If you bring food into the parks, where do you eat it?

[scrapquitler]

I see everyone raving about bringing outside food into the parks and it sounds like a great way to save money... but if I bring in a cooler of sandwiches where do we sit and eat it? I assume QS tables are for paying guests, are there picnic areas for the BYO people?

There are no specific picnic areas. There are benches around and you can use those. You CAN use QS tables, but you have to realize that if you try to use one during a busy meal time on a crowded day, the Cast Member MAY ask you to move, which is only fair. But at a slower time of day, you shouldn't have a problem sitting at a QS table.

 

[sharadoc]

How do you get upstairs in the Mexico?

go around the side and up and walk around to the front of the building

 

[JPKnapp]

We loved eating at the Main Street train station. We put our cooler in the lockers at the front of the park and when it was time to eat, rode the train to front of park to get cooler and eat. There were picnic tables when we were there 2 years ago, but not sure if they still are.

 

[mrzrich]

At DHS, we have eaten at at LMA, Beauty and the Beast and Fantasmic while waiting for the shows to start.

AK put out this map of Picnic spots a few years back. Some of them are gone, but a few others are still there

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

Wait there's an upstairs to the Mexico pyramid? How have I been missing this all these years...

It's just before the pool on the roof

 

[dlavender]

t Magic Kingdom it is really nice to have a picnic on Tom Sawyer's Island! Shady, quiet and if you wander over to Aunt Polly's you might find a rocking chair but you'll definitely find some quiet spots to have a rustic lunch on TSI!

This! We used to do this all of the time when my grandmother brought us as kids.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Unless Disney makes a "rule" preventing me from using a table at a QS establishment to eat my lunch that I brought into the park as a result of a Disney rule that allows me to do so, then I will continue to eat there. I have never been asked to leave a table by a CM for over 20+ years even during busy times. Just my humble opinion!

 

[donnaf516]

It's just before the pool on the roof

Well I'm glad I'm not going crazy!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I see everyone raving about bringing outside food into the parks and it sounds like a great way to save money... but if I bring in a cooler of sandwiches where do we sit and eat it? I assume QS tables are for paying guests, are there picnic areas for the BYO people?

All these years on the DIS and I have never seen anyone rave about it. If anything most agree it's more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Planogirl]

Unless Disney makes a "rule" preventing me from using a table at a QS establishment to eat my lunch that I brought into the park as a result of a Disney rule that allows me to do so, then I will continue to eat there. I have never been asked to leave a table by a CM for over 20+ years even during busy times. Just my humble opinion!

Some of the QS places won't let you inside without a purchase during busy times. I guess that it's to avoid people with just purchased food on trays waiting for people who came in from all over.

 

[china mom]

The only place I have seen this happen has been Cosmic Rays... not saying it doesn't happen elsewhere, just haven't seen it. The CMs were screening guests without trays during busy times on a few occasions. On non busy times, I have walked right by CMs with my soft sides cooler and tray of free ice water. Don't know if they would have stopped me during the rush because I have never tested it.

 

[gap2368]

I have eaten in lines some times PBJ are so easy to eat any where

the only place I have been told I could not eat was in HS one mans dream but no food is allowed in there

 

[Planogirl]

The only place I have seen this happen has been Cosmic Rays... not saying it doesn't happen elsewhere, just haven't seen it. The CMs were screening guests without trays during busy times on a few occasions. On non busy times, I have walked right by CMs with my soft sides cooler and tray of free ice water. Don't know if they would have stopped me during the rush because I have never tested it.

It has happened at Pecos Bills too. I don't know if it still does since the crowds seem to be lighter there.

 

[Nancyg56]

I personally disagree with QS tables are for QS purchases.. Disney is one of the few places that allows outside food and QS tables are un-reserved places to eat. I don't see it any different than a mall food court with shared seating. You were allowed to bring the food, be comfortable and eat safely at the disney provided unreserved tables

Actually there are times when Disney CM's do reserve tables for paying guests, and they enforce that. WHen it is busy in the parks they will stop anyone from saving tables until the entire party has their food. No more sending one person to order and the rest of the party grab a seat. I am not on board with this practice, but I get it.

Unless Disney makes a "rule" preventing me from using a table at a QS establishment to eat my lunch that I brought into the park as a result of a Disney rule that allows me to do so, then I will continue to eat there. I have never been asked to leave a table by a CM for over 20+ years even during busy times. Just my humble opinion!

You may find that changes from time to time. I never bring food in to teh park so I have no first hand knowledge, but I have read accounts here that say folks were denied a table. You can come in, but you cannot take a seat.

 

[L&Lfan]

I would never bring food into the parks. Eating homemade sandwiches and drinking kool aid isn't how I wanna spend my vacation. I could do that at home (except I don't drink kool aid).

 

[Nancyg56]

I would never bring food into the parks. Eating homemade sandwiches and drinking kool aid isn't how I wanna spend my vacation. I could do that at home (except I don't drink kool aid).

WHen my family was young, the only way we could go to theme parks was to bring one meal with us. WE had picnics everywhere, and it worked for me. I would never disparage those folks who choose to extend their vacation dollars by packing a lunch or bringing snacks into the parks, and I am thrilled Disney allows this.

Now that my family is grown I choose not to cook while I am on most vacations, but I will admit I sometimes miss those days when we spread out a cloth and all sat on the grass with our lunch.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I think it is very different. The tables at WDW are not set up like they are at a mall, they are all in or adjacent to one particular restaurant, and themed to look like they belong to that restaurant. I would no more take food into the parks and take a table outside of the Plaza then I would take my own food into a McDonalds play area.

Having said that, even if someone uses the tables I hope they are courteous enough to do so only if the restaurant is not busy.

Not entirely true. There are such cases, but there are also "food court" areas like TheLand at Epcot where multiple CS options share a common seating area.

FWIW, we attempted to eat all our carry-in food on benches, but on almost every occasion, a CM would come by and tell us tables were available at (whatever CS location was closest).

 

[tlmadden73]

I have eaten at QS tables that are outside .. if it isn't busy. If you feel guilty, buy a drink or snack and sit down. Just be aware if others are looking for tables.
To me there is no difference from someone who is eating the lunch they brought in at a QS table or a family who are just relaxing after eating their purchased meal. Both are taking up table space and both parties need to be aware that others may be looking for a place to eat.

Other than that . .I've just sat on the ground .. or sat on stone railings in Fantasyland (on a cooler day). The bridge under the railway in Frontierland is shady and works as well.

 

[sharadoc]

Well I'm glad I'm not going crazy!

I've done it, I'm not joking.

 

[sharadoc]

I would never bring food into the parks. Eating homemade sandwiches and drinking kool aid isn't how I wanna spend my vacation. I could do that at home (except I don't drink kool aid).

We don't like eating at restaurants all the time, so if we didn't have a kitchen in our villa/cabin, then I wouldn't hesitate to bring a nice basic sandwich that isn't greasy, too big, or stomach churning later when it's hot out. Real food I make myself means I eat a lot less sugar, salt, grease or ??? ingredients.