Bringing snacks into parks?

[bigkid]

Has anyone ever had trouble bringing snacks or water bottles into the parks? I have read that you are not supposed to do this yet some people are suggesting this as a time/money saver? I also read that they are checking all backpacks/purses since 9/11. Do they ever take your food away? I have always travelled with juice boxes and granola bars, raisins, or nuts. Do you think I will have a problem with this? Thanks, in advance, for any responses.

[Andrew]

All purses, backpacks, diaper bags, etc. are checked. However, the bag screeners haven't evidenced any interest in food or drinks, as long as you don't have glass containers. The letter of the rule is that no outside food or drink may be brought into the parks. In practice, you shouldn't have any trouble at all in bringing snack bars or fruit and bottled water, or similar items.

[bigkid]

Thank you!! This should mean we can get by on purchasing only 1 snack and dinner.

[pixiedust]

Water bottles and the types of snacks/drinks you mentioned are fine. Security will NOT take these items away.

Full meals, coolers, etc. are not allowed, mostly since they want to sell you food and drinks, but also for the comfort of other park goers. Just think of all the "roadside picnics" you would encounter if every tenth person though the gate lugged in a full meal!

[Mark Goldhaber]

I've even had a bag checker look into my fanny pack, see a small Ziploc bag full of some kind of snack, and jokingly say "Hey, can I have some?" It's pretty much winked at, as long as they don't see you walking in with a huge cooler. (And if they did, I'm sure that you wouldn't be stopped if you needed it for medical reasons. Otherwise, they'd recommend that you put it in lockers and use the picnic area by the TTC for eating it rather than confiscating it.)

[bigkid]

Thanks again for all the responses! I am always nervous about not following the "rules". You have all made me more comfortable about this. After all I will already be spending a bundle on this vacation and don't want to waste too much time in restaurants.

pixiedust--- I love your quote on travel. It is one of my passions too! Although I am Canadian I work in Detroit, Michigan (crossing the border everyday!!--what a hassle!). I have a map of the US on my fridge and have been coloring in the states as I visit them! Have been to 24 so far! Haven't had the pleasure of visiting your state yet!

Mark --- Happy Birthday in advance! My turn for the "big 4-0" is Next year (May '05). Don't stress it -- they say that these days 40 is the new 30!

[Mark Goldhaber]

Originally posted by bigkid
Mark --- Happy Birthday in advance! My turn for the "big 4-0" is Next year (May '05). Don't stress it -- they say that these days 40 is the new 30!

I am thinking of it as "30 with 10 years' experience."

[kjsmom]

We've had no problem at all bringing a softsided cooler full of frozen water bottles, juice boxes, cans of soda and snacks into any Disney or Universal park. We take a cooler that is slightly larger than what would hold a six pack. They look, but have never said a thing about what's inside. I have seen some foreigners try and take bottled beer into the park and of course it was confiscated!