Meal Portions at the World

[princesscharming]

I've heard that portions are often very large, and can split between two adults. So I have a few questions I hope some of you can answer.

1.) Do you find portions to be large?
2.) Are these large portions mostly seen at TS? Or do CS meals come this way?
3.) Does the amount of food vary based on parks, resorts, etc?
4. If adult portions are large, are the children's portions large too?

Thanks!

 

[crmom7054]

To me the portion sizes really depend on the location. There are a LOT of both table service and counter service restaurants that have very large portions that adults can share. However, there are some table service restaurants that are much more worried about quality and presentation and the portions are very normal (like Le Cellier). Also, it can depend on the dish you order. Something like a pasta dish will usually be very large, but a steak generally isn't.

I would take a look at all the food pictures people posted to get an idea of portion sizes at the places you want to go. As far as counter service, Cosmic Rays has huge portions that can be shared. Other places really depend on what you order in my opinion. If you get a double bacon burger somewhere, you can order an extra bun and share or just half it and the fries, etc.

As far as kids meals, it depends on your kids. If they are really small, you may can get by with sharing, but I would say no in most cases. They are usually a few chicken nuggets and some fries and a cookie or apples, etc. My kids (3 and 6) don't finish everything, but I think it would be too little to share. We usually take the apples or cookies with us for later or something and then the portion is about right for one of them.

Hope this helps!

Oh, another thing is that some "regular" size portions are often shared in my family just because we are SO hot that we can't eat even a regular portion. So keep that in mind too. I can't stand to eat a big meal when I am burning up or have to walk around a lot. Others may want to eat more in this situation.

 

[tami82]

i guess depending on the place you go. I know we ordered sandwiches at CR last year and they were big enough to feed a horse, very easily could be eaten between two people, also the gigantic cupcakes for dessert could be split. I know a few people mentioned certain places also that give gigantic portions.

 

[persimmondeb]

Depends on what you order where. I find most portions in TS to be reasonable large, but not enormous. Some CS meals are big enough to split, but it depends a lot on what it is. To strecth our DDP credits to cover more meals, my son and I split some CS meals and just got an extra drink and dessert, and found that it was enough for a light meal.

Kid's meals are enough for a light appetite most of the time, but can only really be ordered for adults at CS. I have heard of adults successfully ordering them at TS, but my son, who was 14 but very childlike, was able to order one on only one of the two occasions he would have liked one.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I find the portions large at the CS locations. My family has split a number of meals at hotel and park locations. Hotel CS locations include: Port Orleans and Poly. Park locations include: Pecos Bill's, Cosmic Rays, and Sunshine Seasons. Downtown Disney locations include: Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich. Kids meal are not enough to share. The typical meal includes: a choice of two (fries, grapes, carrots, cookie or applesauce), a drink, and an entree (hamburger, 2 fish sticks, 2 chicken tenders, a sandwich). It has been a few years since I've ordered one. I do remember the kids mickey waffle breakfast was enough for one adult.

 

[princesscharming]

Thanks for the feedback. So to organize and get a feel for things:

Children's meals

Generally normal portions. Might be able to save a side item for a snack later.

Adult meals

CS with larger portions -Cosmic Ray's, Peco Bill, Sunshine Season, WP Express, Earl of Sandwhich, Poly, CR, PO

TS-pastas tend to be larger, steaks normal size



Any other feed back would be great. I'm not against normal sized portions. I just don't want to be surprised with a mammoth meal and feel like we wasted our money buying more than we would eat, ya know?

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree that it depends on where you go and what you order. It also depends on you.

It is really difficult to tell you that you could share a CS meal at say Cosmic Rays. Most likely, the combo meal, BUT only if both parties are very small eaters.
If you have a big eater and a small eater, won't work.
If you have normal eaters, may work, may not...depending on how hungry you are walking constantly.

I know when we are at WDW, we are more hungry than normal and we are average/big eaters. We burn so much energy walking here and there, being on the go constantly that we do not split meals.

The only real way for you to know is to go and make notes for when you go back.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Someone needs to define large, small and medium.
2) Otherwise, this discussion is pretty much useless.
3) Plus, sharing plates.
4) Large enough to share depends upon the eating habits of those involved.

 

[deedeetoo]

In my opinion, most entrees are not big enough to share unless you are very light eaters or you aren't very hungry. I am somewhat mystified by everyone who says how big they are. It may be a lot for one person to finish but not nearly enough to feed two people with normal appetites.

 

[sunshineNJ]

Coral Reef gives small portions.

 

[n2mm]

In my opinion, most entrees are not big enough to share unless you are very light eaters or you aren't very hungry. I am somewhat mystified by everyone who says how big they are. It may be a lot for one person to finish but not nearly enough to feed two people with normal appetites.

I'm with you! I'm not sure where these large portions are. I'm not a big eater at all, but have no problem eating my entire meal by myself. The only larger portion I know of is at the 50s prime time cafe and if you get the fried chicken meal you get 3 pieces of chicken, unless you want white meat and you get 2 pieces of chicken. You get about 1/2 cup of veggie and 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes. Other than that, I've not seen many large/shareable portions, esp. at LeCellier or Coral Reef (where I eat alot). At Beaches and Cream we often will share a sandwich (roast beef) because we are saving room for the very large desert we plan to order (EACH). We go to WDW ALOT (more than most people) and have seldom seen large servings. I'm not saying they don't exist, but other than sharing a pasta dish, I'm not seeing it.

 

[MrsLS]

It really depends on the restaurant and what you order. I found that the signatures are actually smaller portions in some cases. So its hard to answer your question.

 

[Kathy Z]

Thanks for the feedback. So to organize and get a feel for things:

Children's meals

Generally normal portions. Might be able to save a side item for a snack later.

Adult meals

CS with larger portions -Cosmic Ray's, Peco Bill, Sunshine Season, WP Express, Earl of Sandwhich, Poly, CR, PO

TS-pastas tend to be larger, steaks normal size


Any other feed back would be great. I'm not against normal sized portions. I just don't want to be surprised with a mammoth meal and feel like we wasted our money buying more than we would eat, ya know?

Every adult breakfast order I have seen at Kona Cafe is quite large and suitable for splitting. You would only need to order an extra beverage for the second person. If you are on a dining plan just pay out of pocket for the second beverage.

Last December when DH & I traveled we paid all meals OOP. Many times I would just order two appetizers & get a few bites out of DH's entree. He aslo would have an appetizer and then we would sometimes split a dessert.

This December we will be on the deluxe dining plan. I know that we will leave a lot of leftover food.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Like most are saying, it really depends. Some places offer huge portions while others don't. My DH is usually still hungry after eating at some of the "food courts" at disney. He wasn't full after a burger and fries at Pecos Bills if I remember correctly. I tend to get full faster than him though.

The Unofficial Guide has a section in their book where they describe counter service locations and tell you the portion size and value for the money.

 

[deedeetoo]

Many times I would just order two appetizers & get a few bites out of DH's entree. He aslo would have an appetizer and then we would sometimes split a dessert..

As I read this, you are saying that two adults can split an entree, but you also bought three appetizers and still sometimes needed a dessert. I think if may be less expensive to just get two entrees.

We rarely buy appetizers or desserts which is why I said that 1 entree wouldn't work for two people. I guess it depends how much other stuff you are planning to order.

 

[Marblies]

We found the portions at most CS to be substantial. When dining OOP - (I am CHEAP) Three of us could share two meals of ribs or fish and chips and be quite happy. When dining free there is just too much food.

119 days until JUst the Girls Magic Christmas

 

[Kay1]

I don't think portions are large. Last year I heard a woman complain about the size of her chicken nugget meal. We were at ASMU and she said: "That's it? That's the adult portion?"

 

[MickeyNicki]

1.) Do you find portions to be large? Depends on the places...at the signature restuarants the portions are just right and we always clean our plates. At most regular TS places the portions are pretty large (pasta dishes especially) and we leave some food behind

2.) Are these large portions mostly seen at TS? Or do CS meals come this way? Some CS places have larger portions like Tangierine Cafe, Mexico, WPE, Flame Tree BBQ are pretty big

3.) Does the amount of food vary based on parks, resorts, etc? I dont think that has anything to do with it

4. If adult portions are large, are the children's portions large too? My nieces ate alot of chicken nugget meals and they were not that big, a few nuggets, a cookie, some fries or carrots....I usually order kids breakfasts at the food courts for myself and that is plenty

 

[IluvKingLouis]

While staying at ASMU, for breakfast I saw a family of 3 (2 adults one child 12 or so) order an omelet and three croissants. They cut the omelet in thirds and made croissant breakfast sandwiches. I thought that was pretty smart.

I would love to share meals with DH, but our tastes are completely opposite each other. He's a burger and fries guy, and I tend to go for the veggie wraps.

 

[williamson_ja]

We shared quite a few CS meals on our last trip. We've never tried it at a TS restaurant. The one's we found it easy to share are: Starring rolls (way too much food for one person), Cosmic Ray's, WPE. We also could have shared at Pecos Bills. Once you get a huge burger, plus all the stuff you can add to it on the fixins bar, and fried, and a drink, and dessert... we could have shared.