Calories at Disney??

[kniquy]

Does Disney put calorie info on their menu items?

Probably a good thing they don't put that info on there - as a dietitian I'd feel very guilty. You can certainly be mindful of what you are ordering, make requests for extra veggies vs a side starch, limit creamy/cheese sauces, drink low cal beverages or just water. No alcohol. Avoid desserts. Maybe avoid buffet meals - people often over eat in this type of setting because there is so much to try and you want to get your moneys worth. Or attack a buffet with the plate method of portion control - 1/2 your plate veggies, 1/3 protein and maybe a small portion of starch. Choose fruits for dessert or be mindful and only take a tasting portion. Thinking before you eat can really make a difference in your food choices.

Honestly if you are on the go walking all day long you will likely burn more calories than you do at home. I wore my fit bit (maybe not 100% accurate) but we did between an avg of 15 miles a day hitting the parks in the morning, short afternoon breaks and going back until close most days. I ate more at the parks than i do at home and didn't gain anything. I though i would but because of the increased activity level i think it balanced out.

 

[Magical2017]

I like to wear by Fitbit to at least track how many miles I walked. We tend to eat breakfast in the room, so I feel like I know not only how many calories I am eating, but also that I am eating the right kinds of foods to fuel me through the day. I tend to indulge at Disney for at least one meal or treat, but do try to make use of bringing in healthy snacks or stopping at fruit stands to help make better, if not perfect choices. Restaurant food often has a lot of added sugar but I try not to worry too much and just enjoy whatever I order. I am not sure I WANT to see how many calories I am consuming during a buffet at Tusker House. Denial until I get home and my pants are tight!

 

[Magical2017]

Also, if you use an app like My Fitness Pal, there are other restaurant menus on there that may have comparable meals. You can always log in one of those and get at least an estimate of what you are eating. I would check chain restaurants to see if you can find a similar version of the meal.

 

[goofy4prez]

Honestly if you are on the go walking all day long you will likely burn more calories than you do at home. I wore my fit bit (maybe not 100% accurate) but we did between an avg of 15 miles a day hitting the parks in the morning, short afternoon breaks and going back until close most days. I ate more at the parks than i do at home and didn't gain anything. I though i would but because of the increased activity level i think it balanced out.

For many this would be true, for me I still gain weight. I am very active at home. I run 3 days a week between 6-8 miles and I use the elliptical for 45 minutes another 3 days. In addition, I work out with weights and resistance. When at WDW, while I may walk 15 miles I just don't burn as many calories. And every time I swear I'm going to keep doing my workout routine it never works; I find it very hard to wake up early, stay out late in the parks and then get up early to work out and be at the parks at rope drop. So in short for me, in spite ot all the walking, I do gain a few pounds on my Disney vacations.

 

[marikujawa]

Probably a good thing they don't put that info on there - as a dietitian I'd feel very guilty. You can certainly be mindful of what you are ordering, make requests for extra veggies vs a side starch, limit creamy/cheese sauces, drink low cal beverages or just water. No alcohol. Avoid desserts. Maybe avoid buffet meals - people often over eat in this type of setting because there is so much to try and you want to get your moneys worth. Or attack a buffet with the plate method of portion control - 1/2 your plate veggies, 1/3 protein and maybe a small portion of starch. Choose fruits for dessert or be mindful and only take a tasting portion. Thinking before you eat can really make a difference in your food choices.

Honestly if you are on the go walking all day long you will likely burn more calories than you do at home. I wore my fit bit (maybe not 100% accurate) but we did between an avg of 15 miles a day hitting the parks in the morning, short afternoon breaks and going back until close most days. I ate more at the parks than i do at home and didn't gain anything. I though i would but because of the increased activity level i think it balanced out.

That's why I think publishing the information on a website would be a good compromise. If you don't want to know the information because it would make you feel guilty, you don't have to access the website and look it up. Others who feel differently would be able to find what they are looking for.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Yes. I don’t even need them on the menu if people are so afraid to see them. Buried in a website somewhere would be fine.

Buried in a website would work, yes. Wish we could look it up.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I average about 10 miles a day at Disney. A very general rule of thumb is that a 120 pound person burns around 65 calories per mile, so figure around 700 calories. One dessert can wipe that out. Also, not everyone can walk that much. If you take trams or just spend less time in the parks, you won’t hit that number of miles.

The other thing is that you probably aren’t eating the same at Disney as you would at home. At home, you know what you are putting in the food you are cooking. It’s not so easy with restaurant meals. There can be an unbelievable difference in calories between two of the same dishes depending on the ingredients used and how they’re prepared.

It’s great that you’re so active and don’t gain weight on vacation but the extra walking alone won’t do that for everyone. I wish Disney would accommodate people who need to be more careful about what they consume, even if they’re not on a strict diet.

Good math and example/explanation.
I agree the info should be somewhere we can look it up, if we want.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

For many this would be true, for me I still gain weight. I am very active at home. I run 3 days a week between 6-8 miles and I use the elliptical for 45 minutes another 3 days. In addition, I work out with weights and resistance. When at WDW, while I may walk 15 miles I just don't burn as many calories. And every time I swear I'm going to keep doing my workout routine it never works; I find it very hard to wake up early, stay out late in the parks and then get up early to work out and be at the parks at rope drop. So in short for me, in spite ot all the walking, I do gain a few pounds on my Disney vacations.

That is great and an impressive workout routine you have. Your weight loss is impressive too, and you work hard to maintain it.
Congratulations, and kudos.

 

[MarkinNM]

I know, I know.... There are no calories when your on vacation!! And especially when you're in the most Magical place on earth
I fully believe in that, but sadly, my backside doesn't agree!!!


Does Disney put calorie info on their menu items?

I hear ya, all I can say is what I do, order food that is NOT fried, try like heck to stay away from processed food, meats, pickled stuff, and when you can low salt and I hate to say it bread, rice empty calories.......and the sweets, at moderation, BUT do remember FLA is usually HOT....HOT....HOT and one will be doing plenty of walking and sweating, so..........meh go have fun and dont overindulge!!!

 

[Flagondry]

It would be wonderful to have the calories available. I’d still happily indulge, but the extra info might save me a hundred (or more) calories picking between options that both sound appealing.

I assume it is not done for two reasons:

1.Constant product changes and resources that would go into tracking, producing and switching out menus

2. Revenue. Even though I’ll happily set no limits on vacation, even I would be swayed to not have that end of the night ice cream or popcorn, based on knowledge of the days’ intake. I would imagine it could have an impact on their profit.

 

[alltwelve]

Keep in mind that, even though Disney doesn't list calorie counts on menus, the table service restaurants are extremely accommodating when it comes to special orders. I always resisted being "that person" that makes a special order rather than just order off the menu, but for example we were at GF Cafe a couple of months ago and ordered the Sirloin Steak and scallops. Rather than get the cheesy potatoes and the scampi butter sauce, I asked for no sauce and roasted vegetables in lieu of the potatoes. I know these may seem like small changes, but they add up over the course of a vacation. Even at Hoop Dee Doo, I subbed grilled salmon with grilled veggies in place of the usual fried chicken and ribs. As delicious as it was and as wonderful as the show was, I gotta admit I really wanted that fried chicken and beer! lol

Also, the prepackaged snacks have nutrition facts. Some of them are absolutely crazy to read, but I found the prepackaged kettle corn sold in the merchandise shops to not be too bad calorie-wise!

 

[Pmlocke]

I eat three full meals a day when I am at Disney. I only eat one meal usually when home. I always lose weight when I am at Disney because I don't usually walk 5-7 miles every day. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy yourself. The walking will take care of it.

 

[Micharlotte]

Our trips are usually 11-12 days away from home and eating out most meals. We do a quick breakfast in the room, usually yogurt, cheese danish or a protein drink. We are on the dining plan and eat all large meals in the parks or resorts. I don't necessarily gain weight, but the water I retain from the salt is incredible! I bring stretchy shorts so that I can still fit them at the end of the trip. A couple of days back home and I look normal again, but the heat, humidity and the amount of salt makes me look at least 10 pounds heavier than I normally am.

 

[marikujawa]

I eat three full meals a day when I am at Disney. I only eat one meal usually when home. I always lose weight when I am at Disney because I don't usually walk 5-7 miles every day. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy yourself. The walking will take care of it.

The walking takes care of it for you. But if you read through the previous posts, it does not take care of it for others.

 

[dieumeye]

Are calorie counts available yet at WDW restaurants?

This thread is almost a year old so I was wondering if there’s been any change here. Disney is pretty vocal about catering to allergy needs and ingredient preferences, so it seems weird that basic info about calories would not be available.

 

[Ellie Webbs]

We have put on maybe 1 pound at Disney ever, and that is on the dining plan! We walk vast distances, order meals and just be honest with yourself when you are full and do things like get off the bus at the hotel entrance and walk to your room (especially somewhere like OKW and CBR ) instead of starting on the internal bus route.
I understand the concern as I am currently on my pre disney 3 month health kick, and so many of the meals are ridiculously calor laden but I hope you dont think about it too much when you are there

 

[Lovetherodent]

Im not super active at home. I dont do any intentional exercising other than my normal running around doing errands, shopping, yard work, household chores etc.. Maybe that is why. My body is like woah...she's walking and swimming, lets reward her!

And for Disney posting nutritional facts, I bet not posting is strategic. No way would I eat some of the things I do there knowing the calories. I used to order an innocent turkey sandwich at Panera often until I found out it was 900 calories! One of the saddest days of my life. Same goes for the Strawberry Coolata at Dunkins..360 calories! Back to water My theory is what I dont know wont hurt me, but as soon as I know, I have to make the right decision.

Same, but with WW points.

I do a lot of intentional exercise at home (4 mornings, 3 evenings a week), more than I ever did when I was thinner and younger. I no longer lose weight on a Disney vacation like I used to, but I don't gain, either, and trust me, I EAT A LOT on a Disney vacation, both more food and more foods I avoid at home.