Ice Pack for all day?

[dwsandy]

I need to bring along some food for my ds who has many allergies. Last year we brought a cooler that fit a large icepack to keep his food cold. It was bigger than I would have liked but I needed that size in order to keep his food cold all day. Does anyone know of any ice packs that are small but will remain cold for the whole day? TIA

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

No, but it depends on how cool you want to keep the food.

Are you aware of how accommodating Disney restaurants, including counter service, are concerning allergies.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Look especially at Post #3 which talks about dietary restrictions.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

And you are permitted to bring in a "small, soft-sided cooler" which will fit in a locker and is designed to be carried or work as a backpack. And, of course, nothing in glass containers.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides the information Cheshire Figment posted about allergies and what can be brought in, you can obtain ice from counter service restaurants and from First Aid. That may help to augment your ice packs.
One thing you may or may not have thought about is how you will cool the ice pack at the end of the day??
If you don't have a good refrigerator, your ice packs will not get very cold and will not last that long.
You may also want to look at a different type of cooler or different types of containers to put the food in where the container actually keeps the food cold. Here's an example from the Thermos company. If the link doesn't work, go to www.thermos.com and look for "food storage" items - this one was in the "Stainless Steel Vaccuumware", but the "Foam storage" items work well too. Before putting your cold food in, you can pre-chill the container by filling it with ice mixed with a little cold water. Close the cover and let it sit for a few minutes. (Ice is free from ice machines at all resorts). If you have hot food you want to keep warm, most of the same items work for hot or cold - for hot things, you just pre-warm it with hot water.
Under the "Coolers" category, they have reuseable ice, which you could cool by putting it in a bag or ice bucket with ice mixed with cold water. Since Thermos has been in the business of keeping lunches cold and hot for many years, they make good products.

 

[Leajess99]

Sam's Club has some soft sided zip coolers that will keep things with ice colder for longer. The ice is expected to last 2 days in them and they are not that expensive. I would look at them and the smaller ice packs can be found at target but again depends on how cold the freezer gets.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sam's Club has some soft sided zip coolers that will keep things with ice colder for longer. The ice is expected to last 2 days in them and they are not that expensive. I would look at them and the smaller ice packs can be found at target but again depends on how cold the freezer gets.

We have one of those.
We put some frozen chicken in it once for a 5 hour trip, expecting it to thaw under 'refrigerator' temperatures during our trip. That chicken was still frozen solid 6 hours after we put it in. No chicken for supper that night.

how cold it stays and for how long it stays cold depends on time, the amount of cold stuff in the bag and how cold it was to start with.

 

[dvcersfromva]

I think I can help. There is a company called "Tegrant Corporation" that sells TermoSafe Brands PolarPack Foam Bricks." They are WONDERFUL and last forever. I use them in my lunch box, and it is still frozen at the end of the day. We have also taken them in a soft sided cooler on the AutoTrain, and food is still cold after 36 hours. You will probably have to buy a case, but it will be less than $30. The website is www.thermosafe.com, and the phone number is 800-323-7442. If you PM me, I can even send you a couple. They really are great!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Mary Beth is right... this little brick, which is about 1/2" x 6" x 8" is used primarily by the medical and pharmaceutical industries. We came by one from our DIL who was in vet school. We were sooo amazed at how long it lasts that we researched and found the manufacturer and ordered a case for $28. I think it is the best alternative to dry ice.

BTW... I'm MB's DH.

 

[dwsandy]

I think I can help. There is a company called "Tegrant Corporation" that sells TermoSafe Brands PolarPack Foam Bricks." They are WONDERFUL and last forever. I use them in my lunch box, and it is still frozen at the end of the day. We have also taken them in a soft sided cooler on the AutoTrain, and food is still cold after 36 hours. You will probably have to buy a case, but it will be less than $30. The website is www.thermosafe.com, and the phone number is 800-323-7442. If you PM me, I can even send you a couple. They really are great!

That sounds interesting. Thanks for the idea. I will definitely check that site out. It sounds like what I was looking for.