What to bring

[MMfan101]

I have never been to WDW and I was wondering what we would need to bring into the parks. Do we need to bring our own snacks and drinks?
Thank You

 

[cosmicdaisy]

I have never been to WDW and I was wondering what we would need to bring into the parks. Do we need to bring our own snacks and drinks?
Thank You

Need to? No. Would you want to if you like to snack and drink - yes. Can you...I know of people who have, but I don't really know if you are technically *allowed* to bring much food and drink inside the park, I know at least you can't bring coolers.

Last time I visited was just me and DH almost 7 years ago now and he carried nada and I carried a small fanny pack that could hold cigarettes (back in the day when I smoked) our resort IDs, sunglasses and chapstick. We didn't even carry ponchos! And it didn't even rain. I left WDW thinking it was under some sort of weather charm, lol.

However, that was then....and now with a 3 year old we will be carrying much more than one small fanny pack. We will be bringing a small insulated diaper bag of snacks because my DD has food allergies and the email I received particularly said "you are allowed to bring small snacks into the parks". And both me and DH will be carrying a waist pack - that is, if he is still sold on the idea.

We plan to bring such things as ponchos, baggies, camera, medicines for DD, extra change of clothes for DD, chapstick, few trash bags, portable fold up potty - the list continues...but it is way different than 7 years ago when we flew by the seat of our pants. (I just remembered that my DH joked with another family on the bus that the next time we came would be with child in tow to slow me down a bit, lol)

Anyways, I think it depends on who all you got with you and what you deem as necessary and when are you going, etc.

 

[loriandmatt]

agreeing with the above poster......

do you have to bring snacks and drinks - heck no, they are sold everywhere. but they add up quick.

can you bring snacks and drinks with you - sure. no glass containers and dont try to roll in a full course meal in a large cooler....but other than that, you certainly can.

what do we do? a little of both. be bring our own bottled water. keep it frozen or at least chilled at the resort. take one bottle with each of us in the AM, fill it up if convenient. also take along a few snacks each AM. if we want a soda, or treat - we buy it. we are treating ourselves on vacation after all. (besides, who can pass up a mickey ice cream bar??!?!?! not me.)

- lori

 

[tomerin]

i have decided tha this year i will be carrying, using a small backpark when we go into the parks. i have 2 teen age sons who are ever growing so the cost of food and drinks in the park can be very expensive, especially on a hot day. i am going to pack 4 bottles of frozen water, some snacks and some of those great packets of drink mix call "To-Go" from 4C that we can use to add to our water we get from the fountain. kind of will help dull the taste of the water. its a pain to carry around a backpack all day but just 4 rounds of drinks will cost 40 dollars so i will bear the carrying of the bag and be happy doing it

 

[Blythep]

I would recommend bringing snacks unless you have the dining package and a snack will be included. Many people I have talked to who go to WDW are unprepared for the pricey food in parks and resorts. Just makes it convienient to have a granola bar or other snack with you.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Another thing to consider if you have a small child -- they may be beyond consoling if they can't have their daily round of Cheerios! Sometimes it's helpful to have a familiar snack available, when everything is so stimulating and overwhelming.

I think it's good to plan for a bit of buying in the park, and a bit of bringing from home, or your resort. I'm on WW, so I will be bringing some of my snacks just to know I can cut down on the calories. But, I will definitely be having a Mickey bar.

Plus, depending on when you are going, you are going to need water -- especially in the summer. If you don't want to pay $2/bottle, you should plan on bringing some in so you can stay hydrated. Half the time when we think we are hungry, our bodies just want water. That should cut down on the snacks you want.