Are you planning a trip to Disneyland soon? If yes, then you should definitely check out these top tips before going on vacation. Disney World is known for its amazing rides and attractions.
The park also has some great restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals. But did you know that you can bring your own food inside the parks? This is a great way to save money at Disneyland or accommodate picky eaters or family members with special dietary requirements.
Bringing food into Disneyland is allowed, and this rule applies to both adults and kids. However, you can eat outside the Disney theme parks in a complimentary picnic area too. Keep reading to learn more.
Can Food Be Brought Into Disneyland Locations?
Disneyland is one of our favorite places to go. There are so many fun things to do there, plus it’s always nice to see Mickey Mouse and his friends. But what about bringing snacks and drinks into Disneyland? Can you bring those items inside?
Yes! Provided, whatever you choose to bring has been run by their policies. Regarding packing food for vacation, there are many things to consider.
You want to make sure you pack enough food for yourself and your family while keeping the weight down. Here are some tips for what kinds of foods you could include:
- Granola Bars – These are easy to eat and travel well. They are high in fiber and low in sugar and fat.
- Fruit – This includes apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, peaches, pears, and melons.
- Protein – Beef Jerky, nuts, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, milk, cereal, etc.
- Vegetables – Carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, beans, corn, peas, carrots, etc.
- Dairy – Milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Condiments – Ketchup, mustard, relish, salsa, honey, jam, jelly, syrup, etc.
What Is The Official Policy?
If you plan on taking food into Disneyland, here are some things to remember. First off, glass containers (except for baby food jars) are prohibited.
This includes bottles, cans, mason jars, etc. If you pack glass, make sure it is clear and does not contain liquid. Sharp knives are also banned, so don’t forget to leave those steak knives. Finally, alcohol cannot be taken into the park.
Also, for children or adults with severe allergies, the parks must oblige by letting people bring their own food, provided it comes under their policy regulations. The parks may not cater to every form of food requirement or allergies.
Can You Bring Coolers?
You might think that bringing a large cooler into Disneyland is frowned upon. But there are some good reasons why you shouldn’t bring a big cooler into the park.
Here are five things to consider before deciding to bring a large cooler to the Disney parks:
- Make sure that your cooler meets the size requirements. Coolers larger than 6-pack-sized are not permitted in Disney parks. Exceptions may be made for special dietary or religious needs.
- Guests can store coolers up to 19″ wide x 24″ high x 31″ deep in rentable jumbo-sized lockers outside the Disneyland Park Main Entrance. If you do decide to bring a large cooler, make sure it fits these criteria.
- There are no specific rules about what type of cooler you can use, but you cannot bring anything that requires electricity.
- Loose or dry ice is not permitted, and reusable ice packs are recommended.
- Think about how much weight your cooler will add to your bag. This includes the weight of the cooler itself plus the contents inside.
If you decide to bring a large container, make sure you follow the rules and regulations of permitted items. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay a fine. Or at least dealing with the hassle of returning an item to your vehicle or taking it back to your hotel room.
What Food Is Suitable To Bring With You To Disneyland?
Disneyland’s policy allows visitors to bring outside food and drinks into the park. But there are restrictions.
The rules state that guests must tell security officers upon entering the park that they have brought food and beverages; no alcoholic beverages are permitted inside the gates.
Guests may not bring alcohol into the park. Guests under 21 cannot consume alcohol anywhere near Disneyland Resort property.
If you do decide to bring food or beverages into the park, you’ll want to make sure it fits within one of three categories:
- A single serving of food or beverage that doesn’t exceed 4 ounces.
- Two servings of food or beverage that don’t exceed 12 ounces each.
- One cooler per person that holds 16 cups or fewer.
Where Can You Eat Your Brought Food?
When we bring outside food into the theme parks, we try not to make too much noise or block access to the dining room. There are shady benches and corners everywhere around the park.
And while some of them are great spots for a quick bite, others aren’t ideal. So what do we do? Where should we eat our food?
We found a couple of places where we could grab a bite without making too much noise or blocking anyone else’s view. Here are some of our favorite spots:
- In Frontierland, near Big Thunder Ranch, there are several small pockets throughout the area. At one point, we found a nice corner behind the big tree in front of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.
- On Main Street USA, near the entrance to Town Square Theater, there’s a large open area near the fountain.
- Near Adventureland, near the Jungle Cruise ride, there’s another small nook under the trees.
- Outside Pirates of the Caribbean, near the exit, there’s a small patch of grass near the restrooms.
Disney guests may also enjoy their own food and nonalcoholic drinks at the complimentary picnic area – located near the lockers outside the Main Entrance to Disneyland Park.
Disney World Vacation Planner
Use our Disney World Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets to help your family plan a fun, easy, stress-free, and magical vacation to Walt Disney World. It includes a Park Day Backpack Packing List and a list of Kid Friendly Snacks for Disney.
Final Thoughts
Bringing food into Disneyland is a great way to save money or accommodate special dietary requirements. It gives families a chance to enjoy delicious treats and stay hydrated during a long day at Disney parks. We hope this guide helps you plan ahead and have fun when bringing food into the parks!
Remember that The Disneyland Resort features a wide variety of dining options for almost every taste and budget. This includes a wide range of options to help accommodate Disney Guests with Special Dietary Requests.
Remember, if you’re not sure about anything regarding bringing food into your nearest Disneyland Resort area or Park, just ask them! It never hurts to ask.
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Disney World Itinerary Planning: What You Need to Know
Tips and Tricks for Disney World
Walt Disney World Vacation Planner
Games To Play In Line At Disney
How Many Days For Disney World?
Disney Genie Plus Review
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
What To Do In Disney Springs
15 Best Family Activities In Orlando To Do On Your Travels
