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

[LauraR]

Just about anywhere we go on trips we bring snacks, drinks, and sandwiches in a backpack to cut food costs, and I'm hoping to do the same at WDW. I know people have said guards check backpacks, but rarely enforce the "no outside food" rule. But has anyone ever gone over the line, or seen someone who has? What is considered "too much"? I don't want to embarrass my kids!

 

[Golter]

LauraR, if your kids are like mine you will enevitably embarrass them. But seriously, We pack snacks and bottled waters. I see no problem with sandwiches. We pack what we can eat on the run, if you have to sit down and serve what you packed it is probably over the line. IMO.

 

[momxx5]

We just bring water and snacks for the baby.

I think dragging a cooler around full of food would be "over the top", and believe me I have seen coolers(hard plastic ones) on wheelers being dragged around WDW.

I think sandwiches and a few snacks in a backpack would be fine.

On our way into MGM, a CM asked a teenager next to us "What kind of sandwich?", the poor teenager was so nervous he could barely answer "PB&J". The CM joked that it looked good and he was kinda hungry, then the teenager laughed a little.

 

[Lewisc]

Universal allows the small coolers (the ones that just fits a 6 pack). I'd say that (or a back pack) is OK. Something bigger or even on wheels is probably over the line.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by LauraR
Just about anywhere we go on trips we bring snacks, drinks, and sandwiches in a backpack to cut food costs, and I'm hoping to do the same at WDW. I know people have said guards check backpacks, but rarely enforce the "no outside food" rule. But has anyone ever gone over the line, or seen someone who has? What is considered "too much"? I don't want to embarrass my kids!

As you already know, there is a "no outside food" rule at Disney, the security guards for security, they are not the food police and since food is usually not a security risk, they don't say anything, not their job.
I would say anything more than what you have already planned is over the top.
BTW, Sea World does strictly enforce the no outside food rule.
I wish Disney did also.

 

[skiwee1]

I don't think packing a few sandwiches, chips, and water are a big deal. Every time we are seated and waiting for Fantasmic there are at least 5 different families pulling out homemade sandwiches from their backpacks! Some kind of smelled really good too! After eating nothing but Disney for 12 days I start to get a craving for a normal sandwich! No one says a word to them. We only bring in some fruit snacks and goldfish crackers so I have never had firsthand experience with the guards but they never comment on my snacks.

 

[Kapp]

no problem with water bottles, juice boxes, snacks, etc. but I think its pushing it with sandwiches. Its such a tough area to say what is acceptable and what is over the top. Whereas 99% of us would do the reasonable thing....you always have that element that will go over the top with Subway sandwiches, fried chicken, 2 liter drinks, etc!

Just MHO

 

[Cindy B]

I saw a family in August have a HUGE FEAST!

It was a Nigerian family, which had corning ware 9 x 13 dishes (with lids), saucepans, and three wooden spoons...

They were eating some Stew, some bread, and a desert dish.

They also had a gallon plus container with a drink in it as well.

 

[LauraR]

momxx5--That was pretty funny about the teenager who thought he was busted for the PB&J! (Although, probably not to him at the time)

CindyB--I also got a laugh out of the Nigerian family and their feast! (I'm not that ambitious)

I guess I'll just pack water, tangerines and goldfish crackers for all of us, and let the kids put juice boxes and sandwiches for themselves in their fanny packs. I definitely want to have enough for my 7 year old. He's constantly hungry, and I'd rather focus on the rides than finding him food!

 

[sln88]

"Universal allows the small coolers (the ones that just fits a 6 pack). I'd say that (or a back pack) is OK. Something bigger or even on wheels is probably over the line."

When we went to Universal, there were signs posted saying no carry-ins. I did not try to take in more than a few candies in my pocket because of this. Or did you mean to say WDW?

From reading these boards, I knew it was ok at WDW. We took a few sodas, sandwiches, fruit, snacks. The security guards did not look twice at the stuff, so don't worry. I think you can take whatever you feel comfortable carrying around.

I am glad Disney does not enforce this rule. It gives people that can't afford the prices of food at WDW a chance to enjoy the parks. With the 5 of us(2 hungry boys), we would have to cut back on park days if we had to feed them there all day. I also prefer to spend my park time at the attractions, not in line to get fries or a soda. I suppose it also makes the restaurants less crowded for those people that think it is bad to bring in outside food.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by sln88
"Universal allows the small coolers (the ones that just fits a 6 pack). I'd say that (or a back pack) is OK. Something bigger or even on wheels is probably over the line."

When we went to Universal, there were signs posted saying no carry-ins. I did not try to take in more than a few candies in my pocket because of this. Or did you mean to say WDW?

From reading these boards, I knew it was ok at WDW. We took a few sodas, sandwiches, fruit, snacks. The security guards did not look twice at the stuff, so don't worry. I think you can take whatever you feel comfortable carrying around.

I am glad Disney does not enforce this rule. It gives people that can't afford the prices of food at WDW a chance to enjoy the parks. With the 5 of us(2 hungry boys), we would have to cut back on park days if we had to feed them there all day. I also prefer to spend my park time at the attractions, not in line to get fries or a soda. I suppose it also makes the restaurants less crowded for those people that think it is bad to bring in outside food.

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.

 

[BethR]

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.

Now THAT is over the top IMHO! I hope that Universal (I have never been there) has lots of water fountains in very convenient places if they are going to be hard nosed about even WATER! I'll bet this decision comes back to bite them.

I have never really thought about this angle of the WDW food policy before, but skiwee made me think. Sea World and maybe even Universal may be thought of as "day parks." Most of the time, we only go there for a day - maybe two. Most people don't focus their entire trip on those parks. But at Disney, well, a lot of us are there for a week - some more. And even those of us who LIKE to eat out, get tired of eating out meal after meal. Perhaps Disney realizes that fact - knows that they have most of us for a number of days (and meals) - and so therefore is not stricter with their outside food policy.

But who knows?

 

[BethR]

Oh! And WELCOME to LauraR!!! (that's my daughter's name - LauraR )

 

[Disney845]

Originally posted by LauraR
But has anyone ever gone over the line, or seen someone who has? What is considered "too much"?

I would probably say that "canned corn" is over the top.

Anything that you will be bringing, such as small snacks, food for small children, and maybe even a sandwich is not really that big of a deal. I have seen many families bring in items such as this. If you were planning to eat an entire "meal," and by that I mean something that you would have to prepare as a sit down dinner in your own home, that is probably too much. Things you can grab and go on the run should be fine. Granted Disney does have the no food policy, so if you really don't feel comfortable breaking that rule than you shouldn't bring anything.

 

[lalapodip]

We had a few funny bag checkers joke about taking their "cut" of our snacks - fruit rollups, chips or cookies, usually, plus water bottles. The kids got a kick out of that!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sln88
"Universal allows the small coolers (the ones that just fits a 6 pack). I'd say that (or a back pack) is OK. Something bigger or even on wheels is probably over the line."

When we went to Universal, there were signs posted saying no carry-ins. I did not try to take in more than a few candies in my pocket because of this. Or did you mean to say WDW?

From reading these boards, I knew it was ok at WDW. We took a few sodas, sandwiches, fruit, snacks. The security guards did not look twice at the stuff, so don't worry. I think you can take whatever you feel comfortable carrying around.

I am glad Disney does not enforce this rule. It gives people that can't afford the prices of food at WDW a chance to enjoy the parks. With the 5 of us(2 hungry boys), we would have to cut back on park days if we had to feed them there all day. I also prefer to spend my park time at the attractions, not in line to get fries or a soda. I suppose it also makes the restaurants less crowded for those people that think it is bad to bring in outside food.

I sure don't think it is bad to bring food in, what I think is bad is people using the seating for restaurants and not buying anything.
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 also find it bad that Disney does not enforce their own rules. But, that is not our problem. Security is there for security, not to police food.

 

[Lewisc]

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.

The last week of August Universal (IOA to be exact) was specifically allowing the small (6 pack size) coolers.

 

[funhouse8]

Disney845 - The minute I read this I thought Canned corn. I glad u didn't disappoint me. LOL.


I do believe that a family should be able to bring in their own snacks and drinks. We usually just find a bench somewhere to eat our sandwiches. With a family of six we can't afford to eat every meal in the parks. Disney gets enough of our money!

When we go to Six Flags they don't let u take anything into the parks with you. It's a long walk to the parking lot.
I'm so glad Disney is not so strict.

When we went to cedar point this summer they had a soda container that was good for free refills the length of your stay. They should have something like this in the parks. I know they do it at the resorts maybe someday they will expand this to include the parks.

 

[DMRick]

Someone said they wish Disney wouldn't allow any carry in food

Why?

We didn't go once this summer to six flags, where we always had seasonal passes because all you can bring in is an empty water bottle..and very enforced. No backpacks at all.

At Disney we sometimes leave for lunch and go to Beaches, and we bring in our leftovers, for later eating. We have a lunch bag with a cold pack, that fits in our backpack.

As of last year they stopped allowing anything in Universal including your own water!

Two weeks ago, at Universal, I didn't notice signs saying we couldn't bring food : (

I had my water bottle in my hand as I came through the gate and security, and no one said anything. The only thing they did say, was that my daughter couldn't bring a rolling backpack. After the hike from the parking, we sure weren't taking it back. The security officer said it was on the paper we got when we paid for parking. Uh...and what paper would that be. The time to tell us would have been when the guy collected our parking money. Just a simple, just so you know....

We found it interesting, since the park was dead, and yet strollers were still running us over..we were a lot smaller than strollers. The guy said it would be luggage if we pulled it and luggage wasn't allowed LOL! Next time we'll bring a twin size stroller and push that instead...we can really load that up! I have to admit, that within an hour the backpack was on the ground being pulled, and not a thing was said to us all day.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DMRick
Someone said they wish Disney wouldn't allow any carry in food

Why?

We didn't go once this summer to six flags, where we always had seasonal passes because all you can bring in is an empty water bottle..and very enforced. No backpacks at all.

At Disney we sometimes leave for lunch and go to Beaches, and we bring in our leftovers, for later eating. We have a lunch bag with a cold pack, that fits in our backpack.



Two weeks ago, at Universal, I didn't notice signs saying we couldn't bring food : (

I had my water bottle in my hand as I came through the gate and security, and no one said anything. The only thing they did say, was that my daughter couldn't bring a rolling backpack. After the hike from the parking, we sure weren't taking it back. The security officer said it was on the paper we got when we paid for parking. Uh...and what paper would that be. The time to tell us would have been when the guy collected our parking money. Just a simple, just so you know....

We found it interesting, since the park was dead, and yet strollers were still running us over..we were a lot smaller than strollers. The guy said it would be luggage if we pulled it and luggage wasn't allowed LOL! Next time we'll bring a twin size stroller and push that instead...we can really load that up! I have to admit, that within an hour the backpack was on the ground being pulled, and not a thing was said to us all day.

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