Those gi-normous turkey legs aren't going anywhere.

But by the end of next year, the oversized drumsticks at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will be fried in 100 percent canola oil, which doesn't contain unhealthy trans fats.

Photos courtesy of Disney (ENLARGE)

As part of its Well-Balanced Foods Initiative, Disney will make fruit stands available at the parks. Trail mix and fruit juice are other healthier choices.

(ENLARGE)

Mickey says, hold the pepperoni and select diced chicken to top a pizza for a healthier entree at Disney's properties. Add a salad and apples and you'll have a more balanced meal. With all that energy, you'll be able to stay on the rides for hours.

FAST FACTS • More than 180 restaurants and 200 food carts located at Disney's domestic parks and resorts serve millions of children's meals each year. • As part of a pilot program at the ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., trans-fat-free cooking oils were used for fried foods such as French fries. On Oct. 6, 71 percent of guests rated the fries as tasting excellent or very good. • Guest research conducted last summer at pilot locations in domestic Disney parks, where 20,000 revised kids' meals were served, showed that 77 to 90 percent of the parents stayed with fruit or vegetable side options when they were offered first. • On average, a family of four will walk nearly seven miles a day at Disney parks, and each person will burn more than 700 calories. Source: Walt Disney Co.

The buzz about Disney's recent commitment to healthier foods may have some folks wondering what will happen to their favorite park indulgences.

Walt Disney Co.'s new Well-Balanced Foods Initiative doesn't mean the last of highly caloric bird legs, funnel cakes, french fries, egg rolls and Mexican churros. Or, for that matter, hot fudge sundaes, roasted nuts, fudge, hot dogs, pizza and chocolate chip cookies.

But those who want to stay on track nutritionally during their park visit can expect to see stands offering snacks such as trail mix, whole fruits and fruit juice nearby.

And kids can have their chicken nuggets and eat them, too. Only now the standard side dishes will include things like unsweetened applesauce, baby carrots or fresh fruit and beverages, including low-fat milk and 100 percent fruit juice — although parents still will be able to request fries and sodas for their kids at no additional charge. Plus, adults will have the option of subbing healthy sides for the fries and soda for themselves.

"We are all about giving our guests choices," says Linda Warren, executive vice president for Products, Services, Planning and Development for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We are making sure people have what they want, when they want it."

While the parks will continue to offer the "indulgent treats" guests demand, she says the splurges will be balanced by healthier offerings that maintain the look, taste and texture diners expect. And, she adds, they'll be "readily accessible."

All this is good news to Chris Rosenbloom, a professor of nutrition at Georgia State University and the "Fit to Eat" columnist in the AJC's Food & Drink section.

"I think it's a great step in the right direction," Rosenbloom says. In fighting obesity, she says, "there have to be systems in place to help people make the choices."

"Any time any big company has influences on food choices, it's important," she says.

Rosenbloom applauds Disney's decision to offer healthier sides to entrees on children's menus. "One thing that's important for kids is getting them used to those tastes at a young age," she says.

"This is fantastic news," says Kelley Buttrick of Greensboro, who visits Disney World several times a year with her husband, Brian, and children Colby, 6, and Cameron, 3.

"Every time you walk through a line, it's hard to make children make healthy choices. The fact there are more healthy choices is good," she says.

Still, she expects to have to exert some parental control. "If you ask a kid if they want carrot sticks or french fries, what are they going to go for? A lot of times, we just won't let them know the [unhealthy] options."

She says she's especially glad to hear that that it's goodbye to trans fats, because "even traditionally unhealthy choices will now be healthier" for herself as well as her children.

Not only will Disney eliminate trans fats from frying oils, but will reduce trans fats in all foods where possible to meet Food and Drug Administration standards and will phase out all partially hydrogenated oils.

Changing the nutritional profile will mean adjusting the hamburger formulation to meet guests' taste expections while not exceeding 20 percent fat content. Other potential changes include adding whole grains to pizza crust and using a lower-fat cheese content.

In implementing the Well-Balanced Foods Initiative, by the end of 2007, Disney has stated it will:

• Offer at least one low-fat, one no trans-fat and one vegetarian entree option each at all table service locations and at least one quick service location per land (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, etc.).

• Expand side options to adult meals to include salads and fresh fruits.

• Provide at least one alternative option at all food locations serving dessert (i.e. reduced fat, low sugar and/or fresh fruit).

• Work with manufacturers in reformulating recipes for candy, packaged foods and bakery items sold at the parks or identifying replacement products.

• Ensure compelling packaging for the more nutritious food offerings as well as portion-controlled snacks and treats.

Travel agent Jelena McClure of VIP Alpine Tours in Cleveland doesn't think Disney's health kick will make much difference when it comes to planning a vacation.

"They'll be happy they have a variety of meal options when they get there," says McClure, whose agency ranks Disney World fourth among the most frequently requested and booked destination for 2006.

But she's not so sure most of her clients are willing to forgo special treats on vacation.

"People think food is calorie-free on vacation — or they're going to worry about it when they get back home," she says. "It's their splurge for the year."