Gripe - Food in the Parks

[MaryKatesMom]

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What I said was (based on the wild accusations on this thread of this problem being of epidemic proportions)

How about wild accusations of wild accusations?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Do we need a sign telling us not to cut in que? Do we need a sign that says no pushing or shoving? Do we need a sign that says we need to wash our hands after using the restroom - ok got me on that one.

We shouldn't need signs or a Disney policy or Disney enforcement of courtesy.

 

[C.Ann]

Still waiting for my response to the email I sent to Disney the day before yesterday..

I asked very specific - very detailed questions - and I'd pretty much bet I'm going to get a standard "form" response so they don't actually have to come right out and say that outside food is "prohibited" (in which case they would then have to explain why every CM they have working for them "looks the other way"..)..

 

[C.Ann]

What the heck has this to do with someone searching for a table?

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You really can't figure it out?

 

[DMRick]

Pretty clear to me.

And if that had been my only note back from Disney I would agree. Now I have two..and they both give different answers. Well, at least it matches the two I have with different answers about cooking in the room.

I do wonder why they took down the sign that said no food, and removed it from any of the materials they give us, and most of all I wonder why those people with rolling coolers are allowed to bring them in..perhaps it's a "special" diet LOL. I do wonder why the guards allow it, I do wonder why if you ask guest services at the hotels and gates, they ok it. However, none of those questions were answered.

I know that 6 flags and other amusement parks do say no food...except for those why say food allowed and mention picnic areas.

 

[88Keys]

so are you in the habit of stopping in restaurants just to hang out or take a break? Do you pull over to the local McDonald's or Ponderosa just to take a load off?

Sure, I have------------but that's because no one on the McDIS board told me I couldn't..........

 

[88Keys]

not really, the restaurant is a business, it's not included in the park admission.

Says who??? Really, I mean it -- before folks throw out rules that they make in the comfort in their homes sitting at their keyboards of justice, where, oh where, does it say I can not sit in Cosmic Rays (or any other other indoor or outdoor food court-type area) to get out of the heat for a few minutes without buying something (I'm not even talking about bringing in my own food). We are not even talking about fairness, politeness or decency here, just pure black and white rules. I am tired of folks saying what I can and can not do when Disney does not say that in any way. Is it wrong to take seats without eating when the space is full -- possibly, but I have no problem if the place is not full.

I can walk in gift shops without buying, can't I? Obviously I'm not talking about reserved seating restaurants, but c'mon.

 

[JoiseyMom]

My thoughts are merely rhetorical in nature and meant as food for thought (but in no way can you eat this food on a table if you haven't paid me to do so)

I would not allow my family to take up space without the appropriate purchase, but I do have sympathy for families who may not have the means to purchase the food. WDW is for all families (rich or poor) who are able to share this magic together. Instead of flaming families who may not be as fortunate as some of us, we should focus on the real issue.......why are there no areas for families to enjoy a picnic (if they bring the food or purchase it at the park)!

Ok, I am going to have to disagree with you. WDW is for people who can AFFORD it. There are no picnic areas, because WDW wants you to PAY FOR FOOD. They want your money. WDW is there for one reason, and one reason only, to MAKE MONEY. I love the magic as much as the next person, but as much as we all love it and want the share the magic, WDW was built to make money, that is the bottom line.

At Six Flags Great Adventure, they do not let you bring in food. It stays outside the park, and people eat at their cars. If you can't afford the food inside any of the amusement parks, there are places outside you can go.
I have brought in water bottles, and some small snacks more for convenience. I have also carried bp&j sandwiches for my little one, only because he will not eat uncrustables.

 

[C.Ann]

Ok, I am going to have to disagree with you. WDW is for people who can AFFORD it. There are no picnic areas, because WDW wants you to PAY FOR FOOD..

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So now WDW is only for those who can "afford" it? I can't even believe anyone would make a statement like that.. Because someone can't "afford" the ridiculous food prices (or chooses not to pay $3 for something they can purchase outside of the parks for 50 cents) they shouldn't be able to pay their admission and enjoy whatever else is in the parks? Wow! That is some mind set..

As for Disney wanting people to PAY FOR FOOD, if that were the case, then people carrying food into the parks (and all of those people with the "huge" coolers they are dragging behind them on a daily basis ) would be turned away at the gates..

The reason Disney doesn't turn those people away is because they know that whatever is saved on the food budget will more than likely be spent on other items in the parks.. Believe me - I'm sure they have weighed the pros and cons and that is why you will not find an official policy posted anywhere in public view.. You may get that type of answer in an email, but where are the signs posted at the gates? There aren't any - or at least there weren't any when I was down there last April..

 

[lillygator]

Says who??? Really, I mean it -- before folks throw out rules that they make in the comfort in their homes sitting at their keyboards of justice, where, oh where, does it say I can not sit in Cosmic Rays (or any other other indoor or outdoor food court-type area) to get out of the heat for a few minutes without buying something (I'm not even talking about bringing in my own food). We are not even talking about fairness, politeness or decency here, just pure black and white rules. I am tired of folks saying what I can and can not do when Disney does not say that in any way. Is it wrong to take seats without eating when the space is full -- possibly, but I have no problem if the place is not full.

I can walk in gift shops without buying, can't I? Obviously I'm not talking about reserved seating restaurants, but c'mon.

maybe you should drive over to McD's to go in and cool off - without buying anything of course.

 

[JoiseyMom]

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So now WDW is only for those who can "afford" it? I can't even believe anyone would make a statement like that.. Because someone can't "afford" the ridiculous food prices (or chooses not to pay $3 for something they can purchase outside of the parks for 50 cents) they shouldn't be able to pay their admission and enjoy whatever else is in the parks? Wow! That is some mind set..

As for Disney wanting people to PAY FOR FOOD, if that were the case, then people carrying food into the parks (and all of those people with the "huge" coolers they are dragging behind them on a daily basis ) would be turned away at the gates..

The reason Disney doesn't turn those people away is because they know that whatever is saved on the food budget will more than likely be spent on other items in the parks.. Believe me - I'm sure they have weighed the pros and cons and that is why you will not find an official policy posted anywhere in public view.. You may get that type of answer in an email, but where are the signs posted at the gates? There aren't any - or at least there weren't any when I was down there last April..

Yes, WDW is for those that can afford it. If I can't afford food on vacation, ummm..I am not going on vacation. Am I going to set up a hot plate in a hotel room and cook? No, I am not. Yes, you can pay your admission and just enjoy the park. You can leave and eat somewhere cheaper. Disney isn't refusing the people with the coolers, but they can if they want too. Other parks do it all the time. Disney doesn't encourage it but saying sure, bring it in. But lets say the majority of people start bringing food into the park, you can bet that the coolers will be stopped ASAP. Thinking otherwise would be foolish. If Disney didn't want people to pay for food, then I don't think they would have all those restaurants and places to eat. Those places are there for Disney to make more money, keeping people in the park longer so they can buy more stuff, either food or souveniers. They are willing to let the minority that brings in food, bring it in, becuase they are paying admission, and hopefully staying onsite. But don't kid yourself, Disney's only concern is the bottom line, and the bottom line isn't Magic or Pixie Dust, it is PROFIT!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

lillygator, think of it this way...it's just more tourist behavior we get to watch, endure, and enjoy.

 

[lillygator]

lillygator, think of it this way...it's just more tourist behavior we get to watch, endure, and enjoy.

so, so true!

 

[DMRick]

Ahh, the tourists. The people who keep the taxes down for the Floridians who live there

 

[jann1033]

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

/honey would you bring me a magazine?




sick but the funniest thing on this thread so far ( the original was in response to the "would you spend 1/ 2 an hr in the pot in a place you didn't buy a coke first at for all you non thread readers out there in keyboard land)....of course if you buy a large coke you'll need to visit anothet place and buy another coke soon so the process of buy coke pee buy coke is one vicious cyle....soooo should i pretend i have a child so i can get a child's drink ...oops nother bad topic

 

[jann1033]

I agree. I find it amusing that people are looking to Disney to define their "policy" when the discussion is about courtesy and manners (gasp, what are they?!). I was unable to find a policy on their website for line jumping. Does anyone need to be told not to do that? People should know the difference between right and wrong. Trying to justify bad behavior, ie taking a table they did not pay for at the expense of someone else, will not make us more polite and courteous to one another.

i agree about the manners but....
forget the food, someone find if there is really a policy written in stone about climbing the fence behind MK and if not we will have plenty of money for ts meals all around. I wonder if pot holder mitts would be thick enough to cut down on the electric shock from the fence???/ that means not serious! for all those who are smilie impared

 

[jann1033]

Do we need a sign telling us not to cut in que? Do we need a sign that says no pushing or shoving? Do we need a sign that says we need to wash our hands after using the restroom - ok got me on that one.

We shouldn't need signs or a Disney policy or Disney enforcement of courtesy.

....and more importantly would anyone bother to read or go by them ?ie refillable mugs are still a hot topic and it's printed right on the side when and where you can use them... aw where else but here can people get their knickers in a twist over a theme park and a cooler ( incase someone still hasn't got the hang of smilies i'll really be annoying and add afew more

 

[DMRick]

i agree about the manners but....
forget the food, someone find if there is really a policy written in stone about climbing the fence behind MK

I think the difference here is, so many CM's and the security offices, if asked say it's fine to bring in food, and Disney took down the sign saying no food and removed it from their brochures. Also, I see so many people sitting and enjoying music (during Flower Power, for instance) in front of the US building in Epcot, without buying food, and other CS areas, and nothing is ever said. There were tables and chairs for years near the Dole Whip area, which was a smoking area, and often used for take in food, and nothing was ever said. People have been bringing food in for so long, it's been assumed (with Disney's help) that it's OK. I've personally been told it is, both in person and in letter. Now I'm being told it isn't..yet Disney's own security guards, allow, according to a few of you here, huge coolers lugged around. You can joke that hopping the fencse should be OK, since there are no signs saying you can't, but I bet Disney wouldn't have guards back there helping people over the fence.
Sure common curtesy should be a part of everyone's life..but you'll never convince me the big problem with lack of seats is the take in food. I say it's a lack of tables, which makes many people feel they have to save tables for 20-30 minutes so their family can sit and eat.

 

[bytheblood]

OHMYGOODNESS - you are still going on about this? You guys must be bored.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, WDW is for those that can afford it. If I can't afford food on vacation, ummm..I am not going on vacation. Am I going to set up a hot plate in a hotel room and cook? No, I am not.

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That's your own personal preference that you choose to eat inside the parks -your personal choice that you don't mind paying triple or quadruple prices for "okay" food - and that you prefer not to cook in your hotel room.. But that's all it is - your personal choices..

For some people it might be an issue of not being able to afford to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a PB&J sandwich - for others it may be that they simply don't care for the food that is served in the parks - and for still others, while they are able to "afford" to go to Disney, they simply choose not to throw their money away on food items that are not a good value..

Guess it depends on personal preferences and personal decisions regarding how one chooses to spend their money..