QS Portion Size

[Celidh]

I keep reading that the portion sizes at Disney are quite large. It seems that most people are stuffed on the dining plan. We will have the QSDP. I have looked at the thread with the pics of the food on it and the portion sizes don't look that big to me.

My kids are ALWAYS hungry. Most days they are wanting something to eat about half an hour after a meal. They constantly ask for more. I swear people must think I don't feed them. They eat a normal portion of food and are not overweight. My 13 yr old ds is 5'9" or so and weighs about 130lbs, definitely not fat! I probably can't use his eating habits as a good example because he is a teen boy. My other two kids are; ds11 and dd 7. DD 7 can sometimes pack away as much as my 13 year old. They are all slim. I think they must have really high metabolisms.

Anyway, what is your opinion of the portion sizes of meals. I really can't afford to buy a bunch of extra snacks and meals but don't want to deal with kids who are always asking for more.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The adult CS meals are quite large - I usually split one with my youngest dd (she's 7 now but was just short of 6 last time we went as a family). My ds9 however can eat an entire meal by himself - I couldn't believe it when he put away the double bacon burger at Electric Umbrella including the fries while I split the same meal with dd and had some leftover. The portions for the child's CS are quite small in my opinion - the hot dogs seem to be standard sized, but the burgers are the size of a McDonald's kids-meal burger, a pizza the size of a DVD, 4 nugget, an uncrustable or a very small sized salad w/ chicken or mac n cheese. I'm pretty sure that most of them will not be enough for dd7 in October and I know they won't be enough for ds9.

 

[grandmadebby2]

We usually go during the summer and because of the heat non of us eat as much as during cooler weather. The QS meals at most places are plenty big for us. At Cosmic Ray's, Pinnochio place that sellls pizza, and Columbia Harbor House they are plenty big. However, we find Casey's, and a few other places are about right for one person. Those are all in the MK. We get a meal and a fruit bowl at Flame Tree Barbeque in AK and my husband, myself and our 2- 5 year olds share. American Pavillion in Epcot is another place we always share meals and we let each of the kids get a rice krispie treat or something like that for dessert. We don't worry to much about the drinks because we carry our own water and never drink pop or anything when it is so hot. Guess it will depend on what you order but if you find it is not enough you can always go back and order a bit more. Like I said in the heat we don't eat as much as at home in the constant Air Conditioning. Have a great time.

 

[Nadjalu]

It has been my experience that SOME of the CS portions are large, not all of them.

Like a burger and fries at Cosmic Rays or Pecos Bills are NOT large enough for 2 to split, unless they eat like birds.

However Starring Rolls in DHS, that sandwich portion is large enough for 2 "normal" eaters to split (if you get a cupcake to split).

Really it is personal, you can't really judge by opinions, you will have to see yourself.
One thing I can say is we eat more while at WDW than at home because we burn so many calories. (just DH and I).
And we like to eat every 4 hours or so (not huge meals but at least something).

I think if you have big eaters and do a few buffets during your trip you will be fine. The buffets are such a good deal as picky eaters find something, big eaters can get their full and kids can enjoy "adult" choices.
So maybe consider an OOP buffet every other day. And that way you will have an extra credit or 2 to throw in an extra meal for everyone.

Good luck and have a great trip!!

 

[Cinderella94]

The adult CS meals are large--I'm 16 and my mom and I usually share. My 13 y.o. brother (tall and skinny, eats all the time) can eat his own no problem, same with my dad. When you get to the CS restaurant, I'm sure there will be people walking around with trays of food on the way to their table so you can peek at theirs and decide how big they are for your family.

 

[3pletprincesses]

It has been my experience that SOME of the CS portions are large, not all of them.

Like a burger and fries at Cosmic Rays or Pecos Bills are NOT large enough for 2 to split, unless they eat like birds.

However Starring Rolls in DHS, that sandwich portion is large enough for 2 "normal" eaters to split (if you get a cupcake to split).

Really it is personal, you can't really judge by opinions, you will have to see yourself.
One thing I can say is we eat more while at WDW than at home because we burn so many calories. (just DH and I).
And we like to eat every 4 hours or so (not huge meals but at least something).

I agree with this PP. Some QS are easy to share and other s no. We usually don't share meals because we don't eat 3 meals a day while at Disney but if we were to eat 3 meals a day, we would probably share everything.

 

[kmedina]

If your 7 year old can eat a lot, she may not have enough at a certain meal. While most of the ault meals (age 10 and over) are large, the kids meals are mostly small. You can share with her if you have leftover food. The good news is you also get two snacks with the quick service plan. If you or any of your kids are still hungry after a meal, you can always use some snack credits. I try to carry water in to avoid using snack credits for drinks. If you are against carrying stuf, you can always get free ice water at any QS location.

You can always get an idea of how large the portions are by the people already eating. If the portions look small, go to the next restaurant. While you will find the occasional small adult meal, you will mostly find large ones.

 

[Celidh]

Thank you everyone.

I just know that my kids seem like bottomless pits! I truly don't know where they put it all and they are all on the slim side. Both my sons can eat an adult meal at McDonalds and want more. Not that I get it for them. I am trying to convince them it is not a matter of what amount of food you "can" eat but it is a matter of what amount you should eat. (Not that McD's is good for anyone)

Before one meal is over they are asking what we are having for the next meal. I try to watch what they eat now though so it doesn't catch up to them later in life.

I am wanting to upgrade my daughter from kids plan to adult. I know I have to upgrade her tickets too but I checked, the difference between kids and adult park tickets is only about $25. Worth it for me and for her. It will also give her more options on meals.

I hope to bring stuff from home for breakfast, we aren't big morning people and usually only have toast or cereal or something small and then use their snack credits for later in the day when they think they are starving to death! I don't want to use all my spending $ on snacks for them. We got collapsible water bottles so we can get a drink of cold water from wherever and then when done, the bottle is compact and lightweight when not in use. I am trying to find a way to hook them to a carabiner clip to hook them to our belt loop or something, otherwise, they will go in the communal back pack we will bring to the parks each day.

We are only planning on one buffet due to the extra cost. Mama (that's me!) wants to go to Chef MIckey's. I love Mickey Mouse and I think they will enjoy it too. My ds 11 said if we see ever go to Disney (they don't know yet) and meet Mickey Mouse, he will ask Mickey to marry me. He is so sweet.

Now I'm just hoping for free dining for August 28- Sept 8 or so.

Thanks again!