Taking Food into Park

[amym2]

I've read the limitations on the website and know the cooler sizes and that it says no picnic lunches are allowed, but I'm wondering how strict they are on this. We are going with friends, and two of their family of four are vegetarians, including one rather picky child, and they said they would prefer to bring lunch with them. We're staying at Cabana Bay, and I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle of them lugging a bag around (especially considering the bag limitations on rides) or renting a locker, or if it's too much of a hassle to go back to the resort for lunch. We'll be there two full days plus a few hours on a third day. We have two family suites, so they'll have a fridge and microwave, and we don't really care whether we buy food in the parks or at the resort. What would you suggest?

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW we are vegetarians and we've never gone hungry. Might want to make sure they know that there are veggie options.

I've never brought more than a protein bar into the parks (food-wise...we bring a ton of spring water in) so I don't know about that, but I doubt if they really care as long as it isn't over the top, picnic basket, mayo jars etc etc.

 

[luvsJack]

We saw people bring in lunches in June. Now, it was just plastic bread bags with hot dogs and buns but I guess you could call it a picnic lunch. But they took the bags from their backpacks which were checked at the front so I am guessing they weren't very strict.

 

[amym2]

Thanks for the feedback! Bumbershoot, any suggestions for good vegetarian meals in the parks?

 

[bumbershoot]

Veggie burgers from Richters are pretty good. We like the (yep, vegetarian) potato leek soup at Three Broomsticks. That and some roasted potatoes with a frozen (my choice) butterbeer, and it's a filling (and potatoey) meal.

Weirdly, at Leaky Cauldron they said that *their* potato leek soup is NOT vegetarian. So that's odd. You can get the ploughman's lunch without the meat, though I don't think it's a terrific value.

I've never been there but I've heard that Mythos has good options.

Cheese pizzas are always good, and people here have told me that any sandwich place will also do a veggie sandwich even if it's not obviously on the menu.

 

[georgina]

I believe Mythos and Confisco Grill had vegetarian options. There are carts around that sell fruit. One day we just took Kashi bars in with us and bought fruit for lunch, which was a nice change after the huge meals we had been eating!

 

[robfamily]

We just got back from Universal and had no problem taking in food. We brought a small cooler bag with veggies, fruit and some cold pizza that we had leftover from the night before. We also had some other snacks like chips and desserts with us. No one questioned us at security.

 

[macraven]

There will not be a problem bringing food into the darkside parks

As long as you do not being in a cooler, rolling suitcase or glass containers, you will be fine

UO will not heat any food for you
Some have requested baby bottles need to be warmed up but that will not be done by UO

The website states if you have special dietary needs, bring that food in for your family

As mentioned above, there are food options in the park where you can find places to eat