Packing food for the parks

[lolobug]

Hi!
I'm trying to cut costs a bit (especially with my kids). DH isn't a big eater, he'll order a coffee for breakfast and then eat a small lunch and dinner. My kids eat all day long but never huge amounts (I'm the same way). I was thinking of bringing a soft cooler and filling it with our essentials (milks, granola bars, dried apples, some "treats" too!) has anyone ever done this? What do you bring? Thanks!

 

[tillman4]

For our trip in Nov (ds 9, dd 14 mths) I took crackers, applesauce, oatmeal to go squares, nutri grain bars, & waters (flavor pks).

 

[lolobug]

For our trip in Nov (ds 9, dd 14 mths) I took crackers, applesauce, oatmeal to go squares, nutri grain bars, & waters (flavor pks).

Thanks! Did you eat out all 3 meals or did your snacks substitute a meal?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

$5 footlongs from Subway purchased the night before & kept in the room fridge worked great and fed all 4 of us.

Another thing we didn't have on our trip that is commonplace now is Mio and all the knockoffs. That, plus free ice water from a food vendor would make a nice drink. And all you need is someone with a pocket to carry an entire day's worth

 

[lolobug]

$5 footlongs from Subway purchased the night before & kept in the room fridge worked great and fed all 4 of us. Another thing we didn't have on our trip that is commonplace now is Mio and all the knockoffs. That, plus free ice water from a food vendor would make a nice drink. And all you need is someone with a pocket to carry an entire day's worth

Great ideas! We are staying on property, is there a subway located near POR or WL?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Great ideas! We are staying on property, is there a subway located near POR or WL?

That I could not say. Hopefully, someone will chime in. I saw someone on another thread saying they were going to try the same with Earl of Sandwich, but had not attempted it yet.

 

[lolobug]

That I could not say. Hopefully, someone will chime in. I saw someone on another thread saying they were going to try the same with Earl of Sandwich, but had not attempted it yet.

It's a GREAT idea! I might try to find one at the airport before we head to the parks on arrival day

 

[2jboysmom]

We always take snacks that our kids like in like a resealable bowl to keep them from being crushed. We use the MIO drink mixes. Love the subway idea! We always have breakfast at our hotel, saves time and money. Fruit, peanut butter, tortillas etc.

 

[bookgirl]

Great ideas! We are staying on property, is there a subway located near POR or WL?

Do you have a car?

The super walmart on Vineland (about 10-15 minutes from PO) has a subway inside it. That and a can of pringles pretty much says lunch.

 

[lolobug]

Do you have a car? The super walmart on Vineland (about 10-15 minutes from PO) has a subway inside it. That and a can of pringles pretty much says lunch.

I don't have a car

 

[Crystal824]

We always take a cooler with drinks and snacks. We usually buy lunch and dinner in the parks, but eat our snacks for snacks...sometimes we will use the snacks to supplement lunch...ie get one counter service meal for 2 adults and one child and supplement with chips and/or fruit we bring in. Without a car, it is harder to do things like Subway. We typically order from Garden Grocer. More expensive than at home and if you had a car to go yourself but more convenient and cheaper than renting a car.

 

[Bessy145]

Just to confirm....a soft cooler is okay to bring into the park??

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just to confirm....a soft cooler is okay to bring into the park??

Yes. We always stash ours in a locker, but you can carry it around if you prefer. No glass containers, no alcohol, no metal cans, and no straws at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Sunnyday3]

We keep whole wheat tortillas, cream cheese, and deli turkey I the room fridge. In the morning, I spread on the cream cheese and layer on turkey, then roll them up. The kids love them and seem to hold up really well. I add baby carrots and it's a great snack or lunch, depending on what we are doing.

I also bring along pretzels and granola bars. I find that by eating better at least part of the time (even at disney!) helps keep everyone's tummies a bit happier-sometimes eating differently can upset their stomachs.

 

[wed100105]

We keep whole wheat tortillas, cream cheese, and deli turkey I the room fridge. In the morning, I spread on the cream cheese and layer on turkey, then roll them up. The kids love them and seem to hold up really well. I add baby carrots and it's a great snack or lunch, depending on what we are doing.

I also bring along pretzels and granola bars. I find that by eating better at least part of the time (even at disney!) helps keep everyone's tummies a bit happier-sometimes eating differently can upset their stomachs.

We have snacks in a soft sides cooler and keep it in our stroller basket. We find that something's we just want fresh food and are sick of fries and fast food. We always have a rental so it isn't an issue, as PP noted, sometimes it is just for the sake of our tummies!

 

[quandrea]

We bring cheese sticks, crackers, yogurt, juice boxes, trail mix, fruit leather, dried cherries and water. Mostly for snacks as we usually head back to our villa for at least one meal a day. Breakfast is always in the villa. We really enjoy bringing and eating our food. The kids' moods stay more level with healthy food in their tummies. We always have groceries delivered by garden grocer. Saves a tin of money and when we do have a treat we really enjoy it.

 

[lolobug]

We bring cheese sticks, crackers, yogurt, juice boxes, trail mix, fruit leather, dried cherries and water. Mostly for snacks as we usually head back to our villa for at least one meal a day. Breakfast is always in the villa. We really enjoy bringing and eating our food. The kids' moods stay more level with healthy food in their tummies. We always have groceries delivered by garden grocer. Saves a tin of money and when we do have a treat we really enjoy it.

Great to know, thank you! I hope my fridge is big enough to hold some staples.

 

[worm761]

I would suggest maybe doing a few trial runs of your lunches before committing to doing them in Disney. We go hiking, bike riding, and to the zoo during the warmer months here and I always pack us lunches. While I have not done it at Disney yet, I plan to the next time we get to go.

Here is my Lunch on the Go board on Pinterest with hundreds of ideas of packable lunches that are not just sandwiches. http://www.pinterest.com/disneybug/lunch-on-the-go/

Or if you like wraps: http://www.pinterest.com/disneybug/sandwiches-and-wraps/

Some silicone cupcake cups and a square container can make for great lunch!

 

[lolobug]

I would suggest maybe doing a few trial runs of your lunches before committing to doing them in Disney. We go hiking, bike riding, and to the zoo during the warmer months here and I always pack us lunches. While I have not done it at Disney yet, I plan to the next time we get to go. Here is my Lunch on the Go board on Pinterest with hundreds of ideas of packable lunches that are not just sandwiches. http://www.pinterest.com/disneybug/lunch-on-the-go/ Or if you like wraps: http://www.pinterest.com/disneybug/sandwiches-and-wraps/ Some silicone cupcake cups and a square container can make for great lunch!

Awesome, thanks!

 

[MrsSilvaStrat]

I bring a soft cooler with water and juice boxes. Even though we always get the dining plan, I hate wasting my snack credits on random drinks! (They should be saved for dolewhips and mickey ice creams! )I also bring crackers/chips/snacks/bars for the plane, room, and parks.