Gripe - Food in the Parks

[C.Ann]

I did read in my Birnbaum's Official Guide 2006 on page 26 "Money Saving Tips"

"Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome inside Disney theme parks).".

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"Outside food is not welcome" is not equal to "outside food is prohibited".. If they really felt that strongly about it they would come right out and say - "Outside food is prohibited in all of the Disney Parks." - but they won't, because it's not what they actually mean..

 

[AmyBWV99]

I have a similar complaint. When we go to DW we rent a stroller for my daughter. Quite often when we get to a popular ride all the stroller parking is taken-up by people that have brought there own stroller in the park to save some money. I feel that since I rented my stroller from Disney I should not have to park farther away or wait for these CHEAP people to finish the ride and move their stroller. Stroller parking near the entrance and exit of the rides should be only for Disney Strollers.

Also, I can't agree on being too 'cheap' to rent a stroller our first trip was with a 2 month old and could hardly be propped up in the subpar example that Disney calls a stroller. I'll be the first to admit I am a stroller SNOB. We have 4 strollers and one is exclusivly for travel and we spent enough on it to rent a stroller every trip for the legnth of stay for each of the baby's next 10 trips! The rental one's scream COOTIE to me. We've used them in the past but for an infant it's just not for us.

I don't feel that bringing your groceries to a restaurant can be compared. IHMO

 

[C.Ann]

I'm not sure that I agree with rsacket on the stroller complaint. It seems to me that many of the people are not being "cheap" at all, but have purchased nice strollers that are easier to use than the ones rented at the parks. And there may be other advantages to bringing your own stroller, such as more room, package storage, and being able to spot your particular stroller in a sea of strollers.

Enjoy.

___________________________________________

PEOPLE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYBODY
___________________________________________

1994 Sept. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
1996 Nov. - Disney Institute
1997 Nov. - Port Orleans - Riverside
1998 Dec. - Boardwalk
1999 Nov. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2001 July - Contemporary
2002 May - Boardwalk
2002 Dec. - Polynesian (concierge)
2003 May - Animal Kingdom
2004 June - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2005 April - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2005 Dec. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2006 March - Port Orleans - French Quarter (upcoming)
2006 Dec. - Resort undecided (planning stage)

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I think the meant she was joking on that one..

 

[AmyBWV99]

Right, just thought I'd address that too.

 

[grimley1968]

I have a similar complaint. When we go to DW we rent a stroller for my daughter. Quite often when we get to a popular ride all the stroller parking is taken-up by people that have brought there own stroller in the park to save some money. I feel that since I rented my stroller from Disney I should not have to park farther away or wait for these CHEAP people to finish the ride and move their stroller. Stroller parking near the entrance and exit of the rides should be only for Disney Strollers.

Editing out my old comment. I'm taking the hint that this was an absurd joke. If not, it's really a ridiculous statement. If it is a joke, then good one.

 

[Candleshoe]

While I agree that this is something to think about- have you ever gone to a restroom and stayed there for more than a half hour and prevented others from being able to use the restroom?...

Ooooo... I don't think we want to go there!!

/honey would you bring me a magazine?




When we brought PB&J we always found an out of the way -- shady -- place to sit. Usually a bench or perched on a low wall.

 

[scanfield]

It seems that the center of the issue is whether or not paying for entrance into the parks constitutes the use of restaurant space to eat food brought into the parks. I don't think it does. Just because you pay to use some of the park's services; rides, shows, etc; doesn't mean you can use ALL of the parks services; free food, free drinks, Illuminations cruises, etc. By paying for a meal, I believe that you have 'purchased' additional services in the park; food, drinks, seats in a restaurant. Further, when entering a restaurant, even counter service, you have entered a different place within the park. By saying that you have the 'right' to a table just because you're in the park is akin to saying that you have the right to use all of the condiments Disney provides just because they are in the restaurant. The condiments are there for those purchasing food at the restaurant, just like the tables are.

I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that Disney expects me to pay extra to sit at a table that is in a public area. Would you consider someone waiting out a bit of rain to be in violation of this made up policy?

Are the tables at Cosmic Ray's public? You have to go through doors to get to them, but i dont see any signs that say "customers only".

Are the tables at the Tommorrowland Terrace public? no doors. What about the tables outside on the streeets (at the hot dog place, or outside the bakery?)
What about the tables at the little dead-end street on main street?

I can understand someones frustration at trying to find a table, but getting angry at another guest, or even worse classifying them as "cheapskates" for trying to save a few dollars is ridiculous. Anger should be at Disney for not providing enough seeting area for the people that, under their policies, are allowed to sit there.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that Disney expects me to pay extra to sit at a table that is in a public area. Would you consider someone waiting out a bit of rain to be in violation of this made up policy?

just walk into a common, covered area during a rainstorm. we do it all of the time. don't sit down and host a bingo tournament in the empty tables to pass the time away.

 

[Stacerita]

I doubt that you will ever see a picnic area in the park.

I think that if Disney had a designated picnic area in the park it would seem to encourage people to bring outside food and drink with them, thus causing them to lose sales.

This isn't the only post that said this. There were a few others that had the same sentiment. I have no clue as to why WDW doesn't have picnic facilities on site. They have them at DLR. They encourage people to use them and announce it on the tram ride over from the parking structure. Not everyone uses them. A lot still use counter service tables. But they are available for guests to use. I dont see why the parks at WDW can't provide the same thing.

 

[mitros]

I did not read all of the posts, so I apologize if someone else mentioned this, but I believe a general, picnic grove type area would be hard to keep clean. People being people, there would be an awful lot of trash left lying around on these "picnic" tables, which would then blow all over the place.
With the restaurants, at least the trash can be contained in a restricted area. Just think about it for a second, when you go to public picnic areas, they are always a mess. Again, people being people.....

 

[fightinillini229]

I agree, Disney really needs to create a place for people to eat their packed food. I don't mind if people bring their own food, but it is annoying to order and get food and then have nowhere to eat it.

 

[lillygator]

I am searching and searching...I can't find any FAQ's at all...which is where I found the info before....so I guess I will have to wait for the "official word" from WDW.

the stroller comment....ok WHATEVER...come on, my 1 month old is not able to be properly secured in a $5 stroller. But hey, using a Baby Bjorn (attached to me if you didn't know) doesn't pertain or bother you stroller rental peeps.


and I still don't think WDW should create picnic areas in the park for people who choose to bring in their food......

 

[lillygator]

and we are all not paying the same admission amount....

 

[rsackett]

Editing out my old comment. I'm taking the hint that this was an absurd joke. If not, it's really a ridiculous statement. If it is a joke, then good one.

It was meant as a joke. I thought it was such dumb statement it would be clear. Sorry if it worked people up.

People are going to eat in the parks. If all the people bringing in food stopped and bought the food from Disney the table situation would be just as bad, or worse, since some people do eat out side. And the lines for food would take longer. DISNEY does not have enough space for it's guests to eat. Just like if all people rented Disney strollers the parking would still be tight!

 

[apostolic4life]

I have a similar complaint. When we go to DW we rent a stroller for my daughter. Quite often when we get to a popular ride all the stroller parking is taken-up by people that have brought there own stroller in the park to save some money. I feel that since I rented my stroller from Disney I should not have to park farther away or wait for these CHEAP people to finish the ride and move their stroller. Stroller parking near the entrance and exit of the rides should be only for Disney Strollers.

I seem to think your comment on "cheap" people is a little rude.....if you haven't noticed (or maybe are oblivious to) many people have children who cannot ride in the strollers offered at WDW. If a child is younger than 18 months, the WDW strollers are not very effective.

Next time, stay on topic or start a new thread!

 

[apostolic4life]

I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that Disney expects me to pay extra to sit at a table that is in a public area. Would you consider someone waiting out a bit of rain to be in violation of this made up policy?

Are the tables at Cosmic Ray's public? You have to go through doors to get to them, but i dont see any signs that say "customers only".

Are the tables at the Tommorrowland Terrace public? no doors. What about the tables outside on the streeets (at the hot dog place, or outside the bakery?)
What about the tables at the little dead-end street on main street?

I can understand someones frustration at trying to find a table, but getting angry at another guest, or even worse classifying them as "cheapskates" for trying to save a few dollars is ridiculous. Anger should be at Disney for not providing enough seeting area for the people that, under their policies, are allowed to sit there.

Bravo................I love people who know where to direct the frustration!

 

[apostolic4life]

It was meant as a joke. I thought it was such dumb statement it would be clear. Sorry if it worked people up.

People are going to eat in the parks. If all the people bringing in food stopped and bought the food from Disney the table situation would be just as bad, or worse, since some people do eat out side. And the lines for food would take longer. DISNEY does not have enough space for it's guests to eat. Just like if all people rented Disney strollers the parking would still be tight!

I am glad it was a joke.........sorry if I seemed a little miffed

 

[AmyBWV99]

I thought it was funny.

 

[Soprano]

I am not defending the actions of those who take their own food then sit in restaurants taking up space, I think thats a bit out of order.

But Disney do not supply a place to have a picnic. And if they did provide a large space to do so, people would complain. "They shudda put a ride there or somethin'!"

Nor do Disney provide many (any??) decent counter service restaurants. There are times when I would kill for a Subway sandwich, or salad while waiting in line for yet another burger and fries.

 

[MinnieMom]

I agree also. Fortunately we've never had this happen to us, but I would be really upset if I were a paying customer at a dining establishment and couldn't find a seat there while others who did not pay that establishment for there food were sitting down.