Just how Big are the kids meals at disney?

[dixiefowler]

I know that you get a good amount of food with an adult meal...but are the kids meals good?....We wont to know if we are going to tossing most of the kids meal or if there will be a need for extra food with the kids meals?....Does anyone have any pics of a typical kids meal?

 

[SweetMommy]

I found a lot of the kids meals to be on the small side. Then again, I do have a growing 9 yr old boy to feed! Part of the reason we choose to do the DxDDP is for all the snack credits......even at home where he'll have a decent size meal, he's asking for a snack before his plate is in the sink! I think he may only ever be satisfied at a buffet Yeah, probably not!

 

[angela152]

I have 2 main reasons for not ever doing the dining plan.
1. I hate having scheduled dinners/lunches or feeling like i have to be somewhere at a certain time just to eat.... I personally am not in disney to eat. (that being said, i love trying new places each time i'm there)
2. My kids (2,4,6), at least the 2 and 4 year old can share a kids meal. My husband and i find the kid's meals big enough for us to eat them for ourselves.


If my 2 and 4 year old share a meal, i will just purchase an extra side (grapes, applesauce).

 

[Tiger926]

It depends about what kind of kids meal you are talking about:

TS - Most TS kids' meals are ok, especially ones that serve pasta or grilled chicken. There are many that are small though - depends on what you are ordering. If you are on the DP, then those meals come as a combo with appetizer, dessert and beverage as well. Some of the Signature TS restaurants are a la carte, and not only are their portions small, but you must purchase all items separately.

CS - Most kids' meals are small. Even things like roasted chicken or fish are smaller pieces. Not sure about things like hot dogs or hamburgers as we don't eat CS meals, nor fast food.

Many of the kids' meals are not adequate in their selection of food, and in their portion sizes. My young kids (2 and 6) share adult meals (we don't do DP) - roasted chicken, sandwiches, soup, fish, rice, etc. This way, they get proper portions and good food, but since we aren't on the DP, we can do this.

HTH, Tiger

 

[ReneeA]

TS are good size. Especially since they normally come with a soup, salad, or veggies as a appetizer, then meat and a side, along with a small dessert. DD doesn't normally finish her TS meals.

CS are another story. They are typically pretty small. DD is not a big eater usually, and the CS meal barely fill her up. DS is 8, and very tall for his age (almost 5' tall!). He out eats me on a regular basis, so DH and I end up sharing our CS meals with him. The good news is that the CS meals for adults are usually really big, so there's lots to go around.

 

[WAHMto5]

Really depends on the age of the child and how much they eat. For our younger ones theya re just right, but for the older ones they are too small

 

[badblackpug]

Really depends on the age of the child and how much they eat. For our younger ones theya re just right, but for the older ones they are too small

Yes, this. My 2 year old can't finish them, but my 9 year old is left hungry.

 

[Deffenm]

It depends about what kind of kids meal you are talking about:

TS - Most TS kids' meals are ok, especially ones that serve pasta or grilled chicken. There are many that are small though - depends on what you are ordering. If you are on the DP, then those meals come as a combo with appetizer, dessert and beverage as well. Some of the Signature TS restaurants are a la carte, and not only are their portions small, but you must purchase all items separately.

CS - Most kids' meals are small. Even things like roasted chicken or fish are smaller pieces. Not sure about things like hot dogs or hamburgers as we don't eat CS meals, nor fast food.

Many of the kids' meals are not adequate in their selection of food, and in their portion sizes. My young kids (2 and 6) share adult meals (we don't do DP) - roasted chicken, sandwiches, soup, fish, rice, etc. This way, they get proper portions and good food, but since we aren't on the DP, we can do this.

HTH, Tiger

So if we are paying out of pocket do the kids not get to eat the meals that are Pick appetizer, entree, and dessert? Are they limited to just sticking with the other options on the menu? This is our first time not on the dining so I just assumed they could still order the appetizer, entree, desert option on the kids menus.

 

[Tiger926]

So if we are paying out of pocket do the kids not get to eat the meals that are Pick appetizer, entree, and dessert? Are they limited to just sticking with the other options on the menu? This is our first time not on the dining so I just assumed they could still order the appetizer, entree, desert option on the kids menus.

Yes they do, but with places that are a la carte, like most Signatures, and some other TS places, you would pay separately.

Most kids' meals come with the combo or a pick combo option that lets you choose appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage.

HTH, Tiger

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'll clarify. If you are DDP, then kids meals even at signature places are inclusive. At regular TS places they are inclusive: beverage and two sides. A side can be a veggie, dessert, fruit, etc. It kind of depends on the child. It' also depends how picky they are. Like some kdis might not eat the veggie with some meals. I woudl say they are similar to most kids' meals, perhaps slightly bigger than many.

I would also say the CS places are about the same size. At many CS places they get a choice of entree - like a burger, pasta, pizza- then they also get two sides. The standard sides choices are things like :grapes, apple slices, jello cup, applesauce, french fries, pudding cup. The grapes used to be a good sized portion,but now they are kind of tiny - I think they are about the same size as the bag of apple slices that comes with a happy meal. the pudding and applesauce and jello are all the standard 'snack' size. Mac and cheese is a common choice- it's very basic Kraft-like Mac and cheese. (once upon a time each place made thir own from scratch).

At any buffet or family style place, the kids get as much as they want of anything.

One thing about ordering off the adult's menu for kids is that the choices are geared towards adult's preferences, but - for lack of a better expression - the tastes of Middle America. You won't find much that's very spicey or truly exotic. Most TS places offer a basic steak - even though the description may sound more exotic.

Still one more option might be to get an extra appetizer. You can see all the WDW menus online, if you want. Personally we find however, that even twith allthe walking - there is more than enough food in adult entrees to share. We frequently share entrees among two people. Some fothe QS places are, IMO - especially huge portions. And often - at QS palces - you can get an idea of the sizes simply by looking around when you arrive.

 

[kyirish25]

Here are a few pictures of some of the kids meals:

Citrico's

Yak & Yeti

Sci-Fi Diner

Cosmic Ray's

 

[Tiger926]

I'll clarify. If you are DDP, then kids meals even at signature places are inclusive. At regular TS places they are inclusive: beverage and two sides. A side can be a veggie, dessert, fruit, etc. It kind of depends on the child. It' also depends how picky they are. Like some kdis might not eat the veggie with some meals. I woudl say they are similar to most kids' meals, perhaps slightly bigger than many.

I would also say the CS places are about the same size. At many CS places they get a choice of entree - like a burger, pasta, pizza- then they also get two sides. The standard sides choices are things like :grapes, apple slices, jello cup, applesauce, french fries, pudding cup. The grapes used to be a good sized portion,but now they are kind of tiny - I think they are about the same size as the bag of apple slices that comes with a happy meal. the pudding and applesauce and jello are all the standard 'snack' size. Mac and cheese is a common choice- it's very basic Kraft-like Mac and cheese. (once upon a time each place made thir own from scratch).

At any buffet or family style place, the kids get as much as they want of anything.

One thing about ordering off the adult's menu for kids is that the choices are geared towards adult's preferences, but - for lack of a better expression - the tastes of Middle America. You won't find much that's very spicey or truly exotic. Most TS places offer a basic steak - even though the description may sound more exotic.

Still one more option might be to get an extra appetizer. You can see all the WDW menus online, if you want. Personally we find however, that even twith allthe walking - there is more than enough food in adult entrees to share. We frequently share entrees among two people. Some fothe QS places are, IMO - especially huge portions. And often - at QS palces - you can get an idea of the sizes simply by looking around when you arrive.

Last poster is not on DP, so that is why we were discussing a la carte options.

Tiger

 

[Deffenm]

Yes they do, but with places that are a la carte, like most Signatures, and some other TS places, you would pay separately.

Most kids' meals come with the combo or a pick combo option that lets you choose appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage.

HTH, Tiger

That does make sense! Good thing we are not eating at any Signatures! My kids love getting the appetizers and deserts with their kids meals.

 

[dixiefowler]

Oh WOW!...Thank you so much for all the wonderful information!....And the pictures are such a BIG BIG help....We are not going to do any DDP becuse when i do the math I just wasnt saving any money!...We are going to bring our own brekfast to eat in the room in the mornings and im bringing mac and cheese cups and sandwich meat (things my one year ols LOVES to eat)...so i was trying to figure out just how much I should bring for food exsp. When we eat out in our town we always get her (my 1 year old) a kids meal and we each get a meal and thats enough for us....we always end up binging some of the kids meal home with us.....and she eats it later that night befor bed....But the table service kids meals esp.yak and yeti look like something we could share..does anyone know if they would let me order off the kids menu for myself in a table service place? If so all 3 of us (myself my daughter and my husband) could share with each other! and save a little money!!!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

No, the kids' meals at TS places are reserved for kids.
Sometimes if a person is a vegetarian, they will allow that person to order an adult sized portion of a kid's entree option (like MAc and cheese - I don't suggest it; it's not very good.) If you want to minimize costs, you are allowed to share an adult entree. You are also free to order an appetizer, but that is not likely to be enough food. There are also places that have items which are kind of in between the two - for example - several Japanese places on property serve sushi. Some of the sushi offerings are bigger than the average maki roll, but smaller than a typical sushi entree would be. Tutto Italia also coems tom mind as I think tehy also had some dishes that were kind of in-between size.

If controlling price is a major concern, and you still want TS....consider dining at lunch when prices are more moderate. A good option in MK is the Plaza (Even for dinner). They serve excellent and reasonably priced sandwiches.
MK TS options are not that great anyways. I haven't been to Liberty Tree for lunch in quite some times, but it's also fairly reasonable.

In Epcot, there are some fun QS locations. You won't have to skimp much if you dine there. We even have fun getting one dish at a place and sharing, then moving on to a second place. At Morocco, they have a dish that's basically meatballs in tomoato sauce sreved beside rice. It's really good. I also like theis mezza plates, but if you like more classic American dishes the meatballs are really good. (and I'm sometimes weary of meatballs!) France and Norway both have bakeries, so that's areally good option for adessert - even if you have to eat out of order: dessert first.

Another great option in Epcot is the Land's QS. Even though it's a QS, the options are as good as many TS places. One favorite of mine is a tuna salad they offer. It's real seared tuna steak- not canned tuna. It's an amazing deal. If you searcht he cases, they often have reasonable priced strawberries and grapes. (or at least they used to ) They also have a stirfry station and soup/sandwiches station. It may be too warm for soup, but they are often very good-and chock full of veggies. You could easily share dishes there.

Incidentally....I haven't done the Yak and Yeti TS, but I'm guessing that picture is missing something. At pretty much every TS place the kids meal comes with TWO sides. If, however, you pick dessert as one of your sides - like ice cream - they will deliver it seperately.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The TS meals were more than enough food for my kids (5 and 8) but the CS meals were an entirely different story. My dd5 was fine because she would eat applesauce or grapes but ds8 does not - we ordered fries for him most meals and he got 6-8 fries along with 4 nuggets or a CD sized pizza. The hot dog and hamburgers are standard sized (McDonald's size burger). My ds ate adult CS meals most of the time.

 

[Smithkids]

Really depends on the age of the child and how much they eat. For our younger ones theya re just right, but for the older ones they are too small

I agree with WAHMto5- the CS meals were too much for my then 2yo, but my then 6yo just finished whatever his sister left over and/or picked food off of my plate. We usually kept the applesauce or grapes if they didn't eat them right away to save for a lite snack later in the day (I had a small cooler in the bottom of our stroller, so I threw them in there to stay cold).

OP- what are the ages of your children and how much do they normally eat at home? There are somedays my DS7 will eat like a toddler and other days he will outeat my DH...it all depends.

for a 2-5 yo the food from CS should be enough. Any older than that and it may not fill them up (unless they normally eat like birds at home).
HTH!

 

[auralia]

depending on the day my toddler can either eat the WHOLE kids meal and a desert or will hardly eat half... she really varies and will only eat one "big meal a day" but if it is "hungry time" as i call it even she can finish most of a kids meal less some of the fries.