Table Service meals - etiquette, rules, and frugality

[emmsmama]

I have a ?. When you are at a TS meal is it acceptable for an adult to order a kid's meal? Or if you have 4 adults to order only 3 meals and ask for an extra plate? My kids are picky eaters and many portions are large at restaurants around here (I'm assuming it is sometimes the same at WDW at some of the restaurants) so sometimes if dh and I go out if we order 4 meals we end up with a lot of waste so what we will sometimes do is order two adult meals and an appetizer (usually mozzarella sticks or nachos with dip) and we share btwn. the four of us. So if we went to a TS meal and only ordered 2 adult entree's and an appetizer and asked for extra plates for the kids would that be okay? We also like this because the appetizer usually comes out quicker so we can all take an edge off our hunger and then the kids are more patient waiting for the entree. Obviously this wouldn't count for buffet meals and I'm guessing not for character dining meals, but would it be okay for all other TS meals?

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think it would be fine....my GF is 45 and she is able to order a kids meal but they charge her more than the kids price. She is a picky eater so she doesnt mind the extra charge

Dh and I have shared appies and desserts before with no problem. We have also ordered one entree and one appie that is served as an entree and no problem

 

[SeaSpray]

We've also ordered 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert (but 2 drinks and sometimes 2 salads), between DH and I. We've NEVER had a problem with this. We always make sure to tip an amount that would be equal to what it would be if we had both ordered entrees.


We often stay on the concierge (club level) while at WDW and after having some hot appetizer-type foods in the lounge before dinner, we can't each eat an entire full meal, so we'll do what I just described above. On the flip side, the appetizers in the lounge aren't enough for us, so we still want a sit-down dinner each night, that's why sharing an entree works well for us

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We often "order for the table" and ask for two empty plates to serve ourselves from. We don't use the DDP though. That would complicate matters and it's something we had a terrible experience with once.

So, yes. Order what you please and split it up as you see fit.

 

[mma800]

I just do what I do at home. We order what we want, share what we want, and leave a good tip if we are extra bother for the server. Usually just asking politely is more than some of those folks have all day! They were fine with us all week, but again we don't use the dining plan.

 

[DCDisney]

It sounds like you haven't been to WDW in awhile from your post. In the past few years serving sizes have really decreased. It's not like a friday's or cheesecake factory where apps are sized to be shared. Most menus don't have things like nachos or cheese sticks. Things like spinach dip come with a handful of chips not a whole basket for example. The kids meals are very small sized--like what a 5 year old would eat. Some things are more sharable than others but for 4 people 1 app and 2 main courses will probably not be nearly enough unless you are very small eaters.

 

[disnut8]

Sharing meals at Disney World is never a problem. Just tell your server what you want and they will accommodate you. Actually, you can do just about anything you want at a Disney restaurant. I've ordered just an appetizer for a meal (and asked for it to come out at the same time as my husband's meal). I haven't done it yet but I'm sure you can order a dessert for your appetizer. There's no rule that says Family #316 at Table #31 has to order an appetizer, then is served a salad, then soup, then their entree, then their dessert.

At buffets, I always, always, always skip the salad, go for the real food and grab a dessert as well. I can get a salad after my real food and why wait until you are stuffed to even think about dessert?

 

[mom2my3kids]

We are just going to ask our server if its okay if my 10 and 14 year old can order off the kids menu at Sci-Fi. The adult cheeseburgers are way to big for them, we will order the adult burgers plus shakes. I will tip the server a bit extra for allowing us to do this. I know I never turn anyone down at my job if they want to order off the kids or seniors there may be reasons and not just cheapness.