Can I take a backpack in WDW? 4 days!

[BethB444]

Hi all, hope in an OK place for asking this. We leave in four days for WDW and in my typical 'last minute' planning style, I'm curious if anyone knows if I can take in a backpack.
My last trip was in '00 and DS and I flew in and did a Disney resort. This time, it's Me, hubby (first trip), 14 DS, adult nephew and my DD, 10,(Both first trip also). Hubby is diabetic. DD is very sensitive to heat. Wondering if I they'll let me in the gate at WDW if I carry in light snacks and frozen water bottles in a small backpack for these two. Hubby's pretty sure they won't let him in with his insulin works and I figure they'll have first aid there in the unlikely event he needs it. I have read conflicting reports on whether they allow such things in the gate, can anyone clarify? Also, are there still lockers available in there? I would hate to drive there (doing a rental home for the first time) and get turned away at the gate because I can't bring in cracker packs and ice thanks!
Four days. BTW, did I mention we're all giddy as little school girls?

 

[catne]

First, there are lockers at all parks for rental, and many people use them. As for bags...

Last week, at all 4 parks, people had large & small backpacks, small luggage bags on wheels with the extended pull-handles, strollers full of stuff (no baby, just obviously using the stroller to transport all the bags & such), small soft-side coolers full of snacks & drinks, water bottles that were not purchased at the parks, super-extra large purses, and the giant tote bags you usually fill with beach stuff...you name it, people carried it in. The only stipulation is that every bag (including regular purses & even small camera bags) has to be inspected by the uniformed security at the front of each park, so it will slow you down a bit, but they are very efficient & have many inspection stations set up when there's crowds...you have to unzip & unflap every pocket & they do look in, but I never saw them tell anyone they couldn't bring the contents into the park (they did joke about "gonna share that?" or "I hope you brought enough for everyone" when they saw snacks & such.)

And yes, people did bring in lots of food...including full picnic lunches. More than once when walking through the parks, we saw a Mom or Dad unpacking what looked like peanut butter sandwiches & ziplock bags of chips, fruit, etc for their troops. No Disney employee said boo about it.

As for insulin kits, don't think that will be a problem, Disney is extremely accomodating for people's health conditions and if you read these boards, you'll soon see there are many, many diabetics writing on here about accomodations made in the restaurants for special diets. And yes, there are First Aid stations in every park, and all the employees are trained as to how to handle medical emergencies.

So, HAVE FUN...

 

[zwi]

Have been to disney four times and have never had a problem bringing in my insulin kits. Now it is just the pen and meter so everything fits nicely in my cargo shorts pocket.

The one thing I have learned is to have stuff on hand as I am sure he knows the heat only aggrivates things. I have never had a problem though with bringing things in.

Have fun we are going in June