Planning HELP! a few questions.

[Sylv09]

Our family is vacationing at Disneyland in less than 2 weeks. I'm budgeting as much as possible to make the most of it. I noticed fry's is having a 4x fuel points when you buy gift cards. I am considering putting our spending money onto Disney gift cards to rack up fuel points for our drive (from Tucson, AZ). First I want to know where I can use gift cards? Does everywhere take them? I'm interested in knowing which restaurants, food carts etc. From little things such as churro stands to full on restaurants and souvenir shops.

Also, What does Disney allow you to bring in? Because I keep reading about people bringing snacks, food and drinks but I thought the website said those are prohibited? I'm scared to bring my own food and be told it's not allowed. Any advice on what's allowed is appreciated.

This is our first family vacation, I haven't been there since I was a kid and my husband hasn't been there since he was a baby. So, this is the first with us doing the planning and everything. Any advice is helpful. We are traveling with our 4 little ones ages 5, 4, 2, and 1.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I use the same program for fuel points. I use gift cards to pay for tickets and all my food and expenses in the park. The only ones I have found that don't accept them in the parks are the balloon sellers. They are also not accepted in DTD, except for the Disney store.

You can bring in food and small coolers. You can't bring in glass bottles. You can't, for example, bring in all the components to make a sandwich, but you can bring in a premade sandwich. We routinely bring in snacks and drinks and have never had anyone bat an eye.

 

[ADLFAN]

We love saving up for vacation in gift cards from the grocery store! I haven't had anyone turn them away, except for Ghiridelli in DCA because they aren't Disney's company. And I have heard the same about the balloon sales CM's, too. But no issues paying for food and souvenirs and even churros and coffee and such at the smaller carts.

I would definitely recommend bringing in some bags of snacks for the kids, and don't worry, DL won't make you leave them at the gates! You can pack full lunches if you'd like, and just feed the kids snacks to share like popcorn, pretzels, frozen lemonade, and churros! We always start with a bottle of water, too, and always, always, always drink lots of H2O! Especially the kids, they can dry up so fast and not recover over the course of a 2-3 day expensive, fun vacation! Which can be a total bummer for all!

Have fun planning!!

 

[azdisneylover]

We use gift cards for quite a few places. If you are stopping at Flying Js to gas up (right before you get to the AZ/CA border) I would suggest getting one or two Wendy's Gift cards, or if you stop in Banning, there are quite a few places at 22nd St, I believe, McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, etc. Same at Cabazon. I prefer to stop at restaurants than rest areas to use the bathrooms unless we absolutely have to stop (someone is sick, for example). I find the restrooms at restaurants are cleaner and I feel a bit safer there than rest areas, especially with little ones. If you have a Target card and a Starbucks card, I suggest ordering the Starbucks card from Target, through mypoints.com link (you will get 2 points per dollar). Starbucks (Fiddler Fifel and Practical in DCA) has quite good selection of food/snacks that would suit most. Cake pops are $1.99, Yogurt parfaits are under $6.00 and they are a nice size, salads, sandwiches, etc. Golden Horseshoe Review has chicken nuggets and fish and chips. 2-3 orders would be more than enough to feed your family.. Whitewater Snacks in DGC has a great variety for a decent price. Plus, is usually is peaceful and quiet in there. It's a nice place to relax, charge up the phone and enjoy the moment.
I would suggest you check out the menus for the both parks and DTD to know who sells what, where and for how much so you don't feel so overwhelmed in the parks.
Since your children are very young, I would prepack portion size items to make it easy when you are in the parks. Freeze the juice boxes, gogurts, water bottles, etc and use that instead of ice for your cooler on the drive to CA. Snack size baggies with Cheerios, those Gerber melt in the mouth things (my kids are teens now so I don't know the names). I do not think you will be allowed to take glass containers in the park, including baby food, you could call and ask. Bring medicine for fevers, colds, etc. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and chapstick (since you are a fellow AZer, I think you are well stocked there) Bring an extra sippy cup or two, so you do not have to pay premium if one gets lost.
Have a great time.

 

[Geemo]

I love the fuel points. I did the same thing back in December right before a trip.
I bought 4 - $500 gift cards to pay for PPH and park tickets, at 4X Fuel Points.
Since we drive a Suburban the $1 off per gallon helps when filling a 40 gallon tank.

Have a fun trip and enjoy using the fuel points.

Geemo

 

[smartlabelprint]

I find that the snacks like Churros, popcorn, cotton candy are a waste. We budget by getting an entree & splitting it when we get snacky.

We often share entrees anyway. We always over eat in DL.

We also bring our own soda & water cups. At quick service you can ask for cup of water or cup of ice. Free!

 

[mich311e]

We bring PB&Js and a few other snacks in a backpack. I like to eat my carrots & cucumber slices or apples while in line for something. We definitely buy snacks in the park like churros, matterhorn macaroons, dole whips, etc. And we also love to eat different meals in the parks. But I like to make sure I get my fiber in early in the day! lol (I sound like an old lady!)

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, while the rules do official state you cannot bring in outside food, this is one of those rules that they are pretty lax about. They do enforce (in general) the rule that you cannot bring in glass containers (except baby food containers, medicine or small perfume bottles (under 4 oz)). They also will not allow you bring in knives (including plastic knives), so make sure to pre-cut anything. I've also brought in water, snacks (in baggies) and other muchies without any issues. I think they leave the rule in place so they can choose to enforce it if they wanted or if they felt someone was trying to bring in something that would be problematic.

 

[Sylv09]

Thank you all so much. I downloaded the Disneyland app, which is awesome. I've been checking it everyday at various times to learn which rides are super busy and at what times. It also allows me to look at restaurants and their menus. super helpful. What size cooler have you all taken? I appreciate every bit of help everyone has offered!