Age Question

[gracie1]

Our daughter will be 11 on our trip. We are paying out of pocket for our meals, instead of using the dining plan. Can she order off of the kids menu? There are quite a few restaurants that she would rather eat off the children's menu rather than the adult one. Also, what about buffets or 'Ohana? Will she be charged as an adult??
Thanks!!

 

[Monty]

She'll be charged as an adult wherever that's an option. The restaurants are not required to let her order from the kids' menu, but you can ask.

 

[G00fyDad]

If you're paying out of pocket why does it matter what you order? Order her a kids meal and tell the restaurant to deal with it. If you were using the DDP like us then I can kind of see their reasoning, but your paying oop for the food.

 

[Monty]

If you're paying out of pocket why does it matter what you order? Order her a kids meal and tell the restaurant to deal with it. If you were using the DDP like us then I can kind of see their reasoning, but your paying oop for the food.

In most cases restaurants price kids' meals at a loss. Because parents eat with them it works out in the long run. Voluntarily allowing someone who is no longer a kid to make you lose money isn't in their interest.

As I said, it doesn't hurt to ask, from my experience most restaurants in WDW will do it. The OP needs to be aware that they don't have to.

 

[G00fyDad]

In most cases restaurants price kids' meals at a loss. Because parents eat with them it works out in the long run. Voluntarily allowing someone who is no longer a kid to make you lose money isn't in their interest.

As I said, it doesn't hurt to ask, from my experience most restaurants in WDW will do it. The OP needs to be aware that they don't have to.

Then they need to adjust their prices accordingly. I have never in my life, ever, seen a restaurant refuse to sell a kids meal to someone who was not a kid. Even at Disney. I've never even heard that it was a possibility that they might refuse. If so then that is the stupidest thing I have seen a restaurant at Disney do. "No, no, no. I understand that it is on our menu, but we're not going to let you order it."

 

[The Mom]

I have been to many restaurants that restrict their children's menu to children - it is clearly stated on the menu. But, I do live in FL where there may be more adults with smaller appetites (ie, the elderly) who would order a children's portion. The restaurant's usually get around it by offering early bird specials and 1/2 portions, so that they still attract seniors. And many have a plate charge for sharing, because it's so common.

As Monty mentioned, the children's menu is often priced at a loss that restaurants offer based on the assumption that the adults in the group will order something at full price. If they allowed anyone the option of ordering a child's meal, they would lose money.

But I have found that most restaurants - especially at WDW - will allow an older child the option IF (s)he is with an adult who is ordering a full priced meal.

As long as the policy is clearly written, an establishment can make any rule as long as it does not violate law. And some policies can be changed at will, such as holding an item on layaway. As I discovered a long time ago.

 

[DisDadWoz]

Our Daughter just turned 11 for our last trip and she can find alot off of the regular menu to eat which has been great. Our youngest is 7 so she ate off of both menus during our trip depending on where we ate. It was funny that at every place we went the server "offered" the kids menu to our oldest in case she didn't find something. Again, I think it's based on the fact my wife and I were ordering meals. It's really not in WDW's best interest to limit the menu to only those under that age, so the policy is there. However, it is in there best interest to have people coming back to their restaurants and not off site so customer comes first.

 

[ImagineerDude]

I know restaurants like Outback and Texas Roadhouse charge an additional dollar or two if an adult orders off the kids meal, this is what my mom usually does. I'm not sure about Disney, however if she could pass for a younger age it wouldn't be a problem. I remember doing this when my sister JUST turned 10 with park tickets. Much of the $7.50-$11 adult portions can feed two adults! Have you thought about sharing? Especially the amazing flatbread at Pinocchio's, you gotta try it!!!

 

[G00fyDad]

I have been to many restaurants that restrict their children's menu to children - it is clearly stated on the menu. But, I do live in FL where there may be more adults with smaller appetites (ie, the elderly) who would order a children's portion. The restaurant's usually get around it by offering early bird specials and 1/2 portions, so that they still attract seniors. And many have a plate charge for sharing, because it's so common.

As Monty mentioned, the children's menu is often priced at a loss that restaurants offer based on the assumption that the adults in the group will order something at full price. If they allowed anyone the option of ordering a child's meal, they would lose money.

But I have found that most restaurants - especially at WDW - will allow an older child the option IF (s)he is with an adult who is ordering a full priced meal.

As long as the policy is clearly written, an establishment can make any rule as long as it does not violate law. And some policies can be changed at will, such as holding an item on layaway. As I discovered a long time ago.

I suppose I can see the point in this, but it still seems rather silly. Oh well. I guess I am so irritated by it because on our next trip my son will be out of the children's range and into the junior and he loves the kids meals.

 

[Monty]

I suppose I can see the point in this, but it still seems rather silly. Oh well. I guess I am so irritated by it because on our next trip my son will be out of the children's range and into the junior and he loves the kids meals.

Morgan was absolutely thrilled when he turned 10 and Disney considered him an "Adult"! LOL

I wasn't thrilled paying adult prices and even now that he's 17 he doesn't eat the portions they serve (neither do I!). But it goes with the territory and at the end of the day it doesn't make that much difference in the overall cost of being in WDW.

 

[gracie1]

Thank you for your responses. I was debating getting the dining plan or not. Our kids are ages 12, 9 & 5. It just kills me to jump to $50 some dollars a day for our 12 yr old compared to $17 a day for the other two! Yet, when I price everything out, I think the dining plan would maybe be our best bet. Decisions decisions!!

 

[G00fyDad]

Morgan was absolutely thrilled when he turned 10 and Disney considered him an "Adult"! LOL

I wasn't thrilled paying adult prices and even now that he's 17 he doesn't eat the portions they serve (neither do I!). But it goes with the territory and at the end of the day it doesn't make that much difference in the overall cost of being in WDW.

I am sort of getting shell shocked for our next trip. My son will be in junior level then and my daughter will be 18 and in the adult level. I priced the trip and it is easily $600+ more than our previous trips. We'll still use the DDP since it typically saves us $300+. We have certain places we always eat at so the DDP works out well for us. And if they offer it for free again during our trip dates then that saves us nearly $1400.

 

[cornandacobb]

If you're not doing dining plan, I don't see why Disney would strictly enforce this. Especially since they allow plate sharing for free.
The only problem with the children's menu is the oft-crappy(although better through the years) selections. My daughter is 12 for the next trip and was 10 on the last trip, but she frequently wanted to order off the adult menu due to the selection.

 

[Alison1975]

Then they need to adjust their prices accordingly. I have never in my life, ever, seen a restaurant refuse to sell a kids meal to someone who was not a kid. Even at Disney. I've never even heard that it was a possibility that they might refuse. If so then that is the stupidest thing I have seen a restaurant at Disney do. "No, no, no. I understand that it is on our menu, but we're not going to let you order it."

I worked at a restaurant for 8 years where if you were over 10 there was NO ordering from the Children's menu..it was not allowed.

 

[G00fyDad]

I worked at a restaurant for 8 years where if you were over 10 there was NO ordering from the Children's menu..it was not allowed.

Again...

I'm not saying it doesn't happen. What I AM saying is that I just never seen it before and I'm completely amazed that it does happen.

 

[The Mom]

I am sort of getting shell shocked for our next trip. My son will be in junior level then and my daughter will be 18 and in the adult level. I priced the trip and it is easily $600+ more than our previous trips. We'll still use the DDP since it typically saves us $300+. We have certain places we always eat at so the DDP works out well for us. And if they offer it for free again during our trip dates then that saves us nearly $1400.

That extra charge for another "adult" in the room always got me. One year, having my "child" in the other bed - no charge. Next year, surcharge for another adult. Plus, he/she was still in HS.

 

[G00fyDad]

That extra charge for another "adult" in the room always got me. One year, having my "child" in the other bed - no charge. Next year, surcharge for another adult. Plus, he/she was still in HS.

I know. I feel kind of stupid, but I kept logging back into Disney's site because I thought there was a problem. It was giving me a far higher quote than it ever had before, even taking into account the yearly increases. Then my wife walked by the computer and said, "Its because our daughter is an adult now." and just kept walking. I knew it had to be something. Almost makes me want to tell them she is 17 one more time.

 

[CaptainShortty]

As far as ordering off the kids menu, it's up to the discretion of the individual dining establishments if they let her. That being said, I would be very surprised if you ran into any issues about her ordering off of the kids menu. For table service/buffet options, she will be charged as an adult.