WDW Dining Are You Making Better Meal Choices? - Walt Disney Boards - Message Boards & Forum Discussing The Genius Of Walter Elias Disney!

**DisneyNutMary** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 02:28 PM

This article got me thinking... is it true?

More parents feed their kids apples instead of fries at Disney parks

Quote:

Whether by default or by choice, it appears Disney’s theme-park guests are opting to feed their kids healthier foods while eating in the parks.

Since Disney’s theme-park restaurants in 2006 overhauled their kids-meal menus to make healthier dishes the default selection for both side orders (ie: apple slices instead of French fries) and drinks (milk instead of soft drinks), Disney says the majority of its guests are picking the nutritious options.

According to company data, 65 percent of guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland ordered the healthier side dish and 68 percent ordered the healthier drink last year during Disney’s fiscal fourth quarter, which runs July through September.

Guests at Disney’s international parks were even more nutritious. In Hong Kong, 98 percent chose the healthier side and 96 percent chose the healthier drink. And in Paris, 85 percent chose the healthier drink – though just 15 percent picked the healthier side.

The data were culled from 485 Disney-operated restaurants.

I know I may be more likely to choose healthier sides for my kids... if they were still young enough for me to influence their decisions. But for my self.... I would actually walk farther to find the place that serves the carbs and fats that I love so much!
Hey, I splurge on vacation, on accomodations, park tickets, gifts and especially on food! I eat right at home 50 weeks a year, the two weeks I am on vacation are my chance to enjoy everything. Besides all that walking burns off some of the extra calories.

**WDBArnyVee** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 07:23 PM

We always get the carrots and grapes rather than the fries and cookies or whatever. The girls love them and we feel better about what they are putting in their bodies

chrisnfran · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Well, I will take the spanking for all the bad parents out there. On vacation, I let the kids go wild- ice cream at will, fries for everyone- with cheese AND bacon. I looked into the menu at the Wave restaurant and I have to say it sounds very healthy. And not like anything my family would eat. Don't get me wrong, we also try to eat some healthy things. I just don't force the issue on vacation. Disney can be stressful enough without battling it out over a cupcake for a snack or a banana.

**go2WDW** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 08:35 AM

This sounds like one of those studies that uses the statistics to tell a story that might not be the real story. Disney has made the more healthful choices the default side dish and drink for the kids' meals. So when someone orders a meal for their child, they have to request the fries or soda. My bet is that many people just ask for the kids' meals and don't bother asking if there are substitutions available. The signs say what's available, but not everybody pays attention to them.

For our family, we end up with the fries because we can't get the little princess interested in apples.

**DisneyNutMary** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go2WDW

For our family, we end up with the fries because we can't get the little princess interested in apples.

But in my case, it's my little princes who turn their noses up on apples and carrot sticks on vacation.... they will eat like that at home, but on vacation they want junk food.
Also, when my son was younger, we thought he would go for the apple sauce on the side, because he prefers that as a dip over ketchup, mustard, etc... but the apple sauce served at WDW is unsweetened, and definitely not what I buy at home.

BellTinkR · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 02:08 PM

Nothing like ice cream for breakfast on Main Street USA

I'm a half and half type. If I am bad for one meal, I make sure that I am good for the other two meals.

There are certain things that are distinctively part of the Disney theme park experience. A churro. A Mickey head ice cream sammich! A mango margarita or Grand Marnier slushie..... a trip to Walt Disney World just would not be the same without these things. They key is to pace yourself so the damage doesn't get out of control. And do stuff like walking instead of taking transport, to mitigate the damage (this only works if, for instance, you are staying at an Epcot resort or the Contemporary or something like that).

allysmommy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 03:36 PM

My daughter usually opts for fruit instead of fries at home and she did when we were at Disney. (she's 7 and has more self control than me!!) I didn't force it at Disney. If she got fruit it was easier to say yes to the ice cream and cookies later! We actually shared a lot of meals as well. Just my 2 cents.