Best Tips for Carrying Lunch into parks

[wgeo]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've been to the budget board, but we are very lucky to plan a last minute trip to Disney!

Since this wasn't really in our vacation budget for the year, I would like to cut some corners, and since we are absolutely not "foodies", this is where I would like to try. We are staying in a condo and have access to a full kitchen.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it easier to carry lunch in with you? Have you done it successfully? Did you rent a locker for a cooler or just carry it until lunch time? We are rope drop people and always carry a water bottle, and usually have a small back pack.

Thanks!

 

[Momonthegogo]

We went to Disney World for 14 days. We only ate 2 sit down meals and two quick service meals. We always eat breakfast in our room. The parks are slowest in the morning so who wants to waste time eating breakfast. I bought a backpack cooler from Target last year and we carried it everyday. They no longer sell in the black fabric but it was the same as the Duck Dyanasy one they have but the fabric was all black. I packed small ice packs and froze water bottles in it everyday. We mostly ate wraps because they pack better than bread. We did mayo, ham, cheese, lettuce. I could fit 6 wraps in a square Rubbermaid. Then I would put carrots, cucumber slices, or fresh fruit slices in a 2nd container. I would also pack small packs of pringles in the cooler bag as they were in a hard container and would not crush. We would sit on a bench somewhere and eat. I gave the kids the dish parts and my husband and I used the lids as plates. Quicker, and cheaper than eating Disney food. We stayed on property so we cooked the other meal in our room. I let my pastor and brother borrow our back pack cooler for their disney trips and both loved it.

 

[brymolmom]

It depends what you want to eat. IMO - - Since you're used to carrying a small backpack you could do one of two options:
1) Everyone just bring one or two PB&J's in their backpack along with a string cheese and a granola bar - then you're all set for one meal and that stuff doesn't take much space or any cooling options.
2) Get a locker and stock up on yummy lunch options - sandwiches, fruit, chips, something sweet like cookies and water, juice or soda.

We have done both and it is fine both ways - just what you would prefer. My kids don't mind bringing meals as long as we get the locker since there are so many options - more so than the kids would get if they choose one option at the counter service location.
Good luck.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We rent a locker & stock it with $5 footlongs, snacks, and loads of drinks. We stop by a couple times a day to "reload".

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Will you have access to a freezer? When we would stay offsite with a kitchen we'd buy a case of bottled water and store them in the freezer. It's much cheaper & healthier than buying sugary drinks in the parks anyway and the cold bottle keeps your food cold. It's not bad with a collapsible cooler that is easy to pack. We kind of got out of that habit once the kids were big enough to not need a stroller which was so nice for having a place to put the cooler. I think the locker idea is great!

 

[wgeo]

Thanks everyone. That's a good idea about wraps instead of bread, I hadn't thought about how smushed everything would get. I have a soft sided cooler that looks like a big purse. Does anyone know what the price of the lockers is? Trying to decide if I should carry it so that we don't have to hike all the way back to the lockers, but if it's at the lockers it is easier to fill it with lots of good stuff!

I don't know why I didn't think to freeze the water bottles, I was trying to figure out how I'd make enough ice since I didn't want the weight of our referees able ice packs to carry around all day - thanks.

Anymore tips?

 

[disney212]

I would be sure to drain a little of the water out of each bottle before freezing, I had a couple bottles split when frozen. Luckily I noticed.

 

[dunningdisney]

freeze pb&js and put them in the cooler--they will thaw out by lunch time

 

[wendybeth75]

I was going to suggest frozen PB&Js as well. Several years ago when I started a job I had to drive to a training an hour away everyday. We were stretching pennies just to have gas for the drive and I took frozen PBJs everyday for the first month of work. Now I only like my PB&J cold! Also google for a CiCi's pizza buffet coupon. A lot of the time you can find a BOGO free with the purchase of a drink. They stay open late too, that would be a thrifty meal after the parks to fill everyone up.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I would be sure to drain a little of the water out of each bottle before freezing, I had a couple bottles split when frozen. Luckily I noticed.

That's strange. We do this all the time at home & dh takes a frozen bottle in his lunch every day and never had this. Did you freeze them upright? We lay them on their side. I don't know if this would make any difference.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Sometimes we use bagels to make our sandwiches. They seem to not get so soggy. Fresh veggies with the little containers of dip are nice too. Frozen water bottles are a must. Sometimes we add crystal lite or some other thing to add to the water. Have fun.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I didn't know you could bring full on lunches into the parks.... I thought water was OK as were granola bars, lite snacks but sandwiches etc.... I thought they checked all bags prior to entering the park.

 

[artemis4]

I didn't know you could bring full on lunches into the parks.... I thought water was OK as were granola bars, lite snacks but sandwiches etc.... I thought they checked all bags prior to entering the park.

Sure, they check bags, but food is fine. As long as you have a soft sided cooler that isn't too large (I don't remember the measurements), they don't care if it is sandwiches, snack or leftovers from last night's dinner. No glass containers or alcohol, though.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I didn't know you could bring full on lunches into the parks.... I thought water was OK as were granola bars, lite snacks but sandwiches etc.... I thought they checked all bags prior to entering the park.

They do check bags but they're not looking for food & drinks. They looks for guns, knives, ammo, etc. Things that are not allowed in the parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sure, they check bags, but food is fine. As long as you have a soft sided cooler that isn't too large (I don't remember the measurements), they don't care if it is sandwiches, snack or leftovers from last night's dinner. No glass containers or alcohol, though.

Right. And in addition, no plastic straws or lids are allowed into the Animal Kingdom.

 

[seven dwarfs]

You can also use an umbrella stroller. They make a taller soft cooler bag that fits inside the stroller perfect. You can find a nice shaded spot where you think you will be around lunch and park it until you need it.

I have bought the containers that have sections and then you can pack each persons food in each container. I have also done it where all the veg is in one container and sandwiches in another.

Dried fruit is nice. Peanut butter on celery packs well. I made cookies and froze little balls in a freezer bag. Each day I would cook a tray and brought in fresh cookies. (of course you could buy Oreo's, but my kids loved having the homemade ones) We have fond memories having our lunch at Disney.

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've been to the budget board, but we are very lucky to plan a last minute trip to Disney!

Since this wasn't really in our vacation budget for the year, I would like to cut some corners, and since we are absolutely not "foodies", this is where I would like to try. We are staying in a condo and have access to a full kitchen.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it easier to carry lunch in with you? Have you done it successfully? Did you rent a locker for a cooler or just carry it until lunch time? We are rope drop people and always carry a water bottle, and usually have a small back pack.

Thanks!

 

[verleniahall]

we found a backpack cooler on amazon for $25.00. DH is in the military so he is used to carrying a pack, so it works out awesome! it is no bigger than a regular backpakc that you would cary anyway

 

[TravelMommy]

I cannot tell you how much we saved, just in our last trip alone, at least $20-$25/day on drinks alone! and we are big water drinkers(but cannot drink Florida water).We also use the insulated backpack, it is awesome! We have been bringing in all kinds of snacks as well for years. We like to eat as much organic as we can and even bringing in those is much less expensive than buying the equivalent non-organic options in the parks. I have to saw I saw some really creative options this last trip and love the wrap idea!!! Have a great trip!

 

[wgeo]

This is great everyone thanks! Now I'm debating whether I should use my shoulder carry cooler or go look for a backpack one. Hmm, trying not to spend money, but it might make things a lot easier.

 

[pjlla]

Personally I would plan to use a locker and then adjust your day accordingly so that you position yourself near the lockers near lunch time. At the MK you can just plan to take a ride on train a your "pre lunch" entertainment and relaxation.

A backpack or shoulder bag that is loaded with food and water will get VERY HEAVY very quickly while walking and walking and walking around a Disney park....not to mention it will add to your fatigue and you will constantly need to find a way to hold it while on rides!

Plus you can use your locker for a change of clothes or shoes (in case you get wet) or for a sweatshirt for a chilly evening....................P