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

[Dug720]

I'm sorry if this offends, but if my hot meal that I purchased in a QS establishment was completely cold because I was traipsing around unable to find a table to sit down and eat it because the tables were taken up with folks eating their sandwiches I wouldn't be happy. I'd probably go back to the counter and ask for the meal to be replaced with hot food as I can't understand why I would be expected to eat standing up or on the ground while others ate their own food that hadn't been bought there.
Non busy periods no problem.

I agree. If I am unable to find a table because of people eating food they brought in, you can bet I'll be getting a manager. And if they don't move and that is tolerated - even with another table being cleaned - I will go to Guest Services and complain. (And I am not normally a complainer.) Heck, if someone can get a $100 gift card because she was asked to move to a different seat at the Safari (back row, which to me is AWESOME because you have such a wide area for pictures as opposed to right behind the driver where the sight line is so limited), I can only imagine for not being able to eat! (I am only half kidding - I would bring it up at Guest Services just to make my voice heard. I would in no was expect a $100 gift card - maybe a free meal to replace my cold one. And yes, the thread about the $100 for being asked (not told, she could have said no) is in the Adults and Solo section. I was SMH about it too.)

And because I know I've seen it argued before, no I don't think that buying one drink and splitting it amongst your party should entitle you to use the QS seating at busy times.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, but there's no quick service in the Living Seas Nemo Pavillion, so the Land is next door which is why I asked if that's what they meant.

No place to eat in the Living Seas either.

 

[DLM1980]

Just pretends it's food and wine time and eat on top of a garbage can. You brought your own food so bring your own anti-bac wipes and clean the top off. Instant table and clean up is just underneath the table

 

[china mom]

I think, next trip, I will try an experiment. As many have noted, when the QS are busy, CMs direct people with no food away from the tables to wait until the party has their meal. I presume that this is so that a family waiting 30 minutes for someone in line does not tie up tables when a family who already has their food could eat their meal and vacate the table for the next group in the same 30 minutes.

If my presumption is correct, then the concern is having people tie up a table while not eating as opposed to Disney saving the table for those who purchase meals.

Although I normally eat my packed meal at off peak times, I think I need to experiment and see if I can get a table at Cosmic Rays, with my cooler, during peak meal time. I am very curious to know which position is right in this debate.

 

[CarolynU]

I think, next trip, I will try an experiment. As many have noted, when the QS are busy, CMs direct people with no food away from the tables to wait until the party has their meal. I presume that this is so that a family waiting 30 minutes for someone in line does not tie up tables when a family who already has their food could eat their meal and vacate the table for the next group in the same 30 minutes.

If my presumption is correct, then the concern is having people tie up a table while not eating as opposed to Disney saving the table for those who purchase meals.

Although I normally eat my packed meal at off peak times, I think I need to experiment and see if I can get a table at Cosmic Rays, with my cooler, during peak meal time. I am very curious to know which position is right in this debate.

I think that it's like everything at Disney sometimes CM's will challenge you and sometimes they won't. There isn't necessarily a specific rule that's enforced uniformly at all times. For me it all comes down to how ethical I would feel personally about taking up a table eating my own food whilst watching others who have purchased their hot food being forced to wander around having nowhere to sit, because I am taking up a table. I couldn't do it. Simple as! Others will see nothing wrong in it. They have paid to enter the park, Disney appears to allow folks to bring their own food in, so that gives them the right to eat wherever they wish whenever they wish. Just isn't the way I live my life, however as I said previously I refuse to sit on the ground or eat standing up, so if my hot food gets cold as a consequence I will be asking for a replacement hot meal.

 

[pampam]

I agree. If I am unable to find a table because of people eating food they brought in, you can bet I'll be getting a manager. And if they don't move and that is tolerated - even with another table being cleaned - I will go to Guest Services and complain. (And I am not normally a complainer.) Heck, if someone can get a $100 gift card because she was asked to move to a different seat at the Safari (back row, which to me is AWESOME because you have such a wide area for pictures as opposed to right behind the driver where the sight line is so limited), I can only imagine for not being able to eat! (I am only half kidding - I would bring it up at Guest Services just to make my voice heard. I would in no was expect a $100 gift card - maybe a free meal to replace my cold one. And yes, the thread about the $100 for being asked (not told, she could have said no) is in the Adults and Solo section. I was SMH about it too.)

And because I know I've seen it argued before, no I don't think that buying one drink and splitting it amongst your party should entitle you to use the QS seating at busy times.

I looked for the thread but couldn't find it. Is what I'm looking for in the title or hidden in a thread?

 

[Dug720]

I looked for the thread but couldn't find it. Is what I'm looking for in the title or hidden in a thread?

http://disboards.com/threads/just-got-back-from-a-solo-trip-5-full-days.3491371/#post-55351807

 

[CarolynU]

http://disboards.com/threads/just-got-back-from-a-solo-trip-5-full-days.3491371/#post-55351807

Wow just wow!" Seems incredible to be given $100 gift card just because the poster was asked to move seats on a ride! I'm often a solo guest, and even if I didn't feel that I should have been asked to switch I would never consider that it was annoying enough to complain to GS, however all folks are different, and it obviously mattered to her, but $100 worth of bad really??????

 

[Lindsays115]

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.

Just out of curiosity, how big of a cooler were you able to fit in the lockers? This is a great idea!

 

[Dug720]

Wow just wow!" Seems incredible to be given $100 gift card just because the poster was asked to move seats on a ride! I'm often a solo guest, and even if I didn't feel that I should have been asked to switch I would never consider that it was annoying enough to complain to GS, however all folks are different, and it obviously mattered to her, but $100 worth of bad really??????

I agree! I have never gotten back row but would love it because there is so much more photo opportunity there!!
My guess for the $100 amount is that she was nowhere near as "calm" as she tried to play it off as. They don't give out $100 gift cards for people who are calm and collected.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree! I have never gotten back row but would love it because there is so much more photo opportunity there!!
My guess for the $100 amount is that she was nowhere near as "calm" as she tried to play it off as. They don't give out $100 gift cards for people who are calm and collected.

I so missed my chance: I fell getting off of the safari in the rain last year. Got a good sized bruise. I should have pitched a fit instead of going on with my day.

 

[JPKnapp]

Just out of curiosity, how big of a cooler were you able to fit in the lockers? This is a great idea!

Not very big. I am sure the locker dimensions are somewhere on this board. We used a soft sided one.

 

[HopperFan]

Not very big. I am sure the locker dimensions are somewhere on this board. We used a soft sided one.

Large
17.5"h x 12"w x 16" deep
$10/day + key deposit

Small
11"h x 9"w x 16" deep
$8/day + key deposit

Luggage size at Epcot Bus Depot

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/locker-rentals/