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| This picture is a bit deceiving, as my son has the “pizzette” away from his face toward the camera. |
I’m typically pretty complimentary when it comes to food at the Disneyland Resort. I usually feel that the price and quantity are fair given the fact that you are at a theme park and stack up against, or surpass, what is offered at other parks.
That was until yesterday. Moms and dads, I am here to tell you to NOT purchase the pizza kids meal offered at the Disneyland Resort. I purchased this “meal” for my son yesterday at the Village Haus and laughed out loud when I opened the box. The pizza is not really a pizza. It’s more like a weird piece of bread or roll with a semblance of pizza topping on it. The look and size of it more resembles a “pizza cookie” than a pizza. In fact, my friend and I dubbed it a “pizzette.” It is no more a pizza than a bagel bite or hot pocket are pizza. Moreover, at the Village Haus, the “pizzette” meal is the most expensive kids meal at $6.49. Add to that the 5 apple slices and drink and it doesn’t even come close to stacking up against the chicken nugget kids meal offered in locations like the Stage Door Cafe. (And can someone please tell me why in a land frequented almost exclusively by small children there are no chicken nuggets to be found?!)
I have a few words of advice for Disneyland’s food people:
- We parents appreciate the attempt to offer healthier alternatives for children throughout the park (i.e. chicken and rice kids meals at Harbor Galley), but sometimes, kids just need comfort food and chicken and rice just won’t cut the mustard.
- Mac and cheese are a great idea…in theory…but a lot of kids refuse to eat it unless it’s the stuff from the box. Sad, but true.
- I KNOW chicken nuggets aren’t healthy for kids. I do. But let’s just put our cards on the table, K? A day at Disneyland with kids is WORK for parents and the last thing we need to do is have to WORK to get our kids to eat something they may not like. A day at Disneyland is often about doing what it takes to survive.
- If you are going to make pizza for kids, cut them some slack. Kids KNOW pizza and what my son had yesterday more resembled a pizza bagel than actual pizza.
(I know many of you may differ in opinion. Sorry…just had to get that off my chest. At least I didn’t write a post about the two girls working the churro cart by Sleeping Beauty Castle who were laughing with the guest before me in line about how they should get together and drink some Coronas…and continued talking about it while giving my boys their churro…)
So, now that I’m done complaining, here’s a video of our day at Disneyland yesterday, which was otherwise very nice.
Too cute, I loved your video! And great choice for a song – its one of my faves 🙂
We have issues with the WDW kids’ menus sometimes too. First let me say, I have three little ones and the last thing I need is an issue at lunch. The hardest thing for us last trip in WDW – hot dogs are not on the kids’ menu, but on the adult menu. Seriously, hot dogs? Now, like you with the chicken nuggets, I know hot dogs are not a healthy choice, but when we finally sit down for lunch, I just want my kids to eat what they want. We ended up purchasing adult meals for the them a couple of times just so they could have a hot dog and change up the chicken nuggets and pizza routine.
Love this post! I’ve ordered the kids’ meals and they are a joke. The hamburgers are tiny, and the sides are not that great either. Apple crisps? My kids wouldn’t touch them. I’ve stopped buying from the kids’ menu. I get them one adult meal and they split it. You are right, it is a wonderful place for kids, but the food isn’t meant for kids at all. Seems like an afterthought.
Amen!
Chicken Nuggets are a MUST… unfortunately.
Mac & Cheese must look like it came from a box… sad, but true.
And may I just add… my kids always want those Power Packs. Thank goodness they started those!
I love me some Dland, I do, but this lack of having something as simple as decent food is infuriating. Families save up to pay the $70+ a person to even enter the park and give their kids their Disney dream, not to mention pay for parking, food, souvenirs, etc. As much as I love taking my son there, you would think a place like Dland would respect their consumers a bit more.
Wow! I can’t believe the feedback I’ve gotten on this piece! By and large, I am always very satisfied with the quality of food at Disneyland and yesterday was the first time we ate at the Village Haus in years. While I’m frustrated with what I purchased yesterday, I think it’s like dining at any restaurant, you learn what you like and don’t like. The pizza is off my list and we’ll go back to eating at the Stage Door Cafe when I don’t bring our own food from home.
I said the same thing when we got that pizza! Although, my son did enjoy it, it was much smaller than I expected, and I too am surprised that they don’t have chicken nuggets at Village Haus. I’m lucky though, my kid would rather have a power pack than chicken nuggets anywhere in the park!
The kids pizza at Pizza Port is equally disappointing. I just get the kids a slice. Also, did they remove chicken nuggets? You used to be able to get them at Hungry Bear, Village Haus, and Golden Horseshoe at the very least.
I just found your blog thru The Disney Food blog. Thank you for this article! We are taking my 2 yo to Disneyland next month would almost certainly have bought this meal. I know now to think twice about the kids’ menu!