Gripe - Food in the Parks

[C.Ann]

did anyone else get a response?
Here is my full email, with my last name and work info deleted off...
Dear Vanessa,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

We would also like to mention that as an exception to our standard policy, guests who have specific
food allergies are welcome to bring their own small snack items with them into the theme parks.
However, picnic baskets, ice chests, and coolers are not permitted.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Peggy Bishop

WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior
to your visit.



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Hello,
I was wondering if WDW has a written policy on bringing food, drinks and
coolers into the theme parks...so far no one has responded to my question.

Please let me know.

Thanks!
Thank you,

Vanessa
Memorial Healthcare System
Corporate Finance

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Someone really ought to teach those people down there how to respond properly to an email.. They still never stated what their "standard policy" is and still left out an entire paragraph that should have come before "We would also like to mention.." Almost sounds like a pre-typed standard reply where they haven't even taken the time to read the email you sent.. LOL

 

[C.Ann]

The MK park map now says that outside food is allowed.

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How does this match up to the email that lillygator received? I think the email response is a pre-written automated answer they just zip off to anyone who makes an inquiry.. Why am I not surprised? LOL

 

[lillygator]

I emailed back this morning inquiring about that sentence...if something was left out and if they have a "written" policy on the WDW website or anything. Will let you know if I hear anything back.

 

[lillygator]

can you post a pic of the statement on the park map?

 

[robin714]

I thought you couldn't bring food into the parks. I haven't been there in 20 years and going in November. I personally don't care if I have to work 30 extra hours a week till we go but I can't wait to eat out in the restaruants. I had to bring some food in 20 years ago because there really wasn't much for choices in dining out. Now, after reading all these posts from people about how good the food is, I'm looking forward to eating at all the different restuarants. I think I would be a little upset too if I couldn't get a seat when I didn't bring any food in.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Not exactly. I saw a family complain to a CM at Pecos Bills last year about those sitting at the tables but not buying the food. A CM actually went up to another family that was eating out of a stand up backpack and told them they were not allowed to sit at a table unless they were buying something there. The father figure got up in a huff and went and bought a couple of drinks. The CM then went around to other tables and told folks and I saw some leave. So CMs do care. You just have to complain. I won't think twice about complaining if I need a table to eat my CS meal when they are being taken up by non buyers.

If a CM asked non-paying customer's to move then I guess we have an answer on Disney policy.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow! Some people need to take a chill pill. This has turned into one of those threads you can't reply to unless you want to be attacked. Heaven forbid you not agree with certain people. And as far as assuming you know what I am thinking, you know what they say about people who assume. Have fun spewing your nonsense. I am unsubscribing to this hate-fest.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

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Great idea! Why don't you do that - considering how stressed out you appear to be over where people are eating?

I imagine that were I hungry, tired,trying to carry a tray laden with food, watching my DD's to be sure they were still with me, listening to "I'm hungry Mom" while being unable to find a seat would stress me out. I usually do TS.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

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I think the numbers of people being accused of all kinds of "misconduct" on this thread and others has been grossly inflated.. If it were as bad as some people would have you believe, everyone would be standing up to eat.. (Well - maybe not the hundreds of people who drag HUGE coolers into the parks on a daily basis.. They could just plop them in the middle of Main Street and use them to sit on.. )

Are you saying that the incidents described in the thread are imaginary?

 

[DMRick]

Yes, heaven forbid someone have a different opinion. No one has to agree, but certainly opinions are allowed. I'm not seeing the hate you are, just a disagreement over opinions.
I've personally not seen anyone asked to leave a CS table, so I can't comment on that..but then I've never seen the amount of people eating their take-in that people on this thread have seen (I do see lots and lots of "held" tables, so that does account for people not able to get a table, and I guess that's the reason people hold them), or anyone kicked out of a pool, off a beach, or told not to use a mug. I've also not seen a bunch of rollaround coolers, strollers used as batering rams, etc. I have noticed however, that those who have seen this often seem to be the same people who see the other things. I guess I'm too busy having fun at Disney to pay attention to others!

Heaven forbid you not agree with certain people.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

It's a no win situation until Disney decides to address it themselves by either officially banning ouside food and enforcing it - or - they provide more adequate table arrangements for everyone involved..

Did anyone suggest that food should be banned?

I believe that the question raised was whether someone who purchased food should have to stand with their tray while someone you did not purchase food should be at the tables provided by the restaurant.

Are you saying that the customer doe not have priority?

 

[DMRick]

Are you saying that the incidents described in the thread are imaginary?

I personally believe that those who have seen what they have seen are being honest. I just think that one or two incidents seem to get blown out of the water, until it seems most of the seats are being taken by those bringing in take in. I'm there often, considering I live in NYS, and judging by the lines of people waiting to actually buy their food, I personally don't think it's anywhere as bad as some make it sound. I think once it gets mulled over in our minds, perhaps the problem gets bigger and bigger. I do intend to take a closer look in May..but I suspect I'll see what I always have. Most of those with their take-ins will be eating outside the CS places, and by no means do I think that would be a large amount of people..since most people don't drag much in with them, other than those with young babies and strollers. Too much like work. And most of the tables we are unable to use will be families waiting for dad to come back out of the line with their meals.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

(A) The park bench that your 80 year old grandmother needs to rest on?

(B) The curb - while waiting for the parade?

(C) The curb that you want to rest on because all of the benches are being used by people eating their food they brought in from the outside?

(D) On the sidewalk on Main Street where they can disrupt the flow of foot traffic?

(E) On the grass - which Disney prefers you not sit, walk or trample on?

(F) Any show that isn't posted "no food or drinks permitted"?

(G) Standing next to you in line waiting to get on a ride?

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Except for the shows, I think we've eaten most of those places.

One thing that needs to be considered it that food carried into the park has been packed and far more mobile than a tray laden with food.

Food on a tray is intended to be eaten in a restaurant if it has not been specifically packed "to go". A bagged lunch can be eaten anywhere, while many counter service items can not.

 

[C.Ann]

Are you saying that the incidents described in the thread are imaginary?

-------------------------------

Absolutely not.. I'm saying the "numbers" of people are most likely being exaggerated..

 

[C.Ann]

Except for the shows, I think we've eaten most of those places.

One thing that needs to be considered it that food carried into the park has been packed and far more mobile than a tray laden with food.

Food on a tray is intended to be eaten in a restaurant if it has not been specifically packed "to go". A bagged lunch can be eaten anywhere, while many counter service items can not.

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That's great! Just prepare yourself for someone getting in a snit and coming on these boards and throwing a hissy fit because:

(A) The park bench that your 80 year old grandmother needs to rest on?

Your were eating your lunch on a bench where their Grandma needed to rest..

(B) The curb - while waiting for the parade?

You accidentally spilled your beverage and someone got wet - or someone sat next to you right where your childs jelly dripped off their PBJ..

(C) The curb that you want to rest on because all of the benches are being used by people eating their food they brought in from the outside?

I don't think this one applies because it sounds as though you don't need to rest during the day.. Sure wish I had your stamina!

(D) On the sidewalk on Main Street where they can disrupt the flow of foot traffic?

Someone trips over you and gets injured because you're sitting there with your lunch disrupting the flow of traffic.. Let us not forget how incredibly crowded Main Street is..

(E) On the grass - which Disney prefers you not sit, walk or trample on?

This might work - until Disney tells you to get off the grass or some greenery lover goes bonkers about it..

(F) Any show that isn't posted "no food or drinks permitted"?

Beverages spill, food crumble and some odors are not tolerable to certain individuals..

(G) Standing next to you in line waiting to get on a ride?

My DH used to eat garlic and onion sandwiches.. How well do you think that would go over with the others waitng in line? Or do we get to tell people "what" they can eat as well?

 

[C.Ann]

Did anyone suggest that food should be banned?

I believe that the question raised was whether someone who purchased food should have to stand with their tray while someone you did not purchase food should be at the tables provided by the restaurant.

Are you saying that the customer doe not have priority?

--------------------------------

No - no one suggested that food should be banned and neither did I.. What I said was (based on the wild accusations on this thread of this problem being of epidemic proportions) the only way to "solve" it would be for Disney to officially make a statement prohibiting all outside food from being brought into the parks..

And just for the record, the arguement of "tables" on this thread have consistently gone back and forth in terms of "inside" tables or "outside" tables - two different animals..

 

[C.Ann]

If a CM asked non-paying customer's to move then I guess we have an answer on Disney policy.

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How do you figure that constitutes a "policy" in regards to people bringing food inside the parks?

The situation that resulted in a CM asking non-paying customers to move on was at a restaurant with indoor seating - not the outdoor seating that many of the CS places have..

Did he also ask them to dispose of their food and remind them that it's "prohibited" in the parks? Nope..

 

[C.Ann]

I've personally not seen anyone asked to leave a CS table, so I can't comment on that..but then I've never seen the amount of people eating their take-in that people on this thread have seen (I do see lots and lots of "held" tables, so that does account for people not able to get a table, and I guess that's the reason people hold them), or anyone kicked out of a pool, off a beach, or told not to use a mug. I've also not seen a bunch of rollaround coolers, strollers used as batering rams, etc.

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Exactly.. I think the reported incidents on these boards are totally inflated beyond belief - but when I get down there in March/April I am going to specifically watch for these types of things..

The only thing that I am postitive I will find is dirty rest rooms and trash cans overflowing with garbage and covered in flies..

 

[C.Ann]

And as far as assuming you know what I am thinking, you know what they say about people who assume. Have fun spewing your nonsense. I am unsubscribing to this hate-fest.

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Absolutely - which is what you should have thought of before you made "assumptions" yourself.. Don't go away mad - it's only a message board.. Just admit you were wrong and be done with it.. No need to leave in a huff..

"Hate-fest"?? Major assumption..

 

[AmyBWV99]

By starting this thread I was in no was inferring that the 'cooler dragging table occupying issue' angered us to new proportions or in any way RUINED our trip.

It was a gripe, simply just something we have been noticing occuring more often every trip we take. The point being that while we travel w/a baby (not that in anyway that makes us privledged to a table before anyone not traveling with a baby and/or child that is paying to eat within a dining establishment) and not being able to secure a table to eat while someone that is self catering is taking a table is annoying.

That's all. We aren't going to complain to the point of having them asked to leave but I guess it's something we don't understand and would never do. We don't pay to eat there we DO NOT eat there. I don't know that just seems sensical to us. To each his own.....