Eating a packed lunch. Can we do it?

[KrazeeK120]

Deleted

 

[KrazeeK120]

Ummm...yeah. First, if you really MUST know...the soda is caffeine free diet. Zero calories, zero sugar. I was giving an example of nuggets, which are for our children. Sorry, perhaps you force your kids to eat boneless, skinless chicken breast (with nothing on it), tilapia, raw veggies, greek yogurt (fat free plain), salads and other such things 24/7, but we don't. As I quite clearly said, we let the kids eat a little less healthy on vacation. It won't kill them. However, DW is about 95% of the way ready to be on stage competing in bodybuilding competitions. I have no interest in getting on a stage, but if I did, I'm about 85% of the way there. Take a look at the photo that's my avatar...click on it so you can make it a bit bigger. You can really only see her arms and left shoulder, but the rest of her looks like that. You don't think she looks like that eating nuggets, do you? She literally weighs and measures everything she puts in her mouth...even her salads are measured down to the 1/2 ounce (we have a food scale we bring with us on vacation). So yeah, we're quite health conscious. Gotta love the DISboards...only here would people jump when I quite clearly said right away that the nuggets are for the kids and that we let them eat a little less healthy on vacation. But I'm sure you just order salads and chicken breasts in the restaurants?? Oh, and when we make them nuggets, we also make sure they have veggies and other healthy foods. Sigh....

Wow...That's not even close to what I said, or the point I was trying to make.

All I was noting was that nuggets, soda, and desserts are available in the restaurants. I mentioned that these items aren't conventionally known as "health" foods. I also explicitly stated that I eat these items myself. I don't care what people do or don't eat on vacation. But for people who are looking for nuggets, soda, and dessert, the restaurants serve those things.

 

[firefly_ris]

We didn't pack full entire lunches last time, but my kids are all small and so hit or miss -- sometimes they eat a huge lunch and other times they hardly touch it. So I wasn't digging the thought of shelling out money for overpriced kids menu items at QS. So I packed PB&Js, granola bars, cut up fruit, "squeezy applesauce", assorted nuts (almonds, pistachios or what have you), and maybe a little bit of chocolate or something for a treat. We were there the day after Thanksgiving and it was jammin' -- had a difficult time finding somewhere to sit at Cosmic Ray's inside. My parents, my husband and myself all purchased something small from the menu -- a burger and fries to split, a salad, things like that, and the kids ate what I brought and also shared some of whatever I had ordered from the QS if they wanted to. This way we sat inside, saved some money, less food waste from my kids potentially being picky, but also patronized the establishment. I wasn't paying attention to whether there were CMs watching the doors but it was very busy so I imagine there probably were. The kids also stopped to have a snack at all sorts of outdoor seating areas and it was never an issue.

 

[Klayfish]

Wow...That's not even close to what I said, or the point I was trying to make.

Well, perhaps I was wrong, and if I was, I apologize. But the quote below sure didn't seem like you were simply saying that nuggets are available in the parks. Sounded more like criticism, but again, if it wasn't, my bad.

But to say you don't eat in the restaurants because you're health conscious and then go on to say you pack your own soda sounds like an oxymoron to me. For those who are health conscious, there are healthy meals to be found all over Disney property.

And you're right, nuggets are available in the parks. And I also agree there are healthy options, plenty of them, in WDW. I very much applaud WDW for offering that. Walk into a Six Flags and the only healthy thing they have is bottled water. But the challenge for us is that the healthy options WDW has still wouldn't work for DW, as her nutrition is THAT specific that she couldn't get it in the parks...even with all the healthy options they offer. Seriously, it's nuts. I am amazed every day at the things she does. I could probably manage, but it would be tough (my nutrition is pretty strict too, but not quite to the extent hers is). Plus, I'm cheap. It would cost $10 for each kid to buy nuggets in WDW. Since we have to buy all of the food for DW and myself at a grocery store anyway, buying a bag of nuggets is about $6 and it'll feed all 3 of our kids, probably for 2 meals. So if we manage to get two meals out of that bag, it's $6 spent, instead of $60 for the same two meals bought at WDW. Plus, it still allows us to control other things like veggies and other sides. Like I said, it's vacation, so we certainly loosen up for the kids, but even still a lot of their meals will have decent nutrition (typically breakfast and lunch).

Our soft sided bag, as you can imagine, is gigantic. And sure, it's a bit of a pain to lug it from our car to the parking lot tram. But once we do that, getting through security really isn't as big of a deal as you may think. We've done it enough that we know how to pack it strategically to get us through quickly. From there, pushing it in a tiny umbrella stroller is incredibly easy...and we usually leave it somewhere in stroller parking anyway, so we don't bother with it. As for eating inside the QS places, it actually has never been an issue for us in all the years we've done it. Only Cosmic Rays has told us no, and we had no objection to it whatsoever...we just walked over to Tomorrowland Terrace. They have plenty of tables that are "outdoors" but still under the roof. Or if the tables are full inside Electric Umbrella in Epcot (which we don't see very often), there are plenty of tables outside that have shade and we eat there.

We're extremely grateful that WDW allows such flexibility to bring your own food in. Most places don't, and for us, it's a very big deal.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Well, perhaps I was wrong, and if I was, I apologize. But the quote below sure didn't seem like you were simply saying that nuggets are available in the parks. Sounded more like criticism, but again, if it wasn't, my bad.

It wasn't a criticism...it was more like...it didn't make sense to me to say you avoid the restaurants because you're health conscious, and then go on to say you bring your own nuggets, desserts, and soda. Without specifying further, those two statements do seem to contradict one another, and I was genuinely confused as to why you wouldn't just get those items in a restaurant vs taking the time and trouble to pack them yourself. But it makes more sense given your wife's dietary requirements.

I think that even most health conscious people are not health conscious to the extent your wife is. I also think it's important for people to understand the types of food offered at Disney. I honestly believe that the general population, even picky eaters and health conscious eaters, can find things they will eat at almost every restaurant.

I also appreciate that Disney lets people bring in food. I have a toddler and the ability to bring snacks for him is immensely helpful to my family.

 

[Klayfish]

I think that even most health conscious people are not health conscious to the extent your wife is. I also think it's important for people to understand the types of food offered at Disney. I honestly believe that the general population, even picky eaters and health conscious eaters, can find things they will eat at almost every restaurant.

Yep, that I completely agree with. DW...and to a lesser extent myself...is a very rare case. For even the common health conscious, WDW deserves a lot of credit for the foods they offer. Even a lot of the QS places have fairly healthy choices. It's nice that when my wife and I go on a date night at WDW, we can go into any one of a number of restaurants in the World Showcase and she can get something tasty, yet still nutritious.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Ummm...yeah. First, if you really MUST know...the soda is caffeine free diet. Zero calories, zero sugar. I was giving an example of nuggets, which are for our children. Sorry, perhaps you force your kids to eat boneless, skinless chicken breast (with nothing on it), tilapia, raw veggies, greek yogurt (fat free plain), salads and other such things 24/7, but we don't. As I quite clearly said, we let the kids eat a little less healthy on vacation. It won't kill them. However, DW is about 95% of the way ready to be on stage competing in bodybuilding competitions. I have no interest in getting on a stage, but if I did, I'm about 85% of the way there. Take a look at the photo that's my avatar...click on it so you can make it a bit bigger. You can really only see her arms and left shoulder, but the rest of her looks like that. You don't think she looks like that eating nuggets, do you? She literally weighs and measures everything she puts in her mouth...even her salads are measured down to the 1/2 ounce (we have a food scale we bring with us on vacation). So yeah, we're quite health conscious. Gotta love the DISboards...only here would people jump when I quite clearly said right away that the nuggets are for the kids and that we let them eat a little less healthy on vacation. But I'm sure you just order salads and chicken breasts in the restaurants?? Oh, and when we make them nuggets, we also make sure they have veggies and other healthy foods. Sigh....

HopperFan,
Yes, we travel mostly in the summer. The only place we have trouble finding a spot is Cosmic Rays. They will ask us not to come in at peak times. But we often will eat just before or after peak times so that we're not taking up space others may need. Like have lunch at 11am or 1:15pm.

To be 100% honest, I thought the same thing others are saying. Your OP did come of a little holier than thou elitist, although its now clear that isn't the way you meant it. A training diet is totally different from the way your op sounded.

FYI, diet soda is really, really NOT healthy. Artificial sweeteners, even the plant based ones, are being shown to be of more harm than good when trying to lose weight or maintain that kind of physique. It's number one on my doctor's list of things to cut out when you are trying to get your diet back on track.

 

[Tink_83]

To be 100% honest, I thought the same thing others are saying. Your OP did come of a little holier than thou elitist, although its now clear that isn't the way you meant it. A training diet is totally different from the way your op sounded.

FYI, diet soda is really, really NOT healthy. Artificial sweeteners, even the plant based ones, are being shown to be of more harm than good when trying to lose weight or maintain that kind of physique. It's number one on my doctor's list of things to cut out when you are trying to get your diet back on track.

I've read about this (diet sodas being counter productive to dieting) and yet I only drink diet soda and in no way do I have a weight issue. That said my Mom is a Type 1 diabetic so I grew up with artificial sweeteners in the house. I can not only tell the difference between diet and regular but I feel full if I have a regular soda so maybe I've conditioned my body to know the difference and it treats diet sodas differently then regular ones? Anyway, I won't disagree that something artificial is probably not healthy I just always find that other point (that is derails diets) odd because in my own experience it doesn't.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I've read about this (diet sodas being counter productive to dieting) and yet I only drink diet soda and in no way do I have a weight issue. That said my Mom is a Type 1 diabetic so I grew up with artificial sweeteners in the house. I can not only tell the difference between diet and regular but I feel full if I have a regular soda so maybe I've conditioned my body to know the difference and it treats diet sodas differently then regular ones? Anyway, I won't disagree that something artificial is probably not healthy I just always find that other point (that is derails diets) odd because in my own experience it doesn't.

Different people's bodies react differently to different things, and the degree to which the negative effects manifest is different for everyone. What causes a problem for one person might not for another, but the data are overwhelming in that artificial sweeteners have a negative effect on weight loss. They definitely interfere with neroreceptors involved in sugar regulation, and the jury is still out on other negative effects, but some of the ones suggested by recent studies are profound. Moderating sugar from natural sources seems to be a better bet at this point.

Most people can tell the different between diet and regular. When I was a heavy diet soda drinker I couldn't stomach a regular one at all. Way too syrupy.

 

[Klayfish]

To be 100% honest, I thought the same thing others are saying. Your OP did come of a little holier than thou elitist, although its now clear that isn't the way you meant it. A training diet is totally different from the way your op sounded.

FYI, diet soda is really, really NOT healthy. Artificial sweeteners, even the plant based ones, are being shown to be of more harm than good when trying to lose weight or maintain that kind of physique. It's number one on my doctor's list of things to cut out when you are trying to get your diet back on track.

Well, if my post came off has holier than thou, oh well... Just kidding... Certainly not what I had intended.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying about the artificial sweeteners. There's definitely mixed data on that. I totally agree that natural sugar is processed far better than artificial. The problem is that most sodas with natural sugar are loaded with them. 200 calories, 40g of carbs, etc... DWs trainers have all told her that caffeine free diet sodas are fine. But truthfully, that's a weekend and/or vacation thing for her. Most of the time, she drinks water...and a ton of it. Or she'll add those zero calorie Crystal Light packets to her water. She'll only drink a soda on Friday or Saturday, or a few when we're on vacation. I'm the same with drinks. Water all week, but will have a caffeine free diet soda on Friday/Saturday. Actually, I'm not allowed medically to have caffeine. Haven't had any in about 15 years. You'd be surprised how well you can function without it.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Well, if my post came off has holier than thou, oh well... Just kidding... Certainly not what I had intended.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying about the artificial sweeteners. There's definitely mixed data on that. I totally agree that natural sugar is processed far better than artificial. The problem is that most sodas with natural sugar are loaded with them. 200 calories, 40g of carbs, etc... DWs trainers have all told her that caffeine free diet sodas are fine. But truthfully, that's a weekend and/or vacation thing for her. Most of the time, she drinks water...and a ton of it. Or she'll add those zero calorie Crystal Light packets to her water. She'll only drink a soda on Friday or Saturday, or a few when we're on vacation. I'm the same with drinks. Water all week, but will have a caffeine free diet soda on Friday/Saturday. Actually, I'm not allowed medically to have caffeine. Haven't had any in about 15 years. You'd be surprised how well you can function without it.

I hear ya, we all have to do what we can when we can. I don't an occasional soda is the worst thing you could do health wise.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Well, perhaps I was wrong, and if I was, I apologize. But the quote below sure didn't seem like you were simply saying that nuggets are available in the parks. Sounded more like criticism, but again, if it wasn't, my bad.



And you're right, nuggets are available in the parks. And I also agree there are healthy options, plenty of them, in WDW. I very much applaud WDW for offering that. Walk into a Six Flags and the only healthy thing they have is bottled water. But the challenge for us is that the healthy options WDW has still wouldn't work for DW, as her nutrition is THAT specific that she couldn't get it in the parks...even with all the healthy options they offer. Seriously, it's nuts. I am amazed every day at the things she does. I could

We are planning a Disney trip in July and are seriously considering packing a lunch for the parks (at least some days.) Our middle child is extremely picky and will probably be eating nothing but chicken nuggets for the entire week, if he had his choice. And our oldest son mainly grazes. So we're thinking that packing a lunch for some of our park days may be a great way to limit the amount of chicken nuggets DS7 will consume, as well as ensure that we have some protein based snacks that DS8 will eat. Plus we'll save money!

I've read that small soft sided coolers are okay, and that's cool. My question is - where can we eat? I certainly don't want to take up space for customers who are actually paying for their lunch at, say Pecos Bills or the like. But is there an acceptable place to eat a packed lunch? A nice climate controlled place would be awesome (because we are also traveling with all 4 of our senior citizen - yet spritely - parents), but I'd be happy anywhere 6 adults, 2 kids and a toddler could have a brief picnic.

Thank you!

just remember that you can not have food brought in to parks heated up while in parks. this is a government rule not Disney. at busy times most climate controlled places have CMs to make sure people with food have places to eat first.

 

[Asherry25]

We bring food in almost every day. We're looking at 16 days down in Disney in July, and I've got 3 ADR's booked. Maybe we'll eat one more time at a QS, but that's probably it. We do lunch in the park, and dinner in our villa/condo before going back to the park for the evening.

My biggest tip is to adjust your meal time to not eat when everyone else is eating. Not only will you find more seating, but you will also find that the lines for rides can be a bit shorter while everyone and their brother is waiting in line at Pinocchio Haus to get their food. We travel exclusively in the very hot summer months.

Our go-to spots are:
MK:
shaded bench along the castle wall in the area behind the castle.
tables outside the circus tent in Fantasyland
Cosmic Ray's - but only because we tend to eat before 11:30 and are usually one of maybe 5 families in entire restaurant. Sometimes we will buy one thing (fries, usually) for us to share to assuage our guilt about enjoying the AC in there. I wouldn't eat in there if there was any sort of seating demand, but, even when we are done eating, there still aren't people in there. What can I say? I have kids who get up early, and we eat breakfast before 7.

Epcot - we mostly buy here - the options are good
outside the Land in the Sunshine Seasons seating area - again - only because we eat very early and there is noone else eating yet.
benches along the water
I've seen people sit on the floor inside Innoventions, but not sure if those buildings are open at all anymore.
any bench areas inside the various countries

Animal Kingdom:
tables near the water, off the path between Africa and Asia
tables at the QS across from Expedition Everest (if it is early and it's not really open yet)

Hollywood Studios:
tables back down past the entrance to Toy Story Mania, on the left
in the area where the hat used to be, there are some planters and/or benches
benches with umbrellas around Echo Lake
On Sunset Blvd to the left before you get to Rock and Roller Coaster (again, if early before others are eating)

 

[Klayfish]

just remember that you can not have food brought in to parks heated up while in parks. this is a government rule not Disney. at busy times most climate controlled places have CMs to make sure people with food have places to eat first.

We put our "hot" food in Tupperware. While it won't be steaming hot when we get back to it, it's still plenty warm.

We've been eating in QS places for probably 9 years now and never really had a problem finding a place to eat. Like I said, only Cosmic Rays really does this, and only at peak lunch/dinner hour. The rest of the time and places, it's a non-factor. And when Cosmic Rays does it, it's completely fine with us, we totally understand. There are lots of places to sit and eat. As I said, it's wonderful that WDW allows us to do it in the first place, so we keep it all in perspective.