Originally Posted By TP2000 Interestingly, the Disneyland Resort Hotels (DLH, DGC, DPP) all dropped their 15 dollar a night "Resort Fee" that covered parking and a useless USA Today slid under your door. The Resort Fee was mandatory, on top of the nightly rate, which was a really dumb way to add to the bill of every guest. The amenities once "included" in the mandatory Resort Fee are now just folded in to the nightly rates at all three hotels. But Internet is not included. I am firmly convinced that Disney hotels are not at all what they are cracked up to be. The rates are high, the customer service isn't that great, the polish and profesionalism of the employees is lacking in the deluxe properties, and yet they play it off like they are the Ritz Carlton. They aren't. And an overweight and rather unpolished desk clerk giving me a cheesy grin and saying "Have a Magical Day!" after a routine transaction doesn't warrant putting up with all the rest of their shenanigans. It's tough to get around at WDW without leaving property, but in Anaheim there are much easier options to choose from locally where the service and amenities are noticeably improved while paying the same prices. Disney does great at theme parks. But hotels? Not so much, on either coast.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yea... don't them fat bitches at the front desk really cheese you off? I can't believe you even said that. I've got me a fat wife and I love the hell out of her. Anyone who would be offended by a fat person at the front desk has more problems than Disney will ever solve.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Here's the solution...<< Believe me, if we had suspected that there would be a single, hard wired connection for the bunch of us, we'd have brought along something like this.
Originally Posted By TP2000 The thing is RoadTrip, many CM's nowadays aren't just fat, or plump, or heavy or need to lose 15 or 20 pounds. That kind of thing is no big deal really. The problem is that many CM's now are morbidly obese, and they won't live long. They are young folks who should be in the prime of their life, and instead they are a hundred or more pounds overweight and their huge bodies strain the buttons and seams of their XXXL uniforms. I interacted with one CM on my last visit who was so big she simply couldn't maneuver properly in the work space she was assigned to staff. It's just so sad, particularly because they are so young. It's also not attractive. Visit any other top-notch hotel in SoCal, and you don't find morbidly obese employees serving the guests. There's an element of showmanship at any great hotel or restaurant, and the employees are part of that show. The really odd thing is that Disney used to claim showmanship and "casting" was an important part of the people they chose to work at their properties. It's amazing how much it has changed in the last 15 years. Truly amazing. And the unhealthy lifestyle it represents is so sad, particularly with CM's so young. Will they make it to 30? 40? 45? And what will be the cost to Disney's health insurance programs along the way? A very unfortunate situation indeed.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I recognize that obesity is a major problem to today in the U.S. But at the same time I admire Disney for no longer using good looks as a criteria for employment. Sure... if you are a performer in a parade or show good looks are part of the job. But in most jobs it really shouldn't be. At WDW there is a far higher percentage of obese guests than obese CM. Don't know if that is the case at Disneyland. I will say that in my experience people in Southern California seem to be in better shape than those in other parts of the country. I don't know if it is because of an emphasis on outdoor activities because of the pleasant weather or what. Who knows... maybe they put something in the water! lol
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I will say this, in WDW I feel average to borderline small. In DL I feel big, but not out of place.In DLP I am morbidly obese (which is true). But at 6ft2 and 310lbs, no matter how you slice it, I am morbidly obese. Normalising it is not healthy. Nor is demonising. The reason Disney has so much of it I think it two fold, first of all, Disney pay rates and benefits are poor compared to previous years. Secondly, I noticed in the US, junk food is cheap. When paid minimum wage, it is no wonder people still keep shovelling the junk.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I think you got it Dave. With the low pay and strange hours it is pretty easy to see that CMs will likely end up eating a lot of fast food. Add to that the fact that, if you really think about it, most CM positions are pretty sedentary. You aren't going to get much exercise working behind a counter 10 hours per day. I wouldn't call myself a health nut but I tried to eat well when I was on the College Program. It was a challenge.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I wonder if a free healthy meal, as a part of the benefits package at WDW would be worth while?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I suspect the "healthy" offerings are better now than they were when I was working there. But, if you look at food offerings available near apartments or near the College Program living areas they are predominantly fast food or chain sitdown restaurants. If you are making minimum wage or there abouts...are you going to go to McDonald's or Friday's?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo well even Fridays is not healthy. That is why I am saying, if it were free. I always defended US obesity a bit (belive me, I get a hard time about it here in the UK, even from my American Mom). After all, there are few places people seem to walk in the US, unless you are from an older city (hence why San Franciscans and New Yorkers seem slimmer). And the weather does not lend itself to excercise in many areas. Then add in how the economics of higher education makes sports super competitive so kids get a chance at a scholarship, rather than training people to exercise for fun and health reasons. Mix in drive through banks, fast food, funerals, stores, wedding chapels (slight exageration, but they all exist). None of it helps. and I really noticed, especially in America, crap is cheap, healthy food is not. In Europe, many healthy options do not have sales tax. It helps a bit (though the UK is becoming worrisome in it's obesity problems too).
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, you can get some healthy items at Friday's but...agreed...they are not as "cheap" as a burger and fries. Even at the fast food joints it is hard to make the healthy choice when you want to. I don't how many times I've told the counter person that my kids wanted milk and carrot sticks (or apple dippers) instead of soda and fries and inevitably they give us the fries instead...or in ADDITION to...the healthier alternative. That tells me that there aren't too many kids picking the healthy alternative.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 ^^I absolutely applaud your efforts for your kids to be healthy. But I always wondered about this, too. I just can't think of healthy food at McD's even when they offer it! But it's a shame they then give you the bad stuff anyway. And then there is the issue of "healthy" offerings like the McD oatmeal that has an insane amount of sugar and calories making it one of the worst breakfast offerings. When I don't trust the "health food" is healthy, why bother?
Originally Posted By sjhym333 We stayed at Bay Lake Tower this week in a one bedroom studio. Very nice room with a great view of the MK. I will admit that I was shocked that there was no free internet. I gather if we were DVC members it would have been free but I still think it is ridculous that a room that costs as much as this room did they dont provide free internet service in every room.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>^^I absolutely applaud your efforts for your kids to be healthy. But I always wondered about this, too. I just can't think of healthy food at McD's even when they offer it! But it's a shame they then give you the bad stuff anyway.<<< I think I must be among one of the only people on the planet to actual go to McD's just for the salads. LOL
Originally Posted By wahooskipper We rarely take the kids to fast food. Maybe once a month, and that might be a stretch. And, yes...I understand the apple dippers are only really healthy if your forego the caramel dipping sauce. But, they are still better than the french fries. I think it is the soda more than anything else that is a real problem in America. Folks are always surprised that my kids drink so much milk. They do get gatorade or juices once in a while that aren't great by they are better than the soda.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 . Secondly, I noticed in the US, junk food is cheap. When paid minimum wage, it is no wonder people still keep shovelling the junk. ---------- Bingo-- and you don't have to be poor to feel this impact- buying/eating healthy here comes at a major penalty cost wise at the grocery store. Much less for much more. Fruits/vegetables in the Midwest are outrageous and rising weekly- but there is always some new crap that replaces staples.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 funny thing about the soda. I have been drinking diet soda for 20 years- lost of it. I gave it up on advice of my Doc who asked me to switch back to regulra soda- and the ones with real cane sugar vs high fructose corn syrip when you can find them. I have lost 20 pounds since ( yes I have more to lost)- but bloating is less and I drink far less. Diet soidas always left me wanting more- and I drank far more. I drink 2-3 soda's to day tops now -- usually 1-2. I was drinking 3 times that before. Soemtimes a day will go by where I have none- that never used to happen. And I also avoid the large-super sozed ones- I always get a small at any eatery and it is enough. So yes there are a lot more calories in them, but diet soda does not fill one up and in fact tricks the body into wanting even more. Yes I know water/milk would be much better and I do drink them also
Originally Posted By Christi22222 I realize this is my second addition to a considerable thread drift. Apologies if it annoys. However, I just had to add a "so true!" to vbdad's comment about diet soda. Sneaky little devil, diet pop! Can full o' chemicals that gains you naught.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Consider this. The main ingredient to sweeten diet soda is Asparatime. It was a by product found when developing chemical weapons. No soda is good for you. After 35 years of addiction though, I think I have done well without now (except special occasions). And I have actually lost 30 lbs sincs giving up. I noticed when last in the US, a happy meal at McD's gave the kids what would have been a large drink in the UK. Scary.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Best food advice I have been given lately: "Don't drink your calories."
