Portion sizes in the parks

[dreamfinder]

It depends. If I grab a CS sandwich, I'll usually order it with no sides, which is often enough for me. My DW can still usually be satisfied with a kids meal at a CS location, but she also tends to eat a few smaller meals each day. A TS location, meal alone is enough for us, no need for an app or dessert. But then again at a buffet we can each put away 3-4 plates of food so take my comments with a grain of salt.

 

[officialtom]

As Canadians, we find the majority of the meal portions to be pretty ridiculous. Except for the higher-end restaurants, where the focus is entirely quality over quantity, most places will give you enough for two people, and then some.

The other side of it is that nearly everything is either deepfried or incredibly rich -- certainly not a bad thing while on vacation! But after a week of binge eating and sugar comas, enough's enough!

 

[Matt]

I'm not huge but I do enjoy my food. I've never had a problem with the size of the porton. However, the size of the porion in relation to price is another story...

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think it depends on the location, but overall, yes, U.S. portion sizes are bigger no matter where in the country you dine, not just in WDW!

It's easy to get around it though, and avoid overeating! First of all, don't do the DDP, which supplies way more food than the average person can eat (if they're looking to maintain a healthy weight). At counter-service locations, you can order your entree without the usual sides (e.g., request your burger without the fries). This is not advertised on the menus, but you can always order any entree by itself, without sides, and you'll be charged less than the advertised price for the meal. In the alternative, swap the fries for some apple slices from the kids' menu -- less food, but higher-quality and more nutritious! At table-service venues, consider ordering an appetizer instead of a full meal, or split a big entree with a companion.

 

[graphite1326]

When on the quick service dining plan, my DW and I usually end up splitting meals. It's just too much for us to eat.

 

[Avenger117]

They are large, but not so much in comparison to portion sizes outside of WDW. We go to places in our and the meal could be 3 meals for me. Its crazy, I wish they could serve a cheaper smaller options or something because its so much food.

NOTE: I usually eat small meals but the huge porterhouse at Yachtsman is the exception. Its sooooo good!!

 

[disney4life2008]

If you want a lot of food.. Ohana... it is endless

 

[JillC LI]

The chicken and ribs combo platter at Cosmic Rays can easily serve two people. And yet, somehow, I generally manage to enjoy most of it myself.

 

[LucyK]

I think it depends on the location, but overall, yes, U.S. portion sizes are bigger no matter where in the country you dine, not just in WDW!

It's easy to get around it though, and avoid overeating! First of all, don't do the DDP, which supplies way more food than the average person can eat (if they're looking to maintain a healthy weight). At counter-service locations, you can order your entree without the usual sides (e.g., request your burger without the fries). This is not advertised on the menus, but you can always order any entree by itself, without sides, and you'll be charged less than the advertised price for the meal. In the alternative, swap the fries for some apple slices from the kids' menu -- less food, but higher-quality and more nutritious! At table-service venues, consider ordering an appetizer instead of a full meal, or split a big entree with a companion.

We're on the DDP and the big portions actually works on our favor. Since we split 1 QS meal for two, we have enough credits for 3 daily meals and we're never hungry or eating junk food. We never order burgers and fries anyway!

 

[crispy]

We tend to split meals or order kid's meals at QS a lot of time. The portion sizes are pretty big, IMHO.

 

[mf1972]

it's a joke between my wife & I, but we get to DW in good shape, but feel like jobba the hutt when we go home.

 

[slappy magoo]

My wife and I are contemplating doing the Deluxe Dining Plan this year, mainly for the luxury of doing more character meals so the kids get face time without wasting preeeeeeeciousssssss park time on line for meet and greets. One "trick" I may get her to try is that when we do have counter service lunches, to split one, and that will afford us the opportunity to do more Signature Dining Restaurants without skipping a meal. The problem is we usually want different things to eat.

I just realized how pampered and pretentious my life is and I now intend to kill myself. Buh-bye.

 

[Phonedave]

American speaking here.

Compared to many other American restaruants, portion sizes at WDW are either about the same or slightly smaller (yes smaller). However there has been a trend in the US lately to get portion size in restaruant under controll. This is something I have been complaining about for a long time. I don't want leftovers, serve me less and cut the price. Some US chains are insane - Cheesecake Factory leaps to mind. Good thing I don't like eating there.

As a 6' 4" 220 lb guy, I have no problem finishing the average meal at WDW, but in all honesty, I would be happier with less (as would my waist).

WDW portions are larger than what I normally eat at home.

As far a value goes, WDW portions are a poor value. Overpriced, and many times the food is par to suib-par.

Unfortunately, good (and good for you) food is expensive. Fresh produce goes bad, needs to be kept cool, and is expensive. I can get frozen french fries for less than 20 cents per serving in bulk at the Restaruant Supply place I go to. It costs WDW a minimal amount of money to throw extra fries on your plate so it looks like you are getting more value.

-dave

 

[tink33]

The three ( 2 adults 1 child) of us share QS meals. We get the QS dining plan. On our last trip we had 7 meals left over. I think the portions are huge. We pay OOP for Donald's breakfast. I feel it's a waste for me since I eat yogurt for breakfast. We are eating at BOG for dinner on our next trip. Will they let me order off the kids menu?

 

[LucyK]

The three ( 2 adults 1 child) of us share QS meals. We get the QS dining plan. On our last trip we had 7 meals left over. I think the portions are huge. We pay OOP for Donald's breakfast. I feel it's a waste for me since I eat yogurt for breakfast. We are eating at BOG for dinner on our next trip. Will they let me order off the kids menu?

As long as you're not using the DDP to pay, you can order from the children's menu.

 

[tink33]

As long as you're not using the DDP to pay, you can order from the children's menu.

We would pay out of pocket for dinner. So I'll be able to order off the kids menu. Yeah! The "regular" dining plan doesn't make sense for us. We don't eat that much. Plus we don't want to waste time eating at a table service. BOG is an exception to rule. We have to try it once.

 

[draybook]

I'm only 5'11" and about 210 lbs with an appetite like you wouldn't believe. I can't think of one time we're left a dining experience and I was hungry. Especially after having the big double burger at Rainforest Cafe, cripes!

 

[smarti3]

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!

When we were there last week we almost always split a meal. It was plenty most of the time and left us room for a treat later. The restaurants were always kind about it as well. I will try to post pictures of some of the meals so you can get an idea of size. First picture is the breakfast bounty platter from Capt. Cook's, the second pic is the steak from BOG and the last pic is the braised pork from BOG

 

[smarti3]

And here is the chicken parm from Tony's and the Pezzi Parmesan Bread. The chicken parm was a good portion but I felt that the bread was overpriced @ $7.49. It was really just a large muffin. Tasted okay but certainly not enough for two in my opinion.

 

[draybook]

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When we were there last week we almost always split a meal. It was plenty most of the time and left us room for a treat later. The restaurants were always kind about it as well. I will try to post pictures of some of the meals so you can get an idea of size. First picture is the breakfast bounty platter from Capt. Cook's, the second pic is the steak from BOG and the last pic is the braised pork from BOG

The steak at BoG was delicious!!