Has the policy of bringing foods into the parks changed?

[Schmeck]

Hey SlightlyGoofy, no biggie. I think I'm just too sensitive about junk food. I've worked for 5 years in the public school system, and see the junk some kids eat day after day after day. I really believe it contributes to a lot of health problems, and even affects kids' learning.

BTW, didn't you notice I mentioned popsicles? They're not that healthy either...

But I do believe kids should get used to drinking lots of plain old water, no flavors added.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

No biggie here either Smeck. LOL If you get sugar free popsicles they are not too bad. I call such foods Frankenfoods. Best in moderation. I have lost almost 90 pounds so far so I am learning about nutrition much too late in life, but better late than never. LOL Have you ever made fruit juice pops for your kids?

I totally agree with you about the school food. I volunteer at the schools and it hurts to see the kids scraping their uneaten food into the trash and heading out to the hall to buy sodas and candy. Should be a law.

I love to drink water and I am sure it is because I grew up poor and we were darned lucky to have that and sometimes did not. However with my grandkids I have to compete with what the parents feed them. Is hard for me to see and bite my tongue. I try to influence my grands a tiny bit here and there though.

We should list some healthy snacks to take to DW. I take a box of foods for the room but trying to come up with portable things for the parks is daunting. Of course if you are used to healthy eating it would be quite a bit easier. LOL

Since I am doing the South Beach thing I would take jerky of some kind. Low in carbs, flavorful and takes a very long time to eat so I would burn up the calories while injesting it. (smile)

SG/Linda

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy

We should list some healthy snacks to take to DW. I take a box of foods for the room but trying to come up with portable things for the parks is daunting. Of course if you are used to healthy eating it would be quite a bit easier. LOL

SG/Linda

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My granddaughter loves raisins (you can even get the little individual size boxes), all sorts of fruits - as well as raw peppers and raw broccoli.. We got SOOOO lucky with her because her PARENTS do NOT eat like that.. We (and the other grandparents) try hard to teach her better eating habits and I guess it's paying off!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

As far as some healthy food (or should I say not too unhealthy...), we take little peanut and cashew packets, string or baby bell cheese, fruit, and Ritz crackers. When we went to Universal in April I got some of the squeeze cheese in a can--it may not have been healthy, but it was fun and tasty (my DH thinks I'm really strange for this one since I'd never bought it before).

My kids are all water drinkers. Not that they don't like sugar drinks, too, but everything in moderation.

We buy plenty of food in the parks, but this helps save $ when the munchies hit.

T&B

 

[Schmeck]

Other healthy snacks -

Apples - we get a bag of small apples at the grocery store for our drive to WDW. They're usually small enough to fit into my fanny pack too! You know, the braeburn or mac apples that are 5-6 bites and you're done.

Baby Carrots - we buy a big bag, but the grocery stores sell them in snack size bags as well.

Celery and Peanut Butter - snack packs at the grocery store too!

Clementines - can get squished, so we put them in ziploc bags first.

 

[PLibster]

We just returned from 10 days at WDW and I could not believe all the people with coolers. Not that I have a problem with it; I just really noticed all the food being brought in. I guess CM's don't mind.

One thing I did see and couldn't believe was a woman getting on the monorail after leaving Epcot with her dog in a carrier. You know the ones that look like a purse. How did she get thru security?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Could have been she was bringing the pet from the kennel.

Disney allows you to bring any type of food item with the exception of alcohol into the MK (I don't know about the other parks, I've not ever tried) and glass containers. Security, nor anyone else will challenge your snacks or outright meals regardless of the container (and yes, I've seen any number of huge rolling coolers).

There is absolutely no reason for anyone to feel bad on any level for bringing their own food and drink into the WDW parks.

Universal and SeaWorld both have signs prohibiting bringing in food or drink. I'd not ever do it there, although have not ever had a problem with bringing my water bottle in and have seen some folks with little soft sided coolers at SeaWorld.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Maybe Universal has the official policy of no food, but we bring food into those parks, same as WDW, and security only comments to tell us how good the food looks. I don't think that Universal would crack down on that if Disney allows it.

T&B

 

[sha_lyn]

the no food rule was on the Disney site upuntil they re-did it a while back. Now the only refference to food is that at the water parks and on the WDW site they say picnics are allowed in the water parks (which has always been the case I believe).

Some have posted that their older maps did say no food or drink allowed.

It does seem that they have dropped the policy.


I just hope they start providing picnic areas for people bringing in food. You better bet I will be upset if I buy food and can't find a seat because people are sitting their with food they brought in. I even heard or people buying only drinks at Pecos Bills, then making salads from the toppings bar.

 

[rhanditresmom]

We always bring snacks in and nothing has ever been said to us. We need the snacks since our DS has Type I diabetes (insulin dependent) and we never know when he is going to need that "perfect" snack! We keep a tight watch on what he eats and really hate to give him things with too much sugar (or too many carbs for that matter!) in them. I think as long as you aren't bringing in the fridge you're probably ok!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lots of good ideas on here. Had to smile about the canned cheese though as I had considered it and then feared it would explode in the heat of the day. LOL

I have found that if we eat in the room befoe we head to the parks and then have something else after the day is over that one meal and occasionally a snack does it for us. Sitting down and having a comfortable and sometimes memorable meal is part of the experience for us. Some places are worth the bucks while some are not so we use the food reviews section here a lot. Don't mind paying for a good meal but just hate to walk out with a much lighter wallet and feeling ripped off.

I am hunting for a small soft sided cooler that has a seperate section for my camera, tickets etc. so that I can bring my string cheese and Diet Rite in with me on our next trip.

SG/Linda

 

[daisylove]

Try Target for that soft sided cooler with extra space. We just got one that the cooler was the bottom and on top was an expandable section that you could put all the dry accessories. I am planning on this to be my park bag this week. sun lotion, DD5s accesories on top and water water water on bottom.

 

[sha_lyn]

just the other day I saw a back pack that had a cooler on the bottom and a mesh section on top. I think it was at Ross.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
Lots of good ideas on here. Had to smile about the canned cheese though as I had considered it and then feared it would explode in the heat of the day. LOL

ISG/Linda

Of course maybe in August the cheese would explode, but it didn't in April. It's fun to decorate crackers with it, too. I do enjoy playing with my food!!! I'm a cheap date...

T&B

 

[daisax]

It makes sense for them to let you bring in a soda and bologna sandwich or two, if it means you stay in the park an additional 3-4 hours, at which point you probably WILL grab a drink or snack, or sit down for a big meal, as opposed to leaving the park and having a full meal elsewhere, and then coming back (if you do) and only having one more snack that day.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

T&B, it would not dare explode for you no matter what the season but it sure would for me no matter the temperatures. LOL

Daisy, I just added the cooler with storage to my shopping list for tomorrow. I hope I can find one. We have a new Super Target opening soon so they are not stocking up too well just now.

Sha, my asthma would not allow me to tote a backpack of any kind but it is very nice of you to offer the hint Might prove useful to someone else though.

Daisax, just think of what they make off park tickets and possible room charges. Frankly the sort of people (like myself) who are apt to bring in food are not likely to come to the parks at all if they could not do so IMHO.

I have always thought that they could let us all in for free and charge us double for transporation out at night when we are in a weakened state. (grin)

SG/Linda