Okay - here's a debate for you - and let's try to keep it civil..

[C.Ann]

Yesterday and today I've been zipping around these boards (when I should have been doing other things, I might add) and I came across a post (I think it was on the Budget Board) about a Disney sponsored magazine that more or less was saying it was okay to bring food into the parks and even offered some suggestions..

Got me to thinking, so I went over to the Theme Parks board and asked if there had been a change in their policy regarding bringing foods into the parks.. No one really knew and most just answered that it was a "rule" but not one that was enforced..

Now wait! It gets better.. I commented that I prefer the Disney rules be in black and white - cut and dried - so one would know if in fact they were "breaking" a rule and basically asked if anyone had seen it in writing on an official Disney site.. People responded that there was nothing in the brochures and someone else said they had never seen a sign..

Someone then called Disney and talked to a CM who said that it was NOT in writing anywhere..

So - the debate is - if it's not a written policy anywhere - not in the brochures - is it okay to bring food in or not?

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

All I know is

1. It is not written in the rules
2. When security has searched my bags at Disney parks they haven't really cared (although I do realize they are looking for security risks, but they could easily enough keep an eye out for food-- they do it at our local baseball park).

I'd say it is okay.

 

[legs22]

Bring it in.

 

[Connieh]

Since there is no written language regarding bringing in food, I say go for it. I don't usually bring in food just for the fact that I don't like to carry it around with me. By the time I would want to eat whatever I was carried in it would be smushed up, cracker crumbs instead of crackers.

It doesn't bother me at all if people bring in food.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

If it's not in writing, is it really a rule?

We bring in small snacks and they've never said a word to us. So, I think it's ok. I imagine there are so many people with special food needs/restrictions, that a no food policy would be very difficult to enforce. Or would cause the lines to get in to swell even more.

 

[pw2pp]

Yes

 

[Cruisin]

I don't see why not.

I don't usually do it myself because I don't like to carry it around, but I don't care if somebody else wants to do it.

 

[N.Bailey]

While I personally couldn't be bothered (other than maybe a water bottle), I see no reason why people shouldn't be allowed to take things in if they wish.

 

[Alice28]

I bring in snacks, especially when I go with my children. Goldfish crackers, chewy grandola bars, raisins, a bottle of water. I have never brought in sandwiches but wouldn't look down my nose if someone else did. I think Disney has relaxed this policy although I don't know if they would let one bring an Igloo cooler in the park.

 

[Saffron]

In my opinion, if there are no rules/policies, there are no rules/policies to be broken or enforced, so you do what you want until a rule or policy is made.

Only smoke in designated area. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
Must wear shoes. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
Stand clear of the doors. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
..................... Not a rule/policy - can not be broken or enforced.
Must be over 21. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
..................... Not a rule - can not be broken or enforced.
Do not swim in lake. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.

Etc.

 

[John VN]

C.Ann

Hadn't really given the food thing any thought but did have a chuckle with a memory (getting harder to have one of those as I get older) that popped into my head.

I would go on bicycle rides with guys that came into our bicycle shop. One of the rides would be from Hackensack, N. J. to Bear Mtn., N. Y. On the first of these rides, we stopped shortly after getting across the state line and had a food break. Shorty, who wasn't, opens his bag and pulls out 2 FRIED CHICKENS and asks if I would like some "BIRD". Best chicken I ever had and made sure he always had some "BIRD" when we went on rides together.

Bet the guards would show the rules in writing or would quickly write some rules if Shorty showed up at one of the bag inspection spots with a "BIRD" in his bag.

John

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by John VN
C.Ann

Hadn't really given the food thing any thought but did have a chuckle with a memory (getting harder to have one of those as I get older) that popped into my head.

I would go on bicycle rides with guys that came into our bicycle shop. One of the rides would be from Hackensack, N. J. to Bear Mtn., N. Y. On the first of these rides, we stopped shortly after getting across the state line and had a food break. Shorty, who wasn't, opens his bag and pulls out 2 FRIED CHICKENS and asks if I would like some "BIRD". Best chicken I ever had and made sure he always had some "BIRD" when we went on rides together.

Bet the guards would show the rules in writing or would quickly write some rules if Shorty showed up at one of the bag inspection spots with a "BIRD" in his bag.

John

-------------------------------------

Great story! LOL

You know what though? I think I read on one of the boards here about a family actually bringing a whole turkey DINNER into the parks!!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Saffron
In my opinion, if there are no rules/policies, there are no rules/policies to be broken or enforced, so you do what you want until a rule or policy is made.

Only smoke in designated area. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
Must wear shoes. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
Stand clear of the doors. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
..................... Not a rule/policy - can not be broken or enforced.
Must be over 21. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.
..................... Not a rule - can not be broken or enforced.
Do not swim in lake. Rule/policy - can be broken or enforced.

Etc.

----------------------------------

You're purposely trying to confuse me, aren't you? LOL

Okay - let's go with this scenario.. Disney has no rule in WRITING (not in the brochures; not on your ticket; no sign posted anywhere; etc.) Yet it's widely accepted - and implied - that bringing food into the parks is against the "rules"..

Mary, Bob, and their two children - Muffin & Barf - arrive at the gates laden down with backpacks full of Happy Meals, Kentucky Fried Chicken, subs, and a large assortment of beverages..

The CM they approach is in a very cranky mood - his wife has run off with his best friend and they have also taken his kids, his pick-up truck, his boat, his dog and his last six-pack of beer..

Due to his foul mood (and sad misfortunes) he decides he's going pull the tough guy routine and demands that they ditch all of this food prior to entering the park based on this "unwritten" rule..

Can he do it? Does he have to provide something that shows this "rule" in writing? Or do Mary & Bob have to ditch the food -while Muffin and Barf throw themselves to the ground, screaming and crying hysterically?

 

[Lanshark]

I see no problem with it. While you're at it take you 10 year old refillable mug and wash the food down

 

[Saffron]

LOL! I was trying to leave a space blank, to show nothing, and that nothing isn't a rule, but it didn't work. So much for being creative.

In the last scenerio, nope, unless the nasty, but saddly misunderstood CM can back up his words. Until then, that's all the CM is doing, yapping and taking out his hard times on Muffin and Barf. There's not a policy/rule, so there's nothing to enforce. Muffin and Barf are free to consume their Cheese Doodles and HoHos while enjoying WDW until WDW lays down the rules and policies and posts them, like they do all their other rules and policies, I would think.

I thought I saw in one of the Brinbaum's books years ago, a little snippet that said something about allowing small snacks in the parsk, but there are no picnic areas or something like that. But -- I could be totally confused. I often am.

 

[Belle0101]

Okay, this is all I could find -

From Birnbaum's 2002 (page 24)
$Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome inside Disney theme parks).

HOT TIP!
Staying hydrated can get costly. Refill water bottles as often as possible - rather than buy new ones.

$A souvenir mug can be purchased at most resorts, good for refills during your stay at the resort. (Note that similar mugs are sold in the theme parks, but do not come with free refills.)


"Not welcome"? Okay, that's pretty clear. Not welcome as in you better not or not welcome as in we wish you wouldn't?

 

[Saffron]

LOL! Yup that's what I saw!

Or not welcome as in, "Go ahead, we don't like it, but it's not that big of deal to make a fuss over."

Now if that's not confusing, I don't know what is!

 

[Aurora63]

A few years ago, a friend of mine went to Disney, and brought lunch for herself and her daughter. She did this because the food is so expensive, and she is a diabetic, so most of the food choices aren't too good for her.

Anyway, a CM saw them eating and did tell them that outside food wasn't allowed in the parks, yadda yadda yadda, she showed him her medic ID, explained her problem, and that was the end of it.

I don't see them having a problem with small snacks and a drink or two, but I would definetly see them drawing the line at a family bringing a cooler into the park.

 

[poohandwendy]

From my 2004 Birnbaums 'Official' Guide to WDW:

Pg 20 :"Money-saving Tips":

"Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome in the parks) (the same as Belle previously mentioned)"

However... further down it says:

*"Pack kid-friendly snacks, such as fruit, cereal or even a lollipop. (Snack stands are plentiful but not always handy or cost-efficient)"



I think they know that some people are just going to do it and if they give a 'gentle' warning not to, the majority will be a captive (hungry) audience...

This way they don't anger the die-hard picnickers...yet they discourage the masses...

Still confusing though...

 

[Belle0101]

(Snack stands are plentiful but not always handy or cost-efficient)"


So they know that the snacks may not be cost-efficient?

"Carry sandwich fixings ... not welcome..."

And, what if you had never read a Birnbaum's book or, shocking as it may seem , had never visited the Dis boards?

This is just too much for me -

and

But still going to Disney!