can you bring your own lunch?

[doindisneyagain]

Can you bring a picnic lunch into the parks? If so, is there a picnic area? I'm thinking of packing some sandwiches and snacks for our lunch while we are at the parks.

Thanks

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

Disney has a rule - you can NOT bring your own food into their parks. Of course many people do bring food and when we went no one even checked our bags for food. I don't believe there are any picnic areas but I'm sure you could find a comfy spot to eat.

 

[sharon-nj]

We were there 12/18-12/29. We packed lunches each day and had them in one of those insulated lunch boxes. Whenwe went thru back check, they had us open the box and no one said anything! We didn't want to pay all that money for the same food (ie. burgers, chicken, fries) . We even sat at some of the tables at the food service places. No one gave us a hard time at all. In fact, my husband and son went to those places to get napkins and utensils and no one seemed to care.

WDW is really good about bringing food into the parks. As long as you don't make a big deal of it.

 

[BethR]

Welcome to the DIS doindisneyagain!

Yours is one of those questions in which people can have strong opinions. So I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone here to keep things friendly.

I hope that you have a wonderful time planning your trip doindisneyagain. And again, welcome to the DIS.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I just checked the official WDW website. To paraphrase it now says softsided coolers ARE allowed in,just no glass bottles. It's in black and white under FAQ's.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

We were there 12/18-12/29. We packed lunches each day and had them in one of those insulated lunch boxes. Whenwe went thru back check, they had us open the box and no one said anything! We didn't want to pay all that money for the same food (ie. burgers, chicken, fries) . We even sat at some of the tables at the food service places. No one gave us a hard time at all. In fact, my husband and son went to those places to get napkins and utensils and no one seemed to care.

Not trying to be rude here, but, you do realize that the tables, condiments, napkins and utensils are for people who PAY to eat there? Stuff like that is included in the price of our food.

From the Disney Web site:

Q. May I bring my own food and beverages in to the Water Parks?

A. Coolers of a size that may be safely carried are permitted. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages allowed. There are no storage areas for coolers.

Guess you must have missed the "water parks" part of the question and answer.

Outside food is not allowed in the theme parks, except for water, and baby food. They do not make a big deal about this.
They check your bags for dangerous security risks, not for food.
The people checking are security guards, not food guards.
Personally, having had a difficult time finding places to sit when I have purchased food because people were sitting at tables with their "outside food" makes this a very very sensative issue for me.
Sorry if I come across as rude, as that is not my intent.

 

[eeyoresmom]

OOPs. sorry. I thought we were talkin water parks! Does it say anywhere if you can or cannot? I've been enough I should know!

 

[dthogue]

Gail,

Your post makes me chuckle - it reminds me of a post I read awhile ago on saving money. One person actually suggested bringing a styrofoam bowl, packets of salad dressing from a fast food restaurant and making salads out of the lettuce, tomatoes and onions from the free fixin bar.

I also bring sandwiches for my 4yo, but we buy food for the other 4 of us.

If I was bringing my lunch I would find a park bench or a shady tree to eat it under. I don't think it is appropriate to take up table space inside a restaurant (if it is busy, if not then go for it) or use their condiments for a outside lunch.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

OOPs. sorry. I thought we were talkin water parks! Does it say anywhere if you can or cannot? I've been enough I should know!

I figured it was some sort of confusion.

The only places I can think of off the top of my head is in Birnbaum's guide and from Deb's site:

I've heard Disney is checking bags since 9/11. Can I still bring stuff into the parks?
Yes! Security was tightened after 9/11/2002, and one of the most visible examples is the security personnel who check every bag and parcel brought into the theme parks. You can still bring essentially everything you brought before, but keep the pocket knives and coolers at home. While Disney does not want you to bring in food or drink, water bottles (with water, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, etc.) and light snacks are almost always overlooked.
To make the security checks go faster, unzip and open all compartments of your bag while you are waiting in line to be checked. Also, if you don't carry any packs or bags, you won't have to wait in line at all.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

If they have a rule not to bring food, then why don't they refuse to let you bring in food when they clearly see it when they check your bags? *shrugs*

We recently went to Disney World and after the first day of paying astronomical prices for 3 children- 2 of which like look at their food and all the sudden decide they aren't hungry and are so picky they wouldn't dare be accomodating enough to want to share the same food we were eating/etc- we started bringing snacks and *gasp* even food! We brought baggies of cookies, chips and the "stuff" (ie: bread & weiners) to make their lunch of hotdogs. No way was I paying $6.49 for a hotdog and fries when they wouldn't even eat half of it! We would get our meals, sit down at the table and open up their bags and make them hotdogs -yes, even with ketchup packets from the restaurant!!! with their chips and cookies for dessert. While we ate (and sometimes shared if they decided they wanted some- ofcourse) our food we bought there.

I hope the fact we also bought expensive food there for ourselves makes it okay that we used the table and a couple packets of ketchup. For crying out loud... it's ridiculous to pay enormous amounts for children that might or might not eat the food we buy. They did well with the hotdogs- but not every time. And it would have been $6.49 or more wasted everytime if we'd bought it there. Is it okay on that rule if it's for the child? I mean like we're still buying food there and NOT just taking up a table and using condiments/etc when not purchasing ANY food there at all? I sure hope so. Otherwise I might be afraid of the food police next time we're there.
haha

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If they have a rule not to bring food, then why don't they refuse to let you bring in food when they clearly see it when they check your bags? *shrugs*

Because, as I said before, they are security guards, not food guards.

How, pray tell, did you prepare hot dogs at the parks?

None of the people I know have ever had an issue with people sitting at the tables when they have purchased something there.
We have an issue when they don't and park themselves there making it difficult for those paying for a meal to find a table.

Unfortunately, the rule is for everyone, not just kids with picky eating habits. That is not Disney's problem.

Personally, I don't care what people bring in, not my business.
It just irritates me when I pay, as you stated, for expensive food and cannot find a place to sit. Food is most definitely expensive there and I can see your point. I did not have picky eaters, I would never have tolerated that.

 

[doindisneyagain]

WOW - I didn't realize this was a big issue. I live near what used to be Sea World and Geauga Lake in Ohio (now Six Flags) and we were always allowed to pack a picnic lunch and bring it into the parks - coolers and all. They have many restraunts and stands in the park, but picnic lunches were still allowed. I just assumed this was the same thing. You can pay their prices or you can bring in your own. I wasn't planning on dragging a cooler around - just a small soft-sided cooler with some snacks and sandwiches. We were at MK last year and ran into the same problem as The Sybah Shelstah had. We spent all the money and the kids barely touched their food. And what we got wasn't that good. We will be staying at FW campground and had planned on going back to the camper for lunch and dinner, but I didn't realize that it takes so long to get back and forth to the parks from there. It would take a big chunk of time out of the day to go back. I think I'll just throw some snacks and drinks into a little cooler - find a bench and have a snack when the kids get hungry - then go back to the camper for dinner. Thanks for all the info everyone.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by The Sybah Shelstah
If they have a rule not to bring food, then why don't they refuse to let you bring in food when they clearly see it when they check your bags? *shrugs*

We recently went to Disney World and after the first day of paying astronomical prices for 3 children- 2 of which like look at their food and all the sudden decide they aren't hungry and are so picky they wouldn't dare be accomodating enough to want to share the same food we were eating/etc- we started bringing snacks and *gasp* even food! We brought baggies of cookies, chips and the "stuff" (ie: bread & weiners) to make their lunch of hotdogs. No way was I paying $6.49 for a hotdog and fries when they wouldn't even eat half of it! We would get our meals, sit down at the table and open up their bags and make them hotdogs -yes, even with ketchup packets from the restaurant!!! with their chips and cookies for dessert. While we ate (and sometimes shared if they decided they wanted some- ofcourse) our food we bought there.

I hope the fact we also bought expensive food there for ourselves makes it okay that we used the table and a couple packets of ketchup. For crying out loud... it's ridiculous to pay enormous amounts for children that might or might not eat the food we buy. They did well with the hotdogs- but not every time. And it would have been $6.49 or more wasted everytime if we'd bought it there. Is it okay on that rule if it's for the child? I mean like we're still buying food there and NOT just taking up a table and using condiments/etc when not purchasing ANY food there at all? I sure hope so. Otherwise I might be afraid of the food police next time we're there.
haha

If the children couldn't finish one meal then you could have split one meal between them. We only took one kid so we always put out the money if she wanted a meal. Even if we threw half away we still bought it. I used to pack all the fixings for PB&J because that is all DD would eat at the time. I fed her before going into the park or on the rare occasion while in the park. Then I discovered those Uncrustables they sell in the park! That made me so happy! LOL! So what if they cost $3. What is $3 anyway? And it is so much nicer then shlepping around a nasty sandwhich all day. While I have no problem with bringing a snack or sandwhich once in a while for picky eaters I do have a problem with stealing condiments for the benefit of someone who isn't even buying the food it was intended to be used on. I think when one plans a vacation they should make sure that they understand how much things cost and plan on purchasing it. If it is not in the budget then perhaps they need to save a bit more to fit it in.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Because, as I said before, they are security guards, not food guards.

How, pray tell, did you prepare hot dogs at the parks?

I know, I know!! You run it under really hot water in those nice clean bathrooms! LOL!~

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I know, I know!! You run it under really hot water in those nice clean bathrooms! LOL!~

LOL, yuck!!!!

I guess I was hoping to get an answer to this, cause I am really curious. I am, in my mind, picturing uncooked hotdogs in untoasted buns and it is not a pretty picture. Another picture, is someone going to the turkey cart and conning one of the CMs into cooking it for her.

If the children couldn't finish one meal then you could have split one meal between them. We only took one kid so we always put out the money if she wanted a meal.

That would be my thought, but, the lady stated that her kids would not share ( Iwould never have given mine that choice ).
So, while that is excellent advice, I don't think it would work for her.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

doindisneyagain,
Just an FYI, Sea World in Orlando does not allow food to be brought in and they do enforce it. Six Flags in CT does not allow food.
Neither one are Disney, so, I would never assume or think that the rules for one company would be the same for another.
I do agree, trekking back and forth to the campgrounds would use a lot of time, but, you could put the cooler in a locker and come back for it at lunch time, this way you would not have to carry it all day.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

bump

 

[BethR]

As I mentioned before, this topic can turn into one of those "hot ones." Please Everyone - do not get nasty or sarcastic with other posters.

Thank you.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Because, as I said before, they are security guards, not food guards.

How, pray tell, did you prepare hot dogs at the parks?

For you and the other person who commented on this- I don't think the rude comments are necessary. How and what I feed my children is really none of your business to be questioning how I cooked things. My children eat uncooked beef weiners at home all the time. It did not bother them to eat cold hotdogs- they preferred that over anything they could have eaten there! I already said we tried that and wasted money. And I also said that I DID pay for our meals- 2 adult meals plus drinks for everyone and sometimes dessert was always over $30. If you don't think it's right for us to use a table when paying over $30 each meal you can just think again!!!!!! Once we paid that much it's none of ANYONE'S business what my children eat while sitting at that table also!!!!

None of the people I know have ever had an issue with people sitting at the tables when they have purchased something there.
We have an issue when they don't and park themselves there making it difficult for those paying for a meal to find a table.

Good. Then no one should have a problem with us because we did purchase food everytime we sat down to eat somewhere. Thanks.

Unfortunately, the rule is for everyone, not just kids with picky eating habits. That is not Disney's problem.

I didn't say it was. But it's also none of their business if we eat their prepared food and our children do nothing but eat snack food all day either. And apparently they agreed with me since they searched our small cooler every day and never said a word.

Personally, I don't care what people bring in, not my business.
It just irritates me when I pay, as you stated, for expensive food and cannot find a place to sit. Food is most definitely expensive there and I can see your point. I did not have picky eaters, I would never have tolerated that.

If I'm paying (and I certainly was) for food then it's none of your business what my children eat while there. So you shouldn't have an issue with ME taking up a table.
I would love to know how you would "not" tolerate that. Would you force feed your children? Spank them till they ate their food? Starved them because they refused the last expensive meal? Please enlighten me. And while you are at it- let me know how many children and what age they are.

Then I discovered those Uncrustables they sell in the park! That made me so happy! LOL! So what if they cost $3. What is $3 anyway?

Um, WHERE!?! I would have loved to have known that. THey would have eaten those and I'd much rather pay $3 for something they would eat rather than $6.50 for something they might or might not eat. Seriously... please tell me where they sell those so we can do that next time.

Oh and btw- we already were bringing a small "material" (not hard) cooler that sat in the bottom of the stroller we brought. I have a 2yr old that doesn't just drink water all day nor can she have soda all day. So we brought her milk (recently weaned) and juice with us. We already had the cooler. It was nothing to add a package of weiners in there and a ziplock bag of sliced bread. *shrugs*

But the uncrustables would have been great!!!! Perfect.

While I have no problem with bringing a snack or sandwhich once in a while for picky eaters I do have a problem with stealing condiments for the benefit of someone who isn't even buying the food it was intended to be used on. I think when one plans a vacation they should make sure that they understand how much things cost and plan on purchasing it. If it is not in the budget then perhaps they need to save a bit more to fit it in.

Oh please. You honestly have a problem with a family that paid right at $900 for park admissions as well as right at or over $30 for each meal to take TWO (count them- two) ketchup packets each day for 3 days to use on hotdogs? Please tell me you are joking. As for making it in the budget. I couldn't shop Walmart that night because it was closed on Christmas (duh) but I did look at walgreens for some sort of small packaging of ketchup. There was none. I didn't have room for a big huge bottle of ketchup and I SWEAR next time I go I'm going to ask if they mind me taking 2 ketchup packets. HAHAHA and watch them laugh. What if I wanted to use them on MY food but decided instead I'd go without the ketchup on my burger and gave it to the kids. Would it not bother you then? Seriously... you should have way more to worry about than a family spending that much to be there and that much on their meal to worry about 2 packets of kethcup. Please.

It was not a matter of budget. I just don't like throwing money away. If you want to throw away $6.50 per 3 children (ie: almost $20) in the trash bin for every meal while at WDW- you go right ahead. I'm not going to. And I couldn't buy ketchup packets anywhere - maybe I should ask them to charge me a few cents for it next time? I'll ask them that and see how hard they laugh at that too.

Oh and btw- apparently places DO make exceptions when it comes to children. I have travelled all over and gone to many water parks and Sea World, Six Flags, etc and while the rule is not bringing in food or drinks the rule does NOT apply to young children. I have never ever been asked to not bring in drinks and snacks or small food like weiners/etc inside with young children. It is the same as denying an infant formula brought in. Young children cannot just make it on expensive meals and sodas or water all day long. I guess only people HERE have a problem with it and quite frankly I think it's ridiculous. I'm sure you have other things to worry about than me bringing in snack foods for my young children. Geesh

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Ps. my previous post was not meant to be nasty but rather defending myself to comments made towards myself. I do tend to come off sarcastic at times when in defensive mode, so I will apologize in advance if anyone is offended by my sarcastic tone at times in my post. I felt I should respond to the comments made about myself and the subject being my previous post, how I feed my children, how I'm ripping off WDW with taking a few ketchup packets, etc.
I've defended myself and will not respond further to any other rude comments made towards myself on this thread.