Taking food into the parks

[leo2moss]

Hi :wavey:
I was just reading the site's article on spending money and the advice was to take food into the park - not officially encouraged, but okay to do. I was wondering though if this advice has changed recently as there seems to be more security, including bag searches. So - would you still take food into the park?

[Redeye]

All bags are searched and entry signs read, "no food, no drinks, no coolers". I've not seen or heard of any confiscations, but I wouldn't bother - other than to take bottles of frozen water - because of the weight and deterioration in quality in hot weather.

The food available is relatively expensive - nearly UK provincial prices - and rubbish, so fill up on breakfast, get there early and eat well when you get out.

A tip on water, the food stands will give free cups of iced tap water on request - although this is not advertised - for when your imported water runs out. This is much better than paying $1.50 or so for each bottle puchased.

[leo2moss]

All bags are searched and entry signs read, "no food, no drinks, no coolers". I've not seen or heard of any confiscations, but I wouldn't bother - other than to take bottles of frozen water - because of the weight and deterioration in quality in hot weather.

The food available is relatively expensive - nearly UK provincial prices - and rubbish, so fill up on breakfast, get there early and eat well when you get out.

A tip on water, the food stands will give free cups of iced tap water on request - although this is not advertised - for when your imported water runs out. This is much better than paying $1.50 or so for each bottle puchased.

What a great idea! We're not driving so I was a bit daunted at having to carry bottles of water. Do they give out the iced tap water only when you buy something or can you just go up and ask for water if you need some? On second thoughts, I don't think I'd have the brass neck to do that.
As far as taking in food goes - I had really just wondered whether it was worth taking in snacks - crisps, apples, etc to keep us going till dinner time.

[MattF]

There are water fountains all over the park. We took frozen bottles and refilled them throughout the day! We took crisps, raisins etc to keep the children munching if they got hungry

[allyk]

All bags are searched and entry signs read, "no food, no drinks, no coolers".

Is this the case at the water parks too, it's only that I have seen in the blurb on the official site something about picnic areas, implying that you can bring your own, as long as you don't bring alcohol.

[Clare]

If you have a food allergy (e.g. gluten free, lactose intollerent etc.) you are allowed to take in 'special' food. You may be asked for 'proof' of condition though.

[spenners]

You can take food into water parks. No glass or alcohol allowed though.

[katie]

We have always taken food into the parks - usually a sandwich and an apple plus bottled ice water. We have NEVER been challenged about it in any of the parks - apart from being asked if we'll share it!! We hate convenience foods but need to have something to eat while we're at the parks. I always keep the food in a poly bag with the iced water and keep both in my Main bag - small over-one-shoulder rucksack.

Katie :)

[Redeye]

Double post. D'OH!!!

[Redeye]

On second thoughts, I don't think I'd have the brass neck to do that.!

There are water fountains, but they aren't very cold and unchilled Florida water tastes funny, doesn't it? The stands will give it happily enough as part of on order, but they will still serve you if you only want the free stuff. Be brassy. Think how much you have paid already!

[leo2moss]

There are water fountains, but they aren't very cold and unchilled Florida water tastes funny, doesn't it? The stands will give it happily enough as part of on order, but they will still serve you if you only want the free stuff. Be brassy. Think how much you have paid already!
Too true!! I've only been to WDW once before, 7 years ago, and still remember how vile the water tasted! Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained I suppose!

[laura]

:wavey: Hi the past couple of years we have allways taken food into parks as my bro will only eat plain pasta and not once has anyone questioned us about it especially since he eats it when we buy food there, so you should be okay, didnt know you could ask for free iced water though so will def do that next year:grin: :wave: :wave: :wave:

[leo2moss]

:wavey: Hi the past couple of years we have allways taken food into parks as my bro will only eat plain pasta and not once has anyone questioned us about it especially since he eats it when we buy food there, so you should be okay, didnt know you could ask for free iced water though so will def do that next year:grin: :wave: :wave: :wave:

Thanks - I will give it a go now. Must have been difficult for you, carrying in pasta and keeping it chilled!

[BevS97]

I wouldn't take in anything that needs to be chilled, we take crackers and granola bars as well as some drinks but we have a stroller to carry them in - I don't know if I will bother once the stroller is gone.

We find the counter service food to be good - you need to avoid the obvious burgers and chips and look for the alternatives, they are out there.

We have had lovely noodles from the Noodle Terrace, clam chowder frmo columbia harbour house, rotisserie chicken from cosmic rays

I don't much like Pecos Bills, or Pinocchios but everywhere else has had good 'non burger' options

[lee@sheff]

Hi :wavey:
I was just reading the site's article on spending money and the advice was to take food into the park - not officially encouraged, but okay to do. I was wondering though if this advice has changed recently as there seems to be more security, including bag searches. So - would you still take food into the park?

just come back and security really strict

they took apples and crisps of us

[Manatee]

We always take a packed lunch with us to the parks(latest visit August 07), not one of the people who searched us commented on this, we were NEVER prevented from going into the parks with the food.

[may]

Clearly glass and alcohol are banned.Coolers are only banned if larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high , which seems to imply smaller coolers are allowed and so food is probably allowed?

Whether it is allowed or not , many many people take food in and I have never heard, apart from on this thread, of anyone being prevented from doing so. Some people on the DIS ' Budget Board seem to take in three course meals . Savage arguments break out online when they recount having sat at counter service seating to consume them :-)

[leo2moss]

Now I'm not sure what to do!
Maybe the best thing is to buy a photographer's jacket with lots of pockets and come in with snacks in all of them :grin:
Seriously though I'm trying to avoid Disney's over the top food prices - I'd rather spend my money elsewhere if possible.

[steruth]

Ive never ever been stopped and been through several bag/pram searches on the way in. They see the food and coolers and drinks and never say anything atall!
I normally freeze the drinks and take them in so they are defrosted and ready for later and have normally found if you uese freeze blocks and eat by about 12-1 the food is fine!
Beats paying park prices we take allsorts of snacks and fruit for the kids!
x

[leo2moss]

Ive never ever been stopped and been through several bag/pram searches on the way in. They see the food and coolers and drinks and never say anything atall!
I normally freeze the drinks and take them in so they are defrosted and ready for later and have normally found if you uese freeze blocks and eat by about 12-1 the food is fine!
Beats paying park prices we take allsorts of snacks and fruit for the kids!
x
I agree. I don't mind too much paying for a meal, but the snacks and water prices are just ridiculous.

[lotti]

we have been twice now and on both occations we have taken a packed lunch into the parks and nothing has been said,my son was dairy intolrant so we did have a good reason but we were never asked.

[Redriva]

There are water fountains, but they aren't very cold and unchilled Florida water tastes funny, doesn't it? The stands will give it happily enough as part of on order, but they will still serve you if you only want the free stuff. Be brassy. Think how much you have paid already!

I have figured on taking small ziplock bags with a premixed amount of kool aid & sugar that we can add to water from the fountains to kill the taste .. :grin:

[motty1969]

Always taken snack stuff in, and NEVER been stopped. The food in the parks is a bit pricey and all tends to be the same sort of stuff. Like some one else said have a good breakfast , and we usually get a snack through the day, usually too busy for a meal any way.