Child's meal

[JuniorMickey]

How strict are they on ordering these? The adult meals are always too much food for me. Is there a problem with me ordering a child's meal?

[Johnie]

We've not had any problems ordering a child's meal at a counter service place. Can't help with the sit down restaurants, but I imagine they wouldn't have a problem with it either. Disney is pretty good with realizing that people can't eat all the food they give you. It's not like you can take a doggie bag home

[Mickeymac]

DS usually orders the child's meal since he's too dang picky to eat real food. They bring him extra however, and do charge for it (table service)

We order child sized at counter service with no problems, either.

[JuniorMickey]

I was worried about counter service so now I feel better.... oh and MM, I'm dang picky too.

[Dawn]

I've ordered kids meals at counter service sometimes. Especially at the water parks because you get nifty gifts with them. :D

[Vikki]

We've not had any problems ordering a child's meal at a counter service place. Can't help with the sit down restaurants, but I imagine they wouldn't have a problem with it either.

I agree, and have done this many times myself. It does seem as though the customer is always right with Disney, and I'm sure they'd rather have someone order a child meal and be happy than argue over a few $ and waste with an adults meal.

[uscwest]

The thing about ordering a child's meal at a counter service is that they have no way of knowing that you don't have a child with you. So how could they say anything?

[american idol]

i would tell the waitress that you can't eat an adult meal and could you order from the childs menu, if you're with a party then i don't think you'd have a problem, 6 adults ordering a childs meal at one table might be though!!!

go for it JM, i think you'll be fine :)

[Bambi]

As for fast food (over counter) kids meals should not be a problem at all.
For sit down places every place is probably different. When I ate at at the concourse in the contemporary resort I ordered from the kids meal for breakfast and lunch since IMHO they were generous portions. The waitresses were very nice about it and it didn't seem to be an issue at all.
However, some places may be different but it definitely doesn't hurt to ask wherever you eat.

[OKWTink]

I have had some reports of restaurants allowing an order from a children's menu to be served to an adult, but charged at the adult price! Coral Reef was the last place that I was told, did this. So do check on the policy before ordering. Otherwise, consider sharing?

[lisaw]

When we were in Tony's, I asked if I could have a starter instead of a main as I wanted dessert :D and knew I wouldn't manage it all. The waiter wasn't 100% happy with it but he did allow it - it wasn't busy that evening so that couldn't have been an issue but I got the impression that it was the tip that was an issue as obviously the bill would be a bit lower :shrug:

[OKWTink]

Yes, that seems to be the case in some restaurants. I've read that one is supposed to tip on what would have been the full price when sharing or ordering a smaller amount. I totally disagree with that! If I go to a restaurant and only want a dessert, I should tip on a full meal? I don't think so. :rolleyes:

[JuniorMickey]

I have had some reports of restaurants allowing an order from a children's menu to be served to an adult, but charged at the adult price! Coral Reef was the last place that I was told, did this. So do check on the policy before ordering. Otherwise, consider sharing?
I don't think I'm doing any sitdowns that are not buffets so i'll be okay there. I was more concerned about counter service :D

[wdwgrandma]

When we were in Tony's, I asked if I could have a starter instead of a main as I wanted dessert :D and knew I wouldn't manage it all. The waiter wasn't 100% happy with it but he did allow it - it wasn't busy that evening so that couldn't have been an issue but I got the impression that it was the tip that was an issue as obviously the bill would be a bit lower :shrug:
I order appetizers instead of entrees fairly frequently because it is usually a smaller amount of food - and I hate wasting! And I'm not good at eating leftovers. Sometimes my meal consists of two appetizers or soup and salad. I don't ask the server if it is ok. I just tell them to bring it with everyone else's entree. As far as tipping goes, they get tipped on the amount we order and the service rendered. I don't care if they don't like it if I don't order an alcoholic beverage or some expensive entree or dessert! I'm not there to provide them a tip. I'm there to eat what I want! Their feelings on what I order is of no matter to me.

[JuniorMickey]

I get the roll of the eyes when Cap'nAndy and I eat out. Neither of us drink alcohol so the server automatically assumes we're cheap.

[miraclemoments]

I order appetizers instead of entrees fairly frequently because it is usually a smaller amount of food - and I hate wasting! And I'm not good at eating leftovers. Sometimes my meal consists of two appetizers or soup and salad. I don't ask the server if it is ok. I just tell them to bring it with everyone else's entree. As far as tipping goes, they get tipped on the amount we order and the service rendered. I don't care if they don't like it if I don't order an alcoholic beverage or some expensive entree or dessert! I'm not there to provide them a tip. I'm there to eat what I want! Their feelings on what I order is of no matter to me.

:iagree:

[wdwgrandma]

We ate breakfast out one day, and when I told the server not to bring me the grits listed on the menu, she told me that the cost of my meal would not be reduced. I understand. I just don't like them, don't want them, and won't eat them. Leave them in the kitchen so they aren't wasted. I'm sure someone will come along and order grits eventually. If they don't want to take the price of the grits off my meal, it won't break me. I do this frequently with bread offerings. "Would you like biscuits, toast or English muffin with your breakfast?" None, thanks. I won't eat it, so please don't bring it! Is that such a tough concept?

[JuniorMickey]

I do the same thing with the bacon/sausage Grandma. They always look at me like I'm nuts.

[wdwgrandma]

It's not like you're asking them to substitute a spoonful of cavier for a sprinkle of cheese at the same cost! They have no right to judge what I eat or how much I spend - as long as I don't go in and ask for a cup of hot water, a packet of catsup, and a couple of crackers! LOL

[miraclemoments]

LOL I went through this at IHOP the other morning...I ordered an omlette and she said, "What type of pancakes would you like." None, thanks. "But the omlette comes with pancakes." Yes I know, I just won't eat them so there's no reason to bring them out. "But you're paying for them!!" Ok. Fine. Then if I'm paying for them, I ought to well and truly be able to tell you what to do with them!!! Now, leave the pancakes in the kitchen before I think of more *creative* things to do with them!!

[tajainaz]

Another picky eater, small portions, no alcoholic beverages checking in!

Counter service wasn't a problem, except the offerings for children's meals are pretty slim. Chicken nuggets become a bit boring!

The concept of excluding items seems to be difficult in most restaurants. I don't eat eggs, but have learned to order combination breakfasts (less expensive than individual items) and have them hold the eggs. You should see the looks I get! :ohno: Then I eat the amount I want of the other items.

I'm with you, Donna! I don't see why they should serve me items I know I won't eat (and don't want to look at!) when I'm willing to pay full price. :shrug:

[wdwgrandma]

This thread reminds me of a scene from the movie "Five Easy Pieces" where Jack Nicholson (playing a character named Robert Dupea) wants toast:

Dupea: I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes, tomatoes instead, a cup of coffee, and wheat toast.
Waitress: (She points to the menu) No substitutions.
Dupea: What do you mean? You don't have any tomatoes?
Waitress: Only what's on the menu. You can have a number two - a plain omelette. It comes with cottage fries and rolls.
Dupea: Yeah, I know what it comes with. But it's not what I want.
Waitress: Well, I'll come back when you make up your mind.
Dupea: Wait a minute. I have made up my mind. I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes on the plate, a cup of coffee, and a side order of wheat toast.
Waitress: I'm sorry, we don't have any side orders of toast...an English muffin or a coffee roll.
Dupea: What do you mean you don't make side orders of toast? You make sandwiches, don't you?
Waitress: Would you like to talk to the manager?
Dupea: ...You've got bread and a toaster of some kind?
Waitress: I don't make the rules.
Dupea: OK, I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I'd like an omelette, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee.
Waitress: A number two, chicken sal san, hold the butter, the lettuce and the mayonnaise. And a cup of coffee. Anything else?
Dupea: Yeah. Now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules.

[mel64]

Send me your bacon and pancakes. After reading all this, I'm hungry.

[Eeyore1974]

Another small portion eater here. I've ordered from the children's menu at counter service several times without a problem and I too ask them to leave off items I know I won't eat. It works out great. A lot of restaurants (I'm not sure about in Disney) also offer seniors portions. If you don't want to order a children's portion, order the senior's portion. There is more of a selection, but the portions are usually smaller. Then if they say "but you're not a senior", you can just tell them you look really good for your age.