Kids’ menus get a makeover at Disney World

Kids’ menus at Disney slowly have been evolving, but recent changes make healthier choices the standard instead of the “alternate.” Carrot sticks in place of French fries and 1 percent milk or bottled water instead of soda, for instance. Guests must request fries and sodas.

The revised menus require that no more than 35 percent of calories can come from fat — saturated fat and sugar must account for no more than 10 percent of the meal’s calories.

The whole idea behind the new meals is simply to introduce more balance while focusing on smaller portions and fewer calories, said Wronski.

Out with added trans fat
Walt Disney World Resort continues to work on removing added trans fats from food served in parks and resorts. All partially hydrogenated oils also eventually will be phased out.

Disney has instituted other changes including a new guest-tested hamburger with fat content less than 20 percent and buns with 10 percent whole wheat, and new pizzas with lower bread and lower-fat cheese.

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

Disney Dining Plan saves vacation dollars. A popular new way to save up to 40 percent on dining, the Disney Dining Plan lets resort guests pay in advance for snacks and meals at selected restaurants. The plan includes one quick-service meal, one snack and one table-service meal for each night of a package stay. Kids under 3 can share from an adult plate at no additional charge. Guests can use the meals and snack in any order and in any amount through the package stay.

Diners have flexibility with the plan, as meal usage is tracked electronically, and a receipt shows the remaining balance. Dining at Disney’s “signature” restaurants, dinner shows, Cinderella’s Royal Table or room service require two table-service vouchers, for instance, so guests can plan ahead to include a variety of dining experiences.

Approximately 120 restaurants throughout Walt Disney World parks and resorts currently are participating in the Disney Dining Plan.

The plan can be added to a Magic Your Way Package up until three days prior to arrival, but guests are encouraged to make arrangements as far in advance as possible so they can book dining reservations at table service restaurants (which can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling 407/WDW-DINE).

Patina comes up with new Epcot restaurant
Tutto Italia (“Everything Italy”) is open in the Italy pavilion at Epcot, a creation of the E California-based Patina Restaurant Group.

The Epcot restaurant is the newest flagship in Patina’s portfolio of nearly 30 restaurants across the U.S. and its first in Florida. Showcasing cuisine from different regions of Italy, the newly outfitted restaurant features a menu with freshly made breads and pastries, handmade mozzarella and an array of Italian wines. Plans are to expand the restaurant by late 2008.

More changes for Epcot dining
Japan, China and Mexico pavilions are all updating their dining experience. The three pavilions have been open since 1982.

Japan’s Tempura Kiku and Matsu No Ma Lounge have been replaced with a new spot, Tokyo Dining, showcasing traditional cuisine and ingredients of Japan with an emphasis on sushi and innovative presentation. The popular Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room is renamed Teppan Edo, but the concept remains.

In China, a new Joy of Tea outdoor cart features hot and cold teas, frozen green tea concoctions and alcoholic choices such as plum wine and wine green tea slush. The pavilion’s Lotus Blossom Café has been renovated and features a new menu that includes Beijing barbecue chicken, sesame chicken salad and rou jia mo, a popular Chinese sandwich made with sliced beef stuffed in toasted wheat-flour flatbread. Nine Dragons table-service restaurant will close in early 2008 for renovations that include an exhibition kitchen that will feature five cooking stations where guests can interact with chefs from China. Scheduled opening is fall 2008.

In Mexico, a 50- to 60-seat tequila bar replaces a retail shop in the pavilion’s spacious indoor courtyard in summer 2008. And the pavilion’s waterfront Cantina de San Angel is expanding with more seating with optimal views of World Showcase, and will offer a new menu by summer 2008.

Il Mulino newest dining at Walt Disney World Swan
New York City’s Il Mulino newest outpost at the Walt Disney World Swan features family-style dining with fish, chicken, fresh pastas and meats, with seasonal ingredients inspired by Italy’s Abruzzi region, and a wine list with more than 250 selections. With 220 seats, Il Mulino has intimate dining rooms that are available for special occasions or smaller group events.  Open seven days a week for dinner.

Two new themed restaurants
Land of Asia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s has got a new Yak & Yeti Restaurant. This Asian-fusion establishment offers table-service dining and a full-service bar, as well as quick-service food and beer-garden options, and retail offerings from Pan-Asia ranging from silk purses, incense and saris to fine teapots. It seats 250 inside for table-service dining and 350 in a quick-service courtyard.

Later in 2008, Downtown Disney guests will be able to dine face to face with a dinosaur at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover, which combines table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice.

The restaurants are operated by Landry’s Restaurants, which operates the Rainforest Cafes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney.

More dining changes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is reopened as a buffet restaurant that includes a character breakfast, Donald’s Safari Breakfast. Hours are 8-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. until the park closes. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating.