coolers with wheels?

[rgribik]

just wanted to see how this one was going again.

could you imagine the busses and the parks if we all decided to bring the family lunch along. By the way, am I missing the picnic areas in the park?

 

[marciemi]

Quoting directly from "Your Handy Guide to All the Magic" (which is given to resort guests by Disney, upon check-in), in the FAQ's:

"Q: What can I take into the Parks with me?"

"A: You can bring your typical sunscreen, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages along. Just be mindful that all packages, parcels, handbags, backpacks and the like may be inspected at the Park entrances. So you may want to leave any unnecessary articles behind. Thanks for your cooperation!"

So, yes, WDW does officially state that you can bring in 'snacks and beverages'.

However, as has already been pointed out, it is clearly against the rules to bring coolers with wheels into the four major theme parks. Small, soft sided coolers are permitted to be carried (or tucked into a stroller). The only place larger coolers are permitted (and where you are welcome to bring in a picnic lunch if you so desire), is at the Water Parks.

Thanks so much - that's the one I was referring to! I was SURE it said snacks were all right. We plan on everyone wearing a small fanny pack with waterbottle holder and filling both before we come with things like beef jerky, granola bars, nuts, fruit snacks, and yes - some candy (not chocolate in July!). As much to entertain the kids (and mine are teens or almost) in line and give them something do to as to fill them up. And to not waste time standing in a line to buy a mickey bar!

So save your dirty looks for the people on Heeley's or smoking in line, because evidently Disney thinks snacks are okay to bring in too!

 

[labattblue]

Didn't you hear? If you pay for a vacation there you are entitled to pick and choose which policies are relevant to you! It's part of the Dream Celebration.

We're talking about a few snacks(or for those who choose to...a sandwich or two). If the people checking the bags don't have a problem with it, why should you?

 

[nyfinfan]

1) Not "everyone".
2) We do not take food into the parks.
3) I would not cheat WDW out of their chance to sell me food/drink.
4) I figure if I can't afford to eat, I can't afford to go.

It's WDW doing the cheating when they charge $3.00 or more for a bottle of water to a captive crowd.

 

[netMick]

1) Not "everyone".
2) We do not take food into the parks.
3) I would not cheat WDW out of their chance to sell me food/drink.
4) I figure if I can't afford to eat, I can't afford to go.

Sigh.

It's not about affording to eat. It's about animal crackers for the kids. Or a granola bar for mom. Or whatever. Get off your horse.

 

[kileybeth]

FYI I believe it is also a policy for any counter sevice to give you for free a cup of ice or a cup of water.

Disney is not trying to rip anyone off, just doing buisness. I never find prices to be out of line with other places we visit on vacation but I still maintain that a few snacks are not going to kill the overall bottom line for them.

Thanks for posting those rules to the posters who took the time to do so.

I think we may have lost the OP with all this going on!

BTW, there are some great normal (not huge) size backpacks with coolers built in out there that work just great for said refreshments.

Have a magical visit

 

[maxiesmom]

It's WDW doing the cheating when they charge $3.00 or more for a bottle of water to a captive crowd.

If you don't want to pay Disney prices, don't go to Disney. They are not cheating you.

BTW, there is a difference between a few snacks and so much food you have to have a wheeled cooler to tote your haul thru the parks. Unfortunately, too many people have this need to push boundries/break rules. Whatever.

OP-You might be better off bringing a small cooler without wheels. That way you wouldn't have to spend time worrying about what the powers that be may or may not allow you to bring in to the parks. What do you plan on doing if they tell you your wheeled cooler is a no-no? Throw out your cooler?

 

[finedice]

As the original poster, I'd like to thank you all for your input. Our cooler is a small collapsible one, and it does have tiny wheels. The intent is not to wheel it around the park, but to bring in a few sandwiches and water bottles and store them in a locker. I can certainly afford to eat the park garbage if I choose, but as a chef and culinary school instructor, I choose not to eat fast food often. If I'm dropping $3,500.00 on a hotel room and tickets and whatever else, Do I owe it to Disney to spend 2-3 dollars on a bottle of water? Or, (for that matter) $25 for three hormone and antibiotic laden beef patties that are cooked to death and served on genetically modified nutrient deficient bread with fries cooked in transfat laden genetically modified canola oil - washed down with high fructose corn syrup filled soda? I think not.

 

[DaisyLou2]

 

[Magickndm]

We're talking about a few snacks(or for those who choose to...a sandwich or two). If the people checking the bags don't have a problem with it, why should you?

I don't have a problem with bringing in snacks, thus the winky guy. I was kidding. But, the OP did have to say since they paid so much money they shouldn't have to eat the food, not just snacks.

Do I owe it to Disney to spend 2-3 dollars on a bottle of water? Or, (for that matter) $25 for three hormone and antibiotic laden beef patties that are cooked to death and served on genetically modified nutrient deficient bread with fries cooked in transfat laden genetically modified canola oil - washed down with high fructose corn syrup filled soda? I think not.

No, you do not owe them anything. Are you going to be bringing in all of your own food so you can avoid all of the "genetically modified nutrient deficient bread with fries cooked in transfat laden genetically modified canola oil - washed down with high fructose corn syrup filled sodas? That seems more than a snack type situation to me.

 

[Karnak]

Sigh. ... Get off your horse.

Everybody brings food into the parks? I don't think so. I've visited WDW dozens of times, sometimes with family, sometimes solo (like the trip I am planning now for Christmas time.), and I HAVE NEVER CARRIED ANY FOOD OR DRINK INTO ANY OF THE PARKS, AND DON'T PLAN TO. As a matter of fact, i don't carry anything that won't fit into a pocket into the parks.

By the way ... I kinda like that horse. I have no problem with it all.

Enjoy

 

[maxiesmom]

If I'm dropping $3,500.00 on a hotel room and tickets and whatever else, Do I owe it to Disney to spend 2-3 dollars on a bottle of water? Or, (for that matter) $25 for three hormone and antibiotic laden beef patties that are cooked to death and served on genetically modified nutrient deficient bread with fries cooked in transfat laden genetically modified canola oil - washed down with high fructose corn syrup filled soda? I think not.

How much money you have decided to pay for your vacation is irrelevant. Instead of bringing in enough food for an army(which is the only possible reason to need a cooler with wheels) you could always choose to leave the parks and eat offsite. You would save money that way. You can to a large extent control what you spend on your vacation.

And are you really planning on only packing sugar free, nutrient rich snacks in your cooler?

 

[finedice]

As I said earlier, it's a small collapsible cooler which does have wheels. It has wheels so it's easy to tote around, not because it is big. I'm only talking about a couple of sandwiches, and a few bottles of water. I never meant to make a big stink! My question blossomed into a big hoopla! I was simply wondering if they would deny me my little collapsible cooler simply because it has wheels. Thanks for all the feedback though! Either way, it's about having fun! 17 days to go!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Just do what I do. I take the wheels off the gas grill when bringing it through the gates. Once I get past any nosy CMs whose salary I pay with the overpriced tickets, I slap the wheels back on and wheel it wherever I want.

Nothing like grilling up your own meals - it's cheaper and healthier.

 

[Iluvpluto2]

finedice, I hope you have a great trip!!! I'm jealous; not going until September.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just do what I do. I take the wheels off the gas grill when bringing it through the gates. Once I get past any nosy CMs whose salary I pay with the overpriced tickets, I slap the wheels back on and wheel it wherever I want.

Nothing like grilling up your own meals - it's cheaper and healthier.

Sure, just because you pay to go in to the parks, you can do whatever you want. Why didn't you add that you plan on pulling it behind you while you use your wheelie skates, and have a cigarette in the other hand? After all, rules are for other people, not you. I'm only kind of kidding. Unfortunately, too many people will think this is a good idea.

 

[mom2minniemouse]

Just do what I do. I take the wheels off the gas grill when bringing it through the gates. Once I get past any nosy CMs whose salary I pay with the overpriced tickets, I slap the wheels back on and wheel it wherever I want.

Nothing like grilling up your own meals - it's cheaper and healthier.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I never meant to make a big stink!

Sorry you stepped into a landmine without even trying. This often happens here. Someone posts a simple question but unfortunately there are a lot of self-righteous people that frequent these boards who for some reason feel the need to start arguments, and others that are happy to oblige them by arguing back. Check threads containing any of the following:

• Heelys
• Smoking
• Tipping "mousekeeping"
• Refillable Mugs (Even when it isn't mentioned by the OP, people feel the need to point out that they are only good for the stay in which they were purchased, while others then feel the need to respond "but you can get away with it")
• Gay Days (Even if the OP simply asks which day is crowded, and nothing else, they will be lectured about "tolerance")
• And, of course, if you want to bring food into the parks you are "cheating" Disney out of money, and clearly are not of the "right" economic class to be going to Disney.

.

We usually just take a can of corn in with us.(sorry old joke)

There's nothing quite like sitting on down on the steps of City Hall in the MK and popping open a can of corn. That's good eatin'!

 

[cmwade77]

EVERYONE takes some kind of food into the parks. Yes, they say that it is not permitted, but they never turn you away. Ive even had a CM say (when doing the bag check) "boy can I hang out with you today-great snacks!". Some people choose to take lunches in, but for us it is too much to keep up with.
Schmeck shouldnt try and make you feel bad for doing it. Everyone brings in food.

Not everyone takes food into the parks, we certainly don't (except this time coming up we may need to for my 2 year old brother, but that is a different story all together).

As for the OP's question, getting the thread back on topic here, no they would most likely not allow it. It's really not worth bringing your own food if you are going to put it in a locker, esp. at Epcot, just takes way too much time to go and get it, of course we also stay on site and get the Dining Plan.

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

We have been to WDW at least 7 or 8 times and every single time we bring in our lunches. I'm talking sandwiches and the whole works. We have never once had a problem, our lunches have never been taken away from us. We do this for several reasons. We are a healthy family and we like to eat our own healthy, homemeade food. We do not like fast food and thats basically what Disney offers. There are very few counter services which serve healthy and nutritious meals. Secondly, their prices are outrageous. Its not that we cant afford to eat at Disney, but we just prefer to spend our money on something other than food. And greasy, fried, fattening food at that. Not only that, but we can eat our lunch whenever we decide, without having to wait in any lines. This is just what we prefer, and I'm glad Disney allows guests like us to bring in our own food of choice.