Bring a lunch

[PHPHH]

Are we allowed to bring a lunch into the parks? I don't mean snacks and drinks but my idea of a lunch are sandwiches (cooled by an ICEPAK), some carrots, celery, juice etc.

I don't want to sound cheap but the food at Disney is fast food mostly.

I prefer to eat my own lunch with my family at lunch time and save time and money. At dinner, we can enjoy a nice sit-down restaurant.

 

[GinnyFavers]

Officially, outside food and beverages are discouraged. Security will, however, not stop you from bringing it in.

I think it's crossing the line when families are taking up tables in Disney restaurants with food they've brought in, and there's nowhere else to sit and eat except for park benches.

If it's a quick healthy snack or sandwich and you clean up after yourself, no one will bother you about it.

If you try to bring in a fried chicken feast with plates and everything else and create a giant mess feeding a family of 8 (I've seen this!) that's just tacky and I wish Disney would say something to these folks.

Bottom line, they don't provide picnic facilities, and you will have to use your own hopefully mature judgement about how far to push it.

 

[cinjoe22]

just make sure your cooler does not have wheels. They are not allowed. There is a new link on the Dis hompage that list prohibited items.

 

[jordansmomma]

Officially, outside food and beverages are discouraged. Security will, however, not stop you from bringing it in.

I think it's crossing the line when families are taking up tables in Disney restaurants with food they've brought in, and there's nowhere else to sit and eat except for park benches.

If it's a quick healthy snack or sandwich and you clean up after yourself, no one will bother you about it.

If you try to bring in a fried chicken feast with plates and everything else and create a giant mess feeding a family of 8 (I've seen this!) that's just tacky and I wish Disney would say something to these folks.

Bottom line, they don't provide picnic facilities, and you will have to use your own hopefully mature judgement about how far to push it.

Why would you find this tacky? Some families save all year or longer to go to Disney. If they need to bring in there food, and it is passed through security by all means they should eat. Maybe they need to save the money to buy something special for their kids to take home. Not everyone enjoys paying the price of meals. Even though there are some cheap eats there, but if meant going to KFC and bringing our lunch so my child could get something to take home and remember their trip then by all means I would be the KFC to the park with.

 

[jamimb]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this! I have seen lots of families sitting on benches eating sandwiches. Sometimes its not even about the money, if you pack your own luch you can include healthier choices. also many people have kids who are very picky and only like certain things (things you might not be able to get counter service!)

 

[tjmw2727]

It's not the bringing of the picnic for 8 that folks complain about its taking up tables at a counter service restaurant when the tables are meant for customers. Its frustrating enough to wait in line, get a tray of food and not be able to find a table, having tables occupied by "picnickers" makes it more so.

Its fine to bring in a lunch, snacks etc in a reasonable amount. A hard sided larger cooler or one with wheels won't be allowed but a smaller soft sided cooler would be fine. When my dd's were little they often sat in the stroller and ate a "bag lunch" that I brought for them. I knew they had the foods they liked and could feed them when they got hungry.

TJ

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I often bring in a lunch. Particulary if I have children with me, I carry in our own food. It avoids many a stomach upset and gives them something they are familiar with.

I purchase milk for them from counter service, or carry in juice boxes or the boxed milk.

I have never had a problem with any Disney employee, other than for a Security CM or two ask if they could join us.

Carry in your own food. Do not bring glass containers, and don't bring sharp metal knives (plastic knives are of course ok) and you should be fine. Oh, and no alcohol either. Other than that, have a wonderful time and enjoy yourself doing what is best for your family and your personal circumstances.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We bring sandwiches into the parks for at least a couple of meals on every trip. As a rule, our family does not eat much fast food, we do eat some in WDW, but I can't take more than a few times in a week. And it does make our trips more affordable too.

We sometimes supplement with beverages, fries, or desserts from a CS, and we certainly clean up after ourselves.

Security has never questioned anything, not even when we sometimes bring in canned soft drinks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Are we allowed to bring a lunch into the parks? I don't mean snacks and drinks but my idea of a lunch are sandwiches (cooled by an ICEPAK), some carrots, celery, juice etc.

I don't want to sound cheap but the food at Disney is fast food mostly.

I prefer to eat my own lunch with my family at lunch time and save time and money. At dinner, we can enjoy a nice sit-down restaurant.

There are quite a number of full service restaurants in the parks, resorts and Downtown Disney. I don't think I'd say that MOST of the food is fast.

Soft-sided coolers are permitted in the parks. Be prepared to open them for security check. They'll make you remove anything alcoholic and any glass containers. Other than that, I don't think there is a problem as long as you don't take up a counter service table meant for someone who actually bought their lunch. Sharing sandwiches on a bench? No problem.

I have to agree that setting out a full picnic spread inside a Disney theme park is tacky, but that does not sound like what the OP is talking about.

 

[shellybaxter]

Officially, outside food and beverages are discouraged. Security will, however, not stop you from bringing it in.

Where, officially, is this written or otherwise discouraged? I've never seen any CM say that food is discouraged.

And as for people bringing a picnic spread perhaps Disney doesn't care if people do so therefore they don't "saysomething to those folks". I don't particulary think of it as tacky. I can think of plenty of reasons why a family would want to bring in food, but even if its because they want to save money I don't find that tacky

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Spreading out a blanket on the ground and sitting on it and eating a full picnic meal - I'd find that tacky. unless they provide picnic tables for such use.

Taking a table at a counter service to eat your brought in meal - I find that tacky.

Having a seat on a bench or someplace where people normally sit and take a break in a theme park and eating your meal from your cooler - OK, fine.

All you really have to remember is: No alcohol, no glass, no metal knives, no wheeled or hard-sided coolers.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I think it's crossing the line when families are taking up tables in Disney restaurants with food they've brought in, and there's nowhere else to sit and eat except for park benches . . .

1) I agree.
2) Tacky.
3) Very tacky.
4) If you go somewhere, accept the protocols.
5) Disney serves food to make money.
6) It should be built into your vacation budget.
7) Do you
. . . go to a neighbor's BBQ and take your own food?
. . . go to a local restaurant and take your own food?
. . . go to a major league ball game and take your own food into the stadium?
8) Do people come to your house for parties/dinner and bring their own food?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Given the vast amount of food allergies and diet restrictions that can be present in any one person or family, bringing one's own food to a theme park is definitely not something I find "tacky." It's not something I spend my time on; judging other's dining habits.

Have a picnic at Disney is FUN! I can't tell you how many times I've had people approach us and ask where we got our food. They usually give comments along the lines, of "I wish I'd though of that!" and "geez, that's a great idea."

Comparing an invitation to a friend or family member's home to attending an event for which one paid admission is not valid in my opinion.

And, if I had (or a member of my family, or party) food allergies, or diet restrictions I most definitely would bring my own food to invited events. I would explain the reason for doing so, and expect that the host would understand. What I would NOT do is expect my host to accomodate my special needs.

 

[bellsandwhistles]

From the Disney World FAQs (reiterating what others have said):

Items that you may not bring into the Theme Parks include, but are not limited to:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.


I think it's safe to say "unofficially" it's discouraged since Disney anticipates parkgoers to purchase their food within the park and obviously does not set up picnic areas and such to encourage it. I'm sure they don't want to face the backlash of issues related to not bringing in food such as how do you enforce it, who draws the line at what is acceptable, etc.

BUT...I agree with TheRustyScupper on this one for the most part

 

[septbaby]

...7) Do you
. . . go to a neighbor's BBQ and take your own food?
. . . go to a local restaurant and take your own food?
. . . go to a major league ball game and take your own food into the stadium?

Actually on 7c - some stadiums do allow you to bring in a sandwich, etc. and I often do; its listed on their web site, but not in big bold letters; drinks can't be brought in; the combination of choices and convenience make bringing a sandwich or even a cookie the best option for me ie. vegetarian otherwise I usually eat before arriving at the venue

As for doing this at Disney, its allowed however let's call a spade a spade:

"I don't want to sound cheap but the food at Disney is fast food mostly"

Those two comments aren't really linked, either you're bringing lunch so Disney gets less money from you (some might call this "cheap" as you have) OR you want "healthier options". Its a blanket to say there aren't healthy options at Disney, there are plenty especially at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

You are allowed to bring in food, so if you want to do so. You don't need ask me or any others on DIS to do that.

Unless you are spending money at a counter service restaurant for each person in your party I too agree that using the amenities is unfair (seats, napkins, condiments, etc.)

My family was on the Dining Plan and didn't need to bring in meals. However, I kept a box of raisins in my bag and I'm sure my mom had something similar in her bag. We had a 5yo in the group and 5yr olds expect aunties and grandma to have treats in their bag! We usually ate breakfast in the morning and brought in a bottle of water we selected as one our our breakfast beverages. I will tell you that unless you have a stroller in your group or get a locker, I would not want to lug around lunch and a lunch bag/ice pack all day at Disney. It was enough getting me to carry the water. I travel as light as possible!

 

[momof3girls6712]

Because of our diet restrictions, I always have food with us. You can not excatly just pick up anything when you do not eat sugar, flour, gluten, and red dye 40. In August, I was able to find meals or parts of meals at character dinnings and sit downs in Disney that we could eat, but was glad I had brought along snacks. My kids love the packs of tuna for a snack so it is lunch type food. I do not find it tacky at all. Each family is different and has different needs and price levels of their vacation that they can afford.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I realize that this opened a can of worms (or flames).
2) But, a company has a right to make money.
3) And it has the right to have you eat its food if you are eating.
4) To bring one's own food deprives the company of revenue.
5) Is the food at WDW expensive? You bet!
6) But, it is a company's right to charge what the market will bear.

NOTE: Some people discuss special diet concerns. I know several chefs/cooks at WDW, and there has not been a diet that WDW has not been able to meet.

NOTE2: In replies, I get critical of both WDW and/or guests, when I feel one or the other is out of place. In the case of food eaten within parks, the guests should buy their food from Disney.

 

[shellybaxter]

1) I realize that this opened a can of worms (or flames).
2) But, a company has a right to make money.
3) And it has the right to have you eat its food if you are eating.
4) To bring one's own food deprives the company of revenue.
5) Is the food at WDW expensive? You bet!
6) But, it is a company's right to charge what the market will bear.

NOTE: Some people discuss special diet concerns. I know several chefs/cooks at WDW, and there has not been a diet that WDW has not been able to meet.

NOTE2: In replies, I get critical of both WDW and/or guests, when I feel one or the other is out of place. In the case of food eaten within parks, the guests should buy their food from Disney.

Rusty - Of course the company has the right to make money. However, I don't think that you have the right to determine what the company's policy is on the subject. If Disney made a policy and enforced it that they allowed no outside food at the parks I'd say, "okay, food's not allowed". But they don't, so to me when people say that food is "discouraged" or that its not "right" to bring food in I see them as trying to make up rules and being disrespectful to those who are following the rules. You are welcome to your opinions, but that doesn't make them Disney's opinions.

I personally don't bring food into the parks. I like the food in Disney and have no desire to have a picnic. However, I went once with a family where the grandma packed carrots, celery, salami, cheese sticks, etc for the young children because they weren't eating any of the food ordered at the restaurants. We would order them meals and they wouldn't touch them. Disney still made their money, but the kids got to eat something as well.

 

[shellybaxter]

From the Disney World FAQs (reiterating what others have said):

Items that you may not bring into the Theme Parks include, but are not limited to:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.


I think it's safe to say "unofficially" it's discouraged since Disney anticipates parkgoers to purchase their food within the park and obviously does not set up picnic areas and such to encourage it. I'm sure they don't want to face the backlash of issues related to not bringing in food such as how do you enforce it, who draws the line at what is acceptable, etc.

BUT...I agree with TheRustyScupper on this one for the most part

I would disagree with you that the above rules "unoffically" discourage outside food. I believe the rules above offically make the parks a safer place. In fact, if Disney wanted to discourage food these rules would be the perfect place to do so, but they haven't done so at all in my opinion.

 

[momof3girls6712]

I would not be overly concerned for Disney losing revenue over families bringing in food. They do not prohibit food from being brought in. This means they expect people to bring some into the parks. I can not imagine a family bringing in a whole day’s worth of food. So Disney will still be seeing some of their money. If it is tacky to bring food, what about bringing in bottled water? I bring 3 to 4 bottles of water in every time I enter any park. Should I be paying for bottled water at Disney? What about eating breakfast in your room?

As far as chefs that accommodate special diets, you are correct they will make special meals. However, they take longer and need to be prearranged. I never know when my 6 year old will want a snack. Am I going to risk her getting sick by picking up something? Even nice restaurants have fillers and hidden crap in their food. We recently stopped eating at a steak house nearby. We noticed we would all have upset stomachs after eating there. When we asked the waiter about the steaks, he informed us they rub sugar over the outside of the steaks to enhance their flavor and color. That taught me to always be prepared with back up food.

That being said, we enjoy eating out and love dinning with the characters. I try to find the menus online and plan to eat part of the meal we are having. If it is possible we have alternate meals made. However, time is an issue in Disney and last time we had a special request it took an hour and a half after we arrived to get our food. We are hoping to have better luck in January.