Boxing up Food

[CathieArms]

For me, personally, I never get a to-go box of the remainder of my meal; however, I've been known to do it with my kids' meals for the simple reason that they eat less at a sitting and are hungry more frequently...and their meals can be expensive. With that said, I would NEVER walk around a hot park with leftover food because it's destined to go bad. There is just no way to keep it from spoiling.

With all that said, I think it's really weird that it bothers YOU. It's not my intent to be nasty, but why would you care what others do?

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I've actually heard the same argument, but it was while I was visiting in Greece. I was hanging out with a Swedish guy at the youth hostel and he was saying how weird the whole doggy bag thing is in the US and even in England. I think its definitely cultural.

I am horrible about eating leftovers, so don't usually bother.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Moving to CB - not really a DIsney restaurants topic

 

[redlight]

Did you watch Dr. Oz this morning? He said don't do doggie bags or you'll end up overeating.
.

Actually getting doggie bags has been one strategy I've used in my weight loss. Restaurant portions are usually too large for me to eat and not to overeat. If I know I can get a doggie bag, I'm less tempted to overeat.

 

[NotUrsula]

There was a time not that long ago when the OP's attitude was common in the US, too. It was considered really mean (cheap) to take out a "doggie bag" from a restaurant, and in fact that is why it is called a doggie bag -- there is a wink-wink fiction there that you are supposed to be planning to give the leftovers to your dog as a treat, when everyone knows that isn't really the case.

Here's an article that explains the history of the change in attitudes: http://victualling.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/the-partial-triumph-of-the-doggie-bag/

 

[U2_rocks!]

I find restaurant portions in the U.S. to be ridiculously large. I will often order appetizers, or we will share stuff amoung the family to cut down on wastage (saves some $$ too!). But some things keep and reheat really well, and I don't mind ordering a main course for myself of something like that if I know I can take it back to the room and put it in the fridge. Of course I will only do that if we are in a position to keep it cold and to also reheat it (unless it's pizza - I love cold pizza for breakfast). We will also only take home leftovers if we are fixing some of our own meals during the vacation - if we are eating out every meal it is pointless. We do try to vacation with a kitchen most of the time, though, because we don't like eating every meal out.

At home we seldom take leftovers home from a dinner out - the portion sizes aren't that big to be worth it. Except Chinese - for some reason those portions are always huge!

 

[Sorsha]

I won't generally take leftovers for me.. just not worth it to be carrying all that stuff around. I will, however, take a dessert that I was too full to eat. They carry easily and make a yummy snack later in the evening.

Now, for my kids, its another story entirely. The younger DDs are notorious for NOT eating when we sit down to eat. They aren't hungry, they are too distracted, etc etc. Then, an hour later, they are starving. So, if I can pack up those grapes and carrot sticks and chicken nuggets and what-have-you and throw in the dinner roll off my plate (lord knows I don't need the carbs) then DD can eat dinner whenever she is hungry and we don't have to stop what we are doing to try to find dinner for her AND we haven't wasted money buying her two dinners.

So yeah, for the kiddos, I will always pack it up. It isn't going to spoil. Their school lunchboxes sit around for longer than that every day.

 

[Disfan1]

At home we seldom take leftovers home from a dinner out - the portion sizes aren't that big to be worth it. Except Chinese - for some reason those portions are always huge!

I can always make two meals out of a Chinese food entree - the way I see it I can have 2 tasty meals for $10 or so. Not too shabby!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I can always make two meals out of a Chinese food entree - the way I see it I can have 2 tasty meals for $10 or so. Not too shabby!

 

[Acklander]

There was a time not that long ago when the OP's attitude was common in the US, too. It was considered really mean (cheap) to take out a "doggie bag" from a restaurant, and in fact that is why it is called a doggie bag -- there is a wink-wink fiction there that you are supposed to be planning to give the leftovers to your dog as a treat, when everyone knows that isn't really the case.

Here's an article that explains the history of the change in attitudes: http://victualling.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/the-partial-triumph-of-the-doggie-bag/

LOL - the only time I request a doggie bag is when I order a steak or prime rib so I can bring the rest home for my dog. Personally, I wouldn't box up food at a theme park because I don't like to carry a lot of stuff around - for the same reason I don't bring in water, snacks, ponchos, backpacks, etc.... If I want something while at the park, I just buy it. I don't think I've ever noticed someone else carrying around doggie bags but if I did see it, it wouldn't bother me - as long as I don't have to carry it, I'm happy.

 

[focusondisney]

How would you know if the other customer is a tourist in a hotel room or a local going home right after their meal? A local guest could certainly want their left overs for later.

All you need to say is "No thank you". It's not like the wait person is forcing you to do something you find offensive.

 

[sjs314]

LOL - the only time I request a doggie bag is when I order a steak or prime rib so I can bring the rest home for my dog. Personally, I wouldn't box up food at a theme park because I don't like to carry a lot of stuff around - for the same reason I don't bring in water, snacks, ponchos, backpacks, etc.... If I want something while at the park, I just buy it. I don't think I've ever noticed someone else carrying around doggie bags but if I did see it, it wouldn't bother me - as long as I don't have to carry it, I'm happy.

At Disney since DH is "the bottomless pit" If I order something such as a sandwich or burger with fries, I will cut the burger in half and give one half to DH same with my sandwich and side of fries, I did this at ESPN and Olivias on our last trip, no need for a doggie bag most times

 

[shortbun]

Weird thing to get bent out of shape over. The whole world is doing it and well...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
The really funny thing about the OP's post is that they don't get how many people have mini kitchen's, room fridges. I mean, could they be less up on how we all keep food in our rooms? lol!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Wasted food=Wasted money, and while I don't do it all the time, I do it often enough since the portions are so large.Not sure why you are so bothered by it, or why you think it is your buisness what others do, but you are entitled to your opinion.

You said it!

I understand the OP doesn't like to be asked if he/she wants a box for leftovers. The answer would be a quick, "No thank you.". And that should be the end of it.

I don't understand how it would bother someone if another party has a box of leftover food?

I'm surprised that someone's box would be on another person's radar at all.

 

[mdsoccermom]

In 40 visits to Disney, I have never noticed what others were carrying around the parks. I would have no idea if they were carrying leftovers or not.

 

[OceanAnnie]

In 40 visits to Disney, I have never noticed what others were carrying around the parks. I would have no idea if they were carrying leftovers or not.

Me either!

 

[LuvLDM]

In 40 visits to Disney, I have never noticed what others were carrying around the parks. I would have no idea if they were carrying leftovers or not.

Me either. I find it odd that anyone would notice & being irritated by this is just bizarre.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I very rarely take leftovers back to the hotel when I am on vacation. I find it more of a hassle than it is worth.

However I would never expect Disney or any other company to change their policy about doggie bags just because I do not get them. Other people have their reasons for getting them, and they certainly are not hurting me by carrying around their leftovers.

 

[cm8]

Why? I can't begin to imagine why this would bother anyone. What about those with a CS meal that they've taken to another area to eat? What about food from a vendor?



I put it in the fridge. Sometimes if dd doesn't come to a meal with us, I'll bring her back a favorite dessert for her to eat later. I don't usually bring back leftovers that need to be reheated unless we're in a villa but I think the food courts do have microwaves, don't they?

WE do the exact same thing :

 

[Rora]

Ha. Disney food is expensive so if we don't eat it all and we're going back to the room shortly (or if its cold enough the food is definitely in no danger of spoiling), our leftovers are going with us! We might snack on them later in the room, eat them for breakfast or another meal while we're in our rooms.

This.

I should also add that we are DVC members so we have access to at least a microwave and a fridge in our room. HOWEVER, if we didn't have a fridge or micro, I probably wouldn't take it back.