Homemade sandwiches in the parks

[maxiesmom]

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...bringing-your-own-food-to-disney-theme-parks/

#11 answers this question.

Those are the thoughts of someone who has a Disney food blog. I don't believe they are "official" answers.

Sorry, but I don't trust the answers of someone who looks to "work around" some of Disney's rules. And also suggests hopping to resorts and using their food courts to heat up your food. Yeah, I'm sure the people staying at the Contemporary would love it if there was a constant stream of people from the parks using the microwave in the food court to heat up their brought from home meals.

But going by the pictures posted, it also looks like they were at the park during a very slow time of year. Lots of empty chairs.

 

[DawnM]

To me it is like going to the food court area and bringing my own sandwich. I see employees of the mall doing this all the time.

Ditto. To me it would be like going to the mall with my own food, and plunking down at one of the fast food restaurants there and eating. I also think calling ahead is foolish, because they can tell you one thing over the phone, and say another to you when you are in the parks.
I thought we all knew that by now.

I have to ask those who think it is ok, would you pick up and move if the tables around you started to fill up? If you saw a family wandering around with their food and no place to sit?

 

[DawnM]

I think most people agree that it shouldn't actually take away from paying customers during busy times. What I think most people are squabbling over is if it should be done at all.

I think it is fine if it is not a busy time and you aren't taking tables away from someone paying for a full meal.

As I mentioned before, we typically do buy a drink or fries to go along with our pre-made sandwiches if we are bringing in food to the parks.

Dawn

Those are the thoughts of someone who has a Disney food blog. I don't believe they are "official" answers.

Sorry, but I don't trust the answers of someone who looks to "work around" some of Disney's rules. And also suggests hopping to resorts and using their food courts to heat up your food. Yeah, I'm sure the people staying at the Contemporary would love it if there was a constant stream of people from the parks using the microwave in the food court to heat up their brought from home meals.

But going by the pictures posted, it also looks like they were at the park during a very slow time of year. Lots of empty chairs.

 

[Tinknalli]

Not sure if it is cultural or other areas of the country, but I have never seen a sign at a restaurant that states no outside food is allowed. But, I have never seen outside food brought into a restaurant either. It would be considered rude here. Consequently, I would never think it was OK to bring outside food into a CS. I know in some areas of the country you can bring your own alcohol into restaurants, but not here. Seems like areas where restaurants have put up signs it must be in response to abuse or disregard by the public.

I think a food court is different than a stand alone counter service, because a food court seating area is a common area.

 

[Dizisfun]

Interesting thread with some very different opinions. I have nvr given it much thought as to who should eat at the tables at cosmic rays. But this thread belongs right up there with the thread about the bday buttons and ppl that think they should wear them 6 months before their bday. Lol

 

[pryncess527]

Not sure if it is cultural or other areas of the country, but I have never seen a sign at a restaurant that states no outside food is allowed. But, I have never seen outside food brought into a restaurant either. It would be considered rude here. Consequently, I would never think it was OK to bring outside food into a CS. I know in some areas of the country you can bring your own alcohol into restaurants, but not here. Seems like areas where restaurants have put up signs it must be in response to abuse or disregard by the public.

I think a food court is different than a stand alone counter service, because a food court seating area is a common area.

Usually even restaurants that allow you to bring in alcohol (wine) will charge you a corkage fee for the privilege

 

[Sagginit]

Oh my!!! This thread has certainly taken a turn for the worse. Sometimes it is best to agree to disagree...

threads like this should almost have an equation.

ask about an idea to save money that may be against the rules or is morally questionable + group of people who choose to pay more for said privilege = angry mob with pitchforks

ex. is it ok to park at downtown disney and use the disney buses to get free parking for the parks?

result: hide yo kids, hide yo wife!

i will admit that would annoy me a bit, if i just paid $20 for my meal, got stuck sitting next to a trash can, doorway, at a dirty table etc and some family was picnicking next to me. i think the more reasonable thing to do is consider taking a mid-day break to go back to your hotel if you really require a dining table to eat your lunch.

 

[Srbright]

result: hide yo kids, hide yo wife!

That tosh.0 was awesome!

Stacy

 

[Gisele]

Yeah too funny man!

 

[robinb]

I think most people agree that it shouldn't actually take away from paying customers during busy times. What I think most people are squabbling over is if it should be done at all.

I think it is fine if it is not a busy time and you aren't taking tables away from someone paying for a full meal.

As I mentioned before, we typically do buy a drink or fries to go along with our pre-made sandwiches if we are bringing in food to the parks.

Dawn

I think it's fine too. I used to pack PB&Js into the parks for my DD when she was young as a "backup plan" in case there were no vegetarian options. She even ate one at a TS a time or two (we bought her a drink and tipped appropriately of course!). My DH and I always purchased full meals.

I have to say that we can only go during busy times now and I see plenty of picnickers and table savers while others roam around with trays of food. The worst example was last December when the CMs were restricting access to seating at Cosmic Rays to only people with food. Seating was so tight that there was a small line for a table, but nothing like what there would be if people were saving tables! Some nitwit who was apparently above the rules snuck into the seating and plunked himself down and saving two tables. A CM even spoke to him but he refused to move. I was hoping for a big ole dose of karma for that guy!

ex. is it ok to park at downtown disney and use the disney buses to get free parking for the parks?

result: hide yo kids, hide yo wife!

FWIW, Disney put an end to that years ago because of abuse.

 

[Zandy595]

FWIW, Disney put an end to that years ago because of abuse.

Are you saying Disney put an end to people parking at DTD and taking a bus to a park to avoid parking fees? How do they do that?

We often go to DTD for the day and could potentially take a bus to a park, but we don't. When we stay at a Disney resort they never check our KTTW card.

 

[Burnedout]

Are you saying Disney put an end to people parking at DTD and taking a bus to a park to avoid parking fees? How do they do that?

We often go to DTD for the day and could potentially take a bus to a park, but we don't. When we stay at a Disney resort they never check our KTTW card.

There aren't busses from dtd. To the parks. You'd have to go by way o a resort, which would take tons of time.

 

[goofyfigment]

Are you saying Disney put an end to people parking at DTD and taking a bus to a park to avoid parking fees? How do they do that?

We often go to DTD for the day and could potentially take a bus to a park, but we don't. When we stay at a Disney resort they never check our KTTW card.

There are no direct busses from DTD to the parks anymore. You would need to get on a resort bus and then get on a bus to the park which could take up to an hour. Wonder if when they put the parking garages in if they will start charging to park there

 

[Marionnette]

Are you saying Disney put an end to people parking at DTD and taking a bus to a park to avoid parking fees? How do they do that?

We often go to DTD for the day and could potentially take a bus to a park, but we don't. When we stay at a Disney resort they never check our KTTW card.

DTD buses only go to resorts. They don't go to the parks anymore. That ended years ago and the reason was that there were so many people trying to avoid the parking fees at the theme parks that parking was becoming difficult for people who wanted to shop and dine in the DTD venues. It's a perfect example of Disney taking the necessary steps to discourage guests from doing something that they "frown upon" without taking a hardball approach (as in charging to park in DTD or towing scofflaws).

If you're staying at a Disney Resort, you are given a parking pass to display in your window. This gets you waved thru at the gates to the parking lots. They don't ask for your KTTW card.

 

[Zandy595]

I understand that there aren't any buses that go straight to the parks from DTD, but it wouldn't be that hard to take a bus to a monorail resort and take that to MK. People probably still do that.

Or bus to say Beach Club and then Epcot. I'm just saying, it's still possible to do that.

 

[lbv7]

What about a family that buys food, the restaurant is busy, but after they finish they decide to sit for 2 hours at the table to talk, rest, or whatever?
Would those posters who object to bringing food in and occupying a table also object to the family that does not free up a table for 2 hours?

 

[Gisele]

I would say it really all depends upon how busy the CS is.

 

[maxiesmom]

I understand that there aren't any buses that go straight to the parks from DTD, but it wouldn't be that hard to take a bus to a monorail resort and take that to MK. People probably still do that.

Or bus to say Beach Club and then Epcot. I'm just saying, it's still possible to do that.

It is possible, but it is a huge waste of time. I don't think too many people try it more than once.

 

[maxiesmom]

What about a family that buys food, the restaurant is busy, but after they finish they decide to sit for 2 hours at the table to talk, rest, or whatever?
Would those posters who object to bringing food in and occupying a table also object to the family that does not free up a table for 2 hours?

Nope. Purchasing food at that establishment gives you the use of the table for however long you need it. Keep in mind Disney has been known to take out the comfy chairs and replace them with backless stools, which seems to be a move to keep people from lingering too long.

 

[Gracie09]

It is possible, but it is a huge waste of time. I don't think too many people try it more than once.

Also they don't start running buses until after the parks open.