Sharing food when not on DDP

[kansas_visitors]

I'm sure that this has been asked but I can't find the answer. Is there a problem with sharing entrees or meals at different table service restaurants (not including buffets of course)? I've just heard how big some of the portions are and I was wondering if my 9 year old daughter and I could share some of the meals. Thanks in advance.

 

[n2mm]

I'm sure sharing is not a problem, but am curious to where you heard about large portions. We just returned last weekend from a 12 night visit using the DDP and never did we ever encounter large portions from any place we ate. We ate at the following:

LeCellier (3 times)
Kona Cafe (2 times)
Concourse Steakhouse (2 times)
Coral Reef (1 time)
50s Prime Time (1 time)
Spoodles (1 time)

Cape May (2 times)

Menus have changed and portion sizes are much smaller than they were 5 years ago. This was our 4th trip to WDW this year and used the DDP 3 out of the 4 trips. This last trip our 12 year old grandson was with us and he's not a big eater, but had no problem finishing his meals at the 5 TS places he ate at and he had the appetizer, entree, and desert at each and is considered an adult and ordered adult meals--he did substitute french fries for the fancy mashed potatoes at most meals. We did share with out 19 month old granddaughter, but there were 5 "adults" ordering, so we had no problem finding something for her to eat. We did order her her own mac and cheese at the 50s Prime Time in addition to grazing off of our plates. You may rethink the sharing option once you get to the first place, however, maybe you can just order a side order or two to supplement your meal. My smallest meal has to be at LeCellier when I order the glazed filet and got asparagas in the place of the potatoes. It was sad to see this small cut of meat with 3 asparagas in the huge plate/bowl--I think the server was a little embarrassed to bring it out--after 12 nights of eating, I just couldn't look at another plate of mashed potatoes.

 

[kansas_visitors]

Thanks for your advice. I'm not sure where I heard about the large portions either now that you ask. But now I'm wondering how much $$ it will take to fill up my 14 yo son who has a bottomless pit for a stomach!!!!!! My 9yo daughter on the other hand is small for her age and doesn't eat much at all so maybe just ordering sides for her may be the way to go.

Thanks again.

 

[maggiew]

My DD13 and I shared several times. My DH shared with my DD10 some too.

It was not a problem. We were not on the dining plan.

Here are a few places we shared:

Whispering Canyon Cafe (roasted chicken meal)

Mama Melrose (chicken parmesan - it was two full chicken breasts)

We've share the steak sandwich at Beaches and Cream (so we have room for one of the yummy ice cream desserts)

I've shared my terriyaki steak with DD10 (DD14 wanted the shrimp and scallop entree instead). We also had sticky wing appetizer for the table.

I think the ham sandwich at Sci Fi is shareable

We've shared at other places too. But these are just examples.

Sometimes one (or both) of the girls got the kids meals (prior to the new kids meal menus). At California grill they let my DD13 get the kids fish and chips and my DD10 get the kids steak. Sometimes the one of the kids would get an appetizer as part of their meal and then pick a little at the other entrees.

We NEVER ordered 4 full meals for us. It would have been wayyyyy to much food. That's why we didn't do the dining plan - too much food for us based on the way we eat (normally sharing meals). Plus both kids are "adults" so it cost more.

Hope that helps.

Maggie

 

[kansas_visitors]

Thank you so much for your response. It gives me a better idea of what to expect.

 

[DCDisney]

It was not a problem. We were not on the dining plan.

Here are a few places we shared:

Whispering Canyon Cafe (roasted chicken meal)

Mama Melrose (chicken parmesan - it was two full chicken breasts)

How recent are your pictures? I'm just wondering because I had these 2 exact meals at the end of last January and they were almost exactly half the size? I only got one rather small piece of chicken parm and very very little pasta at MM. At Whispering canyon I got 2 small pieces of chicken. Plenty for 1 adult but not enough for 2. We were on the DDP though and at MM we were on the Fantasmic Dining Package. At MM we found all portions to be much smaller than what they sounded like on the web. The kids amount of plain pasta was really really tiny. But maybe it's a FDP thing or a DDP thing.....

YVonne

 

[Aimeedyan]

I can tell you that all 6 of the adults in our party shared almost every single meal in Sept and we all left food behind AND were stuffed. We found the portions to still be huge and way more than any adult should ever consume in one sitting.

Sharing is fine - we do it all the time.

 

[CPM]

I thought the portions were huge at Kona!

 

[CPM]

Also thought that the Concourse food was huge!

Shrimp Pasta

strip steak

 

[n2mm]

I too wonder how current some of these photos are. We were just there last week and never encountered these types of portions. We were there in August during free dining, and then again for the last two weeks of October. I do, however, think that the sandwiches are very shareable at most TS locations, but I seldom will buy sandwiches at TS locations when using the DDP credits. My advice is to stay away from filet mignon if you plan to share as this cut of meat is the size of a deck of cards and not shareable at all. Of course prime rib would be a good shareable cut of meat. One of our biggest problems using the DDP is using the CS credits. We use to share our CS meals, so eating CS meals is hard for us, especially having a TS meal too close. We try to eat early so that we are hungry when arriving for our TS meal. I think next time I will start using my CS credits for breakfast. I found the breakfast at the Pepper Market at CSR is an excellent choice....of course, having a car is another advantage too.

 

[maggiew]

We were there in July.
Non dining plan.
No free dining.

Maybe that makes a difference??? Maybe they have cut back?? It does seem they are doing many things to the menus to cut back, maybe they've done it with portions too.

Regardless, I shared every single TS meal with one of my DDs in July. We even shared some CS.


Maggie

 

[Merriwind]

Even though portion sizes are much smaller than they used to be, they are still quite a lot more than the standard 4oz meat, etc. that you find in dietary guidelines. DD8 and I have shared without anyone going hungry, often leaving food. After seeing the new kids' menu, we may be sharing more often. Even if you're a little short on food, for one adult and a child, you could easily just add a side or an appetizer. Two TS entrees? I don't see that being necessary. JMO. Enjoy!

 

[GOODoldPAL]

Kansas_visitors: There is another thread about sharing meals - it is apparently allowed everywhere except buffet/family style. Also a thread about older children ordering from kids menu so no worries with your choices.

I think the large portions comments are typically from DDP users because the DDP includes appetizer and dessert. Even @ CS lunch meals dessert is included and who could resist that!?
We will be on DDP and expect to share a few meals as I can't imagine the 3 of us consuming all that every day & will save a few TS credits for dinner show.

However, since you are paying out of pocket, I suggest to start out ordering one entree for each person but NOT order appetizers OR order an entree and appetizer for you and your daughter to share. After a couple of meals you should be able to judge the portions vs how hungry you all are.

 

[CPM]

I was there last week. Large portions. My mahi at Kona was the same size last week as when I was there in August.

 

[kansas_visitors]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate the information.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

How recent are your pictures? I'm just wondering because I had these 2 exact meals at the end of last January and they were almost exactly half the size? I only got one rather small piece of chicken parm and very very little pasta at MM. At Whispering canyon I got 2 small pieces of chicken. Plenty for 1 adult but not enough for 2.
YVonne

Exact meals means you have an apples to apples comparison so this is proof to me that portions have shrunk and its a logical leap that it is due to DDP since those meals include appets and desserts. The OOP diner who used to split a meal or two to keep costs in line has lost portion size with no corresponding reduction in price. Disney is a business and can do what they want but with the recent changes, I'm less interested in onsite dining.

 

[Hound 109]

Exact meals means you have an apples to apples comparison so this is proof to me that portions have shrunk and its a logical leap that it is due to DDP since those meals include appets and desserts. The OOP diner who used to split a meal or two to keep costs in line has lost portion size with no corresponding reduction in price. Disney is a business and can do what they want but with the recent changes, I'm less interested in onsite dining.

1. I don't see proof, I see opinion.

2. We have split meals primarily so we don't have to throw food away or waddle out of a restaurant. Actually do the same at home if we're getting an appie, entree & dessert. (OK & maybe by splitting we have an extra credit or 2 for a Signature Rest.) But not necessarily to keep costs in line.

3. I'm MORE interested in dining on property since now I've been exposed to more interesting rest. (on the DDP) than we used to enjoy eating primarily counter service.

 

[BostonTink85]

How recent are your pictures? I'm just wondering because I had these 2 exact meals at the end of last January and they were almost exactly half the size? I only got one rather small piece of chicken parm and very very little pasta at MM. At Whispering canyon I got 2 small pieces of chicken. Plenty for 1 adult but not enough for 2. We were on the DDP though and at MM we were on the Fantasmic Dining Package. At MM we found all portions to be much smaller than what they sounded like on the web. The kids amount of plain pasta was really really tiny. But maybe it's a FDP thing or a DDP thing.....

YVonne

When we went in August on the DDP we thought that the food at MM was almost too much. Like another poster the two who got the chicken parm got 2 pieces of chicken a ton of pasta. If we weren't on the DDP and had known the portion sizes we definately would have split the meals. Just what I observed this past summer

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

I have one more question on sharing, lets say we go at Tony's and were on the DDP, my twins are 6, and they want a spaghetti plate.

If they share will the cm take 2 credit (1 for each my kids) or only one since they shared a meal??? If they only take 1 it would mean I would have a 1 credit extra???

Thanks!

 

[bicker]

I don't think the child's size spaghetti plate is large enough to even consider splitting between two six year olds.