Hungrier in the winter?

[WI_DisneyFan]

This is going to sound like an odd question, but does anybody here have any thoughts on being hungrier during a winter trip as opposed to a summer trip? Let me explain.

My wife and I have only been to WDW in the August/September time frame. We've had the DDP both times, and found that it was just entirely too much food. So this year we are going in December, and were thinking about trying that Counter Service DDP instead. But we remembered a few days in the past where even two CS meals apiece (one each for lunch, one each for supper) was too much and we'd end up splitting a CS meal between the two of us.

But that got me to thinking - is it possible that the reason we weren't hungry is because it was so darn hot and humid? (Keeping in mind that we're from Wisconsin, where our summers last about three months and only get above 90 a handful of times.) So now I'm worried that in milder temperatures, our appetites will be raging and we'll wish we had at least the CS DDP to fall back on to pay for our meals.

Anybody have any thoughts on this? (And of course I fully realize that only I can know how much I usually eat. Just curious if in general, the heat causes others to not eat as much and the cool weather restores a person's appetite while in the parks.)

 

[Faldred]

I'm pretty sure that biologically, colder weather makes you hungrier (your body wants to fatten up for winter). That said, I doubt the weather in Florida ever gets cold enough for that to kick in.

Of course, the converse of hot weather suppressing appetite might be true... I've found that the increased activity level I have on vacation more than offsets the heat loss of appetite, but everyone's different...

 

[MickeyNicki]

We def eat lighter meals in the summer and make lighter choices but I think we have the same amount of ressies no matter when we go

 

[kaybird]

We always find this to be true, drink LOTS more in the summer, Eat lots more in the winter. Seems to be the way of it, though we enjoy the TS rest. particularly in the summer for the air conditioning and rest!

 

[TruBlu]

We just experienced this on our last trip. We usually go in June when it is blazing hot. We always fill full and have never used snack credits for anything but bottled water and Mickey bars.

This year we went in March. There was a HUGE difference! We were actually hungry at meal times, we had lots of real snacks, and we used all of our credits.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I agree with MickeyNicky. We always have 1 TS meal planned per day regardless of the season. However when we travel in Sept we definately choose lighter options for dinner and lunch. We had dinner on our 6th day of our vacation last Sept at LeCellier. After walking around Epcot on a 90 degree humid day, what should have been a fabulous meal, was definately lost on us because of the heat.
But for some reason I am ALWAYS hungrier when I am on vacation regardless of the weather. I never eat breakfast at home but at Disney I cannot wait to sit myself down at a big buffet breakfast.

 

[DVC_Princess]

Yup, I agree... we def eat less when we go in August. All that walking in the heat makes you a lot less hungry. And your body to tells you to eat lighter b/c you don't wanna be lugging around a full tummy when it's hot and sticky outside.

 

[sharadoc]

Another thing to consider is that park hours are shorter in the winter, so you have more time to hang out in a restaurant and take your time, since there's nowhere else to go.

This past January, it was in the 40's with a 20 mile an hour wind. Nothing was better than a hot cup of coffee and a nice hot lunch!! So, it can get cold!

 

[jemlover]

DH always has trouble eating when he's been out in the heat. I'm thinking he feels sick because he gets dehydrated. I'm going to make sure he drinks plenty of fluids (and not just beer) this trip in June. We also are planning on rest time in the afternoon before our TS dinner reservations so he has a cool down time.

 

[disneylove69]

I get hungrier in the Winter. The smell of food is more noticible when it's cold. It also keeps me warm.