I have spent much time at the DL side of things here, but am working on planning for WDW visit in October. At DL, we bring in our own lunch pretty much every day - in a backpack - sandwiches, veggies, other snacks (nuts, raising mostly) and have NEVER been questioned or stopped. (I tried to search, but didn't come up with any links, but am happy to be directed to some)

So, I know WDW is a completely different place - what is the enforced policy there (I know they say not to bring in outside food). FYI, we're staying off-site at a time share, Orange Lakes. If we have sandwiches in our bag, will we have to get rid of them, or can we bring them in? We can't buy the DDP, since we're not on site. Any insight will be great!

Jennie

At the four major parks (AK, DHS, EC, MK) coolers are restricted to "small, soft-sided, which can fit in a locker.

The only other restrictions are nothing in glass containers and no alcoholic beverages.

Some things people don't think about (which tend to be in glass) are pickles, salsa, Mayonaisse, Starbucks drinks, Snapple drinks, Tabasco.

At the water parks any type or size cooler is acceptable. I have seen people come through the gate (Typhoon Lagoon) hauling wheeled coolers about 4' x 3' x 2½'. Note that the cooler can be on wheels or carried, but the way the rules are written you can not have it in a wagon.

If you show up at the gate with prohibited items we will give you three choices:
(1) Take prohibited items back to your car or resort.
(2) Put prohibited items in the nearby trash can.
(3) (Only for other than alcoholic beverages at Typhoon Lagoon) We can give you some 16oz paper cups (or if you have plastic bags) you can dump the items out of the glass containers and throw away the container.

Just make sure if you are not using a cooler that what you are bringing in is not subject to easy spoilage, such as mayonaisse on sandwiches.

We usually take in snacks, drinks and sandwiches in our bags. Smuckers uncrustables are great because you throw them in frozen and they are perfect by the time you need a snack.