While most theme parks offer a limited menu of hot dogs and popcorn, Disney is famous for its elevated dining experiences in its Parks. With poke bowls at Animal Kingdom’s Nomad Lounge at Walt Disney World and lobster rolls at Magic Kingdom’s Columbia Harbor House, Disney’s dining options from Quick Service to Table Service set it apart from competitors all over the map.
Although the Disneyland Resort was the first to make its mark on the map, its 100 acres compared to its younger sibling’s 27,520 acres puts it at a slight disadvantage for dining options. Despite its smaller size, Disneyland boasts more than 50 restaurants with 20 full-service dining spots, most of which are directly in the Park.
Dining hubs like the Pacific Wharf Café and Blue Bayou are nothing to dismiss at Disneyland. But despite the rave reviews for Disney’s dining, it can’t always be perfect, and one Guest reported a concerning account of a dining experience gone wrong.
A Deeper Disney Problem?
Several factors can contribute to unsavory situations after a dining experience, Disney aside. Digestive issues, a one-off mistake, or an extenuating circumstance like overheating can lead to symptoms reflective of a foodborne illness. However, Disney Guest u/Rightsureokay sought solidarity in the happiest subreddit while experiencing concerning symptoms after dining at Disneyland:
Had the best day ever park hopping yesterday but today I can’t keep anything down and I’m wondering if anyone else got sick eating at Lamplight or Lucky Fortune Cookery from yesterday? The last time I was this sick was from eating Chipotle (not surprising). It didn’t hit me until about 2/3ish today and boy did it hit me hard. Still love me some mouse house but I think I’m gonna skip the food for a while.
While Lamplight Lounge and Lucky Fortune Cookery are certified Disneyland favorites, they’re not impervious to an occasional mishap. The Guest’s symptoms seemed to reflect those similar to a foodborne illness, but plenty of fellow fans like u/PersephoneInSpring proposed a different culprit:
I doubt food poisoning. But norovirus? Totally possible/likely. If you are touching surfaces around the park and then touching your face or your food, you’re open to all kinds of grossness. I was there a week ago and watched someone’s 7-10 year old licking the handrail all around the toontown train station. People are disgusting. Everything has germs on it. Wash your hands.
Germs have been a hot topic with the onset of COVID-19, and several Disney threads have been flooded with fans lamenting the lack of hygiene displayed by certain people at the Parks. The handrail-licking child a la Buddy from Elf is just one hilarious (and unpleasant) example. On the other hand, u/truebeliever08 validated the original poster’s concerns:
Everyone gaslighting you that it wasn’t Disney’s fault. Food born illness happens, even at places the best of places. It doesn’t take much to tip food over into dangerous territories.
Any sickness can squash the excitement of a Disney trip. Although we’ll likely never know if the cause of the Guest’s stomach bug was foodborne or norovirus, the sentiment that handwashing and hygiene should be standard practices in theme parks everywhere is sound.
