Staying on track at Disney??

finnsgma

HELP! We are headed to WDW at the end of February for 5 days and I am freaking out about how I will manage. We are not buying the Disney meal plan which will hopefully help me not feel like I have to eat since I paid for it. Any tips or advice? I think I am the most worried about not having nutritional info for the foods and not being able to "scan" foods on my iphone. Thanks!

Whodatgirl77

Well one good thing is you will do a lot of walking. No recommendations on particular foods as I haven't been there in awhile.

theresamommyof4

We go to Disney a lot I'm starting to twitch because it's been almost a year since our last trip ;-)

I agree with the above poster... you walk a lot. We've done Disney with and without the meal plans, and no matter what I ate, I never gained, so I say don't worry about it too much. But there's LOTS of healthy stuff to choose from, so if you're making healthy choices most of the time, the cheat meals WON'T matter.

Go, have fun, and don't worry too much. Just think portion control, and you'll be fine!

karagav

first of all, that sounds like tons of fun, i may be a bit jealous right now!
i haven't been to disney in years...do they check your bags at the entrance? if they don't, i would suggest pre-packing some light snacks to keep you going throughout the day! things like almonds, even some pretzel sticks or those special k thin crisps. i'm sure there are healthy options for meals (there's gotta be some i would hope!), so for me, i'd likely be worried about how to stay away from the food stands in the park!! even if they did check bags, i'm sure you could somehow conceal something small like a bag of almonds.
to avoid pop and delicious drinks, you could also bring crystal light packets to add to water to give it a little something extra!
hope that gives you some inspiration!! good luck and more importantly - HAVE FUN! even if you do go for a treat, don't feel guilty, you're on vacation!

astrampe

You are allowed to bring your own food, as long as there"s no alcohol and no glass bottles...We packed our own lunches and snacks and water, saved a bunch, ate healthy and the ice cold cut up watermelon (small ice pack in lunch bags) was better than anything they sold on a hot August day..... Have fun!!

MaraDiaz

I'd bring a watch HRM if I were going, just to find out how many calories walking all over that huge place and standing in line burns. I bet it's thousands.

Tianna73

We go all the time. Just got back 3 weeks ago. Eat what you want. It's Disney! The walking will burn off a ton of calories. You will probably get full faster then you think. Eat slow, and when you are full stop even if you still have food on your plate. Are you doing mainly quick service or sit down? You can bring food if you want, Disney allows it. I have never gained at Disney and I usually do the dining plan where it's a ton of food. Have a Magical time!

Edited to add: Notice my hidden Mickey in my profile picture??

ElizabethRoad

I'd bring a watch HRM if I were going, just to find out how many calories walking all over that huge place and standing in line burns. I bet it's thousands.

That seems a bit high. Walking around at a slow pace burns a bit, but I'm pretty sure "standing" doesn't count as exercise.

ilookthetype

Walk a lot and common sense should help.

On a fun note, the Dumbo ride is awesome. I strongly suggest it.

Rhea30

If its anything like Disneyland they'll have lots of fruits and water you can pick up at carts to snack on. Eating those plus walking around being active for the day you should be just fine. Actually some of the time I always had a weight drop seemed to always been a day followed from a trip to Disneyland LOL.

lor007

My only input is this: Tea Cup Ride.

You are welcome.

LaurenAOK

Ah, Disney. I live in Orlando so I do worry about this when I go to the theme parks... which is quite often

As others have already pointed out, don't worry so much about counting the exact calories; just make healthy choices. They always have salads, fruit cups, etc. If you stick to those kinds of things (and small portions) you'll be totally fine. The walking DOES make up for it, trust me!

Have a blast on your trip!

Brandicaloriecountess

I would pack your own snacks, and then make the best choices available at meal times.
I would also take at least one meal to order whatever you want. As has been mentioned before you will be doing a lot of walking so you are going to burn some major calories. Plus it's a vacation, live a little

jen0731

We have season passes to Disney and go a lot. They do have fruit and healthier food options. We normally pack a lunch with us so I can control some of my food. We each bring a bottle of water in so we can refill it at the water fountains. You do a lot of walking so that will help and just keep drinking lots of water to help too.

EricNCSU

Last time I went we ate grapes and apple slices as our side order instead of fries (yeah it was still a burger or chicken tenders) but that wasn't really to watch calories but rather to limit greasy food in the heat of May. A lot of the places have lighter and vegetarian options especially in the foreign section of EPCOT.

And it's Disney.. HAVE FUN

deethinks

omg i just got back from there and i managed to stay strong

1. You will be having so much fun that you won't really focus on your hunger and will most likely eat when you feel hungry
2. It's easier and cheaper if you bring your own snacks because snacks there are pretty pricey but if you bring your own you can bring healthier stuff
3. you will be doing a lot of walking and standing which will pretty much burn off what ever you eat

I hope you have fun, that place is truly magical

ktina08

Pack your food in one of them backpack coolers. That's what I do that way I know what I'm eating

tjpinch

Watch your portions, make "healthier" choices, and remember you walk TONS!!!

And have fun! (jealous...)

heaverchell

When we go...we alwasy pack a lot of snacks to go with us so that we can eat on that. We did eat lunch there but just tried to find a "better" choice. We also had a really good breakfast to keep us going.

Plus remember you will be doing TONS of walking and stuff so in the end you will probably be ok. Good Luck and have a blast.

mariapuhl

When we went recently, I decided that I wasn't going to watch what I ate at all.

What we noticed was that even though I wasn't consciously making choices like I would at home, overall I was eating a TON healthier than I used too.

And I was working out ALL the time before we went... so I was worried about that... nope, all the walking we did was a workout itself. I ended up losing 2 lbs while we were there. Haha.

So, focus on the fun, but if you're super worried, listen to some of the other suggestions like packing healthy snacks and you should be fine.

yummummum

when I go away I still stick to my general plan but relax a little bit on my exact tracking. I am mindful of what I eat but don't freak out if I can't scan or track exactly. I just estimate. Just make good choices and if you splurge on dessert or something try to plan it so you don't feel too guilty. I always share or do the 3 bite bite rule. Chew slowly and enjoy it all.

umachanxo

Lots of walking and lots of water!
I gained 10 lbs on my Disney trip. Going back in 11 weeks, hoping to be able to keep in line this time.

Good on not getting the meal plan.. maybe buy some bread and stuff to make sandwiches and bring healthy granola bars.

mlachance9

I get the fruit instead of the fries and most places I could find grilled chicken or veggie burger snadwiches. I would then load the sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes and only eat one side of the bun. I also packed easy snacks in sandwhich bags such as chocolate cheerios to snack on while my kids and husband bought snacks. It is doable as I have gone twice and not gained either time. I did allow myself one dinner where we ate at a sit down place where I did not feel as though I had to be as strick with my choices. Good luck and have fun!

dovesgate

I'd bring a watch HRM if I were going, just to find out how many calories walking all over that huge place and standing in line burns. I bet it's thousands.

That seems a bit high. Walking around at a slow pace burns a bit, but I'm pretty sure "standing" doesn't count as exercise.

It's 5 days... I'd be worried if she wasn't walking enough to burn thousands over 5 days. I agree that standing doesn't count as exercise though.

99Tinkerbell

Easy to do with or without meal plan. I lost 5 lbs last time we went. I would eat a good breakfast light and you know how to do that. In the parks for lunch would get chicken breast sandwich they have plenty with no breading pulled it off the roll used there fixing bar to make like a small salad they always had lettuce tomato and pickles that's enough for me. I bought weight watchers salad dressing in a packet and carried it with me through that on top and if I was still hungry they sell plenty of fresh fruit every where. Dinner eat smart all their places have low calorie choices or you can ask for anything even if they don't carry it they will get it for you. They will go to an adjacent restaurant with no problems. I'm telling you can ask for anything and everything there, they will cook it the way you want! They are very easy to work with in that aspect. Why do you think they call it the happiest place on earth.

luvmycandies

Disney actually has many healthy choices, you will be fine! Enjoy!

CheleLynn44

I have been to WDW quite a few times and there are your typical fast food park food. But they do also have a lot of healthier choices too. So don't worry!!

And like a lot of people have said you will be doing a ton of walking.

You also have to remember.......what you are doing should be changing your habits for goood, its not a quick fix. It has to be something you can continue to do and live with. Never having treats or yummy food is just not doable if you want to succeed. Vacations are part of life and we have to live our life!!

Don't stress......Enjoy yourself!!!

chazbo35

Plenty of good food choices so dont worry about it. We take snacks with us when we go to Disney. Yes you do a ton of walking but dont rely persay on that to make an excuse for a bad food choice. Go have fun but just make good choices. The last time we went I wasnt even dieting and didnt really even want much to eat the whole time we were there. Its probably all the coffee I drank because I was worn out from all the walking hahahha. Dont sweat it though, you'll be just fine!

Athijade

I love Disney. I was just there in October and will be back in June. I belong to a huge online Disney community so I like to keep up with it all.

There are healthier options just about everywhere. Go online and you can check out the menus (allears.net is a great resource). This will at least give you a few ideas of what is offered. If I knew your exact plans I would give you more exact options.

You will do a lot of walking. Just the basic walking in the parks from attraction to attraction is enough, but many of the queues are long as well. The queue for Soarin' is a hike! Even while you stand in line, it is rarely at a complete stand still. You are constantly moving forward.

However, also make sure you enjoy yourself. If you have a favorite treat, still have it. I mean, a Mickey Bar at Disney is a law! Or a Dole Whip Float... mmmmm....

finnsgma

thanks so much everyone :-)

Molly_Pitcher

Hi! I live in Orlando and go all the time. There are salads and fruits, I also tned to pack fiber one bars, they are filling and healthy. Be sure to bring a water bottle and fill it at fountains and drink TONS of water! Also don't panic if you gain a couple pounds. I always go up on the scale after a day there. Usually it's just water weight, you can retain alot of water when you do that much walking. But it always falls right off when I get back into my routine.
and HAVE FUN!!! make sure you do Mission space in Epcot Best. RIde. EVER!