where to "picnic"

[redbonec]

We plan on bringing some snacks/food into DL.
When eating food you have brought, where do you like to eat?
At one of the restaurant tables or is there grassy places to sit and eat?
Or maybe while waiting in lines could be a way to pass the time, but then I don't know if that will upset other children who don't have anything.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[skiingfast]

There is not grassy places to sit or eat on.


I would go to Tom Sawyers Island and eat in the shady chairs on the south east end/side of the island.

Rancho Del Zocal, Hungry Bear would be other places I like that have tables and chairs.

 

[redbonec]

good ideas, thanks!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We like to stop and have a snack looking towards the river.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

We eat in line for a ride or waiting for a parade or show.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I would definitely recommend Hungry Bear by the river. Technically you can bring in food, but not use up resources like tables and chairs, but I've never been stopped for it. It feels like there's always a few tables at Hungry Bear if you keep walking to the back. I also recommend eating in line to save time, especially if you're stuck in a particularly long line. I haven't seen a kid upset at me having food from outside the park. I think it's because they want the wonderful yummy food bought from the park .

Edit: Minnie Loves Mickey also has the right idea! Waiting for a show is always a great time to stop to eat. We also eat while waiting curbside for a parade, or when waiting for Fantasmic. We've also eaten while waiting to get inside the Hyperion theater for Aladdin.

 

[Mugglemama]

If we're eating a meal that we've brought in, we usually go find a table at Hungry Bear during a non-busy time when the place is practically empty. If it's a busy time, we buy something from the restaurant (a tea, an order of fries, etc.) so that we feel like we're using up the table/chairs just as "legitimately" as everyone else.

 

[nikkislaght]

For some reason we always seemed to be near Autotopia when it was lunch time. so we would normally find a table behind the stage for the Jedi Training, and eat there.. No one ever told us to move or to buy food from Disney..

 

[I'm mikey]

Another good place would be the old motorboat cruise area, not sure what this area
is called today, but there's tables and chairs and
very few people ever seem to go here. its near the Matterhorn and IASW. Here's a pic, you can see IASW in the background.

 

[hlbtimes2]

There is also an picnic area out side the main gate, just past the turnstiles, going toward downtown disney. There are lockers in the area if you'd like to leave your picnic there in the morning, and come back and enjoy it later, rather then packing it around all day.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Another good place would be the old motorboat cruise area, not sure what this area
is called today, but there's tables and chairs and
very few people ever seem to go here. its near the Matterhorn and IASW. Here's a pic, you can see IASW in the background.

That looks like a quiet spot.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Another good place would be the old motorboat cruise area, not sure what this area
is called today, but there's tables and chairs and
very few people ever seem to go here. its near the Matterhorn and IASW. Here's a pic, you can see IASW in the background.

This is called Fantasia Gardens - I was thinking that either this place or Hungry Bear would be good places to eat, as well as the picnic area to the left of the entrance to Disneyland.

 

[Leshaface]

My vote is for Hungry Bear as well. There is always tons of seating available and can be very quiet.

 

[Boiseboone]

Just chiming in to add that if you're in the disability access lines (not sure what they're called) it would be really nice to ask those around you if they mind if you eat.
I know people who use these lines because their children have severe airborne food allergies or contact allergies - and can go into anaphylactic shock if they inhale their allergens (like the tiny particles of peanut dust that can fly out when granola bar wrappers are opened) or get rashes from touching food residue (like that left on handrails by sticky hands.

 

[PDuckX]

This is called Fantasia Gardens - I was thinking that either this place or Hungry Bear would be good places to eat, as well as the picnic area to the left of the entrance to Disneyland.

Isn't this place a designated smoking area? It was the last time I was there.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Isn't this place a designated smoking area? It was the last time I was there.

I was there on Saturday, and the smoking section was the area under the monorail tracks by the Matterhorn.

I don't believe that Fantasia Gardens is a smoking area.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan/disneyland-guest-services.htm#Smoking