Change in pricing for people over 9 ordering from kids menus

[raidermatt]

I agree. I think the true complaint is "TS adult meals cost too much." And I actually agree, although seeing as how they sell out the limited seating for the TS, my thoughts are not likely Disney's thoughts.

The complaint is not really "I want a kids meal at kids price and Disney's being unreasonable that I can't have it", when pretty much the entire TS restaurant industry has never adopted that paradigm anywhere at any time. They have set kid menu ages (if they even have kids meals - most ethnic cuisine places do not) and they stick to them.

I mean, try to go to Red Robin and order a kids meal at 16 and pay a kids meal price. Ditto trying that at Olive Garden, or Outback, or Ruth's Chris, etc. No one allows it...anywhere...for anyone that is definitively out of the "look" of the age range (yes, you can sneak in a kids meal for those 1-2 years above, usually, but that's b/c the restaurant is not about policing integrity, only obvious people out of the range).

Our experience, even at 3 of the 4 specific places you mention, has been the opposite. And none of those three would be placed in the same level of service category as Disney would be placed, at least based on reputation. Certainly the idea that "no one allows it anywhere" is patently false.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Our experience, even at 3 of the 4 specific places you mention, has been the opposite. And none of those three would be placed in the same level of service category as Disney would be placed, at least based on reputation. Certainly the idea that "no one allows it anywhere" is patently false.

If they allowed it for an adult, you probably had a server breaking the rules for a tip (figuring if they denied you, you'd deny them one), b/c corporately, they do not allow it.

 

[notatallmagic]

If they allowed it for an adult, you probably had a server breaking the rules for a tip (figuring if they denied you, you'd deny them one), b/c corporately, they do not allow it.

Gotta disagree here. Three different issues in our family, all handled wonderfully by 95% of restaurants we visit. Food allergies - have talked to servers at more restaurants than I can count, explain the issues, ask questions, maybe request an "off menu" something - have never been turned down. This is actually something Disney has done pretty well (for example, asked at San Angel for a salad with just chicken and certain vegetables. Best salad ever; don't even remember the price) - but certainly pretty much everyone does it.

Issue with needing food for a different type dietary restriction - typically subbing grilled for breaded or fried; and different side choices. Again, never denied, from chains mentioned and local places. Have also needed smaller portions for a post surgical person - even have a little card to show - again, never turned down; virtually all positive experiences outside of Disney.

I've never considered these "entitlements" - I can vote with my feet and my dollars and not return to places that can't make simple adjustments. That's the point of this discussion IMO - yes, Disney COULD make reasonable accomodations/adjustments for many of the issues discussed here. They have/may choose NOT to; so we are discussing our opinions and options. For our family, that will likely mean much more quick service or bringing food with us - both scenarios lose Disney money. Or Disney could listen to their loyal clients, and make adjustments that ARE industry standard (see all the restaurants with "Senior Sized" or "Light" menu options) - the current scenario doesn't seem to be solving the problem, and seems petty and very much in line with the company's "charge more for less" standard these days.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Gotta disagree here. Three different issues in our family, all handled wonderfully by 95% of restaurants we visit. Food allergies - have talked to servers at more restaurants than I can count, explain the issues, ask questions, maybe request an "off menu" something - have never been turned down. This is actually something Disney has done pretty well (for example, asked at San Angel for a salad with just chicken and certain vegetables. Best salad ever; don't even remember the price) - but certainly pretty much everyone does it.

Issue with needing food for a different type dietary restriction - typically subbing grilled for breaded or fried; and different side choices. Again, never denied, from chains mentioned and local places. Have also needed smaller portions for a post surgical person - even have a little card to show - again, never turned down; virtually all positive experiences outside of Disney.

I've never considered these "entitlements" - I can vote with my feet and my dollars and not return to places that can't make simple adjustments. That's the point of this discussion IMO - yes, Disney COULD make reasonable accomodations/adjustments for many of the issues discussed here. They have/may choose NOT to; so we are discussing our opinions and options. For our family, that will likely mean much more quick service or bringing food with us - both scenarios lose Disney money. Or Disney could listen to their loyal clients, and make adjustments that ARE industry standard (see all the restaurants with "Senior Sized" or "Light" menu options) - the current scenario doesn't seem to be solving the problem, and seems petty and very much in line with the company's "charge more for less" standard these days.

The restaurants are not pricing your adult allergy and dietary needs at kid menu prices.

I do allergy ordering all the time as well. I can tell you that at all these restaurants (and more), I've never been charged a child's menu price for an order for me.

It is not any restaurant's norm. They charge adults based on adult menu prices. Now, could that be "ala carte adult", so they drop $2-3 off an adult entree when the person literally can't eat any sides - maybe. I haven't ever gotten that privilege (but I have been in that situation), but neither do I ask, b/c allergy ordering already costs a restaurant more, so I sure as hell don't want places to decide I'm more trouble than I'm worth...in fact, normally I do pay more than regular adult meal price when I eat in my community b/c I have to pay for a sub on an item...and that's fine by me b/c the sub costs more in food and labor to do (I mean, it's not free to have certain rarely ordered items around long term or to teach someone how to make a lettuce bun for a burger or to have to clean the grill/change gloves/change knives/etc).

If you eat out as an adult, you plan to pay adult price at sit down restaurants. If you don't want to pay that at Disney, they have CS and the ability to bring food. It's a 100% optional activity for anyone.

 

[Kmk2]

The problem is accommodations (like adults ordering the kids menu for kids prices) quickly become “hacks” and spread like wildfire.

Are Disney dining prices increasing at a troubling speed? I think so. Are we in many cases getting less for more? I think so too. Do I think 9 is too young of a cutoff for kids meals? Absolutely

But do I think a table of four adults should be able to order a $10 kids meal at Yachtsman’s steakhouse? no way. That is not in any way fair to their server. And it’s an abuse. And no steakhouse from Morton’s to Outback would ever allow it. Is there a ton of gray area between this and accommodating one or two adults in a party - sure, But refer because of the hacking - how do you tell one person yes and the other no?

Bottom line - I have to wake up at the crack of dawn months before my visit to even dream of being able to make reservations. So Disney holds all the cards — for now at least (prolonged economic downturn etc could change this).

And because Disney holds all the cards -
People are going to hack their way into prix fixe and family skillets. And that is unfortunate.

Edited: “Oatback” and less for more (not more for less )

 

[sndral]

If there’s a hack - order kids meals at sit down restaurants or split entrees or only order a cupcake or appetizer to enjoy the ambiance - FB & vloggers will trumpet the strategy far & wide & people will do it, to save money, because Disney costs - a lot.
What’s the solution?
Does Disney decide they’ll offer food as a loss leader to get people to visit - naw, so I accept that it’s ok for restaurants, including TS at Disney, to make a profit.
Given that, how do they maintain their target profit margin?
If their per guest spend is going down as I suspect it is thanks to the cost cutting hacks, they could just keep upping prices, or they could look into why the per guest spend is trending down & realize that it’s because too many guests are opting for kid’s meals or splitting entrees or just ordering the cupcake or appetizer & take steps to end those hacks.
As someone who enjoys sit down restaurants @ WDW & always orders & pays for an adult meal, I’d rather not subsidize others’ cost cutting strategies irrespective of their reasons for doing so, so upping prices for everyone to cover those who are eating kid’s meals or splitting, etc. is not my preferred solution. Thus, I’m a fan of plugging the leaks. And if plugging the leaks also enables them to stop trying to meet profit margins by sacrificing food quality that’s even better IMO.
There’s a lot of food choices at WDW, if you aren’t comfortable w/ the price at a place or the amount of food offered, it’s simple - don’t eat there. IME the good restaurants have more people wanting to eat there than they can accommodate, thus I doubt that losing the adults ordering kids meals/meal splitters/appetizer cupcake only crowd will result in empty tables.

 

[lowlight]

I’d rather not subsidize others’ cost cutting strategies

If it makes you feel any better, you are 100% not subsidizing anything for the poorer guests at Disney. That isn’t how corporations work, because they aren’t collecting taxes that they redistribute unequally to all guests. The poor can eat their porridge for cheap and not affect the price of your filet. This website blows my mind sometimes.

 

[raidermatt]

If they allowed it for an adult, you probably had a server breaking the rules for a tip (figuring if they denied you, you'd deny them one), b/c corporately, they do not allow it.

Not just a one-off thing. My daughter regularly does this and my wife occasionally. We also order multiple adult meals, which I am sure helps, but have never even been questioned.

 

[gottalovepluto]

As a practical matter how are they going to stop people from splitting a meal? It’s not feasible.

Split Plate charge. Will get people to think twice about if it’s worth it. Blue Bayou used to do that in Disneyland- this was years ago though and now their portions are so small idk what one could even split

 

[DisneyHardin]

The problem is accommodations (like adults ordering the kids menu for kids prices) quickly become “hacks” and spread like wildfire.

Exactly. Remember the old "Order a double cheeseburger and then pay $1 for an extra bun" hack? No QS places serve double cheeseburgers anymore because of that..

 

[starry_solo]

Split Plate charge. Will get people to think twice about if it’s worth it. Blue Bayou used to do that in Disneyland- this was years ago though and now their portions are so small idk what one could even split

As I recall, with the split plate charge, only the entree (protein) is split and each person gets their own sides.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

for what it is worth the small family park I work at does not have a kids menu other than the all you can eat place. no kids size drinks unless you buy a bottle of drink, no kids entree. biggest complaint this year was when stand I work at went to personal size pizzas this year so it was harder to split between a number of people

 

[DisneyHardin]

As I recall, with the split plate charge, only the entree (protein) is split and each person gets their own sides.

This is how it is at most places around us that charge a "Split Plate Fee". If you just want them to bring out an extra plate and you do the splitting yourself, there is no charge, but if you want the kitchen to split it and give each person a full size side, then there is a charge of usually about $7. DH and I share all the time at restaurants and we usually just get the plate and split it ourselves.

 

[Mome Rath]

Food waste is a horrendous issue, and America is at the forefront of it. I see no issue with wanting a smaller portion, that's what I prefer at most restaurants. I've ordered a smaller kid's portion before, and said I was willing to pay for an adult portion, just give me the kid's.

It can also be good just to ask if there is something you can order ala carte even if not listed. For breakfast, I just wanted a poached egg along with my avocado toast, our waiter kindly said I could have 2 for just 50 more cents, I declined and said there's no way I could eat that much, and that was that. The next day, I just ordered what I wanted ala carte and that worked too; 2 poached eggs and toast, with a side of fruit.

In short, I do still feel they try to work with you, and I can see both sides of the issue.

 

[Sparkly]

Now I see that Disney aren't cheap, it's their guests. Try so hard to get something for as cheap as possible, then complain and cry if it's taken away.

 

[bakerworld]

My TS compromise is to order an appetizer for my meal. For a long time DH was embarrassed but after many years he finally understood, especially since ordering a regular meal shortens our day (as in I have to take a nap). Now we're working towards sharing meals.

 

[Lewisc]

They could just eliminate kids menus altogether and just offer everything "a la carte" and you order based on size.

It would be logical to start such pricing with a per person "cover" charge. High enough to cover fixed costs and profit.

But I don't understand why, if I want the exact same portions of food that a 9-year-old eats, I have to pay MORE for that exact same food. What exactly am I being charged for? It's the SAME FOOD. It doesn't cost Disney any more for me to eat it than for a 9-year-old to eat it.

Many restaurants offer discounted kids meals as an accommodation to families. You wouldn't expect a guest over the age for a kids meal to pay the same if it was kids eat free or kids eat for a dollar. Disney feels kid meal pricing is lower then just an allowance for portion size.

With Disney, they are so large they do not have to worry about an extra kids meal or two at a table, because they literally have thousands of tables around property and it all balances out.

An occasional request becomes a common budget strategy. Internet sharing of budget techniques.

Add me to the posters who think this is reasonable. In essence Disney is saying kids get free drinks and sides with the purchase of a kids entrée.

 

[raidermatt]

An occasional request becomes a common budget strategy. Internet sharing of budget techniques.

Add me to the posters who think this is reasonable. In essence Disney is saying kids get free drinks and sides with the purchase of a kids entrée.

It's only an effective budget strategy for individuals who are not able to eat an adult meal.

No need to make excuses for Disney.

 

[disneyseniors]

Well, here's my 2 cents worth, which no one cares about, LOL.
I am a "senior" citizen and cannot eat that much. I hate wasting food, so I always order off the kids menu. What difference does it make who eats the food? These things tend to even out, IMO. My grandsons could eat a regular meal when they were under 9. There are adults who eat a lot more than one meal, so what does it matter if someone eats a kids meal?
I think they could get around this "kids vs adults" meal thing if they simply called the meals: regular or small. No mention of kids.
BTW, I have never been confronted about ordering a kids meal. I more than make up for that it in snacks, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, desserts, etc, LOL.

 

[georgina]

With all the talk of sustainability on the Epcot Living with the Land ride, you would think they could be more thoughtful in how large the meals are. Several people in the beginning of this thread said 'just don't eat it all'. That is incredibly wasteful of food. I think an a la carte approach or smaller portion options would be welcomed by a lot of us. We definitely made use of the half portions of pasta at Il Mulino.