Bringing Food into Disneyland: Do's and Don'ts

Due to the high costs associated with visiting the Disneyland Resort, it isn't surprising that many people decide to cut costs by bringing food into the parks. However, while some guests encounter no problems when bringing food to the Disneyland Resort, other guests find themselves directed by cast members to the lockers or picnic area outside the Disneyland entrance. So, what guidelines seem to affect guests who want to bring food into the Disneyland Resort parks? Several very specific aspects of bringing food into Disneyland and California Adventure seem to affect whether or not a guest is allowed to do so. For those who want to bring food into the Disneyland Resort parks, the following list of Do's and Don'ts can help.

DO: Pack your food in a small, soft-sided, insulated bag. Hard-sided coolers are not permitted, and very large insulated bags are reported to be turned away, as well. If you need more space than a small, soft-sided cooler affords, shop around for an insulated backpack, similar to those sold by the Picnic at Ascot company.

DO: Bring fully prepared sandwiches. When bringing food into the Disneyland Resort parks, it is necessary to pack fully prepared food items. For instance, guests are permitted to enter the parks with fully assembled sandwiches. Guests will be turned away however, if an attempt is made to bring in separate sandwich ingredients like loaves of bread, jars of mayonnaise, etc.

DON'T: Attempt to bring in any glass bottles or containers. No glass bottles will be permitted into the parks. Likewise, no alcohol is allowed through the security check, either.

DON'T: Try to bring in food from outside restaurants. While it's been reported that Subway sandwiches are allowed to be brought into the parks of the Disneyland Resort, , very definite accounts exist of guests being directed to the picnic area outside the entrance for showing up with bags of food from McDonald's, or Anaheim area specialty restaurants.

While bringing food into the Disneyland Resort parks definitely cuts costs, be sure to follow these guidelines to minimize your chances of being turned away at security check. If you are refused entry due to the food you are trying to bring in, you will have three options. One, you can take your insulated cooler back to your vehicle and simply return to the parking garage when your group is ready to eat. Two, you can rent a locker and store your meal until your group gets hungry, and then eat at the picnic tables near the lockers. Or three, simply trek over to the tables, eat, and then enter the parks when you have finished.