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Author	Topic: Bringing food into Disney
maverick TUG Member Posts: 956 From: Long Island, NY Registered: Aug 2001	posted 05-26-2005 12:35 Does anyone know what can be brought in to Disney? I'm assuming bottles and sippy cups would be allowed if the kids were holding them on the way in. Could I bring in a small cooler with these drinks inside? What about food? Am I allowed to bring in a small cooler of sandwiches or snacks? Thanks for any insight you can share. I haven't been able to locate this information on any of the Disney websites. Craig ------------------ "In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man, Now I've reached that age, I've tried to do all those things the best I can." Led Zeppelin IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-26-2005 13:34 Technically, no food or drinks are allowed to be brought into the parks. To my knowledge, this has never been enforced. You should have no problem bringing a couple drinks and snacks into the parks, however a cooler full of food may be pushing it. ------------------ DVC member IP: Logged
ciscogizmo1 TUG Member Posts: 599 From: Registered: Aug 2002	posted 05-26-2005 13:53 We were there last week and I saw a lot of families bringing in food especially lunch type food like sandwiches, etc... I kinda wish I brought more food in. We brought 6 bottles of water in each day plus snacks like granola bars, crackers and fruit snacks. The food there was a bit more expensive than I remember. A typical counter service lunch for the 4 us was $40 to $50 (that included ordering two kid sized meals). All we would order is a sandwich and a drink. And, some of the food was not very good. At those prices it should taste better. So, I wouldn't worry about it and I'd bring the food in. Tina ------------------ You can see my timeshare photos here: http://community.webshots.com/user/ciscogizmo IP: Logged
sfwilshire TUG Member Posts: 2389 From: Clinton TN Registered: Jan 2003	posted 05-26-2005 14:24 We've carried in all manner of foods with nothing ever said except jokes from security about sharing or (to my large 17yo) about being hungry. At the max we've taken a medium size cooler and a large tote bag full of eats and drinks. I think the only things that would be a problem are glass bottles and wheeled coolers (because of the danger to other guests of tripping). Sheila IP: Logged
SK TUG Member Posts: 357 From: Registered: Sep 2002	posted 05-26-2005 15:58 If you're planning on using the cooler just to keep the drinks cold, try this instead of toting a cooler around all day: - Buy large insulated water bottles (sports type) that have a large mouth. Fill each morning with ice from your hotel. If you choose (we do not), also top it off with cold water. As the day goes on, your ice will melt to keep you quenched for most of the day. Some come with a hook to attach to a fanny pack or backpack, or with a strap you can carry on your shoulder, or with a lariat to hang it around your neck. - For kids juice packs, take some that have been frozen overnight, some that were just frozen in the morning while you prepared for the day. This way you'll have a few for early in the day, a few for later. If your hotel does not have a freezer, pack them in a cooler filled to the brim with ice overnight...they'll get somewhat frozen this way. IP: Logged
maverick TUG Member Posts: 956 From: Long Island, NY Registered: Aug 2001	posted 05-27-2005 13:04 Thank you for your help. TUGgers are the best! ------------------ "In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man, Now I've reached that age, I've tried to do all those things the best I can." Led Zeppelin IP: Logged
werctc TUG Member Posts: 236 From: Philadelphia, PA, USA Registered: Nov 2002	posted 05-27-2005 15:55 I can't imagine how much money we saved by bringing food into the park. We always pack a small clapsable cooler that fits under a stroller. We always freeze water bottles, bring sodas and sandwiches and snacks. Nothing has ever been said to us. IP: Logged
AE TUG Member Posts: 1407 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-27-2005 16:44 I just freeze the water bottles and use them to keep the food cool. As the bottles melt throughout the day always have fresh (not chlorinated-tasting) spring water to drink. IP: Logged
lvhmbh TUG Member Posts: 888 From: Boca Raton, FL Own: Bluebeards Castle, USVI, Costa Linda, Aruba, Vistana, FL Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-29-2005 07:14 I'm one of those people who would normally never bring food in somewhere but..... the cost of food in the parks is outrageous!!! I was appalled at the cost of a pb&j sandwich with chips years ago. By all means take food and drink! Linda IP: Logged
got4boys TUG Member Posts: 456 From: NE Indiana Registered: Oct 2001	posted 05-30-2005 05:54 Even though you aren't suppose to bring food into Disney, security lets you. I'm glad that they did because after I planned our family trip, my spouse suddenly became unemployed and everything (but food) was already paid for. We bought in our own food and drinks into the park. The kids had a great time and we spent less than $25. Most of it was parking. I did treat the kids to ice cream that day, but they drank juice boxes and water (frozen the day before)and ate heavy snacks. It will be an experience the kids will remember. [This message has been edited by got4boys (edited 05-30-2005).] IP: Logged
timeos2 Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 2012 From: Rochester, NY : Cypress Pointe & Westgate VV, Orlando Fl;FF Kingsgate Williamsburg, VA(FF Pts);Cove @ Yarmouth, Cape Cod MA;Rayburn CC, TX-RCI Pts Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-30-2005 17:29 quote: Originally posted by ciscogizmo1: The food there was a bit more expensive than I remember. A typical counter service lunch for the 4 us was $40 to $50 (that included ordering two kid sized meals). All we would order is a sandwich and a drink. And, some of the food was not very good. At those prices it should taste better. So, I wouldn't worry about it and I'd bring the food in. Tina That has been a problem with Disney food for years. They get premimum prices and more for food you would reject outside the "gates". There are a few good restaurants on site but they are far outnumbered by the lesser and overpriced ones. Best bet is to eat offsite or stay in a unit with a kitchen and make your own. They do have great (and fresh) popcorn! ------------------ John Chase Use Email Icon above for contact address IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-30-2005 20:04 quote: Originally posted by timeos2: That has been a problem with Disney food for years. They get premimum prices and more for food you would reject outside the "gates". There are a few good restaurants on site but they are far outnumbered by the lesser and overpriced ones. Best bet is to eat offsite or stay in a unit with a kitchen and make your own. They do have great (and fresh) popcorn! In summary- You want the $2 hamburger, than you will get the $2 fireworks show. Yes the prices for food are high, but you get what you pay for. I don't mind paying a premium, since you can see where the money goes. More expensive than Six Flags? You bet it is, but you also get 10 times the show. I have visited the off site resorts by Downtown Disney, many times. I didn't take kindly to a girl in the gift shop, with her feet on the counter, who didn't speak good English, as she watched the Price is Right. I will not say which resorts may have many short comings. All I can say is if anyone tried to compare this resort to DVC, I could have an absolute field day. ------------------ DVC member [This message has been edited by Carl D (edited 05-30-2005).] IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-30-2005 20:08 ------------------ DVC member [This message has been edited by Carl D (edited 05-30-2005).] IP: Logged
timeos2 Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 2012 From: Rochester, NY : Cypress Pointe & Westgate VV, Orlando Fl;FF Kingsgate Williamsburg, VA(FF Pts);Cove @ Yarmouth, Cape Cod MA;Rayburn CC, TX-RCI Pts Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-30-2005 20:45 Carl - I'm not saying the food at Six Flags (or Busch Gardens or many other theme or amusement parks) is any better. Thats the point. It's nothing but typical microwaved preprepared food that most people would avoid like the plague given a choice but these parks get 5* prices and make you stand in line for it. The OP wanted to know about avoiding that by bringing food in. Good idea if they allow it (and I'm sure they don't) - otherwise avoid the problem by eating outside of the magic areas. The one exception to the generally poor food in parks seems to be Universal. Most (but not all) of their food is done by known names (like Mel's Diner and Lombards Seafood place among others). It actually seems to equal a real restaurant in quality. Except for some of the nations at Epcot all the Disney restaurants seem to have the same overpriced stuff as most other and much lower cost amusement parks. Serving it in a "castle" doesn't make it better food or improve the taste. I prefer to pay less and get high quality at restaurants offsite. Even the Downtown Disney restaurants aren't as good as those completely offsite. Fultons vs Charlies? No contest - Charlies wins hands down for the same or maybe less cost. Planet Hollywood vs Hard Rock Cafe? Give me a break. Thats why PH went bankrupt and Hard Rock thrives. Rain Forest vs Bahama Breeze? What would you take? I could go on and on. Why pay more and fight the crowds when a far better meal is available and often cheaper offsite? And I wouldn't recommend buying any meals at any gift shops either. Far too many quality restaurants or reasonably priced full service supermarkets readily available once you leave the gates of Disney. ------------------ John Chase Use Email Icon above for contact address IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-30-2005 20:57 John, There are many GREAT places to dine on WDW property- - Victoria & Alberts (truly a 4 star experience. Nothing even close in Orlando.) - Yachtmans Steakhouse - 'Ohana - Narcoosee - Jiko - California Grill - Artist Point - Citricos I could name many more, but these just some of the top tier WDW restaurants. ------------------ DVC member [This message has been edited by Carl D (edited 05-30-2005).] IP: Logged
timeos2 Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 2012 From: Rochester, NY : Cypress Pointe & Westgate VV, Orlando Fl;FF Kingsgate Williamsburg, VA(FF Pts);Cove @ Yarmouth, Cape Cod MA;Rayburn CC, TX-RCI Pts Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-30-2005 21:51 Carl - I don't think you've ever looked much outside the gates as there are many highly ranked restaurants in Orlando: Antonio's (Universal) Atlantis (Sea World) Emeril's (Universal) Dux (Peabody) La Coquina (Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress) Sam & Harry's Orlando (Universal) Siam Orchid (Universal) just to name a few. Yes the Victoria & Alberts is a high rated restaurant by AAA but no better than the Peabody by the Mobil guide. And what do you know - of the two V&A is higher priced! Most importantly that restaurant isn't run by Disney but by an outside restaurant group as are all the better restaurants at Universal. It proves the point. The standard microwave fare that the majority of Disney sites serve is bland at best and overpriced. They do play host to a few good names but the prices tend to be higher at those than comparable offsite restaurants. So my original post stands. Best food and value reside outside the gates. ------------------ John Chase Use Email Icon above for contact address IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-30-2005 22:19 quote: Originally posted by timeos2: Yes the Victoria & Alberts is a high rated restaurant by AAA but no better than the Peabody by the Mobil guide. And what do you know - of the two V&A is higher priced! Not even in the same league. V&A is the only TRUE rated 4* restaurant in the south half of Florida. Have you ever ate there? And by the way, their prices were not out of line for what was delivered. ------------------ DVC member IP: Logged
timeos2 Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 2012 From: Rochester, NY : Cypress Pointe & Westgate VV, Orlando Fl;FF Kingsgate Williamsburg, VA(FF Pts);Cove @ Yarmouth, Cape Cod MA;Rayburn CC, TX-RCI Pts Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-31-2005 05:51 Carl - I'm a New Yorker. There aren't any FL restaurants that come up to the level of New York but some come fairly close. Victoria & Alberts is one of those. Concentrating solely on the one or two that are nearly world class isn't how this thread got started. Some may go there once or twice in their life but only as a special occasion. The majority of the time people are looking for good food at the best price and that doesn't fit 95% of the Disney (or most amusement parks) eateries. As we have bantered about many times I don't think that just because something is within the Disney gates makes it somehow better. In fact I'd argue the opposite except for the "real" Disney magic which for me was the parks and the well done theme rides. The restaurants have a theme but the food seldom (with the notable exceptions you gave which are not located inside the parks themselves) even reaches acceptable grade but at very high prices. Those teenagers serving the microwave food may be cast members but yesterday they were changing the french fry lamp at Sonic not working at Four Seasons. ------------------ John Chase Use Email Icon above for contact address IP: Logged
Carl D Non Member Posts: 1230 From: Portland Registered: Apr 2002	posted 05-31-2005 10:17 quote: Originally posted by timeos2: As we have bantered about many times I don't think that just because something is within the Disney gates makes it somehow better. The restaurants have a theme but the food seldom (with the notable exceptions you gave which are not located inside the parks themselves) even reaches acceptable grade but at very high prices. We are sort of in agreement here. I wouldn't be quite so harsh on the restaurants inside the parks, but on average it's clear that the better places are in the resort hotels. Cinderella's Royal Table, and Restaurant Marrakesh come to mind when thinking of good in park restaurants. No, it's not better just because it's on property. I also have a list of Disney restaurants that I would not reccomend. ------------------ DVC member IP: Logged

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