Can you still bring snacks and drinks in the park?

[Raidermouse]

I was wondering if they still let you bring stuff in the park with the new added security entrance? Thank you in advance.

 

[DLgal]

Definitely. Just no glass containers and no large coolers full of food.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Also, your sandwiches must be pre-made. No bringing in a loaf of bread and fixings separately. If you do bring a larger cooler, you can use the lockers in the picnic area to store it.

 

[Angie 2016]

We have had cans of soda turned away as well.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Did security say why?

 

[Kender]

We have had cans of soda turned away as well.

They're not against the rules so I'm confused why they would do that. I've even walked in holding an open can I was currently drinking and never had problems.

That's one I would definitely challenge if I ever encountered it since it's not listed as banned (where as glass containers are).

 

[Kindermouse]

I brought in drinks (bottled water and naked juice) and snacks (fruit, granola bars and gluten free cheddar bunny crackers, brownie bites ect.) no problem. My son was in wheelchair that had a bag on the back so since I was not worried about carrying the stuff I brought a ton of food with us each day and had no problems.

A few years ago I brought a pretty big soft sided cooler in with full lunches and I didn't have any trouble with that either. Just no glass and no cutlery.

 

[figment_jii]

They're not against the rules so I'm confused why they would do that.

It probably depends on the security CM you get. The list posted on Disneyland.com outline some items that are prohibited, but it does say "not limited to" meaning they could include other items on the prohibit list without mentioning them. Another list says "other items we determine may be harmful and disruptive" which is pretty vague and could cover anything.
I've had that happen, so now I view the list on Disneyland.com as items that are explicitly banned, but other items could also be prohibited if you get a CM that interprets the current rules to include those items.

 

[Bud Ice]

If you want drinks, make them Starbucks cups. *wink*
Other drinks like water aint bad iirc.

 

[Kender]

It probably depends on the security CM you get. The list posted on Disneyland.com outline some items that are prohibited, but it does say "not limited to" meaning they could include other items on the prohibit list without mentioning them. Another list says "other items we determine may be harmful and disruptive" which is pretty vague and could cover anything.
I've had that happen, so now I view the list on Disneyland.com as items that are explicitly banned, but other items could also be prohibited if you get a CM that interprets the current rules to include those items.

Yes. But I would still challenge it with customer service since it seems arbitrary who even encounters it. Glass makes logical sense, but cans do not (in terms of safety).

The fact they also invite people to picnic with their own food and beverages outside the parks and allow the soft sided six pack size cooler even more adds to the fact that if they were not allowed, they should be expressly banned.

"Not limited to" is not intended (in my experience) to ever mean "when we feel like randomly not allowing something". It's to allow for updating the list as things are discovered to be an issue (out unwanted). Example: toy guns and selfie sticks. These did not used to reside on that list. They do now. It's not only recently that people have been turned away for cans, but the list has never been updated.

So yes, I agree. It's vague. But I don't agree it's vague just to randomly and arbitrarily introduce temporary, unannounced bans. I rarely complain to customer service, but I would complain about that if I encountered it.

 

[disneychrista]

Officially it is still no outside food. 0f course this isn't enforced (most of the time)

 

[taniahappy]

Yes, you can

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...The fact they also invite people to picnic with their own food and beverages outside the parks and allow the soft sided six pack size cooler even more adds to the fact that if they were not allowed, they should be expressly banned...

The picnic area is well outside of the security tents, so there is no problem with Disney allowing coolers (with or without cans inside) and food there. This is probably one reason why there isn't an outright ban on all canned beverages on the resort property since Disney has provided lockers to store the coolers and food and picnic tables for eating. The one time I saw cans confiscated at security it was because some guys were trying to smuggle in 6 packs of beer. I'm wondering if one problem with the cans (even if it's just soda) is the opacity of the container. Someone could be walking around with an open Coke can that really contained alcohol. While I know people do this with clear water bottles, maybe Disney's had more trouble with opaque cans?

 

[Kender]

The picnic area is well outside of the security tents, so there is no problem with Disney allowing coolers (with or without cans inside) and food there. This is probably one reason why there isn't an outright ban on all canned beverages on the resort property since Disney has provided lockers to store the coolers and food and picnic tables for eating. The one time I saw cans confiscated at security it was because some guys were trying to smuggle in 6 packs of beer. I'm wondering if one problem with the cans (even if it's just soda) is the opacity of the container. Someone could be walking around with an open Coke can that really contained alcohol. While I know people do this with clear water bottles, maybe Disney's had more trouble with opaque cans?

But then just about everything that's opaque would be banned. No walking through with one's Starbucks or Peets cup. No Jamba Juice. No water bottles (there's plenty of opaque ones that go in). Nothing of the several available opaque cups would be allowed through.

While there are those who can discreetly have alcohol hidden in a non alcoholic container, the general public tends to be not so discreet.

 

[ashley0139]

The picnic area is well outside of the security tents, so there is no problem with Disney allowing coolers (with or without cans inside) and food there. This is probably one reason why there isn't an outright ban on all canned beverages on the resort property since Disney has provided lockers to store the coolers and food and picnic tables for eating. The one time I saw cans confiscated at security it was because some guys were trying to smuggle in 6 packs of beer. I'm wondering if one problem with the cans (even if it's just soda) is the opacity of the container. Someone could be walking around with an open Coke can that really contained alcohol. While I know people do this with clear water bottles, maybe Disney's had more trouble with opaque cans?

Yes, but are there lockers outside security? I don't think so. So you have to get the stuff through security to put it in a locker until you want to eat. Unless there's something I'm not thinking of.

 

[Kirbie]

I have a related question - if I purchase a coffee at the Starbucks in Downtown Disney, can I bring that into one of the parks? Since everything is so close in Disneyland it would be very easy to purchase a coffee in Downtown Disney and not finish before entering the parks. Thanks!

 

[Kender]

Yes, but are there lockers outside security? I don't think so. So you have to get the stuff through security to put it in a locker until you want to eat. Unless there's something I'm not thinking of.

Ah, good point. And this made me look at the map to remind myself since I've never actually used the picnic area. Thank you for reminding us of this fact.

The only lockers I see are inside the security tents. The picnic area is outside it. But on the DTD side. If you're coming from the Harbor side (for example: you parked in Toy Story either by choice or not), you're forced to cross the esplanade to get to the picnic area even if you aren't planning to stop at the lockers first.

 

[ashley0139]

I have a related question - if I purchase a coffee at the Starbucks in Downtown Disney, can I bring that into one of the parks? Since everything is so close in Disneyland it would be very easy to purchase a coffee in Downtown Disney and not finish before entering the parks. Thanks!

Yes.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Yes, but are there lockers outside security? I don't think so. So you have to get the stuff through security to put it in a locker until you want to eat. Unless there's something I'm not thinking of.

The lockers at the picnic area are outside security. There also are larger lockers there to accomodate bigger coolers. We've seen guests whose coolers were too big to go through security be directed to the lockers at the picnic area.

This is from the DLR website:

Picnic Area
Relax at this open-air seating area located just outside the Main Entrance to Disneyland Park—no admission fee required.
Enjoy a Picnic Under the California Sky
In this charming and laidback space, you'll find tables, chairs and shade umbrellas perfectly suited for a leisurely outdoor meal, and the location is adjacent to a set of lockers, ideal for storing your food, utensils and picnic gear.



The picnic area is one of the many Guest Services offered at the Disneyland Resort.

 

[ashley0139]

The lockers at the picnic area are outside security. There also are larger lockers there to accomodate bigger coolers. We've seen guests whose coolers were too big to go through security be directed to the lockers at the picnic area.

This is from the DLR website:

Picnic Area
Relax at this open-air seating area located just outside the Main Entrance to Disneyland Park—no admission fee required.
Enjoy a Picnic Under the California Sky
In this charming and laidback space, you'll find tables, chairs and shade umbrellas perfectly suited for a leisurely outdoor meal, and the location is adjacent to a set of lockers, ideal for storing your food, utensils and picnic gear.



The picnic area is one of the many Guest Services offered at the Disneyland Resort.

Thanks! That's what I was wondering. I've never used the picnic area and didn't know there are lockers there.