Food in Parks...Clarification please!

[skiwee1]

Snacks are fine. There isn't anything anywhere written anymore about not bringing food into the parks. It used to be written right on the park map years ago but not anymore. So really it isn't even a written rule. It is more of an obsolete rule. I'm sure Disney would have it posted somewhere at the entrance to the parks if they wanted to keep outside food out. And really how can they tell where you purchased it at? I stay at the Poly all the time. We only eat meals onsite, never outside food. When we are going to a particular dinner that DD won't like I stop by Captain Cooks and pick up an Uncrustable for DD. So my food that I am bringing into the park is indeed Disney food. I'd like to see someone say something to me about it when I just spent $3 for a WDW pb&j!

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
I really have a hard time believing this,since even in the 2 parks that allow coolers (Blizzard beach and Typhoon lagoon) there is a huge sign out front that repeats (I believe word for word) what is on their official site
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...DWParksAndMoreFAQGrping#WPFoodAndBeveragesFAQ
note... the answer above is in refference to the water parks, not the 4 major parks.

I believe it. I saw a guy dragging one of those giant drink dispensers through the Peter Pan's Flight queue a couple of years ago. I'm not talking about a regular sized thermos. It was one of those giant ones for quite a few people. All I could think of was, if this thing spills into the ride track there is going to be a huge mess to clean up.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by skiwee1
Snacks are fine. There isn't anything anywhere written anymore about not bringing food into the parks. It used to be written right on the park map years ago but not anymore. So really it isn't even a written rule. It is more of an obsolete rule. I'm sure Disney would have it posted somewhere at the entrance to the parks if they wanted to keep outside food out. And really how can they tell where you purchased it at? I stay at the Poly all the time. We only eat meals onsite, never outside food. When we are going to a particular dinner that DD won't like I stop by Captain Cooks and pick up an Uncrustable for DD. So my food that I am bringing into the park is indeed Disney food. I'd like to see someone say something to me about it when I just spent $3 for a WDW pb&j!

The rule is still in some of the guide books. As to the definition, it means/meant food not purchased in the parks. I am sure no one will say anything about any food brought in, so it really does not matter how much you paid for that pb&j, as I said, it is a "paper" rule.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
The rule is still in some of the guide books. As to the definition, it means/meant food not purchased in the parks. I am sure no one will say anything about any food brought in, so it really does not matter how much you paid for that pb&j, as I said, it is a "paper" rule.

Are you talking about official WDW guidebooks written by WDW or ones written by those not employed by WDW such as Birnbaum. If it is the latter then I wouldn't take literally. Until I read it in something WDW has printed itself and is current then it means nothing. No paper, no rule.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by skiwee1
Are you talking about official WDW guidebooks written by WDW or ones written by those not employed by WDW such as Birnbaum. If it is the latter then I wouldn't take literally. Until I read it in something WDW has printed itself and is current then it means nothing. No paper, no rule.

Birnbaum is employed, in a way, by Disney, they are the only Official guide books. Nothing written by Disney as of late has any mention of food. A "paper" rule means it is out there if they have to enforce it.
I find it amusing that you will take advice from folks and many take it as gospel, but if it does not suit you, you revert to if it isn't written by disney it means nothing. Guess anything anyone writes on these boards means nothing, right?

 

[RescueRanger]

Saying Birnbaum's is an employee of Disney because they are the "Official Guide" is like saying Coca Cola is an employee of Disney because they are the official softdrink of WDW. If Disney wanted no food as an official "rule", THEY not Birnbaums would have it stated somewhere. It is not even a paper rule as WDW does not have it posted or written anywhere.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Birnbaum is employed, in a way, by Disney, they are the only Official guide books. Nothing written by Disney as of late has any mention of food. A "paper" rule means it is out there if they have to enforce it.
I find it amusing that you will take advice from folks and many take it as gospel, but if it does not suit you, you revert to if it isn't written by disney it means nothing. Guess anything anyone writes on these boards means nothing, right?

Gail, I am a big rule follower. I would never reuse my mug, put more then 4 in a room, or sneak my 3 year old in for free. I "see" where those rules are written and do follow them. I don't take food that I haven't bought in WDW inside a park though there is no rule against it. I just don't feel like toting tons of sandwiches and the like. I don't fix food when I go on vacation! I take snacks that I have bought at WDW in to the parks. I don't take anything folks here say as gospel. I take it in to consideration when making my decision on certain things. The only thing people state here is their opinion or their opinion on fact. You're stating that is is a paper rule doesn't mean anything as you have yet to show where it is printed. Birnbaum is NOT an employee of WDW and he certainly doesn't know everything. He seems to be on the odds when it comes to tipping mousekeepers. He says in his 2003 addition to tip them when WDW says it isn't a tipped position. For record I tip them generously! About guidebooks, there are still some out there that recommend pool hopping. I guess since that is written in a guidebook it is AOK to do.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
Saying Birnbaum's is an employee of Disney because they are the "Official Guide" is like saying Coca Cola is an employee of Disney because they are the official softdrink of WDW. If Disney wanted no food as an official "rule", THEY not Birnbaums would have it stated somewhere. It is not even a paper rule as WDW does not have it posted or written anywhere.

You misunderstand what is meant by a paper rule. It may not be posted, but, trust me, it is written somewhere. It has not been printed on any of the park maps or posted for years, and why, attendance is down. Wonder what will happen if/when it picks up.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by skiwee1
Gail, I am a big rule follower. I would never reuse my mug, put more then 4 in a room, or sneak my 3 year old in for free. I "see" where those rules are written and do follow them. I don't take food that I haven't bought in WDW inside a park though there is no rule against it. I just don't feel like toting tons of sandwiches and the like. I don't fix food when I go on vacation! I take snacks that I have bought at WDW in to the parks. I don't take anything folks here say as gospel. I take it in to consideration when making my decision on certain things. The only thing people state here is their opinion or their opinion on fact. You're stating that is is a paper rule doesn't mean anything as you have yet to show where it is printed. Birnbaum is NOT an employee of WDW and he certainly doesn't know everything. He seems to be on the odds when it comes to tipping mousekeepers. He says in his 2003 addition to tip them when WDW says it isn't a tipped position. For record I tip them generously! About guidebooks, there are still some out there that recommend pool hopping. I guess since that is written in a guidebook it is AOK to do.

I have yet to see it printed anywhere that housekeeping is not a tipped position, can you point me in that direction?
I do wish I could find the email from the CM which stated that no outside food is allowed, but, I cannot. Do you know what a "paper" rule is? Birnbaum has been dead for better than 10 years, and, I do agree, not everything in his book is correct. I don't read any other guidebooks, primarily because I do not have time and I would rather rely on the Official one. I said employee in a way because that book is the only one sanctioned by Disney.
Pool hopping? Oh my!!! That has not been allowed in forever, except for DVC members (with some limitations). I do see your point.

 

[mkcp91]

Small coolers are allowed in the four main theme parks. Here are the policies:

Magic Kingdom

Small coolers (that one person can carry) that will fit into the lockers under the Train Station are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Animal Kingdom

Allowed ONLY for medical purposes. If a guest is in need of medication, they may bring a cooler and store it in a locker. If it will not fit into the locker, the cooler will be kept at Guest Relations. Coolers are not allowed in the Theme Park. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Disney-MGM Studios

Small coolers that will fit into the lockers are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Epcot

Small coolers (that one person can carry) that will fit into the lockers are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Source

If this information is correct, then I would say outside food and beverages ARE allowed, since in three of the four major theme parks you can bring in a cooler for NON-MEDICAL reasons. Why else would Disney allow coolers?

 

[RescueRanger]

mkcp91-
A bit off topic but I was wondering if the Amish community in PA have alot of furniture makers? We have been to the Amish areas of Ohio and were thinking about going to Lancaster Co PA. The Ohio Amsih have beautiful furniture.

 

[petecaler]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
mkcp91-
A bit off topic but I was wondering if the Amish community in PA have alot of furniture makers? We have been to the Amish areas of Ohio and were thinking about going to Lancaster Co PA. The Ohio Amsih have beautiful furniture.

A bit??????

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mkcp91
Small coolers are allowed in the four main theme parks. Here are the policies:

Magic Kingdom

Small coolers (that one person can carry) that will fit into the lockers under the Train Station are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Animal Kingdom

Allowed ONLY for medical purposes. If a guest is in need of medication, they may bring a cooler and store it in a locker. If it will not fit into the locker, the cooler will be kept at Guest Relations. Coolers are not allowed in the Theme Park. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Disney-MGM Studios

Small coolers that will fit into the lockers are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Epcot

Small coolers (that one person can carry) that will fit into the lockers are allowed. Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.

Source

If this information is correct, then I would say outside food and beverages ARE allowed, since in three of the four major theme parks you can bring in a cooler for NON-MEDICAL reasons. Why else would Disney allow coolers?

your last paragraph makes sense. Wonder why they seem not to enforce these rules?

 

[kbkids]

We always bring in a cooler and have never had a problem. Some of the security guards have checked it and just said they were looking for alcoholic drinks, everything else was fine. We bring in drinks, snacks, sandwiches - anything we can carry to keep from paying a fortune for food. We still have a child in a stroller, so we just bring a double stroller - one side for him, one side for the cooler. Never had a problem at all. Never used any of the guidebooks, but have never seen anything on any of Disney's literature to say you can't. I have seen people before with the large rollling coolers. Wouldn't want to have to keep up with it, but as long as you're comfortable leaving it in the stroller parking, I don't see a problem with it. If Disney isn't posting signs saying it isn't allowed, they obviously don't have a problem with it either.

 

[mkcp91]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
mkcp91-
A bit off topic but I was wondering if the Amish community in PA have alot of furniture makers? We have been to the Amish areas of Ohio and were thinking about going to Lancaster Co PA. The Ohio Amsih have beautiful furniture.

The furniture made by the local Amish is stunning . . . and well out of my price range. I have friends who had an entertainment center built for them by an Amishman and it was 100% custom for their TV size, components - even the number of CD's and videos they owned. Of course, I could have bought a car for what they paid for it . . .

I'm not sure where you'd be travelling from, but there is so much to do out here! We're very close to Hershey in addition to all the Lancaster County stuff. I'm from the midwest and I still get excited when I see a buggy and we see them everyday, everywhere!

You may now return to your originally scheduled topic . . .