Why do some people think it's ok to waste food while on the Dining Plan?

[Tiger926]

I think it is wrong to make judgements about people being wasteful, or selfish, by seeing what they have done with their food in that particular restaurant during that particular snapshot of their day. Were they just on Mission Space and not feeling well at the sight of their food? Is it a larger than expected portion that will spoil in the hundred degree Florida heat before they can get it back to the room? Did they just arrive from volunteering 12 hours at the food bank? I don't think that most people go to restaurants and order food they do not intend to eat. Sweeping generalizations are wrong.

And FWIW, in the grand scheme of thinks, I think it is silly to refer things like menu or DDP changes as "tragic".

I absolutely agree with you! I did so because of the amount of fervor and anger people have regarding the new changes to the DP. They are acting like it's tragic, but in the grand scheme of things, it absolutely is not! I totally agree with you there.

Basically my point in this whole thread is that I wish people would think more of how their actions affect others - so, although my students aren't going to benefit from the extra cheesecake, some other children might. My point is more of a what is best for the greater good - North Americans are the most wasteful people on the planet, and so it woud be nice if more people were cognizant of this fact and acted accordingly. The world can only get better if we all work together, and being people who respect food by not intentionally wasting it, is one small step to improving the situation, IMHO.

Tiger

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Basically my point in this whole thread is that I wish people would think more of how their actions affect others - so, although my students aren't going to benefit from the extra cheesecake, some other children might. My point is more of a what is best for the greater good - North Americans are the most wasteful people on the planet, and so it woud be nice if more people were cognizant of this fact and acted accordingly. The world can only get better if we all work together, and being people who respect food by not intentionally wasting it, is one small step to improving the situation, IMHO.

Tiger

I still don't see how children will benefit from my half eaten cheesecake

I also do not understand how wasting food equates to not respecting food? I'd rather respect myself and my body by stopping instead of eating my whole plate. I respect food, but sometimes they do give too much. It's not like I can order a sample of my appetizer, entree or dessert. You get a preportioned amount. If after my entree they offer dessert and I'm not hungry, I usually take it home. I'm not going to see I don't want it, even though I paid for it. I'm sure I'll eat it later, and if I don't, I'm sorry but I don't feel there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Tiger926]

I still don't see how children will benefit from my half eaten cheesecake

I also do not understand how wasting food equates to not respecting food? I'd rather respect myself and my body by stopping instead of eating my whole plate. I respect food, but sometimes they do give too much. It's not like I can order a sample of my appetizer, entree or dessert. You get a preportioned amount. If after my entree they offer dessert and I'm not hungry, I usually take it home. I'm not going to see I don't want it, even though I paid for it. I'm sure I'll eat it later, and if I don't, I'm sorry but I don't feel there's anything wrong with that.

As I've stated from the beginning, I'm speaking of intentional waste. Ichin2go explained it best in regards to the Dining Plan and people feeling like they can't let one piece of food go to waste in regards to ordering (because it affects their pockets), but they have no problems in letting it go to waste in the garbage, when it affects Disney's pockets.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

 

[Pirate's Princess]

As I've stated from the beginning, I'm speaking of intentional waste. Ichin2go explained it best in regards to the Dining Plan and people feeling like they can't let one piece of food go to waste in regards to ordering (because it affects their pockets), but they have no problems in letting it go to waste in the garbage, when it affects Disney's pockets.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

Thank you for the discussion, but what does intentional waste have to do with anything. Waste is waste. I get how some people want to F disney, but that doesn't related to your kids. Please explain. All I want to know is how my cheesecake waste affects your kids. (Or someone elses cake waste). I just don't understand how this conversation keeps just around but no one answers the questions. It's ok to waste if you don't want to screw Disney? It's not good to waste just to screw Disney? I don't think screwing Disney has anything to do with it. You paid for it, it's yours to do what you want with. Disney gets their money regardless. So if you don't eat the cake, they save money, but you ordering it since you paid for it, but you don't eat all of it? You're a bad person!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tiger926]

Let me try and explain one more time as I don't want anyone's head hurting.

Technically, any food waste is not good, but as mentioned, it happens: someone didn't realize the portion was so big, kids changed their mind and don't want to eat it, or, food doesn't agree with you. This would be where your cheesecake, or my cheesecake waste would fit in. In these instances, you haven't intentionally set out to waste food - a series of events mostly beyond your control, have led you to leaving food on your plate.

Fast forward to those people (and I've read of lots of these on these boards), & seen them at restaurants (especially buffets) who intentionally order every bite of food that is available to them while on the Dining Plan, even though they know they aren't going to eat all of it, because they paid for it. I read of many posts where people feel they must order all of this food in order to get value out of their meal plan. Just like you all have said you have the freedom to do what you want with your food since you paid for it, people also have the freedom not to order food they have no intention of eating. It seems though in this respect, many people don't want to do this as they will feel like Disney is winning, so they order all the food they can to 'maximize' the value of their plan. For example, sitting at Kona for dinner one night and table right next to us a family of 5 tells waiter they are stuffed and can't eat dessert. Father said Disney makes lots of money off of the meal plan, and won't miss the food, so they ordered the 5 desserts anyway since they 'paid' for them, yet not one of them was eaten as they had no intention of eating them. They weren't going back to resort either, so all this food went into the garbage. This is very wrong, IMHO.

I hope this better explains things - I am not saying that anyone is bad or good, just wish people would be a little more careful with what and how they order their food so as to cut down on wastage that I see as 'intentional' as mentioned above, which all goes back to the fact that people have paid for the meal plan, so they feel as if they must get every bite of food that is coming to them, regardless of whether they are going to eat it or not.

Tiger

 

[mom2aredhead]

Let me try and explain one more time as I don't want anyone's head hurting.

While I agree with a lot of what you wrote in the thread, this is a little snarky.

 

[Tiger926]

While I agree with a lot of what you wrote in the thread, this is a little snarky.

You have totally misunderstood me - that is not my intention at all. This is a big saying from where I'm from. It's not meant to be snarky or rude at all, far from it.

Tina

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think it's right to order a dessert if the guest isn't going to eat any of it.

I don't have a problem if a guest orders a dessert knowing they'll only be able to eat half (or even less). I see a far bigger problem with guests who see the need to finish everything on their plate, no matter what the portion size.

Disney isn't always conducitve to getting a "doggie bag". Not everyone has a frig in their room and some guests may not be going back to their room after their meal.

Fast forward to those people (and I've read of lots of these on these boards), & seen them at restaurants (especially buffets) who intentionally order every bite of food that is available to them while on the Dining Plan, even though they know they aren't going to eat all of it, because they paid for it. I read of many posts where people feel they must order all of this food in order to get value out of their meal plan. Just like you all have said you have the freedom to do what you want with your food since you paid for it, people also have the freedom not to order food they have no intention of eating.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

So Tiger,
You think that we should all stuff ourselves with every scrap of food that comes out of the kitchen to our tables, so that YOU feel better. I could see your point about wasted food and Disney making changes if all eating at Disney was all you can eat buffets and people were wasting food from them. But most meals are not and it was and IS up to Disney how MUCH food they put on those plates to begin with. what happens to it when it leaves the kitchen is not their problem as long as patrons pay whatever they have set as the going price for the food. Same with the dining plan, THEY decide what is included, and they have made an adjustment, no more appetizer, but they are NOT losing money from the plan even though consumers save over what they WOULD have to pay without the plan. Again Disney sets the rules and the food amounts etc.
What the patron does with the food is the Patron's business and no one elses.
Lots of us hate to see waste of money as well, so you should all stay home because Disney is not a necessity and many people in the world are poor and could use your money better than you can.
Honestly Why does this subject have to keep coming up here, People are taking what they have paid for and are entitled to and nothing more, we are not raiding Disney's larders when they are asleep of something.
Find something else to do with your time besides judge guests at Disney when they are not breaking any rules etc.

 

[whogirl'smom]

*going to find a glass of wine*

I hope you finished all your wine... (I couldn't resist, this has just gotten too heated. I'll join you in your 2nd glass!)

 

[Praying Colonel]

Let me try and explain one more time as I don't want anyone's head hurting.

Technically, any food waste is not good, but as mentioned, it happens: someone didn't realize the portion was so big, kids changed their mind and don't want to eat it, or, food doesn't agree with you. This would be where your cheesecake, or my cheesecake waste would fit in. In these instances, you haven't intentionally set out to waste food - a series of events mostly beyond your control, have led you to leaving food on your plate.

Fast forward to those people (and I've read of lots of these on these boards), & seen them at restaurants (especially buffets) who intentionally order every bite of food that is available to them while on the Dining Plan, even though they know they aren't going to eat all of it, because they paid for it. I read of many posts where people feel they must order all of this food in order to get value out of their meal plan. Just like you all have said you have the freedom to do what you want with your food since you paid for it, people also have the freedom not to order food they have no intention of eating. It seems though in this respect, many people don't want to do this as they will feel like Disney is winning, so they order all the food they can to 'maximize' the value of their plan. For example, sitting at Kona for dinner one night and table right next to us a family of 5 tells waiter they are stuffed and can't eat dessert. Father said Disney makes lots of money off of the meal plan, and won't miss the food, so they ordered the 5 desserts anyway since they 'paid' for them, yet not one of them was eaten as they had no intention of eating them. They weren't going back to resort either, so all this food went into the garbage. This is very wrong, IMHO.

I hope this better explains things - I am not saying that anyone is bad or good, just wish people would be a little more careful with what and how they order their food so as to cut down on wastage that I see as 'intentional' as mentioned above, which all goes back to the fact that people have paid for the meal plan, so they feel as if they must get every bite of food that is coming to them, regardless of whether they are going to eat it or not.

Tiger

My guess is this is an extremely small % of guests--so small that it doesn't warrant the calling out in the post that started this topic.

Let's see--clean my plate and be condemned as a glutton, or eat only half my dessert and be condemned as wasteful. Maybe I'll just eat what I want and let others fight it out among themselves about what a bad guy I am.

 

[lustergirl]

Thanks, but you are missing the point, because as I've learned from this thread, the only issues that are important are: personal freedoms and finances. It doesn't matter that patrons have already paid for my family's food, we don't like food to go to waste, period. If they see a lot of food wastage, steps are taken (we do have very strict rules though about donating food due to board of health restrictions, but whenever possible, they do that) in order to stop it - samples, explaining portion sizes, having half sizes, etc. What is important here to my family and I is the food wastage itself, and not the financial part of it. This is the point that some of the above posters got - sure my family gets paid, but in the process, there is much food wastage, something they care highly about (especially since I teach at-risk kids, many of whom they donate food to).

As per usual on the DIS, these topics are lost to "It's my right, so I'll do whatever I want," instead of being thoroughly understood for what they are.

Tiger who has a headache most times she reads the DIS anymore as some people just don't seem to get it

If you have such headaches reading the DIS boards then why are you on here and not out saving the world?? I go to disney to enjoy myself along with my family. And yes there has been times where we have wasted time- shame on me!! Really- who has time to watch other people and what they are or aren't eating..

 

[pkf4bucs]

It seems that this is a debate about wasting food and some focus, whether intentional or not, on "needy people" that could make better use of the food. If someone wants that to be so much of a focus why not send your $1500 plus to a "needy people" organization so that you can feel better about it. This discussion has gotten to a petty point and will only result in opinions bouncing off one another. It should be of no one elses matter as to how anyone else chooses to use/spend their money.

 

[Colleen27]

Of course there are tons of things we can do to stop having such a negative impact on the world. We could all ride bicycles--get rid of those smog producing cars (or at least promote alternative sources--super awesome Air car! [anybody watch that future car special on Discovery???]). We could all become vegans since raising animals (and all the resources for them) uses much more land and resources than growing produce. We also should start limiting reproduction rates because the world population is growing, so by having more than 2 kids, we are perpetuating that growth since we're not simply replacing our numbers, or maybe only limit it to one child in order to decrease the population size. And while we're at it we should live in tiny apartments decreasing our personal usage of land, and you know Disney world itself is a large land area. I bet we could knock it down and instead use it for something more altruistic.

And of course, there is the obvious - there are a lot of charities in this world that could do a lot of good with th 2 or 5 or 10 thousand dollars each of us is willing to spend to have a good time at Disney World with our families. Just think what could be done if all of the millions of people who visit Disney parks each year donated that money to worthy causes instead!

Of all the waste and frivolity in the world, food left on a plate at the restaurant seems pretty minor.

I personally go to the expensive restaurants because they are the ones that have food I want to try! I am a foodie and I want to try interesting things, and it seems these places have them. I don't feel it's maximizing, I think it is the benefit of not looking at prices. (I totally have expensive tastes!)

Same here, and that's only natural. What I don't get are the lists and spreadsheets of restaurants ranked by "value per credit" and the general vibe I get from those conversations of not wanting to "waste" TS credits on less expensive meals. I'll eat at Le Cellier because I like steak and Tutto Italia because we all love Italian food, but I'm not automatically ruling out breakfasts or cheaper options like Beaches & Cream in favor of more expensive, "better value" options either.

 

[SnackyStacky]

so, although my students aren't going to benefit from the extra cheesecake, some other children might. My point is more of a what is best for the greater good - North Americans are the most wasteful people on the planet, and so it woud be nice if more people were cognizant of this fact and acted accordingly. The world can only get better if we all work together, and being people who respect food by not intentionally wasting it, is one small step to improving the situation, IMHO.

Tiger

I see your point, but I have to disagree with it. If that cheesecake wasn't eaten - it would have ended up in the trash. From Disney's fridge - right to the trash. You yourself said that you can't donate food as such because of the risk of spoilage in transit. I can guarantee you that if intentional over-orderers didn't get that cheesecake? A hungry child would not have been fed.

Further - while I agree with your sentiment that nobody should intentionally over-order, I definitely think you're giving a holier-than-thou attitude. And whether or not that was your intent, that's the way it comes across. Which explains a lot of the fervor to which your post was responded with. If a person feels insulted, they're obviously going to say something.

I'm with the camp that says I'm too busy enjoying myself to care what others are doing.

 

[asmit4]

So Tiger,
You think that we should all stuff ourselves with every scrap of food that comes out of the kitchen to our tables, so that YOU feel better. I could see your point about wasted food and Disney making changes if all eating at Disney was all you can eat buffets and people were wasting food from them. But most meals are not and it was and IS up to Disney how MUCH food they put on those plates to begin with. what happens to it when it leaves the kitchen is not their problem as long as patrons pay whatever they have set as the going price for the food. Same with the dining plan, THEY decide what is included, and they have made an adjustment, no more appetizer, but they are NOT losing money from the plan even though consumers save over what they WOULD have to pay without the plan. Again Disney sets the rules and the food amounts etc.
What the patron does with the food is the Patron's business and no one elses.
Lots of us hate to see waste of money as well, so you should all stay home because Disney is not a necessity and many people in the world are poor and could use your money better than you can.Honestly Why does this subject have to keep coming up here, People are taking what they have paid for and are entitled to and nothing more, we are not raiding Disney's larders when they are asleep of something.
Find something else to do with your time besides judge guests at Disney when they are not breaking any rules etc.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I find it HILARIOUS that people can spend 3K, 5K, 8K on a week vacation to DW and come back to only complain about WASTE of cheesecake!

 

[Ashley Kees]

I don't understand why you bothered posting this if your point was not to make a moral judgement against a LARGE group of people. Was your intention to have us all waste our money by purchasing the dining plan and then not getting our money's worth, to pack up all of our extras and send them to those less fortunate, or to boycott the dining plan, in general. If your intention was to change some minds of excessive Americans by pointing out our excesses, then you came to the wrong place. Disney IS excessive. That is the point. The entire Disney Empire is producing things that we don't need. Everyone on this board is a fan, sometimes fanatical (as I am) about it, and love those excesses. It feels good to get away from the "real world". There can be not other point to your post than to make people feel bad.

That said, I understand that being in the situation you are in, you feel great empathy for your students. You want to help them. That is admirable. If you have a constructive way for us to help in a proactive way, by all means, tell us. I am sure I can speak for everyone when I say that NO ONE here wants anyone, especially children, to suffer. Attacking us for wasting food on vacation is not the way to do that. I myself will try to reduce my waste at DW by paying for non-DP CS diners and snacks when I feel I do not need them.

 

[melomouse]

I don't understand why you bothered posting this if your point was not to make a moral judgement against a LARGE group of people. Was your intention to have us all waste our money by purchasing the dining plan and then not getting our money's worth, to pack up all of our extras and send them to those less fortunate, or to boycott the dining plan, in general. If your intention was to change some minds of excessive Americans by pointing out our excesses, then you came to the wrong place. Disney IS excessive. That is the point. The entire Disney Empire is producing things that we don't need. Everyone on this board is a fan, sometimes fanatical (as I am) about it, and love those excesses. It feels good to get away from the "real world". There can be not other point to your post than to make people feel bad.

That said, I understand that being in the situation you are in, you feel great empathy for your students. You want to help them. That is admirable. If you have a constructive way for us to help in a proactive way, by all means, tell us. I am sure I can speak for everyone when I say that NO ONE here wants anyone, especially children, to suffer. Attacking us for wasting food on vacation is not the way to do that. I myself will try to reduce my waste at DW by paying for non-DP CS diners and snacks when I feel I do not need them.

(Italics mine)...well said, ashley .. I think I was groping for some of these words back on page one or two of this thread...

I would only add that I think that most here are also very grateful for our good fortune to be able to enjoy WDW trips, and we try never to take that for granted.

In my work, also, Tiger, I see lots of tragedy, but, I am blessed enough to be able to go to WDW once in awhile to give my heart, mind and soul a much-needed BREAK!!!

I can only wish you some "time off", too...

 

[Tiger926]

Never mind, no response from me needed as most of you are off-topic anyway.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

op -yes there is the occasional family that is extremly wasteful, but what reaction did you expect. There are so many disadvantaged kids out there and so many excessive people - looking at your signature you appear to have visited disney an excessive amount of times! Would that money not been better spent else where?

All the environmental impacts of your flights probably far out way the environmental cost of food wastage.

99% of us try and raise our children with manners and to avoid waste, we do in our house, we recycle everything we can, we compost etc etc however we have 2 cars a 2.0 diesel and an 1.4 petrol car (if you had to pay uk gas prices you would too) yet we fly to america twice a year. Why Because we can! And if my children order something they dont finish then "hey we are on holiday" (on free ddp) "hey at least we didnt pay for it!" became our mantra (not to be taken seriously) it was a family joke.

maybe disney should triple the price of the entrance and reduce portion sizes by a quarter then the obnoxious food wasting idiots wouldnt go!