Signature restaurant portion size questions

[Masonmj84]

for Disney dining rookies who upgraded to the DxDP during a free dining week.

Originally, we were just going to go under the DDP and do mostly character buffets for dinner. One benefit of this was knowing that even if the buffet was generally so-so, each of us would hopefully be able to fill up on at least a few things to our liking. Also, our kids would get more selection (in addition to the character interaction).

Ultimately, we just couldn't resist the urge to upgrade to the DxDP. Under the DxDP, we are doing a 1TS meal earlier each day (either a character breakfast or an early a la carte lunch) followed by an early signature dinner.

While I'm sure the prortion sizes vary depending on the restaurant and the item(s) ordered, how much food is in the average signature dinner with 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 drink? Are there some signature restaurants where portion sizes of nearly all menu items are relatively small (emphasis is all on quality and presentation), such that even with an appetizer and a dessert, we're likely to walk away hungry?

Also, I've heard the kids' menu portions at Disney a la carte restuarants are laughably small (one of the reasons we originally went with the dinner buffets under the DDP). Do kids get more in terms of not only quantity but also quality and selection at a signature? (As a point of reference, our 8 YO son is usually fairly satisfied from the food quantity and quality of a fast food kids' meal - how does the food quantity and quality off the kids' menu in a Disney signature compare?)

 

[minnie mum]

Unless your family have HUGE appetites, I don't think you have to worry. We've dined at most of the signatures and regular TS a la carte restaurants over the years, and have never yet walked away hungry. And while we have never used the DXDP, most of the reviews I have read from people who have say that it is a LOT of food every day.

What you appeared to be describing about tiny portion sizes is what is called a 'tasting menu'. This is a multicourse dinner, usually prix fixe, and will be labelled as such. Yes, some of the restaurants do offer these, but the sheer number of courses pretty much guarantees a full tummy at the end of the night. Unless your family are extremely picky eaters, I don't think you have to worry about finding enough food to eat from any of the signature menus.

 

[jess20k]

If you are ordering an appetizer, entree and dessert, as on the dlx plan.. I am sure that will be more than enough. I know some signature restaurants have smaller entree portions than others, also of course it depends on what you order. But, I am more of an appetizer person than a dessert person, and when I get the appetizer, entree and dessert at any of the signatures that we have dined at (the only one we haven't so far is Citricos) I am more than full. I wish you could choose btw the appetizer and dessert for the basic DDP, I really would not even need the dessert. Except for the Almond Crusted Cheesecake at Narcoossee's..lol

 

[havoc315]

The portion sizes at signature restaurants are not tiny. I'd say they are larger than most true "fine dining" restaurants. Unless you have a bottomless appetite, I can't imagine walking away hungry if you have an appetizer, entree and dessert.

 

[vettegirl]

I always leave the signatures stuffed. Normally we have to get the dessert to go or just don't get it at all. Don't forget they also serve bread which can fill you up as well.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

My husband likes to eat and he can put it away in a hurry.... he has never finished everything on his plate at a signature.

Kids meals are normal size kids meals as any other restaurant.... but the food at the signature is more "real food". The appetizers are soups, salads, fresh fruit and such. Meals normally are a meat and vegetables or potato (kids options too) and desserts are MUCH bigger than most kids desserts.

 

[wezee]

You will not go away hungry. Check out Yachtsman menu....18oz Cowboy steak (ribeye) which is wonderful and a 24oz Porterhouse which I have only seen 1 very tall, large tall man attempt to finish...without success.

When DH and I did DxDDP (1 TS and 1 Signature each day) we were stuffed by the end of the week and actually cancelled a couple of ADRs. Not to mention, we had a junk food craving and ordered pizza from Flippers, that we had delivered to the pool bar. Had a great night of R and R, plus made many new friends..sharing our pizza.

 

[MrsLS]

Pretty much they are all the same, smaller than a regular TS meal but not much different unless you order a huge steak at say Yachtsman or Flying Fish. I don't think besides the steaks that a meal would be shareable for a regular appetite (just to get an idea how big the meals are). But I will say Citricos meals, apps & entrees are on the small side, especially some apps are very tiny.

 

[poohbear13]

I would be very surprised to hear your family was hungry on a deluxe meal plan. we just did deluxe in July and OMG... we were stuffed... even went home with a bunch of micky crispy treats because we didn't use our snacks. I also had a doggie bag from most meals, especially dinner, every day.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I can't imagine you could leave hungry. The signature restaurants have always been very filling in my opinion.

 

[ILoveMK2008]

DH and I did DxDP last week, we left most of our signature meals stuffed to the brim. I don't think I was able to eat any full entrees (mostly I ate half, and I can pack it in). Drink + bread + app + entree + dessert = wayyyy too full. Have fun and enjoy the signatures!! Our faves were Citricos, narcoosees, and Yachtsman!

 

[LovesTimone]

We made a decision a few years ago when we upgraded to DDXDP - that this was the way to go for us. We enjoy signature meals, new experiences, character meals, all paid for in advance, everyone can get what they want. We have never never walk out an still been hungry in the least. We normally have a good portion of our snack credit left to spend for treats on the last day to take home with us. We bring our own water and gator-aid, I just can't spend a snack credit for bottled water or a sports drink. If you can't eat your dessert at dinner, look for something to take with you that will hold up over night, brownies w/o ice cream, cheesecake, cookies, apple tart ect.. One trip one of the kids asked for a chocolate chip cookies instead of ice cream, they brought out a huge cookie, I said kidding around I wish I could get that, they server said you can, we all got them and took them to go. We ate them the next day on the way to the park for breakfast - I know but so what...we were on vacation.

 

[skw444]

We were just there last week on the DxDP and I can tell you we never left hungry even at the Signature restaurants. We ate at Le Cellier, Hollywood Brown Derby and Yachtsman Steakhouse. HBD had a HUGE salad as an appetizer...I could've eaten that for dinner. I only ate half the salad so I would have room for my filet.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

You will not go away hungry. Check out Yachtsman menu....18oz Cowboy steak (ribeye) which is wonderful and a 24oz Porterhouse which I have only seen 1 very tall, large tall man attempt to finish...without success.

When DH and I did DxDDP (1 TS and 1 Signature each day) we were stuffed by the end of the week and actually cancelled a couple of ADRs. Not to mention, we had a junk food craving and ordered pizza from Flippers, that we had delivered to the pool bar. Had a great night of R and R, plus made many new friends..sharing our pizza.

lol, like that?? that WAS a 24oz porterhouse, lol. my man does not waste steak. in signatures... i've left jiko very dissatisfied--and my last meal at cali grill was not good (but have had amazing experiences before). we much prefer signature dining and i'm sure you will too!! enjoy!!

 

[wezee]

Yep just like that. I'm impressed.

 

[Mikey'swife]

I think that a few apps at a few places are small- I think CG has a ravioli one that is like 1 large ravioli but most are decent sized and since you also get bread and butter you will not be hungry.

Some desserts are also kind of small. But I always found entrees to be plentiful.

Kids meals are big enough for the average under 10 kid (since disney turns you to an adult at 10 ) They are probably not big enough to share unless the kids are young.

 

[catne]

in addition to the app, entree, dessert & beverage all of the sig. places we have been to also serve some sort of rolls and or bread. The entree typically has sides, too (albiet small--but a veg & a starch are usually represented on the plate with the entree.) And to top it off,about half of the time the waiter or chef has showed up at the table with some chef-experimental app or taste of a new dish the chef is working on.

Suffice it to say we have never come close to finishing the food at any of the signatures...always ate just a bite or so of the bread...skipped most of the veg/starch with the entree...and maybe a half of the dessert. We are LARGE people, no tiny appetites here. But they give you plenty of food.

 

[Colleen27]

While I'm sure the prortion sizes vary depending on the restaurant and the item(s) ordered, how much food is in the average signature dinner with 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 drink? Are there some signature restaurants where portion sizes of nearly all menu items are relatively small (emphasis is all on quality and presentation), such that even with an appetizer and a dessert, we're likely to walk away hungry?

Also, I've heard the kids' menu portions at Disney a la carte restuarants are laughably small (one of the reasons we originally went with the dinner buffets under the DDP). Do kids get more in terms of not only quantity but also quality and selection at a signature? (As a point of reference, our 8 YO son is usually fairly satisfied from the food quantity and quality of a fast food kids' meal - how does the food quantity and quality off the kids' menu in a Disney signature compare?)

I've never walked away from a signature restaurant hungry, and I've eaten at all but one. The food is higher quality with more emphasis on presentation, but the portions are still substantial. There are reviews of a few with photos my last dining report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40138462#post40138462) and if you go over to the dining reports board and check out the XXX Food Porn thread as well as DonaldDoleWhip's reviews you'll find LOTS of pics of signature food to get a sense of portions.

As far as the kids meals go, signatures are a world better in both food quality and portion size. That was a big part of what got us hooked on them in the first place, because by 8 or 9 neither of my older kids were happy with the kids' options at the 1 credit restaurants.

To illustrate, this is a kids' meal at Kona, one of the "complete meal" options so what you see pictured is appetizer-entree-dessert all on one plate.

At the signatures on the other hand, these are all from the kids' menus:

Appetizers

Entrees (apparently my big weakness when it comes to food photography, since I have three shots of the mac & cheese at Cali Grill but none of the very good chicken breast w/broccoli and mashed potatoes there, or of the steaks from Narcoosees and Yachtsman)

Desserts

 

[lemondog]

You will be stuffed to the gills, trust me! We do the DxDDP and you get an app, entree and dessert with each TS meal. I don't know about your normal eating habits, but this is WAY more food than we would normally order if we were paying OOP. Plus you get 2 snacks per day!