Sharing Entrees Worked Great for Us!

[WiscMomof2]

I've read many threads about splitting meals, so I thought I'd share my recent experience. Just returned from a 5 day trip with DD. We are not light eaters by any means, but found that splitting several of our sit down meals ended up being a really great option for us. We like to order a little bit of everything including apps. and dessert and sometimes that's just way too much food. By splitting the entree we never felt overstuffed and had more room for other park snacks we wanted. We split the entree at BOG, Sci-Fi, B&C, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. Sometimes the kitchen divided it for us, and a few times just brought an extra plate, but it was never an issue. I tipped on the high side to compensate for ordering less, but that's just me. Not one server even batted an eye.

 

[Lehuaann]

I've read many threads about splitting meals, so I thought I'd share my recent experience. Just returned from a 5 day trip with DD. We are not light eaters by any means, but found that splitting several of our sit down meals ended up being a really great option for us. We like to order a little bit of everything including apps. and dessert and sometimes that's just way too much food. By splitting the entree we never felt overstuffed and had more room for other park snacks we wanted. We split the entree at BOG, Sci-Fi, B&C, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. Sometimes the kitchen divided it for us, and a few times just brought an extra plate, but it was never an issue. I tipped on the high side to compensate for ordering less, but that's just me. Not one server even batted an eye.

Glad it worked out for you. Were you on the DDP? That's been our issue with splitting...

 

[WiscMomof2]

Glad it worked out for you. Were you on the DDP? That's been our issue with splitting...

No, we didn't do the DDP. I can see how that might be an issue. We did it once several years ago before our girls were Disney 'adults' and did a lot of character meals. The value isn't there for us as much anymore with the way we like to eat and snack our way around the parks.

 

[myjourney]

My favorite place to split is Yak & Yetti: Sweet & Sour chicken, a salad and pineapple wonton custard dessert. That seems to be just the right amount of food and if I remember correctly it was around $35 or so. At Disney a sit down for two adults at that price is very good.
We also split the turkey dinner at Liberty Tree and the chicken sandwich at T-Rex, they have a very good side salad here also.

 

[SBWB48]

Glad it worked out for you. Were you on the DDP? That's been our issue with splitting...

I thought splitting wouldn't be an issue with the DDP (unless it was AYCTE or a buffet)? Unless it's because two people are simply splitting an entree and dessert with no app unless OOP?

 

[LAX]

Is the portion size for entrees generally big enough for sharing?

LAX

 

[megster1123]

This is good to hear! I'm realizing more and more that my kiddos just aren't big eaters and I'm going to be wasting a TON of money by getting the DDP. Dropping the DDP and creatively learning to split meals is going to be the way to go I think!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

My wife and I do this a lot at Disney. We typically each get a starter then split an entree. Especially at places like Sci Fi & 50's Prime Time.

50's Prime Time always works out the best when we share the sampler entree. There is easily enough food on that meal for two people. Especially after an appetizer/soup for each of us.

Not mention the extra $$$ is saves on only ordering one entree.

 

[kittyab]

50's cafe is a good place to split a plate too.

 

[PabloMax]

How would splitting entrees work with the Dining Plan?

 

[babets_99@yahoo.com]

I am also happy to see this thread. My DH and I are thinking of doing this with our upcoming trip. We are not on the DDP but have scheduled three sit down dinners with the family, Rainforest, Yak & Yeti, and Splitsville Lux Lanes.

 

[Nancyg56]

How would splitting entrees work with the Dining Plan?

It works the same way. We often share a meal when I travel with my DDIL, and unless you are at Via Napoli, or a buffet type meal, you are allowed to share.

I think that for folks who like the DDP, sharing is a good way to get past that "Too much food, too cu waste" business.

 

[olliesmom]

We very often split one appetizer, one entree and one dessert!

 

[gmboy95]

I've read many threads about splitting meals, so I thought I'd share my recent experience. Just returned from a 5 day trip with DD. We are not light eaters by any means, but found that splitting several of our sit down meals ended up being a really great option for us. We like to order a little bit of everything including apps. and dessert and sometimes that's just way too much food. By splitting the entree we never felt overstuffed and had more room for other park snacks we wanted. We split the entree at BOG, Sci-Fi, B&C, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. Sometimes the kitchen divided it for us, and a few times just brought an extra plate, but it was never an issue. I tipped on the high side to compensate for ordering less, but that's just me. Not one server even batted an eye.

we always split an entree and an appetizer....it saves a ton of dough over the length of the vacation for sure

 

[damskipi13]

Is the portion size for entrees generally big enough for sharing?

LAX

It will of course depend on what you order, where you are, and how much you eat, but the general consensus is yes if you also split an appetizer, salad, and/or dessert. Many of the entrees (both QS and TS) are wayyyyy more food than I normally eat. It's rare for me to finish all of my food. Sadly, I've only been able to convince people to share once because I like silly things like grilled meats and vegetables and my dining partners always want the deep fried bacon wrapped stuff

 

[mocame]

I've read many threads about splitting meals, so I thought I'd share my recent experience. Just returned from a 5 day trip with DD. We are not light eaters by any means, but found that splitting several of our sit down meals ended up being a really great option for us. We like to order a little bit of everything including apps. and dessert and sometimes that's just way too much food. By splitting the entree we never felt overstuffed and had more room for other park snacks we wanted. We split the entree at BOG, Sci-Fi, B&C, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. Sometimes the kitchen divided it for us, and a few times just brought an extra plate, but it was never an issue. I tipped on the high side to compensate for ordering less, but that's just me. Not one server even batted an eye.

My favorite place to split is Yak & Yetti: Sweet & Sour chicken, a salad and pineapple wonton custard dessert. That seems to be just the right amount of food and if I remember correctly it was around $35 or so. At Disney a sit down for two adults at that price is very good.
We also split the turkey dinner at Liberty Tree and the chicken sandwich at T-Rex, they have a very good side salad here also.

My wife and I do this a lot at Disney. We typically each get a starter then split an entree. Especially at places like Sci Fi & 50's Prime Time.

50's Prime Time always works out the best when we share the sampler entree. There is easily enough food on that meal for two people. Especially after an appetizer/soup for each of us.

Not mention the extra $$$ is saves on only ordering one entree.

For those of you that have done this before...We also just got back from Disney and we split meals at only 2 table service restaurants (we did split some meals at QS too). Did you find a difference in the way you were treated by the waitress/waiter when you mentioned splitting the meals?

We did it the first time at the Plaza Restaurant. Waitress was talkative and friendly up until the point we mentioned splitting 2 adult meals between 4 people. I got an "Oh. Okay." and she was definitely less talkative. We made a point to talk to her more and question her about where she was from since we have relatives in the same area and then she came out of her shell more and we ended up having a great and friendly conversation. I added extra to her tip.

The second time was at 50's Prime Time. Our waitress gave us the whole 50's Prime Time speel (eat your veggies, no elbows on the table, set the table, etc.) and I was so excited about getting to experience that. We told her we were not doing the dining plan and were splitting the meal and things changed immediately. We got no more speel, even though we had elbows on the table, hard time finishing veggies, etc. We rarely saw her except when needed. The only thing she did say at one point was, "Oh, it looks like Mom gets the check." The table next to us didn't use the DP and they didn't get any speel either. The big table that was 2 tables over used the DP, didn't share...Got the whole experience! I gave her the 20% tip I give everyone but didn't add extra because she really wasn't that friendly after that. Maybe it was a coincidence and just being sensitive but that was our feeling.

We did like sharing meals and should've done it more often but we didn't know what some of the portion sizes would be. We did share QS meals and I sometimes would get a kids meal. We did not feel like we were constantly walking around the parks as stuffed during this trip (so we felt better), we were able to buy the snacks in the parks that we always wanted to try (school bread, dole whip, etc. We split snacks sometimes too.) and during our 10 day trip, we saved over $1,000 paying OOP rather than the dining plan. We had one QS and one TS meal every day, including 2 character meals, 1 buffet, and 1 family style. So we definitely didn't starve, got plenty of food and snacks, and still saved a lot of money.

 

[Oswin]

For those of you that have done this before...We also just got back from Disney and we split meals at only 2 table service restaurants (we did split some meals at QS too). Did you find a difference in the way you were treated by the waitress/waiter when you mentioned splitting the meals?

I know servers usually do not prefer guests with the DDP because a lot of the time, DDP guests do not tip or do not tip well because a surprisingly amount don't realize that tip is not included (despite being reminded many times on the DDP info and on the ticket itself at checkout). My cousin works as a server at MK and she and her roommates all say they would rather serve OOP guests compared to DDP. The DDP also has a lot of restrictions that servers do not like having to constantly explain to guests and work around.

I will agree and say the second a server feels their tip may be minimal your service may change. Red flags like everyone ordering water and sharing meals without ordering appetizers are unfortunately things servers there have come to associate with low or no tip. That's obviously not going to be the mindset of every server on property and not every guest that shares or orders only waters will tip low or not at all, but that's what my cousin and her friends told me when I was there for a visit in January and I suggested we share a meal when we were eating at BOG.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

We have never had this occur to us and we visit the parks (and eat) at least two times per week. 90% of the time we split entrees at each restaurant we dine as well. Sorry that happened to you guys. That stinks.

And honestly, we eat at the 50's Prime Time probably two to three times per month and we split the sampler there every time. Now, we do each order a starter and we have at least two drinks each from the bar a well. That may have something to do with it as well. Though it should not.

Still. Sorry it happened to you guys. What you order or how much you spend should never be a marker for service. Though we all know it is at some places unfortunately. For all they don't know, you could be a mystery shop and they just failed!

 

[mocame]

I know servers usually do not prefer guests with the DDP because a lot of the time, DDP guests do not tip or do not tip well because a surprisingly amount don't realize that tip is not included (despite being reminded many times on the DDP info and on the ticket itself at checkout). My cousin works as a server at MK and she and her roommates all say they would rather serve OOP guests compared to DDP. The DDP also has a lot of restrictions that servers do not like having to constantly explain to guests and work around.

I will agree and say the second a server feels their tip may be minimal your service may change. Red flags like everyone ordering water and sharing meals without ordering appetizers are unfortunately things servers there have come to associate with low or no tip. That's obviously not going to be the mindset of every server on property and not every guest that shares or orders only waters will tip low or not at all, but that's what my cousin and her friends told me when I was there for a visit in January and I suggested we share a meal when we were eating at BOG.

Interesting. My thought process (which may be wrong) and what we experienced our last trip on the DDP, is that on the DDP we never paid a lot of attention at the price of the food we were expected to get (entree, dessert, etc.). We tended to get what we wanted or try more expensive items because we could and it wouldn't add anything to the bill except for the tip. With the DDP since you pay tip on the item amounts, it most likely would be higher than someone paying OOP and watching what they were spending. I assumed that a server would like the DDP knowing they were getting tip on all of the DDP items. I'm surprised that so many people on the DDP would not know that tip was not included. Apparently a lot of people don't do their homework. I do understand all the things the servers would have to keep straight and explain when dealing with the DDP would be a pain, especially if people don't do their homework.

With paying OOP, we paid more attention to the prices and not to order too much food that we may not be able to eat. We hate wasting food. We just aren't big eaters, although at 50's Prime Time, most of us ordered milkshakes and we did get a couple desserts, so we didn't just do water and 2 entrees.

 

[Lisa F]

when i traveled with another adult I loved to share. That doesn't work with my kiddo so the DDP is the best plan for me - upgraded to deluxe because was too sad about cutting our list so now we are doing a breakfast and a dinner each day. Character meals you can't share anyway and I have never been one to feel like I need to eat $40 worth of food to get the value of the buffet.