Split Meals

[Dchef]

I was just curious how they are about families wanting to split meals or share meals. I think this is a way we can save a lot of money for sure. My kids rarely eat a full dinner.

Are their certain places more accomodating than others?
What have been your experiences with this.

Thanks\\
D

 

[Amy&Dan]

Have done it at WDW and DL many times. The portions are huge and when riding rides and all that walking sometimes you just don't want a huge meal. Also this leaves room for Mickey Bars and Churros'. The only exception is the buffets. Everybody over 3 pays regardless of how much they eat or don't eat. Also not sure about some of the nicer sit down places. Definitely plan on it when doing the more casual. I always check out what other people are eating as I walk up to order to get an idea.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We shared meals several times using the Q&C vouchers. One of the best options is ordering double cheeseburgers and asking for an extra bun. I think they only charged us 20 cents or so for the bun. After I realized you could do this at WDW, I did the same thing when we went to Universal!

 

[jlb]

My daughter and I split meals at WDW. She never eats a whole meal, nor do I. They are great about bringing your own plate and the meal already split. It is the way to go, especially if you eat at Beaches and Cream, the meals and dessert are huge.

 

[cdntourguide]

the hardest part about splitting a meal is the asking. When traveling with my sister's family, we always order as a group and split everything. All of the counter service CMs are most accomodating, if you just ask they will supply everything in the way of extra plates (plastic utensils are everywhere so that is not an issue).
Unfortunately at the Character breakfasts and upscale sit-down restaurants, sharing was not condoned.

 

[NHLizzie]

My adult daughter and I will often "share" different parts of the meal. For example, we will ask to share the soup as an appetizer, and most often the server will bring us two bowls about half filled with soup. I have found the servers at WDW to be most accommodating!!

 

[DMRick]

upscale sit-down restaurants

We share at these as well. We do leave a bigger tip, since we are taking up space the waiter could have gotten a tip for two meals.

 

[disneysteve]

We also share meals frequently. Sometimes we just share a side, like fries, or share a drink. Other times we'll order 2 complete meals for the 3 of us. At Kona Kafe last year, DD got a kids meal. I got just an appetizer and DW got just an entree and we shared them. At Wolfgang Puck Express, DW and I shared a pasta platter (DD had some too - they're huge) and I ordered an extra foccacia bread. DD got chicken strips, I think.

Plenty of opportunites to share as the servings at most restaurants are way too big for one person. If you don't share, you are either going to waste a lot of food or just eat way too much.

If you scroll down, I posted our food spending from 2 weeks ago. We spent under $20/person/day for food and sharing was definitely part of what kept the costs low.

 

[pampam]

At the MK we always go to Pecos Bill and get a Kit Carson salad. It's huge. They give us extra plates and we divvie it up. Also for the burgers at Cosmic Rays. Does anyone else have places where they go where the portions are huge? We plan on doing more of this.

 

[dgaston]

We have also split meals (using the Vacation Kingdom Lunch Vouchers) at Le Cellier, Brown Derby, and 50s Prime Time Cafe, oh and Rainforest at AK. This was never a problem for the server. We even split the "French Lunch" at Chefs de France. This helps us manage food portion size, and then I get to taste different desserts -- ah, Creme Brulee!!!

 

[2ofUs]

dgaston

I have a question - The French Meal at Chefs: is it a lunch item special? If so, did you use a VKL or just pay for it and share? And, if you shared, what was the cost? Guess that's 3 questions ;~} Thanks.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Originally posted by cdntourguide
Unfortunately at the Character breakfasts and upscale sit-down restaurants, sharing was not condoned.

At "all you care to eat" and buffets at character breakfasts, no, sharing won't be allowed (sort of defeats the purpose).

However, I have never had a problem at sit-down's. If they give you attitude, it's just that - attitude. There is no rule that says you have to be the one to eat off of your plate, or that you have to order a minimum amount of food. If they give you a problem, ask to speak to the manager.

Most waitstaff CM's however are smart enough to know that many of us will tip more when we share, not less. Even if some people do not, it still is nothing to be "ashamed" of - wasting food for people who don't want it all is a much worse offense.

N.E.D.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Don't be afraid to ask for that extra plate to split the food up on. My husband and I ate a burger at the American Adventure and was plently, and we are big eaters. Haven't done sit down resturants where it has not been a Buffet so couldn't tell ya there.

 

[dgaston]

2ofUs: Yes the French Lunch is a menu special--runs about $15 so of course we paid cash for that. Remember if you have an AP there's a 10% discount on Epcot restaurants at lunch.

The French Lunch includes French Onion Soup, a ham and cheese sandwich, and creme brulee. We also ordered a fruit and cheese appetizer and there was plenty for both of us.