Where to eat bagged lunch at the parks?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Snow White,
Thank you for your good wishes. I fully intend to enjoy myself to the max!!!!!!
I think the problem with the things that are pulled rather than pushed is that some people have no clue that they are dragging something and zig zag all over the place and can create a trip hazard for the folks walking behind them. Have you ever been in an airport with people pulling the luggage and not paying attention? Now, imagine that at DW. But, you are totally correct, they would bash themselves instead, but, how many would they trip first? LOL

 

[Clover9990]

Agreeing completely with AKASnowWhite here. If Disney didn't allow outside food to be brought in, there would have been no way, shape, or form we could have afforded our Seasonal Passes we just purchased for our family. Since we live just 2 hours from Disney, the only things we have to worry about using money for is gas, food, parking, and the occassion souvenir...and food is the most expensive incidental of all of those! By eating breakfast on the road on the way to WDW, bringing sandwiches and snacks for lunch, and bottled water, we save a ton of money.

I can understand people wanting Disney to strictly enforce rules about people not picnicing on the grass and whatnot, but IMO, there are bigger fish to fry than to constantly complain to Disney about people bringing in outside food.

 

[robinb]

I just returned from DLP and there were signs that clearly said "No picniking." and that tables were provided outside the gates. Don't the US Disney parks also provide picnic tables outside the gates?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If Disney didn't allow outside food to be brought in, there would have been no way, shape, or form we could have afforded our Seasonal Passes we just purchased for our family.

The point is they don't allow outside food, they just don't enforce it. And.....I totally agree, it is expensive to eat inside the park.
I do envy your locale to WDW.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by Wiggle
Innocent question here...I'm truly curious, and I hope I'm not coming across as ignorant, but aren't we Americans used to throwing away our own meal trash in fast food restaurants....but in European fast food restaurants, the trash is usually left on the table and then bussed by the restaurant workers? (How does it work in Canada?) If that is the case, could that explain the issues with trash at the seating areas in the parks? Not that people are lazily leaving their trash behind, but that is the norm in their culture?

Here in Canada we dispose of our own fast food garbage. But then again there are people from all over the world (USA & Canada included) that won't pick up after themselves. A person that won't pick up after themselves at home won't do it at Disney either.

 

[Clover9990]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN

I do envy your locale to WDW.

Hehe- I know...sometimes I take it for granted, when I moan about having to wake the kids up at 5:30am so we can get to the park at opening, but I know that we are very lucky to live so close to the World!

 

[BethR]

THANK YOU! Thank you ALL for carrying on a very civil and friendly thread on what can turn unto one of our "hot" topics.
You have proven that this topic can be discussed without nastiness and judgementalism (is that a WORD? )
You all are great!
Hope that you are having a wonderful Labor Day holiday!

 

[disneymom3]

How do we know that the no outside food rule is really a policy. Before our first trip a few years ago, I called the main # and asked if we could bring food intp the parks and was told yes! Now I know the CMs who answer the phone are known for their differing answers to the same question, but how do we know what the official policy is?

I have to say that you really don't want to be in the same line as us when my two year old suddenly decides he is hungry if I can't bring in some fruit snacks and cereal bars!

For the lunch thing, we do sometimes bring a full lunch, but we leave it in a small cooler in our car and then when we head back o our resort for the midday break, the kids can eat right away. That makes the break shorter too as we only have to fit in nap and not lunch!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

How do we know that the no outside food rule is really a policy

Because, I have written to Disney a number of times and that is what their answer has been each and every time.

 

[travelitis]

I'm thinking of packing a couple of meals this trip, but I'm leaving the cooler in the van. We'll eat while we park hop. My kids will have fanny packs with snacks to ward off whining from hunger. I'll also be carting the food for my 4 yr. old, (p.b. sandwich and a particular cereal) because it's just not worth fighting about her being picky. We're doing 5 character meals where she'll barely touch food, so I have a hard time paying $3-$5 for a pb kid's meal at other places.

 

[MrsPete]

I think that Disney is being inconsistant, which is a bad thing. If the rule is "no outside food," they should enforce that rule. If the rule is "you can bring small snacks," they should announce that fact and allow it. Personally, I don't care either way, but it should be clearly announced so that it's equal for everyone.

Even if they didn't allow small snacks, people could still have coolers in their cars. They could to out of the parks and "tailgate" if they wished.

Finally, I think the "Disney food is expensive, so I have a right to break the rules" is a poor argument. If it's a rule, you follow it. If you find it too strict, you don't visit that establishment.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by MrsPete
I think that Disney is being inconsistant, which is a bad thing.

I do agree with you that if indeed they have a well published rule (about anything, not just food) it should be enforced. However, "inconsistant" seems to be the norm for Disney. Have you ever tried to call WDW and get a question answered? You can talk to 10 different people, and you'll get 10 different answers. It's quite frustrating actually.

 

[Ethelina]

I totally agree with Disney being inconsistant. I am reading money-saving tips on page 24 in the 2002 Birnbaum's Official Guide. Here's their quote " Carry sandwich fixings and have lunches alfresco when possible (keeping in mind that outside food is not welcome inside Disney theme parks). No harsh words like OUTSIDE FOOD IS FORBIDDEN or ANYONE WITH SNACKS WILL BE SHOT! No wonder they don't enforce "policy". They are giving you hints to bring food. Do they really want me to get close enough to my car so I can leave?? No, they want you to stay and spend your money inside the parks. Even if I don't spend money on food, I know I will spend enough on other things to make up for the loss. Good marketing!! This is just my observation and I'm poking fun. I am enjoying reading this thread. Yes, I will be bringing my pb&j sandwiches!!