outside food in theme parks

[Unregistered]

I noticed that many theme parks such as Universal and Disneyland don't allow guests to bring food. Yet, they sell food themselves.

Do they have any special reasons for this, or is this just a marketing ploy to make guests buy their food?

 

[eliza61]

I noticed that many theme parks such as Universal and Disneyland don't allow guests to bring food. Yet, they sell food themselves.

Do they have any special reasons for this, or is this just a marketing ploy to make guests buy their food?

Marketing ploy. They've pretty much got a captive audience and while you may or maynot buy souvieners (sp?), everyone needs to eat. I do believe you can bring food into the WDW parks. I've never done it (I hate to carry stuff) but I think others have brought food it. Hopefully some one else will let you know.

 

[djblu883]

Actually they will allow you to bring in a small amout of food...not a picnic basket but will allow things so long as they aren't in glass or metal containers and can easily be seen though. Security goes through everything since 9-11 and for just cause...

 

[CleveRocks]

You can bring in any amount of food you want. I've done lunch and snacks for 6 several times. Not getting away with anything, not hiding anything.

I don't know where you go the idea on them only allowing a certain "amount" of food, but it's simply not so.

The rules are no hard-sided or rolling coolers, no glass (except baby food containers), and no alcohol.

Been there, done that.

 

[Unregistered]

I remember that Universal was banning food in later 2003, and I was under the impression that Disneyland did the same. I guess it varies from park to park, but they're more concerned on security in the post-9/11 world (Disney would have a lot to explain if a terrorist pulls a Virginia Tech there, etc), especially in these violent times.

It kinda reminds me of the conspiracy that the FAA bans cell phones to force people to use expensive in-flight phones. MythBusters showed that they couldn't seem to disrupt flight via RF, but said that airlines wouldn't take chances anyways.

 

[num1tigerfan]

we always carry along fruit, granola bars, water bottles etc. in our backpack. We have never tried to hide anything and they never have had a problem. It is just nice for the kids to have some more nutritional things while waiting in line! It saves time by eating some fruit for breakfast while in line!

 

[HdnMickeyGrl]

Disney expressly allows outside water. Although I beleive outside food is not expressly allowed we have never had a problem bringing food into the parks. We always bring in snacks and water. It's nice to have a snack in line without worrying about the price.

 

[iradi8]

In the booklet we received at check-in there was a f.a.q. One of the questions is what should you bring into the parks? It specifically said sunscreen, food and drinks! So, yes, it is okay!

 

[LionKingRules84]

So Universal won't allow snacks or water bottles brought into the parks? That would rather hinder my plans. Would they allow things like granola bars, or some kind of energy bar like Cliff bars?

 

[quiltymom]

We didn't bring outside food into WDW outside of packaged fruit snacks, water bottles, juice boxes & granola bars. At Disneyland we bring in the above, as well as the kid's tubes of yogurt. We pack it all in a small, soft-sided cooler with a ice pack. They've never said anything to us, and we've never hidden them. We can't when they need to look into the bags at security.

I believe the main reason is they don't want huge coolers or picnic baskets in the parks. Another reason I heard is that they don't want guests to bring in food that could spoil without refrigeration (i.e., tuna sandwiches, anything made with mayo) because of the health risk to the guests.

 

[Mkrop]

We were there this week (atWDW) and we brought water, juice bags and snacks (cheezits, crackers, pretzels etc) in a soft sided cooler. Secuirty looked in the bags and waved us through.

Now I was surprised that they let us into AK with the juice bags (caprisun) because they have straws on them and because of the animals, straws are not allowed anywhere in the park, you cant even get one if you order a fountain drink. We did not know this until we got in there and DH asked for straws for our sodas, so I am surprised they alllowed the juicebags in.

Other than that it was great money and time saver. We didnt have to wait in line every time one of the kids was hungry or thirsty.