WDW experts please help me!!!

[CookieGVB]

Unless a guest writes to Disney or reads posts on a message board, how would they know food is or is not allowed?

I've been to WDW several times, and I have yet to see signs posted outside the park saying food, etc. is not allowed in, nor have I ever seen the guards confiscate anything from anyone's bags.

I live near Six Flags, and believe me, they DO have signage all over about what is and is not allowed in the parks. They search and confiscate, or tell you to return to your car with it.

Until someone from DISNEY WORLD (not a message board) tells me otherwise, I'll continue to bring in snacks, drinks, etc. You follow whatever guidelines work for you, though.

 

[jipsy]

I've never seen a rule posted about not bringing in food to the parks, but for argument's sake, let's say the rule is there. Disney is out to make money, and one of the ways they make money is selling you "cheap to make" yet extremely overpriced food. So, if following the "rule" of not bringing in food makes you happy to fork over three times as much for a sandwich as it costs outside the park, feel free to give Disney more of your money and make them even richer.

Personally, I'll still carry in snacks and a water bottle, which I can refill at every water fountain.

As far as bringing "healthy" food - hey I'm all for eating healthy and have even been known to buy whole grain tortillas until I discovered how many carbs they had , but when I'm on vacation all that granola crunchy, organic, tofu crap is left at home. I'm having beaver tails and mickey heads dammit!

 

[MHopkins2]

This is totally OT, but jipsy, you need to try the La Tortilla Factory whole wheat low carb tortillas. They are AWESOME - don't taste "low carby" at all. They also aren't quite the highway robbery some LC foods are - I think a pack of 10 big tortillas is about $3.50.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Musky
Sha_Lyn, does your "contract with Disney" give you permission to use a portable frig and coffee pot in your All-Star room? If you're really so worried about abiding by the rules, you would not be bending them by using unapproved and potentially hazardous appliances in your room. And if you were really so worried about Disney, you would not be eating two meals per day in your room. Disney does not put cooking facilities in the All Stars, because they want you to buy meals in their food court. Just as they do not put picnic tables at the parks because they want you to buy your food from them. It could be that the people you see eating their "brought in" lunches may be saving their money for dinner at V&A's, and could very well be spending far more on Disney dining than you are with your one lunch. I see absolutely no difference between eating meals in your room and bringing food into the parks, and will never understand why so many people on these boards make a distinction between the two. If Disney decided that you were no longer allowed to eat in your room or have a cooler there, would you still "honor your contract?"
Musky

Excellent point.
Disney's policy on this used to be very clear, but, right now it seems to be a "paper policy". Security won't say anything, because they are not there to check for food, it is not a potential weapon or something that will harm somone (usually).
I do find it offensive to think that someone would be cooking in a room without cooking facilities. Who wants to smell it? UGH.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CookieGVB
Unless a guest writes to Disney or reads posts on a message board, how would they know food is or is not allowed?

I've been to WDW several times, and I have yet to see signs posted outside the park saying food, etc. is not allowed in, nor have I ever seen the guards confiscate anything from anyone's bags.

I live near Six Flags, and believe me, they DO have signage all over about what is and is not allowed in the parks. They search and confiscate, or tell you to return to your car with it.

Until someone from DISNEY WORLD (not a message board) tells me otherwise, I'll continue to bring in snacks, drinks, etc. You follow whatever guidelines work for you, though.

Cookie,
The last time I saw any mention of no food allowed was in the 2002 edition of Burnbaum's guide. I have not seen it in recent years on any park map or sign anywhere.

 

[sha_lyn]

As far as bringing "healthy" food - hey I'm all for eating healthy and have even been known to buy whole grain tortillas until I discovered how many carbs they had , but when I'm on vacation all that granola crunchy, organic, tofu crap is left at home. I'm having beaver tails and mickey heads dammit!

As I metioned we do eat in the parks too. Hey I have to get somethign good in us (even if its a few carrots) to make up for snackign our way through World show case.

As for cooking in the room. Notice that all my foods are cold preparred foods or things made wiht hot water. Yes I should have clarified (actually I had forgotten) that the AS's do not have, nor do they provide coffee makers. My bad. However we have never brought a coffee maker. The oatmeal etc were made at the CR with a coffee maker they provided us with (free of charge since we were booked in the NGW as part of the relocaiton of SoG). As for the electric cooler. WDW rents refrigerators, they accept delivery of outside rentals (one of the car services also rents refrigerators) etc. Yes I have asked about the electric cooler and have been told it is ok to bring it. They even plug it up for us when holding our bags, and they plug it up in the room for us when they deliver our bags to the room.



Housekeeping has never had to clean up our mess from our meals. We clean it up ourselves. Apperently WDW does not have a problme with food in the room or they would
1 have it in writing
2 not rent refrigerators
3 not deliver pizza to the rooms
4 not have room service
5 not have take out at the food courts

Disney is out to make money, and one of the ways they make money is selling you "cheap to make" yet extremely overpriced food. So, if following the "rule" of not bringing in food makes you happy to fork over three times as much for a sandwich as it costs outside the park, feel free to give Disney more of your money and make them even richer.

Oh please if you had a problem with WDW making money off of you you wouldn't be there to begin with. If you don't want to eat in the parks, then don't eat in the parks. If you don't want to follow the rules then don't follow the rules. I don't care. All I did was point out, when the suggestion was made to take sandwiches into the parks, that is is against WDW policy. If "you" feel the policy is moot at this point then that is your opinion. Howeveri t is not mine. Some here on the DIS have written WDW and recevied a reply. It was something like... all foods and drinks are prohibited except for water and foods/drinks for special dietary needs.

I thought I had a park map from 2002 with the policy on it, but right now all I can find are my US/IOA maps.

 

[Tinkbell]

Bring your snacks and drinks to the parks if you want to. You'll be fine.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
. If you don't want to follow the rules then don't follow the rules. I don't care.

Obviously, you care very much or you wouldn't be pointing the "rule" out.

 

[sha_lyn]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
Obviously, you care very much or you wouldn't be pointing the "rule" out.

Oh please. Do you really think I give a damn if you break the rules? All I did was point out that it is a rule, which you and many others seem to have a problem with. Why does it bother you so much? It seems that many of you can't stand the fact that misinformation given to others has been pointed out.

 

[Grumbo]

Oh please. Do you really think I give a damn if you break the rules?

Rule???
You keep going on about contracts and rules but think you saw it on an old map you had or someone contacted Disney. Sound more like the stuff of urban legends.

Guess this thread is over then cus you don't care, and I KNOW I'm going to continue to bring food in and everyone else can do as they want.
Out of interest has ANYONE personally been turned away or told to dump food? No not "I heard about someone's sister that knew a guy", but you personally? I doubt it very much.

Cheers,
Grumbo (who is shopping for good deals on zip loc bags for my next WDW trip for my lunches )

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I thought I had a park map from 2002 with the policy on it, but right now all I can find are my US/IOA maps.

Hey, not a problem, I have maps back to the late 80's. the 2002 says nothing about food.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
As I metioned we do eat in the parks too. Hey I have to get somethign good in us (even if its a few carrots) to make up for snackign our way through World show case.

As for cooking in the room. Notice that all my foods are cold preparred foods or things made wiht hot water. Yes I should have clarified (actually I had forgotten) that the AS's do not have, nor do they provide coffee makers. My bad. However we have never brought a coffee maker. The oatmeal etc were made at the CR with a coffee maker they provided us with (free of charge since we were booked in the NGW as part of the relocaiton of SoG). As for the electric cooler. WDW rents refrigerators, they accept delivery of outside rentals (one of the car services also rents refrigerators) etc. Yes I have asked about the electric cooler and have been told it is ok to bring it. They even plug it up for us when holding our bags, and they plug it up in the room for us when they deliver our bags to the room.



Housekeeping has never had to clean up our mess from our meals. We clean it up ourselves. Apperently WDW does not have a problme with food in the room or they would
1 have it in writing
2 not rent refrigerators
3 not deliver pizza to the rooms
4 not have room service
5 not have take out at the food courts

Oh please if you had a problem with WDW making money off of you you wouldn't be there to begin with. If you don't want to eat in the parks, then don't eat in the parks. If you don't want to follow the rules then don't follow the rules. I don't care. All I did was point out, when the suggestion was made to take sandwiches into the parks, that is is against WDW policy. If "you" feel the policy is moot at this point then that is your opinion. Howeveri t is not mine. Some here on the DIS have written WDW and recevied a reply. It was something like... all foods and drinks are prohibited except for water and foods/drinks for special dietary needs.

I thought I had a park map from 2002 with the policy on it, but right now all I can find are my US/IOA maps.

BINGO, if Disney had a problem with bringing food into the parks, they would have it in, get this, WRITING. They don't.

 

[peachgirl]

Housekeeping has never had to clean up our mess from our meals. We clean it up ourselves.

Perhaps your children have inherited your perfection, otherwise I've never seen children eat and not make messes and have accidents. V8 can make a nasty stain when spilled on the carpet. Besides, you don't eat in your bedroom at home, do you? Why would you eat in what is nothing more than a bedroom at WDW?

If WDW wanted you to fix meals in your room, they'd provide you with a kitchen, and they do. The DVC resorts and FW are equipped for food preparation. Other rooms are not.
Since you're the one who compared bringing food into the park with stealing, it would seem that your own actions should be above reproach.

Apperently WDW does not have a problme with food in the room

There's a big difference between bring food from the food court back to your room and preparing Caesar Salads, soups and chicken wraps in your room. All the things you mentioned are purchased at WDW. They probably don't mind putting up with the mess of eating in your room when you've spent your money with them buying the food.

Do you really think I give a damn if you break the rules?

No, I really don't. I think you just like acting like your morals and ethics are far superior to everyone else's. Apparently, for some reason, it's important for you to point out some unwritten rule even though the op never once asked about WDW policy regarding food in the parks.



As I said, I don't have a problem with people doing whatever WDW will allow them to do. But, if you're going to act holier than thou, you should be holier than thou.

 

[Kuffam]

Why did a simple thread that just set out to help a fellow Disney visitor enjoy their time at the resort turn into a fight between "Good" and "Evil"?? I would think that this board would be better served by sticking to the topic on hand.

 

[cajungirlie]

Well said Kuffam. I didn't mean to start a "war." Bringing food into the park really wasn't a question. Where to stay is really my dilemma. But I do appreciate all of the positive feedback.

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by cajungirlie
Well said Kuffam. I didn't mean to start a "war." Bringing food into the park really wasn't a question. Where to stay is really my dilemma. But I do appreciate all of the positive feedback.

Canjungirlie--you didnt start it, your post is just one that brings up debates. Certain subjects like 6 in room, food in parks, sharing ph always get that way. I still think Ft Wilderness would be a great place for your family to try! Good luck.

 

[cajungirlie]

How are the pools at Ft. Wilderness? I guess one thing I like about the All Stars are the "big" themes. The pools look really nice too. But of course, we won't have that much time out of the parks since we will probably be going for 5 days. Should we just enjoy the resort the day we check in so not to use a pass on a half day? We will be driving in.

 

[4greatboys]

So I dont know anything about the pool but here is a link from the Disney website that lets you see a few pics of Ft Wilderness
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...os/photogroupingindex?id=FWRPhotosPhotoGrping

And here is another great link from Deb's website so you can look at all the resorts yoru thinking about.
http://wdwig.com/faq_hot.htm

We have stayed at All Stars twice. I love the theming but the rooms are kind of small and you would have no kitchen area. Of course you could take a soft sided cooler to keep some drinks in but a kitchen area would be great for having breakfast before you hit the parks or for the nightime snackers who will be hounding you to get something to eat, lol. It's just to expensive having a large family to eat out 3 meals a day plus snacks. You should also threads on using the meal vouchers. We used 3--2 ad and 1 ch at RFC and a ton of food. Its a good deal and every gets to a nice site down dinner.
Sorry I forgot to answer the arrival day question. Are you getting 5, 6 or 7 day php's?? or the UPH? Say you get a 5 day park hopper plus use the plus option on your first day or hit a late park like Epcot. If you get the UPH they include everything so be sure to take advantage of that.

 

[CALaurieA]

The last time I was at a park with my 13 year old and a friend, I had them take our extra cell phone. While I did the clamer rides with our 10 year old and his friend the older two would go on a scarier ride. When they were done they would call and check in as too where we were. Since cell to cell calls are unlimited on our plan it worked great. Your kids are older so they could go for awhile and then check in at a prearranged time. Or you could call to check on them periodically. Meet for lunches and dinners.