Portion Size at counter service/quick service

[Raya]

Disney portions are generally large enough that we throw away 75% of the food we're given. Wasting food really bothers me, so I'd prefer to not get that much - I don't mind paying full price, I just don't want to have to take it and toss it out. I've had success at some popcorn carts asking them to only fill the container half-way but I've never tried that at counter service. Has anyone? I'm wondering if there are rules in place that say if I pay for a full meal they *have* to give me a full meal. I'm really looking forward to trying the Haunted Mansion themed popcorn mix on Main Street, from the candy shop, but unless I can give away 3/4 of bucket, it seems like a terrible waste. Do you think they'd be willing to make me a 1/4 portion, understanding that I would still pay for the full amount?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Not sure if it helps but I often order kids meals at quick service locations.

Not sure if they could make a smaller portion as often food is ordered at one location, made in bulk by another group of people and a different group gathers the food together and gives it to the customer. You can always ask but not sure how easy it would be.

 

[Marrila]

Maybe bring a zip bag or two and save the extra for other days.

 

[Anthony1971]

As above kids meals…. Some are very small like kids salads where they have them. However you can always order with fruit or carrot sticks and the cookie as those are bagged and save for later. Popcorn I am not a fan but I would doubt they will force you to have the bucket filled if it is loose popcorn and not a box or bag or like. Maybe you can offer a person behind you half your bucket as well I do not think it will be an issue if the CM fills it and you dump it in the other bucket in front of the OP.

 

[mort1331]

To answer your popcorn question,,,,yes they will do 1/4 portions,,just let them know when ordering

 

[Simba's Mom]

Frankly, I've thought over the last few years, that portions were getting smaller, or at least less large. The only thing is that I never order french fries. Often, there seem to be huge amounts of FF with Sandwiches.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Frankly, I've thought over the last few years, that portions were getting smaller, or at least less large. The only thing is that I never order french fries. Often, there seem to be huge amounts of FF with Sandwiches.

My kids and I can’t eat French fries due to a potato allergy. The sides you can sub in are small. I never find the portions too big.

 

[soniam]

For things like popcorn or drinks, it’s probably easy to do less, maybe even salads. However, I think it would be difficult for entrees. I have just given up, even when eating out at home. Some things don’t do well as leftovers. It’s hard in the parks, because you may need to get it refrigerated soon to prevent bacteria. Also, most of the fridges at Disney, except DVC, aren’t cold enough for most leftovers. I just eat what I want and the rest will probably be thrown away I would share with my husband or son, but we rarely want the same thing. Best option is the kids meals, but those can he bland. Sometimes appetizers work well.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

At counter service, my wife and I sometimes get kid's meals or sometimes just share one adult meal.

 

[weather_lady]

My family still finds the CS portions overly large, as well, even though they have been downsized in recent years. Our ways of getting around that (all mentioned above already, but here I am) are:
(1) Order a kids' meal, supplementing it with extra sides if needed.
(2) Ask if the advertised combos (e.g., sandwich with fries, hot dog with chips) can be purchased without the side. Usually, they can, and it will save you a couple of dollars to boot.
(3) Grab an extra knife and fork, and split an entree with someone else in your party, supplementing with an extra side or dessert if that doesn't yield quite enough food for two.
(4) If we're not staying in the parks for a significant amount of time afterwards, take the leftovers "to go" and put them in the hotel fridge. With two teens, hearing the words "I'm starving!" at bedtime happens with surprising frequency.

Another thing we've done is that if we're sitting next to another party and have a pre-packaged item that we know will go to waste (an orange, a bag of apple slices or chips, a packaged side salad), we simply offer it to them straight off of the tray we were just given, obviously unopened and untouched. Nobody's turned down the free food yet!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Maybe bring a zip bag or two and save the extra for other days.

That's kinda tough walking around a theme park all day

 

[Marrila]

That's kinda tough walking around a theme park all day

Put some in a couple of quart zip bags, pop into backpack done.
It's a middle ground option for OP who purchased a very large amount and wants to save some.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Disney portions are generally large enough that we throw away 75% of the food we're given. Wasting food really bothers me, so I'd prefer to not get that much - I don't mind paying full price, I just don't want to have to take it and toss it out. I've had success at some popcorn carts asking them to only fill the container half-way but I've never tried that at counter service. Has anyone? I'm wondering if there are rules in place that say if I pay for a full meal they *have* to give me a full meal. I'm really looking forward to trying the Haunted Mansion themed popcorn mix on Main Street, from the candy shop, but unless I can give away 3/4 of bucket, it seems like a terrible waste. Do you think they'd be willing to make me a 1/4 portion, understanding that I would still pay for the full amount?

Can't you just save the popcorn for later? The refillable containers have lids. We take it home, in our suitcase, on the plane. Easy peasy. Pop corn for days.

I hate wasting food too. At home I always take home half. At Disney, I just accept that I won't/can't. No way to carry a doggy bag around a theme park and have it remain safe.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Put some in a couple of quart zip bags, pop into backpack done.

Some of us go bagless or are afraid of prepared food unrefrigerated for hours. Or maybe just me?

 

[Raya]

That's kinda tough walking around a theme park all day

Let me tell you the story of half a tuna fish sandwich that went on space mountain four times in a row. We really thought we were on our way out after dinner but the line was a walk on.... and, eventually, the sandwich was a mess.

 

[Marrila]

Some of us go bagless or are afraid of prepared food unrefrigerated for hours. Or maybe just me?

I think OP's issue was a large portion of some sort of fancy popcorn.
It will likely be ok. It's not like it's tuna on toast.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I think OP's issue was a large portion of some sort of fancy popcorn.
It will likely be ok. It's not like it's tuna on toast.

I already said I got a lid on my popcorn bucket. Problem solves there.
All the decorative buckets I've seen have built in lids

 

[Marrila]

I already said I got a lid on my popcorn bucket. Problem solves there.
All the decorative buckets I've seen have built in lids

That's an option too. I've never done popcorn buckets and I don't carry large snacks or lunches around. I was just giving an easy possible solution to OP's issue.