Picnic grounds in the parks...

[GeorgeG]

There's been so much flap over the current state of dining at WDW with so much of it related to free dining I was wondering what everyone might think about Disney providing some nice picnic areas within each park for people who prefer to bring their own lunch, etc..

 

[disnut8]

My answer would be that it sounds nice EXCEPT -

People would either have to carry their entire lunches around with them all day or rent lockers and then people would complain about that

People would want to bring in alcohol and that's not allowed

People would want to bring in glass containers and that's not allowed

People would trash the picnic areas - we've seen way too many posts about the state of the bathrooms which are trashed because people can't seem to put toilet paper and paper towels where they belong. I can't imagine a place with sandwich wrappings and juice boxes. Not a pretty site in the middle of a park.

It sounds nice and all but I really don't see it happening. You can currently bring in small lunches and enjoy them around the parks while sitting on benches or similar areas (not at counter service seating areas). Why would Disney change that practice?

Simply put - give people an inch and they will take a mile so it's better that Disney doesn't do this.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Except during busy periods when you have to have a food tray to sit down in a CS restaurant, there is nothing preventing a person from bringing their lunch and sitting down in said restaurant and eating. There is nothing posted saying food eaten must be purchased from the restaurant.

 

[GeorgeG]

My answer would be that it sounds nice EXCEPT -

People would either have to carry their entire lunches around with them all day or rent lockers and then people would complain about that

People would want to bring in alcohol and that's not allowed

People would want to bring in glass containers and that's not allowed

People would trash the picnic areas - we've seen way too many posts about the state of the bathrooms which are trashed because people can't seem to put toilet paper and paper towels where they belong. I can't imagine a place with sandwich wrappings and juice boxes. Not a pretty site in the middle of a park.

It sounds nice and all but I really don't see it happening. You can currently bring in small lunches and enjoy them around the parks while sitting on benches or similar areas (not at counter service seating areas). Why would Disney change that practice?

Simply put - give people an inch and they will take a mile so it's better that Disney doesn't do this.

Very good points. I do see a lot of people walking around the parks with backpacks big enough to hold enough sandwiches and snacks for a week, and that includes people with no kids. I often wondered what they carried.

A few times in recent months I saw people with coolers stopped at the checkpoint going into the parks. I didn't notice if they got in, but I thought it was unusual to see.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . wondering what everyone might think about Disney providing some nice picnic areas within each park for people who prefer to bring their own lunch, etc . . .

1) Then, Disney would lose money.
2) They are in the business of selling food.
3) Doesn't sound like something WDW would want to do.

 

[soarinup]

amen to that! disnut8

 

[Rumpus]

1) Then, Disney would lose money.
2) They are in the business of selling food.
3) Doesn't sound like something WDW would want to do.

I agree. Only part of their revenue depends upon tickets and merchandise.

 

[drew64]

There's been so much flap over the current state of dining at WDW with so much of it related to free dining I was wondering what everyone might think about Disney providing some nice picnic areas within each park for people who prefer to bring their own lunch, etc..

Wouldn't like that as have seen it at other theme parks and areas are left a mess by guests and look trashy.

Next thing you know some idiot would be trying to get in with a cooler, grill, etc

 

[drew64]

Except during busy periods when you have to have a food tray to sit down in a CS restaurant, there is nothing preventing a person from bringing their lunch and sitting down in said restaurant and eating. There is nothing posted saying food eaten must be purchased from the restaurant.

I have never seen such a sign in a McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, etc either, but common sense would tell someone that the tables, chairs, condiments, etc in a restaurant are for the patrons of that restaurant and not someone picnicking with their own food.

 

[mickaholic4077]

My brother-in-law liked the taco place beside the local McDonald's where we used to live. When we would eat there,he always used to go get a taco and join us at McDonald's. None of the employees would say a word to us. I say unless there is a sign explicitly saying food eaten at the restaurant must have been bought at the restaurant, then you are free to eat food that you didn't buy there. Everyone is free to agree or disagree with me. You won't change my mind; I won't change yours.