Picnic at the car - practical?

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We brought a rolling cooler to Blizzard Beach - it was no problem. We just had drinks, though, and we did leave it by the chair and no one bothered it. We didn't leave the camera or money. We usually just claim two chairs for the four of us - we don't sit much, but that gives us enough space to take a break or eat a snack. The doughnuts at Blizzard Beach are very good!

I'm not sure it is worth the effort to return to the car at the four main parks, but bringing a small cooler in or packing a backpack is a good idea. The MK parking lot is a ferry or monorail away, plus a tram if you don't get there really early. You can park near the AK entrance, but the attractions are far away from the entrance, and walking back to the parking lot in June would be torture if you weren't done with the park and had to go back in. DHS is probably doable, and counter service places there aren't very good anyway. You could be a long way from your car at Epcot since Epcot is so huge. Epcot has lots of good counter service places.

I'd eat a good breakfast and pack healthy snacks for the theme parks days to avoid dealing with a cooler.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

Flashbacks from the "disintegrating wasteland" otherwise known as the MK parking lot. Mid July, I drove from PC to MK with 3 kids (ages 2, 4 and 6) in the morning and we decided to head back to the hotel around lunchtime. We lost the car in the MK parking lot in well over 100 degree weather. I was certain all 4 of us would boil to death before we found it.

Finally we find the car and jump in only to realize it must be 150+ degrees inside it. Turn the AC on and everyone jumps back out, suddenly 100ish degrees doesn't seem so bad.

Anyways, we do the car picnic thing at local parks but I don't think I would ever do it in the summer at WDW, too hot! You are brave for considering it .

 

[cymbaldiva]

Yes, there are tons of chairs, the water parks are huge. However, you need to arrive in the morning to get chairs.

We always do rope drop, pick a spot and cover 6-7 chairs with our t-shirts, sandals, towels, cooler and backpacks. I am sure someone will respond that their stuff was stolen, but like I said we have done this 50+ times and nothing has EVER been taken. Heck, we even have our money and park tickets in our backpack and nothing has ever been taken.

We pick our spot, do the slides and return to our spot every couple of hours.

Of course to get a spot in the summer you need to arrive at the waterpark early.

I'm just thinking that since you know chairs are hard to come by that it's a bit selfish to keep others from actually using them - ever considered renting a locker and letting folks actually sit in the chairs?

 

[DawnM]

We bought a backpack cooler from Target (made by Igloo) and carry it with us. We time the kids to take turns carrying it and put a couple of frozen waters in it to keep cold but melt so we can drink it later.

It holds enough for lunch and snacks for 5 of us for the day.

No way I would go back to the car.

Dawn

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I'm just thinking that since you know chairs are hard to come by that it's a bit selfish to keep others from actually using them - ever considered renting a locker and letting folks actually sit in the chairs?

I have to tell you your post brought a smile to my face this morning.......gotta love the judgement that you get from the Dis!!!!!

I am thinking that you dont go to the waterparks often, if at all, or you go late in the day and all the chairs are gone, and you are dissapointed.

EVERYBODY that goes to the waterparks in the morning grabs some chairs and puts their stuff on it. You then go and ride some rides and come back to your stuff to relax, have a snack and go ride some more rides.

There are some people that sit in a chair for the whole entire day and dont ride anything, but its not the vast majority. most people actually go to the waterparks to ride the slides etc.

No, I will never consider renting a locker and not getting some chairs, Heck, we LIKE to come back to the chairs to sit down, just like the other thousands of people that arrive in the morning and do the same thing.

You think I am selfish Hey, why dont you go to the waterparks at opening and preach that sentiment to the crowds grabbing a chair?

I will not debate this any futher as its just too silly

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Anyways, we do the car picnic thing at local parks but I don't think I would ever do it in the summer at WDW, too hot! You are brave for considering it .

Just to be clear, if there's no shade - and it sounds like that's the case - I am NOT that brave

BTW, we have long since sworn off dark colors for our cars. Shortly after we got married, my wife got a "dark cherry" car and I had a maroon pickup truck. Few years later, I got a white truck. Wife drove the white truck on a hot day one time and was stunned at how much nicer it was to get into than her car. Last dark car we've owned. Don't get me wrong - the current one can still heat up like a sauna on 100 degree days, but nowhere near as bad as the old car. The remote start thing is a godsend as well

 

[SaraJayne]

Just to be clear, if there's no shade - and it sounds like that's the case - I am NOT that brave

BTW, we have long since sworn off dark colors for our cars. Shortly after we got married, my wife got a "dark cherry" car and I had a maroon pickup truck. Few years later, I got a white truck. Wife drove the white truck on a hot day one time and was stunned at how much nicer it was to get into than her car. Last dark car we've owned. Don't get me wrong - the current one can still heat up like a sauna on 100 degree days, but nowhere near as bad as the old car. The remote start thing is a godsend as well

The parking lots at WDW are all pretty much "shadeless wastelands", so if you are planning on packing a picnic, you'll either have to bring the cooler with you and rent a locker in the park you're at or eat at the car (which will be miserable).

I'm not one that ever packs food with us at Disney (eating at the parks is part of our vacation), but I have done it at other places. Not in June in FL, though.

 

[MrsPete]

Possible? Yes.
Practical? No.

The parks are large. You'll lose at least 30 minutes coming/going to the parking lot in most of the parks; at least an hour in the Magic Kingdom. That includes walking back to the gate, then returning through the ticket booth and having your bags checked.

Then you'll be eating in a scorching hot parking lot -- not much fun.

Personally, I'd buy inexpensive kids' meals for lunches and skimp somewhere else in my budget. I'd cut out souveniers, snacks, eat breakfast in the room, whatever else. Given the high cost of tickets, wasting time to save the cost of lunch just isn't a good value.

 

[MrsPete]

I have to tell you your post brought a smile to my face this morning.......gotta love the judgement that you get from the Dis!!!!!

I am thinking that you dont go to the waterparks often, if at all, or you go late in the day and all the chairs are gone, and you are dissapointed.

EVERYBODY that goes to the waterparks in the morning grabs some chairs and puts their stuff on it. You then go and ride some rides and come back to your stuff to relax, have a snack and go ride some more rides.

There are some people that sit in a chair for the whole entire day and dont ride anything, but its not the vast majority. most people actually go to the waterparks to ride the slides etc.

No, I will never consider renting a locker and not getting some chairs, Heck, we LIKE to come back to the chairs to sit down, just like the other thousands of people that arrive in the morning and do the same thing.

You think I am selfish Hey, why dont you go to the waterparks at opening and preach that sentiment to the crowds grabbing a chair?

I will not debate this any futher as its just too silly

If you're using the chair, fine. You're bought a ticket, and you're entitled to that seat. If you're there before me and I can't get a chair because your butt's in it, fine. I should've come in earlier.

However, if you're out in another part of the park, it is definitely selfish to lay claim to a chair. There's even a name for it: Chair Hog.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

If you're using the chair, fine. You're bought a ticket, and you're entitled to that seat. If you're there before me and I can't get a chair because your butt's in it, fine. I should've come in earlier.

However, if you're out in another part of the park, it is definitely selfish to lay claim to a chair. There's even a name for it: Chair Hog.

I dont even know why I am responding to this, but I find it so humerous I have to!!!!

Do you go to the waterparks?

What do you suggest that all the people (not just me, but everybody else in the park that lays claim to chairs just like I do) that are at the waterpark do with their stuff?? PLEASE dont sugggest like a PP that me and everybody else rent a locker!! Literally thousands and thousands of people go to the waterparks in the summer. While the waterparks do have lockers, there is NO WAY that they have lockers for everybody. (our usual group of 7-12 people would need at least 3-4 lockers to stash all of our stuff.) The park was not built for eveybody to stow all of their stuff in lockers.

I find these"selfish"comments laughable and wonder if the people who think this even go to a waterpark at all.

When the park openes EVERYBODY goes to get chairs. For you to think that all of htose people actually have "their butt in it" all day is silly.

The waterpark is set up like a day at the beach. You get a spot......you swim/go on a slide....you return to your spot.....you swim/go on a slide.....return to your spot.....this is repeated all day long.

The waterparks are extremely well staffed......if Disney thought like you did (chair hog) then the staff would tell people not to claim chairs and remove things from chairs not occupied by people. This is NOT the case!!! It is expected and assumed that people are going to have chairs for their group. Because, like I have already said, the waterparks DO NOT have enough room to stow everybodies stuff.......for anybody to think that there are enough lockers for everybody have either never been to a Disney waterpark or they are not living in reality.

I am shocked that there are people that actually think that its selfish to claim a chair at a Disney waterpark, its actually quite comical.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you're using the chair, fine. You're bought a ticket, and you're entitled to that seat. If you're there before me and I can't get a chair because your butt's in it, fine. I should've come in earlier.

However, if you're out in another part of the park, it is definitely selfish to lay claim to a chair. There's even a name for it: Chair Hog.

If you are speaking of a resort pool? Absolutely. At the water parks? No, not at all.

As a PP said, water parks are set up like a day at the beach; it is expected that guests will establish a "home base" of sorts. At Disney's waterparks there are many, many more chairs than people use, so it is always possible to find a place to sit. However, there is a difference between ordinary chairs and loungers; loungers all get staked out as home bases, whereas stacks of chairs go unused all day.

Now, that said, don't take up more space than your butts can fill! We were at BB last year and encountered an Australian family that absolutely took the cake in this regard. There were about 10 of them, and they not only laid claim to all of the tables and chairs inside one of the shade shelters, but also to about 12 loungers near it in the sun. They had done this so that they could alternate sitting in the sun and the shade, depending on their mood. Our loungers were nearby (3 of them for our family of 4), and we saw quite a few people arguing with these folks, because there was no way that their party could ever use all of the space they had claimed even if they were all present. (There was an older couple with them who did not swim, they sat in chairs and held their ground all day while the younger family members flowed in and out.)

 

[fortwildernessishome]

If you are speaking of a resort pool? Absolutely. At the water parks? No, not at all.

As a PP said, water parks are set up like a day at the beach; it is expected that guests will establish a "home base" of sorts. At Disney's waterparks there are many, many more chairs than people use, so it is always possible to find a place to sit. However, there is a difference between ordinary chairs and loungers; loungers all get staked out as home bases, whereas stacks of chairs go unused all day.

Now, that said, don't take up more space than your butts can fill! We were at BB last year and encountered an Australian family that absolutely took the cake in this regard. There were about 10 of them, and they not only laid claim to all of the tables and chairs inside one of the shade shelters, but also to about 12 loungers near it in the sun. They had done this so that they could alternate sitting in the sun and the shade, depending on their mood. Our loungers were nearby (3 of them for our family of 4), and we saw quite a few people arguing with these folks, because there was no way that their party could ever use all of the space they had claimed even if they were all present. (There was an older couple with them who did not swim, they sat in chairs and held their ground all day while the younger family members flowed in and out.)

Thank you SO MUCH for being a voice of reason!! I was beginning to feel like I was in the twilight zone with people calling me "selfish" and a "chairhog" for doing what everybody does at a waterpark and basically for doing what Disney has set up their waterparks to handle.

I truly think that some people have never been to a Disney waterpark and think of it like a resort pool. And your right you would never claim chairs like that at a pool.

While, I have found these post humerous, I find them sad in a way.People come on the Dis to learn things about Disney and then you get people who dont know what they are talking about chiming in or just being plain insulting to people. Heck, my husband will get a chuckle tonight when I tell him he is a "selfish chairhog"

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience!!!

 

[crisi]

Possible? Yes.
Practical? No.

The parks are large. You'll lose at least 30 minutes coming/going to the parking lot in most of the parks; at least an hour in the Magic Kingdom. That includes walking back to the gate, then returning through the ticket booth and having your bags checked.

Then you'll be eating in a scorching hot parking lot -- not much fun.

Personally, I'd buy inexpensive kids' meals for lunches and skimp somewhere else in my budget. I'd cut out souveniers, snacks, eat breakfast in the room, whatever else. Given the high cost of tickets, wasting time to save the cost of lunch just isn't a good value.

Or bring in a lunch you can carry in a backpack. It used to be a lot of people would recommend bringing in single serving crystal light drink mixes and getting free water. Combine that with summer hardy fruit (apples), some nuts, an energy bar, and/or beef jerky. Maybe a small cooler with an ice pack for string cheese, yogurt, or whatever. I wouldn't recommend hauling tuna fish sandwiches through the Orlando heat, even with a cooler and cold pack, but there are lots of heat stable, pack able options. Then supplement your packed lunch with kids meals, shared meals, purchased snacks.

If kids are little , hauling this in a full size stroller is a breeze. If you don't have stroller age kids, everyone can carry something.

Don't bring in glass or knives. But unless you haul in thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, security won't bat an eye.

Do be polite about using tables in and around restaurants. Noon is not the best time to grab a table and spread out your brought in picnic in pecos bills.

 

[monkeyboy]

The only way to do it

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The only way to do it

 

[crazelion]

The only way to do it

 

[North of Mouse]

I'm just thinking that since you know chairs are hard to come by that it's a bit selfish to keep others from actually using them - ever considered renting a locker and letting folks actually sit in the chairs?

Now, this is truly a new one to me. Have you ever gone to the water parks at Disney? That's just the way it is. What are we supposed to do with out towels, snacks, etc. - throw them on the sand? You must be confusing water parks with resort pools - that's a different ball game. There's lots and lots of chairs and loungers at the water parks and that's just what you do mark your place and "come and go". And "fortwildernessishome" I talked to some CM's (lifeguards) there after some people were missing some items and their advice was to not leave any valuables laying around because it would be impossible to tell who belongs where, with such a "sea" of chairs. They said it happens very often. So yes, you and we also, have been very lucky so far it seems, but I WILL not leave my valuables there. I don't really want to lose my towels and snacks either, but guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if it happened, but no, not my money, keys, or cards - they're around my neck The same goes for any of the parks - things have been stolen, just read the threads, even strollers have "walked" off all by themselves, and never found Again, I'm a very cautious person, so I'd rather be "safe than sorry" but to each his own - no problem

 

[cymbaldiva]

Yes, there are tons of chairs, the water parks are huge. However, you need to arrive in the morning to get chairs.

We always do rope drop, pick a spot and cover 6-7 chairs with our t-shirts, sandals, towels, cooler and backpacks. I am sure someone will respond that their stuff was stolen, but like I said we have done this 50+ times and nothing has EVER been taken. Heck, we even have our money and park tickets in our backpack and nothing has ever been taken.

We pick our spot, do the slides and return to our spot every couple of hours.

Of course to get a spot in the summer you need to arrive at the waterpark early.

I felt the need to re-quote this because it's important - you're obviously aware that there are a limited amount of chairs and you're taking them up for your stuff. Still not sure why getting a locker is such an odd concept for you...

I am thinking that you dont go to the waterparks often, if at all, or you go late in the day and all the chairs are gone, and you are dissapointed.

EVERYBODY that goes to the waterparks in the morning grabs some chairs and puts their stuff on it. You then go and ride some rides and come back to your stuff to relax, have a snack and go ride some more rides.

There are some people that sit in a chair for the whole entire day and dont ride anything, but its not the vast majority. most people actually go to the waterparks to ride the slides etc.

No, I will never consider renting a locker and not getting some chairs, Heck, we LIKE to come back to the chairs to sit down, just like the other thousands of people that arrive in the morning and do the same thing.

You think I am selfish Hey, why dont you go to the waterparks at opening and preach that sentiment to the crowds grabbing a chair?

I will not debate this any futher as its just too silly

What I thought was laughable about this post? You're bringing "EVERYBODY" into it - if you want to be selfish do so, but don't include the rest of the world in your foolishness. I am wondering - are you one of those folks that takes up tables in the QS places to save them for their group while others are wandering around with full trays? Sounds like you might be, because "everybody" does it, right?

Now, this is truly a new one to me. Have you ever gone to the water parks at Disney? That's just the way it is. What are we supposed to do with out towels, snacks, etc. - throw them on the sand?

Yes I have been to the water parks. To answer your question? Put your towels and snacks in a locker.

 

[smidgy]

when hubby and I go to typhoon lagoon or blizzard beach,we wil go at rope drop. we will find where we want to sit, and that wil be our home base for the day. (used to be as near to the das as possible.. now that we are over a year of quitting smoking, not so much... sigh)

when we go with other family members or friends, same thing....home base. no one sticks together the whole day!!!! hubby and I are voracious readers... hubby lies in the sun, I go off to do the shark reef thing.. he is bored, goes for a smoke (in days past) I come back, he is gone, I go to the washroom, he goes for a beer. hey! we meet up!! we go on lazy river. etc etc.

someone in a past thread a year or so ago suggester putting the stuff under the chairs. s.. if we are both gone, we should come back to find our cahirstaken and our stuff under our chairs and then moveon, and try to find another spot... (including huby's glasses, and hearing aids.)


oh, no it was suggested that, everytime he wanted to actually USE his hearing aids, he go to the locker and GET them!! ) want to actually read a book? keep going back to the locker to GET it, and then try to find the rest of your family, since you have to keep "movin' on" everytime you left your "spot"! how silly!


you go into the water park .. you find a spot. put your stuff onit. go have fun (and I wouldn't leave too much noney behind) cme back.. enjoy your spot. (now, if I had kids I I knew they were not going to use loungers, I wouldn't save 6 loungers for a family with 4 kids.. maybe 3 or 4. depending. teen girls??? definitely need the loungers. they love to tan.)
someone on a thread a coule years ago suggested just keeping everything ON you that you needed.

um, so you go down the slides or in the lazy river with your book in your back pocket? eyeglasses? hearing aids?

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I felt the need to re-quote this because it's important - you're obviously aware that there are a limited amount of chairs and you're taking them up for your stuff. Still not sure why getting a locker is such an odd concept for you...



What I thought was laughable about this post? You're bringing "EVERYBODY" into it - if you want to be selfish do so, but don't include the rest of the world in your foolishness. I am wondering - are you one of those folks that takes up tables in the QS places to save them for their group while others are wandering around with full trays? Sounds like you might be, because "everybody" does it, right?




Yes I have been to the water parks. To answer your question? Put your towels and snacks in a locker.

Your so funny

I am glad you chose to re-quote me as I needed another good laugh today. Our family spent our time at the dinner table last night laughing, you now have given us more to laugh about tonight.......thanks!!!

The locker is a odd concept, becaue the Disney waterparks are not set up to store everybodies towels. I find it more odd that even though other posters have chimed in to explain to you that Disney waterparks are set up for people to claim a spot and store their stuff there, if that is what the guest chooses, you are still argueing!

The reason I mention EVERYBODY doing it is, well, because EVERYBODY does it. Oh wait a minute, let me change that, 99.9% of the people do it, because obviously you dont. Believe me, it is not even a LITTLE bit of a stretch to say EVERYBODY at rope drop grabs a spot with chairs. If you have ever been to a waterpark in the morning you would know this and not be so confused.

If you have been to a waterpark, you would know that they do not have enough lockers to store everybodies towels, clothes, backpacks, food and drinks. They have lots for sure, but not nearly enough for the thousands, and thousands and thousands of guests on a summer day.

How about before you insult anybody else, inquire down at Disney if all of the chairs at the waterparks are just for sitting with no personal belongings. I can guarantee you that is NOT the case...........if it was, doesnt common sense tell you that there would be signage around the park telling peole NOT to claim a spot........that the many, many cast members, would be removing unattended things if you were not suppose to leave you your belonings on the chairs????? Well, that doesnt happen. You want to know why? Because the waterparks are set up to do EXACTLY what you are telling peole NOT to do!!!!

Stop confusing people with false information!!!!