New here with a question about sack lunches...

[Chica650]

Is anybody else planning on doing this? The past two times we've gone, we've taken a small cooler with sandwiches and juice in it and just eaten at an outdoor table. I HATE doing this but it IS cheaper and allows us to then eat at a nicer place later on that night. We're going with my in-laws (three times in a row we've gone with them) and they're the MAIN reason we do this b/c my DFIL is a cheapo and likes to save as much money as he can.

I just want to see if anyone else does this so that I won't feel like such a dork eating my baloney sandwich when everyone else in the park is eating hamburgers....

 

[Big V]

We usually just bring some snacks in, but have seen lots of people eating sandwiches. Hey if it saves money for a nicer meal later, go for it!

 

[swilshire]

We were eating our homemade sandwiches on napkins when the folks at the next table took this to an art. They got a couple of Disney drinks, extra cups, free plates, plasticware, condiments, etc and laid out a terrific feast from their cooler. Believe me, you will be in good company and nobody will pay any attention to you eating your sandwiches.

Sheila

 

[HeatherC]

I think it is fine. Most times what you wind up bringing is better than what you would actually buy. We do this periodically because all of us (including my 3 kids) get so sick of the hot dogs, burgers and chicken nuggets. Plus...that is one less line you have to wait in!!

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Maybe pack some special foods that you normally wouldn't have at home.

Heather C

 

[maggiew]

As stated above, I have seen others doing this in the parks.

But, it sounds like maybe YOU don't want to do this. If that is the case, you could quote to your DFIL that it is against Disney rules to bring in outside food. I could find official Disney rule language if you would like. Plus, tell him they search your bags before you enter the parks now.

I AM NOT PASSING JUDGMENT ON PEOPLE WHO DO THIS. I got the impression the OP was uncomfortable with this and was looking for a way "out" from her FIL. So, I just offered a suggestion.

We usually bring in nutrigrains and bottled water. But we then buy food from Disney. We usually stay in just a hotel room with no kitchen or fridge so we have no place to keep food. What we have found is that we can share and the kids meals from counter service places is relatively inexpensive.

Maggie

 

[Chica650]

thanks for all the replies! I guess maybe it won't be SO bad doing it since others are doing it too . I dont' really MIND doing it, but I wanted to know how many OTHERS did it as well. Saving money is saving money and I'm not above doing that! Thanks again everyone!

 

[Local_Girl]

If you will have your own car and will be park hopping, you might consider what we did...we would bring a lunch and keep it in the car in a cooler. We ate lunch at the car...sometimes on our way to another park if we were park hopping. If we were staying in the same park, we planned our itinerary so we'd be back near the entrance at lunch time and could go out to the car to eat. We didn't do this every day, and I would NOT try to do this at the MK because of the time it takes to get to and from the car. But otherwise it worked out well, and it saved us from having to take a cooler into the parks, haul it around or rent a locker.

 

[disneysnowflake]

I wouldn't give two hoots what someone else would think of me if I ate my own sandwich at WDW.

I can't eat a lot of the fast foods that WDW sells. We have PS for sit down dinners each night, and I fully plan to bring my own lunch. DH and my DS can eat anything they want and will most likely eat in the park, but not me. I'll happily eat my own lunch.

 

[mkcp91]

Originally posted by maggiew
I could find official Disney rule language if you would like. Plus, tell him they search your bags before you enter the parks now.

Hi Maggie,

I would be interested in hearing the official Disney language, because I think that the policy has a huge loophole - they allow coolers into three of the four major parks!

Only Animal Kingdom has a policy that coolers are for medication use only and not allowed in the park - hence, the "no outside food and drink" rule holds up there.

At the other three major parks, small coolers (that one person can carry) are allowed. They are inspected for alcoholic beverages and glass, not for food. I have heard, though, that baby food jars are allowed, though they are sometimes made of glass.

I think the whole "no outside food or drink" rule is bunk if they state that they allow coolers! What on earth do they think people are putting inside the coolers? At any rate, they are not enforcing a "no outside food or drink" rule at all.

Here's the "Official Cooler Policy"

Just some food for thought . . .
(I couldn't resist!)

~Heather

 

[Lewisc]

I agree the cooler policy you listed reflects current practice BUT your link to is this site and not to an offical Disney site. Disney officially allows coolers in the water parks but seems to be silent in the theme parks.

Originally posted by mkcp91
Hi Maggie,

I would be interested in hearing the official Disney language, because I think that the policy has a huge loophole - they allow coolers into three of the four major parks!

Only Animal Kingdom has a policy that coolers are for medication use only and not allowed in the park - hence, the "no outside food and drink" rule holds up there.

At the other three major parks, small coolers (that one person can carry) are allowed. They are inspected for alcoholic beverages and glass, not for food. I have heard, though, that baby food jars are allowed, though they are sometimes made of glass.

I think the whole "no outside food or drink" rule is bunk if they state that they allow coolers! What on earth do they think people are putting inside the coolers? At any rate, they are not enforcing a "no outside food or drink" rule at all.

Here's the "Official Cooler Policy"

Just some food for thought . . .
(I couldn't resist!)

~Heather

 

[Straitlover]

As long as you're not taking up a table from a paying cutomer, I see nothing wrong w/ it myself.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by Straitlover
As long as you're not taking up a table from a paying cutomer, I see nothing wrong w/ it myself.

Everyone is a paying customer at DisneyWorld regardless if they bring their own munchies or not

 

[Straitlover]

I meant buying food from a restaurant, not buying a ticket for admission to the parks.

Personally, if it's not busy, I see nothing wrong w/ sitting at a restaurant table to eat your outside food. However, if the park is slamming, I personally would not take up a restaurant's table to eat a sandwich from home. I would find a bench or curb somewhere. That is my own opinion.

 

[swilshire]

We take our cooler into the Animal Kingdom just like all the other parks. We were just there in March. Nothing was said at the bag check. It is a flatish type cooler that hangs on the back of DS's wheelchair.

The poster who said glass baby food jars are allowed is also correct. We've taken them in many times with never a problem.

Sheila

 

[captJack88]

I see nothing wrong with this, we just took in some snacks and bottles of water in our packs, but I wouldn't have a problem with it. Heck, I went to Pinochios Village haus for dinner and made a salad from the toppings bar. Another tip that might work for you guys, if you're driving, take a crock-pot, and some pre-made frozen meals. We had sloppy-joe's, roast beef, even sausage gravy and biscuits one day for breakfast. It worked out well for us, and nobody said anything about it, or anything we took into the parks with us! Hope this helps!

 

[threeboysmom]

I personally would be very upset if I had just purchased lunch for the 5 of us at Pecos Bill and then couldn't find a table because everyone was taking up the tables with their coolers...........

I think the tables at the different eating establishments should be for the patrons of that particular restaurant only. UNLESS you are going during a slow period or eating at off hours.

Just my opinion

 

[disneyfan551]

I agree. I would never take a table at a restaurant when it was busy. However, I do plan to take lunches in during our trip next week. But, I will not be rude & steal a table away from a paying customer! I'll eat on the sidewalk first!

 

[Rachelcay]

For those who have recently visited what is universal and sea world's policy concerning bring in food?

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by threeboysmom
I personally would be very upset if I had just purchased lunch for the 5 of us at Pecos Bill and then couldn't find a table because everyone was taking up the tables with their coolers...........

I think the tables at the different eating establishments should be for the patrons of that particular restaurant only. UNLESS you are going during a slow period or eating at off hours.

Just my opinion

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If I were to take a lunch into the parks with me, I would feel VERY uncomfortable taking up a table at a restaurant UNLESS I had purchased SOMETHING there - even if only a beverage..

If I were not purchasing ANYTHING, I would probably just look for a bench or some other spot in the shade..

 

[maggiew]

I wrote to Disney via the official Disney website and asked about the policy on bringing in outside food. This is what they had to say:

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

With the exception of food items for guests with specific dietary restrictions,
we do not permit
guests to bring food and beverage items into our theme parks. Generally,
however, plastic bottles
for water, juice, etc. are allowed.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gail Williams

Online Guest Service
WALT DISNEY WORLD
P.O. Box 10100
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-0100

Original Message Follows:
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Message:
What is the Walt Disney World policy on bringing outside food into the parks?




Again, I am not "bad mouthing" people who bring in outside food. As I said before we bring in nutrigrains and granola bars. But someone asked me to post the official policy.

Maggie