Walt Disney World Travel Planning Q&A: How to Save Money by Bringing in Food

One of our favorite ways to save a few dollars on a Walt Disney World vacation is to pack food for the days snacks or even a small meal. Disney does allow guests to bring in food and beverages as long as you don't bring in any glass containers or alcohol. Here are a few tips for your travel planning:

Use one of the locker rentals (usually located just inside the front gate) so you don't have to lug your food around all day or bring a portable food cooler into the park (just make sure it is smaller than 24″ long x 15″ wide and 18″ high). We like our backpack cooler (like this one from Coleman). If one cooler isn't big enough, bring two. There's no limit to what you can bring in as long as it doesn't violate other guidelines. We think Disney's food policy is pretty generous.

We like to bring snacks that survive well in heat. Cookies, crackers, boxed refreshments, and water. Rice crispy treats tend to hold up well if you want something sweet to snack on during the day.

Etiquette once you're in the park:

If they are available, use any table at a quick service location. But avoid the busy times where guests who are paying for food at that location might need a table. Tomorrowland Terrace and Tortuga Tavern are seasonal restaurants and often have available seating. Always dispose of your trash when finished.

Getting food options:

Use a delivery service like Garden Grocer or Amazon Prime Now to send food to your hotel room. Time it right and its waiting for you upon arrival.

Uber or Lyft it to the nearest store to your hotel. Take a Disney Bus to Disney Springs and then catch a rideshare to Publix which is just a few blocks away.

If you're renting a car or hiring a towncar for your trip from the airport to your hotel, you can stop at one of the Grocery Stores on your way. Here's a Google Maps search for Publix grocery markets.

Finally, each DVC resort has a little store in it, which is a good place to find snacks or drinks, even sandwich makings or frozen entrees. Get on a bus or boat to Boardwalk Inn then walk across the street to the Speedway gas station, which has a small store with drinks and snacks for much cheaper than you'll find at one of those DVC stores.

When it rains we use the backpack cooler to keep our camera and other personal items dry. It's also handy for bringing home a sweet confectionery treat at the end of your day.

Do you like to bring food with you on your Walt Disney World visit? What are your favorite snack to bring?

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Please note: We're taking new Disney Vacation Q&A questions in the comments of this post. We may contact you directly or use them for the subject of a future Disney Travel Planning Q&A post. Thank you.

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