When kids don't eat like "adults"....

[gooftroop5]

We have always traveled to WDW when are kids were still considered "kids" in the eyes of Disney. On our next trip our son will just have turned 11 so he will be considered an "adult" in the eyes of Disney. I have searched this forum but have only found posts related to the Dining Plan. We are NOT doing the dining plan and will be paying out of pocket. I have been working on ADRs, but feel limited in my choices because many of the adult menus truly have adult type foods. I'm scared it may seem like a good choice and then end up wasting $20-30 when all he wanted was pizza anyway. I think I have this figured out, but please correct me if I'm wrong.....

- When going to buffet/family style you pay based on age. So my 11 year old would be considered an adult.

- When going to table service where there is a menu my 11 year old can order off the kids menu and pay the kids price.

THANKS!

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

I don't think you can get around the buffet thing.
I think you could have him order off the kids TS menu

 

[RandomPrincess]

You are correct.

 

[allidog1]

The buffet thing you can't get around, but as an adult I still order off the kids menu at Disney and they don't say anything.

 

[CheshireCat12]

I agree with all the other posters. In my experience the kids can order whatever off the regular or kids menu if you are not on the dining plan. Adults too, I've ordered a kids meal before.

 

[slappy magoo]

Just a thought, clearly, you don't have to do a Dining Plan. But if you were to do a dining plan, then each time you were eating at a non-buffet location, you could pay for your son's meal out of pocket, save the table service credit and use those credits towards a Signature Dining meal or an extra table service meal somewhere else.

 

[DontCallMeJr]

I agree also, my dad used to order off the children's menu and they never gave him a hard time. Kids meals are a great buy as they come with dessert and a drink at the quick service spots.

 

[Phonedave]

We just made my 12 (almost 13) year old daughter order of the kids menu because she eats so little (in quantity).

teh kids menu offerings have become very good in the last few years. One of the things that Disney Dining has to be commended for.


-dave

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

The buffet thing you can't get around, but as an adult I still order off the kids menu at Disney and they don't say anything.

Myself or my son also orders off of the kids menu and yes the buffet restaurants he would be considered an adult

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

We have always traveled to WDW when are kids were still considered "kids" in the eyes of Disney. On our next trip our son will just have turned 11 so he will be considered an "adult" in the eyes of Disney. I have searched this forum but have only found posts related to the Dining Plan. We are NOT doing the dining plan and will be paying out of pocket. I have been working on ADRs, but feel limited in my choices because many of the adult menus truly have adult type foods. I'm scared it may seem like a good choice and then end up wasting $20-30 when all he wanted was pizza anyway. I think I have this figured out, but please correct me if I'm wrong.....

- When going to buffet/family style you pay based on age. So my 11 year old would be considered an adult.

- When going to table service where there is a menu my 11 year old can order off the kids menu and pay the kids price.

THANKS!

This confuses me, if you are paying out of pocket, he can order from the children's menu. So you should pick whatever restaurants you like.

 

[slappy magoo]

This confuses me, if you are paying out of pocket, he can order from the children's menu. So you should pick whatever restaurants you like.

I think that was basically her question, if an "older child" could order off the kids menu.

 

[Tigger1988]

Unless they ask for ID how are they going to know an 11 year old isn't a 10 year old? Just say he's under 10 and go with it.

 

[Ali Mouse]

Just a thought, clearly, you don't have to do a Dining Plan. But if you were to do a dining plan, then each time you were eating at a non-buffet location, you could pay for your son's meal out of pocket, save the table service credit and use those credits towards a Signature Dining meal or an extra table service meal somewhere else.

Have you tried this?
I was thinking of doing this for my 10 year old but didn't want to plan it out if i wasn't going to be allowed when i got there.

 

[PhilharMagician]

We went trough the same thin g when my daughter hit the magic 10 Y/O mark. She is not a big eater so our meals changed from buffet and family style meals to more a la carte meals simply because of the cost. I do not have a problem paying the price for a buffet or family style meal, but my child at that time would eat about $3.00 worth of food at best.

As already mentioned you cannot get around paying full adult prices for buffet or family style meals. All other locations you can order from the child's menu. You may have to specifically ask for the child's menu when you are seated.

 

[slappy magoo]

Have you tried this?
I was thinking of doing this for my 10 year old but didn't want to plan it out if i wasn't going to be allowed when i got there.

I don't remember if we actually did it, mainly because I don't recall if we had any 2-credit meals last time beyond a breakfast at the Castle so missing a meal here and there when we had so many buffets probably seemed like a welcome break than an inconvenience.

But I remember asking about it a few times at check-in and at other restaurants where one of us might not have felt too terribly hungry and the word was always "you can use your credits however you want." At any given meal, you can say "my wife and I will use our table credits but we'll be paying for our son out of pocket" and they'll do it.

 

[Ali Mouse]

I don't remember if we actually did it, mainly because I don't recall if we had any 2-credit meals last time beyond a breakfast at the Castle so missing a meal here and there when we had so many buffets probably seemed like a welcome break than an inconvenience.

But I remember asking about it a few times at check-in and at other restaurants where one of us might not have felt too terribly hungry and the word was always "you can use your credits however you want." At any given meal, you can say "my wife and I will use our table credits but we'll be paying for our son out of pocket" and they'll do it.

Thanks!

 

[Ali Mouse]

We went trough the same thin g when my daughter hit the magic 10 Y/O mark. She is not a big eater so our meals changed from buffet and family style meals to more a la carte meals simply because of the cost. I do not have a problem paying the price for a buffet or family style meal, but my child at that time would eat about $3.00 worth of food at best.

As already mentioned you cannot get around paying full adult prices for buffet or family style meals. All other locations you can order from the child's menu. You may have to specifically ask for the child's menu when you are seated.

Garden Grill at the land would be a tricky one. Although it is family style children get a separate plate.
We always love the food here but I wonder if I can get my 10 year old the kids meal here. He loves the sweet potato fries that comes with the kids chicken leg.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Garden Grill at the land would be a tricky one. Although it is family style children get a separate plate.
We always love the food here but I wonder if I can get my 10 year old the kids meal here. He loves the sweet potato fries that comes with the kids chicken leg.

I would think they would bring it if you just ask! I have heard of all adult parties asking for the mac and cheese that is on the kids plate and they bring it for them!