For those morally opposed to taking food into the parks...

[CheapMom]

The Family Fun Weekender newsletter from Disney has a section this month on money saving tips for theme park vacations including a section on "Portable Park Treats" recipes that are easy to carry with you. Just thought I would absolve anyone who had "Snack-sneak guilt"
Mary:sunny:

[fac]

How can I get hold of a copy of the newsletter?

[Sandy Feet]

Yes, I'd like to know too please. :D

[C.Ann]

Wow! That's interesting.. Would love to see a copy of that myself.. Sure would answer a lot of questions that people have..::yes::

[karemore]

Why would anyone feel guilty?

If Disney didn't want outside food in the parks, you know darn well they would stop it.

If people didn't bring their own food to feel like they were saving money, they would spend less in the shops,...or less on snacks...or visit the parks less...etc.

Disney gets all the money you have to spend one way or another....they don't need to worry about a few sandwiches and some juice boxes.

The security guards are going through all the bags anyway. They'd have big trash cans there for us to toss our food if it were a problem.

Pack your lunch. Bring your drinks.

You're still going home broke and happy!!

Karen

[Epcotgal8]

I have to admit I've never thought about bringing food into the parks because I thought that it was a no no too. A friend and her family went and stayed at a condo offsite and she told me how they packed snacks, drinks, and lunches including fried chicken into the parks and that the security guards didn't say a word. We probably won't bring food in but only because we like to be as "light" as we can. Our kids are past the stroller/diaper bag age so we generally just wear waist/fanny packs. Now that I know the policy those of you that bring in food should not feel guilty. If I wasn't too lazy to carry a backpack I would too.

[CheapMom]

I will forward a copy of the newsletter to you if you pm me your email address.

[Jana49]

Great thread!

The newsletter is sponsored by Disney Online/Family Fun magazine and here is the link to register for the newsletter for free:

http://register.go.com/family/register

[SamSam]

I think that a few years ago WDW was much stricter about people bringing food into the parks. It was a definite no-no a few years ago, but seems to be 'ignored' now. I know local amusement parks are much stricter and absolutely will not allow any coolers into thier parks.

[floridagirrl2]

Thanks, CheapMom! I vividly remember sneaking food into the MK in the 1980s with my best friend and her 3 kids--we were right out of nursing school, really broke, and had gotten free entry passes through a Land O' Lakes butter promotion. :) Gosh, we were morally bankrupt!;) It's good to know Disney has loosened up their policies and people can now bring in food without suffering any pangs of shame and guilt.:p

[dg39]

Karemore said it all. I totally agree.. While I never bring food/drinks in the park, I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm just too lazy to carry anything. The price of bottled water alone is high in the parks, no less food. I think disney would rather we spend our hard earned money on gifts and resort rooms.

[Selket]

I talked to someone yesterday with the MK chef's office regarding my son's food allergies and diabetes and she did mention to me that it was o.k. to take snacks into the park for him (he is 2 yrs old) because of this. She said it in such a fashion that it sounded like generally one isn't allowed to do this but exceptions are made. Last summer we took a small soft sided cooler filled mostly with water but it had some snacks in it (grapes, string cheese) and never had a problem. We have a stroller though so it is easier to transport a small (sort of lunch box size) cooler.

[CheapMom]

She said it in such a fashion that it sounded like generally one isn't allowed to do this but exceptions are made.
There is a rule about not bringing outside food into the parks (which I learned from these boards) but this is just another example of Disney having rules that they don't enforce. It is actually more than not enforcing when they send out a newsletter about saving money at the parks and giving a link that says "Portable Park Treats" to easy to carry recipes. On the Disney website there is also an article that suggests you carry water bottles and juice boxes into the parks. They have the rule so that they can enforce it if someones goes way overboard I guess.
It is like the refillable mugs- the official rule is "for use during your stay" But many of the CMs say- bring them back on your next vacation for free refills.

[Taja]

I always carry my first bottle of water into the parks with me (I'm a water fiend!) :) Sometimes I'll carry a small, portable snack, but it has to fit into one of the snack size zip top bags and my purse!

It particularly makes sense to have snacks and beverages available for infants and toddlers. When they are hungry or thirsty it is NOW! No waiting permitted (or very little)! :)


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Taja http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/natur/nature-smiley-016.gif