Bringing snacks into the parks

[BaileyKin]

I'm trying to save money on the food we purchase inside the parks by making a stop at walmart and buying things like water bottles and granola bars. Has anyone ever done this? We're staying at POP, so anything that needs to be cooked is out of the question. Any suggestions?

 

[Gracie09]

Yes you an bring snacks. We tend to bring things like goldfish, pretzels etc

 

[kymom99]

You could also get string cheese, etc. Depending on the ages of the people in your party, some things are more kids friendly than others. Having a few snacks can be a lifesaver.

When we stayed at a value, before they had fridges, we had a large cooler that we kept full of drinks and things like puddings and applesauce, etc. This saved a bundle.

 

[sunkissed4]

DS2 almost always has to have a snack in his hand so we always bring little baggies with snacks for him. Cheerios, goldfish, pretzels, granola, etc. Saves a bunch!

 

[fluffykalie]

You can pack full lunches if you want . My husband and I brought food and water into the parks on our last two visits.

 

[powellrj]

As long as you aren't bringing in glass or alcohol, you will be fine.

 

[lvillotta1]

We always fly so I bring a large duffle bag full of food. Greek yogurt,OJ,juice boxes and water. Boxes of cereal,granola bars,rice cakes,pretzels etc. I also bring my own disposable bowls and plastic spoons etc. I buy a half gallon of milk at the resort and we are set. We eat breakfast in the room. I also bring fruit and veggies in Ziplock bags. I bring a box of Ziplock bags and then fill them daily for each child so they can snack on them at the parks. Do not forget baby wipes in your backpack. They come in handy for just about everything. I also carry some purell and squirt it on the tables we eat at and use baby wipes to sanitize the table. I do have a germ issue in public places and always wipe our tables down.

 

[indimom]

Absolutely. We have eaten both breakfast and lunch from a cooler while staying at Pop Century. We made deli sandwiches or PB&J, and had veggies and dip, fresh fruit, chips, pudding cups, drinks. Picnic style foods.
We also carried our own snacks in the parks: granola bars, trail mix, fruit, beef jerky.
You can also buy a loaf of bread at the food court (we ran out mid-trip and didn't feel like running off site a second time).
One other tip: we shopped at a WalMart nearby. That place was MOBBED. You might want to ask around on the Dis for better shopping locations. In my opinion, it would have been worth driving a few minutes further to avoid the giant tourist crowd at that particular location.
Have a great trip.

 

[LMN]

We always bring light snacks (crackers, goldfish, pretzels, etc) and bottles of water in with us. When we fly, we use Garden Grocer to have these items plus breakfast items delivered to our resort room. When we drive (our upcoming trip in June) we will bring these items with us. We only usually eat about 1/3-1/2 of our breakfasts in the room. The rest of the breakfasts during our trip we eat out.

 

[BaileyKin]

Absolutely. We have eaten both breakfast and lunch from a cooler while staying at Pop Century. We made deli sandwiches or PB&J, and had veggies and dip, fresh fruit, chips, pudding cups, drinks. Picnic style foods. We also carried our own snacks in the parks: granola bars, trail mix, fruit, beef jerky. You can also buy a loaf of bread at the food court (we ran out mid-trip and didn't feel like running off site a second time). One other tip: we shopped at a WalMart nearby. That place was MOBBED. You might want to ask around on the Dis for better shopping locations. In my opinion, it would have been worth driving a few minutes further to avoid the giant tourist crowd at that particular location. Have a great trip.

I didn't even think of how crowded the walmart would be. Maybe I'll look into other super markets. Thanks for the tip!

 

[BaileyKin]

I didn't even think of making full lunches! Guess I'll have to pick up some bread and deli meat

 

[nalajms]

If you go south to 192, there's a bunch. Publix is the nicer grocery chain. I've read that there's a Winn Dixie close to DTD. The Target supercenter is probably too far, we go there if we're staying at AKV.

 

[Simba07]

We saved a bundle bringing in lunches. Bread, peanut butter and jelly, chips, cookies. It is like getting a kids meals at a QS for 10% of cost. Free water (tap) from the carts and restaurants was a great thing too. The kids like the fact that is was colder than the water bottles by afternoon. Squeeze applesauce was also very popular with our kids and I think it helped rehydrate them.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As long as you aren't bringing in glass or alcohol, you will be fine.

And no straws at AK.

 

[kdblev]

We always fly so I bring a large duffle bag full of food. Greek yogurt,OJ,juice boxes and water. QUOTE]

How well do the liquid items do when flying? Do you have a specific way you pack them? Thanks!

 

[KMorin]

If you are checking bags, I would definitely pack some quick snacks. Pretzels, crackers, chex mix, peanuts, and cereal for breakfast before you leave for the park. Then buy some milk for the cereal, and other things you'll need at the food court at POP. I'm staying there in August and that's what I'm planning on doing. It's always great having a snack in your bag when you're waiting in line for an attraction. Much cheaper than buying a chocolate covered banana!

 

[JillyBean1899]

If you go south to 192, there's a bunch. Publix is the nicer grocery chain. I've read that there's a Winn Dixie close to DTD. The Target supercenter is probably too far, we go there if we're staying at AKV.

Just a warning ... the Publix bakery is like crack, totally addictive. Soooo yummy. Red velvet cake .... dangit now I'm drooling.

But yes, bringing snacks into the park is fine. We typically brought goldfish, cracker sandwiches (the ones with peanut butter or cheese in them), raisins, carrots and celery for the girls (I have strange nieces, what can I say). When I was there a few weekends ago I brought in granola bars and had my CamelBak full of ice water.

 

[livndisney]

I didn't even think of making full lunches! Guess I'll have to pick up some bread and deli meat

There is a nice Publix not far from DTD on Central Florida parkway. (From I-4-take the Sea World exit.) From DTD go to the end of Hotel Plaza, make a left onto 535-first right(Palm Parkway). I think it is two lights (Palm Parkway turns into Turkey Lake). Make a right at the second light (Central Florida Parkway) go under I-4, pass Sea World, just past International Drive on the right is Publix. (Less stress than Walmart)

 

[RooRach0906]

We always take snacks into the park. We do the normal snacks... goldfish, pretzels, teddy grahams etc and also applesauce pouches (Our families favorite). I also bring the containers that are disposal/reusable I brought like a 5 pack at Kroger. I like the containers better because then the goldfish and teddy grahams don't get crushed.

We also fly most of the time and I pack it all in my checked bag, then on the way home I have room for souvenirs where the snacks were.

 

[mch521]

I just want to add Uncrustables (assuming no peanut allergy) are a great snack to take to the parks, filling and no fuss making them. Each day we tossed a couple in each kids bookbag, along with some goldfish crackers and a juicebox and water. Great for those pre lunch/dinner hunger fits