Healthy Options press release

mousermerf

Account Suspended
Original Poster
From Disney..

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- "Do you want apple slices or fries with that cheeseburger?"

It's all about healthful choices as Walt Disney World quick-service and fast-casual restaurants refine their menus. French fries aren't going away, but menus are being revised with well-balanced options -- at least one low-fat and one vegetarian entrée at all table service restaurants, and side options to include salads and fresh fruit.

In October 2006, Disney's Parks & Resorts changed its standard kids meals to feature healthy side dishes and beverages, and the overwhelming majority of guests opt for healthy options, said Ed Wronski, director of Product Development for Walt Disney World Food & Beverage.

Today a kid's meal automatically comes with fruit or vegetables on the side and juice, water or low-fat milk to drink. Fries and soda are available upon request, at no additional cost.

Guest research showed that more than three-quarters of parents selected fruit or vegetable side options when they were offered first -- rather than French fries. Recognizing that visits to Disney parks are vacations, parents can still request more indulgent meals and snacks from a wide variety of food offerings.

The number of fresh fruit carts at the parks is steadily increasing while other nutritious snacks like nuts and trail mix are also more readily available.

"The new healthful menus expand the options for our guests," said Wronski. "The reaction, both from the chefs and the guests, has been very, very positive."

Constantly looking for ways to improve the nutritional profiles and tastes of popular entrées, Disney changed to a guest-tested hamburger with fat content less than 20 percent and buns with 10 percent whole wheat. Quick-service pizzas now have whole-grain crusts and lower-fat cheese.
Even desserts get a makeover: anywhere they are served, guests will find options such as reduced fat, low sugar and fresh fruit.

Disney is working with manufacturers to reformulate recipes for candy, packaged food and bakery items sold in the parks, or identifying replacement products as the company continues to phase out added trans-fats. Portion-controlled snacks and treats and packaging to promote nutritious food are part of the changes.

Catering to Dietary Needs

Walt Disney World Resort gets more than 7,000 requests a month from guests with special dietary needs. Most requested are meals free of gluten, eggs and dairy, and peanuts and tree nuts.

With a call three days in advance, Walt Disney World full-service restaurants can accommodate special dietary needs such as allergies to gluten or wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose or milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or eggs.

"We have a team of passionate chefs who get together and discuss guest needs and trends," said Wronski. "They love the challenge."

Lifestyle diets -- sugar free, low fat, low sodium, vegetarian or vegan -- are easily accommodated. When guests call 407/WDW-DINE, they can make the request and then talk with their server or the manager when they arrive at the restaurants.

Kosher meals are available at most full-service restaurants and need to be ordered at least 24 hours in advance by calling 407/WDW-DINE. Meals are Glatt Kosher, prepared in Miami and flown to Walt Disney World Resort.
If you don't order in advance, kosher meals are always available at the following quick-service locations: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom, World Premiere Food Court at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Intermission Food Court at Disney's All-Star Music Resort, End Zone Food Court at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Everything Pop Shopping and Dining at Disney's Pop Century Resort, ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Pizzafari at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

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More then 3/4? Wow..
 

yankspy

Well-Known Member
It is nice to see that they are paying attention to guest needs. I wonder how the vegetarian dishes are? I know that many restaurants just sort of throw the veggie option on the menu as a side note and so it is often something unimaginative. However, I will still take the fries. I am on vacation. :)
 

DisneyCane

Well-Known Member
It would be interesting to see what people choose if they were asked, "would you like apple slices or fries with that?"

From what I remember seeing the menu for the kids stuff it is more like "this meal comes with apple slices and juice" and then a little small print says you can change to fries and/or soda.

There's nothing wrong with healthier options but the reason that kids today are overweight and out of shape is because they spend so much time watching TV and playing video games instead of participating in physical activity.

It's all about moderation and when I'm on vacation is when I don't want to worry about eating healthy.
 

dxwwf3

Well-Known Member
Glad to hear it. I've always been extremely pleased with Disney food (especially at Disneyland and the Studios) and now they are working to make it a little healtier as well.
 

elizs77

Active Member
I'm surprised by the 3/4 myself, but I would totally get my son the healthy options. He eats enough mess as it is. I always get him the fruit option at fast food restaurants as it is. The grandparents, though, always let him get fries...
 

coasterphil

Well-Known Member
The fact that Disney practically buries the option that you can substitute fries is without a doubt the main reasoning behind the 75% healthy options. If the choices were all listed out that number would drop quite a bit.
 

Wilt Dasney

Well-Known Member
I'm a bit shocked by the 3/4 number as well. Good to read, though!

I'm surprised by the 3/4 myself, but I would totally get my son the healthy options. He eats enough mess as it is. I always get him the fruit option at fast food restaurants as it is. The grandparents, though, always let him get fries...

It sounds like the healthier options are presented as the "default" choices, and parents have to specifically ask for fries or soda, so that probably accounts for the number somewhat. I wonder what the numbers would be if all options were presented up-front (i.e., if cashiers really did ask "would you like fries or apple slices?" which doesn't appear to be the case).
 

dxwwf3

Well-Known Member
If you're throwing down a cheeseburger, might as well just get the fries while you're at it. :lol:

The way I look at things now is that fries most places have quite a bit of fat and I don't enjoy them as much as I do the burgers. Burger and fries together and be a pretty high fat meal, but if you sub apples or grapes for the fries, you can feel better about getting a burger (which I enjoy a lot). I know what you're saying, but I think that cutting out fries most times I get a counter service meal
can really pay off.
 

elizs77

Active Member
It sounds like the healthier options are presented as the "default" choices, and parents have to specifically ask for fries or soda, so that probably accounts for the number somewhat. I wonder what the numbers would be if all options were presented up-front (i.e., if cashiers really did ask "would you like fries or apple slices?" which doesn't appear to be the case).


I'm sure that's why the high numbers as well, but I prefer the healthier items being the default option. I like that Disney is doing this even though I'm sure milk and apples decrease the profit margin more than fries and soda.
 

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