Disney promoting obesity

[susy]

Okay, so this is meant to be kind of funny (but not really, becasue obesity is NOT funny).

Just an observation...... We just go back from our Thanksgiving trip at the WL. We had a fabulous time and dined at the WCC, Artist Point, Cali Grill, Kringla, Casey's and Roaring Forks. We were not on the "plan". Everywhere we went we saw people eating HUGE amounts of food adn could not figure it out. Aha-the dining plan. IT would easily irritate my DH, as he would always be in line behind someone that had to choose another "snack" or some other little problem.

For example, at Casey's my DH got us each a hotdog (3 total) , one fries, and two drinks (actually one would have been enough). At a table nearby, a family of five (on the plan), EACH had their own fries, a drink (they're huge), and I believe a dessert-at lunch (maybe not, I don't remember). All I remember is watching those fries go by on a tray (they took up the WHOLE tray) and thinking, "Who on earth can eat all of that? I would be so sick!"

It was the same throughhout our trip.
OUR WAITER at the California Grill SUGGESTED that we ONLY get one app to share and an entree each. He was right. We also shared a dessert. If you saw the absolute MOUNTAIN RANGE of food at the next table. Every person had their own dessert after eating an enourmous meal. How did they do it???? Even the kids!!!!!!

My DH reasons that you really aren't saving anything on the plan unless you would order all of that food anyway.
So, I'm really not accusing Disney of promoting obesity, just vomiting and the other thing.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

Will Disney let you take doggy bags? Then you could just save it for when you got back to your hotel or whatever... Although I can't imagine how good it would be after sitting the the hot Florida sun all day.

OT: 500th post!!!

 

[Maggi May]

My DH and I thought the same thing when were there. In our 3 night stay we had appetizers once at dinner and dessert once at another dinner. I cannot imagine having appetizer/entree/dessert at every sit-down meal and a dessert with every table service meal. And soft drinks -- we usually just get water and maybe a glass of wine or beer. And of course, while intellectually I would know that I don't have to eat everything on my plate, it would be hard not to have the mentality of "well, I paid for it in the plan, I might as well eat it."

It also struck us that at the same time Disney is rolling out healty meals for children, parents (who set the example for their children as to healthy eating) and older kids are offered these ginormous meals.

 

[Nennie]

I don't think it's any different than going to a buffet though. One can eat until they are satified, or try to get their money's worth by eating too much, and making themselves sick.

I don't think that Disney is promoting over-eating. Yes, the DDP offers a lot food, but that doesn't mean that those will smaller appetites have to eat (or even order) it all.

Besides, most people eat much healthier in their normal lives than they do on vacation! Fortunately, all that walking helps burn some of it off!!

 

[Kay1]

I'm glad someone pointed this out. I, too, was struck by the emphasis on healthier emphasis on the kids' menu, while promoting overeating through the dining plan. I'm extremely weight consious and am currently 5 pounds over my ideal weight. My son and I had lunch at the Columbia Harbor House over the Thanksgiving break. Someone on a DIS board said the chocolate cake was the best dessert they'd tried at Disney so I decided to order some and have a few bites.

To my surprise, it was served in a little plastic cup and had nutritional information. The calorie count was 220, as I recall. Not bad at all unless you look more closely because that's per serving and the piece of cake was meant to serve two! So the container of cake was 440 calories. For me, that's close to being as meal.

Can you imagine eating an appetizer, entree, and dessert twice a day, plus breakfasts and snack? Have mercy!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I may get flamed for this, but here goes.

You don't have to order everything that's included with the plan.

Just because a family orders everything, doesn't mean they will eat it all.

People are on vacation. Maybe they don't want to spend the whole trip counting calories, and worrying about the amount of carbs they are taking in.

Some families will eat healthy foods the whole time. Others will kick back and
relax the rules a bit. It's not uncommon for my son to have a sundae for lunch or dinner during our trips. He's also had cookies and soda for lunch one day during our last trip. That's not an option at home, but it is while on vacation.

There isn't a right or wrong way to do Disney. What works for one family may not work for another.

Just because you see a family ordering everything at ONE meal, doesn't mean they did that for the whole trip.

Can't people just go to WDW and enjoy the time with their families without concerning themselves with what others are eating?

 

[dixiedizfan]

Our family of four was on the dining plan last year. We never got desserts at lunch, and sometimes would forego appetizers or desserts at dinner, depending if we were hungry enough for it. Although at times we weren't utilizing the dining plan to our best benefit, I got it for the chance to be able to order whatever entree we desired at whatever restaurant we desired, without worrying about the price at the time. The best thing about it to me was that taxes and tip were included. That being said, I don't see anything wrong with people gorging themselves if they want to; it's their right. I do, however, find fault with people who order everything they can (or encourage their kids to), take two bites and then trash the rest. Soooo wasteful!

 

[PaulaSB12]

I am wondering why people seem so concerned in what other people eat. I went to DW this September and had the dining plan, yes I did have the 3 courses without sharing but it was a solo trip so who was I goling to share with? Just enjoy your holiday and let others enjoy them without comment.

 

[bicker]

I think there is a bit of a legitimate community concern with regard to "what other people eat". We all pay the costs for obesity in our society. Our society is a generous society, where to some extent medical care is available for the indigent. Sure, it isn't as good as the medical care available to the affluent, but it still is offered, and it still costs society money to provide. All acts a person commits onto themself that adversely affects their own healthy adversely impacts society in that way. The effect might be indirect, but it isn't inconsequential.

Regardless, this is a free society, so for now at least, people are responsible for monitoring their own actions, and therefore responsible for making appropriate decisions regarding things like the Dining Plan, i.e., only eating a reasonable amount, not trying to exploit the offering beyond what is appropriate just to exact some incremental amount of value out of it.

 

[missj1975]

I am wondering why people seem so concerned in what other people eat. I went to DW this September and had the dining plan, yes I did have the 3 courses without sharing but it was a solo trip so who was I goling to share with? Just enjoy your holiday and let others enjoy them without comment.

I was just thinking the same thing. Why do people worry about what other people eat? I can't wait for all three courses because guess what I am on vacation and see it as an opportunity to indulge myself. And I might not eat it all and I will throw away the extra. But that is my choice and no one elses business. I am so looking forward to gaining ten pounds on vacation

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't see how overeating on vacation promotes obesity...unless it's persons who overeat on a daily basis. A vacation doesn't last all that long.

And I am REALLY not concerned with what other people eat. In a free society it would be difficult to monitor that and get the costs down without somehow limiting the amount of food offered for purchase in restaurants and groceries. Wouldn't really want to live in a country that did that, myself. I do think restaurant portions could stand to be a little smaller.

 

[GrinGrinnyGhosts]

but when we go to WDW we indulge on the plan...and you know what, no one has ever come back with a weight gain larger than 2 pounds. We usually lose a few pounds because we are very active on our trip.

We all drink diet soda, and we save the snacks during the trip (though we may get the ocassional diet coke), usually will have 25 or so snacks to take home (we like the Mickey head shaped rice Crispie treats) and those will last anouther 2-3 weeks at home.

What I like about the plan is that I'm a widowed mom of 4 and Disney Dining allows me and my children to try new things and eat more exotic foods or elegant meals than we do the rest of the year (we only eat out 3-6 times a year..usually Red Lobster or Crackerbarrel) and do so affordably. In fact, Disney Dining is one reason why I am refusing to purchase a DVC timeshare..there are others, but that dining plan is a large part of that reason (like no discoutned multi-day park hopper tickets etc). I believe they may have some out with a competeing plan, but why ruin perfection? lol

Even though we take the Disney Dining plan every time we go to Disney, we still opt for healther choices when we order and we'll spend most of our meals at places like Mitsokoshi or Coral Reef (yes, I know that their desserts are a killler! LOL). Our favorite lunch spot is the food court at The Land...they have some very delicious AND healthy choices there!

GGG's MOM

 

[bicker]

That "overeating on vacation" bit is an interesting issue. There are a lot of studies and a lot of research on the causes of obesity, and a lot of it boils down to people wanting to capture a feeling, fill a gap with respect something they feel that they're missing. Many of us would seek to recapture the good feelings of happy times in order to try to fulfill that need. I don't specifically remember "vacation" being mentioned in the research, but very prominently mentioned would be weddings and holidays -- obese people tended to eat each meal as if it were a special occasion, so the meal would serve more than just the purpose of obtaining nutrition.

 

[marcyinPA]

I still think the DP is a good value, regardless of whether or not you order everything you are entitled to. We will make out ahead, because of our sit down choices and what we will most likely order at them. When an entree is $30 for dinner, and you'll most likely eat another $10 worth of food during the day (breakfast and/or lunch and/or a snack)...it makes sense for us. I could see how it wouldn't work for a family who only eats counter service, but for families who enjoy a table service each day, it really could work out (even with skipping appys and desserts!)

Even if you don't come out ahead, and just break even, it's nice to know that it's paid for, and gratuity is included too.

JMHO!

 

[kaytieeldr]

And of course, while intellectually I would know that I don't have to eat everything on my plate, it would be hard not to have the mentality of "well, I paid for it in the plan, I might as well eat it."

But every restaurant patron everywhere paid for the food ordered, dining plan or not. Yes, the dining plan allows each person to order two or three courses - but simply because the food was on a tray/table, unless you're, well, watching every item that every person at another table eats - you have no way of knowing WHAT was actually consumed - and keep in mind this thread is NOT about wasted food. Frankly, it's none of MY business what anybody else eats, or wastes - unless that person got the last of something I also wanted, and then doesn't eat it. But still, if I'm watching that person that closely, I'm the one with the problem.

Can't people just go to WDW and enjoy the time with their families without concerning themselves with what others are eating?

!!!​

I am wondering why people seem so concerned in what other people eat.

!!!​

 

[TDC Nala]

In fact, Disney Dining is one reason why I am refusing to purchase a DVC timeshare..there are others, but that dining plan is a large part of that reason (like no discoutned multi-day park hopper tickets etc). I believe they may have some out with a competeing plan, but why ruin perfection? lol

It's not a competing plan. DVC members can purchase the exact same Disney Dining Plan for the same price as anyone booking a regular resort package, and they're not required to buy park tickets to do it. They're not eligible for promos like free dining, though.

No, we don't get discounts on multi-day tickets, but annual passes are discounted. Using a combination of the DVC discount and Disney Visa rewards, I paid about $85 for my AP renewal in September. (I added a PI annual to that, though).

So, studies show that if people overeat while on vacation, when they get home they will continue to overeat in order to recapture the feeling of the vacation? That sounds like humans are mostly totally incapable of showing personal responsibility. Then we're in big trouble as a free society. Any really good ideas on how to force people to do what's good for them? Like maybe stop offering huge honking amounts of food for a cheap price?

 

[jodifla]

There are many things wrong with the DDP, and this is just one of them. Everybody gorging on food, just so they can breathlessly exclaim how much they "saved" by getting the DDP. Meanwhile, Disney has to cut back on everything from the quality of food to how often they clean the bathrooms so everyone can be happy about their big DDP savings.

It's costing us all, folks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Again, unless one is staring at a diner or group of diners who appear to be 'on the dining plan' (and keep in mind, people paying out of pocket ALSO often choose to order multiple courses) throughout the entire meal, one has NO way to determine "gorging".

Meanwhile, Disney has to cut back on everything from

No, Disney CHOOSES to cut back; Disney does not HAVE to cut back. And maintenance is a different allocation from dining.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I may get flamed for this, but here goes.

You don't have to order everything that's included with the plan.

Just because a family orders everything, doesn't mean they will eat it all.

People are on vacation. Maybe they don't want to spend the whole trip counting calories, and worrying about the amount of carbs they are taking in.

Some families will eat healthy foods the whole time. Others will kick back and
relax the rules a bit. It's not uncommon for my son to have a sundae for lunch or dinner during our trips. He's also had cookies and soda for lunch one day during our last trip. That's not an option at home, but it is while on vacation.

There isn't a right or wrong way to do Disney. What works for one family may not work for another.

Just because you see a family ordering everything at ONE meal, doesn't mean they did that for the whole trip.

Can't people just go to WDW and enjoy the time with their families without concerning themselves with what others are eating?

Well said! ITA How people eat on vacation can be TOTALLY different from their normal eating patterns. Different people make different choices

**Dons flame suit**

As for the self-designated "food police" , you don't know me or how I manage my overall eating. All you have is a "snapshot" of one meal yet you're ready to make sweeping statements Furthermore, it's not your business... unless you're looking for a way to feel superior to others and this works for you.

Personally I have better things to occupy my attention when I'm in the World

 

[gasperdam]

Can't people just go to WDW and enjoy the time with their families without concerning themselves with what others are eating?
__________________

Thanks Disneyjunkie! ITA

I feel that people should be able to do as they please when they are in WDW on vacation.

My family and I LOVE the DDP and it is a big reason that we return to WDW every year (among others). I don't want to have to worry about the food police scoping out my tray and snickering over the food my family is eating.