Bringing food into the parks---what's over the line?

[skiwee1]

Well Universal must have changed their rules since my last trip there in October. They had people dumping drinks and food left and right! People were pretty upset including my mom who had to give up her nice cold bottle of water she had just paid $4 from the Hard Rock Hotel snack shop! LOL!

 

[DMRick]

Rick,
I was the one that said it. And...I explained my position earlier on this thread.QUOTE]

I hadn't realize you had reposted...where you said bringing food in isn't bad..etc etc..I was responding to this (which I think was you, but I'm too lazy to go back to page one LOL:

BTW, Sea World does strictly enforce the no outside food rule. I wish Disney did also.

I agree you shouldn't take up paying customers seats, we never take a table if someone who bought food there needs it...we'll eat on benches.

 

[LauraR]

I think I'm getting it...if it's smaller than a bread basket, and you can eat it standing up, you're probably O.K. And don't take restaurant tables from paying customers---I can manage that! That's a relief that they don't really enforce the no food rule at WDW. I wanted to take my boys on a trip to WDW before they are too old to enjoy it, and the only way to do it is to keep a tight budget. And since we can't shave much off ticket prices, we'll have to hold the line with food.

BethR-Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[Lewisc]

Try to get plastic bottles. Glass is not permitted and in some venues (not sure about Disney) cans are also not allowed.

Laura I think you pretty much summarize the current policy but enforcement is always subject to change.

AFAIK the water parks still allow real coolers.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by LauraR
I wanted to take my boys on a trip to WDW before they are too old to enjoy it,

LAURA! SURELY you jest! You are NEVER too old to enjoy WDW!!!

 

[Straitlover]

What about taking my Brita bottle to Universal? If I bring it empty, will they not let me take it in? I'm sure not going to throw it away, and I don't want to have to take it back to the car!

If I have to, guess I would break down and buy one bottled water and keep the bottle .

 

[LauraR]

Ha! Yes, you're right Beth, you're never too young or too old to enjoy WDW. I guess what I really meant was, I don't want to deprive my boys of the experience for much longer!

 

[jann1033]

wonder if they'd stop us if my husband brought in our fridge on a dolly and I could probably wheel in the stove if I knew where to plug it in....serioulsy, I wouldn't want to lug a cooler around all day, wheels or not. what would you do , park it with the strollers? to much of a pain! I am thinking of stuffing an (empty)water bottle in our pack or maybe just buy one each day and reuse for that day, they get kind of gross after a while any way.

I do feel for families with a bunch of kids or maybe those with medical problems that make them have to eat often as the cost could really get up there. Maybe that's why the cm's aren't exact on the food rule. but I also know how careless people can be with garbage so maybe" no outside food" helps curtail that. I can't imagine having the nerve to pull my picnic cooler into a restaurant and expect paying customers to stand while I munch on my chicken and potato salad but
eating a simple lunch on a bench would be fine with me as long as someone didn't leave peanut butter all over it for me to sit on course that can happen with purchased food also)

 

[sln88]

"I am not amused to have to stand with a try of Disney food and cannot find a seat because the folks have decided to bring their own. The food is not the issue, it is the inconsideration of the people who tote it that twists my knickers. "

I can see that being irritating, but don't assume that just because someone brings in food that they are doing that. We spent 5 days at the parks last year, and only used a table once(and there were plenty of tables available for paying customers). The other times we just stopped on a bench or curb or snacked in line. We also did not leave our garbage laying around.

 

[funhouse8]

Just because I bring in food doesn't make us inconsiderate. We don't sit in your sits or leave our jelly on your benches. We are just trying to save some money. Don't mean to offend anybody. Sorry.

 

[Muffin]

We were at AK in 2000 and there was a family eating at a picnic table on the walkway to the dinosaur area. They were carving a whole roast beef for sandwiches and they had full size jars of mayo and mustard on the table.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
"I am not amused to have to stand with a try of Disney food and cannot find a seat because the folks have decided to bring their own. The food is not the issue, it is the inconsideration of the people who tote it that twists my knickers. "

I can see that being irritating, but don't assume that just because someone brings in food that they are doing that. We spent 5 days at the parks last year, and only used a table once(and there were plenty of tables available for paying customers). The other times we just stopped on a bench or curb or snacked in line. We also did not leave our garbage laying around.

I don't assume anything. But, now, since you are breaking a rule, which, granted, is not being enforced, how do you feel about people smoking in non designated areas. It is a rule, but, not really enforced. Just curious.

 

[jann1033]

whoa! if that is directed toward me ( the jelly on the bench) i said that can be from purchased or brought in food. this thread is reaching the boiling point me thinks so that's enough for me but I thought I was being supportive of the bring in the foodies. Sorry if it wasn't viewed that way, 10 licks with a sandwich baggie for me ( hopefully not filled with a brick)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jann1033
whoa! if that is directed toward me ( the jelly on the bench) i said that can be from purchased or brought in food. this thread is reaching the boiling point me thinks so that's enough for me but I thought I was being supportive of the bring in the foodies. Sorry if it wasn't viewed that way, 10 licks with a sandwich baggie for me ( hopefully not filled with a brick)

Jann,
You covered your bases just fine, there was nothing in your post to take offense to.....mine on the other hand.....hmmmmm.

 

[Figaro]

I've never brought any food into the parks other than the time we stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery and picked up some chocolate eclairs and carried them with us through the International Gateway. But when we stay concierge, we always each take a bottle of water with us into the parks.

Can people bring their filled refillable mugs from the resorts into the parks? I haven't paid a lot of attention, but I seem to remember people carrying those on the buses and into the parks with them.

 

[ducklite]

IMHO anything requiring utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc. for serving or eating is way over the top for "brought in" food. If it can't be eaten out of the hand, on the run, it's "over the top".

I don't like the idea of bringing in any food that can spoil, meat sandwiches, anything with mayo, etc. Next thing you know the entire family is down with botulism and suing WDW because they say it came from the cotton candy they ate.

IMHO it's a common sense thing.

And I agree, it's really rude to sit at a table in a restaurant or restaurant seating area and eat your "brought in" food, especially if others are walking around, tray in hand, looking for a seat.

Anne

 

[RescueRanger]

I see nothing wrong with bringing in sandwiches or small snacks. I agree that no one who brings in their own food should be sitting at tables. Personally, we always take breaks in the afternoon and fix sandwiches in our room.

Gail-
I think you comparing someone bringing in food and someone smoking in a non designated area is a BIG STRETCH. If a person is sitting next to me on a bench eating a sandwich, it has no physical effect on me whatsoever; however, if they are smoking, it does, and if I am not mistaken, isn't that a law in Florida? It's not just a rule.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
I see nothing wrong with bringing in sandwiches or small snacks. I agree that no one who brings in their own food should be sitting at tables. Personally, we always take breaks in the afternoon and fix sandwiches in our room.

Gail-
I think you comparing someone bringing in food and someone smoking in a non designated area is a BIG STRETCH. If a person is sitting next to me on a bench eating a sandwich, it has no physical effect on me whatsoever; however, if they are smoking, it does, and if I am not mistaken, isn't that a law in Florida? It's not just a rule.

Nope, at WDW it is a rule. The law in FLA means you cannot smoke in a restaurant Disney made the rule for it's parks.

Ah, if you are eating a peanut butter sandwich beside someone allergic to peanut butter, it can have a physical effect.

There is NO proof that smoking in the open air is a health hazard.
There IS proof that cars emit more particulate matter into the air that is hazardous to your health. BUT....that is another debate.

My issue and my point is that both carrying food into the park and smoking outside designated areas is breaking the rules.
Obviously, one is ok to break, the other is not. And, for the record, I neither bring food in or smoke outside of a designated area. But, I do break the speed limit often.

 

[tink2dw]

One money saving, time saving way to save is to eat Breakfast in your room. Bagels and Cream Cheese and Kelloges Special K Breakfast bars are 2 of our Favorites.

We take in a backpack with Diet drinks and Water and 1 or 2 family favorite snacks and a couple of Diabetic choses. No one ever wants to eat a smished up warm sandwich so we skip those!!

 

[Disneylvr]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Glass is not permitted....

What about glass babyfood jars or baby food in general? Bottled water for mixing formula? Infant and/or toddler appropriate snacks? Do these items fall under the "no food" policy at Disney and other theme parks?

Another poster mentioned that anything requiring utensils is way over the top. I agree with this statement if it involves adults, but please tell me that infants/toddlers are exempt. We plan to bring a feeding bowl, spoons and food for our baby.