Can you bring outside food into Disneyland?
Spoiler alert – the answer is yes!
But there are some rules you’ll need to follow. Here are the guidelines for bringing food into Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure from a Southern California local and Disney expert.
Outside Food at Disneyland
Wondering if you can you bring food into Disneyland? Yup, you can! And there are a lot of perks that go hand-in-hand with being able to do this.
First of all, it has the potential to save you a ton of money. Taking your own food is also very helpful if you have special dietary restrictions that require you to pack your own meals.
We visit Disneyland quite regularly, and while we always purchase at least one meal sometime during the day, bringing our own food allows us to balance our budget.
Unlike some theme parks where you need to hide granola bars in your pocket to smuggle them in (yeah, we’ve done that), you can enjoy eating your contraband guilt-free when visiting Disneyland Resort theme parks.
And this is good news. If you’ve ever traveled with young children, you know the value of being able to whip out a quick snack when they start getting cranky. Or just have something convenient to munch on while waiting in a long line. And though Disneyland snacks are amazing and delicious, at $4 to $10 a pop, the expense can add up quick!
Yes, a simple box of crackers or bags of chips from home can end up saving you a pretty penny.
And we’re not even talking full meals yet!
If you are on a budget, packing a few sandwiches so you only have to pay for dinner (instead of having to pay for lunch and dinner) is a great way to shave down the cost of your Disneyland vacation. We often bring sandwiches, cookies, carrot sticks, and even fresh fruit. And if you are staying at one of the hotels near Disneyland with free breakfast, that will help stretch your food budget even further.
Disneyland Outside Food Policy
It’s important to know the rules for bringing outside food into Disneyland, so I’ve gathered them all right here.
Here is the official Disneyland food policy, according to the Disney website:
“Guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverages into the parks for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers, do not require heating, reheating, processing or refrigeration and do not have pungent odors. Inform a Security Cast Member of any food items when you enter the park.”
So essentially:
- No glass containers
- No booze
- No reheating
- No stinky food
A few other park rules to note, which are not spelled out under the Disneyland outside food policy but still apply if you take food into the Disneyland Resort theme parks:
- Knives are not allowed inside the parks (including pocket knives) so if you have to cut something up, prepare it in advance or bring a plastic knife.
- While glass containers are not allowed, small baby food jars are excluded from this rule.
- You can bring a small cooler as long as it is not larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high.
- Loose ice and dry ice are not permitted. Reusable ice packs are recommended for keeping food fresh.
- Disney can search any bags, containers, or coolers when you go past security checkpoint.
Can You Bring Drinks Into Disneyland?
Another great question!
As long as they are non-alcoholic beverages (and you can find plenty of great spots for adult beverages at Disneyland) and not in glass bottles, you can bring any drink you like into the Disney theme parks. Juice boxes, coffee, even cans of soda – as long as they are non-alcoholic drinks, you are good to go!
How about water?
Yes, you can bring water bottles into Disneyland!
Not only can you – I’d go a step further and venture to say you would be crazy not to bring water into Disneyland!
Anaheim gets hot, and it is important to stay hydrated when you are outdoors walking around in the sun all day. Of course, Disney will gladly sell you some water, but at around four bucks a bottle, you will resent shelling out the money.
Instead, bring your own water refillable water bottles from home – either a reusable water bottle or plastic bottles you can refill throughout the day. There are numerous water fountains and water stations throughout the Disneyland Resort where you can refill with free water, including outside most restrooms.
► Travel Insight
If you forget to bring a water bottle, cast members at any quick-service restaurant will provide you with a free cup of cold water if you ask for one. Then you can hold on to the cup and refill it throughout the day!
Disneyland Picnic Area
So now that you know bringing outside food into Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is totally acceptable – where are you allowed to eat it?
Pretty much anywhere!
Chow down while you’re waiting in line for a ride. Find a scenic spot overlooking Sleeping Beauty Castle or Pixar Pier and the lake at DCA. Have a picnic on Tom Sawyer Island. Enjoy your lunch while cruising on the Mark Twain Riverboat. Help yourself to a seat at any quick service restaurant table. You can even eat your own food while watching the parade.
But if this makes you uncomfortable or you want to find a more secluded spot, Disneyland has a picnic area right outside the main entrance. You will find it on the west side of the esplanade, near the Downtown Disney area where trams from the parking structures disembark.
The picnic area is a laid-back space, filled with greenery and plenty of tables, seats, and shady nooks. It is a great place to take a quiet break and enjoy you picnic lunch mid-day.
The area also includes a set of lockers, so you can store your cooler bag, food items, and other gear here at the start of the day if you don’t want to lug them around.
Final Thoughts: Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland California Theme Parks?
If you want to bring your own food and drinks to the Happiest Place on Earth, nobody is going to stop you! Disney parks are among the only theme parks in the world that don’t have strict rules against outside food.
To be perfectly blunt – a Disney vacation is not cheap. While of course you want to enjoy some of the wonderful Disneyland food and treats at the parks, any tips and tricks to help save a few bucks is a win. By bringing your own food and drinks to the Disneyland Resort, you’ll be able to stretch your dining budget and get the most out of your Disneyland trip.
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