Portion sizes in the parks

[ToyStorygirl]

More a question for US citizens really. Are the portions in the park ridiculously large to you or as a Brit are we just used to smaller portions? Seriously a child's meal fills me and even that's pushing it at times.

I know that when my US friend came to the UK she spent the whole time saying she was starving as our meal sizes didn't cut it.

This isn't a dig or a put down, it's a genuine question as to if the portions in the park are relative to what you'd normally consume at home? (I realise they are almost certainly unhealthier in the parks - I'm referring to the actual size of them)

I know I'd like smaller meals just so I can stuff my face more with "candy" as I walk around the parks I want room for sugar on my holidays!

 

[Lucky]

To me as a 6-1 180 lb male they're large, but not ridiculously large. When we've been on the dining plan we've often split 2 or 3 meals 4 ways.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

In my perspective, most meals are larger than what we would eat at home. However, the more expensive the restaurant, the smaller the portions. But, since you usually get an appetizer or bread and desert, I think most people still get full.

 

[mf1972]

we thought the portions were large at times. even when some looked small, like the shepherds pie at raglan road, it filled me up w/o room for dessert. it's more of how much you're used to eating & pacing yourself.

 

[AndyS2992]

More a question for US citizens really. Are the portions in the park ridiculously large to you or as a Brit are we just used to smaller portions? Seriously a child's meal fills me and even that's pushing it at times.

I know that when my US friend came to the UK she spent the whole time saying she was starving as our meal sizes didn't cut it.

This isn't a dig or a put down, it's a genuine question as to if the portions in the park are relative to what you'd normally consume at home? (I realise they are almost certainly unhealthier in the parks - I'm referring to the actual size of them)

I know I'd like smaller meals just so I can stuff my face more with "candy" as I walk around the parks I want room for sugar on my holidays!

Brit here, the Quick Service food like Burger and Fries is the same size as a UK Medium McDonalds meal. The expensive restaurants have smaller portions. It's very much the same as here.

This is what you get for $10/£6.50ish. Looks big but it is heavily zoomed in. A handful of fries and a good sized burger (the burgers taste awesome btw).

 

[disney4life2008]

I am sorry but the portion sizes at WDW QS resturants are terrible. A burger bun that falls apart and 3 french fries in a cup at $10 is not a good deal! I always get 2 orders of fries with my burger otherwise I am left starving. TS places portions are pretty good but you also get more variety to pick from.

 

[Baldy]

When we go to the world (On the DDP) we skip breakfast, share 2 QS meals for three of us at lunch (save the extra meals for the plane ride home), and have a full table service dinner. We also try to choose desserts that we can take with us. We find the portions quite large.
Somehow, even with all the walking, I always still gain weight on every trip

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

I have always thought the QS portions were HUGE. You could probably have two people split a single meal for a lunch if you had a dining reservation later that day...I know we have done that before...didn't want to eat a lot...but just a bit.

 

[FettFan]

More a question for US citizens really. Are the portions in the park ridiculously large to you or as a Brit are we just used to smaller portions? Seriously a child's meal fills me and even that's pushing it at times.

Bingo, friendo. Welcome to America.

We invented Super Size.



EDIT -- Funny story...last trip out, I had to meet my group at Pecos Bill for dinner. I wasn't particularly hungry, so I just ordered the grilled chicken salad.

Dude...that salad must have had two whole heads of lettuce in it.

My father: "I thought you said you weren't very hungry?"
Me: "I'm not."

Fortunately...it was just a salad. So I did good, comparatively speaking.

 

[LucyK]

We usually split a QS meal and a side between two people. But we don't eat burgers and try to find a QS that serves real food and have more healthier options like Columbia Harbor House, Sunshine Seasons or Katsura Grill.

They should offer more than just broccoli though, throw in some carrots, parsnips and eggplant as side dishes, I'd love that!

 

[olinecoach61]

If your on the meal plan and get a free desert with each meal, it's a lot of food. And that's coming from a guy who can eat!

 

[LucyK]

EDIT -- Funny story...last trip out, I had to meet my group at Pecos Bill for dinner. I wasn't particularly hungry, so I just ordered the grilled chicken salad.

Dude...that salad must have had two whole heads of lettuce in it.

My father: "I thought you said you weren't very hungry?"
Me: "I'm not."

Fortunately...it was just a salad. So I did good, comparatively speaking.

I quite enjoy the size of the salads they serve, it's a great option when it's your main meal. Just remember to ask for the dressing on the side, they usually overpour it and you can find yourself eating 2000 kcal from the dressing alone.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I think it all depends on where you eat. I don't think the TS portions are overly large, but some of the QS spots have larger meals. Example...DH and I split a Caesar wrap at Pecos Bill and found it to be plenty, but we split a sandwich at BOG lunch and noted that we'd need more food if we hadn't had a substantial breakfast. i.e. not that the portions were small...just too small to be a serious sharing consideration.

 

[FettFan]

I quite enjoy the size of the salads they serve, it's a great option when it's your main meal. Just remember to ask for the dressing on the side, they usually overpour it and you can find yourself eating 2000 kcal from the dressing alone.

Way ahead of you on that one. I got it dressing-free and headed over to the toppings bar for a scoop or two of salsa.

 

[Sans Souci]

I find the portion sizes rather large and I will split it with my husband (if it's something he will eat, otherwise I will eat only half.)

I lived in the UK and I visit there about once year and I've never felt hungry after dining out. I guess it depends on the individual and not the nationality.

 

[LucyK]

Way ahead of you on that one. I got it dressing-free and headed over to the toppings bar for a scoop or two of salsa.

Nice call! Salsa is all the dressing a good salad needs anyway! I never ate at Peco Bill's though, we always tend to go to either CHH because they have broccoli. I'm the weirdo who likes broccoli and order it everytime I see on the menu, I can't help it!

 

[bethymouse]

I do love the salads too!

 

[disney4life2008]

Brit here, the Quick Service food like Burger and Fries is the same size as a UK Medium McDonalds meal. The expensive restaurants have smaller portions. It's very much the same as here.

This is what you get for $10/£6.50ish. Looks big but it is heavily zoomed in. A handful of fries and a good sized burger (the burgers taste awesome).

I have to admit - this looks delicious! If its from Pecos Bills where I can top this with grilled onions and nacho cheese YUM

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

I found that the restaurants serve more than the quick service restaurants.
That being said, i have only eaten at the R&C and Tonys.

 

[ToyStorygirl]

Brit here, the Quick Service food like Burger and Fries is the same size as a UK Medium McDonalds meal. The expensive restaurants have smaller portions. It's very much the same as here.

This is what you get for $10/£6.50ish. Looks big but it is heavily zoomed in. A handful of fries and a good sized burger (the burgers taste awesome btw).

If you get a bun anywhere near that big in Maccy D's I'm visiting your home town.