Getting coolers around park

[happymommy]

I would skip bringing drinks completely. You can bring little packets of Crystal Light, and get ice water free. No way I'd lug drinks around a park.
Also, agree about having everyone bring their own snacks then; granola bars and such. That would be enough to snack on I would think.
Quick service places to eat, in my opinion, have quite large portions. We most often split meals at least half the time! I order water (or a beer) with a meal.
It's very rare, but I have seen families eating food they brought in other than little snacks. It just isn't worth the hassle though. It is vacation!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Your only option for carrying them around with you is the stroller or your backs. Disney doesn't allow any other kind of wheeled conveyance in the parks (except for a wheel chair, of course).

That may be their OFFIICIAL policy, but I've seen several large coolers being rolled around the parks.

 

[BlackMagicWoman]

I have a small cooler that has a handle like on a piece of luggage. It's my first trip with it so hopefully I don't hate it. Otherwise we have two scooters and a stroller so we put the coolers in there. Just water though. I refuse to pay for water.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

I have a small cooler that has a handle like on a piece of luggage. It's my first trip with it so hopefully I don't hate it. Otherwise we have two scooters and a stroller so we put the coolers in there. Just water though. I refuse to pay for water.

Water is free at all counter service restaurants. Just be sure to specify a "cup" of water when ordering so you don't get a bottle.

 

[MaxsDad]

I just wish Disney would better enforce the rules about wheeled coolers and backpacks that people can pull behind them. In the crowd leaving after Illuminations one night, three people cut in front of me with one that tripped me making me sprain an ankle. Stopped at Guest Services to complain and the only thing they would say was send my comments to the GS email.

I saw at least 4 during my 3-day trip last month. Its ridiculous.

 

[Nancyg56]

I just wish Disney would better enforce the rules about wheeled coolers and backpacks that people can pull behind them. In the crowd leaving after Illuminations one night, three people cut in front of me with one that tripped me making me sprain an ankle. Stopped at Guest Services to complain and the only thing they would say was send my comments to the GS email.

Me too. I cannot understand the point of rules if you do not enforsce them. At that point they are suggestions, not rules.

That may be their OFFIICIAL policy, but I've seen several large coolers being rolled around the parks.

OP- I would not chance a rolling cooler. Disney may not enforce teh rules all of the time, but I would nto want to be THAT family who hits the rule jackpot.

I would not bring coolers of any sort into the parks. I would have the family each cart their own snacks and get water at a QS restaurant. It is not fun hauling thigs through the parks, and what starts out fairly easy ends up pretty darn difficult by the end of the day. I would also check out the menus of all QS restaurants in the parks. There are many that serve huge portions that will easily serve two people. If you choose a cup of water and skip dessert your bill will be reasonable. Between your own snacks and free water, you could keep your expense down.

 

[happymommy]

I saw at least 4 during my 3-day trip last month. Its ridiculous.

That is. I understand at the water parks, where they are allowed! I've even brought a medium size soft sided cooler into them with snacks, since at a water park I plop my butt down with our stuff and let the kids go on slides for part of the time, so I have my drinks & snacks and a good book. But, at the theme parks, I can't see lugging it around! Maybe with the old turnstiles gone it's easier for folks to zip through with them.

 

[daisyduck123]

I saw at least 4 during my 3-day trip last month. Its ridiculous.

I saw one on July 1 right by Spaceship Earth in Epcot. I commented about it to a CM (I glanced around and saw a manager-type) and she immediately went over to the family to talk to them. Next thing I knew, the dad was exiting the park with it (I assumed going to put it in their car).

And no, I did not/don't feel badly about reporting it.

 

[ruthies12]

http://www.amazon.com/J-L-Childress...pebp=1437482050736&perid=1E4R6JMP26R2ZNA7812E

I've used this cooler on multiple different strollers and lent it to friends so I can attest that it will work on most anything. It does a very good job of keeping things cool. My suggestion would be to get this and consolidate what you plan to take in to this one cooler. Good luck!!

 

[Kalliope]

Your only option for carrying them around with you is the stroller or your backs. Disney doesn't allow any other kind of wheeled conveyance in the parks (except for a wheel chair, of course).

I saw at least 10 rolling coolers and bags yesterday in AK and MK.

 

[Malibustyle23]

If you are staying onsite I advise you to bring backpack. Night before freeze 12 juice packs put sandwiched between them and nut or chips on top.Sorry I can't give you better information. As far as water you can go any QS spot and gey free ice water so really no need to carry water.Unless you freeze you freeze one or two to help keep food cool.

I've only stayed at the values so maybe the other resorts have different amenities but how do you freeze juice boxes especially that many on site? Our freezer section always seemed tiny but maybe I'm remembering wrong?

 

[happymommy]

I saw at least 10 rolling coolers and bags yesterday in AK and MK.

Holy cow, really?! I can't imagine so many getting through the entrance without CM's saying something.
I also can't imagine lugging one around.
I understand value resorts' fridges don't have a freezer section. I'm sure they have some for medical reasons, or will freeze ice packs for that reason through the bell services, though.

 

[Kalliope]

Holy cow, really?! I can't imagine so many getting through the entrance without CM's saying something.
I also can't imagine lugging one around.
I understand value resorts' fridges don't have a freezer section. I'm sure they have some for medical reasons, or will freeze ice packs for that reason through the bell services, though.

Some were coolers and some were bags. All were within plain sight of numerous CM's and none of them said a word.

 

[Kalliope]

I've only stayed at the values so maybe the other resorts have different amenities but how do you freeze juice boxes especially that many on site? Our freezer section always seemed tiny but maybe I'm remembering wrong?

The freezer compartments are tiny, if there is one at all.

 

[Crystal824]

We only bring in one cooler, but it a bit larger than most soft-sided coolers. it is more than enough room for us. We just hang it on the back of the stroller (we have to be careful to stroller doesn't tip so we load it after the kids are in and have to take it off before that get out) but it works for us. Granted we only have 5 people and don't bring in meals (just a few snacks and water).

If you really want to do two coolers, I would probably rent a locker or do the backpack thing.

 

[kidshop]

We only bring in one cooler, but it a bit larger than most soft-sided coolers. it is more than enough room for us. We just hang it on the back of the stroller (we have to be careful to stroller doesn't tip so we load it after the kids are in and have to take it off before that get out) but it works for us. Granted we only have 5 people and don't bring in meals (just a few snacks and water).


If you really want to do two coolers, I would probably rent a locker or do the backpack thing.

Quick tip: I used ankle weights on the stroller's front legs to balance our cooler. It stayed steady empty or full! You won't notice the extra weight and the annoyance factor goes way down.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

That may be their OFFIICIAL policy, but I've seen several large coolers being rolled around the parks.

I have seen people with them being escorted to guest services in MK as well. I wouldn't chance it.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I've only stayed at the values so maybe the other resorts have different amenities but how do you freeze juice boxes especially that many on site? Our freezer section always seemed tiny but maybe I'm remembering wrong?

I am going to guess that most people who pack coolers stay offsite or DVC and therefore have a kitchen and a regular size refrigerator. To both store the food and freeze the ice packs, etc. Just a guess.

 

[Crystal824]

Quick tip: I used ankle weights on the stroller's front legs to balance our cooler. It stayed steady empty or full! You won't notice the extra weight and the annoyance factor goes way down.

Good idea. I'm going to try this next time.