Picnic at the car - practical?

[Gumbo4x4]

First time to Disney in years, but when we visit other theme parks, we usually leave lunch in the car in a cooler. And then when we get hungry, we set up lawn chairs beneath shade trees on the edge of the parking lot and have a little picnic. Is that practical at any or all of the Disney parks in FL? Or, are their parking lots a shadeless wasteland? I really prefer not to lug food all around the park with me, nor to mess with lockers if I can avoid it.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

It depends on when you go. A good portion of the year, an asphalt parking lot in central Florida is hotter than the hammered down hinges of hell.

That said, I haven't driven to a park in years but I don't recall seeing much if any shade in the lots.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

The tree lines are REALLY far from the main parking area and the road by it is what people use to exit the parking lot. No way you could sit there! The parking lot itself it boiling hot most the year so eating out there isn't really an option IMO.

What we've done when we don't want to buy lunch in the parks is bring a soft sided cooler. Even with renting a locker you're still going to be way ahead money wise. We didn't rent a locker though. We just took turns carrying it around or put in the stroller if we had one with us. There are plenty of nice shaded places to eat a picnic lunch in the parks.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

This is a mid-June thing, so it's definitely going to require shade LOL.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Mid-June? Oh hell no! I'm afraid your family might just disinegrate into the parking lot!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We may look into the locker thing. I know the ones at Six Flags are stupid expensive (at least in the water park area), so that kind of soured me on the locker idea. But, if it's reasonable, that might be an option. Definitely not up for lugging food & drinks around with us. I'd rather put the crowbar in my wallet a time or two than that

 

[Ed J]

I don't think its practical.

I do however think having a "runner" retrieve the stuff from your cooler that is in you car into a disposable bag and meet up with you at a shady spot just outside the park entrance is a good option. I say out side so you can bring what you want, say a cold cocktail if it to your liking. If what the runner is carrying is within th eparks carry in policy, then pick a spot inside and enjoy your lunch.

 

[bumbershoot]

Shadeless wasteland.


Just bring it in with you. If drinks are weighing you down, either budget towards a locker or put that budget towards drink purchases (knowing you can get cups of ice water for free).

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Don't forget the parking lot for Magic Kingdom is a good distance away and requires a monorail or boat ride to get there. You'd eat up alot of time even getting back to the car.

 

[punkin]

I can't see how that's possible...particularly in June.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't think its practical.

I do however think having a "runner" retrieve the stuff from your cooler that is in you car into a disposable bag and meet up with you at a shady spot just outside the park entrance is a good option. I say out side so you can bring what you want, say a cold cocktail if it to your liking. If what the runner is carrying is within th eparks carry in policy, then pick a spot inside and enjoy your lunch.

That may work for us a couple of places. Doesn't sound like MK, but maybe the water parks or AK. Maybe we'll pack a cooler with stuff that can keep for a couple of days if we don't get out to the car to get it. Sandwiches get kind of nasty if you don't eat 'em right away, but crackers & cheese and sausage would work as long as we can keep the perishables cool.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

Lockers are like $9 a day (plus $5 refundable deposit) for the larger size, and $7 a day for the smaller size. There's a $5 deposit. Just so you can plan your budget.

You could also do a backpack cooler (easier to carry) or just pack food and get drinks at the park (ice water is free). Or freeze bottled water and use it to keep the food cold and then have a cold drink later in the day.

I wouldn't plan to eat at the car. Especially at mk.

 

[Marionnette]

We may look into the locker thing. I know the ones at Six Flags are stupid expensive (at least in the water park area), so that kind of soured me on the locker idea. But, if it's reasonable, that might be an option. Definitely not up for lugging food & drinks around with us. I'd rather put the crowbar in my wallet a time or two than that

It costs between $7-$9 per day plus a $5 refundable key deposit. If you hop between parks, save your receipt and use it to get another locker at the next park. You will get your $5 key deposit back at the first park but you will have to make another $5 deposit at the second one.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/Lockers.htm

 

[Gumbo4x4]

$7-9 isn't too bad. The waterpark at Six Flags is either $12 or $15 for the tiny one. For that price, I'd just as soon put that $$ toward a counter service meal. $7-9 could make it doable though.

 

[Ed J]

We have done the runner thing at all the parks including the MK. We arn't doing it for food, but to trade sun for regular glasses and for jackets. You just need a sucker... errr I mean a volunteer to make the trek .

 

[chicagoshannon]

Leave the stuff in your car and have someone run and get it at lunch time. If you get to the arks early enough you'll be able to park close enough to avoid the parking tram. At MK rent a locker or buy counter service that day.

 

[mrodgers]

Mid-June? Oh hell no! I'm afraid your family might just disinegrate into the parking lot!

When I was there in mid June, you disintegrated in the shade! Shade isn't tolerable when it is 105° out. Heck, it was stifling at 5 am in the morning before the sun was even up.

 

[englishteacha]

At other parks we've done the picnic-at-the-car thing, but at Disney it's just too far away, and too darn hot! I'd get a locker if you plan on packing a lunch but don't want to lug it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We have done the runner thing at all the parks including the MK. We arn't doing it for food, but to trade sun for regular glasses and for jackets. You just need a sucker... errr I mean a volunteer to make the trek .

LOL, that'd be me more than likely. That's how it works at the water parks - you girls find a place to sit & I'll dash to the locker for cash & more sunscreen

 

[punkin]

Thinking about this again...MK-it's just too far from the parking lot; Epcot-one of the main reasons to go is the food at World Showcase. I would definitely try to eat there if possible.; AK and Studios-this might be doable.