Lockers and picnic tables available in all parks?

[Bridgette67]

I am trying to plan our first trip to Disneyworld this June. Been to Disneyland many times, but I can tell that this is going to be totally different. Are there lockers and picnic tables or picnic grounds where we can sit and eat our lunch than I am planning on packing? Thanks so much for any suggestions.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I'm not sure how hard and fast this rule is - or, honestly, if it's still in effect - but Disney frowns on bringing food into the parks. And they do search your bags as you enter. I haven't known of anyone being refused entry because they had food, tho.

Having said that ... when our kiddos were much younger and we lived in the area, we'd routinely brings sandwiches, chips, fruit, etc., in the parks and buy drinks from vendors. We found some secluded spot where we could eat out of our bags.

But, there are no picnic facilities. You might consider tailgating ... returning to your car for lunch or whatever. WDW is so honkin' HUGE - the scope of the thing just doesn't lend itself to picnicing.

There are lockers available, though. Since this is your first visit, do LOTS and LOTS of research, or you'll find yourself standing around awestruck trying to figure out what to do. I'd recommend the Passporter Guides, or The Unofficial Guide to WDW, available at your friendly booksellers. And, of course, here on these boards, and I like www.allearsnet.com, too.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

Hi, we are looking to save some money on our next trip too so I did some research on bringing food into the park. I went to Disney Mom's panel and was surprised that when I searched "picnic areas" in the panel search engine I came across a question and answer where a Disney "Mom" said it was ok to bring food into the park and I think there was a link to a list of what Disney officially disallows into the parks and food is not on the list, surprisingly. Even a cooler of limited size is permissable but will be searched. She even encouraged the questioner to use the available outdoor dining areas in some of the parks, specifically animal kingdom, who coincidentally just came out with a "box lunch special" for families visiting the park and looking to picnic Disney style at a minimum price of $24.99. I guess we will bring a few sandwiches in and see what happens. Have a great trip!

 

[BradyBz12]

It may not have been in the past, but it's totally fine now to bring food into the parks. The only "no-no's" are glass containers and large, hard-sided or rolling coolers.

Your coolers will be searched, as will all your bags, but as long as you have no glass containers in there, you should be fine.

There are no dedicated picnic areas in the parks. However there is a new "picnic in the park" offering just released in AK. Details HERE. Map of picnic locations HERE.

Oh - and all parks do have lockers available.

 

[DisTwix]

As the previous posters said - food is totally fine, just keep it reasonable in scope.

There aren't picnic tables in HS, MK or Epcot, but there are a TON of places with outdoor tables (as part of a counter service set up) and I can't see any issue at all with staking out on of those tables for your meal. I've seen people do it, and I know it's never bothered me - even when it's busy.

Also - keep in mind, the lockers are standard locker size (meaning narrow). I went on a girl's trip once and my girlfriend was pumping (don't ask boys!) and the bag her rig was in literally had to be STUFFED into the locker (think big business attache size).

The scope of The World is pretty awesome --- MK and HS are the most manageable in terms of size, but I still wouldn't recommend tailgating at your car. It could take you at least a half an hour just to get there and back, and that's a half an hour not spent with Mickey. (You generally cannot walk to your car - particularly @ MK, where everyone monorails or boats into the park. I've walked back to the car for something at HS - we were parked VERY closely and it still took at least 15 minutes just to get there.)

 

[plutolovr]

There aren't picnic tables in HS, MK or Epcot, but there are a TON of places with outdoor tables (as part of a counter service set up) and I can't see any issue at all with staking out on of those tables for your meal. I've seen people do it, and I know it's never bothered me - even when it's busy.

Actually, I would not take up a table at a counter service restaurant if the restaurant is crowded. The tables at those places are for patrons of that restaurant and I think if a family is trying to find a table after they purchased their food and see you sitting at a table with your "picnic" food will be very upset, and rightfully so. Now there are some table areas that are not related to counter service restaurants, one in MK comes to mind, and that would be at the end of Main Street to the right, down the stairs, by Plaza Restaurant. There are also many benches spread throughout all the parks.