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

[blowinbubbles]

Wow, interesting and long-lived thread, but since I'm a newbie, I'm gonna post anyway!

I just returned from WDW and had brought snacks such as cheese-whiz, crackers & granola bars. And ya know what, my kids turned their noses up at it all. . talk about spoiled! LOL!

But next trip I will be driving, and therefore will be bringing a cooler to make sandwiches. . .not to totally replace park-purchased food, but to supplement it. I and my oldest son are very limited as to what we can eat. I can't imagine dragging two cranky boys from restaurant to restaurant, trying to find *something* suitable to eat. That's a recipe for certain meltdown, for the kids *and* myself!

Now carrying a whole full-course meal. . .who the heck wants to carry all that stuff anyway?!?!? LOL! Different strokes, I guess!

Ann

Poly 1971 (2?)
Poly 1974
Poly 4/2004!!!

Next trip?!?!?????

 

[damo]

Skiwee is the first person that I have ever heard of that had to get rid of their drink at Universal. They are very, very good about allowing drinks and snacks into the parks. In fact, the hotels recommend picking up bottled drinks to bring into the parks; especially the club level workers.

Six Flags does not allow drinks and food. I would imagine that this may have something to do with people mixing alcohol into drinks.

 

[Kristentheangel]

Hi,

After taking a 3 yr hiatus from WDW, because I've decided to go back to school, my DBF and I have decided to take my 3 yo DD to see the mouse for the first time!!! This trip was going to be a "budget" trip, getting a room off Priceline, eating off property as much as possible, ETC. However, after reading the Unofficial Guide, and using these boards, I've figured that this "budget" trip doesn't have to be as "budgeted" as I thought. We're going on Sept 11th, and staying for 7 or 8 nights at Pop Century during value season...my local AAA has quoted me 60 dollars, incl. tax a night...score!!! Also, we're getting Park Hopper Pluses for 6 days...leaving us a day or two to just relax or go to DTD. As far as the food goes, we've found NUMEROUS ways to save....we're going to ship a box of bfast and snack stuff down ahead of ourselves... Also, splitting these counter meals...which are large anyway, is going to be easy....even buying things alacarte to a counter meal in addition, isn't that bad....and, at most counter service places....using the wdwig.com menus, for kids, are actually not as expensive as once thought!! I was considering bringing sandwiches and stuff into the park because it was going to save me money...but, I've decided that it's not going to be a substantial savings for our small party of 3...I can NOT even imagine having 3 or 4 kids at WDW...you parents are my heros...you are all amazing..I couldnt do it...and I could see how it would and could get very expensive.

I can see, by reading these boards, that there are people who love value resorts and those who don't think its a WDW vacation without staying at the GF and I respect all sides, however, this is why WDW has all of these different types of resorts and there are so many different types of people walking around the mouse...the only thing that gets me, is when people put other people down because of different circumstances....I thought we were all going down to WDW so we can all have fun?? And BTW, I'm thinking of upgrading to WL.....but, I still will be the same person if I stay at PC... just my own opinion...sending Pixie Dust to all of you Disers..
Kristen

 

[plummer925]

We brought in a few snacks the first couple days we went two years ago (granola bars, etc) - didn't even look at them let alone eat them. Realized it was silly for us to carry around the extra weight (not to mention bringing it with us, then packing it up to bring it home!).

We decided to eat at counter services once a day, and sit-down restaurants once a day. We had breakfast at POR (paid for it, didn't eat on our own). We used about 10 vouchers (cost about $150) and shared many meals. I think we paid a total of $300 (including vouchers) for a weeks worth of meals - for 2.

To me, it isn't worth the time or hassel to bring food in. Water is a different story. We did bring water in the first half of the week. Then we realized that the water for sale really isn't THAT unreasonable - $2.50 for 20 ounces - that was about $5 a day for the two of us (we're not huge water drinkers) - and we didn't have to worry about carrying it around with us all day.

Now, if I was staying for more than a week - like the poster earlier who said he was staying for 28 days (!!!!!), then I wouldn't eat in the parks. I would go back to my room to prepare lunch/dinner though - with that much time for the parks, losing a couple hours a day to save money on food wouldn't be a big deal - to me...

Just my 2 cents worth...lol

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I don't bring in food to Disney, we always buy the Disney food, but I have no problem with people bringing in food, and I have NEVER seen anybody sitting at a Disney restaurant and eating food they packed.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying it's awfully rare for people to do so. I generally don't have strong opinions on something so trivial. If Disney doesn't care what people bring in to eat, neither do I .

 

[hyzdufan]

I'm considering taking a small propane grill, along with several pounds of ground beef, buns, and fixins so we can have a hamburger party on main street.

It's no big deal though, because I think I can disassemble everything and tape it parts of my body, so guards can't see it. I'm also gonna fill ziploc bags with pepsi and coca-cola, so we have something to drink. I'll hang those from by belt underneath my shirt, and they'll just pass as love handles.

I just have to remember to not go on any bumpy or jolty rides. I don't want the propane to get too turbulent.

By the way, I'm kidding.

 

[sweet maxine]

Hey from the Delta!!!

hyzdufan, that is the funniest thing I think I've ever read on these boards!! My daughter and I were rolling on that one!!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

However, it is certainly relevant here regarding outside food.

I certainly don't recommend packing the full size coleman cooler, but beverages (water for adults and big kids, juice boxes for the babies) and a few snacks (fresh fruit, granola bars, or chips) aren't what the bag checks are trying to keep out. In all honesty bringing those snacks in doesn't save me money. Rather it provides me the opportunity to allocate that food money differently. If I don't have to stop and buy sodas and popcorn every afternoon, then I can have nice, relaxing sit-down meals rather than having to scrimp and do only counter service. Believe me Disney is getting the same $$$ from this family. Our bottomline has to be what it has to be, but our vacation experience can depend on being reasonable and making compromises. I consider my fellow Diser's, not to mention many guide book authors, and other published WDW experts to be pretty ethical, and nearly all advice-givers make suggestions regarding "snacks," both in resort rooms and the parks. Of course we will always have those who take this too far, but for the most part rational thought and reasoning is applied by guests with snacks.

I am not looking for a debate here, or trying to be on a "soap box" preaching, but I do feel strongly that for the most part, snacks are not an issue. That's my .02!

 

[daisylove]

I remember when I was a kid and there was only one Disney park down here we used to go with my grandparents and parents for killer one day trips. My grandma used to get up at like 3am to fry chicken for us and pack lunches and sandwiches for dinner. I will always remember thoses trips and that chicken and how good it was and how happy we all were. This thread made me remember thanks!

 

[blowinbubbles]

For what it's worth, somebody mentioned that their mom was made to throw away the bottle of water she was bringing in at Universal Studios. . . .I was there in August of 2003 and loaded my backpack with six bottles of water every day we were there. No problem at all! Maybe it was just a PITA security guard?

 

[Miniefan]

Having taken 4 trips to WDW, 2 in childhood and 2 in my adulthood and out of my own pocket I might also add, I have learned a lot recently by joining these boards. There are lots of tips on everything imaginable in Disney and beyond. I did a lot of research on our trips both times and I wish that I would have learned about the Dis sooner,but I am getting off subject here, so What I really want to say is after all my research and reading and surfing the internet, both times my Dh and I went we truly thought that the rules about bringing in outside food were enforced. I never really payed that much attention the first trip in 2001, in fact I don't remember our bags being searched then and I know we had a bag because my DD was only 17 mos at the time, and we had a good bit of spending money with us that time. But our most recent trip was exactly one month ago today, and we were a bit more cost conscious this time, we brought a cooler with us for the drive down, with lots of snacks, pbj sandwich stuff, bottled water, fruit, cereal, granola bars, etc.. However, we still were firmly believed that Disney strictly enforced there no food rule, so we didn't bring any of it in with us. We thought that was one of the purposes of the bag checks. I couldn't believe how many people I saw eating things I knew were brought in from the outside, we were just trying to figure out how they got it in!! I am now glad to know that we aren't going to be thrown out of the park for bringing in some drinks and snacks for ourselves from now on, because I don't know what some of you think but I think that $35 or more we spent for each counter service lunch, which I might add wasn't that good, could better be used on something else in WDW!! I'd be curious to find out how many people were also not impressed with the food at WDW?? That was our only complaint about the trip. Our best meals were eaten off property. Just wondering what you guys think?!?

 

[mum4jenn]

I agree that the food in most places at the Parks is not very good.I think the food at Universal is MUCH better. While you can get good food at the more expensive places at WDW, the counter service is lacking.

The searches were started because of 9/11. They are searching for possible weapons knives ,etc. They do not care what kind of food you have. In fact we have had some of the guards tease us that they wanted a bite.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by blowinbubbles
I can't imagine dragging two cranky boys from restaurant to restaurant, trying to find *something* suitable to eat. That's a recipe for certain meltdown, for the kids *and* myself!


Ann

Poly 1971 (2?)
Poly 1974
Poly 4/2004!!!

Next trip?!?!?????

just wanted to mention ( in case you did not know)there are menus at www.allearsnet.com which might make it easier to decide on where you want to go

 

[jann1033]

stupid me hit quote instead of edit so erasing this one and leaving the next which was the edit..oh brother

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by jann1033
personally I do not really care for a steady diet of burgers and fries anywhere but at wdw the counter food is pretty lousy or average at best which imo makes the q/c and vkl vouchers a better value as we eat resort meals ( smaller dinner at a cafe type place) or sit down while in the in parks(larger lunch) which has always worked well for us, particularly since so many resort dinner places are buffets which we hate or very expensive . usually 5+ more for the same thing we had at lunch!

to keep costs down last trip ( Jan) we split almost all of our meals and had plenty for 2 adults, with an occasional "snack" if the meal was a little smaller or we were tempted by what someone walked by eating( more usual).we were always "comfortably full"after lunch. we spent an average of 10-15 per meal or snack at counter ( unless we used a voucher...not by memory,.looked at my room charge slip) for 2 adults... so from that I would say the snacks are the real killers! our best values with out the q/c was with the ak voucher...the pizza at pizzafari was really pretty good ( crust was chewy which I like, not the anticipated fast food cardboard I was afraid we'd get) plus you got the snacks for free later except not drink refills with the meal which I hate since I drink a lot.

also I think the counter food is better earlier in the meal time as it hasn't been laying around.epcot counter was generally good ( except Japan!!!!!) Mk all we tried was casey's which was good and yummy ice cream sandwich at mainstreet ( 3+ but easily big enough to split so one of our cheaper snacks) Mgm we only got starring rolls counter..good but almost $10 for 2 pastry and coffees

husband took a granola bar in his pocket on occasion but usually didn't need it

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by Kristentheangel
Hi,

We're going on Sept 11th, and staying for 7 or 8 nights at Pop Century during value season...my local AAA has quoted me 60 dollars, incl. tax a night...score!!!

I'd keep my eye out and see if you can get a lower rate..ours for pop in Jan o4 was $49 ( with ap, public code was $5 more a night)..not sure if you can change aaa rates but might be worth it, $50 saved is $50 more to spend!

 

[blowinbubbles]

Originally posted by jann1033
just wanted to mention ( in case you did not know)there are menus at www.allearsnet.com which might make it easier to decide on where you want to go

Thanks for the info, Jann! At least this way, one can plan their day to end up in the vicinity of a decent restaurant!

Last trip, on our fist day there, we ended up having hotdogs and fries at that place just by Main Street. . ok, for the kids but Baaaad for me! So maybe next trip, things can get planned a little better, thanks to the great resources you pointed out!



Ann

 

[Jaklackus]

Originally posted by skiwee1
As of last year they stopped allowing anything in Universal including your own water! There were signs everywhere stating that. My mom had one plastic bottle of water in the stroller cup holder and the guard made her toss it out.

I would have turned around and left...end of Universal....over a bottle of water they lost souvenir sales. additional food sales, additional drink sales and a return guest. Would I be forced to throw away cheerios for my toddler to eat, juice, formula? For a park that closes all of it's restaurants 2 hours before the park closes(at least everytime I've been there) their policy is pretty darn silly.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why people care what others do with their own $$, unless it directly effects them.