Packing lunches without ice packs

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I'm trying to save some money by having some non-perishables delivered from Amazon prime pantry and by packing some items in my luggage. We're taking the train down so I'm a bit limited on what I can bring. Aside from snacks and PB&J, I have no idea what to bring.

If the fridges at the resorts could freeze ice packs and water I'd bring a soft sided cooler on the train packed full of pasta salad, chicken salad, homemade lunchables, etc.. But not having the ice packs in the parks really limits what I can pack. Any ideas out there?

 

[dimimi]

I double ziplock ice. I have found it doesn't work well if I use 2 sandwich bags, but 1 sandwich bag and 1 freezer or storage bags works without leaking. I also freeze water bottles. When they defrost they are perfect to drink!

 

[chris31997]

Granola, sandwich crackers, nuts, carrots and PB, fruit or fruit cups(the juice in the fruit cups would pack a quick shot of sugar and energy), jerky(the salt will help you keep the water and help you drink water and stay hydrated), grapes(can freeze), cucumber

quinoa salad w/tomatoes, cucumber and dressed with Italian dressing or mustard

pasta salad w/shredded carrots, tomatoes, and cucumber dressed with Italian dressing or mustard

 

[tigerbelly]

We get a garden grocer order when we go to Disney. Always get a couple flats of water, fruit salad, yogurt, bagels, beer, mixers (and bring our own mini liquor bottles) And we do breakfast at the resorts. I think it would be too much planning and a lot of disappointment if we did not eat lunch and dinner at the parks. There are a lot of places where you can get good value for meals. It seems like it would be more hassle than anything else. Having your own water/snacks/breakfast/adult bevereges is enough of a savings for us! Unless of course we have free dining. Which is awesome.

And no, the resort fridges don't have freezers. One year we did the frozen water bottle thing when we stayed at homewoods. We regretted bringing the cooler and those heavy water bottles. I think we did uncrustables cheese sticks and yogurt tubes for the kids back then.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm trying to save some money by having some non-perishables delivered from Amazon prime pantry and by packing some items in my luggage. We're taking the train down so I'm a bit limited on what I can bring. Aside from snacks and PB&J, I have no idea what to bring.

If the fridges at the resorts could freeze ice packs and water I'd bring a soft sided cooler on the train packed full of pasta salad, chicken salad, homemade lunchables, etc.. But not having the ice packs in the parks really limits what I can pack. Any ideas out there?

Go Picnic makes snack/meal packs that do not need refrigeration. They're mostly crackers, hummus, bean dips, turkey sticks (similar to a Slim Jim), sun butter, plantain chips, etc.

Bumble Bee makes tuna and chicken salad and crackers packets that can be tossed in a backpack and won't crush.

Starkist makes foil packets of tuna salad that is easy to bring along.

Add whole pieces of fruit (apples, oranges and pears pack well) and packets of cookies, granola, mixed nuts, carrot sticks or dry roasted edamame and you have the makings of a meal that doesn't need an ice pack.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We stayed at a hotel a few weeks ago that had refrigerators without freezers. We took several day trips from the hotel and wanted to pack snacks and drinks in our cooler. I made my own ice packs out of ziplocks, as another poster suggested above. It worked out fine. We had soda, water, cheese sticks, grapes, and some cookies that would have melted in the car. They stayed cold all day. When we got back to the hotel, I just dumped the melted ice bags into the sink. Then I made new ones in the morning.

I would say to go ahead and take your cold food, as long as you will have a fridge in your room. The food should be fine during days in the parks, as long as the drinks are chilled and you pack in some extra ice from the ice machine.

 

[jsmla]

I carry in lunches all the time and use the doubled Ziploc system when I don't have a freezer. I have always been able to get more ice at the CS venues if needed.

-Individually packaged cheese is a lot less temperature sensitive than most meats.
-Cured meats like hard salami/pepperoni work well.
-I also like the individual packets of hummus and guacamole with pita or veggies.
-Wraps fare better in a backpack than traditional sandwiches.
-One of my favorites is a purchased side salad bulked up with meats, nuts, cheeses from my backpack stash.
-Apples and tangerines fare well, bananas don't!

 

[Ali]

I make ice packs too and I keep an eye on it and go into a QS service place and ask for 4 or 5 large cups of ice at a time to refill the home made ziplock icepacks. Ice and water is free.

Bring your coooler on the train, if you have a room the attendant will get you more ice.

 

[Nennie]

We use frozen water bottles!

I used to use frozen grapes, but then they would thaw out and get a little mushy. Frozen water bottles work great, and when they thaw, we can drink them!

 

[Ali]

I wish we could use frozen water bottles, but the Disney Refrigerators only have fridge space, no freezers unless you are in DVC rooms.

 

[dromio42]

fruit is always a good idea since it can be filling.

Justin's nutbutters make small and large individual packets that can go with crackers into a back pack - or sometime we but a baguette from France to do with!

We have also done tuna packets and individual mayo (they have these at some QS places, like the fish and chips place at Epocot - we just save our extras from Panera sandwiches at home) Make sure you bring a container to mix it in.

PB and jelly sandwiches are a big favorite.

nut mixes and trail mixes can be filling. Also kashi cereals (dry).