Bringing Food to Disney World: What You Need to Know for an Unforgettable Visit!

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World this year, be prepared for higher food prices. Disney increased the costs for everything from snacks to drinks. Yes, even those beloved Mickey pretzels and Dole Whip! But don’t worry; you can still save money by bringing some of your own food and drinks into the parks.

Back in 2020, a family set up a unique grilled hot dog station at Disney Springs, which turned some heads for sure. While tailgating sounds fun, it’s not allowed at Disney World. You can’t bring hot dogs unless they’re pickled or in canned form. It’s a quirky rule!

Bringing Drinks

You can bring your own drinks into the parks, except for alcohol and anything in glass containers. Water bottles are fine as long as they’re not glass. Each park has water bottle-filling stations, and you can also ask for free water at quick-service restaurants instead of paying for bottled water.

Soft drinks and juice boxes are great choices to bring along, especially in the summer. A neat trick is to partially freeze a sports drink. By the time you need it, you’ll have a refreshing electrolyte slushie!

What Food Can You Bring?

Disney allows food as long as it doesn’t require heating or refrigeration. Think of shelf-stable snacks like popcorn or granola bars. I love Disney popcorn, but bringing a bag from home can save you some cash.

Just remember, food can’t be in glass containers (except for small baby food jars) and shouldn’t have strong odors. Leave your smelly snacks at home. At security checkpoints, mention the food you’re bringing. This usually goes smoothly; in my experience, my umbrella gets more attention than my snacks!

Coolers: Can You Bring One?

In Central Florida’s heat, a cooler can be a lifesaver for keeping your snacks fresh. Coolers are allowed as long as they’re smaller than 24” long, 15” wide, and 18” high. You can use reusable ice packs, but skip the loose ice or dry ice.

A cooler also lets you pack your favorite drinks, no matter the brand. Just a tip: you might not want to carry it around the park all day. Each park offers lockers for rent, making it easier to store your cooler while you enjoy the attractions.

Cutlery Rules

If you plan on having snacks or meals, a set of reusable cutlery can come in handy, especially if you’re visiting EPCOT during a festival. However, leave knives at home, as all types of knives are prohibited in the parks.

Storing Food

While Disney does have Baby Care Centers, they won’t help with food storage. However, you can find microwaves there. If you’re looking for a fridge, renting a premium patio at Blizzard Beach comes with one. This can be particularly useful for storing milk or medication that needs refrigeration.

Though it might be pricey, renting a private space like this can make special occasions or family celebrations easier, letting you bring homemade treats without the risk of them getting crushed in a cooler.