How to feed a teen inexpensively?

Gucci65

Gucci65

Well-Known Member
We are planning on visiting WDW in October and want to make some reservations for some of the nicer sit down restaurants.

She can't/won't eat $20.00 worth of food that they charge for adults.

What do you do to get around that so she can order off the kids menu.

We are making ressies at : 50's Prime Time, Le Cellier and Liberty Tree Tavern.

Any suggestions? Anyone else been in this situation before?
 
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amykissangel

amykissangel

Member
Well, first of all, my sister is the same way - she's 14, but looks young enough that they don't even blink when we ask for a kid's menu.

Also, I travel with my friend Kate who is the pickiest eater in the world. She ALWAYS ends up asking for a kids menu...in a "I'm so sorry to ask, but I'm really picky and was wondering if I could just get the (insert things like chicken fingers, pizza, fries here) on the kid's menu?" She is 23 years old:)

Usually they say yes if the rest of the adults are ordering off the regular menu. This has worked at both PT50's, Sci Fi, and Liberty Tree...especially if you are super nice, they are usually super nice back:wave:
 
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shoppingnut

shoppingnut

Active Member
Gucci65 said:
We are planning on visiting WDW in October and want to make some reservations for some of the nicer sit down restaurants.

She can't/won't eat $20.00 worth of food that they charge for adults.

What do you do to get around that so she can order off the kids menu.

We are making ressies at : 50's Prime Time, Le Cellier and Liberty Tree Tavern.

Any suggestions? Anyone else been in this situation before?
Click to expand...

LTT for dinner is a set menu (http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm) and served family style, but lunch isn't.

I would just ask for the child's menu at each of the restaurants, I'm sure they won't give you a problem. My nephew who is 12 (and doesn't look like a child anymore) still gets the kids menu because he prefers it, never had a problem.
 
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tink81

tink81

New Member
Browse the menus on here (not every restaurant is included, yet) with her and see what she thinks. Like others have said, 50's PT and Sci-Fi are usually a hit with the younger set.
 
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daverube

daverube

Active Member
If we're not using the dining plan, my financee usually orders and salad and an appetizer for dinner. She doesn't each a whole lot (unlike me) and we find this is a good way to fill her up and keep the cost down....plus, she suggested it!! As such, I don't get the typical "Do you think I'm fat...." questions some of my other friends get....;)

Good luck!!

P.S. - I agree with the above set, Sci-Fi and the 50sPT are great for the younger set!!
 
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Gucci65

Gucci65

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So thanks for the replies so far.

Amykissangel AND ShoppingNut: Did you have a reservation for those restaurants or did you just walk in?

Should I make a reservation for 3 and then when seated ask for a childs menu?

I haven't been to WDW in a year now, but I remember the last reservation I made was for a Candlelight package and they specifically asked for my daughters age.

Do they do that will all reservations OR just with the candlelight? Or should I just quit worrying - make a ressie for 3 adults and ask for the kid menu?

Geez, decisions, decisions.

Thanks for all your input!!:wave:
 
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tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
:wave:

I have 2 of the pickiest eaters to walk the face of the earth and the DH is just slightly better.

We all love the LTT for lunch and dinner. Haven't been to the other two.

I don't remember how old your teen is, but mine just turned 18 and I have an almost 12 y/o and they have both ordered off the kid's menu at times...most places don't make that much of a fuss. Counter service is the easiest to do this. We find our best bet is buffets because they cantake just as much of whatever they want and not feel like they have to finish a huge meal. Places like the Yachtsman Steakhouse stuck to the adult/child divide. If she sees 2 appetizers she likes she can choose that instead, even I have done that or just a salad and then an appetizer. Can't remember if anything comes in the half or whole (like a half salad and half sandwich), but thats a trick we use at home.

Along with looking over the menus here try the old standby allearsnet
as they are usually up to date.

make reservations (they will ask kids ages), but you can ask for a kid's menu when you are seated.
 
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shoppingnut

shoppingnut

Active Member
Definitely make reservations for the restaurants. With the inception of the dining plan, all restaurants are not as easy to get into as they once were no matter what time of the year you go.
 
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Gucci65

Gucci65

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Okay, reservations have been made.

I'll just do as you all suggest and request a kids menu when we sit down. Hopefully they will look at the size of her and understand.

Mad - she will be 15 when we go to WDW.
 
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Miss Bell

Miss Bell

New Member
We have had this problem for years with our super-skinny teen. She just does not eat a lot of food. We have never had a problem getting a child's menu or child's portion at a lower price. In many cases, a cast member will offer before we even ask. You are more likely to get it at a place with a menu to order from--not so much with something that is family-style or buffet (like a breakfast.)

With my daughter, I know that she eats more at lunch than any other time of the day, so I try to make reservations for places like Garden Grill at that time of day rather than dinner, so I feel like she is eating what I am paying for.
 
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dvcnut39

dvcnut39

Well-Known Member
Just one example- we go to 50's for the atmosphere, not the food. We always go for an early lunch. My wife and daughters get the ice cream and I order two bowls of the $3-4 bowls of chicken soup. The soup is the best that I ever had.
 
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Gucci65

Gucci65

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I wonder what time the last seating for lunch is?

Hmmmmmm............

Yeah buffets are definately out of the question cause she never gets my money's worth out of that.

Very slim, very athletic.

BUT she eats a lot of Dole Whips and Mickey Premium ice cream bars when she gets a chance.:slurp: Guess that makes her a typical teen huh???
 
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Woody13

Woody13

New Member
My wife and I are not big eaters. Rather than eat 3 large meals a day, we normally eat 3 to 5 small meals. For example, an apple or an orange for lunch is all we require. When we go to a restaurant, we often order from the child's menu and then split that meal between us.

We've never had a problem doing this at any of the WDW restaurants. As a matter of fact, if well tell them we are spliting the meal, they will often provide a second plate and split up all the food for us. :wave:
 
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MicheleK

MicheleK

Member
It is an "unwritten" rule that Disney has in not turning down anyone who is sharing a meal or requests a child menu, no matter what age. I have been told by countless Disney employees this bit of info. They actually encourage ordering off the kids menu for senior citizens. They understand that we can't take home leftovers, so they are more than happy to help. Another "unwritten" rule is for the fast pass. You can use your fastpass ANY time after the return time. Even if your return time is, say, 10:00am. You can still use it at say, 9:00pm. Just a little known fact that not too many people know about. We used this feature last year. We got fast passes all day, then used them at our convenience. It worked out great!

Sorry I was off subject a little (about the fastpasses)! :wave:
 
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Kadee

Kadee

New Member
My daughter (17 y.o.) and I share a meal if it is a big dish (which most are at WDW). We sometimes order an appetizer, too. It is usually more than enough for the two of us. We have reduced the number of table meals for this very reason. We passed on the dining plan because we just don't eat that much. Well, my daughter and I don't eat that much; my husband is a different story. At counter service places, he just eats our left overs. :slurp: :lol:
 
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