Packed Lunches ?

[PhilUK]

Hello

Anyone do packed lunches and then leave them in cool bags at the lockers in the Parks. We get tired of fries with everything.

Thanks

 

[seelyt2]

I haven't, but boy have I considered it! We usually go back to the villa and I make lunch every darn day, and quite frankly, I'm tired of it!!! Too time consuming on some of the days when I'd rather be in the park throughout (so long as the parks aren't terribly HOT). But the thought of doing this and purchasing a dessert (or something) to top it off is seriously being considered for future trips.

 

[rocketriter]

We don't pack lunches but try not to order fries at every lunch. However, we usually pick up groceries before arrival and either eat or pack breakfasts (sometimes splurging at the Boardwalk Bakery). This saves quite a bit of $$.

 

[Breyean]

Probably no one else does this, but we are a weird family.

We bring bars to the park for lunch/snacks. Things like Cliff Bars, Met-Rx bars. This is what we normally eat anyway, and we can just skip stopping for lunch and eat on the go.

Maybe some others might find some different bars they like, but along the same idea, as an alternative to stopping to eat.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello

Anyone do packed lunches and then leave them in cool bags at the lockers in the Parks. We get tired of fries with everything.

Thanks

You can always request apple slices instead of fries. Or no fries at all.

 

[jerseyduke]

We are going to try using Earl Of Sandwich more this trip, probably the night before, for the parks the next day.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

We have used small snacks, bars, pb&j sandwiches, and juice packs In the parks on occasions. We put the stuff in a backpack. Sometimes we choose to eat in the parks. Packing lunches works fine for us.

 

[MouseMomx2]

There are lots of great counter service options that don't include fries. Some of our favorites include...

• Most of the quick serve locations in World Showcase (we love the Tangierine Cafe, Les Halles and Sommerfest)
• The rotisserie chicken at Cosmic Ray's
• The sandwiches and salads at Columbia Harbour House
• The braised pork at Be Our Guest (divine!)
• Flame Tree Barbecue

 

[ericm078]

We pack our own lunches. We have groceries delivered, and get lunch meat, chips, fruit ect. We normally find a bench for a 10 min stop, and keep moving after. We do not put them we a locker however, we have a small cooler that fits under my sons stroller.

 

[wiigirl]

You can always request apple slices instead of fries. Or no fries at all.

 

[Chuck S]

While I indulge occasionally, I'm not a big fry eater. There are always alternatives, even on kids' meals. Usually you can get fruit (grapes or apples) instead, and for adults most places have some nice meal sized salad.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We don't pack lunches, but we also don't do fast food anywhere, much less in theme parks. Instead, we will plan one good sit down meal a day at either a park or a resort, and the other meal we will prepare in our villa. Breakfasts are a must in our villa, and usually just one other "meal". Many times that is either a light lunch or supper.

 

[NJmouse]

I buy uncrustables pb&j. keep them frozen and put them in our backpack by time we are ready to eat the uncrustables are defrosted and we pick up fruit, a pretzel or pickles.

 

[lilpooh108]

We haven't before, but we are going to pack light sandwiches for this trip. No DDP, and we're doing 2 weeks so lunch will have to be small and cheap My DD has allergies anyway, so we usually bring a bag of her own snacks.

 

[timandjanl]

We pack our own lunches. We have groceries delivered, and get lunch meat, chips, fruit ect. We normally find a bench for a 10 min stop, and keep moving after. We do not put them we a locker however, we have a small cooler that fits under my sons stroller.

How big is your family? Have you found that this saves a lot of money compared to DDP? I've taken trips and done it both ways. I didn't compare the numbers but it didn't feel like I saved much. We wanted to have a few table service meals and those cost a lot if you pay cash!

 

[rusafee1183]

We packed lunches during our last WDW trip and it was awesome! It saved us a ton of money.

Generally, we would spend about $25 per quick service meal. It cost us $200 for groceries for the entire week for 3 people, and we only ate in the parks twice (one lunch and one dinner out)

We ate breakfast and dinner in the room and packed PB&J, baggies of cheetos/doritos, fruit, fruit snacks, granola bars, bottled water for lunch. It worked out really well for us!

 

[maburke]

We pack sandwiches and snacks, and swear by it. Not only does it save us money, it's more flexible. I'm one who would push everybody to their cranky limits before stopping to eat, and my DH (even more than my kids) cannot wait until it fits into our plan, just one more ride, etc. We usually start at the parks very early, and having sandwiches can get us 2-3 additional hours before we take our afternoon break. So everybody's happy.

 

[kim532]

We pack not a full lunch, but more of substantial snacks. Drinks in Hydroflasks and a small cooler for chilled fruit and lunch meat.

We also get groceries delivered to the room. I think it saves a ton of money for our family of 4. We usually eat one meal outside our room per day. Either a dinner or lunch at the park. Breakfast always in our room. Then easy meals in the room. Frozen pizza. Spaghetti with garlic bread. Meatloaf with instant potatoes.

Kim

 

[BabsBunny]

We have not done it, but we should. It's a great way to save money and calories--not the mention the frustration of long counter service lines.

 

[LSchrow]

We don't pack lunches, but we also don't do fast food anywhere, much less in theme parks.

exactly that
we find greasy food unappetizing anytime, anywhere (that heavy smell of fried anything makes me nauseous ).
we purchase groceries our first day, then bring water bottles, & maybe a small snack (granola bars, pears, crackers) to the park.
except for a few select CS eateries (tangerine cafe , EoS), and snacks (dole whip), everything else is in room, or sit-down (mostly off-site, again except for one or two favorites).

if you do bring a (small, soft-sided) cooler, just be aware perishables in a cooler can still turn rancid in the searing Floridian sun (avoid most meat & dairy items).