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

[Kevin&Becky]

Just wanted to share a story about food in the parks. We just moved to FL a few months ago and visit the parks pretty much every weekend. On our way to Fantasmic two weeks ago we saw a lady pushing a wheelchair, well the wheelchair did not have a passenger but contained a large cooler like your would take to the beach probally would hold 48 cans for a party type of cooler......no CM stopped her and she brought it right along with her to Fantasmic.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by MyDisneySig
I have read all seven pages of this thread

Is anybody gonna tell what "canned corn" is all about???

Several years ago on our Community Board, someone started a thread entitled "What is the Strangest Thing That You Have Ever Seen at WDW?"

There were lots of funny answers, but probably the funniest, was that someone saw a family sitting on the step of City Hall on Main Street eating corn right out of the can. Well, that post took on a life of its own and has become a part of DIS-tory.

Guess I would think that THAT would be over the top! At least put the corn in individual plastic containers, and make sure that you have one for each member of your family.

 

[Familymoon]

Bearing in mind that this is our first trip to DisneyWorld (I've been to DisneyLand in my childhood)...I thought I'd throw my two cents in here as well.

Checking out the prices and menus, I see no reason why someone cannot afford to eat in DisneyWorld. If you are paying three hundred dollars or more to just get in to the park, surely you can budget a bit more for counter service. Or, maybe you could put the trip off for a couple months until you can afford it - or go one day less, etc.

Now, granted, we aren't doing a bunch of character meals or priority seatings, but you can get most of the kids meals for like $5 - including a drink - and the adults can get meals for around $6-8. That is *not* expensive. (And we are a family of five). It's like $65 a day!

Is there any reason why breakfast cannot be eaten at the hotel? Yogurt, juice boxes, cereal bars, bagels/cream cheese are all substantial - plus fruit is the easiest fast food.

For lunch and dinner, grab counter service. It seems like part of the magic of disney! My mom and step-dad were *very* frugal (would even steal stuff to wrap up in napkins from the Sizzler food bar to take back to hotels!!!) But, they'd always buy counter service at amusement parks. It's part of the expenses - part of the budget - part of the fun. I would have been mortified as a child to be sitting on the side eating a smashed sandwich while the other families were eating counter service. Sorry - I won't do that to my kids.

Now - ritz bits, granola bars, juice boxes, fruit snacks, little things like that to appease a small child impatiently waiting in a long line for a ride...absolutely. But, the key point is moderation. Even someone with diabetes knows what they need to eat and when...it isn't terribly difficult to plan accordingly (MIL is diabetic). She manages to eat at appropriate times when we're out shopping for the day - why would Disney be any different? And soooo many of the carts and counter service *have* healthy items on their menus. We are vegetarians and just planned accordingly by looking up the places that offered healthier options and writing them down on our itinerary. This way we can sit down and have the foods that we know we like/can eat.

 

[kelma]

[
"Checking out the prices and menus, I see no reason why someone cannot afford to eat in DisneyWorld. If you are paying three hundred dollars or more to just get in to the park, surely you can budget a bit more for counter service. Or, maybe you could put the trip off for a couple months until you can afford it - or go one day less, etc."

OK, sooo not good with this whole quote thing. But I just have to say that after reading the quote above, I was really surprised. It seems fairly presumptuous to me, to assume that because you are able to afford something, anyone is. Several of the earlier posters had already stated that, in fact, they could not afford to go to WDW if they had to eat in the Parks for all or most of their meals. It also seems unfair to cavalierly suggest that a person should just postpone their trip, or go one less day.

I've read all these posts and I cannot understand why anyone would care what someone else brings to eat (provided they are not taking up a seat for someone who is paying for their food - as was already covered). As for embarassed kids, we are trying very hard to teach our kids that not everyone has the same amount of money as we do. Some have far less, some have far more. Eating sandwiches when some others might be having steak is nothing to be ashamed of, it is also nothing to ridicule or judge someone else about.

WDW themselves have said it is OK to bring in small coolers of food. I truly cannot understand all the underlying annoyance people seem to have with this. I have been 5 times and have never noticed or cared what someone else brought to eat.

Whew, long post and I'm sure there will be angry people, but I just wish we could all be happy that someone else has the wonderful opportunity to go to Disney, no matter how they are able to afford it.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by Familymoon
Checking out the prices and menus, I see no reason why someone cannot afford to eat in DisneyWorld. If you are paying three hundred dollars or more to just get in to the park, surely you can budget a bit more for counter service. Or, maybe you could put the trip off for a couple months until you can afford it - or go one day less, etc.

Personally, I couldn't agree with you more. But I hope you packed your flame retardant suit, because you're probably about to get hammered.

And NO, peanut gallery, it wouldn't hurt my vacation or even bug me if I saw someone eating "smashed sandwiches." I just can't fathom how someone can say without breaking into the giggles that they can afford a trip to WDW (NOT a cheap vacation), yet can't afford counter service vs. grocery stops. I also think it's LOGICAL and not "cavalier" to suggest that if you need XX amount more money for a trip, that you wait XX amount more months to go.

 

[jann1033]

just a quick comment about kids eating "smashed sammiches' why do they have to be smashed? is that from hiding them in your pockets ) ) I do think kids do often notice those things(my father at 80+ still remembers being embarrassed when as a kid he had "mustard sandwiches' cause his family was to poor to afford anything but bread and mustard and I know adults that as kids were humiliated cause they were part of free lunch programs at school so I do think they notice) what is ok to an adult might be viewed differently by a kid.

that being said I do wonder why someone who can afford to pay 500-1000+ for a room can not drum up enough to at least not have to lug a picnic into the park.( don't mean snacks or water or little stuff). maybe cut back on the other expenses or eat the picnic back at the room and spend $30 for lunch, most people do know they are going long before hand. skip McDonalds for a month or two.( we always go scraping up the pennies and have never found we need to do that..we just plan ahead for food since we have a tendency to pass out after not eating for a week or two) I know people got mad about this before and I'm not trying to add fuel but I do think most parks try to cut down on brought in food probably cause they can contain the debris more easily if people are eating more centrally located( as *well* as make big money.).none of us would like to have a real rat or roach crawl up our leg in hista or ittbb. and while people eat mickey bars or what ever strolling around that is not as bad as the mess it must make for a lot of people to be walking around eating sandwiches, chips, spagetti and meatballs, duck a la orange, what ever.( just visuallizing the trash at the end of a football game after tailgate parties! yikes!)
just figured I'd deflect some flames from the other posters !

 

[BethR]

I don't recall if I have stepped in on this thread in the past or not. But as I seem to recall, this thread has remained fairly friendly even though this is a topic that can really get some people upset.

I ask everyone to please KEEP this thread that way. If you really would like to argue the merits of taking in food, or saving enough so that you don't have to take in food, there is a Debate Board on this site that is for that purpose.

Remember that there are a NUMBER of reasons why people take in food: kids, budget, medical reasons, boredom with eating out, not wanting to stop to eat, etc.

So if you feel strongly on this issue, please think before you type. Or make use of the back button, it works wonders.

 

[sln88]

"I just can't fathom how someone can say without breaking into the giggles that they can afford a trip to WDW (NOT a cheap vacation), yet can't afford counter service vs. grocery stops. "

It is not just about being able to afford it, it is about the value. I can see the value of paying $45 per day to go to WDW. That is the going rate for theme parks. I get a full days worth of quality entertainment. On the other hand, I can't see spending $3 for a soda when I can bring my own for 25 cents. We used a voucher at Beaches and Cream- $9 for a cheeseburger!!?? I would never have paid the full price for that.

"that being said I do wonder why someone who can afford to pay 500-1000+ for a room can not drum up enough to at least not have to lug a picnic into the park."

I would never in a million years spend that kind of money on a room. Last trip was $250 for a week in a condo, plus 2 hotel nights at $40 each.

It is all about choices. How I choose to spend my $ is different from how you choose to spend yours.

Maybe WDW could help this issue by charging reasonable prices for their food.

 

[MyDisneySig]

Thank you so much, BethR!!! I was dyin' to know!!!

Originally posted by BethR




Several years ago on our Community Board, someone started a thread entitled "What is the Strangest Thing That You Have Ever Seen at WDW?"

There were lots of funny answers, but probably the funniest, was that someone saw a family sitting on the step of City Hall on Main Street eating corn right out of the can.

Now that that is out of the way:

I always bring in water bottles, used to bring juice boxes, and most times bagels, granola bars, fruit snacks, and other stuff like that. I have also been known to carry in a cup of coffee in progress.

Just stuff to hold us over till it's time for the character breakfast.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by sln88
It is not just about being able to afford it, it is about the value. I can see the value of paying $45 per day to go to WDW. That is the going rate for theme parks. I get a full days worth of quality entertainment. On the other hand, I can't see spending $3 for a soda when I can bring my own for 25 cents. We used a voucher at Beaches and Cream- $9 for a cheeseburger!!?? I would never have paid the full price for that.

Fair enough. I will say though, that this conversation usually goes, "But I can't afford it!" which is a totally different angle.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

I don't really think there is anything wrong with taking food into the parks. I must say though I have 3 kids 4 and under. I take stuff with me everywhere. No don't get me wrong, I buy food for them when we go out to eat. I take juice everywhere, juice at $1.49 a child tends to get pricey. To me it is not about the cost of buying food at the parks, I just don't like to waste money. Example, I know that my kids will only eat certain things. Mac and cheese, but only the mac n cheese singles made in the microwave. Not stouffers, not anything else. They will only eat certain type of peanut butter and jelly. I am not going to waste money just to see if they are going to eat. I will not pay $3.00 for a bottle of water or pop, I will take my own. But I will buy my drink at the restaurant. My point for me is that I take the snacks and drinks for the convience of my kids and less hassel for me. If it was just my husband and myself I would only take a small beverage, that seems to be too much of a hassel.

The whole if you can't afford it then don't go view. Disney is very expensive in general. I am sure that most people work hard for there money and don't want to throw it away on buying 5 bottles of water for $3 4 times a day. Its not that you can't afford it, why would you want to do it? I think people just need to use common sense.

 

[HaleyB]

First of all it is not only the cost but the quality and wait time of food that some people have issue with. Second, where are you finding counter children's meals for $5 and adult meals for $7-$8? I actually don't pay attention to things like that while in the park, but I assumed I was spending more. We have to bring in food for one of our children, and I always bring "line" food for my younger two. When I say 'have to' I mean just that. I do not really think it costs much less, and it is a pain in the neck to carry around or run back to a locker/car for.
I think it should be remembered that many people have dietary restrictions that are much harder to deal with than controlled diabeties (which is still a challenge in WDW). Food allergies can be deadly. Also many people have religious reasons for bringing their own food. Also many many children are just plain awful eaters. A starving child is no fun to be around.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by HaleyB
Second, where are you finding counter children's meals for $5 and adult meals for $7-$8? I

ironically i was just looking at menus and some of the counter service is *almost* as cheap as my local mcdonalds...found a lot of burgers and fries for about 6 which is a dollar or 2 more than McD's ( I think, don't go there much)but minus the pop ( I'd rather have H2O anyway...)kids were even cheaper but limited mostly to mac and cheese, hot dogs( what are we training our kids to eat like lol!!!)

so in other words maybe what is hurting some wallets is not the actual food cost per meal but the actual food over the lenght of time they are there since the meals really at fast food at least are not much more (maybe 32 for 4 rather than 20 -22 for 4 ?) than what you'd spend at home but then how many eat every meal out for a week at home. at least I feel better about my meal spending!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
I just can't fathom how someone can say without breaking into the giggles that they can afford a trip to WDW (NOT a cheap vacation), yet can't afford counter service vs. grocery stops. I also think it's LOGICAL and not "cavalier" to suggest that if you need XX amount more money for a trip, that you wait XX amount more months to go.

-------------------------------------------------

Isn't that kind of like saying, "If you can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian, then you should wait until you can?"

Or "If you can't afford to stay on Disney property, you should wait until you can?"

In some cases it may be that people honestly and truly can't afford it - but on the other hand, can't see the logic in waiting until their kids are teenagers to experience "the magic" either..

Or - as another poster pointed out - some people may just place more value on their money than you do - and can't see the logic in spending $3 on something that can be had elsewhere for 25 cents..

Personally, as long as they're not spending MY money, I don't care if they bring in food, use counter service, or have ALL sit-down meals.. I simply prefer NOT to spend a boat-load of money on things that I don't perceive as a "good value" and I can't for the life of me understand why that would amuse or annoy anyone else..

 

[jann1033]

took the moderator's sage advice from a number of posts back and used the back button and am just unsubcribing to this thread cause sometimes i just gotta or bleed to death from the bite marks in my tongue

 

[delmaruser]

Excuse my ignorance.
Are there no areas off of the parking lots where you could actually leave the park, grab your cooler and head to any sort of picnic area to eat. We have rented a vacation home and the plan was to do some grocery shopping and save some money on meals.
We will do some eating in the park and maybe even a character meal for the kids but all week, every meal in the park ? Expensive !!!

Oh and lalapodip where did u get the cool vacation count down ?

 

[christinadei]

Originally posted by JesseBlue

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!

I totally agree, who cares what everyone else is doing, as long as they aren't bothering you, forget them and have a good time.

As for me, I'd bring in a few small snacks, crackers or granola bars and maybe bottled water. the main thing is who wants to carry it around and how can you eat that when there is so much yummy food around? As for a budget, we are planning on a late breakfast/early dinner that cuts one meal per day!

 

[christinadei]

Originally posted by C.Ann
[BPersonally, as long as they're not spending MY money, I don't care if they bring in food, use counter service, or have ALL sit-down meals.. I simply prefer NOT to spend a boat-load of money on things that I don't perceive as a "good value" and I can't for the life of me understand why that would amuse or annoy anyone else.. [/B]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!

 

[mum4jenn]

Delmaruser... no there are not any picnic areas at the parks or just outside. They did this on purpose.

However we have had coolers in our car along with snacks and stuff to make sandwiches and went to our car to eat. We also have taken a small portable grill and cooked hotdogs in the parking lot. I think we did this with hamburgers also. The security van did come by to make sure nothing was on fire and to make sure we were not using charcoal (so we would not leave hot embers for someone to step on) We were using propane so it was not a problem. We actually offered him some of the food. He said they really do try to frown on this type of thing but we did not get into any trouble.

We have not done this in several years so things might have changed.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Ok -- I've now read all 8 pages of posts on this thread.

We do take food into the park but over the top to me would be a big cooler. We take a lunch bag with snacks and a sandwich. Why? Lots of different reasons -- cost, boredom with park food but mostly because I'm diabetic. I can then control what I'm eating, when I'm eating it and portion size. Is there food I can eat at WDW -- yup but I can't eat burgers, fried foods etc. all the time. Is there healthy food -- yup but I can't eat a slice of watermelon without having some protein to go with it (hence I take cheese pkgs to eat with the fruit). I also have special snack foods that are sugar free that aren't available at WDW (although I have to admit they do have sugar free brownies!).

It is possible to follow a specific diet at WDW but it's not necessarily that easy either. It's made easier by the fact that I can take food into the parks -- we've never had a problem with security either.

We don't take up space at tables either. We like to find benches in out of the way places to eat -- so as not to disturb people but also it's amazing what areas you can discover in the parks that makes it seem like you are the only people in the park.

Over the top -- canned corn, roast beef etc. but I have seen it too.