in control of what comes in and out of her life so yes I'm going to take advantage of it. When shes older all I can do is hope that DH and I placed a solid foundation and she will make the right choices.

I don't assume anything I'm just stating how it was in my parents homes and many of my friends parents homes and how it will be in mine. There's not way around the fact that many times parents give in and give up. To think that's judging someone is not true.
As for camp, I don't really care what the kids do in the long run. They have nannies and parents and therapist that can deal with them the other 48 weeks in the year.

 

[kimmyann]

I read most (not all) of the posts on this topic. When we went last year we had the QSDP and there are healthy options on the kids menu's. I have three kids, my girls will eat just about anything and my youngest girl even prefers veggies over junk food or fruit. My son, well, that is a whole different story, he is EXTREMELY picky and yes he prefers chicken nuggets & fries. I gave up long ago on him, if I tried to make him eat something he did not like, he would starve...really. The Dr. finally told me not to worry about it and let him eat what he will eat. My son was underweight then and still is, it's just who he is and I have learned to accept that. Not all children are the same. Period.

I see the bigger problems with kids & obesity is total lack of self control. Why do we need to constantly eat? Yes, everything is out there and easliy accesible, but you choose to stop and get that big mac or get that happy meal for your kid, no one else. Why can't they wait you wait until you get home and fix something better? Because we are lazy and are lacking self control. Truth can hurt. I am totally not pointing at anyone, I myself have said to my DH "I don't feel like cooking, can you run to Wendy's?" It's easier sometimes.

Now, hate to bring this up, but saw something about school lunches. I know for a fact that something needs to be done. I had lunch with my DD a couple of times last year and was amazed at what these kids are eating everyday. They were having nachos, the child in front of us was allowed to only get the bag of chips (no meat, rice, veggies, fruit), ice cream and milk, that was his lunch. They should have to atleast have one veggie on the tray. Most all of the food is processed (just like any restaurant) and do kids really need to have Pizza Hut for lunch once a week? That's what is going on in my kids schools. What is bad is parents are not there to choose, the kids are in control and they really can't make the right decision, so unless your child takes lunch, you may really do not know what they are eating at school.

I'm just saying, there are healthy choices on the menu's, but only you can choose what is right for your kids. Two of mine choose healthy, one not, so yes I benefit from the unhealthy choices and would like them to stay. I manage to be sneaky enough that the boy is still alive today.

Kim