Is this acceptable to take into the park??

[dtauer]

Not related to the question regarding coolers, but here's another money-saving idea we use in regards to drinks in the parks.

Before we leave, we buy a container of Gatorade powder at Sams Club. We then make it a family pre-trip event for us and the kids to take measuring spoons and fill the small snack size baggies with the amount of Gatorade appropriate for 20 ounces of water. They must be the zipper type of course.

These baggies take up almost no room, and we all put 4 or 5 of them in our pockets before leaving for the park. With the gatorade mix in our pockets, we all grab a 20 oz bottle of water from a purchase off-site.

To us, the problem isn't that the drinking fountain water isn't cold enough, it just tastes terrible. So each time someone empties their bottle, they dump in a baggie full of Gatorade, fill it at a fountain, and shake it up.

Total cost is literally pennies, once the original bottle of water is bought. Of course this means that you carry a bottle around all day with you, but to me it's better than a cooler. Also note that we haven't found a ride yet that won't let you carry a water bottle on with you as long as it has a screw on top.

Something to consider, works well for us. Probably saves us $40 a day and although my wife originally thought it would be too cumbersome and time consuming, it really doesn't take any any longer to dump a baggie in a bottle than it does to stand in line and buy drinks. I've also seen other families doing this in the park with Crystal Light and what looked like Kool-Aid. We've always made sure the baggies are in a pocket and not a bag that will be inspected. Don't want to have to explain 20 baggies filled with powder at the front gate.

 

[sleepyone]

Not related to the question regarding coolers, but here's another money-saving idea we use in regards to drinks in the parks.

Before we leave, we buy a container of Gatorade powder at Sams Club. We then make it a family pre-trip event for us and the kids to take measuring spoons and fill the small snack size baggies with the amount of Gatorade appropriate for 20 ounces of water. They must be the zipper type of course.

These baggies take up almost no room, and we all put 4 or 5 of them in our pockets before leaving for the park. With the gatorade mix in our pockets, we all grab a 20 oz bottle of water from a purchase off-site.

To us, the problem isn't that the drinking fountain water isn't cold enough, it just tastes terrible. So each time someone empties their bottle, they dump in a baggie full of Gatorade, fill it at a fountain, and shake it up.

Total cost is literally pennies, once the original bottle of water is bought. Of course this means that you carry a bottle around all day with you, but to me it's better than a cooler. Also note that we haven't found a ride yet that won't let you carry a water bottle on with you as long as it has a screw on top.

Something to consider, works well for us. Probably saves us $40 a day and although my wife originally thought it would be too cumbersome and time consuming, it really doesn't take any any longer to dump a baggie in a bottle than it does to stand in line and buy drinks. I've also seen other families doing this in the park with Crystal Light and what looked like Kool-Aid. We've always made sure the baggies are in a pocket and not a bag that will be inspected. Don't want to have to explain 20 baggies filled with powder at the front gate.

Good tips but, the last part... so funny...

 

[2poohbears]

Love the tip about bringing in the powders. I buy those small Crystal Light powder packets all the time and hadn't even thought about bringing them when we go. I'm adding it to my list! THANKS for the tip!

 

[snyderla]

My SIL was stopped at the gate to AK with their wheel behind cooler. I had told them they wouldn't be allowed to bring in a wheel behind, for the reason stated before. SIL said she was going to do it anyway because that wasn't right. They asked them to leave it outside the park, but instead SIL stuffed it in my nieces stroller and they were ok with that. They had a baby with them that needed bottles kept cold and they also put in a few sandwiches and some PEPSI!!!

 

[Bumbles]

mmmm mmmmmmm...warm bottled water that's been toted around in a stroller to drink in the hot Florida sun

 

[daisax]

Does everybody need a full bottle of water to drink every time they're thirsty? That's FILLING! How about buying a bottle or two and sharing (pouring into sippy cups, etc.) I'd rather have 4 sips of ice cold fresh water and carry an empty sippy cup than tote 15 lbs of water around all day.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm not trying to be mean or flame, or anything else, but what on earth are you bringing into the parks that you need a rolling cooler?? That's a lot of food and beverages!

I would consider downsizing before I would consider how you are going to get that rolling cooler into the parks.>

There are 9 of us - to keep a nice supply of bottled water, juice boxes, and packaged snacks would save a TON of money between the group of us.

If we can't bring a rolling cooler I'm actually going to buy a cheap stroller to haul bags of drinks/snacks around in the seats and in the basket. A $30 stroller carrying a $4 - 24-pack of water will ultimately save us a boatload of money throughout our several days in the park. We can take turns pushing the stroller, and there's a place outside every ride to park it.

I drink a lot of water and could easily spend $25-30 per day on myself alone in water at Disney prices.

More money for souveniers!!


K

Try finding one at a thrift store & you will save even more And you are so correct, with 9 just buying everyone a bottle of water is expensive. I see why you need the rolly. Have a great time when you go....