BRINGING FOOD TO Disney World IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY, BUT IS it allowed? LET’S FIND OUT!
Planning your vacation on a tight budget can be hard, but bringing food into Disney World will help you save money without skimping on magic!
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It’s common to wonder whether the Walt Disney World Resort allows guests to bring their own food into the Disney parks.
There are so many theme parks in Florida, and trying to remember their individual rules can make anybody’s head spin.
With the cost of food at theme parks rising, you may be wondering if you can cut the cost of your Disney vacation by bringing some of your own food.
Simply put, you are allowed to take outside food into the Walt Disney World park.
Yes it’s true, you are not forced to purchase Disney snacks or participate in character dining (although both are pretty great)!
There are some restrictions to this open rule, of course, and following the park’s restrictions on outside food will make sure your trip is smooth, stress-free, and filled with Disney magic.
Get ready for your Disney trip with these guides:
- How to Pack for Disney World
- What to Bring to Disney World
- Stay Cool at Disney World with These Tricks
- Where to Find Alcohol at Magic Kingdom
- Practical Guide to Eating Keto at Disney
WHAT FOOD IS ALLOWED IN DISNEY WORLD?
Walt Disney World is lenient with its food policy for visitors, but they do have some restrictions in place to ensure that the Disney theme parks stay safe and magical. Specifically, the rules are as follows:
- No glass containers of any kind
- No alcoholic beverages
- No smelly food or pungent odors
- No food item that requires refrigeration or heating
When you’re admitted into the park, your bag will be checked for any restricted materials. But don’t stress!
As long as your bag is packed in a way that is quick and easy to check, you’ll be through security in no time. Using clear plastic containers for food is a great way to simplify your security check.
HOW MUCH FOOD IS ALLOWED IN DISNEY WORLD?
The best thing about this is that the Walt Disney company doesn’t have any rules limiting the amount of food you can bring into the park.
Of course, there are still realistic limits based on how much you can comfortably carry. Finding a balance between having enough food and not too much is a good idea.
If you don’t have enough food and drink, you may spend more than you wanted to at a Disney World restaurant or by visiting multiple carts around the park (especially now that the Disney Dining plan isn’t available).
But if you have too much, it could be so heavy that it impedes your ability to really enjoy the park!
ARE COOLERS OR BACKPACKS ALLOWED at Disney World?
Coolers and backpacks are both allowed at Walt Disney World.
There are some restrictions on the coolers you can bring into Walt Disney World.
They can’t contain loose or dry ice, but you can use reusable ice packs to keep everything chilled. It’s noted in the rules that you are allowed to put loose ice in a Ziploc bag (perfect if there’s an ice machine near your hotel room).
Also, the size of the cooler has to be under 24” x 15” x 18”. No rolling wagons are allowed, so it’s worth planning on bringing a backpack-sized cooler or one that can fit in a stroller, rather than a large cooler.
I have this cooler backpack, which works great for my family of 5!
How to Store Outside Food at Disney World
Backpacks, totes, purses, and other carry bags are all allowed in Disney World.
We have a list of our favorite backpacks for Disney World, as well as smaller fanny packs for Disney World (if you just want to bring your own snacks).
In many cases, you can even bring these bags along with you on rides and store them at your feet. On wet rides like Kali River Rapids, free lockers are provided to park visitors.
If you’re bringing a stroller into the park, it’s absolutely worth taking advantage of the lightweight storage space that a stroller can offer in some of its compartments.
It can be very difficult to carry enough beverages to keep everyone hydrated, and sticking them in a stroller compartment makes it as simple as rolling everything around the park.
A good thing to note is that if your cooler starts to warm up, you can actually get free cups of ice or ice water from any quick service restaurants that offer fountain drinks on request. Taking advantage of the free ice ensures that you’ll have refreshingly cool drinks at even the hottest time of day.
Also, Walt Disney World offers lockers that you can rent on a first-come, first-serve basis that are great for storing large coolers or heavy backpacks.
They offer three locker sizes, at 12” x 10” x 17”, 15.5” x 13” x 1”’, and 17” x 22” x 26” for $10, $12, and $15 per day respectively.
The jumbo lockers are only available at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and all lockers are payable to rent through cash, card, or your Disney magic band.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD SNACKS TO BRING?
Maybe you don’t want to bring your own meals to the Disney World theme parks, but decide to tuck some essentials into your backpack, fanny pack, or small cooler.
Here are some tried-and-true favorites to bring:
Refillable water bottles
While the sunshine and warmth of Disney World are wonderful, it can quickly become exhausting and dehydrating through the course of the day as you spend hours exploring the park.
You won’t have to dent your wallet or worry about your hydration if you bring large reusable water bottles. Remember, you can get free water from quick service locations and pour it into your reusable bottle for an easy way to carry it throughout the park.
You can even customize Disney water bottles for each member of the family!
Protein snacks
If you want to boost your day, there’s no better way to do that than with protein snacks. And there’s a huge variety for any palate on the market!
Whether you’re looking for a classic trail mix with chocolate candy or a rich and fruity omega-3 trail mix, there’s something for everybody.
And you can’t forget the classic beef jerky! Granola bars are also a tasty and easy-to-pack alternative.
Sweet treats
It’s hard not to salivate at some of the magical offerings all around Disney World, and bringing your own special treats like snack cakes, juice boxes, and sodas is a good way to keep your sweet tooth satiated.
Candy and marshmallows can also be great choices, while fruit, juice, and dry cereal are healthier options.
Fresh Fruit
Nothing tastes as good in the Florida heat as some fresh fruit! Cool and refreshing, it helps give extra hydration, plus satisfies your sweet tooth.
Fresh fruit can be a little harder to find for sale in the parks, which is why this is one of my favorite things to bring into the park.
Flavored drink mixes
Flavored drink mixes can be a great option to bring since it lets you have a flavored drink even when you refill your water bottle.
There are many options on the market, whether you’re looking for a squeezable sugar-free syrup or a vitamin-packed powder. Kool-Aid is a great option if you want a nostalgic vacation!
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a great idea for everyone! You can sit down and enjoy a lunch together with any sandwich you can think of and there are certainly enough varieties for every palate.
Whether you’re looking for veggies and hummus wrap, peanut butter and jelly on soft white bread, or a classic Reuben, you’ll thank yourself for packing a delicious meal of sandwiches.
You can even bring snack-size bags of chips and sodas to make a fun meal. My family has done this many, many times!
IS BRINGING MY OWN FOOD TO DISNEY WORLD THE RIGHT CHOICE?
Trying to decide whether or not it makes sense to bring your own food into the parks is a personal choice, dependent on a few factors.
Your Travel Budget
It can be worthwhile to bring your own food, especially if you’re looking to save money during your visit to the park! Disney dining, while magical, can come with a high price point.
And for many families, it might be preferable to free up that budget and instead enjoy a favorite Disney World splurge, like the merchandise and experiences available at the park!
Your Family’s Dietary Needs and Allergies
Bringing your own food to a Disney park can be a great idea if you have food allergies, a dietary restriction, or a set of beliefs limiting certain foods.
While Walt Disney World does make a good effort at accommodating all dietary restrictions, whether you’re looking for something nut-free, vegan, or kosher, it can still sometimes be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for.
- By bringing your own allergy-friendly nut-free food, you can completely reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
- You won’t have to settle for fries at specific locations in the theme park if you bring your own vegan food.
- And you’ll feel completely secure that your food is certified kosher when you bring it from a trusted source.
- It can also be a great way to stick to dietary goals, such as if you’re looking to reduce sugars.
- If you’re going to Disney World with picky eaters, this can be a helpful way to keep them satisfied.
Best of all, you have complete control over the food you bring to the park and enjoy!
Your Desired Vacation
If you’re looking for a vacation where you can relax more, you may not want to bother with packing lunches.
It certainly does require a bit of work, from planning food items to ordering them to preparing them before heading to the parks.
But if you don’t mind a little bit of work, it can really pay off.
Bringing Your Own Food into Disney World
Pre-planning the food you bring to the park and enjoying it can remove a lot of stress that you might otherwise deal with trying to find the right food options for you.
No matter what your goals are in bringing food to the park, anything that will make the experience as stress-free as possible and let you fully enjoy the magic of Disney is a great choice.
What better way is there to enjoy the sunshine and enchantment of the Walt Disney World parks than with your favorite snack?
Be sure to save these tips to your Disney planning board on Pinterest!
