Has Disney gone too far with the "healthier options" menu changes?

[TiggerandBelleFanMom]

I personally do not think Disney has gone too healthy. I actually prefer whole grain pasta, whole wheat bread, etc. That's what we use at home, and to me, it tastes normal, just like skim milk tastes normal because that's what I grew up with. (And I'm not some kind of super-health freak. We just try to teach our little one good lifelong habits, eat plenty of fruit, make reasonable substitutes, etc. I really like my current weight and at my stage of life, maintaining requires making good choices.)

I also did not have a hard time finding non-Iceberg lettuce type salads, although I am mostly talking about sit-down restaurants, not CS. (We're not big CS people.)

Some Reasonably Healthy (though not necess lo-cal) Stuff--
Hurricane Hannah's @ Beach Club:
Vegetable Wrap - rolled wheat tortilla with roasted and raw vegetables. Toasted in sun-dried tomato pesto and calamata hummus, with cabbage slaw or chips $6.79 (They also have a variant on this at the Beach Club Marketplace, and it is YUM!)

Grilled Chicken Salad - Served with mixed greens, dried cranberries, white cheddar cheese, croutons and white balsamic dressing $7.19 (This was SOOOO good!!! Eating outside by the pool the first day of vacation no doubt played a factor in my enjoyment, but I loved it.)

Liberty Tree Tavern:
Colony Salad - Washington apples, sweet pecans and applewood smoked cheddar and grilled chicken tossed with field greens in honey shallot vinaigrette $13.49

Crystal Palace:
Shrimp, Black Bean and Mango Salad [though the night I was there, I could swear there was a chicken and black bean salad with jicama rather than this one; I think the buffet changes frequently...]
Couscous Tofu and roasted Vegetable Salad
Romaine and Bleu Cheese Salad
Papaya Frisee and Arugula Salad
Mixed Field Greens

Hollywood Brown Derby
Our Famous Brown Derby Cobb Salad with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing $14

Pan-Fired Black Grouper with aged balsamic roasted asparagus, sweet onion marmalade and citrus juices $24


Some Heck-Yeah-It's-a-Vacation Stuff--
Liberty Tree Tavern:
Three-Chocolate Brownie - dark, milk and white chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream $5.99

Strawberry Shortcake -- pound cake with vanilla bean ice cream, berries, and whipped cream $5.49

Caramel Apple Tart -- shortbread crust, sugared apples, and cinnamon ice cream $5.49

Hollywood Brown Derby--
Flourless Chocolate Cake with port wine chocolate sauce, fresh berries, and sweetened creme fraiche $8

Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower on cocoa almond cookie and bananas "foster" $8

Double Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with a dark chocolate dipped biscotti $7

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake -- vanilla cake with a gooey toffee filling and caramel sauce $4.99

Crystal Palace--
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Boston Cream pie
Double Chocolate Brownies
Ice Cream Sundae Bar

 

[BabyPiglet]

And I'll repeat what I said. If a smoking ban state-wide in bars of all places didn't deter people from patronizing, I highly doubt that a smoking ban in an amusement park would either.

I'm not going to turn this discussion into a smoking debate. This is and just my opinion since someone mentioned it.

That is way different. You're only at a bar or restaurant for an hour or two, you're at a theme park all day.

I know my mother ( a smoker ) wouldn't go to Disney if they banned smoking.

Disney's way to smart than to lose all that money from smokers.

 

[stellablue]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about the healthy changes WDW has done to their menus. I've only skimmed these pages so I apologize if I missed a vital point.

I, for one, welcomed the change to their menus! Just had my first trip back to WDW after over 10 years. I grew up in a fairly health conscious family, though we did engage in some indulging while on vacation. My mom used to get very frustrated with WDW food choices when we were younger because it was all fried, greasy, unhealthy. We used to look forward to this one CS place in the Wonders of Life pavilion b/c they specialized in serving whole wheat breads, lean deli meats, lowfat mayo, etc..and when I found out it had closed down for my upcoming trip, I was a little annoyed at the fact that I was going to be stuck with junk food for our entire stay.

I was pleasantly surprised that I actually had choices on my last trip! I was able to get a turkey sandwich when I wanted to, get raw veggies and/or grapes instead of french fries, but if I wanted french fries the next day, I could do that too. I was so happy to see that they had lowfat frozen yogurt!! Now, that said, I certainly also had my share of pizza, ice cream, and fries, but I was able to enjoy these things in moderation without feeling sic and bloated throuhout my entire trip.

My opinion is that I do NOT think that WDW is going overboard with these changes. The fatty food was still clearly abundant at every corner of every park. From what I saw a few weeks ago, they are certainly not lacking in pizza, french fries, cookies, and ice cream. They have McDonalds in just about every park. I applaud WDW's efforts in understanding that children should be encouraged to eat lowfat balanced meals and helping parents to reinforce this. I am ALL FOR splurging, but it is good to teach moderation. and this goes for adults too. Also, I think that WDW is really just keeping up with the times.

It is a well known fact that we live in an obese and unhealthy society. Over the past few years, our society has really gotten on the bandwagon to try to reduce this by getting rid of transfats and offering healthier choices. Fast food places have done this and I feel that WDW is making the right choice by changing their menus as well.

I was also very impressed with the ways that they accomodate a variety of food allergies, diabetes, etc...

I noticed some posts on smoking, which I think could be on topic here since we are discussing WDW changing to healthier things. Plus, IMHO, smoking habits are probably just as unhealthy as "bacon double cheeseburger & figaro fries habits." (except for the 2nd hand smoke). I am a smoker and have been for several years. As a smoker, I am also the first to admit that this is a very unhealthy habit-for me and for the people around me. Over the past 6 months, I've worked VERY hard at kicking this aweful habit (gone from almost a pack a day to now 3-4 single cigarettes per week-hooray for me!!) Anyways, just as WDW has changed to offering healthier eating choices, I was duelly impressed with WDW now offering "healthier smoking choices" by making the resort rooms smoke free and having designated smoking areas. I had (and sad to say enjoyed!) 2 cigarettes on my whole trip and had them in designated smoking areas of the parks. I felt comfortable having my own designated area to avoid bothering someone else with my yucky little habit (although, I do think the designated area signs should be a little bigger to see). I do NOT think that WDW should go smoke free all together. Cigarette smoking is still legal in this country and therefore, people have the right to do it-luckily in designated areas of the parks instead of freely everywhere. The fact also is that people who smoke are going to do it regardless-especially when you are talking about the mass amounts of people in WDW. You cannot expect a smoker to give up their addictive cigarettes throughout an entire vacation with no outlet to smoke, just like you cannot expect a vacationer to give up their ice cream for their entire trip, a drinker to indulge in a beer. I would much rather see it allowed in designated areas, than to see people breaking the rules and smoking next to some kid while waiting in line for Peter Pan's Flight (which can be up to 90 minutes of stand by wait time according to my last trip!!)

Anyways, thats my 2 cents on WDW's changes to healthier lifestyles-I am overall very happy to see that WDW is keeping up with the times and promoting healthy eating habits for children and adults

 

[cmwade77]

Ok my DW & I are eating healthier and we appreciate healthier OPTIONS, but they need to be just that, OPTIONS, not the only thing that is available. This is exactly why we are doing the premium plan, so that we can make sure we can eat what we want, where we want, it seems that the TS is offering far more than CS if the area of options.

 

[stellablue]

Ok my DW & I are eating healthier and we appreciate healthier OPTIONS, but they need to be just that, OPTIONS, not the only thing that is available. This is exactly why we are doing the premium plan, so that we can make sure we can eat what we want, where we want, it seems that the TS is offering far more than CS if the area of options.

I hope I'm not coming off as rude here, but I am wondering what people are referring too when they say that healthy options are the only things "available" nowadays- Again, please forgive me b/c we just took our first trip back after a 10+ year hiatus. I read the menus on wdwinfo extensively b/f our trip though. I did not seem to see a shortage of french fries, full fatty options at any park during our stay. They all looked pretty available at every restaurant we came across.

What am I missing?

 

[BabyPiglet]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about the healthy changes WDW has done to their menus. I've only skimmed these pages so I apologize if I missed a vital point.

I, for one, welcomed the change to their menus! Just had my first trip back to WDW after over 10 years. I grew up in a fairly health conscious family, though we did engage in some indulging while on vacation. My mom used to get very frustrated with WDW food choices when we were younger because it was all fried, greasy, unhealthy. We used to look forward to this one CS place in the Wonders of Life pavilion b/c they specialized in serving whole wheat breads, lean deli meats, lowfat mayo, etc..and when I found out it had closed down for my upcoming trip, I was a little annoyed at the fact that I was going to be stuck with junk food for our entire stay.

I was pleasantly surprised that I actually had choices on my last trip! I was able to get a turkey sandwich when I wanted to, get raw veggies and/or grapes instead of french fries, but if I wanted french fries the next day, I could do that too. I was so happy to see that they had lowfat frozen yogurt!! Now, that said, I certainly also had my share of pizza, ice cream, and fries, but I was able to enjoy these things in moderation without feeling sic and bloated throuhout my entire trip.

My opinion is that I do NOT think that WDW is going overboard with these changes. The fatty food was still clearly abundant at every corner of every park. From what I saw a few weeks ago, they are certainly not lacking in pizza, french fries, cookies, and ice cream. They have McDonalds in just about every park. I applaud WDW's efforts in understanding that children should be encouraged to eat lowfat balanced meals and helping parents to reinforce this. I am ALL FOR splurging, but it is good to teach moderation. and this goes for adults too. Also, I think that WDW is really just keeping up with the times.

It is a well known fact that we live in an obese and unhealthy society. Over the past few years, our society has really gotten on the bandwagon to try to reduce this by getting rid of transfats and offering healthier choices. Fast food places have done this and I feel that WDW is making the right choice by changing their menus as well.

I was also very impressed with the ways that they accomodate a variety of food allergies, diabetes, etc...

I noticed some posts on smoking, which I think could be on topic here since we are discussing WDW changing to healthier things. Plus, IMHO, smoking habits are probably just as unhealthy as "bacon double cheeseburger & figaro fries habits." (except for the 2nd hand smoke). I am a smoker and have been for several years. As a smoker, I am also the first to admit that this is a very unhealthy habit-for me and for the people around me. Over the past 6 months, I've worked VERY hard at kicking this aweful habit (gone from almost a pack a day to now 3-4 single cigarettes per week-hooray for me!!) Anyways, just as WDW has changed to offering healthier eating choices, I was duelly impressed with WDW now offering "healthier smoking choices" by making the resort rooms smoke free and having designated smoking areas. I had (and sad to say enjoyed!) 2 cigarettes on my whole trip and had them in designated smoking areas of the parks. I felt comfortable having my own designated area to avoid bothering someone else with my yucky little habit (although, I do think the designated area signs should be a little bigger to see). I do NOT think that WDW should go smoke free all together. Cigarette smoking is still legal in this country and therefore, people have the right to do it-luckily in designated areas of the parks instead of freely everywhere. The fact also is that people who smoke are going to do it regardless-especially when you are talking about the mass amounts of people in WDW. You cannot expect a smoker to give up their addictive cigarettes throughout an entire vacation with no outlet to smoke, just like you cannot expect a vacationer to give up their ice cream for their entire trip, a drinker to indulge in a beer. I would much rather see it allowed in designated areas, than to see people breaking the rules and smoking next to some kid while waiting in line for Peter Pan's Flight (which can be up to 90 minutes of stand by wait time according to my last trip!!)

Anyways, thats my 2 cents on WDW's changes to healthier lifestyles-I am overall very happy to see that WDW is keeping up with the times and promoting healthy eating habits for children and adults

*applauds* What a wonderful post you have there.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I hope I'm not coming off as rude here, but I am wondering what people are referring too when they say that healthy options are the only things "available" nowadays- Again, please forgive me b/c we just took our first trip back after a 10+ year hiatus. I read the menus on wdwinfo extensively b/f our trip though. I did not seem to see a shortage of french fries, full fatty options at any park during our stay. They all looked pretty available at every restaurant we came across.

What am I missing?

When you find out, let me know.

We were there the same time as you, as you might remember, and I totally agree about the availability of "junk food" and non healthy fare. If you want it, it's there.

 

[NMW]

That is way different. You're only at a bar or restaurant for an hour or two, you're at a theme park all day.

I know my mother ( a smoker ) wouldn't go to Disney if they banned smoking.

Disney's way to smart than to lose all that money from smokers.

It's no different than when smoking was banned from airplanes several years ago. If a smoker flys on a long flight-12 hours or so. like NY to Hawaii or NY to Paris, or LA to Austraila. If they chose to fly they have to go a long time with out smoking. It's not like they can step off the plane! At least at WDW, they could leave the park, go to the parking lot, and come back in.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

That is way different. You're only at a bar or restaurant for an hour or two, you're at a theme park all day.

I know my mother ( a smoker ) wouldn't go to Disney if they banned smoking.

Disney's way to smart than to lose all that money from smokers.

Right, and I'm at a theme park all day where I'm subjected to people's exhaust. Why should I have to? How come I'm not given the choice? I remember when we got off a ride in MK, there was a designated smoking area right there with a bunch of people smoking. Even though there's designated areas, when there's a bunch of people there puffing away the wind blows it everywhere. It was disgusting because I had such a huge cloud of it in my face. I really feel for the people who have asthma or who have breathing difficulities.

As the saying goes: Having a smoking section is like having a peeing section in a pool.

It's no different than when smoking was banned from airplanes several years ago. If a smoker flys on a long flight-12 hours or so. like NY to Hawaii or NY to Paris, or LA to Austraila. If they chose to fly they have to go a long time with out smoking. It's not like they can step off the plane! At least at WDW, they could leave the park, go to the parking lot, and come back in.

Exactly! And it didn't stop the smokers from flying either!

 

[stellablue]

It's no different than when smoking was banned from airplanes several years ago. If a smoker flys on a long flight-12 hours or so. like NY to Hawaii or NY to Paris, or LA to Austraila. If they chose to fly they have to go a long time with out smoking. It's not like they can step off the plane! At least at WDW, they could leave the park, go to the parking lot, and come back in.

Right...until people in the parking lot start complaining about the smell from the 300 smokers taking over the parking lot?? Come on, people are going to complain no matter what. and given the mass amounts of guests at the parks, the only way WDW is going to get them to follow the rules is to come to an even compromise-allow smoking in designated and controlled areas.

 

[sjaakie]

I'm glad that there are smoke area`s for smokers.

No pain with that but you must realize that non-smokers had te fet up with secondhand smoking for decades and that has come to an end.

 

[Blisskitty]

if WDW was really concerned about my (our) health, they would ban smoking in the entire resort area.

I am posting his comments again
And then all the smokers would stop attending the parks and the price would go up even more,am a non-smoker and if someone lights up outside in the fresh air it's nobody Else's business but their own....If you or anybody else is offended by this it's simple DO GO TO THE PARKS....


He is a non smoker so what habit does he have that could hurt you? I am also a non smoker who doesn't see the need to ban smoking from the parks.

In addition to what the poster said, I actually think it' s rather difficult to find somewhere to smoke in DW. I know at DL, there are only two places to smoke per park. I think, from what I understand, in MK, there is one smoking section per land. I don't think that's exactly excessive. There are only certain places at the resorts that you can smoke, and, otherwise, smoking is pretty much banned, right? I think that's fairly restrictive. I think that that's a small enough numbe rof places you can smoke so that you could just avoid those areas, or hold your breath as you walk through. I am not a smoker, but my father is, and we've had to check into where he can smoke.


Oh, and more OT, I think my issue with the changes in the food is that the changes they've made aren't GOOD. If the bread was good quality wheat bread that tasted good, or if the new, smaller chicken strips didn't have more deep fried breading on them than the originals, thus negating the whole "healthy" thing, I don't know that people would be having such a fit. I think it also must have to do that Disney is also streamlining their TS restaurant menus, making all the restaurants more synono"mouse." (I.E the same creme' brulee everywhere, removing items and adding some that are found in many other restaurants, etc.) I think people have now decided to draw the line and say "no! no more! Keep the variety and keep what is good."

 

[stellablue]

if WDW was really concerned about my (our) health, they would ban smoking in the entire resort area.

I might argue the same thing about banning those turkey legs!

 

[GrumpyPajamas]

Truly, every time I walked past someone with those turkey legs, I had to do a double-take to make sure it wasn't someone dealing with an open wound of some sort. (Call the paramedics! Ack!) I suppose that zombie-like "obese waddle", so prevalent south of the mason-dixon line, makes it seem that much more gruesome. The stress caused by the image of these mouth-breathers tearing into a severed turkey limb has GOT to be more harmful to my health than a 5 second walk through a smoker area.

I think it's fine that smokers have to limit their smoking to special areas. I would also welcome special areas for people who choose to expose their child to junk food and high-fructose syrupy drinks. It can be right next to the area where they go to complain that they can't fit into the rides and that their sugar-filled children keep acting up.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I think it's fine that smokers have to limit their smoking to special areas. I would also welcome special areas for people who choose to expose their child to junk food and high-fructose syrupy drinks. It can be right next to the area where they go to complain that they can't fit into the rides and that their sugar-filled children keep acting up.

Interesting. Your choose your third post to respond to this?

 

[GrumpyPajamas]

As for banning smoking...

Smoking is banned on airplanes and in many restaurants NOT because of complaints from non-smokers, but because of the health concerns for people that work in those places, and scientific evidence supporting those concerns.

I can understand that it smells bad near smoking areas, but then again I think MANY people smell bad. Although they will the first against the wall when my totalitarian regime comes into power, in the meantime I have come to terms with the fact that I can't force people to bathe or not smoke.

 

[GrumpyPajamas]

Interesting. Your choose your third post to respond to this?

I'm relatively new here...is there some format that the third post is supposed to follow?

I'll make sure that post 609 is passive aggressive, when I get there.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I'm relatively new here...is there some format that the third post is supposed to follow?

I'll make sure that post 609 is passive aggressive, when I get there.

I just found it odd that somebody new decided to be snarky. Not to mention, your last participation was in another controversial topic concerning tipping.

 

[GrumpyPajamas]

I agree...I am a bit snarky. I tend to lurk until I feel strongly enough to post. I will endeavor to post positively!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I agree...I am a bit snarky. I tend to lurk until I feel strongly enough to post. I will endeavor to post positively!

That's fine. I'm snarky when I feel strongly, too.