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

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Mods....this has gone into some serious thread drift into the no mans land of smoking vs nonsmoking. It's time to stick a fork in it and call it done. Please feel free to close the thread.

 

[brighteyes]

I am on the fence about the smoking vs non smoking issue. When I was at WDW I was a smoker. Now I did not smoke much at the parks, maybe a few a day, but when I did want one, I found it VERY difficult to find a smoking area. That may be because it was my first time, but still was difficult, and I did hold off for a long time. But having fun at WDW helped.

Now I am endevouring to quit smoking. No, I am a non smoker for over a week, not counting the puff I had the other day. But I still think that people who smoke should be given a place to do so.

While I was at POP I usually smoked at the station between the bowling pin ppol and the food hall, but there was a smoking station RIGHT in front of the doors to the food court. This was not a smart move as people had their lawn chairs out and were smoking continuously and all the ashtrays were overflowing and ON FIRE. Even as a smoker, this was way too yucky for me to smoke there, nevermind the people that wanted to go through those doors to eat.

Just my .02

Stephanie

 

[stellablue]

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!)

Amen-down with turkey legs!!

As far as WDW making healthy changes in general (food, smoking, etc...), I think that, like everything else, WDW makes these changes based upon guest complaints, suggestions. The popular vote from guests must have been "please give us more healthy eating choices!" otherwise this change would not have occurred. and this does not surprise me. Society's trend right now is working toward heart healthy eating. This is evident in the new foods that are out there in the markets, diet trends, non-WDW restaurants, and most importantly-advice from doctors. This is the popular vote in our country, even if that does not match the popular vote on this board.

But all in all, I find it absurd to think that WDW is lacking in junk food or on it's way to be lacking in junk food in the near future. Certainly not to the point where it's necessary to drive off-site to get a meal! They are simply adding a certain % of healthy choices to their menus to accomodate the guests requests and/or needs for healthier food options.

 

[dflst]

We think it is great that the children's menus at the TS restaurant now have real food on them–grilled chicken, fish, or beef, along with veggies and a salad. These are very reasonably priced, usually less than $10 and are themed with the restaurant. The thought of taking a kid to a Japanese restaurant so s/he can have a hot dog, then to a Moroccan restaurant to have chicken strips, then to French restaurant to have mac & cheese is something that I just don't get.

Perhaps Disney is attempting to at least introduce the idea that french fries, fried chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, and cheese sauce are not actual food groups to the entirely too many children who think otherwise. Eating habits are burned in young (think of the real purpose behind the Happy Meal) and children with high fat/salt/starch/sugar diets are prone to having bad eating habits later. Concepts of 'comfort food' are burned in young and very difficult to change later in life. Sure, there are exceptions, but in general this is the case.

Moreoever, I've not seen any situation at WDW or DCL where french fries weren't available, it was that you just had to ask for them instead of the fruit. Many (AND I KNOW NOT ALL) adults assume that children will not eat anything other than high fat/starch/salt/sugar food without even letting the kid try it. We've avoided fast food almost completely and our 10,11, and 12 year olds will eat just about anything, including foods from other countries.

Its kinda like if you assume that the child won't like it, and make a stink about it, you can ensure that the child will indeed refuse it because it is expected of him.

Besides, isn't one reason to go to EPCOT or on a Disney Cruise to experience new things and perhaps at least sample new food? The EPCOT food and wine festival presents all these culinary opportunities, but they still have the dreadful McDonald's stand running.

And for those of you who happen to eat and smoke everything you want and are in perfect physical shape (at the moment), good for you. Give you parents a hug for your genes. But if you take an afternoon stroll near the pools on the top of the MAGIC or WONDER during a sea day (i.e. swimsuits) you cannot help but notice that the AVERAGE patron in the fries/pizza/burger/dog/chicken strip line looks a lot different than the AVERAGE patron in the salad/panini/fruit/soup line. Say what you wish, but I've spent a lot of time on the ships and this is unmistakable.

I've taken the opportunity at every visit to WDW, DL, DLP, or DCL to seek out a Food Services manager and give positive feedback for what we
consider to be better choices.

 

[stellablue]

We think it is great that the children's menus at the TS restaurant now have real food on them–grilled chicken, fish, or beef, along with veggies and a salad. These are very reasonably priced, usually less than $10 and are themed with the restaurant. The thought of taking a kid to a Japanese restaurant so s/he can have a hot dog, then to a Moroccan restaurant to have chicken strips, then to French restaurant to have mac & cheese is something that I just don't get.

Perhaps Disney is attempting to at least introduce the idea that french fries, fried chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, and cheese sauce are not actual food groups to the entirely too many children who think otherwise. Eating habits are burned in young (think of the real purpose behind the Happy Meal) and children with high fat/salt/starch/sugar diets are prone to having bad eating habits later. Concepts of 'comfort food' are burned in young and very difficult to change later in life. Sure, there are exceptions, but in general this is the case.

Moreoever, I've not seen any situation at WDW or DCL where french fries weren't available, it was that you just had to ask for them instead of the fruit. Many (AND I KNOW NOT ALL) adults assume that children will not eat anything other than high fat/starch/salt/sugar food without even letting the kid try it. We've avoided fast food almost completely and our 10,11, and 12 year olds will eat just about anything, including foods from other countries.

Its kinda like if you assume that the child won't like it, and make a stink about it, you can ensure that the child will indeed refuse it because it is expected of him.

Besides, isn't one reason to go to EPCOT or on a Disney Cruise to experience new things and perhaps at least sample new food? The EPCOT food and wine festival presents all these culinary opportunities, but they still have the dreadful McDonald's stand running.

And for those of you who happen to eat and smoke everything you want and are in perfect physical shape (at the moment), good for you. Give you parents a hug for your genes. But if you take an afternoon stroll near the pools on the top of the MAGIC or WONDER during a sea day (i.e. swimsuits) you cannot help but notice that the AVERAGE patron in the fries/pizza/burger/dog/chicken strip line looks a lot different than the AVERAGE patron in the salad/panini/fruit/soup line. Say what you wish, but I've spent a lot of time on the ships and this is unmistakable.

I've taken the opportunity at every visit to WDW, DL, DLP, or DCL to seek out a Food Services manager and give positive feedback for what we
consider to be better choices.

VERY well stated!

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't know about closing it now...but everyone should play nice and keep to the discussion. Smoking doesn't seem to have much to do with it.

If it goes any more into criticism of what people choose to eat, that's also off the topic and it'll probably get closed.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Smoking is not a dining issue so we will let that one die a natural death, K?

Thanks,

 

[alexedan]

Just jumping in.... I too am all for choices. I feel like we splurge so much on vacation, with desserts/treats we don't normally eat that despite the walking I personally feel better getting some whole grains in. That being said there should be an option if requested for those who don't like whole wheat. The fact is America is SUPERSIZED. I am in the medical field and located in VA (not the far south or midwest where obesity has historically been higher) and over 70% of my patients are obese...not 10-15 lbs overweight, but ladies over 200 lbs for example. This is a societal issue and one that will cost us TONS down the road. That being said, Disney changing a diet for 10 days may likely do nothing, but maybe for them it's an ethical thing. I am all for no trans fats as they are proven to cause atheroschlerosis, even if the fries aren't as good. I guess I would ideally like to see people invest more in themselves, and see people educated about good nutrition choices. But at Disney I'd like to see the healthier options standard, but the unhealthier ones available by request. That seems only fair. (You can still get butter at the movies.)

 

[BabyPiglet]

I think this thread topic has been talked to death, which is apparent in the immature post above me.

 

[emmabemmainc]

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.

Well, actually, it's been proven that sugar does NOT make children hyperactive. I've also never known any child who turned into a monster from eating potato chips or other junk food. Love your interesting, yet jaded posts though!