Willis Friendly Foods

[Hercules]

My girlfriend and I are both vegetarians, with my girlfriend being a vegan. We also try to stay away from "junk" foods, myself more than her I basically stay away from salty and sugary foods, but find it really hard while at amusement parks. There is just too much temptation, especially at Dorney (the prices at Great Adventure are enough to keep me away for the food there). I really don't mind bringing my own food to the park at all, especially places with picnic areas and benchs, but going out to the car and tailgating isn't that big of a deal either. But, is it time for parks to offer more healthy options at parks?

 

I realize the argument that people don't really look for healthier foods while at amusement parks because that is not park of the experience. I heard and interview with Heather Kramer, the public relations director at Dorney, and that is basically what she said. I can see that, but is there a big enough market to at least explore the options of having a few decent, healthy options here and there? Because I know that I would be happier knowing that I don't have to succomb to the evil junk food gods at an amusenment park, knowing that there are other options out there.

 

I'm sure I'm in the minority on this site about this topic, but are there others out there? Are there enough general park goers out there that this might seem halfway logical?

[Imhotep]

I know Ive seen veggie burgers at IOA, and salads are offered in most themepark restaurants, but Im sure its not really lucerative for parks to offer a wide selection of vegetarian or vegan delicacies. You do have a point, I think they should try to cater to everyone though. Not just vegitarians but people trying to stick to a strict diet... However I dont think you will get the same "theme park experience" eating a veggie/vegan meal as you would a good ol' hamburger or other carnivorous foods. And usually, if you are trying to lose weight, you would probably rather bring your own healthy food than pay twice as much for a theme parks version.

[larrygator]

Jay,

 

I wish I had something positive to tell you but I remember when a couple from New York traversed the country for amusement parks, the wife was a vegan and had a miserable experience at most parks.

[Hercules]

Eh, I'm not really looking for anything positive or upbeat. I was just thinking over the past couple of days after the Philly PETA conference that I went to this past weekend and thought it might make a decent discussion topic.

 

I'm not really looking for anything to change. It isn't really where the money is. I just don't think that people would really say "Hmmmm, do I go with the chessesteak, fries and soda or the baked falafel pita, diced peaches and water. I'll go with the latter." That just won't happy unless there are diehard vegs at parks, that I know there aren't many of. Although, there has been a steady increase over the last decade, but I'm sure a lot of them aren't parkgoers.

[BelizeIt]

Hey Hercules, I'm curious, have you been a vegetarian for a while, or did you "Convert" once you started dating your Vegan Girlfriend? (What did Samuel Jackson say in the movie Pulp Fiction? "Well my girlfriends a vegetarian so that pretty much makes me one to")

 

Anyhow, I have been around more Vegetarian/Vegans than most people (I owned a health food store for 9 years) and I have found many Vegans to have somewhat extreme personalities, (No offense towards the lady in your life) whereas vegetarians varied greatly as to what they considered "edible".

 

When it comes to Theme Parks, their major concern is profit margins, and lets face it the margins on Hot Dogs, Fries, and Soda are going to be much higher than the ones for Falafel Pitas, Diced Peaches, and Water. Though, when I went to Disneyland last week, I did see one stand that was selling fruit and water (At $3.50 per bottle!!!) But it was doing a marginal business at best, at least compared to the long lines at the McDonalds Fry and Soda stand near by.

 

I would assume that most vegetarians (Not Vegans) should be able to get by at most major Theme Parks. I recall my cousin ordering a Portobello Mushroom sandwich (Yuck!) when we went to Disneyland last year. But, overall I don't believe that the demand for vegetarian foods will be great enough to get Theme Parks to make anything other than minor additions to their food choices.

 

Lets face it, the majority of people attending Theme Parks want to eat something that once had "Parents", (Cows, Pigs, Chickens, Fish, Etc...) that's reality, and it's not likely to change anytime soon. But still, aside from bringing your own food (Which is a hassle) keep your eyes open for those rarely noticed Fruit Stands, they do exist today, whereas I don't think that they were available five years ago.....In the end, if the market demands it, I'm sure that Theme Parks will adjust to what people want.

[larrygator]

I love the fresh grilled corn on the cob in the husk at SFStL and SFFT, but with the butter it is not vegan friendly

[ParkTrips]

Just suck it up you panzy