Disney world and diets

My family went to WDW last year in August. My wife and I had only been on MFP for a couple months and were at the beginning of our weight loss journey. Honestly, I did not log my food during the vacation. I know I ate more calories than usual but my energy use was also much higher. I just made a really focused effort at not eating crap. I declined fries when I could or simply threw them out if I couldn't. I picked grilled chicken options over most other choices. There is a restaurant right on the edge of Fantasyland (Can't recall the name) that serves grilled salmon on a quick serve basis. That was yummy and a great choice. Both my wife and I ended up losing weight during the week. Just stay focused on good food choices and I don't think you will have to log every moment of the day.
One thing that most people also don't realize is that calorie burns are higher in extreme temperatures. If you have typical Florida August heat and humidity, your caloric burns will be greater even doing just simple activities. I found the journal article once that laid out the formula for increased calorie burn per degree of ambient temperature over 65 F, but I couldn't tell you the exact calculation. It's out there on the internet somewhere if you want to find it.

I was there in April and didn't put on a pound, I had whatever I wanted for breakfast pretty much, then the rest was healthy options. I also had pizza (the ones you can order to the room, it was nasty and I don't recommend it but I was starving and it was hubbie's idea), a French pastry (totally worth it), a German hotdog (totally worth it), both from Epcot World Showcase, and a huge plate of pasta and meatballs for dinner at the restaurant hotel. Hubby ate whatever and put on 3 lbs.

My advice is if you're going to have a treat, make sure it's a good one, and not those nasty french fries the restaurants have or whatever... that's not worth it. I didn't bother logging, as I had no idea how many calories were in everything anyway (and I had quest protein bars with me for snacks). But yes, we talked a whole lot, so it definitely helped (bring GOOD shoes. I was in sandals and it was torture, plus they got ruined).

ETA: those turkey legs everyone raves about are 1000 calories. I'd pass, lol.

We went in June to Disney....it was AWESOME!!!

As far as activity - pedometers are wonderful things.

With the dining, I pretty much said, "screw it" and didn't log anything, BUT I did half-way pay attention to what I was eating - trying to eat grilled chicken instead of fried chicken, having the kids meal portion or splitting a dinner plate with my husband, that sort of thing.

Don't forget, most of the food at Disney is mediocre-to-terrible. There are come exceptions at Epcot and at some of the real restaurants (Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge is *amazing*) but passing on nasty hot dogs and burgers should be pretty easy, even when the alternative is iceberg lettuce topped with rubbery chicken.

(Went to one of those "lunch with the princesses" meals with my neice - good lord, was that incredibly overpriced, terrible food.)

Go on all the rides, scream your head off & wave your arms about = still keeping fit!
I would not advise you do that off the rides though you might get funny looks..

Don't forget, most of the food at Disney is mediocre-to-terrible. There are come exceptions at Epcot and at some of the real restaurants (Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge is *amazing*) but passing on nasty hot dogs and burgers should be pretty easy, even when the alternative is iceberg lettuce topped with rubbery chicken.

(Went to one of those "lunch with the princesses" meals with my neice - good lord, was that incredibly overpriced, terrible food.)

Totally this. But the hot dogs at Epcot (the Germany Showcase) are delicious, lol.

you will be on holiday, enjoy yourself.

I had a great time at Disneyworld last year - the only disappointment was the choices of food at our accommodation. Why can't Disney employ a chef from the cruise ships - their food is always excellent.

We are heading to Disney World (16 days, woot!!!) and im wondering how I should go about counting my calories and my calories burned while there. I know from last time we went I will walk about 8 miles per day, but at the same time there are food I will be eating that I dont normally eat (creme brule mmmm)

Part of me just wants to say screw it and enjoy myself and it will all work out in the end.

Personally I think that many people over estimate how much walking they do at Disney World. I tracked it on my Bodybugg when I was using it and it didn't indicate more than an extra 500 calories total per day of extra walking. An average snack at Disney World is that much.
How did I not gain a bunch of extra weight? I was up at 6:00 every morning hitting the hotel gym for 45 min. Why? Because even on vacation, exercise is in my lifestyle.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I went back and February and did not log at all. I was mindful of my food choices but did not deprive myself. For example, I still chose egg white omlets with lots of veggies, milk instead of cream, and lots of water. I had salads with chicken and nice dinners. I was absolutely over my calorie goal the entire week but I was ok with it. I didnt stuff myself just because I knew I didnt have to log it. If I was hungry, I ate!

We came back from Disney and I gained only 2 pounds and I ate a lot. We were there from open to close and walked the entire day. I still ran a few days in the morning too. I guess I didn't go crazy and eat all of the time but I didn't track anything and I only ate when I was hungry. I ate a medium sized breakfast, had a snacky lunch and went downtown Disney for a huge supper. I would guess I ate about 1,000 calories more than usual per day BUT we were walking briskly the entire day or standing in lines (standing is underrated-you really burn way more calories per day standing!) I say enjoy it as there are foods there you may not be able to indulge in at home. I got right back on track when I came home and within a week the lbs were off.