Where to eat our own lunches in the parks?

[shnoukys]

Hi everyone
We are suprising our three boys with a trip around thanksgiving being on a tight budget we are planning to bring our own lunches to the parks and eating counter service for diner. Any ideas on what to bring and mostly where in the parks would you recommend eating our lunches?
Thanks

 

[quagmire0]

It's been a couple years, so I can't think of EXACT spots to eat - but there are plenty of places in the parks to sit and eat. Disney's policy seems to allow for more 'snack' type food, so I would think making some sandwiches and cutting them up and some 'finger food' type things would be fine. Cheese sticks, crackers, fruit, etc.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree you will not have trouble finding a place to sit and eat. Many of the planters at WDW also double as seats. And there are many low walls that also serve that function. If it is busy, I would not try and sit at any table at a quick service restaurant, inside or outside. Find a planter, bench or wall and enjoy your meal.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Disney's policy seems to allow for more 'snack' type food, so I would think making some sandwiches and cutting them up and some 'finger food' type things would be fine. Cheese sticks, crackers, fruit, etc.

I'm not sure where you get this from. You can bring whatever you want to eat into the parks, except alcohol, and no straws in animal kingdom. We bring full meals all the time. A bag of salad kit, a tuna pouch, fresh fruit, and you have to healthy and light lunch. Deli subs, chips, fruit for a heavier meal. Nothing has to be cut up or finger foods. You could even heat up easy mac or soup or hot dogs and put them in a thermos container for a hot lunch.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure where you get this from. You can bring whatever you want to eat into the parks, except alcohol, and no straws in animal kingdom. We bring full meals all the time. A bag of salad kit, a tuna pouch, fresh fruit, and you have to healthy and light lunch. Deli subs, chips, fruit for a heavier meal. Nothing has to be cut up or finger foods. You could even heat up easy mac or soup or hot dogs and put them in a thermos container for a hot lunch.

And remember no glass except for baby food jars. Also, the Animal Kingdom has extended their plastics ban to include cup lids now too.

 

[CuseWazowski]

There are a lot of places to sit and eat, especially if you don't need a table. The planters are great and they'll be all around you.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

And remember no glass except for baby food jars. Also, the Animal Kingdom has extended their plastics ban to include cup lids now too.

Good to know about the cup lids, thanks!

 

[Hannah M.]

Great idea!

 

[HopperFan]

We pack our lunch often and then book TS for dinner. I usually make sandwiches on firm torte rolls so no soggy bread, bring a tube of pringles - nothing gets crushed and we take in bottled water. We love to eat our lunch and people watch. Most eating spots are also way quieter than QS locations.

Some thoughts -
- We put sandwiches in flat plastic containers to keep them from getting mushed then we use the top as a plate and container to hold our chips. Makes it easy to eat on a lap if need be.
- If you freeze your bottled water it does great to keep food cool in a backpack without adding a cooling pack.
- AK = LOTS of places. Across from the tree between Africa and Asia are tons of tables/chairs for whoever. The Flame Tree has many pavilions next to it for eating and if you go to the farthest away from the restaurant you will usually find empty tables, we've often been only folks sitting in one eating enjoying the water view.
- DHS = umbrella tables/chairs along echo lake in front of 50's Prime, tables ACROSS from the Studio Grill by where Mike & Sullie are usually all folks with picnic lunches, to the far left of Backlot RIGHT NEXT to the Indiana Jones is shaded tables that are never in use by the restaurant folks. It's awkward for them because it is split apart by rest with props.
- EPCOT = so many places to just grab a bench and enjoy all around the lake or really anywhere. Not many tables that are not attached to a restaurant but there are a few.
- MK = Tables/seating out on Tom Sawyer Island, if Tortuga Tavern across from Pirates is closed (often is) it's a great place to eat and there is a bathroom right there, Tomorrowland Terrace is usually closed and lots of tables/chairs that are covered with a bathroom and back in Storybook Land the Circus tent by the bathrooms is a resting area with seating inside or plenty of tables and chairs outside.

 

[LovesTimone]

There are lots of spots to sit down and eat. Not sure if you are staying on property, if you are you can always head back to the resort for lunch and make it fresh and take a break.

My friends bring in lunch.. both of the DD's have some dietary restrictions. They will go into a QS, and order drinks or maybe a dessert, and sit down and eat what they brought with them. No one has ever said anything to them. They do try to go when its not a peak dinning times.

 

[scrapquitler]

The CS restaurant at Tomorrowland Terrace has weird, short hours, and there are a lot of tables there. I would guess that there are probably going to be lots of empty tables there, especially if you don't want to eat right at peak meal times.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

You can eat just about anywhere you like, even grab a table at a QS.
Just an FYI,not knowing your budget: Most kids QS meals are $5.99 (includes entree, side,drink). You can get an adult QS meal for $10, with a few brought "sides" and drink it can be big enough for two.

 

[patdoc98]

In MK, there are some really nice spots to sit all around New Fantasyland, especially around the fountain outside of Gaston's Tavern.

We saw a big group of people bring their own food to eat lunch at the tables outside of Peco's Bill. I think that may not be allowed, but it was a low-crowd day, and no CM ever came over to them.

AK and Epcot have a ton of places, all around.

A huge advantage in November is that, most the time, the weather is great, so people are happy to sit inside or outside. This reduces the crunch for tables around meal times.

 

[pooh4evr]

Be careful if you plan on taking a table at a QS without ordering there. Sometimes (usually during very busy times) CM kind of guard the table area (specifically Cosmic Rays) and only people with food trays are allowed to get a table- yes it has happened to me- just fyi-

 

[shnoukys]

Thanks for all your responses. It's great to have so much answers. I was aware of the CS prices, but I don't think kids meals would be enough to feed my littles bears (Harris, Hubert and Hamish) and like I previously mentionned we are on a very tight budget and they love to picnic, so by saving a bit on our lunches we will be able to afford our special themed event

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

The CS restaurant at Tomorrowland Terrace has weird, short hours, and there are a lot of tables there. I would guess that there are probably going to be lots of empty tables there, especially if you don't want to eat right at peak meal times.

Tomorrowland Terrace is usually open during very busy times, and every time I've seen it, the place is often full and a CM has to direct customers to a table.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Thanks for all your responses. It's great to have so much answers. I was aware of the CS prices, but I don't think kids meals would be enough to feed my littles bears (Harris, Hubert and Hamish) and like I previously mentionned we are on a very tight budget and they love to picnic, so by saving a bit on our lunches we will be able to afford our special themed event

You could also bring a blanket with you and have an actual picnic in one of the wishes FP+ areas in the Hub, though you'll be in the sun. I have this: http://www.target.com/p/outdoor-picnic-blanket-birds-multicolored/-/A-16320556 and I love using it at my local parks.

ETA: it doesn't show it in the target picture but the blanket zips up into itself to make a flat bag you can carry around http://cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazon..._caaf12d7-23d9-4b97-a443-4df47da87b64-prv.jpg

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

And remember no glass except for baby food jars. Also, the Animal Kingdom has extended their plastics ban to include cup lids now too.

Thanks for this tip!

 

[Gracie09]

There are lots of places to have a quick bite, that aren't counter service areas.
In MK - tom sawyer island. Find a nice spot with some benches and eat. Then the kids can run off some energy. In new fantasyland, by the goofy coaster and the character meeting spot there is this covered area with random chairs. You could sit there and eat and its near the splash area so you let them run off steam
HS - There are some benches near the streets off of the main street and I think by the water. You can eat and watch a street performer. Some people have been known to eat in the Beauty and the Beast show
EP - there are some low walls you can sit on by soarin. Or some benches in world show case that you can sit and maybe catch a street show
AK - There are benches around, some by the water that have nice views.

Just a note, I haven't brought my lunch but these are just areas I saw while looking to eat a snack.

 

[scrapquitler]

Tomorrowland Terrace is usually open during very busy times, and every time I've seen it, the place is often full and a CM has to direct customers to a table.

Ah...we usually go at not so busy times, and I don't think I've ever actually seen it open.