Disney World - HFI friendly

[Chuck G.]

Hi Everyone,

Kelly and I will be taking the kids to Disney World in May. I'd like to know if anyone here has any firsthand HFI related information or tips. We have the Disney Dining Plan, and will be eating in the park.

Thanks in advance,
Chuck G.

[sarahk]

When I started a new health plan, my doctor wanted a full blood test, which is when we found it. My husband was upset that my previous doctors (Kaiser Hospital) never tested for it.

Let me tell you, jogging was really hard when I started. My feet, knees, whole body hurt for a few weeks. But it got better. Now, I eat healthy 98% of the time, and exercises 2-4 times a week. But running helped me lose those extra couple pounds (we all don't like), better /faster than swimming, weights, elliptical equipment, basically all else. I joked that I literally "ran my butt off"

[sarahk]

When I started a new health plan, my doctor wanted a full blood test, which is when we found it. My husband was upset that my previous doctors (Kaiser Hospital) never tested for it.

Let me tell you, jogging was really hard when I started. My feet, knees, whole body hurt for a few weeks. But it got better. Now, I eat healthy 98% of the time, and exercises 2-4 times a week. But running helped me lose those extra couple pounds (we all don't like), better /faster than swimming, weights, elliptical equipment, basically all else. I joked that I literally "ran my butt off"

[Tammy]

Hi Chuck
When we went to Disney, many years ago, they were very good about helping with the diet as far as giving us the labels when they had them. I never trusted anyone else to just look for sugar. There are way too many things that others don't think count as sugar (like honey or molasses) for me to believe them if I don't see the label for myself.

Regina pretty much ate just meat and potatoes while we were there. I found one little place that had small ribeye steaks. They would cook one plain for me with a baked potato. She also had a lot of hamburgs and fries. Just like any other time, she drank white milk, water and a little diet pepsi.

Pretty much just expect it to be the same as when you are eating in a restaurant here. Look for pasta that can be made plain, chicken that can be grilled or baked or the old standby burger. We didn't try anything else as I didn't want to take any chances of spending the vacation in the hotel room with a sick child.

Any trip we go on.........I always take my own box of crackers, a box of instant pudding, and cereal or oatmeal for breakfast. They usually have a small refridge to keep milk in, and if not, then I just keep it on ice. This gives her something to eat to start off, and a snack before bed. The crackers also are a backup in case there just isn't anything I can find at the moment. They will hold her until we do find something.

Most times, I take a couple of Microwave bowls of Lucks Chicken & Dumplings along. Most people are pretty good at popping it in the microwave for me if there isn't anything else for her. I always take it along on an airplane. And she will even eat it room temp, which also makes it easy for me. Its a nice backup plan that works well for us. The funny part is that - other than on a plane - we never use it. I am always able to find something and make it work. So I carry it along.........and then carry it back home again.

Disney sounds fun. We keep saying we are going to go again. One of these days...........
Tammy

[lisa]

I'm glad people have had a positive experience with Disney World as I had some trouble at Disneyland. We were only a month into the diet when we went so I was a bit nervous to begin with. I called before hand to talk to them about food options and they indicated no worries since there was a microwave in the baby area that we could use if we brought our own food. When I got there to heat up some mac n cheese (the microwaveable kind in a package) I got an earful from the attendant asking who told me there was a microwave when they had taken it out 4 months before. When I asked if there was any place that could heat it up for me she said she wasn't sure but to check at the restaurant. A cook at the restaurant said he couldn't heat it up since it wasn't their food. At that point Nathan was getting really fussy and I think he must've seen my panic because eventually someone took it to the employee lounge to heat up.

It's a good thing that our hotel was close by as I was able to heat dinner there. It'll prob turn out better next time as I'll feel more comfortable asking for and checking ingredients with the food they offer there.

[colormist]

Oops! Didn't see this thread. I just went to Disney World and posted a review of some of the safe foods (and unsafe restaurants) I found there in the Dining Out section. In short: Chicken Fingers & French Fries are safe, as is MOST of the food in Germany (in Epcot). I also had fried chicken at MGM which was also yummy and safe.