Homemade sandwiches in the parks

[pooh4evr]

OP mentioned spreading a blanket and having a picnic- sounds good - but I am having trouble thinking of places where you can do that. Maybe Tom Sawyer island? Where else? I can't think of other grassy shaded areas guests have access to. Where would you go?

 

[queenofthehive]

A nice place to eat would be the faux restaurant (Polly Anna's) on Tom Sawyer's Island. There is a gazebo there with tables and chairs. It is also a nice place to watch the riverboat go by.. Also, the shelter like place that is by river between Tommorowland and the Hub... Also, there are tons of benches all over the park that you can sit and eat.

 

[nugov2]

When we went in Dec, I noticed a family that had bought a round of drinks and couple dessert items seated at a table at Cosmic Rays. They were eating their packed lunch as well.

I didn't think twice about them sitting there and eating. I happened to notice because the little one was wanting dessert first!

I would think that would be a middle ground, you have purchased from them so seating should be available to you.

Kelly

This. I always bring my kids packed lunch because they are picky and I won't have them eat chicken nuggets for lunch and dinner. My DH and I order lunch though so we are still getting food. Usually the kids will share some of our fries too If you are all bringing in lunch I would order some chips and drinks just so you have purchased something. Even if it is one drink and chip. You are still a paying customer I don't see why it is a big deal. I go to the zoo all the time and see people eating inside with their own food by us. I think it is common. Unless you are told to leave don't worry what others think.

 

[powellrj]

I guess this is a sore topic with me because DH and I ended up eating on a curb a few years ago because the counter service tables were all being used by picnic people and people just sitting and talking. It was even hard to find a place on a curb because of everyone with a tray on their laps trying to eat without spilling everything.

 

[eliza61]

I guess this is a sore topic with me because DH and I ended up eating on a curb a few years ago because the counter service tables were all being used by picnic people and people just sitting and talking. It was even hard to find a place on a curb because of everyone with a tray on their laps trying to eat without spilling everything.

And that's the main issue rj, basically what happens is that people "swear" among high water that they would only do it if the restaurant was "empty". Well I can tell you that is simply not true. I have issues with this mentality because I'm a dvc member whos pool gets mobbed and packed (VWL) by people coming over from ft wilderness to use the pool and I have heard them say "well I asked the cm and they said it was ok".
The problem is the cm isn't the one not getting a chair or table. Now of course some one will say "show me where it's a written rule".

same mindset with restaurants.

 

[eliza61]

At Home my McDonalds and Applebees have signs that say no outside food or drink permitted. Never saw one of those at any of the Disney CS restaurants. Nor could I find anywhere on the WDW website that prohibits it.

Oh well yet another fine example of "I'm going to do what makes me happy, the hell with the rest of the vacationers"

yes there are also no signs saying "no public urination" but some how we've managed to figure out that's not some thing we do.

Victoria and Alberts also has no signage, so by your reasoning spread the blankets. and people with your attitude are usually the reason why restrictive rules are sooner or later employed. It's the reason why the Beach club finally had to crack down and start issuing wrist bands AND put up signs

My outback doesn't have any signs, by your reasoning I could sit at table and start chowing down on my lunch and then say "there are no signs"

 

[MinnieForMe]

Count me in as a paying customer who had a difficult time finding a place to eat because of picnic basket bearing people. Seriously, there was a family of 10-12 taking at least 3 tables. Although, I admire their budget mindedness, the grandma must have had five courses in that picnic basket/cooler and they took forever to eat. We ordered, searched and waited for a table, ate and left before they did. Unless you buy something in a restaurant (even if it's a drink or chips) then I don't feel you are entitled to a table there if paying customers are waiting!

Edited: I'm backwards reading this thread, posted first. I am in no way putting you down for trying to save money. Absolutely, bring in your meal. I think it's great you asked on the forum.

 

[wilkeliza]

And that's the main issue rj, basically what happens is that people "swear" among high water that they would only do it if the restaurant was "empty". Well I can tell you that is simply not true. I have issues with this mentality because I'm a dvc member whos pool gets mobbed and packed (VWL) by people coming over from ft wilderness to use the pool and I have heard them say "well I asked the cm and they said it was ok".
The problem is the cm isn't the one not getting a chair or table. Now of course some one will say "show me where it's a written rule".

same mindset with restaurants.

For some DVC resorts (AKL for sure) all guests are told they can use the accommodations of the entire resort including the pool at the villas. If guests are being consistently told it is ok by CMs, even GR CMs, and there is nothing written to the contrary then no one is breaking rules.

Interestingly enough picnic lunches use to be written as a prohibited item. That meant family's couldn't spread out blankets and take up tables with their own food. Now that is no longer in the not allowed personal items list. However, neither is weapons or adults in costume so there might be a list that is even harder to find.

 

[MEM]

For some DVC resorts (AKL for sure) all guests are told they can use the accommodations of the entire resort including the pool at the villas. If guests are being consistently told it is ok by CMs, even GR CMs, and there is nothing written to the contrary then no one is breaking rules.

Interestingly enough picnic lunches use to be written as a prohibited item. That meant family's couldn't spread out blankets and take up tables with their own food. Now that is no longer in the not allowed personal items list. However, neither is weapons or adults in costume so there might be a list that is even harder to find.

OTOH, Fort Wilderness campground is not considered part of the Wilderness Lodge resort and campers should not be using the pools at the Lodge or the Villas. That's pretty clear although the CMs don't check room keys and the guests from FW take advantage of that. I know this how? Because I am an owner at VWL and I see guests coming over on the boat from FW lugging their coolers, pool noodles, etc.

 

[robinb]

Count me in as a paying customer who had a difficult time finding a place to eat because of picnic basket bearing people.

Between the picnickers and the table savers (my real pet peeve) I have also had a problem finding a table more than once. Although it's annoying to wait in line to be seated at Cosmic Rays in late December, it's better that wandering around aimlessly looking for a place to sit and eat my delightful $40 CS meal.

 

[smcabee]

Oh well yet another fine example of "I'm going to do what makes me happy, the hell with the rest of the vacationers"

yes there are also no signs saying "no public urination" but some how we've managed to figure out that's not some thing we do.

Victoria and Alberts also has no signage, so by your reasoning spread the blankets. and people with your attitude are usually the reason why restrictive rules are sooner or later employed. It's the reason why the Beach club finally had to crack down and start issuing wrist bands AND put up signs

My outback doesn't have any signs, by your reasoning I could sit at table and start chowing down on my lunch and then say "there are no signs"

Victoria and Alberts is not a counter service so no comparison. Interesting your outback has no signs. Mine does, the owner of your outback must not care if outside food is brought in. The Beach club cracking down and issuing wrist bands stopped the problem so yeah thats a good thing. And your really gonna compare public urination to eating outside food at a wdw cs restaurant lol ok. yeah thats a close comparison. Bottom line is that if Disney doesnt want this to happen they will make it so it doesnt happen. Until then, enjoy your homemade lunch in the A/C.

 

[crisi]

Boy, the "if Disney doesn't stop it" brings up a whole new set of opportunities to be rude to other guests. I've seen people smoking in non-smoking areas, but since security didn't tackle them, it must be ok. Pool hoppers have been mentioned. Line cutters, seen that plenty of times. Lying about kids ages, happens all the time. Rooms above occupancy.

Moreover, your fellow Disney guests, your fellow DISers, don't make a bit of difference, because if you need a table to eat your picnic lunch inside the air conditioning while we wander around with a tray full of food, that seems to be your God given right? Wow, how amazingly rude.

Disney only has the resources to police so much - that they are policing this at all indicates that its become a huge problem - and they ARE policing it, maybe not 100% of the time, but they are. And this being the Budget Board, every time Disney has to add staff or technology to police the behavior of their guests, it raises their costs, which they pass on to us.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Wow, I think there are some pretty hostile reactions here!

Yes I have eaten sandwiches inside the Disney restaurants, and it was at a not-busy time - lots of empty tables.

But I feel like some of these comments are going too far! Yes, it is frustrating when the parks are busy and you buy your meal and have a hard time finding a table. But how far are you going to restrict others? People can't sit and talk for a few minutes after they've finished eating? What if people only buy drinks and dessert? Should they go outside to eat? What if they are sharing a meal? What if the parents have a meal but then stay to feed a baby? Is the rule that only people buying a complete meal at the restaurant may have a table?

When things are busy, we all have to have a little patience and do our best to accommodate others. When things are not busy, there's more flexibility.

TP

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I haven't read through all the responses but I can tell you, from seeing other threads on this subject that ppl are telling you to NOT take up space inside a CS place where paying customers are suppose to sit.

I will say this...if you are going in July it is going to be super busy and you will be lucky if you can find a spot to sit as a paying customer, let alone bringing in a packed lunch.

I would do this, not sure if anybody suggested this I will read through in a minute, but you can bring in your sandwiches and chips but buy your drinks and a few desserts inside. Then you have become a paying customer. Even if you only buy one or two drinks to share and one or two desserts to share you are still a paying customer and can find yourself a seat and have your picnic lunch.

That is the one sure fire way to remedy the situation. Become a paying customer. You do not have to buy full lunches for everybody and spend $60 just 2 drinks and share and 2 desserts and share. That would be about $14.

I promise you when you are sweating to death and just desperate for some air conditioned place to sit and eat that $14 will seem like nothing to you. Compared to saving the $14 and sitting outside in the 98 degree or hotter heat to eat your food. An hour of air is worth more than $14 to me when I am sweaty. But I can't tolerate heat for anything.

But there is no polite way to take up a seat inside a CS place during busy summer months if you aren't a paying customer.

Honestly even if you only got ONE drink ($3) and ONE dessert ($4) technically you are still a paying customer. There is no minimum food purchase required before they let you have a seat. You just have to have a tray of items you have purchased from them. I wouldn't buy JUST drinks I would buy something food related. Either an order of fries or a dessert and a drink.

But if you really want to be SURE you are able to get a table I would suggest you go in right at 11 when they open and aren't as busy and have your lunch then, or wait until the lunch rush is over about 2/2:30.

On vacation we eat breakfast early (7 am) so by 11 am we are ready for lunch. So going in right at opening is what we usually do.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[andrews_dad]

I say go for it. Stay cool!! Of course, I ate pizza hut pizza inside of McDonald's yesterday. LOL. Kids wanted to do McD's playland but wife and I wanted pizza!! We carried a pizza into McD's and ate up. At least 4 people said our food looked better than theirs from McD's. LOL

 

[Derby4me]

Here's the thing, isn't every single person in the park a paying customer? Everyone paid park admission to be there. It's not like you're walking into a public McDonald's down the street with your home made PBJ. Everyone has paid a huge sum to get into the park so I feel are entitled to the parks amenities.

However, I do agree that customers who purchased a lunch from the restaurant should get priority. If there is a surplus of empty seats, go for it.

 

[luvmy3]

Here's the thing, isn't every single person in the park a paying customer? Everyone paid park admission to be there. It's not like you're walking into a public McDonald's down the street with your home made PBJ. Everyone has paid a huge sum to get into the park so I feel are entitled to the parks amenities.

However, I do agree that customers who purchased a lunch from the restaurant should get priority. If there is a surplus of empty seats, go for it.

And there it is.

The rest of us don't feel entitled to take up space in a restaurant if we aren't actual paying patrons of that restaurant.

 

[Spaceace5150]

And there it is.

The rest of us don't feel entitled to take up space in a restaurant if we aren't actual paying patrons of that restaurant.

Please don't speak for the 'rest of us'. I agree with Derby.

By your logic, I can't visit and use the amenities at places I'm not paying extra? Therefore I can't visit the savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge if I'm not a paying guest?

 

[ilostnemo]

Please don't speak for the 'rest of us'. I agree with Derby.

By your logic, I can't visit and use the amenities at places I'm not paying extra? Therefore I can't visit the savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge if I'm not a paying guest?

Well actually it's meant for the hotel guest... that's a perk of staying there but people and disney allow others to look.

 

[Mama Who]

Victoria and Alberts is not a counter service so no comparison. Interesting your outback has no signs. Mine does, the owner of your outback must not care if outside food is brought in.

My house doesn't have signs on it either. Please do not take that as a welcome to come on in.

None of the restaurants in my area have felt a need to put up signs. It is not a matter of welcoming bad behavior, it is a matter of assuming people know better.