DDP problems w/kids

[maelstrom]

Right - Can anyone explain why the kids' meals at Pizzafari at AK do not include pizza???

Because of the promo where you could get an adult or child's meal with a soda, and coupons for a free soda, popcorn, & ice cream in the park. Adults were getting the kids meal because the adult meal was the exact same thing only with a larger soda and cost a few dollars more. So now the kids meals are stuff that adults would never want to eat.

At least, that's my theory.

 

[december]

But why should kids be punished? They are still getting the money, whether a kid or adult eats it. What mama is going to eat pizza while her kids are eating chilled chicken and carrots? I couldn't do it. Just offer a smaller pizza, a smaller burger, 2 chicken strips instead of the huge 4 or 5, macaroni and cheese, and the kids will be happy. Offer a healthy side and a traditional side, and a choice of fruit or ice cream for dessert. Why is that so impossible? Do the same at sit down, plus a "themed" entree. What would be so hard about spaghetti at Italian, small steak at steakhouses, fish at fish places, etc. I'm hoping to go back next June for SW Weekend, and my son is dying to try SciFi, but not if he can't get a burger! We may just skip the dining plan, even though it was so convenient this year.:brick:

 

[maelstrom]

I agree with you, December. I think they're shooting themselves in the foot here. I've seen many complaints and it seems as though a lot of people won't be doing the dining plan now. I know that I like to be able to order whatever I want to eat. Sometimes I order off the adult menu, sometimes off the kids, and sometimes only an appetizer. Kids should have the same option. Some kids want only mac & cheese, pizza, or chicken tenders. Some kids want healthier stuff like a vegetable dipping platter. Some kids want adult meals of steak or fish. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[crossfamily]

I personally enjoyed the dining plan! I must of gotten lucky on my trip! Our ddp was free but we had awsome CM's that took care of us. When mine offered an appt. They always brought plates for my 3 kids! My dd2 always was included even though she was not on the dining plan. Most of the CM just brought her food even without me asking or ordering it and i was never charged extra! Now I always did tip extra! I know it was included but I figured an extra 15% was nothing to me since my dining was free! The first place we went to was WCC and the server explained the whole plan to me and I asked her about her tips when she received them and all and she was so kind to tell me all! Rule of thumb I have always lived by: Kill em with kindness it goes a long way!

 

[JimboJones123]

What they should do is make 1/2 meals for kids, both at counter places, and at Sit Downs for kids. My kids would love a 1/2 lasagna at Alfredos, but aren't hip to Spagetti again if they had it at Tonys and at the Resort already. If we have 3 Italian meals, why should they be punished and have to eat the same thing all 3 times. A 1/2 Alfredo would be bliss. Oh, and WHY DO ALL KIDS DESSERTS HAVE TO BE A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM?????? It's the same EVERYWHERE! That, is plain DUMB.

 

[december]

Don't get me wrong-I loved the dining plan. Being able to plan and budget before the trip, and not owing for anything but souvenirs during the trip was great.


The problem is not with the dining plan-it is with the kid's dining choices. If we had followed the plan as intended, my son would have been miserable.

I love the idea of 1/2 meals for kids. That would make so much more sense than what Disney is doing now! And I agree about dessert-why do adults get so many choices and the kids get almost none?

 

[Dwarful]

Crossfamily, how did the waitstaff explain the tip procedure? We are going in Dec. and I'd just like to make sure I understand everything before we go.

 

[MouseearsDeb]

And......to throw another thing out there, it will be interesting to see how things go when Disney puts there new "healthier" menu into effect. I don't know, so many decisions next time. Off site, on site? Dining plan, no dining plan? Free Dining Plan? Even if it's free, it would depend on how the menu choices are changed.

 

[Dwarful]

any word on when the "healthier" menu comes on board? If it was free you could always take it and then just use it when it met your needs....snacks, counter service..even if you didn't use the table service meals...if it was free that is.

 

[MouseearsDeb]

Yeah, I know free is 'free'. But, to be honest, we usually stay off site at a rental villa. The only reason we stayed onsite this year, or for that matter even went this year was due to the free dining plan. We did really enjoy it, even with the quirks of the kid's menu. We got to try places that we normally would not have paid cash for. Even DS5, had a few 'special' meals. (Narcoosee's was awesome with the kid's filet mignon) We would have to weigh every option before deciding on the final place, pkg, etc. To be quiet honest, I missed the roominess (sp?) of the villa, as well as the private pool. BUT, unlimited froze coke at POP was a BIG plus on DS14's list and mine as well. :animwink: That's the thing with young kid's and WDW, I think you can get a better menu off site. Such a dilema! :brick: