They don't really have a picnic area for general public use. I am sure like all businesses they expect you to spend some money on food and drinks they sell in the park especially since they are having the return 7 days for the price of your 1 day ticket. That said I think they probably wouldn't say anything if you brought in a small cooler with sandwiches and snacks. I would not advise trying to eat the lunch in a pavillian for any of the restaurants like Smokey Creek, but you could probably get by eating at the tables behind the stand where they do the mountain climbing and bouncing cable thing without a problem. You could probably even sit on a bench by the lake etc. to eat if you really want to cut costs. That said-again-<g> you will be missing out on some good eating. LOL We love the food at Sea World. Love the idea of a theme park without having to eat burgers and fries. We even just go over for a meal with our son that lives in Orlando.