Can I just eat an appetizer?

[lilmakattack]

I know this is the dumbest question ever but just wanted some opinions.

We've been weighing back and forth about staying on property against staying at our timeshare. I really want to do the dining plan but I know we have to stay there. So my question is, if we still make ressies at all of the restaurants we want to try (paying out of pocket), can we just eat appetizers for a dinner or lunch? In some instances, I don't want a huge meal so i'd love to save the money. Also, since we aren't doing the dining plan, can I share with my 5 year old? Or is being cheap frowned upon at disney restaurants???

Thanks in advance!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

You can order just apps and share. You can order just desserts. You can order desserts before apps. You can do what you want if your are not on the dining plan! It's your vacation... eat drink and do what you want!

 

[cbg1027]

You can order just apps and share. You can order just desserts. You can order desserts before apps. You can do what you want if your are not on the dining plan! It's your vacation... eat drink and do what you want!

Exactly what they said.

When you're not on the DDP, you can order and eat what you like. You don't have any constraints when paying OOP. (Except at buffets of course - you will get charged per person at those.)

 

[Sadie22]

I shared with my husband on our last trip. He's a big eater and there was still plenty of food.

 

[snykymom]

I do it all the time. That's why I don't do the DP even though I stay on property. I like the flexibility.

 

[PoohMama]

We are a family of sharers. At most places the 5 of us can share 2 entrees especially if we get an app or dessert. For us, it's not so much about cost as the amount of food. We simply aren't huge eaters.

It's your vacation and your money. Order/eat whatever you want and enjoy it...guilt-free!

 

[cglaura]

We also share all the time. Usually my mom and I share an entree, and dd gets an appetizer as her "meal". So we kind of do both scenarios! Most restaurants actually split the meal ahead of time and bring it out on two plates.

At counter service (CS) places you can order a kid size meal if there is one you like. If I'm getting a burger, I get the kids version...burger, fries, grapes and a drink. Then I save the grapes for my snack.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I used to share all the time with my kids (my husband won't share - he eats everything up).

Now that they are older, they eat up what they order (especially the teenager!) so I'll often do an appetizer and dessert as my food. I love it. It's just the right amount for me.

That's actually something I really like about not getting the dining plan.

 

[ccgirl]

When we stay off site in our timeshare we spend less $ on food. That's not because we eat more at the timeshare but because we are little more frugal with what we order and eat how we "normally" would. On the DDP, we end up wasting so much food as we don't normally eat dessert. Some of the signature restaurants may have a split plate charge.

 

[mdsd8700]

Pretty much like everyone has said, Disney is great about this kind of thing. I split with my husband, I split with my daughter. I have appetizers for dinner, sometimes my daughter has dessert for dinner....it is vacation after all. There are 4 of us and I don't think we ever order 4 meals, which is exactly why the dining plan just never seemed like a good fit for us as it is for others.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We had a wonderful experience ordering the appetizer for two at Raglan Road. It was delicious, and we were both stuffed.

The next day...we decided to split an appetizer at Coral Reef. It was good, but it was tiny! We each went for dessert afterwards. My wasteline didn't get the break I had wanted for just eating half an appetizer that day!

Long story short...not all appetizers are created alike!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I love ordering appies only. Often we will get a couple instead of dinner, love the variety!

I have removed a couple posts that had personal tipping habits comments. Tipping discussion is not a topic for discussion

thanks!