Hey there, Nichole! Can you believe it?! Your Disneyland Resort adventure is tomorrow! You've only got one more sleep until you're dashing away to the Happiest Place on Earth!
Since the word “plan” is right there in our planDisney name, you can probably guess what we love to do—help our pals (that's you!) plan magical, unforgettable trips! And as a fellow foodie—someone who tries to give Remy a run for his money in the kitchen—I'm especially excited to talk about bringing food into the parks. The short answer? Yes, you absolutely can!
But, as Baloo would say, let's talk about the "Bare Necessities" of bringing your own food and beverages into the parks. We can think of them as our guide to happy snacking. First off, I should share that glass containers are a no-go. And that goes for drinks, too—even that delicious Wonderland Punch needs a non-glass container to make the journey! You'll also need to leave any alcoholic beverages behind. Another very important point is that you can't bring in anything that requires refrigeration, reheating, or any fancy cooking. To put it another way, unless you can conjure a meal out of thin air like the Genie (and let's be honest, most of us don't have a magic lamp handy!), it's best to stick with foods that are ready to eat. Think simple and satisfying! Finally, let's be considerate of our fellow Guests and avoid any foods or drinks with strong smells. Here's some more helpful info about
bringing in outside food.
I’ve found that prepackaged foods travel beautifully through the parks. I pack my Loungefly with chips, pretzels, trail mix, you name it. (And, does it surprise you at this point that my Loungefly features a Mickey ice cream sandwich? Told you I’m a foodie!). I also like to pack a bottle of water to stay hydrated. While a splashdown on
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is certainly welcome on a hot day, it hardly counts as hydration! Also, if you’re bringing in foods that are not prepackaged, I’d recommend storing them in clear plastic containers to speed up your time in the security line.
Here’s another pro tip straight from a fellow snack enthusiast (that’s me!): I actually bring an empty plastic food container in my backpack. Why? To take a little bit of Disney magic home, of course! I live a couple of hours from Disneyland, so I’ve been known to munch on a churro toffee square on my trip back home. Though the fresh treats you can get at
Candy Palace and other locations throughout the resort are nicely wrapped, I’ve found that a plastic container can help keep everything nice and fresh if it’s going to be enjoyed later.
And lastly, Nichole, while you're more than welcome to enjoy your treats throughout the parks, I wanted to mention the wonderful
picnic area just outside the entrance to Disneyland Park. I love this area for several reasons—there are lots of places to sit, there’s plenty of shade, and it offers a relaxing area to enjoy a quick break to fuel up for more fun.
So there you have it, Nichole. Get ready for a day filled with joy, magic, and some very tasty treats. Have a fantastic time, and be sure to say hi to Mickey for me!
Cody