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

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
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.

Baby food and baby formula has never fallen under the no outside food rule. As to other theme parks, I don't know.

Since this rule is not enforced with any great vigor, I would expect your baby/toddler items are not going to be bothered.

 

[kilee]

I have seen a family at our last trip sit in Cosmic Rays and pull out 2 of those soft-sided coolers. One had drinks in it, the other HOT DOGS wrapped in foil. The worse part was they took them over to the condiment bar. Then they pulled out their big bags of chips and ate in the restuarant. This food was DEFINETLY brought in, not bought. We watched them sit, we watched them dig through their stuff, we watched them unwrap!!! To me, personally, this is over the top. My opinion is that any food item, no matter how small, is over the top if you're eating it inside a restuarant. (with the expection of a baby/young toddler who isn't really ready for fast food and really only wants their cheerios and things). Even if there are a 100 tables available, it is in my opinion just tacky to sit in a restuarant where you didn't buy food. You want to bring a turkey dinner with the fixings, I really don't care, but eat it outside, in a more secluded place, and have yourself a Disney picinic.

I realize that eating your meals at Disney can break the bank, so to each their own. DH would not go if it meant we had to bring food in to eat. We do start our day off by bringing 2 water bottles, and on occasion I've been known to bring a couple granola bars, but that's about it. It doesn't bother me in the least though that people bring their own food. They deserve the magic as much as I do, even on their tight budget.

 

[CookieGVB]

I don't recall ever seeing "no outside food" signs at WDW...are they there? If they're not there, how would someone know that was a rule?

I have no problems with people bringing in outside food - gives me another source of amusement while I'm in the park. I have to say, if I saw a family with an entire roast/turkey/canned corn/whatever, I'd probably stop to take a picture.

We've brought in drinks/snacks before, and will continue to do so until told otherwise by a CM.

 

[jann1033]

the hot dog family is kind of comical to think of it , they are probably one of the same families that buy one coke and keep get free refills for the rest of the family.....I know some that do that and they have lots more money than I do! (come to think of it maybe that's why they have lots more money than I do...hmmmmm) i would probably be annoyed if I bought food and had to eat it cold due to waiting for a table filled with those "picnicing". I wonder why if it 's problem they don't just supply a couple tables outside the park. I have seen that around where we live. some you have to actually exit the park to use. that way, people can bring their own but since it's inconvenient most people don't ! then they could be more strict on enforcing it.

 

[sln88]

"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."

I am an ex smoker myself(the worst kind). I don't think smoking belongs anywhere there are young children. I don't care if you are in or out of a smoking area. However, I know it happens, and avoid it. I think the biggest reason that there are smokers outside of the smoking areas is because WDW does little to 'advertise' the fact that they have them.

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

This is rather silly, since Disney serves peanuts in their restaurants. So, it does not matter if someone brings theirs PB and J and sits next to you on a bench- you will be at risk in or out of the restaurant. And, obviously, more people are alergic or made sick(I am in the 2nd category) by cig smoke than are alergic to peanuts.

"There is NO proof that smoking in the open air is a health hazard."

According to the EPA's website: "Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen). "

You think that people don't inhale the smoke just because you are outside??

 

[ReneeQ]

Just wondering about the parks that enforce the "no food allowed" rule. I have never been to Universal, etc., only Disney. But I always carry small snacks like peanut butter crackers, etc., with me in case my blood sugar drops. And it can drop fast and without warning, which does not give me enough time to get to a food vendor and wait in line.

I could not, or would not, go to a park that wouldn't allow me to take in any food. Do they actually check every nook and cranny or your bag/backpack? Seems like that would take forever.

Maybe that's just another reason not to leave Disney property!

 

[kilee]

The last time I was at Universal was 4/02-- you were allowed to bring in drink and snacks then. It seems from the pattern of the posts that there was a short period that they tried to stop it, but must have been unsuccessful. As for Sea World, I haven't been there, I imagine it must have something to do with their animals.

 

[jann1033]

I seriously doubt any park would be will to risk creating a medical emergency and the risk of a law suit that would bring so I doubt they'd give you a hard time if you tell them you are diabetic.

 

[jeffemy]

My family spent 2 weeks in Orlando this past June.. we went to WDW, Sea World & Universal. We brought our own water bottles and small snacks into all of the parks without any problems at all.

 

[crazelion]

I don't see a problem bring in food into the parks. As along they sit on the grass and have there picinic. As some people have to understand that some people do not like park food. I am one of those people. Put I draw the line at anything that has to be in the fridge becuase it can make you sick if at room temp. Make it simple cerral bars, granola bars and bottle water. Basicly any thing that's none persisable.

This alone will save alot money.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
...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...

INDEED! Just a reminder to all that if you care to debate ANY issue, we have a board just for that purpose. You can get to our Debate from the drop down menu below and there you can debate to your heart's content.

But here on the Budget Board we TRY to stick to the topic at hand. So what in your opinion IS "over the top" as far as bringing food into the Disney parks?

Thanks!

 

[DMRick]

So what in your opinion IS "over the top" as far as bringing food into the Disney parks?

Whatever Disney says I can't bring. I guess Disney has all these rules in place in case they want or need to enforce them. But so many times they are just words on paper..so it appears that the food issue is just words on paper.

 

[JesseBlue]

I knew someone would say "canned corn". Boy does that bring back memories!

The first few times we went I over packed food thinking Disneys food would be too expensive. I'd bring sandwiches (even subs) cookies, chips, fruit, etc. I was wrong! It's pricey but actually cheaper than our local amusement park. After a few times of tossing soggy sandwiches and crushed chips I stopped all that. Now all we bring is water and maybe a few fruit roll ups for dd. Now it's Mickey bars, Tollhouse cookies, Beaver Tails, Dole Whips, Churros, turkey legs, burgers, fries, chicken strips, and any kind of chocolate I can get my hands on! It all tastes better at Disney! Woohoo!

As far as what everyone else is doing? WHO CARES! Do what Disney allows and what you want! If everyone only worried about themselves they would have a MUCH better time!

 

[mom2bandp]

We've always eaten at the restaurants in the parks, but when we had the babies we started bringing in their favorite snacks and juice. DS1 is like Mikey, he'll eat anything. But DS2 is a true toddler...you never know what will strike his fancy from minute to minute, and having packed the few things that we know he will eat is sometimes a lifesaver! If they strictly enforced the no food rule, we would definitely have to consider our options. We don't examine what the people next to us are eating, and I hope we're given the same consideration.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
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.

Oh my! That was me that said that, and I certainly wasn't talking about baby/toddler gear/food! That's another story altogether, and bring along whatever it takes to keep your younger child fed and happy

At one point when she was a toddler, my niece "Little Miss Fickle" wouldn't eat anything but PB & Fluff with the crusts cut off. Guess what was made, packed into ziplocks and toted into the parks every day? Of course on that trip she was introduced to chicken fingers, and the PB&F fascination was abandoned for the new food de jour

Anne

 

[mom2bandp]

Originally posted by ducklite

At one point when she was a toddler, my niece "Little Miss Fickle" wouldn't eat anything but PB & Fluff with the crusts cut off. Guess what was made, packed into ziplocks and toted into the parks every day? Of course on that trip she was introduced to chicken fingers, and the PB&F fascination was abandoned for the new food de jour

Anne

Wow Anne, that sounds SO familiar!

 

[DznyDreams]

I plan to eat most of my evening meals in Disney restaurants with my family. However, I was wondering what the general consensus is about my lunch plans. Here is goes:

I plan for DH and DD to eat lunch in the parks (one child’s meal and one adult meal), but I will probably do a nice veggie or turkey sandwich on my sugar-free bread, with a bag of multi-grain snack chips and/or fruit/carrots. If I were to be sitting at a counter service restaurant in the MK with my family who is eating counter service food, am I a horrible person for sitting with them and breaking out my healthy sandwich/multi-grain chip/carrots-in-a-ziplock lunch right there in the counter service restaurant?

What do you think?

 

[sln88]

". If I were to be sitting at a counter service restaurant in the MK with my family who is eating counter service food, am I a horrible person for sitting with them and breaking out my healthy sandwich/multi-grain chip/carrots-in-a-ziplock lunch right there in the counter service restaurant? "

I would not think twice about what you were doing(well, maybe I would think it was great that you were sticking to your diet)

Others on this board would probably have a fit!

 

[funhouse8]

DznyDreams-
I don't see anything wrong with this. I think this is getting out of hand if you think you are a horrible person for sitting with your family while they eat lunch. Look at it this way it might make you feel better - Isn't this the same thing if you all were to split your dinners. Noone has a problem with this. So go, relax and enjoy...
Keep up the good work. It's going to be hard to diet while at WDW.

 

[mum4jenn]

When our DD was a toddler we brought several snacks in along with some sandwiches. We ate away fro everyone else in the Rose Garden at MK. We still take a backpack in with waterbottles and some fruit and some peanuts. We do take less as dd gets older because we don't want to lug a heavy backpack around.

When we go in Novemeber this year I am not sure what we will do yet because my dh and I are both on Atkins and plan on sticking with our way of eating as much as possible.

I would say sandwiches are fine if you are comfortable with that.